Shane looked down at the phone. He knew he shouldn’t, but decided to play.
“Didn’t get any of that last night.”
“Guess you went home with the wrong guy then.”
Now that threw Shane off. He remembered looking and Luke had a gold band on his ring finger.
“Guess so. Not that I had a choice. Those two were like mother hens.”
“I did notice that. Are they still there standing watch?” Luke chuckled.
“Nah, after we got to the club Buddy took off for bed and Ace went in search of a piece of ass.”
“Club? You didn’t go straight home to bed like I told you?”
“It’s customary to be at your own victory party. I had to at least show my messed up face.”
“How did you get home then?”
“Chace brought me home and then my partner Declan came by and spent the night.”
“How many partners do you have?”
“Three.”
“Hey, whatever works for you, I guess.”
“It doesn’t always work but after fifteen years together, I can’t imagine my life without them.”
“Fifteen years? Wow, that’s impressive.”
“Impressive or insane?” Shane laughed.
“Shane, hang on a sec.” Luke covered the phone with his hand and yelled out, “I’ll be right out Sweetheart.” Luke put the phone back to his ear. “Sorry, I’ve got to run. You have my number, you can call me if you need me. Thank you again for the clothes.”
“Thank you, for caring.”
Lucy saw Ace pull up and she fled from the house, hoping her father wouldn’t follow her out.
“Hey, I was going to come to the door like a gentleman.”
“That’s sweet but I don’t want my father to start in.”
Lucy buckled up her seatbelt and Ace took off.
“Start in? You don’t think he’d approve of us having dinner?”
“I’m his little girl, if the President was taking me out to dinner he would still have a million questions. I just wanted to avoid that scenario.”
“Lucy, I know we started off…in an odd kind of way but, well do you think if we met under different circumstances that…”
“You mean if I wasn’t drunk and you weren’t almost naked?”
“Yeah, do you think if we met somewhere else sober and clothed that you would have given me the time of day?”
“We can’t change it, so why question it.”
“So the answer is, no?”
Ace was visibly upset. Lucy felt terrible. It wasn’t what she meant but she honestly didn’t know what to say. So she decided she would just tell Ace how she felt and hoped it would make him feel better.
“No…let me explain.”
“Nah, it’s ok.”
“Ace, to be honest, I don’t know. I mean look how long you’ve known my father, we live in the same town and we never met. We have different lifestyles and different friends. It would have depended on the situation whether I would have approached you.”
“Would the situation have mattered if I approached you?”
“If you approached me then I’m sure I would have given you my time, day or night. I’m very attracted to you, if you haven’t noticed. Your eyes, well I feel like you can see my soul when I look into them.”
Ace started to smile and in turn Lucy smiled.
“You like my eyes?”
“And your mouth and hair and…”
Ace had parked the car by now and leaned over and kissed Lucy. When Lucy pulled back she spoke.
“Would you have approached me?”
“I probably wouldn’t have for fear that you’d reject me.”
“What? Why?”
“Let’s forget it. Come on, dinner awaits us.”
“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I guess, I just can’t believe that a girl like you would…”
“A girl like me?”
“I’m not smart, I made it to college because I wanted to get away from home and I was given a scholarship. Declan pushed my ass and helped me pass. I like beer and you like wine. We’re…”
“Opposites attract. Don’t ever compare yourself to anyone. You are strong and so very brave. Every day that you go to work you’re a hero to me. Ace, I don’t care how smart you are or if you prefer beer. For the record I’m not a snob.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Oh?”
“We can’t change it, so why question it.”
Ace leaned over and kissed Lucy on the forehead.
“Come on. Let’s go eat.”
Chace showed up at the Underground to talk to Declan about Robert’s release and how to keep him away from Shane. As he walked through the many bars in the club searching for Declan, he saw Chloe and Taryn sitting with some guys having drinks. From what Ace said Taryn was a really nice girl, he couldn’t figure out why she was friends with Little Miss Sunshine. Who’d want to be friends with such a bossy, rude woman? As he stared at her he began to picture her bent over his knee while he smacked her ass. Great, now he was getting hard and Chloe and Taryn were walking towards him.
“Detective.”
“Doctor.”
“Hiya, Chace.”
“Hey, Taryn.”
“Ok, well Taryn and I were just leaving.”
“Alone?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Taryn smiled and waved on the guys from the bar they were just talking to. Chace just watched as they all walked out together. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of Chloe’s beautiful ass.
“I heard that you were looking for me?”
Chace turned around and Declan was standing there.
“Yes. Robert is out of jail and we need to make sure he stays away from Shane.”
“Do you really think he will contact Shane now, after all that has happened?”
“Yup.”
“Well then Shane needs to let him know that if he shows up he’ll have him arrested for abuse.”
“He won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because he still loves that jackass and he doesn’t want the publicity.”
“Well I’m going over to Shane’s and I’m going to talk some sense into him then. Because if Robert so much as looks at Shane, I’ll kill him myself.”
Declan walked out before Chace got to speak another word.
ACE HELD LUCY’S HAND as he led her into the kitchen of the restaurant.
“Ace, where are we going?”
“You didn’t think we were just going to sit and eat dinner? Hell no, Lucy. Have you ever made pizza before?”
“No.”
“Well, today’s your lucky day then. Wash up and then we can get started.”
Lucy placed her purse on a nearby step stool and then began to wash her hands. Ace walked up behind her and kissed her neck, then her ear and cheek. Lucy turned around and splashed water in his face.
“Girl, if I wasn’t starved I would so drown you.”
“Oh yeah?”
Ace leaned forward and gave Lucy a quick kiss on the lips.
“Yes, I would totally drown you and then I would peel off your wet clothes and make love to you.”
Lucy looked away. Ace reached out his hand and placed it on her cheek.
“Hey, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.”
“I know you’re still in love with Tom and…”
“I don’t love Tom.”
Ace opened his mouth but before he got to speak Carlos came in carrying two bowls covered with a towel and placed them down on the counter.
“Unless you need something else, I’m going to get out of here.”
“I think I can find everything I need. Thank you, Carlos. Have a good night.”
“You too, Boss.”
Lucy lifted the towel up and then touched the dough.
“I made the dough this morning and left it to rise.”
“You really do know how to
make pizza?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Ace, that guy called you Boss, do you own this place?”
“Technically, I am part owner. However, I only come by to cook or eat every so often. I’m really more like a silent partner who loves food.”
“How do you know the owner? Is it a family member?”
“No, it’s a friend who deserved a second chance and I thought it might be a good investment. Now let’s get cooking, woman!”
Lucy had the feeling Ace wasn’t telling her everything about the restaurant’s owner but she decided now wasn’t the time to push it, as she too was starving.
“So are we going to toss the dough like they do on TV?”
“Are we going to toss the dough…of course we are.”
Ace shook out some flour and then grabbed the dough and a rolling pin. He took Lucy’s hand and walked her over to the counter. He stood behind her and placed his hands over hers to roll the dough out.
“The last time I used a rolling pin was when my cousins and I played with play dough.”
“Less talking, more rolling.” Ace laughed.
“Yes, Sir.” Lucy giggled.
“Ok, now we are going to pick up the dough and twirl it around on our fingers, well my fingers first. Then when I get it going I will start tossing it.”
Ace picked up the pizza dough and in no time he was tossing it up in the air. Lucy watched with amazement as Ace put on a one man pizza tossing show.
“Now we place the dough on the pan, add some sauce and then into the oven.”
“What about the cheese and toppings?”
“The dough needs to cook a bit before we add the cheese. What do you usually eat on your pizza, Miss Lucy?”
“I love mushrooms and olives.”
“Then mushrooms and olives it is.”
Ace walked over to the fridge and pulled out both mushrooms and olives and then began to slice them up.
“Can I help?”
“Why don’t you start rolling out that other dough for me.”
“Ok.”
Lucy rolled out the other dough. Then she picked it up and tried to get it twirling but instead it hung over her hand.
“Here, let me help you.”
Lucy was determined to get the dough up in the air by herself. Before Ace could grab the dough Lucy tossed it up in the air with all intentions of catching it, but instead it hit the ceiling and then just stuck there for a moment before falling and landing on Ace’s head.
“Oh no, oh dear. I’m so…” When Lucy saw the dough falling, the noise of it hitting Ace’s head and then Ace pulling a hole in the dough to see out of what had become a mask of dough, she began to laugh hysterically. Ace couldn’t help but laugh too and before they knew it they were both laughing so hard they had tears rolling down their cheeks.
“I love your laugh, Lucy. It makes me feel alive.”
Lucy pulled a hole in the dough to expose Ace’s mouth and then she kissed him.
Declan got to Shane’s house and found the door unlocked, he ran up the stairs looking for Shane. He was afraid Robert had broken in.
“Shane, Shane.”
“I’m in the bedroom.”
Declan walked into the bedroom and Shane was just lying there on the bed, alone.
“Hey.”
“Is everything alright, Dec? You look stressed.”
“Why was your door unlocked?”
“I guess I forgot to lock it before when I let Ace out.”
“I want it locked, Shane. Robert’s out of jail and…”
“Robert hates me Dec, he isn’t coming back.”
Shane sat up in the bed. Declan walked over and sat down next to Shane and placed his hand on Shane’s leg.
“I know you’re hurting right now and you don’t want to hear this but when Robert left here he made sure to tell Chace that it wasn’t over. I’m worried…”
“He said it wasn’t over? He still wants me back?”
“You can’t be serious?”
“I, Dec…”
“No Shane, there is no way that I will allow you to take him back again. No way! He almost killed you once. Yesterday, who knows if he would have left you there to bleed to death? You’re an addiction, a game to him. Nothing more than…”
Shane punched Declan in the face. Declan let out an awful grunt as his nose made a cracking noise and started to bleed. He stood up and walked into the bathroom without saying a word. Shane jumped up and followed him.
“I’m sorry. I…I know it’s not your fault.”
“I know you’re upset so I’m trying really hard to refrain from beating the crap out of you right now because I think you just busted my nose; not to mention, ruined my suit with all this blood. It’s probably a good idea to stay away from me right now because I’m about to explode.”
“Dec, let me take you to the hospital.”
“Shane, leave me alone.”
“Fine, then I’m calling Chace.”
Ace and Lucy had finished their pizza. Lucy was on her way back from the bathroom and as she walked into the kitchen Ace jumped out and scared the hell out of her. Lucy screamed, “You big jerk!”
Ace stood there laughing and then grabbed Lucy and hugged her.
“You looked so cute when you screamed.”
“I’m only allowing you to get away with this because I gave you a pizza mask earlier.” Lucy laughed.
Ace kissed her. Lucy started to unbuckle Ace’s pants but Ace grabbed her hand. Lucy was stunned and stepped back.
“Lucy, it’s not what you think. I…”
“Would you take me home now, please?”
Ace walked over to Lucy and grabbed both of her hands.
“I want to take you home and make love to you, Lucy. I want to enjoy every inch of that beautiful body, not just fuck you in random places.”
Lucy looked up at Ace and smiled.
“I’d like that.”
“Grab your purse, I’ll hit the lights.”
Chace was in bed with a few girls he picked up from the bar on the way home. He was so burned out from work, no scratch that, if he was being honest with himself he was sexually frustrated from spending so much time lately with Chloe. He wanted to hate her but instead he kept having thoughts of grabbing her, tearing off her clothes and punishing her with his cock.
“Whoa boy, don’t you ever take a break?”
Chace was pulled away from his thoughts of Chloe.
“Break? We’re just getting started, Chrissy.”
Chace pulled Chrissy by the hair leading her mouth to his cock. Then he motioned for Emily to come closer and straddle herself over his face. He was just about to cum when his phone rang. He ignored it the first two times but the third time he lifted Emily away from his face and grabbed the phone.
“This better be a fucking emergency.”
“Dec needs you, I think I broke his nose.”
“What the fuck, Shane?”
“Can you just come over here and get him to the hospital?”
“Be there in twenty.”
Chace hung up the phone with a grunt.
“I have an emergency, got to go ladies.”
“Oh Chaceypoo, no.”
“You’re more than welcome to keep my bed warm until I get back.”
Chace got up, dressed and left. He liked knowing he had two reasons to rush back home.
LUCY COULDN’T KEEP HER eyes off Ace as they drove to his house. He was so beautiful. His hair was like dark black silk, his smile drove her crazy and his eyes were so warm and intense when he looked into hers.
“You alright, you haven’t said a word?”
“I’m fine. I was just thinking, is all.”
“About?”
“Being in your bed again.”
Ace smiled. “Promise me you won’t sneak out while I am asleep and leave me money on my nightstand.”
“Ace, I’m so sorry. I will never forgive myself for that.”
�
��I forgive you.”
Ace parked the car and got out. He walked around and opened Lucy’s door. Lucy got out of the car and Ace kissed her. He grabbed hold of her hand and walked her towards the house.
Chace arrived at Shane’s house to find Shane sitting on his bed staring at the floor and Declan nowhere to be seen.
“Shane, where’s Dec?”
“Bathroom.”
“What am I missing here?”
“Dec started in about Robert and I punched him.”
Chace shook his head and walked towards the bathroom. He knocked on the door.
“Dec, open up.”
Declan opened the door. If Chace didn’t know better he would have thought that Declan was bleeding to death. He was covered in blood, pale and had bruising under his eyes.
“Damn, you look like hell.”
“Hold your comments and get me to the fucking hospital.”
Chace followed Declan out of Shane’s room. Shane followed behind them.
“I’m coming with you.”
They all got into Chace’s car and headed to the hospital.
“Shane, I know you said that Declan was talking to you about Robert and that’s why you punched him and I’m not looking to start another fight here but Shane…”
“You don’t know Robert like I do.”
“It’s no use, Chace.” Declan shook his head in disgust.
“Shane, you listen to me and you listen good. Robert is a worthless piece of shit. We all know how much you love him, but Shane, he’s no good for you. He told me himself that he was coming back for you but not because he loved you but because you allowed him to use your money and your name. The truth hurts and I’m sorry but you need to move on. We’re all here for you bro and we’re going to help you get through this.”
Shane never said a word, he just sat in the back seat of Chace’s car and listened. Deep down he knew it was the truth but he also knew he couldn’t just stop loving Robert.
Ace tossed his phone and wallet on the nightstand and then began to undress while Lucy used the bathroom.
“Starting without me?”
Ace looked up and Lucy was standing in the doorway smiling.
“Why don’t you join me?”
Lucy walked towards him and started undressing. She bent over and wiggled her ass in his face as she stepped out of her panties and then turned around and opened her bra, exposing her big beautiful breasts. Ace reached out and grabbed her and started sucking on her nipples as he plunged his fingers inside her. Lucy grabbed for Ace’s cock and stroked it as he walked her backwards to the bed and then pushed her down and climbed on next to her.
Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) Page 8
