After class, I head back to the house. My stomach is full of butterflies at the thought of what's to come. An hour. That's all we have, but it will have to be enough.

As soon as I enter the house, I stop dead in my tracks. My mother is sitting at the counter, sipping a cup of tea.

"Hi, honey. How was your day?" she asks. She may have a smile on her face, but I know my mother. She's up to something.

"It was good. What are you doing home? I thought you had work today," I reply, trying to sound casual.

"I did, but they gave me the afternoon off," she says, taking another sip of her tea.

"Oh, that's nice," I comment, walking into the kitchen. I grab an apple from the fruit bowl and take a bite. It's more as a nervous habit than me actually being hungry. I can feel her eyes on me, watching my every move.

"So, I checked on you when we came in last night and you weren't in your bed. Where were you?"

My heart starts to race. I should have known this was coming. "I uh, stayed the night with Skylar," I lie, trying to keep my voice steady.

She takes another sip of her tea, a smirk playing on her lips. "Really? Because Archer said you were here this morning."

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. She knows me so well, she can always tell when I'm lying, but I can't tell her about Ares. Not now, and maybe not ever.

"Yeah, I came in real early, before everyone was up," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

She nods, her eyes boring into mine. "Your car was in the driveway when we got home. How did you get to Skylars? She doesn't drive. Did you walk there?"

Shit. I hadn't thought about that. Of course she is going to ask me a million questions. There are two things my mother loves most, tearing me down and controlling me. She may not see it as vindictive or whatever you would call it, but it still is nonetheless. She wants so badly for me to live the life she always wanted.

I pause, taking another bite of my apple. "No, I took a cab," I say, hoping she buys it.

"Hmm," she says, her eyes narrowing. "Why didn't you just take your car?"

I can't think of a good reason, so I just shrug. "I didn't want to drive, so I took a cab."

I'm sweating now, my palms are slick and my heart is pounding. "I'm going to go do some homework. I have a lot to catch up on," I say, my voice cracking.

I quickly walk out of the kitchen and head up to my room. Once I'm inside, I lean against the door and let out a shaky breath. That was close. Too close.

I walk over to my bed and flop down, my thought's immediately going to Ares. I wonder where he is and what he's doing.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out.

Ares: Had to go do something for work, be there in two minutes. Be ready for me, baby girl.

My heart starts to race and a grin spreads across my face, but it's quickly replaced with a frown.

Me: Moms home. She asked where I was last night. I had to lie and say I stayed at Skylar's.

Ares: Damn, what did you tell her?

Me: Told her I went to Skylar's and took a cab to her place.

Ares: You think she bought it?

Me: Honestly, I don't think so. She can see right through me.

Ares: Are you okay?

Me: Yeah, just shook up.

Ares: We will figure this out. Don't worry.

My mind races, and I start to wonder if this is the end. Is our secret going to be exposed? Will my mom kick me out of the house? Will she cut me off financially? The thought of losing everything makes my chest tighten and my breath catch.

I know Ares worries about us, about my hesitation, but he doesn't have the same things to lose as I do. He has money, a company, and a home. But I have school, and barely any money. What am I supposed to do if my mom cuts me off?

He says he can help me, that he would take care of me, but is that what I want? He would just be taking my mother's place, another person in way of my independence. I can't depend on him like that.

And what about my mom and Archer? What will they think of me? What will they think of Ares and me? Would they understand?

A million thoughts are running through my mind, but the one that keeps coming back is, "What am I going to do?"

I let out a sigh and lay back on my bed. I close my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, trying to calm my nerves.

I should get started on my school work. Maybe a distraction will help me forget about my problems, at least for a little while.

I sit up and open my laptop, pulling up the assignment from one of my classes. I have a paper due and I need to start working on it. I read over the prompt, thinking about what I could write about, and the words just start flowing. Before I know it, I've written two pages and I'm feeling a little better.

My phone buzzes and it's Ares again.

Ares: Want to have some fun?

Me: You know we can't, we might get caught.

Ares: Do you have any toys?

My heart skips a beat, and I feel my cheeks heat.

Me: Um, yeah.

Ares: Grab one and go into the bathroom. I want you to take a nice long bath. Make sure the water is nice and hot.

My heart races and I can't believe what he is suggesting. I've never used my toys for someone else's pleasure.

"Oh fuck it," I whisper to myself.

I stand up and walk over to the closet, opening the doors. On the top shelf is a black shoebox. I pull it down and open it. Inside are all of my toys, neatly packed away. I keep my favorite one in my bedside table, but the closet holds the rest.

I grab the first one, a large dark purple dildo, and set it on the counter. I pull off my clothes and run the bath, making sure the water is nice and hot, just like Ares said.

As soon as the water is high enough, I climb in and sink into the warm water. I lay back, letting the heat soak into my muscles. I shoot Ares another text.

Me: In the bath now.

Ares: Good girl. Now, pick up your phone and turn on the video chat.

I pick up my phone and tap on the icon. A second later, Ares's face fills the screen. He's in his room, just a few short dozen steps away from me. Shirtless, his muscles rippling.

"Hey, baby girl," he says, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Hi," I say, my face heating.

"Have you started playing yet?" he asks, his eyes locking with mine.

I shake my head, biting my lip. "No."

"Good. That's good. You're going to start now," he says, his voice low.

He turns the camera around, revealing the sight of his hard cock. It's massive, and my pussy clenches.

"Touch yourself," he growls.

I set the phone down on the ledge and spread my legs, giving him a better view.

"Fuck, you look so good, baby girl," he says, his voice thick with desire. He fists his erection in his hand, giving it a quick pump.

I trail my fingers down my body and slip them between my legs. I'm already wet, and the feeling of my own touch sends a jolt of pleasure through me.

This is new territory for me. Phone sex, or well, i guess video call sex. It's all new.

I circle my clit, a soft moan escaping my lips.

"That's it, baby girl. Make yourself feel good. Imagine it's me touching you."

My eyes lock on his and I can't help but wonder if the whole time he is jerking himself off, he's imagining it's my hand instead.

I continue rubbing my clit, the pleasure building.

"Show me the toy you chose, baby girl. Let me see what you're going to fuck yourself with," he commands.

I reach over and pick up the toy, holding it up so he can see it.

"Good girl," he growls. "Now, rub it against your clit."

I do as he says, pressing the tip of the toy against my clit. A moan escapes my lips, the ridges of the toy rubbing against my nerve endings. It feels amazing, but not nearly as good as Ares.

"Fuck, that's so hot, baby girl," he murmurs, his eyes locked on mine. "Now, put it inside of you. Let me see see you stretch that beautifully tight pussy."

I slide the toy inside, slowly at first, but the need is too much. I push it all the way in, gasping at the full feeling.

"How does it feel, baby girl?" he asks, his voice low and husky.

"It feels so good," I moan, rocking my hips.

"I bet it does. Now fuck yourself, baby girl. I want to hear you moaning," he growls.

My eyes lock with his as I thrust the toy inside me again, my body quivering.

"Yes, baby girl. Just like that. Fuck, you look so hot," he groans, his hand moving faster. "Playing with yourself like a naughty girl."

I move the toy faster, matching his pace, and my orgasm builds. My free hand covers my mouth, muffling my moans, as the pleasure overtakes me.

"Come for me, baby girl," he growls, his voice low and husky.

My hand closes over my mouth harder, fighting the urge to scream as I come. My hand stills as I ride out my orgasm.

"Keep going, baby girl. You can't stop until I come. Understand?" he growls, his eyes locked on mine.

"Y-yes," I gasp, my hand moving faster.

My eyes roll back as the pleasure consumes me.

"Fuck, that's hot, baby girl. I wish I was there with you right now," he groans, his eyes drinking in the sight of me.

I watch through the screen of my phone, his hand fisting his hard erection.

"Yeah, baby girl, keep fucking yourself. I'm almost there," he growls, his strokes becoming erratic.

His hand moves faster, his grip tightening, and a moan escapes my lips. The sight of him pleasuring himself is enough to send another orgasm ripping through me.

"Oh fuck, I'm coming," he groans, his release spilling over his hand.

I ride out my orgasm, the pleasure washing over me, before slowly pulling the toy out.

"You did so good, baby girl," he pants, a small smile on his face. "I wish you were in my room right now. I want to hold you, feel you in my arms."

I wish he was in the tub with me, but I know we can't risk it. My mom could catch us

"Finish your bath and I'll see you at dinner, okay?" he says, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I nod, my stomach fluttering.

"I'll see you then, baby girl," he says, giving me a wink.

The video chat ends and I lean back, my mind racing.

How am I going to sit with him at dinner across from my mom? I've never felt like this before, and it's all so new to me. This isn't a normal relationship, and I don't even know what it is.

All I know is that I've never felt this way about anyone, and it's scary, but it's exciting. I don't know what the future holds for us, but I know we'll figure it out.