Ares
I shift uncomfortably in bed, aware that I’m not alone. I don’t open my eyes just yet, but my head is already pounding like it’s about to split open. I shouldn’t have gone to that party. Things spiraled out of control, as they always do. I forgot—again—that drinking too much doesn’t sit well with me. And it wasn’t just the alcohol; there were drugs too, like at every one of Hana’s parties. Nothing’s ever missing at her bashes—they’re the best, but they always lead to reckless decisions. And, well, sex. A smirk creeps across my face as I finally open my eyes and see the woman sleeping beside me, her back to me, completely covered by a sheet. Maybe a little morning action could ease this headache. I scoot closer, grinning, and press a kiss to her neck. She smells incredible. I mold my body to hers, and she lets out a soft moan, mumbling something I can’t quite catch. One of my hands starts to tug the sheet off her until I catch sight of the tattoo on her back. I freeze. I know that tattoo. I’ve seen it before. What are the odds of two people having the exact same ink in the exact same spot? I swallow hard and slowly slip out of bed.
—Damn it —I mutter under my breath as she turns over, her eyes fluttering open. Her gaze sweeps over me, head to toe, before locking onto my eyes.
—Ares
—That party got way out of hand —I say, scrambling to get dressed, desperate to put some distance between me and the most unpredictable woman I’ve ever met.
—I don’t remember much.
—Neither do I —I grumble, lying through my teeth. The truth is, it’s all coming back to me now. Her body on top of mine, my hands roaming everywhere, kisses that burned out of control. I glance at her piercing blue eyes, the memory of her moans echoing through the room. I drag my hands over my face, trying to erase it all.
—You’re leaving already? —She’s calm, watching me from the bed, wrapped in that sheet like it’s no big deal.
—Let’s just forget last night —I meet her gaze. —As far as I’m concerned, nothing happened. We’ll keep it that way and not breathe a word of this mistake to anyone. It won’t happen again. —I head for the door and leave without looking back. I just spent the night with her—the daughter of one of my business partners, and worse, the most dangerous man in this country. I just had a night full of reckless passion with Hana Mils. Why?
I climb into my car but sit there, doing nothing. I’ve never been interested in her. Sure, I’ve always thought she was gorgeous, but she’s unhinged, living a carefree life just like me, with zero regard for commitment. We’re cut from the same cloth, and two people like us? We can’t be together. So why the hell did I end up in bed with her? Why did I pick her when there were plenty of other beautiful women at that party—not on her level, but still beautiful?
—Damn it all —I start the car, trying to piece together one crucial detail. I can’t remember it. My mind skips over that part, no matter how much I replay the night. We didn’t use protection. I’ve never been this careless. Not once. And we didn’t just do it once, either.
I take a deep breath. Nothing will come of it. I’m not that unlucky, right? And even if something does happen, there’s always a way to fix it.