Dreams Outgrow Rooms Built From Other Peoples Fears by Niro Mason 94

Posted by ADMINMMADMIN, ? Views, Released on December 29, 2025

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94 Family Dinner

CATHERINE

“So you ran…”

“No, I didn’t,” I defended. “I left. There’s a big difference.”

“Really? It seems that way to me. How did it go down again? You left the shower, grabbed a robe, and just…” Tori trailed.

I gave her a warning look not to use that word, but this was Tori, and she was after my

life.

“…ran.”

“Ugh! I just panicked, you know…”

“What happened? The dick was too good?” she teased, smirking.

My mouth hung as I grew speechless. I really did wish it was all that, but it gets worse. Yes! Ares King fucks like a god, and so help me, I’m’still feral because last night was beyond anything I could ever imagine.

It’s like when expectation meets reality and you get more than you bargained for. But it wasn’t about that… this was about me. I’m shameless to admit I still wanted Ares like I

craved water, and that was not a good sign.

“I don’t wanna talk about that right now. I just wanna soak in this pool and forget everything about that night.”

That’s the only way I can ground myself and not play the scene like a broken record.

“Sure soak… You haven’t even got in yet, and the water is really great.”

“I’m sore…” I mumbled.

“Damn! Are you bleeding?” she asked, worried.

I blushed. “No, I’m aching.”

“Then you should dip and cool your precious pearls.”

That sounded like a great idea. I took off my hat, dropped it, and rose to my feet.

“She’s diving…!” Tori said in a sing–tone.

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94 Family Dinner

I giggled about dipping, but her words stopped me.

“Oh! Take off your sarong, you’re not swimming in that thing, are you?”

“You know I can’t take it off…” I reminded her.

“Are you sure the devil isn’t prepping you like some feast? I have to ask because…” She sighed. “God knows that is rabid.”

I rolled my eyes. My hips and thighs were covered in nail marks and scratches.

I jumped, hugging my knees midair as I submerged in the water. The cool temperature welcomed me, and I lingered for a few seconds before emerging and gasping for air.

“That felt good!”

“Told you! You were the one who wanted to dip your legs only and be lost in thought.”

“I wasn’t lost in thought.”

“You kept spacing out like a damsel in distress,” she said, and swam towards the other

way.

“I’m not a damsel in distress!”

“Enjoying the water?” Athena came forward, classy as always in her white Bikini.

There’s a reason she’s a model and fashion icon because damn, that shape was enough

to die for.

Athena took off her sunglasses and dropped them on the cushioned loungers, and proceeded to the pool using the stairs. She rests her arms on the surface, using her back to face us.

“Is that…. Tori trailed, pinning her gaze on something.

“What?” I asked.

She moved close to me and whispered. “There’s a micro medusa tattoo on her lower back.”

My stomach dropped at her words. I veered my gaze to Athena, who was in the middle of taking a martini from a house staff.

I can’t see clearly without my glasses, but I could tell there was an ink design. Tori and I shared a look, but she didn’t say anything.

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94 Family Dinner

“M–Maybe it’s just a fashion statement, I suggested. “It can’t mean that…”

“I hope so too.”

“Are you guys ready for the family dinner?” Athena raised her glass. “Here’s to a successful one. Gotta make a toast carlier than expected.”

“Family dinner?” I frowned.

“Can I take a rain check on that…?” Tori said. “I’m obviously not a King, and the last thing I wanna do is intrude.”

“Oh, but you’re invited. I’m not, but I’m still gonna crash like I did the ball. It’s always so

fun!”

“You aren’t invited? Why?” I asked, puzzled.

Same thing with the ball, too. I just realized that.

“Because I’m unwanted.” She raised her glass.

For some reason, her words made me sad. Agatha clearly did not like her, given how she reacted yesterday when I mentioned Athena. There was so much going on with the Kings, and a loving family was clearly not one of them.

I swam to the stairs and braced to climb, but I froze midway when I felt a chill up my spine. I moved my gaze fast, narrowing them when I caught someone’s silhouette. I used my hand to frame my eyes and discovered Agatha scrutinizing me from a balcony before retreating into the room.

I can’t wait to get the fuck out of this estate.

☆

~4~

Evening came quickly, and I got ready for dinner. I wore a blue, off–the–shoulder blouse, the short sleeves puffed just a little bit. My skirt was white with small dark dots, flowing down to my ankles, and a slit parting the fabric at the front. I paired it with simple sandals to complete the look.

I was in the middle of applying my lipstick when I caught a movement through the mirror. My entire body stilled when I set my eyes on Ares.

He was just at the doorway, hands buried in his pockets. My pulse raced bizarrely, and I couldn’t stop my hands from quivering as I shut my lipstick tube.

I’m a trembling mess. Fuck!

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Ares came slowly, stopping just a few feet away from me, eyes boring into mine, and in a matter of seconds, heat crawled through my skin and settled between my legs, where I still ached, and this time it wasn’t about last night but the impossible things my body was craving right now.

“C–Can you zip me up?” I asked in a whisper.

Ares doesn’t move, and I pondered when this staring contest was gonna end. But then he reached for my zipper and pulled. I waited almost desperately for his skin to make contact with mine and somehow quench this fire, but it never did.

“Did you by chance see Theo Mercer at the ball?” he asked out of the blue.

“Y–Yeah, um, just briefly,” I replied with narrowed eyes.

“Did he tell you why he was there?”

I tensed when he pinned me with his cold eyes.

“H–He had a new sponsor or something like that. Why are you asking me this?”

Especially right now.

Ares doesn’t reply, choosing his usual fucking silence.

I released a sharp sigh as I dropped my lipstick on the dresser. “Hope I’m not overdressed?” I asked, eyeing his matching linen shirt, sleeves rolled, revealing his

corded arms.

I swallowed a lump in my throat as I turned, nervous, my desires on a full swing, and what made it too much for me was the blank expression on his face.

I was hoping I would finish up on time and leave, but it seems like Nico must have called him or something.

Suddenly, he took a step closer, and I took one back, gripping the table for balance when my butt pressed into the edge.

Ares reached for me, and I shuddered when he used his thumb on the end of my mouth where my lipstick must have smudged.

That simple contact made my heart speed up, and it’s terrifying how much I wanted

more.

“You left,” he finally spoke, a dark look dousing his blues, making the color drain.

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94 Family Dinner

“Yes, I did.”

He doesn’t ask me why, and I don’t expect him to.

This was for my sanity.

“I–I’d like to terminate the sex contract.”

Ares doesn’t blink or flinch. “If that’s what you want.”

My eyebrows furrowed, his abrupt reply striking a nerve.

He checked his Rolex. “We should get going.”

“Of course…” I murmured, the words too heavy for me because of the weight crushing

over me.

Ares led me out of the room, his hand guiding the small of my back. I could feel the chill coming from it, but he didn’t touch me, a twisted feeling coiling low on my stomach.

Does he not want me anymore? Is that why he easily agreed to it?

Several thoughts stormed my brain until I couldn’t think straight anymore, my head growing lightheaded. I looked at his side profile; his attention was focused ahead, and suddenly, I was eager for his eyes on me.

What’s wrong with me?

I forced my gaze ahead, mustering up a bright expression to somehow manage the storm brewing inside me. The best I could do was act as if I wasn’t affected.