Off-Limits Desire

Chapter Three

Scarlett’s POV

“Ares,” I whisper, torn between pleading and pushing him off. But if I plead, what exactly will I be begging for?

The knocking on the door gets louder, more insistent. But Ares' contact doesn't falter. His face is inches away from mine, the heat that has swirled around us all evening entrapping us both. I felt drowsy suddenly, the need for my eyes to flutter closed getting stronger.

“You think you know what you’re doing?” His voice is barely a growl. “You don’t, Scar." If I touch you, if I let this go one step further, it won’t stop. And then, what do I tell him? What should I tell them?

Them. My brother. His best friend, who trusts him more than anyone in the world. And Bianca, his fiancée. I am rudely reminded of that fact again, and it slices through me.

But the heat doesn’t waver, because even now, even with all the reasons listed, Ares still doesn’t let go.

Another loud knock. A risky thought crosses my mind. “Maybe you shouldn’t tell him.”

For a split second, it feels like Ares is going to consider it. That he’ll close the distance between us completely, damning the consequences.

But instead, he jerks back, pulling me with him. Ares pushes open one of the stalls and gets me inside. "Lock it up, and don't open it until you are sure," he mutters.

I hear his steps recede, and in a few seconds, the door clicks open.

“What have you been doing here?”

Spencer. He sounds like he has had enough for one night.

“I needed to get away,” I hear Ares murmuring. “God, I’m so sorry about Bianca tonight." She must have had a long day at her gig. I’ll talk to her.

“You should,” Spencer replies. “Tonight was supposed to be about Olivia, and even though she wouldn’t say anything, I know she isn’t particularly pleased with how it turned out.”

“I understand,” Ares sighs. “I’ll talk to her too.”

I feel hurt creep up my chest at the concern in his tone. He really cares for Bianca. I shouldn’t…we shouldn’t do this. I need to stay the hell away from him.

“Have you seen Scar around by any chance?”

My ears perk up at the mention of my name.

After a second of silence, I hear Ares’ voice again. So neutral and masking that even I am convinced he has no idea where I am.

She said she was going to use the bathroom. "Didn’t you find her there?”

“I haven’t looked. I’ll ask Olivia to. She’s just been gone for too long. I don’t think she likes Bianca either.

Ares laughs. “No one likes Bianca.”

I hold my breath as their footsteps echo in the distance. I hear the door close before I come out, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My wide eyes look back at me, the hues on my cheeks beginning to fade.

Sighing, I splash cold water on my face, avoiding the sink where I was just pressed against minutes ago. I walk out of the bathroom and head towards the ladies, swinging the door shut and then coming out again just in time to meet Olivia walking towards me.

“Hey,” she chirps. “Where have you been?" Are you fine? You look flushed.

“It’s nothing.” I tried to avoid her gaze, falling into step beside her. I just had to make a quick phone call. College issues.

Olivia doesn’t say anything more as we return to the table to join the rest of them, but I know she doesn’t believe it is anything. She has always been able to read me easily since she got into a relationship with Spencer.

But at the same time, she doesn’t force it. Always waiting for me to open up at my own pace. That is the reason we are pretty close.

When we reach the table, I am surprised to find Ares' seat empty, along with his fiancée's. Spencer is with this host, taking care of the bill, and a part of me wonders if Ares broke. If he ended up telling his best friend that we were in the bathroom together.

“There you are,” Spencer says, looking up at me. “You missed a lot when you left.”

“What happened?” I questioned, injecting just the right amount of curiosity into my tone. But all of my being is still in that bathroom, still pressed against the sink with Ares in front of me. I can still smell him on me, still feel his breath caressing my face.

"Bianca. She had an urgent appearance to make at some makeup launch or something, and she'd earlier promised that she would attend with Ares. So yeah, they had to leave.

Olivia rolls her eyes. “I wonder why Ares is still with her." That girl…. She’s always on her phone when we’re out and doesn’t even pay attention to what’s going on around her.

“Maybe he loves her,” I mutter, shrugging casually, even though I am desperately waiting for either of them to scoff or laugh.

It doesn’t come.

“But that’s not even what I wanted to tell you,” Spencer continues, patting my hair gently like he always does when we are together. “Are you still searching for a place to intern?”

I nod. "I have sent out a dozen applications already, and I just hope one of them reaches back out to me. It is important for my grades in school.

“Well,” Spencer drawls, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You don’t have to search anymore." I got you the best commercial company in the whole of New York.

“Really?” My mood lifts instantly, my face breaking out into a grin. “Oh my God!" Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Where? When am I going to start? How did you…”

"Calm down, tiger," Spencer laughs. "I am friends with the CEO. Although he said he had more than enough applicants for the summer internship at the company, he couldn't say no to me."

I stop. “Do I know this company?”

"I think it will be a great avenue for you to learn from him, too, seeing as you two used to be very close."

“Spencer, is it…”

“Yeah,” he chuckles. “Blackwood Enterprises." Ares is excited to have you come by. You’re surprised, aren’t you?