The atmosphere in the bedroom tonight is cold—not because of the AC, but because of the silent treatment that started this afternoon. You are still fuming, and honestly, seeing Ares Salvatore's stoic, unbothered expression only makes you want to scream.

Eventually, you decide to surrender to sleep. You climb into bed, turning your back completely toward him. As a form of "defense," you pull the large teddy bear—his Valentine’s gift from a few days ago—tightly into your arms. You hug it close, burying your face in its soft fur as if this inanimate object is your only source of comfort in the world.

Ares sits in silence, leaning against the headboard with his glasses still perched on the bridge of his nose. His sharp eyes watch your back, tracking the way your hands are wrapped possessively around that toy.

A strange heat flares in his chest. Jealousy. It sounds ridiculous to be jealous of something he bought himself, but seeing you give the warmth and the embrace that rightfully belongs to him to a stuffed animal makes him feel like an intruder in his own bed.

"That damn thing has to go," he thinks, his jaw tightening.

Your breathing has leveled out, signaling you've drifted deep into sleep. Ares moves slowly. With clinical precision, he creeps closer. His large hand reaches for the bear, gently prying it from your grasp. Once the toy is free, he tosses it unceremoniously across the room toward the sofa.

Now, there are no more barriers.

Ares slides his arm beneath your neck and pulls your waist back until your spine is pressed perfectly against his broad chest. He pulls you into a crushing embrace, burying his face in the crook of your neck, inhaling the intoxicating scent of your perfume.

"Don't hold anything else," he whispers, his voice a low, possessive growl in the silence. "Only me. You’re only allowed to hold me, do you understand?"

You let out a soft mumble in your sleep, instinctively snuggling into his very real, very solid warmth, completely unaware that your "rival" is currently lying abandoned on the floor.