Page 81 of Reverence

She was currently on her way here and I didn’t know how I’d tell her the truth. If I’d even tell her at all. My hands trembled slightly because I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t.

If I kept this from her and she found out, it’d sever everything we’d built this far, and whatever bond we established already wasn’t much but if I told her the truth, I’d have to face the repercussions thereof.

Either way, I’d have to make a decision and fast.

The doorbell rang once, twice and I opened my eyes slowly—sitting up straight before rising to my feet. The walk towards the front door felt like an eternity, each step heavier than the last.

When I opened the door and those brown eyes peered up at me, I knew I wouldn’t have been able to share the information with her.

Not when she looked so angelic standing before me in a black mini skirt, a black halter top with a red dragon pattern embroidered, and black boots that made me want to drop to my knees in front of her.

“This is uncalled for,” She scoffed. “Did Asher at least tell you why we’re being pulled from the case? We didn’t do anything wrong.”

I stepped aside, allowing her to enter. “Unless you stirred the pot. What did you do this time, Ares?”

“Why would you automatically assume I did something?”

“Clearly it can’t be anybody else’s fault.” She walked towards my couch, still looking somewhat nervous or maybe, a little anxious.

She’d been here twice before and one of those consisted of me taking her virginity.

“Sit.” I nodded. “Sorry to disappoint princesa, but I didn’t do anything. You know better than anyone else—challenging Asher never ended well so I didn’t bother. Now we’re back on administrative duties.”

“You’re fucking joking.” She shook her head, crossing one leg over the other and my eyes immediately zeroed in on her thighs. “We didn’t come this far just to get tossed aside. Are you certain we can’t have a conversation with Asher about this?”

“Nothing’s stopping us from attempting to have a conversation with him.” I brought a cigarette to my lips, flicking my lighter as I inhaled slowly. Watching the ember burn before smoke wafted in the air. “The question is, will he listen to anything we have to say?”

She observed me for a few seconds and I suddenly felt anxious under her scrutiny.

“Can I try?” Amala asked, peering at me with those expressive eyes. I took another drag of the cigarette as I shook my head no.

“Have you ever smoked before?” I blew the smoke in the opposite direction, holding the stick between my middle and index finger.

“I haven’t.” That’s when I did something completely unexpected.

I patted my thigh while spreading my legs slightly—gesturing for her to sit on my lap. She hesitated at first but then stepped forward, slowly taking a seat.

“And you want to try smoking, why?” I enquired.

“Curiosity.” She answered simply, making me chuckle. She was seated on my thigh but I wanted her ass planted firmly against my dick.

With the cigarette between my lips, I pulled her closer, positioning her the way I wanted. “Stress. Disappointment.” She added before gasping softly, the sound nearly sending me into an orbit.

I removed the stick from my lips before speaking. “You shouldn’t let your curious little mind persuade you so easily and stress is nothing but a silent killer,”

I murmured, grasping her chin. “However, I’d be willing to let you try.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I whispered hoarsely. “Open your mouth.” She furrowed her eyebrows but slowly obliged. I took one last drag and brought my lips closer to hers, blowing the smoke into her mouth.

I watched as her pupils dilated, her breath fanning my face as she exhaled. “More?” I asked and she declined, wrapping an arm around my neck.

“I’m good.” She stared at me with those expressive eyes and in this moment, I forgot about everything and everyone else. The case. Dominion. The bureau. My sole focus was her, my mind wandering as I got lost in her gaze. “Tastes fucking disgusting.”

I laughed softly. “Does that mean the taste of tobacco would deter you from kissing me?” I moved my face closer to hers. She looked at my lips for a brief moment.

A second at best, leaning forward. Our lips almost touching.