Older || 18+

15. Ares 🌶️

As much as I want to take Emma to bed and watch her squirm, I force myself to pull away. I have work to do.

I settle at the desk in the guest room and open my laptop. I was able to trace some of the missing money to the East Coast, which is what brought me here. I haven't been able to pinpoint exactly where, though. But I know I'm close.

When I realized I would be returning here, so close to Emma, I couldn't help but call Archer for a place to stay. It just so happened that he and Julie had extended their honeymoon earlier that morning. Julie thought it was a great idea to let me come and stay, to watch over Emma. She acted so concerned for her. And maybe somewhere, deep down, she is. But after seeing the way she treated Emma at her wedding, I can tell she's more of the overbearing type.

I still get pissed when I think about the comments Julie made about Emma not needing to eat. If I do just one thing while I'm here, it will be to make sure Emma is always full. Of food, or my cock. Whichever she prefers.

I shake my head, refocusing. There will be time to worry about Julie and her bullshit later. For now, I need to find out where this money is going and who is taking it.

After several hours of research, I think I may have found a lead. A shell company that seems to be funneling the missing money. I'll have to do some more digging, but it's a start.

I sit back in my chair, stretching. My body aches from sitting for so long. I could use a break.

I get up and head into the kitchen, looking for something to eat. Emma is sitting at the counter, a textbook open in front of her.

"Hey," I greet, foraging for something to eat. I end up with a plate of lunch leftovers.

"Hey," she echoes, her attention flickering up from her studies for a brief moment. "You done with work?"

"For now," I reply, taking a bite. "How's the studying going?"

She lets out a heavy sigh. "It's a lot."

"Can I help?" I ask, moving closer.

She gives a weary shake of her head. "I don't think so," she says, rubbing her temples. "This is just something I have to do on my own."

I nod, understanding her need to do things on her own. It's a trait we both share.

After finishing my meal, I linger beside her, watching her work. I can see the concentration on her face as she reads the textbook, and it's mesmerizing.

"Have you eaten?" I ask, not wanting her to skip a meal.

"Not since lunch, but I'm fine," she insists, her focus never wavering from the page.

I get up and reheat some of the food, then bring it over to her. "You need to eat," I say, setting the plate in front of her.

She doesn't move to eat, caught up in her work.

Deciding to take a more direct approach, I pick up the fork and offer her a bite. "Come on, try some," I coax gently.

Reluctantly, she accepts, and I can't help but smile a little at her compliance. She opens her mouth, letting me slide the fork inside.

"Good girl," I murmur, watching her chew.

She blushes, averting her eyes.

"I didn't say you could look away," I chastise, bringing the fork to her lips again.

Her hooded eyes meet mine. She takes the shrimp, chewing slowly.

"You're being such a good girl," I praise, sliding the fork between her lips again. I can tell she's loving this as much as I am.