Older || 18+

12. Emma

I wake up feeling warm and cozy but in pain. My head is resting on something soft, and I can feel a gentle weight pressed against my side. My eyelids are still too heavy to open, my head pounding with a migraine. My hand lazily skims over the figure next to me. The skin is warm and firm, muscles defined under my touch.

Suddenly, everything comes back to me. The party, the drinking, the kiss. Alex helping me inside, getting me water, putting on his shirt.

I force my eyes open, and my breath catches. Alex is still asleep, his body stretched out along the length of the couch. His shirt is gone, since I'm wearing it, and I can see the definition of his abs. My hand is splayed across his chest, and his arm is wrapped around me, holding me close. I don't remember falling asleep like this, but here we are, tangled up in each other.

His breathing is steady and his face is peaceful. I've never seen him look so relaxed. It's a good look on him. My gaze travels down his body, taking in the smooth skin and firm muscles. His pants are low on his hips, and the trail of hair leading from his navel disappears beneath the waistband.

As if sensing my scrutiny, his eyes open, and he smiles. "Good morning," he says, his voice husky with sleep.

"Good morning," I reply, a blush rising on my cheeks.

"Yes, good morning," a voice says from the chair across the room. It's a familiar voice. A voice I didn't expect to hear in my house.

Ares.

I freeze. Oh shit. This can't be happening. How long has he been there? Why is he even here? I grab the blanket, yanking it up to cover Alex and myself a bit more, as if that thin barrier could shield us from the reality of the situation. I feel caught, guilty almost, despite knowing I've done nothing wrong.

I glance over at Ares. He's sitting in the chair in the corner, his expression unreadable. His eyes are locked on mine, and I can't tear my gaze away. My stomach does a little flip. He's dressed casually, in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. The shirt is fitted, and I can see the outline of his muscles. His arms are crossed over his chest, and his biceps bulge.

My heart is racing, and my palms are sweaty. I feel like I'm under a microscope, being studied.

I'm not sure what to say. So, I don't say anything. Alex shifts beside me, stretching his arms over his head. He blinks a few times, then sits up, looking between me and Ares.

"Uh, morning," Alex says again, his voice rough with sleep.

Ares doesn't respond. He just continues to stare. His gaze is intense, and it's making me feel self-conscious.

I'm suddenly very aware of how I must look, how this must look. I'm still wearing Alex's shirt, and it's wrinkled and twisted. My hair is a tangled mess, and I'm sure my makeup is smudged. Alex's arm is still casually around my waist. My leg is slung over his body.

"What are you doing here?" The words tumble out of my mouth, breaking the thick silence that's settled over the room

"Archer and your mother decided to extend their honeymoon," he begins, his voice carrying that familiar note of authority that somehow manages to command attention even in the most awkward of situations. "I had some business to attend to on this coast, and they asked me to check in on you. Make sure you're okay."

I glance at Alex. "I'm fine," I tell him.

"You look it," he shoots back.

Ares's eyes flicker to Alex, sizing him up with a glance that feels like it could cut glass. "Who are you?" he asks.

"Alex," he replies, his voice sounding a little uncertain. He sits up, stretching his hand out to shake Ares's.

Ares, however, doesn't take the offered hand. Instead, his focus snaps back to me. "Get dressed. I'm taking you to breakfast."