Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I can’t even bring myself to yell at him because he just called me his girlfriend.
His girlfriend.
That’s the first time since we started dating that he’s ever referred to me as that.
And I now have the biggest, goofiest grin on my face ever.
I hoist myself out of the pool. My top is dripping wet, so I pull it off over my head and squeeze the excess water out of it. I retrieve my wet skirt and shoes from the floor.
Ares walks over with a towel and wraps it around my body, securing it with a tuck at my bust. Then, he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Ready?” he asks.
“Yep.” I take my boyfriend’s offered hand and let him lead me out of there, toward the elevator, and down to his apartment.
“Stop fidgeting,” Ares says kindly.
We’re standing outside the restaurant on Park Avenue where the taxi just dropped us off, where we’re having dinner with Ares’s family before Missy and Lo go back to their respective colleges. I’m wearing a capped-sleeve lemon dress that’s fitted at the waist and bust and flares out on the skirt, and I have white strappy sandals on that have skyscraper heels. I need to wear them if I’m having dinner with his bunch of supersize humans.
Missy told me that Cam is tall, too. Five-nine and a former ballet dancer.
I swear, I’m going to look like a Chihuahua among a bunch of Great Danes.
“I can’t help it. I’m nervous.” I shift on my feet. “What if Zeus, Cam, and Lo don’t like me?”
“Why wouldn’t they?”
“Um, a million reasons. I have a criminal record. I’m a drunk.” I tick off the reasons on my fingers.
“You’re not a drunk. You had a substance abuse issue, and now, you’re sober.”
“Semantics. They’re going to think I’m not good enough for you.”
“Babe, stop. I assure you, they’re going to be wondering what the hell a stunner like you is doing with me. Trust me. And I’m fully expecting for Lo to actually ask that question.”
“You’re funny.”
He takes my chin in his hand, tilting my head back, bringing my eyes up to his. “I’m serious. You’re amazing, babe. They’re going to love you.”
Do you?
I know it’s only been a short time that we’ve been together, but I’m pretty sure that I’m in love with this guy.
Okay, I’m not pretty sure. I am sure.
I’m totally gone for him.
But I have no clue if he feels the same.
And no way in hell am I telling him first. I’m just going to wait until he says it…if he ever does.
God, I hope he does.
“Where have you gone?” he asks, carefully eyeing me.
“Nowhere.” I force a smile.
“Babe…I know we already talked about this…that they serve alcohol here. But, if at any point it’s too much for you, let me know, and we can leave.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“I don’t doubt that. But, in the small instance it isn’t—”
“You’ll be the first I tell.”
He presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Let’s go inside.”
He takes my hand and leads me inside the restaurant.
“Do you have a reservation?” the host asks when we approach.
“Yes. Under Kincaid,” Ares tells him.
“The rest of your party is already here.” He smiles. “Follow me.”
The host leads us to our table, and my stomach is swimming with nerves.
I see them all seated around the table. Missy is already here, looking gorgeous, as always, in a powder-blue dress. On one side of her is a younger-looking Ares, who has to be Lo—seriously good-looking—and on her other side is a stunning brunette, who I’m guessing is Cam. Next to her is a slighter bigger version of Ares, which can only be Zeus—sweet Lord, he’s handsome but not as handsome as Ares, of course—and next to him is a huge blond guy, who has to be Kaden Scott. Also really good-looking.
Kaden isn’t family, but he’s as good as to Zeus and Cam, and I know Missy is close to him, too.
Kaden used to be a boxer until, believe it or not, a boxing match with Zeus Kincaid left Kaden unconscious and in a coma.
Ares told me how messed up Zeus had been after it happened and how he stepped up and paid for Kaden’s medical bills and rehabilitation.
They’ve been close ever since.
“Finally! We’ve been dying of starvation here, waiting for you to show up,” Zeus says to Ares, a lightheartedness to his tone.
“We’re not even late, dipshit.”
Zeus chuckles out a deep, rumbling laugh.
Ares puts his arm around my shoulders, giving me a gentle squeeze. “Ari, this is my older brother, Zeus, and his better half, Cam. That is Kaden Scott, and you know Missy, so I’ll skip her. And the idiot sitting next to her is my younger brother, Lo.”
“Thanks, man,” Lo says, giving Ares the middle finger.
“Hi, everyone.” I smile. “It’s great to meet you all.”