Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 297

Chapter 297: Dinner With Ares Chapter 297: Dinner With Ares *************** CHAPTER 297 ~Ella’s POV~ The next day felt like a blur of nerves and second-guessing.

Ares was impossible.

He was arrogant, unapologetically charming, and entirely too good at getting under my skin.

I spent most of the morning convincing myself that dinner with him was a mistake.

That I should call and cancel.

That I wasn’t some starry-eyed fool ready to fall for his smirk and smooth words again.

And yet, when the clock struck six, I stood in front of my closet, staring at a pile of rejected outfits on my bed.

“What are you even doing, Ella?” I muttered to myself, tugging at the hem of a sleek black dress I’d finally settled on.  It was simple but flattering, the neckline just daring enough to make a statement without looking like I was trying too hard.

I couldn’t let him think I’d spent the entire day getting ready even if that was embarrassingly close to the truth.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and my heart skipped a beat.

I opened it to find Ares standing there, leaning casually against the doorframe.  He was dressed in a black suit with an open-collar white shirt that gave him a relaxed yet sophisticated look.  The scent of his cologne-something earthy and masculine-wafted in, making my knees go a little weak.

“Wow,” he gasped, his green eyes sweeping over me appreciatively.

“You look…

stunning.” “Thanks,” I replied, trying to sound indifferent.

He extended his arm with a crooked grin playing on his lips.

“Shall we?” Rolling my eyes, I uttered, “Let’s just get this over with,” and grabbed my clutch before stepping out.

Ares chuckled softly as I locked the door behind me.

“You know, most people look forward to dinner with me.” “Most people don’t know you,” I shot back, walking past him.

He followed, falling into step beside me.

“Touché.

But I’m hoping tonight will change your mind.” “I wouldn’t hold your breath,” I replied, though I could feel the heat creeping into my cheeks.

He led me to an elegant black car parked at the curb.

Of course, it had to be expensive.

Probably something custom-made to suit his Alpha status.

Ever the gentleman-or at least pretending to be-Ares opened the passenger door for me.

“After you, little angel.” I rolled my eyes but climbed in, refusing to let his charm get to me.

The drive was smooth, the city lights flashing by as soft music played in the background.

Ares didn’t say much, but I could feel his gaze on me every now and then, like he was trying to read my thoughts.

Finally, we arrived at the restaurant-a cozy, upscale place tucked away from the bustle of the main streets.

The lighting was dim and romantic, with candles flickering on each table.

“This is…

nice,” I admitted reluctantly as the hostess led us to a private booth near the back.

“I’m glad you approve,” Ares said, pulling out my chair for me.

Once we were seated, the waiter appeared with a bottle of wine, which Ares had apparently pre-ordered.

“Red okay?” he asked, tilting the bottle slightly.

The way he looked with that bottle in his hand and that lovely smile made my heart flutter slightly.

“Sure.” I watched as he poured us a glass.

He raised his glass, his eyes meeting mine.

“To second chances.” I hesitated for a moment before clinking my glass against his.

“We’ll see about that.” As the evening went on, I couldn’t deny that Ares had a way of making me laugh, even when I didn’t want to.

He told stories about his brothers-Alpha Apollo and Alpha Aether-and their antics growing up, painting a picture of a trio that was as chaotic as it was powerful.

“You’re really trying hard to win me over, aren’t you?” I teased, swirling the wine in my glass.

“Is it working?” He leaned forward slightly, his gaze locked on mine.

I bit my lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer.

He smirked, clearly enjoying the game.

“You’re tough, Ella.

I like that about you.” “Tough enough not to fall for your charm,” I countered, though my heart betrayed me with its rapid thudding.

And even though I tried to hide it, I knew he could sense it.  Fucking alpha.

“Are you?” he asked with a raised brow, his voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone.

The way he looked at me-like I was the only thing that mattered in the world-made my resolve waver.

I took a sip of my wine, trying to compose myself.

“You’re awfully confident for someone who’s on thin ice.” “Confidence is what got me here,” he said with a grin.

“But for you, I’m willing to be patient.” The waiter returned with our food, breaking the tension for a moment.

I busied myself with my plate immediately.  Hell yeah, I was grateful for the distraction.

But Ares wasn’t done.

“You know,” he continued casually, cutting into his steak, “I didn’t lie about everything.” I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?” “When I called you little angel, I meant it,” he said, his eyes softening.

“That’s what you are to me, Ella.

You’re…

different.

And I don’t want to mess this up again.” His words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

“Ares…” I began, but he held up a hand.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he said quickly.

“I just wanted you to know how I feel.

That’s all.” The sincerity in his voice threw me off balance.

I’d expected charm, arrogance, maybe even some manipulation-but this?

This felt real.

But that was what it was€¦ felt€¦ I couldn’t trust that or anything anymore.  I nodded slowly, not trusting myself to speak.

The rest of the dinner passed in a blur of light conversation and stolen glances.

By the time he walked me back to my apartment, my walls were dangerously close to crumbling.

As we reached my door, Ares turned to me, masking his expression with indifference.

“Thank you for tonight, Ella.

It meant a lot to me.” I nodded, my hand resting on the doorknob.

“Goodnight, Ares.” He hesitated briefly before leaning in, his lips brushing against my cheek.

“Goodnight, little angel.” I didn’t say anything and let him leave.

Once in, I closed the door behind me, and leaned against it, my heart racing.

It was official.

I was in so much trouble with Alpha Ares, the Greek God.

Aaaaahhhhh!!!