Joyelle swung the conversational spotlight back to Ace. “You definitely defended the woman on the bike.”
“I have an issue with men who treat women poorly,” Ace said between gritted teeth. “I was raised by my mother and guess I naturally took over as the man of the house.”
“What about your dad?”
“Hardly knew him. He went to jail when I was young. When he got out, my mother didn’t want anything to do with him. And when he came around, I understood why. He was drunk all the time.”
“Sorry. Maybe someday he’ll change,” she said, offering a glimmer of hope. No matter what her mother had done, there was a small speck that wished her mother would someday stop by filled with regret and say…sorry.
“He’s dead. Killed on a bike, riding drunk.”
She could see the pain on his face, even though his tone sounded casual. Joyelle covered his hand with hers and gave it a light squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not sure who I’d have turned out to be if he’d actually been in my life,” Ace said as he turned his hand over, not letting go of her fingers. “What about you? What was your childhood like?”
It was something Joyelle never spoke about. Not even to her friends. But was it really any worse than what Ace just shared? If anything, he would probably understand more than most.
“I don’t know who my father is. My mother never said. And I was raised by Grandma, which was a blessing. My mother left when I was young and never came back.” She didn’t need to tell him how she’d left. She knew he’d only try to rationalize that it had nothing to do with the motorcycle.
“Damn. That sucks. But it explains why you’re so much like your grandma.”
“You mean old?” she asked.
“Hell, no. That woman is a hot ticket!” he laughed. “I’m not sure anyone else could’ve managed to get me over here.”
“Hey, what are you trying to say? I am not that horrible.”
Ace raised her hand to his lips, kissed her fingers and said, “No, but you’re that nice.”
She was puzzled. Nice was a good thing, wasn’t it? Questioning him would need to come later. Right now, all she wanted was to hold onto the brief feeling of what his lips felt like. I wish I could feel them on a lot more places than just my hand.
“You seem surprised by that,” Ace said.
“About being nice?”
He nodded.
She added, “No. I believe being nice is a choice, and I choose to be nice.”
“Then why that look?” he asked.
She blushed. Her own thoughts were giving her away. “Just enjoying myself.”
“And you’re finding I’m not the ogre you thought?” he asked.
She genuinely smiled. “I know. I’m really surprised that hidden beneath all those muscles and good looks is a pretty nice guy.”
“Don’t tell anyone. My reputation will be shot,” he joked.
“You don’t have to worry about me, but my grandma might tell all her friends.”
“I don’t think they run in the same circles as I do.” Ace replied.
“You never know what they’re doing at the senior center. Grandma says they’re making crafts, but I think there’s a lot more going on than she tells me.”
“And she’s a biker at heart too.” he teased.
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me.” It still surprised her. “I wonder why she never told me.”
“I would guess it has to do with your obvious disdain regarding them.”
“You mean she felt like I wouldn’t understand?” Joyelle asked.
He rolled his shoulders. “I don’t know her well enough, but that would be my guess. Why do you dislike them so much?”
Once again, the topic had turned personal. Her grandma knew why, and God knows, she’d probably be the one to spill it to Ace, or Horace, as she called him. Might as well be the one to tell him.
“I told you about my mother leaving. What I didn’t mention was - it was on the back of a motorcycle. I don’t even think she knew I was watching. It was really late, and I woke up because of the loud noise beneath my bedroom window. I went out and looked and saw my mother getting on the back of a motorcycle. I could see everything so clearly because he was parked under the streetlight. She had a backpack on and…and never even turned around as they rode off.” As though she never gave me a second thought.
“Fuck. That’s…that’s a damn good reason to hate bikes now.”
Ace wasn’t defending motorcycles or telling her she needed to let it go. He affirmed her feelings and agreed with her. Once again, a nice guy. Joyelle didn’t need any more reasons to like him. She already admitted to herself that she did. If he kept this up, things were going to get out of hand.
Taking a deep breath, she said, “That was years ago.”
“But you still hate bikes, which means it still affects you,” Ace stated.
She pulled her hand from his and asked, “And designing motorcycles makes you an expert on this how?”
Ace stared at her and said, “I have my bachelor’s degree in psychology.”
“Yeah, okay,” she chuckled.
“I’m serious. Oh, wait. I ride and design motorcycles. I couldn’y have gone to college,” he said sarcastically.
Joyelle leaned over closer to him and said, “That’s not what I was thinking at all.”
“Really? Then what?” he demanded.
“Because you’re so cute that all the women would be making up issues just to schedule time with you,” Joyelle said, never breaking eye contact with him.
He peered into her eyes until he seemed to have accepted her answer. “Cute?”
“I was trying to be…”
“Nice. I know.”
Grinning she said, “I was tempted to say hot or sexy, but that seemed…inappropriate.”
“Maybe, but sometimes inappropriate can be a lot of fun,” he said placing a finger under her chin. “and I think kissing you right now might be”
“Inappropriate?”
“I was going to say, better than the pizza.”
Neither of them had even touched it, and right now, she was hungry, for him. She knew it may be a huge mistake, but her desire clouded her judgment. Her tongue darted out enticing him to kiss her. Ace didn’t hesitate.
It may have started tenderly, but quickly the sparks ignited and her body was on fire. One kiss and she wanted him in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.
It’s just a kiss. But damn it, this man can kiss.
* * *
He was tempted to sweep the pizza onto the floor and lay her down on the table. What the hell was wrong with him? He hadn’t come here to sleep with her. But once he had a taste of those sweet lips, all his good intentions vanished. Damn it, he wanted her. That didn’t make this right. She was tired, and he should…leave.
Pulling back, he looked down into her deep green eyes. “Joyelle, this is”
“Please don’t say wrong. It doesn’t feel…wrong,” she said breathlessly.
Don’t do it. You’re in control of this situation. Say goodnight and go home. No matter what he told himself, Ace could only pull her into his arms and claim her lips again. The more he tried to hold back, the more the sweet taste of her made him need her. Joyelle wasn’t holding back either, her tongue exploring him as her hands clung to his t-shirt. Their embrace had gone from tender to hot and explosive. Fuck.
When he pulled her closer, the feeling of her breasts crushed against him made the blood rush to his already aching cock. If he didn’t stop this now, he would pick her up and take her right on the kitchen table. She might forgive him for his lack of class, but he wouldn’t forgive himself. She was a lady, a sexy vibrant one, but still a lady and deserved to be treated like one.
Ace pulled away from her for a second time, leaving her standing staring at him, confused. Her lips were swollen from his assault, her breasts heaving with want. He needed to remind himself why Joyelle was here
. He’d wanted to get to know her better, not take advantage of her.
He wasn’t so foolish to believe she was as sweet and innocent as she looked. Any doubt about that disappeared when she came alive in his arms. The way her green eyes turned dark with desire when he traced her lips with his tongue made him wonder how crazy she’d be with his tongue kissing her all over.
“Ace, you can’t keep doing this…” Her voice shook.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you into something you didn’t want.” He’d never do that. Not to anyone, and definitely not to her.
Her bottom lip trembled as he stroked it with his thumb. “Please, Ace. I wasn’t asking you to stop. I was asking you not to.”
Joyelle opened her mouth and wrapped her lips around his finger, sucking it while looking into his eyes. His cock felt as though it could rip through the zipper of his jeans. Damn it, woman. Are you trying to kill me? He had restraint, but she was pushing it to the limit.
Her eyes were begging, but her mouth was teasing. Bending to meet her, he pulled his finger away and replaced it with his lips. She arched her back, turning up to him, the hunger within him building. She was letting him know who was in control.
When his tongue plunged into her mouth, a moan escaped his lips into hers. Never before had a woman ignited such fire within him without even taking off her clothes. What is it about you, Joyelle? I can’t seem to get enough of you.
Joyelle pulled away, breathing heavily. She grabbed his hand, leading him down the hall and into her bedroom. As soon as they were inside, Ace grabbed her again and kicked the door shut with his foot. He spun her around, grabbed her ass, and lifted her up into his arms so her legs wrapped around his waist. “Joyelle, if you don’t stop me now, I won’t be able to stop.”
Joyelle tugged at his t-shirt, pulling it out from his jeans. That was the answer he hoped for.
Grinding his hard body against her soft one, he could feel her skin getting hotter. Moving one hand from her ass, he slipped it under her t-shirt and under her bra. Fuck, I need to suck you.
Unable to take the torture any longer, Ace carried her to the bed. Only then did he let her feet slide to the floor. Without breaking his kiss, he slipped his hands into her pants and slid them down slowly, enjoying the smooth feel of her flesh along the way. Then he did the same to her underwear.
Leaving her lips briefly, he lifted the t-shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor while she reached around and unhooked her bra, letting it slip from her shoulders. He couldn’t stop looking at her. She wasn’t one of these skin-and-bones women, her breasts large and hips round. “You’re beautiful, absolutely perfect.” His voice was husky and shook.
Joyelle was sexy as hell, yet her cheeks were now pink with embarrassment, and she turned her face away from him. What had he said that made her feel self-conscious? Didn’t she know how beautiful she was? Maybe I need to tell her again. He reached out and turned her to face him.
“Look at me, Joyelle.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “You have an amazing body, and I can’t help but want to touch every inch of you.”
Quickly he pulled off his clothes, throwing them on top of hers. There was nothing shy about how she was looking at him. Her eyes roamed over him as though he was one of her desserts and she was eating him up. But not before I have a taste of you first.
When she reached out to touch his cock, he brushed her hand away. His arousal was going to have to wait because he needed to make sure she was fully satisfied before his release. You’ll always remember tonight, even if you don’t remember my name.
“I want to taste you and make you tremble.” Ace said looking deep into her eyes. He was giving her one last chance to change her mind. “Are you sure about this?”
He could tell she was nervous, yet Joyelle took his hand and led him to join her on the bed. “You talk too much.”
He smiled. It was funny hearing that from Miss Chatterbox. Tomorrow he’d remind her of that. Tonight, he just was just enjoying this playful, sensual side of her. Gently he guided her onto the bed. While his hands caressed her, he began kissing and nipping from her neck all the way down to her sweet center. Slipping a finger, he separated her wet folds, until he found her swollen clit. The first touch of his tongue was followed by a shudder that rippled throughout her body. Knowing how responsive she was to his touch only fueled his fire. He had only just begun, but knew she was close to her release. His tongue circled her clit as he slipped a finger deep inside her. He inhaled her scent and relished in how sweet she tasted.
“Please Ace, I can’t . . .” She pulled at him, but he was going to finish what he’d started.
Gently blowing on her, and inserting a second finger into her wet center, he felt her tighten around him. Her moans echoed through the room and her hands gripped at his shoulders. He continued to take her higher and higher until Joyelle screamed out his name and her orgasm rocked her body.
Ace couldn’t wait any longer. Reaching for the condom he’d tossed on the bed, he quickly sheathed himself. “I want you so badly that it hurts.”
She opened wider for him. “Then let me give you want we both want.”
Although she was begging him, he knew he needed to hold back or he would take her hard and fast. He stroked her with the head of his cock. Ace took his time, entering her slowly at first, until she consumed all of him. She was so wet, so hot, so tight.
“Damn, you feel good around me,” he moaned.
He began moving, thrusting in and out, deeper each time, his rhythm slowly increasing. The deeper he went, the more she arched to meet him. Her hands ran up and down his back, her nails digging in and urging him on.
“I want to feel you come,” he said, thrusting in her wildly. His breath was coming in gasps that matched hers. He could tell each time he entered her, he was hitting her sweet spot, driving her wild. They fit perfectly together.
She cried out in ecstasy as the second orgasm shook her. Her body clenched tightly around him, causing his own release. “Fuck!” he cried out as he exploded in her.
He collapsed beside Joyelle, totally and utterly spent for the first time in his life. Every nerve in his body was alive and he could barely catch his breath. What the fuck did you do to me, Joyelle?
Ace rolled onto his side and noticed she was smiling. “Care to share what you’re thinking about?”
“Thinking? I’m not sure I can think,” Joyelle whispered.
“It was…amazing,” he added.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. “I never knew it could be like that.”
He pulled her into his arms, her head lying on his chest. “Me either.” Ace was equally shocked by what they’d just shared. He was far from innocent, and had slept with plenty of women. But there was something different about tonight. It wasn’t just sex. There was a connection he’d never anticipated. And not something he’d been looking for either. It was amazing and scary as hell at the same time. One thing he knew for sure: he would never have enough of her. And that was a problem. This shouldn’t have happened once, and couldn’t ever again.
But Joyelle didn’t seem to have any regrets, at least not yet. Tomorrow, or a week from now, that might be a different story. It would come, because he was who he was, and not changing for anyone. And I don’t want her to change either.
“What are you doing Sunday?” he asked.
“Nothing, why?”
“I was thinking that you might want to go for a ride with me.” He felt her tense and pull away.
“No. I can’t. I told you why,” she stated, her voice shaking.
He reached out for her and said, “I meant in my Jeep, not on my bike.”
She stared at him for a moment. He had no clue what she was searching for. Maybe Joyelle was going to say no, and he wouldn’t need to worry about it any longer. She might have decided that this wasn’t going to happen again.
“Do you think we can stop at Tony’s for pizza? I mean, we didn’t get to e
at it tonight,” she said, a smirk dancing across her lips.
Ace pulled her down onto him and laughed. “That’s because I was hungry for something else.” He rolled over so he was now looking down at her. “And for the record, you taste better than anything you could offer me in your shop.”
She blushed as he claimed her lips again. Joyelle hadn’t said yes, but then again, she hadn’t shot him down either.
We can talk about it tomorrow. He was done talking for tonight.
Chapter 6
Joyelle wasn’t sure if she was glad Ace had slipped out while she slept. She had mixed feelings about the entire night. Well, maybe not all of it. There was no doubt it had been the most mind-blowing sex of her life. Or anyone’s life ever, probably. Hell, even as creative as she was, she never imagined anyone could make her toes curl, or make her feel as though she’d been part of the universe and among the stars.
But today was a new day and Joyelle had other things to concentrate on. She had overslept by an hour and now she was scrambling to get everything baked and ready for her customers.
The sink was overflowing with pots, pans, and mixing bowls. Normally, she washed them as she went along, but today she wasn’t sure how she was still standing, never mind recalling all her recipes. But soon her trays and displays were full and she turned the sign to read OPEN. It wouldn’t be long before her regulars started to come in. Betty’s scones were packaged for pickup. Donna had her choice of seasonal muffins, and with any luck Roxanne would show up again today.
Joyelle didn’t generally drink coffee while staffing the shop; she preferred to have it in the kitchen as she baked. But today she’d likely drink the whole pot, so she gave herself a pass. Taking another sip, she couldn’t help but wonder if Ace would be coming in for a cup this morning, too. It wasn’t as though they hadn’t spent most of the night together lying there talking, laughing, and making love, but she somehow missed his presence.
What had she done? Joyelle had told herself not to get personally involved, that she’d fall for him. And unfortunately, she was right. She truly liked everything she was learning about him. Of course, there was still so much she didn’t know, no different than things Ace had yet to learn about her.
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