My release crashed over me so hard I cried out, my nails digging into his muscles. He followed right after, burying himself deep with a rough groan of my name. “Cecily, fuck yes.”
For a long moment, we just lay there, our bodies tangled as we tried to catch our breath. Then reality started creeping back in.
I needed a second to myself, just a little space to think about what I’d just done. Planning to sit up, I shifted. But I didn’t get far.
Ares’s arm locked around my waist instantly, pulling me back against his chest. He rolled us so my back was flush to his front, one heavy leg thrown over mine, caging me completely.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he murmured against my ear.
“I was just—” I started, but he cut me off with a firm kiss to my shoulder.
“You’re not putting walls up between us now, baby. Not after that.” His arm tightened, his palm spreading possessively over my stomach. “You’re staying right here. Where you belong.”
I melted into him despite myself. There was no denying I’d completely fallen for him.
11
TYRE
The rays of the rising sun filled my room with a soft glow, giving me just enough light to see the rumpled sheets tangled loosely around Cecily’s bare skin. She lay cuddled into my side, one arm draped lazily across my stomach, her leg hooked comfortably over mine. Her dark red hair spread out like wildfire across the pillow, a bold splash of color against my charcoal-gray bedding. She fit here—like this space had been waiting just for her, and now that she was here, nothing else made sense.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept so deeply, especially after so many restless nights dreaming about Cecily. Her quiet breathing filled the room, a steady reminder that my world had shifted and locked into a new rhythm. This was my reality now—waking up to Cecily’s soft warmth, having her close enough to reach out and touch whenever I wanted. Now that I’d experienced it, no way in hell would I give it up.
Her presence had settled something inside me. Looking down at her as she was at this moment, knowing this was exactly what I wanted for good sent a hot, possessive satisfaction pulsing through every nerve ending in my body.
My gaze flicked briefly to the clock on the bedside table, and a reluctant sigh escaped my lips. Cecily had training soon, and even though the thought of waking her seemed like a damn shame. She wouldn’t forgive herself if she was late. However, unlike her camp schedule, she didn’t have to be at the facility until seven, so it left me some time to make her breakfast.
I shifted onto my side, pulling her a little closer, and brushed my thumb lightly along her jaw. Then I lowered my head and captured her mouth in a kiss—slow enough to make sure she woke up feeling exactly who she belonged to.
Cecily stirred beneath me, her eyes fluttering open slowly, the deep brown gaze hazy at first. She blinked softly, confusion melting slowly into awareness. Her cheeks turned a delicate pink, but her lips curved into a lazy, unintentionally sensual smile as she realized exactly where she was.
“Morning, baby.” I traced her lower lip as she stretched, her body arching sweetly against mine. The motion tightened everything in me, heating my blood so swiftly it felt like fire was coursing through my veins.
“Good morning,” she echoed softly, her voice still husky from sleep. Her gaze cleared gradually and she took in our surroundings, the scattered clothes on the floor, and my bare chest beneath her palm.
I ran my hand up her spine, wishing I didn’t have to urge her out of bed. “Unfortunately, you’ve got training soon. Need to get moving.”
A flicker of surprise crossed her expression, her eyes widening slightly as she pushed herself up onto an elbow to look at me more clearly. “You know what time I have training?”
My mouth quirked up at the corner. “I know everything about you, baby. Should’ve figured that out by now.”
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she dipped her gaze away for just a second as she giggled softly. “Of course you do.”
I leaned in, close enough that my breath brushed warm against her lips. “Believe me, I’d rather keep you right here all day, tangled up in these sheets with me. But we both have shit to deal with.”
She laughed softly again, the corners of her mouth kicking up playfully. “Maybe we should play hooky…just this once.”
“Trust me,” I drawled, my voice low and rough as my fingers tightened possessively on her hip. “If I thought you actually meant that, I’d already be inside you.”
I fucking loved it when that innocent little blush stained her cheeks. Especially when it was because I’d said something dirty and the spark of heat in her eyes pushed the limits of my control.
Sighing, I gave her another quick kiss, then smacked her delectable ass lightly. “Come on. I’m gonna feed you so you don’t collapse halfway through training.”
Cecily laughed again and shifted to climb out of bed. I couldn’t tear my eyes off her as she grabbed my T-shirt from the floor and slipped it over her head, the soft fabric falling loosely around her bare thighs. Then she gathered up her clothes and padded into the en suite bathroom.
I forced myself to get up after her and make my way to the kitchen as she moved to wash up and dressed. It took a few minutes to get breakfast going—scrambled eggs, lean turkey sausage, whole-grain toast, and fresh fruit. Every item I placed on her plate was intentional, carefully balanced nutrition tailored specifically for an athlete’s performance. I’d made sure I knew exactly what her body needed, so I could take care of my girl.
When she joined me at the table, her eyes widened slightly at the meal I’d laid out. She glanced up, surprise and warmth spreading softly across her features.