I'm totally evasive of Ares. I’ve called in to work for the third day now and just went to class. My in-class professors are surprised that I’ve come to school for more than two days in a row. I just wish I didn’t have to have their classes four days a week. It’s the same jackasses that thought I was a whore, why the hell do I even bother? At least I have them in the morning and I’m done with them by one thirty.

I gather up my things and step out into the hall free for the day. I look at my cell and see no messages. At least he’s giving me some space. I’m pretty sure he knows I’m not at home, but if he does, hey that works for me. I put my phone in my bag and start walking down the hall when lo and behold, here comes my English professor. Damn, that’s right, his office is on this floor. Shit, he’s walking right to me.

“Well Sky, it seems that your pimp isn’t too worried about you not working,” he says stopping in front of me. A few people take a look in our direction. I really don’t like this guy.

“He’s not my pimp. He's the head of security at Siren,” I tell him yet again.

“Then how come you’re not at work then?” says the reddish brown, baby-faced jack ass.

“Why the hell do you care Jessup?” I say about to step around him when he steps in my way. Good grief.

“I’d like to talk to you. That is, if you’re not going to be late for anything,” he smirks. Bastard.

“Fine,” I respond and follow him to his office. We get there and I plop myself down in a chair as he closes the door. He comes right in front of me and leans against his desk. Oh boy…

“I want to talk to you Sky because I’m worried about you,” he says leaning over some, “There are other ways to make a living instead of dealing with a man that obviously has some sort of power over you to keep you underneath his thumb,” He's spouting that bullshit again? I look at him. This guy is an idiot, “Is he threatening you in some way?” I arch my brow at this, “It’s ok, you can tell me.”

“He’s not threatening me Jessup.”

“Sky you don’t have to-,”

“He’s not threatening me you fucking idiot.”

“There’s no need for that tone of voice with my Sky,” he says, “I want to help you.”

“I don’t need help.”

“He’s obviously got something on you that keeps you with him.”

“And I’m tryin’ to tell you he doesn’t,” this guy is so workin’ my last nerve.

Jessup puts his hands up and leans back, “Ok, ok. I believe you,” Yeah, right. Then his demeanor changes, “You know, if it weren’t for that meeting he forced last week you’d be failing my class.”

“That’s not possible Jessup,” I retort, “It’s in your syllabus the percentage attendance has towards my final grade and at worst I’ll get a B minus, but seeing how ridiculously easy your extra credit essays are I’ll not have anything less than an A minus,” I smirk, “And I’ve already written them.”

“Then you really are a bright student. But I can decide whether or not to use them towards your final grade,” I give him the ‘what the fuck?’ look, “Yes Sky, I can do that. And right now I’m looking at someone who’s failing my class because he chooses to use his body to make money instead of getting a regular job,” He leans forward and places his hands on the arm rests of the chair I'm sitting in, “I am an understanding person Sky, and caring. I care about you a lot. I’m sure we can come to some kind of understanding, can’t we?”

This fucker better not be thinking what I think he’s thinking… “And just what kind of understanding are we talking about…Pen.”

He chuckles softly and leans even closer to me, “I think you know the kind of understanding I’m talking about.”

“Just spit it out already. I’m not in the mood for guessing games.”

“I don’t think you like you spit Sky…I think you like to swallow.”

I look at him hard, “…What the fuck…”

“Now now Sky, I’d hate to have to clean out that mouth of yours,” he says, his hand comes up from the arm rest and is about to touch my cheek, “Such a lovely mouth you have. I’m pretty sure I can fill it with something better than those foul words.”

No…the…FUCK HE DID NOT!!!!

I put my hand in his face and shove him away from me and stand up, “You fucking asshole how dare you!” I yell and stomp to his door. I’m just about to turn the knob when he whips me around and shoves me against the door, his face inches from mine and a leg between mine.

“What’s the matter whore? I’m not good enough for you to suck on is that it? It that how you were able to pass your classes last semester? By fucking all of your professors? Hm? I bet that’s exactly what you did,” he presses his body hard against me, the fucker’s hard on is digging into my stomach, “You think you don’t need to do a little extra this time to pass?”

“Get the fuck off me Jessup,” I grind out.

“Oh no Sky, not until you get me off,” he says and starts rubbing himself against me, his breath heavy in my ear.

I grab the back of his head and pull his head by the hair far back enough so I can headbut him. His hands come to his head and I reach down with my free hand and give his balls as nice tight squeeze. He yells out and bends over giving me the perfect opportunity to knee him in the gut and send him stumbling back into his desk. I then rush him and grab him by the hair hauling his face to my level and take out my little jewel, a sterling silver balisong and in a second the tip is pressed to his throat. He stiffens when he feels it against his skin.

“Now you listen to me you stupid fucker,” I whisper hard in his ear, “I am not, nor will I ever be a whore and if you ever pull some kind of shit like that again I’ll make it so they never find you. Do I make myself clear?”

Jessup nods minutely, the smell of piss fills my nose. I grin.

“I can’t hear you,” I say and press the tip a little harder to his throat.

“Y-Y-Yes.”

“Good. I’ll show up in your class whenever I damn well feel like it, understand?”

“Y-Y-Y-Yes, pl-pl-pl-please don’t h-h-hurt m-m-m-me.”

Eww, I smell shit now.

“Oh yeah, and this never happened. Got it?”

“Yes, pl-pl-please…”

I watch as tears stream down his face. I think he got the message. I almost feel bad for Ares. He has no clue what I’m capable of doing when pushed too far. My looks are indeed deceiving.

 

 

I get in my truck and just as I’m about to start the engine I hear Nantokanare, ooo yay, Ares is calling. I debate whether or not to answer but I’m sure if I didn’t he’d show up at my apartment or something.

“Hello?”

“Get here now,” Why hello Ares, I’m feeling better, thanks for asking.

“I’ll be in as soon as I show-,”

“I know you’re at school Daniels. Come in now.”

“Geez, you can’t say please?”

“I can say Rex he’s all yours.”

What the fuck crawled up his ass and died? “Fine, I’m on my way.”

 

I get to the sixteenth and Carol is surprised to see me as she walks by the elevator. I smile and let her know that I’m doing better and head up to see Ares. As soon as I press the ‘16’ button once I enter the elevator, Daevin and Anthony step into the carriage as well. Yay.

“You’re looking better Daniels,” Daevin says. I’ve got to remember to thank him for the chicken and dumplings later.

“Yeah,” I say and leave it at that.

“So what brings you in today Sky,” Anthony starts up, “I heard you called in.”

“I did. Ares just called and told me to get here. Is something going on?”

“Not that I know of,” Daevin says. We ride in silence and then they get off on the nineteenth. When the elevator opens on the twentieth there standing before me is one not happy Ares.

“What’s-,”

“Come,” he says curtly and starts walking in the direction opposite the elevators. I shrug and follow him. We pass a couple of doors before he stops at one. We step inside and it’s a monitoring room that’s actually staffed today. Generally when one is staffed it means that someone’s being checked out or something. The watcher is quick to get up and exit the room closing the door behind him.

“You want to tell me what that was all about?”

“What that are we talkin’ about?”

Ares leans over and hits a key. On the monitor above the keyboard, all of the crap I just went through in Jessup’s office plays before my eyes. So that’s why he hasn’t called or anything, he's had them watching me. Bastard. When it stops I look at him calmly. He looks at me, eyes stern and…full of something else, I can’t put my finger on it…

“That what.”

“You didn’t mic the place?”

“No. The Feds would be all over us if we did.”

“And they wouldn’t be for that?” I say pointing at the screen.

“We do security work for the university.”

“Gee, how convient.”

“What did he say to cause you to pull a knife on him?”

“Don’t worry about it Ares, it’s handled. He’s not gonna bother me again.”

“What did he say to you.

“Ares, it’s dealt with. Stop sounding like a nagging boyfriend,” I say and turn around to head out of the room. I get a step away from him when I feel a pull on my braid. I turn back around, balisong in hand and he catches my wrist easily, “Don’t fuck with me Ares. Let go of my hair.”

“And I told you not to lie to me,” he responds not letting go of either, “You do realize that you can be kicked out of school for doing that.”

“That’s only if the asshole tells anyone and by the way he crapped and pissed his pants I doubt he ever will.”

“What did he say to you Sky.

“Ares, if you couldn’t tell by that footage, I’m perfectly capable of handling myself. I don’t need you to shield me from stupid fuckers that can’t take a hint.”

“What did he say to you.

“Why the fuck does it matter? I took care of it.”

“Sky-,”

“What are you going to do? Go down there and beat him up or something?”

“If need be.”

“Will you stop trying to act like a boyfriend? Giovanni isn’t here.”

“And if I don’t want to act?”

I shook my head, “Wha-,” he cuts off my question by pulling me against him and making our lips collide. After a few minutes of tongue wrestling we part. Holy fuck.

“So what, you wanna be my guy now?” I say still breathing hard.

“Yes.”

“I’m not that easy.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Fuck me senseless on Daevin’s desk in his actual office,” Yeah, I just said the first off the wall thing that came to mind. The office that’s on the sixteenth is just to meet people in and to be all fancy-shmancy like. His actual office is on the nineteenth and is simple and to the point in it’s design. Anthony did a good job on designing it.

“I’ll make love to you until you can’t remember your name, but I won’t fuck you.”

“Too bad, I want to be fucked not made love to.”

“Then you didn’t talk to Giovanni long enough,” he says and lets go of me and taking my balisong.

“Uh, that’s mine,” I say holding out my hand.

“You’ll get it back when you let me make love to you,” he responds and leaves me standing in the monitoring room. I stand there for a few seconds then regain my wits and head out of the room.

I follow him out and he’s heading to the main office. We get there and Daevin and Anthony are talking with one of the monitoring guys as we walk by.

“Everything all right Chambers?” Daevin asks.

“Yes,” he says pausing slightly.

“I want it back Ares,” I say as he passes through the doors leading to our shared space.

“Want what?” Anthony perks up.

“None of your damn business red,” I call back as I follow Ares. We get about fifteen feet from the door and I grab his wrist. He stops and looks back at me, “Give it back.”

“Let me make love to you.”

“Fuck off.”

“Then you’re not getting it back.”

“Getting what?” Anthony asks again coming down the hall with his brother a few steps behind. I look at the pair.

“None of your fucking business!” I yell at him. Anthony stops and blinks at me.

“You two quarreling again?” Daevin stops beside his brother, an amused smirk on his face like last time.

“We’d have to be together for us to be quarreling dumb ass,” I shoot back at him. Daevin arches a brow at me. Yeah people, I’m in no mood for bullshit right now, “This is between me and him so can you two just fuckin’ go somewhere else?”

“Sky’s in a right mood. What’d you do to him Chambers?” Anthony sticks his nose in yet again.

“His English professor was giving him trouble earlier today and he’s mad that I took away his knife,” Ares answers.

“Our little Sky carrying weapons to school?” Anthony mocked, “For shame!”

“You were skipping out on work to go to class?” Daevin asks.

“Can you two just shut the fuck up?” I yell. I look back at Ares, “And give me back my knife!”

“You do realize that weapons aren’t allowed on camp-,” Anthony starts.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

There’s a slight pause, my voice echoing off the walls. Man these guys are getting on my nerves.

“Chambers, give Daniels back his knife,” Daevin says. Ares pulls my knife from his pocket and I snatch it away and start walking away from him until Daevin steps in my way.

“I’d like to hear what happened with your professor Daniels,” he says.

“Hell it’s been recorded, let Ares show you,” I say stepping around him. His arm shoots out and wraps around me. Sheesh people, give it up all ready.

“I want to hear it from you. Please.”

I sigh, “Fine. Jessup spots me comin’ out of my history class and asks to speak to me in his office. He goes through his spiel about Ares being my pimp and I go through mine telling him that he’s not then he tries to coerce me into sucking him off so I can pass his class and I kindly let him know that I wasn’t interested in his wimpy little dick. Happy now?”

“Is this true Chambers?” Daevin looks to Ares.

“There was a confrontation when Jessup moved closer to him. Then he felt the need to pull his knife on his professor.”

“Daniels?” Daevin looks back at me.

I shrug and look at Ares, “Some people just don’t take my word for it.”

“Was that how you were going to deal with Anthony?”

“What?” Anthony looks at me surprised.

“If it came to that, yes,” I say nonchalantly.

“Sky come on,” Anthony says, “You wouldn’t…really…”

“Had you kept it up then more than likely yes.

“Daniels I think we need to talk,” Daevin says, his face serious.

“And I say right now is not a good time,” I answer looking hard at the company owner, “I’m going to my apartment. I need to study now if you’ll excuse me,” I say pushing at Daevin’s arm, he wasn’t budging. I sigh, “Can you guys just…leave me alone right now? I need time to myself.”

“And you can have it…after we talk.”

“Sir I’m really tired of talking. I’ve put up with enough today and I’d like to not rehash it.”

“Do you always try to handle things on your own?” He asks gently.

“Who’s gonna handle it if I don’t?” I say. I close my eyes and face away from him. I take a breath and open my eyes but look down at the floor a ways down the hall, “I’ve had to put up with crazy shit like that before on my own so why are people makin’ a big fuckin’ deal out of it now?”

“Daniels…”

“Can you let go sir? I wanna go home, I’m not feeling too well,” I say and push at his arm again, it gives way letting me pass. I walk down the hall without looking back.

 

The rest of the week was quiet for me and I got in plenty of study time for my midterms the following week. After three spaced out days of writing and typing I was finally free for spring break. I also had to go back to work. Six fifteen finds me walking though the lobby shaking my head at two guys trying to lick each other’s piece through their mouths. Geez, get a room. I’m sure there are some available on the eighteenth. I get to the elevator and see Ares and the ever chatty Carol. She smiles when I say hi and gives me a hug before leaving us standing there waiting for the next elevator. I stare off in outer space until the quiet ‘ding’ tells us a carriage is here. The door opens in front of us and two women emerge and smile as they walk past us. We step inside and I let Ares press the button for our floor. I stand on the opposite side of the carriage since we were the only two at the elevators. After going up two floors he turns to me. I look at him out of the corner of my eye. The elevator stops and a few more people get on. I go back to staring in outer space until the elevator comes to the twentieth. Ares and I get out and some nurses enter. We walk with some distance between us. We get to our office and I head straight for my workspace. I stop as soon as I see my desk. There’s only one sheet of paper on it. I sit down and pick it up.

1421 Carson Ave.

Apt. 1230

@ 8pm

I look up as Ares walks though, “Why am I coming to your apartment?”

He stops briefly, “Just be there, please,” and heads to the kitchen. Ares comes back a few minutes later and sits a mug on my desk, “We’ve got six upgrade meetings today. I’ll take three and you the other three,” he places a short list on my desk beside the mug, “Your first one starts at eight-thirty, the second at eleven, and the last one at two-thirty. Once you’re done check in with Daevin and you’re free for the day.”

I nod, “Ok.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

 

My first meeting went smoothly with an older company named Robinson. They were nice people and very chipper, which was kinda scary at first but eventually became infectious. They own a string of bakeries in a couple of states and only deal with Siren with their technology. Gotta like that kind of loyalty. I leave them with a nice load of bagels and some really good French vanilla roast. Come to think of it, they have a café in the building. Yum. The second meeting is at Club Yume. Thankfully it’s in the morning so no one’ll be there, right?

“Well if it isn’t our cutie Sky,” says Adrian as he opens the door for me. Oh boy. I had been back to Yume twice before and was lucky enough to miss him. I guess third time’s a charm, for him.

“Hi Adrian,” I say walking in and rubbing my hands together. I’m really not a fan of cold weather. Cool yes, but not all out cold.

“Here let me warm you cutie,” he says taking my hands between his. I have to admit his are a lot warmer than mine right now. He brings then flat against his thinly covered chest and holds them there. My fingertips are against his nipples and I can feel them stiffen instantly, “So you’re meeting with Tristan today?”

“Yeah, Ares has other meetings today so we split them up to get them done faster.”

“Well it is nice to see you again cutie,” he says smiling.

I have to smile. He is a nice guy. And he gives one hell of a blowjob. Adrian leads me to Tristan’s office and chats with me until Tristan arrives. We start going over the upgrades ad Adrian settles his head in my lap, facing me.

Adrian try not to distract him too much or the meeting will last longer,” Tristan says smiling, yeah, like he really cares how long it’ll last.

As we’re talking, Adrian decides he wants to play with my piece and discreetly unzips my pants. I look down at him when he takes out my piece.

“Please? Just a little lick?” he says.

“Somehow I doubt it will be a little lick,” I answer him.

“Then how about letting me hold you in my mouth. Please?”

I look up at Tristan, he smiles, no help there. I sigh and nod. It was bound to happen. Adrian smiles and takes my head in his mouth. He licks my slit a few times and then just…keeps my head warm. Tristan goes back to talking and for the most part, Adrian doesn’t distract me enough to slow our meeting. I do unconsciously thread my left hand into his hair as we go over the possible upgrades for the main room. He sucks on me lightly and my piece likes it and sends a message to my hand to play with his hair some. As I’m writing down the next upgrades and scheduling times Adrian’s sucking gets more pronounced and I have to stop writing. He really is good at cocksucking. Tristan smiles and concludes the meeting leaving Adrian to finish what he started. Damn he’s good. What, I don’t have a boyfriend, quit trippin’.

It’s one-thirty when I leave Club Yume. The meeting was only forty minutes but Adrian was really happy to see me…or I should say my piece. Anyway, I stop by my place for a quick bite since it’s on the way to Fire. I get there with twenty minutes to spare so I head to the underground and listen to the sound checks. While I’m bobbin’ my head Giovanni comes up and slips an arm around me.

“Enjoying yourself?” he says in my ear just as the DJ transitions into some ambient.

“I like this DJ, he’s good,” I say commenting on the lanky blonde behind the tables.

“He's been in demand here lately. There is a journalist coming in to interview him later on today,” Giovanni replies, “Are you ready to get started or do you want to listen some more?”

I was about to tell him that I wanted to listen some more but I’m here for business, damn it, “Yeah, let’s get started.”

We head up to this office and I take a seat on the couch. Giovanni takes some papers from his desk and comes over to sit beside me. He’s got exact specifics for the finished expansion of the underground and the list of modifications is almost staggering. An hour and a half later we finish. Giovanni sits back and looks at me.

“Something’s wrong between you and Ares.”

What? “Huh?”

“There is disharmony between you two. What has happened? Is he not being attentive?”

I shake my head, “Giovanni look, there’s somethin’ I’ve got to tell you. Ares and I-,”

“Aren’t really a couple, yes I know.

Wha?”

“Ares never lets anyone call him ‘hon’. He hates it,” he says.

“Oh.”

“I can understand his reasoning behind making me think the two of you were together. He didn’t want me whisking away his new found love.”

“…Huh?”

Giovanni laughs, “I could tell by the way he held you the first time we met that he was interested in you. His eyes lit up when you placed your hand on his thigh and he was eager to touch you. And of course he wanted to make sure I got the message that you were off limits to me when he kissed you.”

“Well damn, you knew all along.”

“Actually it was after you two came to the club and you called him hon that all the pieces fit. He finds that pet name to be too generic and would always give me a sour look when I called him that.”

“Damn.”

“Now why don’t you tell me what has you two at odds with each other.”

“Sorry Giovanni, I’m not that open of a person.”

Giovanni nods, “I figured as much. I had a feeling that you kept yourself guarded. You’re so young to have such a mature presence about you.”

“Couldn’t be helped,” I reply.

“I see now why Ares keeps you close to him.”

“Yeah, he’s got this thing about protecting me for some reason.”

“It’s not that,” Giovanni says, “He sees something in you that makes him feel…safe.”

“Safe?”

Giovanni nods. “Safe to open himself up to someone. I’m sure you know that he’s not the fully trusting type. Many people have hurt him in his life, including me. You are the first person that he’s found that he feels like he’s able to trust in. His touching you told me that. He’s not a touching person. Maybe because you understand what he’s gone through in his life yes?”

“Yeah,” I say looking down at my lap, “We’re use to people trying to fuck us over on some level.”

“Has he tried to do that with you?”

I open my mouth then close it. He really hasn’t. If anything, he’s looked out for me more than anybody I’ve ever known, including my mom. I mean hell, he’s offered, and taken care of even getting me off, “Well, it’s not like he’s been all forthcoming about himself.”

“Have you been?”

Touché, “…No.”

“Then why not give it a try? You’ll be quite surprised if you do,” he says leaning forward, “Ares is a wonderful man beneath that stoic exterior. I’m sure you’ll be able to bring out that side of him. My stupidity cost me the chance I had with him. But now I see that you are a better match for him.”

“…Maybe…”

Giovanni’s eyes light up, oh hell, “The two of you need to spend some time alone together,” what’s he planning… “Ah, you can stay at my villa in Italy for a few months.”

“We can’t really take that much time off.”

“A couple of weeks?”

“Hah, probably like one at the most.”

“Then that is good too.”

“The only problem there is I have no passport.”

“I have a private jet and airfield. No one will care.”

“…You really want to see us together don’t you…”

Giovanni smiles.

 

 

Five thirty has me back at Siren and takin’ a slow walk to Daevin’s bottom floor office. I know he's not happy with me, especially with all that was said last time. I walk by Carol and she lets me know that he’s waiting for me. Yay. I head down the hall to the ‘show’ office wondering what he’ll do to me with each step. When I step inside I see Daevin sitting on the couch to my left holding a tumbler of brandy at his lips, noting my arrival. He nods and holds up his other hand with, yes brandy all nice and waiting for me to consume, “Sit,” he says before sipping on his own glass.

I take the glass from him and sit down. I take a sip and let out a welcomed ‘ah’, it’s Pappy. We sit in silence for a while and just sip the bourbon. When my glass is half empty I finally get the courage to look at him, “Sir I-,”

“There’s no need for you to apologize Daniels,” he says, “If anything we should apologize to you. We were treating you like a normal teenager when that’s obviously not the case. I should have taken into consideration that you might not have had the typical teenage upbringing before you came here and for that I do apologize.”

“You don’t have to do that sir. I shouldn’t have acted like that to you all. This semester’s been anything but stellar with those professors and it was getting to me. I had no right to take it out on you all when you were just concerned about me.”

“I do have to say that it takes a lot of balls to actually pull a knife on Chambers. Especially with his background.”

“It seems like everyone know so much about him. I know that I haven’t known him as long as you all have, but…”

“You would think that he would tell you more about himself since you work together?”

“…Yeah.”

“Chambers isn’t one to open up to just anybody Daniels,” Daevin says then takes a sip, “He has to be absolutely sure he can trust you before he’ll do that.”

“I’m pretty sure I took a few steps back in that department,” I say looking down at the tumbler in my hand.

“It’s hard to tell with him. There are times I wonder if he even trusts me.”

“Do you think…that he saw me as someone that couldn’t take care of themselves? I mean, do I come off as that type of person?”

“Well, when I first saw you in person, I definitely didn’t think you’d be the type to pull a knife on anyone, let alone your own teacher. It wasn’t until a few months in that I could tell you were stronger than you looked,” Daevin says, “I do get the feeling that you aren’t one to use violence unless it’s truly necessary.”

“I try to avoid it, but in his case it was the only way to get his attention.”

Daevin smiles and I’m relieved that he’s not going to throw me to the wolves, or to Rex. We go over the meetings and I was on my way to my place at a quarter to seven.

 

As soon as I get home I get out of the suit. I’m not one for suits, that’s all business and I’m glad to strip myself of it when I walk in the door. I sit and doodle in a sketch pad to pass the time. I’ve still got to meet with Ares. I sigh. Does he really want to be with me? Or was he just saying…no, that can’t be right. Ares isn’t the kind of person to joke like that…or is he. Damn it, I just don’t get that man sometimes. He’s all hard ass and then he comes out and says he want be my guy and even says he’ll make love…to…

Holy…shit…

He said that he wanted to make love to me.

“Shit,” I say tossing my pad and pencil on the table, “Why do people have to say stuff like that to me when I’m pissed off?” I say to the room. But, did he mean it? I heave out a sigh and look at the clock on the wall, seven fifty-two. Screw it, might as well be early. Besides, I’ve got questions and he damn well better answer them.

 

It’s only seconds after I knock on the door that Ares opens it. He leads me into a simple, yet elegant living room. I can’t help but look around at its form and function.

“Anthony designed it,” he explains, “He needed a place to create a model for Daevin to look at to start the design division.”

“Wow, this is…wow,” I say running my hand over the soft sapphire colored couch. The angles are soft and the couch is saying all kinds of things to me like ‘sit on me, I’m perfect for cuddling and a whole lot more’. In fact all the furniture in the room had that appeal, “Did Anthony design the furniture as well?”

“Yes.”

“This is amazing work,” I say going over the curve of the armrest of the couch and then the loveseat….love…That’s right, I’ve got a bit of a bone to pick with him.

“Have you eaten yet?”

Come to think of it… “No.”

“Follow me,” he says then retreats further into the apartment. I walk into the dining room and see that it’s set for two. This looks like a set up for a date… “Please sit,” he says then slips into the kitchen.

 

An hour later I finish off the last bite of my tiramisu and feel like I died and gone to heaven. That was the best meal I’ve ever had, a small salad to start, then the most tender, juicy Cornish game hen I’ve ever tasted. It practically melted in my mouth and baby red skin potatoes and steamed asparagus. And the tiramisu was to die for! Emeril would have loved this set up. Ares clears the table then sets a mug of magic in front of me.

“Was it to your liking?”

“Ares that was absolutely divine!” I say. Damn he can cook! He smiles. Sweet mother he’s got a gorgeous smile. Oh yeah, we still have to talk, “Ares, can we talk?”

“Yes.”

“I mean…really talk.”

He nods, “I want to know what happened the other week that caused you to do that.”

I take a breath. If I’m gonna know more about him I’m gonna have to talk to him, “Ares, he was pushing my buttons with this whole thinking that I’m a prostitute. He thought that I was some kind of low self-confidence freshman that was easy prey to get his jollies on. I’m not that kind of person.”

“I know that.”

“Then why were you upset about seeing me pull a knife on someone?”

“He could have easily reported you for that.”

“He’s not.”

“I know that,” he says, “He called me the next day wanting to know why my star whore wanted to cut him.”

“What?”

“I invited him to Siren to see where you worked that afternoon. He actually showed up. Daevin came to see him as well.”

“There wasn’t anyone fucking in the lobby was there?” Yeah like he really needs to see something like that.

“No. Daevin let him know that if he caused you any more problems that you’d be the least of his worries.”

“What?”

“We have him taking liberties with some other students from his classes. That’s why I was asking you what he said to you.”

“He’s doing that shit to other people?”

“Now he’s not. He’s seen the evidence we have against him and it can do a whole lot of damage. Not only to him, but the university as well.”

“Oh.”

“Have you always been on the defensive like that?”

“Not all the time. I mean, there are a few times when it’s come to having to defend myself like that. But yeah, people seem to think I’m some kind of wimp,” I say taking a sip.

“Tell me what happened that you still have nightmares about.”

I look into his eyes for a moment then down to the mug in my hands. I take a deep breath then look back into his eyes, “I was at a party, well, more like a sleep over actually since everyone was too plastered to walk right to even get to a vehicle let alone drive one. The guy that was having party’s older brother was, I don’t know watching out for us, got us the booze since he was twenty-two. Hell I don’t even remember his name and it was only like five years ago. Anyway, I needed to piss and he showed me where the bathroom was on the second floor since the three on the bottom floor were occupied already. I came out and practically fell into his arms and he took me to his room. I wasn’t cool with it at first, but seeing how there were like twenty other people there I doubted I’d actually find a bed to sleep in. And plus I was plastered and a bed was a great thing to see at the time. He got me into bed and left and things were cool. I slept for a while and then felt something behind me. I thought he just came back and shoved stuff behind me so I wouldn’t roll off the bed or something, but it was him. I’m surprised that I can ever remember any of it with the amount of liquor I put away, but I remember it all. My body definitely wasn’t co-operating with my head. I could feel him moving against me then I felt his hands get under my clothes.”

I pause and take a sip of coffee, “I’m not gonna lie, it felt good, but I still didn’t ask for it. I guess since I didn’t say anything he thought it was ok and kept going. I remember him pulling down my shorts and turning me over. I remember feeling him against me, skin on skin. His breath was heavy and full of alcohol. He kept saying that my cock liked his or something like that. My brain wasn’t keeping track of the conversation. I remember him cumming on me then turning me back over on my side. When I woke up the next morning he was still there and that time he was trying to get in my ass. I got away from him and asked him what the fuck he was doing and he was all like, ‘you liked it last night’. I told him that I was drunk last night and he said that I wasn’t bitching about it a few minutes ago when he did it again. I went ballistic. Everyone else in the house was still out of it so no one stopped us while we were fighting. I knocked him unconscious and got out of there. That’s why I was having issues about you not stopping me when I was doing that to you when I was sick.”

Ares sits there processing everything I just said, “Your nightmares come from the possibility that something more could have happened," I nod, “I’m sorry.”

I shake my head, “Well, it’s not like you knew. In fact, you’re the only one I’ve told about that. No one at the party remembers anything and that guy’s brother didn’t say anything to anyone.”

“Where did you get the balisong?”

I force out a chuckle, “That…a guy what wanted to be my sugardaddy gave me,” Ares’s arches a brow at this and I nod, “Yeah that was like a year or so after that party. I was in the mall one day when I skipped school and this older guy came up to me. He was nice and polite and all. We caught a matinee, some really crappy movie that we were the only two people in the theater watching. He talked for a bit then he came right out and asked me if he could suck me off and being the normal hormonal gay teen I said yes and he did it right there in the theater. After the movie he took me out to an early dinner and back to his suite at the hotel he was staying in.”

“And you went with him?”

I nod, “He didn’t do anything to make me feel uncomfortable. We get there and he wants to suck me off again and like before I said yes,” Ares narrows his eyes at me a bit, “What, he was good at it.”

“He could have hurt you.”

“Yeah, but he didn’t. Anyway when he finished he asked if he could see me again when he came back into town next month and I said yes. When he did, we did the same thing and he asked if he could take care of me. I told him that someone might find out and tell my mom. He said ok and asked me if we could sixty-nine the rest of the time I was there that day.”

“Did you see him again?”

“Yeah, he came back again the following month and pretty much spent the time having sex. He asked again and I declined. Before I left he gave the knife to me and told me to learn how to use it and make use of it only if I had no other choice. I asked him if he was coming back again and he said that he was retiring at the end of the month. That was the last I saw of him.”

“That was a dangerous situation you put yourself in Sky.”

“Yeah, lookin’ back on it it was stupid, but he didn’t hurt me or anything and it’s not like my mom cared too much if I skipped out on school a day or two since she worked so damn much.”

“You haven’t done that since have you?”

“No. But I have had offers from older guys since then. They didn’t strike me as the kind that would listen if I said no.”

He let out a breath, “You said you had one night stands? Where those with him or other people.”

“Other people,” what, I like playin’ the field, spank me, “Mostly weekend party stupidity,” Ares opens his mouth, “And before you even ask, yes I used protection. I didn’t get that drunk. I haven’t gotten that drunk since that time before Carl.”

“Carl?”

“The guy that gave me the balisong.”

Ares nods.

“So what about you? Have you done stupid stuff like that when you were my age?”

“My stupidity came in the form of stealing and breaking and entering, but I’ve already told you about that.”

“So you’ve never had one night stands?”

“I’ve had some.”

“You aren’t a fan of those I suspect.”

“Correct.”

“Is that why you don’t like to fuck, ‘cause you associate it with one nighters?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t like the end result?”

“The orgasm was fine. Having to deal with after was the thing I didn’t like,” he says. There’s a bit of silence between us.

“…So…what do you see in me?”

“What do you mean?”

“You say that you want to be with me so I’m wonderin’ what you see in me.”

“…You were talking with Giovanni again?”

I feel heat touch my cheeks, “He was wondering what was up between us.”

“He’s too perceptive for his own good.”

“He also knows that we aren’t really a couple.”

Ares looks at me for a moment, “The club. He knows I don’t like it when people call me hon.”

“That’s what he said. He also said that we need some alone time in his villa in Italy.”

“Your passport hasn’t arrived yet.”

“That’s what I told him…wha?”

“I had to send it back. It had your first name on it.”

“When…did you…”

“Early last month. You may have to come out of the country with me at some point so it will be necessary.”

“He said that he has a private jet and his own airfield.”

“And if he wanted to keep you there he could since you wouldn’t be able to prove you are a US citizen.”

“…Bastard…”

“I wouldn’t have left you there to deal with him alone,” Ares says with a small grin. I smile.

“But still, why do you want to be with me?”

“…Because you are the only person I can see myself with and really be happy.”

I jerk, some of my coffee spilling on to my hand. Ares takes my hand and brings it to his lips. His tongue slides out and licks away the spilt magic, eyes on me the entire time. Holy moly….

“I…I…” yeah, I’ve got mad verbal skills right now. He places my hand back next to my mug and gets up.

“Wait here,” and leaves. He comes back moments later and sits a box in font of me. I eye the box, it’s too large to be a ring…it’s too square to be a bracelet…why do I keep thinking like a chick…. “Open it,” I reach out and open the box. Inside is a black Cartier Pasha Seatimer watch, the numbers on the dial match my eyes. I blink at the watch then at Ares, than back at the watch, “Happy birthday.”

I look back at him, “T-Today’s the twenty-seventh?”

He nods. Oh shit, today’s my birthday…I look back at the watch. I can’t remember the last time anyone’s bought me something for my birthday. With mom it was the rushed ‘happy birthday’ as she ran out the door and I definitely didn’t get anything from James that I wanted to keep.

“H-How did you…”

“We have the same birthday.”

My eyes are probably big as flying saucers right now. What are the odds of that happening? I can’t believe it… He did all of this…despite the way I…

“Sky, what’s wrong?” his eyes read concern, “Do you not like it?” That’s when I realize that tears are streaming down my cheeks. His hands come to either side of my face and his thumbs wipe away my tears.

“It’s not that,” I say, “I’ve never gotten anything like this before. All the things I got at home that I wanted I had to get myself. I’m just…shocked…,” I look back at the watch. That’s a Cartier…that thing is like four digits price wise, “Why did you spend so much on me?”

“You deserve it.”

I shake my head, “No I don’t, not after the way I treated you last time.”

“Yes you do and I’m not concerned with that. After talking with your professor again I wanted to slit his throat myself.”

“Ares…”

“It would be too good of a death for him though,” he says, his fingers play along my left hand at my mug.  

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“But…I don’t have anything to give you…”

“Yes you do.”

“…What?”

“A kiss.”

My cheeks heat up. I look down shyly. His hand comes under my chin lifting my face to his. God his eyes are beautiful. His lips soon touch mine and I’m swept away, they’re so soft and gentle. His tongue licks at my bottom lip and I open my mouth for him. I feel his hand slip to cradle the back of my head and I moan softly into his mouth. We part after a few mind-blowing moments. Damn if he isn’t a great kisser! I was about to ask for another one when his phone rang. He removed his cell from his clip and looked at it and frowned.

“Yes,” he spoke after opening it, “yes…where…I’m on my way,” the closes his phone. He’s not a happy camper right now.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve got something deal with. It’ll probably take most of the night,” he says frowning.

“…Oh…”

“I’m sorry Sky, but this needs to be taken care of.”

“I understand,” damn you evil bastard people!

“I will make it up to you,” he says leaning in and kissing me again. I hope it’s soon.

 

 

 

Finale!