The-Wrong-Bride-Ares--Raven’s-story-(Maura,-Catharina)_bibis

Chapter Thirty-Seven
RAVEN
I can barely think straight as Ares pulls up in front of our house, my thoughts ruled by desire and fear
in equal parts. His lips felt perfect against mine, and that kiss was everything I’ve ever wanted. This
one was different somehow. It was even better than the memory that sustained my love for him for so
many years, yet it wasn’t enough. It’s odd how much more intimate a single kiss can be, compared to
everything else we’ve done.
Ares seems on edge as he walks around the car, his expression unreadable. He offers me his hand,
and I take it hesitantly. Never in a million years did I think we’d find ourselves together in this way,
yet part of me feels like we were inevitable.
My fingers curl around his, and he holds onto me tightly as we walk to our front door, an
unfamiliar tension filling the air. I’m scared he’s already regretting kissing me, or that he only did it
because he feels like it’s part of his duties as my husband. The way he’s been touching me lately… I
want it to be real. I know how much he values marriage, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s chosen to
put my needs above his because of it. That isn’t what I want. I want all of him, truly, fully, and freely
given.
If there’s even a small chance he’ll regret being with me in this way, then I need to back away
before it’s too late. Before I destroy all we’ve got.
Ares unlocks our door with his thumb and we walk in, my hand falling out of his as the door
closes behind us.
“Ares,” I whisper, my heart aching even as a deep need for him holds me in its clutches. “I have a
tendency to overthink things, so communication is really important to me. I’ll drive myself crazy if I
keep trying to guess how you feel about me. The last time I made a move, you rejected me and told me
you’d never want me, and it’s left my heart bruised and my confidence shaken. Things have changed
between us since then, but I need to know that I’m not just an obligation to you. So I’m going to ask
you a question, just once. If your answer is no, I’ll go to bed and we’ll both pretend nothing ever
happened.”
He nods, his expression carrying a hint of intrigue.
“Do you truly want me? If we weren’t married, would you want me?”
He smiles and walks toward me, his stride confident and impatient. His arm wraps around my