Chapter 21: Do Your Worst [Music: Poison In My Veins By Elvis Drew] I had no idea why I said such a thing, but it was adorable seeing his bewildered expression. "Just a peck to get you started." Reed’s mouth moved, and I placed my finger on it to stop him from saying a word, swooping in with my lips pursed, but he tapped a finger on my forehead to push me away. "Ow!" I rubbed the spot. Swiftly, Reed diverted my chair to face the counter, and I pierced him with a glare. "Geez! I was only joking. It’s not like I was gonna kiss you or anything, a peck on the cheek is still considered one." He opened his mouth but swallowed back what he had in mind. I tilted my head. "Don’t get worked up too much. I was trying to do you a favour." "A favour?" he asked, amused. I placed a hand on my cheek and said. "Have you ever kissed a girl? You never answered that question, Mr. Cross." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂 Before he could give me a reply, I kissed my finger and pressed it on his lips. "There, a memory worthwhile." There was a pause from him. "What? Not enough?" He drank his drink with speed, and I giggled. Footsteps echoed, seizing our attention. Reed pushed to his feet quickly, a pressure clasping him. I blinked, moving my gaze to where his eyes were, and I saw Ares coming. He had his coat on, collars up, and hands sheathed in black leather gloves. God, he’s so hot! I took my time eyeing him hungrily, not caring that my desire came to light. I can peacefully blame it on the alcohol in my system. My chin tilted more upward when he stood in front of me, and I sat still like a doll looking up at its owner. "Baby?" I sank my teeth into my bottom lip. "Honey?" "We should be on our date." "I took a raincheck." His cold eyes flickered to Reed. Fuck! I hope he’s not in trouble. "I forced him to stay," I spoke up. "He tried to get me to leave, but I said no. I’ve been a bad girl." Ares’ jaw clenched, and I smiled, loving that subtle reaction. With one look, Reed stepped out of the club. Ares’ hand stretched out and held my chin captive. "What am I gonna do with you?" "Let me off the hook?" His blues darkened, and goosebumps rose on my skin. Okay, I may not live through the night. Send help! "Here’s your orange juice. Drink up!" Tori came into view but froze when she saw Ares. "Honey, this is my bestie, Victoria, but only I get to call her Tori." "Let’s go." Ares didn’t even spare her a glance. Ugh! Rude! I pushed to my feet but got too dizzy and sat back down. Ares crouched and took off my heels before he positioned his hand at the back of my knee and picked me up like I weighed nothing. I secured my arms tightly around his neck and murmured. "Your acting skills are improving. Look at you, sweeping me off my feet like a princess." Ares ignored me, walking back to the car, where Julian was waiting. He placed me inside and shut the door. I let out a soft sigh, sliding my hand up and down my thigh as uncertainty squeezed me too hard. My gaze darted to the window where Ares spoke with Julian. He tipped his hat as a response and walked away. Where is he going? Ares rounded the car and got in, taking off his gloves. "Am I in trouble, Mr. King?" I had no fucking idea why I asked that in a slutty voice. It’s the alcohol. "..." Was he going to play silent? "It was much better staying in the club than having a date with you. You’re overbearing, and I needed a much better company." He licked his lips, chest rising and falling heavily. "Say that again. I dare you." My breathing hitched. "You’re overbearing. Cold-blooded. And I needed—" I squeaked when he pulled me to his lap, and I gripped his broad shoulders tightly. That dangerous glimmer in his eyes shouldn’t delight me, but it did. "I’m grasping at my last patience with you." He curled his finger around a strand of my hair. "Last warning..." I shivered at the deep layers of his voice; he spoke too low, and yet it was... soothing. My nose flared with the smell of his expensive cologne and aftershave. "Go on... test me." "Do your worst." A sharp smack cracked through the space, and my body jolted with force. The lingering sting of impact didn’t last because my skirt protected me. "Is that all you got, honey?" "I’m just getting started, baby." Ares ripped the material. "My skirt!" He redirected me across his lap. There wasn’t enough room for that, but somehow my bare ass was right where he wanted it, my entire front pressed into the other seat. Smack! This time, the hit was directly on my skin. I swallowed the pain that flooded my body like electricity seeping through my blood, but Ares didn’t spare me a moment to collect myself. The harsh sounds of impact drowned out every other noise, echoing and nonstop. He’s not going easy on me. I groaned as my face drove into the seat more, hair blanketing my face, and my nostrils flaring. "How many?" I froze. Did he expect me to count? "How. Many?" "I-I don’t—Ah!" He spanked me again, continuously. My eyes stung, and sweet pain overtook me. I should feel sick from deriving pleasure from this, but strangely, I wasn’t. "Two?" I teased, purposely getting the numbers wrong. "You shouldn’t have done that." Just as I thought, he started again, but this time he drove each hit with more force until my ass was burning. "Fifteen!" I yelled, shaking. "Wrong." My heart momentarily stopped. "I got it right!" "You missed one." He pressed his hand on my searing bottom, and I moaned. I tried to squirm away, but he trapped my hands behind my back, his voice dark with warning. "Move again, and you’ll regret it."