All Chapters of Off-Limits Desire: Chapter 51 - Chapter 57

Ares’ POVShe brushed past me, her coconut scent trailing behind like a soft, invisible thread that wrapped around my senses and yanked. It hit me…unexpectedly warm and familiar, and I actually stumbled a step back, regaining my balance as time slowed.Not literally.My eyes flicked to her face just in time to catch the subtle crease in her forehead, the one that always showed up when she was pissed off but trying to keep it together.It was a small detail, barely noticeable unless you really paid attention. I’d seen it enough times to know it meant she was holding something in.“You should know,” a small, annoyed voice in my head muttered, unimpressed.Her shoulder collided with my torso as she brushed past me without a glance, telling the Roman guy they could leave.Her voice was clipped, her posture rigid, and the sting of her dismissal lingered longer than it should have.I came to my senses, following her out as she clicked the elevator button at the end of the hallway.Damn, sh

Scarlett's POVHe trailed behind me, holding his cheek gingerly as I rummaged through the freezer, muttering under my breath. The cold air bit at my fingertips as I pushed aside a box of frozen waffles and a tub of ice cream, searching for something, anything, that could double as a cold press.The sound of his quiet groans made my stomach twist with guilt. I risked a glance over my shoulder to find him leaning heavily on the counter, his face twisted in pain as his fingers massaged the tender spot I’d hit.“You’re not gonna take a seat?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though the knot of worry in my chest made my voice come out sharper than intended.He arched a brow at me, clearly unimpressed, but said nothing. His hand dropped from his cheek, resting on the counter as he shifted his weight.I could tell he wasn’t planning to move until I forced him to. With a triumphant huff, I pulled out a bag of frozen peas, the plastic crinkling loudly in my grip.“Don’t be stubborn,” I said, g

Ares’ POVI rubbed my eyes tiredly, the elevator doors gliding open with a soft ding.Byron and Scarlett stood at the entrance of the lobby, talking animatedly. Byron spotted me first, his gaze flicking in my direction before nudging Scarlett in the ribs.She turned, swatting him away playfully as her eyes landed on me. Byron leaned in, whispering something in her ear, and whatever he said made her cheeks flush. She swatted him again, more embarrassed this time, as he waved her off with a smug grin and walked away.Scarlett grinned at me, her smile bright despite the exhaustion I knew she was hiding.She waved me over, and I ran a hand through my hair, trying to muster up something resembling a smile.It wasn’t easy. The last forty-eight hours had been hell, and the six hours of sleep I’d managed in between felt like a cruel joke.“See?” she said, her gaze flicking to my cheek. “Now it doesn’t look like shit,” she teased, her voice warm as her fingers reached up to trace the bruise.H

Scarlett's POV“I’ll get it!” I yelled, pushing myself off the bed with a groan. My bare feet hit the cold floor as I tugged at the white clips in my hair, yanking them out one by one.Annoyance simmered beneath my skin, I’d gotten all cute, just for Roman to cancel.I tossed the clips onto my vanity with a clatter, running a hand through my hair to shake it out as I stalked toward the door.“What?” my brother called from down the hall, his voice muffled. He poked his head out of his room, blinking at me as he tugged out one of his AirPods. His music was still blasting; I could hear the faint thump of bass even from where I stood.He bobbed his head to the beat, completely unbothered, as if the entire house wasn’t shaking from his playlist.“Never mind,” I said, waving a hand dismissively in front of his face. He scrunched his brows, confused, his mouth opening to say something.My eyes caught the bit of pancake stuck to the corner of his lips, and before he could speak, he dramatical