Past Mistakes
Chapter Fifteen
“I shouldn’t have given you back that phone.” Ares’ expression was thunderous.
“You can’t take this away from me now.” I stepped back, away from him. Clasping my phone so tightly.
“You’ve better get rid of that guy or else I’ll do it myself.”
“Do that, and I’ll hate you more.”
He glanced sharply round, his eyes were blazing. He stood there looking so tall and angry.
I called my mom when Ares went to the bathroom. I didn’t want her to worry. I wanted her to know what happened to me.
“I’m in Greece.”
“I know. Ares called me.”
“What? How…”
“He’d been calling me since you arrived New York. He said not to worry. He’s taking good care of you.”
I let out a long sigh.
“Mom… he won’t sign the divorce paper. He wants me back… as his wife.”
“Why?”
I kept the tone of my voice down, softly whispering and keeping an eye at the bathroom door, in case Ares would come out and hear us.
“I really don’t know. He said he doesn’t do divorce. He wanted to give our marriage a try… to start all over again.”
“He’s so old fashion.”
“I know. I have a feeling that he’s doing this for his grandfather. He’s so sick. Ares wanted him to be happy.”
“Probably.” Mom agreed.
It was really more than that. Mr. Niarchos was so stubborn and refused to talk to Ares for too long, seven years to be exact – the time I left the mansion. He blamed Ares why I left him.
“Or maybe he’s just sincere. He wants your forgiveness and wants to make up with you.” Mom continued. “Why don’t you give him a chance. I don’t think he’s a terrible person, Rachel. No man is perfect. Each has his own weaknesses. If he hurt you physically or emotionally, I’m sure he regretted it already.”
“Or maybe he’s just sincere. He wants your forgiveness and wants to make up with you.” Mom continued. “Why don’t you give him a chance. I don’t think he’s a terrible person, Rachel. No man is perfect. Each has his own weaknesses. If he hurt you physically or emotionally, I’m sure he regretted it already.”
Chapter Fifteen
Her statement made me think. Maybe she was right. Or maybe… wrong. Am I too dramatic? I tried to recall that night. What made Ares hurt me… or did he really hurt me? I remembered enjoying his caresses… his kisses… wanting so much more… the pleasure was too much. Did I lead him on? When I felt the sudden pain, I got scared. It reminded me of my dad… the beating….
“No mom. I’m marrying Drew.” I answered.
“Are you really sure about that?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t rush. If you want to marry Drew, know him better first. I don’t want you to make the wrong decision.”
***
Ares came out of the bathroom, with only a white towel wrapped barely around his hips. His hair was wet from the shower and he smelled of soap.
My eyes widened and my pulse rate was in riot again. Delicious sensation running in the pit of my stomach.
I couldn’t help looking at his nicely defined abdominal muscles and prominent V line. It looked so perfect and tempting to touch.
Ares smiled. He knew that he affected me.
“Will you put a shirt on!”
I looked down as I started blushing. This is embarrassing. I’m drooling like a lovesick teenage girl!
I immediately gathered my sleeping wear, a two-piece lace black top shorts pajama, and headed to the bathroom. I took time changing, taking off my makeup and brushing my teeth.
When I got out of the bathroom, Ares was on the floor doing push-ups and wearing only a blue stripe mid-short.
I got nervous. I remembered a movie about a man doing push-ups before having sex! Is he going to have s*x with me? Oh God… I’m getting so paranoid.
“What are you doing?”
“Just a little exercise to make me sleep.” He stood up and looked at me. His pupils darkened as his eyes traveled down my body appreciatively without shame. Ugh!
“Are you having a hard time to sleep?” I asked him so his eyes would focus on my face, not on my body.
“Sometimes.” He answered.
My eyes focused on his broad shoulders. I looked closer to his right shoulder, down to his right arm… it was covered with ugly scars.
“You have big scars… does it hurt?”
He touched his right arm. “Not anymore.”
“What happened?”
“An accident. I’m sure you don’t want to hear about it.” He stretched his arm behind his back, then turned away from me, obviously dismissing the topic.
“I want to know…”
He turned around and faced me again. “The topic will bore you, Rachel. Let’s go to sleep.”
It was obvious. He didn’t want to talk about the accident. I didn’t want to force it. Not now.
“I’ll sleep on the floor.” I said.
His eyebrows furrowed. “The bed is big enough for us.”
“No. I don’t like to share a bed with you.”
“I won’t touch you, if that what’s worrying you.”
“It’s wrong… I can’t sleep with you…” I insisted.
He groaned. “We’re married.”
“In paper only. I still want a divorce.”
He shook his head. “It’s a tiring day. I don’t want to argue with you tonight.” He went to the bed and took a pillow. “Okay, you sleep on the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“No… no. I’ll sleep on the floor. I don’t want to sleep on THAT bed.” I pointed a finger at the bed.
He looked so confused. “Why? What’s wrong with the bed?”
“I just don’t want to sleep there.”
“Damn it, Rachel. Tell me what’s the problem with the bed?”
“I… you…”
“What?”
“I know a lot of women slept on that bed already… I…”
He frowned then exhaled heavily. “For your peace of mind, I haven’t brought any woman in this room and haven’t slept with anyone on that bed. Okay? I’m not saying this so you’ll sleep on the bed. It’s the truth.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “You’re rich. Rich men do that.”
He shook his head. “Not all. And for your information, I have been faithful to you. Since we got married, I haven’t slept with anyone.”
Is that true? For seven years, he was celibate?
“I don’t believe you. Women would crawl over your bed like ants in a picnic basket.”
“I don’t know if I should be flattered you think that way. But believe me, I’m telling you the truth.”
“Oh, really.” I said sarcastically.
“Why do you always think I’m lying?”
“Because it’s unbelievable!”
He groaned out loud. “You always think the worst about me.”
“So… you haven’t bought any woman here?”
“I swear, No.”
Tiffany was playing games with me. Made me assume that she was sleeping with Ares on this bed.
I nodded and sat on the bed. “Okay, I’ll sleep here.”
The lights were out and I was alone on the king-sized bed. I looked at Ares, who was sleeping uncomfortable on the floor. He was always moving, finding a better position.
The floor was carpeted. But I knew it was cold and it wouldn’t do good on his once fractured bones. He would feel ill in the morning.
“We can share the bed. It’s big.” I said.
“It’s okay. I’m fine here.”
“I know you’re not comfortable. You’ll have body aches in the morning.”
“I’m used to it.” He answered.
“Do we have to argue all the time?” I said.
Ares stood up and took the pillow and comforter on the floor.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not scared of me?”
“Should I?”
“No. I’m harmless” He chuckled. “I won’t touch you unless you want me to.”
I was thinking, making a decision. “We can put pillows between us.”
I heard him moved to the closet, then putting pillows on the bed, between us. Later on, I felt the mattress shifted as he lay down on bed.
“Much comfortable now?”
“Very. Goodnight, Rachel.”
“Goodnight.”
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