CHAPTER 71

Sophie's POV“I slept well,” I answered softly. “Thank you.”His hand brushed the back of my chair as he pushed it in, his fingers grazing briefly against my shoulder blade through the fabric of the dress, and the contact sent a current all the way down my spine that I was very grateful nobody at this table could see.He sat down beside me and immediately, without asking, began serving food onto my plate. Eggs, fruit, toast, a small bowl of something warm. More than I usually ate at breakfast. More than I ever served myself.“You need your strength today,” he said quietly, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “Big day ahead. I want you to have energy.”There was something in the way he said it — caring, but with an undercurrent of something warmer. Something that made me remember his words from last night about taking care of me. About worshipping my body. My thighs pressed together under the table as a fresh wave of arousal moved through me.From across the table I felt Derek

CHAPTER 72

Sophie's POVMy eyes widened. Heat flooded my face instantly, and I felt my pussy clench hard between my legs. The question was so sudden, so direct, and it went straight to the most secret parts of me.“I… what?” I whispered, my voice small.Ares’s hand stayed on my thigh, his thumb now stroking slow circles over the fabric. His voice dropped even lower, rough and intimate in the quiet car.“You keep thanking me when I’ve already told you to stop. You keep being so sweet and polite even when I’m trying to take care of you. Maybe what you really need is a firm hand on that pretty ass of yours. ”I swallowed hard. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. “I… I’ll try to stop,” I managed to say, my voice trembling with a mix of embarrassment and raw arousal.Ares’s mouth curved into a slow, satisfied smile.“Good girl,” he murmured.He moved his hand back to the steering wheel, but the heat of his touch lingered on my thigh like a brand. My body was buzzing, my mind s

CHAPTER 73

Sophie's POVA shaky breath left me. My thighs pressed together on the leather seat. I was so wet now I could feel it.“But we don’t have time for that right now,” he continued, his eyes locked on mine. “You have to go in there and be brilliant. And I have to sit through meetings knowing you’re working with my kiss still on your lips and your pussy probably soaked because of me.”He leaned in and kissed me one more time — slower, deeper, like he was trying to brand the feeling into both of us. His tongue stroked mine lazily, thoroughly, until I was dizzy and clinging to him.When he finally pulled back from the kiss, his forehead rested against mine for a long moment. His hand stayed on my throat, thumb stroking gently over my skin in slow, soothing circles. My lips felt swollen and tingling, and I could still taste him on my tongue.“Fuck, you taste divine,” he whispered, his voice rough and low, like the words were pulled straight from his chest.My heart was pounding so hard I coul

CHAPTER 74

Sophie's POVMy breath came faster. I could already imagine it — him locking that door, pushing me against the desk, his mouth on me while the whole floor worked just outside.Ares reached out and brushed his thumb gently over my bottom lip, the same lip he had kissed so thoroughly in the car.“I’m not going to rush you,” he said softly. “But I want you to know… I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere. If you need me — for work, or for anything else — all you have to do is walk through that door.”He leaned in and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to my forehead, his hand resting lightly on my waist.“Now go settle in, beautiful,” he murmured. “Your first day is about to start. And I’ll be thinking about that kiss every single time I look at this door between our offices.” He gave me one last heated look, then turned and walked toward the connecting door. Before he opened it, he glanced back over his shoulder.“Try not to miss me too much,” he said with a small, wicked smile. “We hav

CHAPTER 75

Sophie's POVWe reached the boardroom. Ares opened the heavy door and held it for me. The moment we stepped inside, every person at the long, polished table stood up. The room was large and formal, with dark wood paneling and a massive table in the center. Bright sunlight poured in through the tall windows, but the atmosphere felt thick with expectation and quiet tension.Derek was already seated on the left side of the head chair. His eyes locked onto me the second I walked in beside Ares. I could feel the heavy weight of his stare, but I didn’t shrink from it the way I used to. I kept my chin up and walked with steady steps.Ares greeted everyone with warm authority. “Thank you all for coming. Let’s get started.”He walked to the head of the table like he owned every inch of the room — which, in many ways, he did. I walked right beside him, holding my laptop and phone, trying to look professional even though my heart was racing and my body was still humming from his whispered words

CHAPTER 76

Sophie's POVHis words were simple, but the way he said them — steady and supportive — made me feel safe and capable at the same time. I nodded slightly, my fingers moving over the keyboard again. My body was still humming with leftover heat from this morning, but sitting beside him in this formal room, feeling his calm presence and quiet encouragement, helped steady me.The meeting carried on around us. People spoke, presentations were made, and decisions were discussed. Through it all, I stayed focused on my notes while staying deeply aware of Ares beside me. The way his voice filled the room with quiet authority. The way he occasionally glanced at me with that small, private smile. The way his thigh remained close to mine under the table, a steady, warm presence that made me feel connected to him even in this professional setting.Derek continued watching us from his seat. I could feel the weight of his stare, but it didn’t bother me the way it once would have. I was too focused on