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“You’re welcome. If there is anything else I can do for you… and Ares, let me know.” He winked saucily and pinched my behind.
I pushed him off me with a smile and a playful threat in my slit eyes. “I’ve never heard Ares squeal, but if you touch his ass tonight, he might.”
José finger-gunned me. “Let’s find out.”
I shook my head, taking Steph into my arms next as she scolded José, “You better not. Unless you want to be the center of his wrath.”
He pulled an innocent face, cheekiness still intact. “It seems Dita came out of there very fine.”
That I did. I had Ares under my thumb. Not that I took advantage of it.
Much.
I still loved my morning coffees served in bed and my headaches well cared for. I didn’t ask for much, did I?
“You too,” I said to Steph when José ambled towards the bar. “Thanks for helping me out.”
“You’re welcome.” She pulled me tight and wistfully said, “Your boy is going to be so happy. At least you know how to make him happy.”
The way she looked at Misha, who was at the other side of the room helping Ares’ coworker Calista organize the snacks on each table, didn’t go unnoticed. They were both laughing, clearly having fun.
I cupped her cheeks. “Are you okay?”
She shrugged, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I have to be.” She stepped out of our embrace and clapped her hands. “Let’s get a cocktail to take off the edge, shall we?”
“Alright, I’ll go check if everything is settled, then we’ll toast to a, hopefully, financially promising night.”
She scurried off while I fixed the last details. Soon, I was welcoming people. Some I knew, a lot I didn’t. But eventually Cary strolled in with my mother, and he was the perfect host, introducing me to the strangers he knew. And when they went to take a seat, he whispered their net worth into my ear while Mom happily sipped a cocktail. Big money and hopefully big spenders.
Steph introduced her fathers. They were a perfect picture as they hugged their daughter and toasted with a cocktail.
The music got a little louder throughout these introductions, and I got more anxious as the minutes passed.
“They’re here,” Cary nodded at the door. Noticing how my smile got a little tighter and my palms sweatier when Rio led a confused Ares toward us, Cary pinched my shoulder. “He’s going to love this, I swear.”
“Good. That’s good.” I swallowed, clearing my dry throat.
“Hey,” one of the twins greeted me with a kiss on my cheek.
With his hair slicked back, I blew out a breath. Ares still didn’t smile often, but when he did, it was an easier one. His eyes had become softer, more like his Rio’s. It became harder to differentiate the two when Ares wasn’t wearing his facial piercing.
“Hey, yourself.”
Rio looked around, pushing his lower lip into an appreciative curl. “You outdid yourself.”
“Thank you,” I hugged him and ogled his twin when Rio let go of me. His white sneakers contrasted with the black jeans and shirt he wore. He rarely left without his nose ring anymore since I told him it .
The man—my man—was gorgeous.
I stretched out my arms, urging him to grab my hands, damp or not. He was the only one able to calm me right now.
He smiled. Truly smiled. It struck my heart because I couldn’t remember him ever having that kind of spark in his eyes.
“What’s all this?” He intertwined our fingers, looking at the ceiling and walls full of garnish. “It looks like a jungle in here.”
“More like your sanctuary.”
“Ah.” His smile widened. “But I wouldn’t trust them outside of their cage.”
