Ares' Temptation Read Free Page A

to cheer him up.
    A perplexed look furrowed his brow. “Why is that?”
    “With all that armor, you’d go down like a log.”
    To her surprise, he actually smiled at her joke. It was the first time she’d seen him smile all evening. She hadn’t thought it was possible, but he looked even more gorgeous. He didn’t offer her any more information, but the smile was enough for now. “Come on. We’re missing the stuffed shells.”
    Ares froze as if he feared reentering the room. This new vulnerable side drew her in. Why would the God of War bat an eye at a social event? He didn’t seem to have a problem before. Whatever had happened between him and that witch must have shaken him. “You are coming back, aren’t you?”
    “I suppose I’m trapped here with you anyway.”
    “Trapped with me?” She whirled around. The second she started to like him, he had to open his arrogant mouth. “We’ll see who comes to get you next time.”
    …
    Ares watched the haughty mortal’s hips swing in that skin-tight purple gown as she strutted down the hall without him. He would have to craft some sort of strategy if he was ever going to make her fall in love with him. She clearly hated him and frowned upon everything he embodied. They couldn’t even have a civilized conversation for five minutes without him angering her.
    Unfortunately, she was the only way he could reclaim his powers.
    Run after her, you fool.
    Ares didn’t budge. He was the God of War for Hades’ sake. He didn’t run after women. Especially know-it-all mortals who judged him on the spot. He held up his hand, attempting to blink himself back to Mount Olympus.
    Nothing happened.
    Curse Hekate ! He truly was stranded on Earth, and the only way back to his army lay in that pretty woman’s heart. How he was going to steal it baffled him more than any tactical challenge he’d faced before.
    Shaking his head, he followed Kaye back to their table. She was already diving into the stuffed shells and making conversation with a flirty satyr with v-shaped eyebrows and curly, blond hair. Ares sat and waited for her to turn around.
    “You know, I helped Pan win Syrinx back once she figured out who he really was.” She sipped a glass of champagne, her back still to Ares.
    “Why, you little matchmaker.” The satyr played with a curl of her dark hair that had come loose. “How did you manage that?”
    “Well—”
    If only she saw him in his true form, goat legs and all. Ares cleared his throat very loudly and clanged his ale mug on the table. Kaye froze. It was so easy to get a mortal’s attention.
    She turned back toward him. “Excuse me, we’re trying to have a conversation here.”
    The venom is her words choked him. He recovered quickly and waved her away. “By all means.”
    As Kaye prattled on about saving Pan and Syrinx’s relationship, Ares tapped the table with his fork. This problem would require something he’d never had to cultivate before: charm.
    True to form, it took less than ten minutes for the satyr to find a beautiful goddess and prance across the room. Kaye returned to her food, pouting.
    This was his chance before someone else approached her. Ares used the solemn expression he’d perfected over the years. “My apologies. I know we haven’t seen eye to eye.”
    Kaye cut off a piece of her stuffed shell. She wouldn’t even make eye contact. “I’d say.”
    Her dark curls were pinned back with small, pearl ornaments. An urge to pull one of them out and release the curls down her neck overcame him. He blinked it away. “Satyrs are not known for their loyalty. Even the most powerful goddesses cannot keep them long.”
    She glanced away, trying to hide her embarrassment. “It’s not like he’s my date or anything.”
    Was she talking of dried fruit? Ares searched his memory of everything he knew of mortal interactions—which wasn’t much. “A date?”
    Kaye stared at him as if he was trying to fool her. “You know, a companion.”
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