Ares rounds his desk and sinks down into the seat. There are three seats directly across from the desk, so I sink into one, the man takes another.
“Lana, this is James St. Claire, my new property executor,” Ares says as he leans back in his seat. “James,my fiancée, Lana.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” he says, angling toward me and shaking my hand. And there’s something a little too… concrete about his grip.
“He’s like you?” I direct my question at Ares without looking away from James.
“Yes,” Ares answers. “So is Tom Dee. Pat knows about us. Lydia and Nadia don’t know, though.”
Well, that sounds complicated.
I look James over, taking note of this man who’s about to become a big part of Ares’ life. I’d guess he’s about thirty, maybe a tad younger. He has a strong jawline, and there’s something a tad mischievous in his eyes. He sports sandy brown hair and green eyes that are almost yellow. I’ve never seen anyone with eyes like his.
“This whole reality of vampires is still kind of blowing my mind,” I admit since the door is closed. “If the immortality thing is real, Ares is just a baby. How long have you been what you are?”
“Direct,” James notes, looking at Ares with a grin. “I like it. I Resurrected at twenty-seven, but I’ve been that age for nineteen years.”
Still not that impressively old. I’m surprised James is only one year older than Ares. He seems older for some reason. Though, I suppose he should be forty-six, so maybe it’s just that.
“Where are you from originally?” I ask, but I’m not sure why I feel such a need to quiz him.
“I was born in Los Angeles, but I never stayed put anywhere long,” he answers. He leans back in his seat, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee. “My mother didn’t like my dad much, so I lived with her until the booze took her down. Ilived with my father after that, who traveled constantly. Got sick of that when I became an adult. Lived in Europe for a few years until that got old. Been settling in Manhattan for the last three years. I like it here. Think I’ll stay for a good long while.”
“Your references were all raves,” Ares points out. “Your portfolio wasn’t anything to ignore. I think you’re a good fit for Hunt Enterprises.”
“Thank you, sir,” James says, which sounds weird, considering they look so close in age. “I look forward to getting started.”
Ares nods, and his eyes slide over to me. “I’ll see you at dinner, kitten?”
My duty here is done. I nod and stand. And because we have to sell this show to everyone in our lives, I step forward. I lay my hand on Ares’ chest and lean in. My lips find his, something soft and tempting in the lightest touch.
His fingers lace into my hair, and he draws me closer, the kiss turning slightly more demanding.
“See you at dinner,” I say, my voice coming out slightly raspy.
Ares nods, holding my gaze, and he watches as I turn and head to the door.
“Nice to meet you,” James says again, and I find him fully blushed, looking slightly embarrassed and uncomfortable to be in the same room as me and Ares.
“You too,” I say with a smirk, feeling smug for no credible reason. I let my hips sway as I cross to the door.
“Billings is waiting downstairs for you,” Ares says. I look back at him to see the most adorable smile on his lips, though it looks like he’s trying to fight it. He brushes a thumb over hisbottom lip.
“Thanks, darling,” I say, winking as I walk out.
“You know everything?” Pat surprises me by asking as I walk past her desk to the exit. There’s a challenge to her tone, one that tells me she doesn’t think I do, and she’s feeling sassy about it.
“I think so, all the important, fanged parts anyway,” I say, giving her a wink as well before I let myself out of the office.
When I walk back out, Billings is indeed waiting at the curb for me. I climb in and give him the address of the gym.
It takes us a good twenty-five minutes to get there with the current traffic. With nearly two million people on this island, which is only twenty-two square miles, congestion is constant. But I love it. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I love the chaos. That there’s always something to do, somewhere to be. I love the diversity of people and the endless variety of food options. I love the wonder of the city because that’s what it is. A modern miracle. That humans built all of this. Such tiny little creatures creating such massive structures.
Finally, Billings pulls into the parking garage behind the gym.
“I’m not really sure how long I’ll be,” I say as I pull out my cell. “Should I just call you when I’m nearly done?”
“I work exclusively for Ares,” Billings says, shaking his head. “Mr. Hunt doesn’t have anywhere to be any time soon. I’ll be waiting for you.”
