by Lea Hart
Ace let out a growl and tensed. “Hey, I have never dimmed her light and don’t know why I’m being called out.”
Lisa patted his arm. “Of course, you haven’t,” she replied as she squeezed Ace’s hand. Turning back to the kid, she smiled. “If you want revenge on the man who did you wrong, then call me, because my best friend has a list of herbs that are just about foolproof.” She opened her purse and pulled a card. “Keep this in case you want to come and talk it out.”
Wiping an invisible tear away, he nodded. “I will.”
“What’s your name, by the way?”
“Wayne.”
“I’m Lisa, and this is Ace.”
Ace ran his hand over his face and then waved. “Nice to meet you, Wayne.”
“You too.”
Putting his hands on Lisa’s shoulders, he squeezed gently. “So, donuts?”
Wayne waved his hand and grabbed a box. “Don’t you worry; I’ll put a box together that will blow your minds. I have kind of a gift when it comes to mixing and matching, and I want to share it with you.”
Lisa put her hands together and clapped. “That’s so sweet.”
“After I snapped at you two, it’s the least I can do.”
“Don’t you worry about it, Wayne. We were being a little too lovey-dovey for seven in the morning, and I completely understand.”
“We’re normally a lot more circumspect,” Ace said as he felt Lisa lean against him. “We got some incredible news about an hour ago, and we’re high on fucking life right now.”
Wayne stopped putting donuts in the box and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t hold back now.”
Lisa leaned over the counter and crooked her finger for him to come closer. “A woman that Ace casually dated told him he was one of three possible daddies to her baby, but it turns out that wasn’t true because the actual father of the baby is the brother of one of the candidates.”
Wayne shook his head and narrowed his eyes. “Come again.”
“Victoria slept with the brother of one of the men she was dating, and he fathered the child she is carrying.”
“No shit?” Wayne said loudly.
Lisa nodded her head and gave him a half-smile. “I know; it’s totally cray.”
“You want to announce that to anyone else because I don’t think the back-half of the line heard.”
Lisa bent sideways and shrugged. “You have to be in the right place to hear the good stuff.”
“Amen, sister,” Wayne said as he put the last donut in the box. “I’m def calling you because you are my kind of people.”
“I’d love that. Do you have any appetizer or drink specialties?”
“I make a mean spinach dip and a sangria that will make you orgasm.”
“I’m going to need the sangria because Ace is going downrange soon, and I’ll be high and dry until he gets home.”
Ace shook his head as he opened his wallet and pulled out some money. “I don’t have any words for what just happened.”
“Freaking awesome is how I’d describe it,” Lisa said as she accepted the box of donuts.
“Def,” Wayne responded as he took Ace’s money. “I’m calling you, and we’re planning something.”
“I’d love it,” Lisa replied enthusiastically.
Ace accepted his change and gave Wayne a salute. “Have a good one, man.”
As they walked out of the shop, Wayne called out, “Goodbye, breeders, I love you.”
Lisa blew him a kiss and waved. “We love you too.”
Ace noticed the curious looks they got as they walked to the truck and decided he didn’t care. He opened her door and took the box of donuts while she slid in. Once she was settled, he handed her the box and leaned in. “Why did he call us breeders?”
“It’s a nickname that gay men use when talking about heterosexuals.”
“Makes sense,” he replied before kissing her cheek. Jogging around, he got in and buckled up. “Got to say, that might be the most interesting ten minutes of my life.”
Lisa pulled a donut out and wrapped it in a napkin, then handed it over. “You stick with me, and we’ll have a thousand more.”
He accepted the donut and then leaned over, kissing her with every feeling in his heart. “Honey, I’ve never seen you so happy and outgoing, and it makes me wonder if maybe being with me has dimmed your light.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s it at all. We met in a country with a civil war raging around us, then came home and had to deal with a surprise pregnancy, and then went to Central America and spent time with gang members, and then narrowly escaped death.”
“That sounds really fucking depressing when you string all those things together like that.”
“I know,” she replied as she took a donut out and nibbled the edge. “But now we’re on the other side of it, and it feels pretty damn amazing.”
“It sure does.” He started the truck and then pulled out, thinking about the future they had ahead of them and how freaking lucky he was to have someone like Lisa at his side.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Lisa walked into her home office and let out a sigh as she looked around. Tomorrow marked the beginning of her career as an educator, and she didn’t know if she was ready, despite the fact that her class notes were prepped, the syllabus was online, and she knew where her classroom was.
So, why wasn’t she more excited?
And why did an assignment in Timbuktu sound so very appealing?
Pulling her chair out, she collapsed into it and spun it around in a circle, wondering if the people who took her class would be bored out of their minds.
After all, she had never taught journalism before and didn’t know if she had anything of value to offer the students. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Ace standing in the doorway. “Hey.”
“Is the spinning in circles helping at all?”
“It’s sure not hurting,” she replied as she stopped.
“Are you worried about tomorrow?”
Shrugging, she looked out the window. “A little.”
“You’re going to be great.”
“You don’t actually know that. What if everyone falls asleep during class and then decides to drop it after the first week?” She started turning her chair around again and let out a groan. “We don’t actually know if I have anything valuable to teach the students. I may totally suck at this.”
“I guess it’s possible, but I don’t think it’s probable since you’ve been consistently employed since you graduated college.”
Stopping the chair again, she flapped her arms. “But maybe that won’t mean a thing in the classroom.”
Ace dropped onto to the couch in the corner and crossed his arms. “Who were your favorite professors when you were in college?”
“The ones who didn’t drone on endlessly just to hear the sound of their own voice. I loved the ones who had real-life experience as opposed those who just regurgitated theories.”
He gave her a satisfied smile and winked. “Exactly. You have a lot of tangible things to share with your students, and that’s why you’re going to kick ass tomorrow.”
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it.”
“All the things you’ve learned over the years are going to be gold for the kids, and I bet you’re going to be a huge hit.”
“You’re just saying that because I’m your girlfriend.”
Standing, he walked over and bent down in front of her. “Lisa, I’m never going to bullshit you, and you have a lot to be proud of.”
Taking his hands, she stood and pulled him up. “Thanks for the pep-talk.”
“Anytime.” He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her head. “You want to go surfing this afternoon, so you can get your Zen on for tomorrow?”
“That actually sounds like a great idea; would you like to join me?”
Letting his arms fall, Ace stepped back. “Are you playing with me?”
“No, why would you ask that?”<
br />
“Because I’ve asked to go with you a bunch of times and you’ve always said no.”
Putting her hand on his chest, she ran her finger back and forth over his muscles. “I’ve decided that I like you, so I want you to come.”
He covered her hand with his and let out a laugh. “Only like?”
“Well…”
“I love you, Lisa.” He bent down so their faces were level. “With my whole heart.”
“Well, I might feel similarly.” When he shook his head and gave her a sad smile, she knew he wasn’t going to let a statement like that stand.
“Say it, Lisa.”
Closing her eyes, she took in a big breath and then slowly let it out. “I love you, Ace…very much.”
Lifting her into his arms, he held her tightly. “Thank you.”
“I’ve been holding back, and it’s a habit I should break since I’d hate it if you did it to me.”
“I think we’ve crossed a lot of hurdles and it’s going to take a minute before we get used to the fact that nothing is standing in our way. We’ve got an open road ahead of us, and all we have to do is grab hold of one another and hang on.”
Taking his face in her hands, she kissed him firmly. “I love you, and you’re right.”
“I love you too and promise to show you every day.”
Studying his deep brown eyes, she saw the truth of his words and felt her heart grow. “I promise to do the same.”
Taking a step toward the door, he nodded. “Let’s make good on that promise and start right now.”
“And we’re doing it in the bedroom?”
“Absolutely, because nothing says I cherish you like a couple of screaming orgasms.”
Laughing, she tightened her hold. “I can’t argue with that.”
“Didn’t think you could.” He dropped her gently on the bed and then collapsed next to her. “You ready for some dirty loving?”
Pushing him over, she crawled on top of him and grinned. “The real question is: are you ready?”
He moved his hips and grinned. “Seems I am.”
Dropping her mouth to his, she kissed him with all the love in her heart and knew the infatuation that bloomed in Yemen had transformed into a love that had a hell of a chance at lasting.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Ace opened the door and stepped into the back of the auditorium and saw his woman standing at the front. More than half of the seats were taken, and it seemed most of the people were engaged. And that meant Lisa’s first day of teaching was a success, just like he knew it would be.
He grabbed a seat in the back row and listened to her give the students their first assignment and then dismiss them, telling them she’d see them later in the week.
After most of the students had filed out, he stood and walked down the stairs, enjoying the smile that lit her face when she caught sight of him. “Hey there, Professor.”
“I’m hardly that,” she replied when he gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“I caught the last couple of minutes; seems like you had a good turn-out and everyone was into it.”
Waving to the last of the students as they walked out, she waited until the room was empty. “I have no idea what I talked about for two hours. I’m not sure if it was complete drivel or really inspired.” She pressed her head into his chest and groaned. “It was the weirdest out of body experience of my life.”
“Did anyone get up in the middle of class and run from the room?”
“No.”
“Then it must’ve been inspired.” He hugged her tight and then kissed her head. “Are you done for the day or do you have to do any more teacherly stuff?”
“I’m done.”
“Good because I’m taking you to lunch and buying you a much-deserved celebratory drink.”
Lisa raised an eyebrow and put her things inside her bag. “I should probably argue, but I can’t seem to find the will.”
“Come on, woman, let’s get out here and celebrate Professor Martin’s first day of class.”
“I’m not sure if there is anything to celebrate, other than just surviving the experience.”
“Sometimes, that’s more than enough because it means you get to do it all over again the next day and get more things right.” Ace pushed the door open, and they walked into the bright sunshine. “Tomorrow is going to be better than today and so on and so forth.”
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it.”
“Live to fight another day is always the goal.”
“Seems like good advice and I’m going to take it.”
Looping his arm over her shoulder, he felt better than he ever had and hoped she would be into his idea because he was ready to take the next step into their future.
Ace looked around Stone Brewing and decided he’d made the right choice for lunch since the food coming out of the kitchen smelled terrific. “What do you think?”
“So far, so good,” she replied before taking a sip of her beer. “I’ve never had a tangerine IPA, and it’s actually pretty good.”
“If we like the food, then maybe we’ll add this to our list of regular places.”
“We could, but maybe we should spend some time in Coronado too. Not everything we do has to be around my neighborhood.”
“Speaking of your neighborhood, I’ve got something to share with you.”
“Should I be nervous?”
“No.” He took her hand and linked their fingers. “The lease on my apartment is coming up in November and, instead of renewing it, I was wondering if you might want to get a place together.”
“You mean, live together?”
“Yes, since that’s what getting a place together usually means.”
“Wow, I didn’t see that coming.”
He tilted his head and frowned. “Really?”
“Yes, Ace. Don’t look at me like I’m crazy for saying that.”
“Do you want to be married before we live together?”
“No, not necessarily.”
“Then what do you think about moving in together now and then getting engaged early next year?”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I love you, and I want to be married by this time next year.” When he saw her sit back and let out a breath, he figured his idea had bombed. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“Well…I’m not sure.”
Giving her a pained smile, he lifted his beer and knew unequivocally that his idea had bombed.
Big time.
“Why don’t you move in with me?”
Lifting his eyes, he studied her face. “What did you say?”
“Move in with me. My sister and I own the building, and I don’t want to start paying rent. You seem to like it there and, even though it’s not huge, I think it’s plenty of room for us. You could share the office with me and, with a little effort, we could probably incorporate our stuff together.”
“Are you sure?”
“I think so.”
“I don’t know, Lisa, what if we just get a new place and then you can rent out your place and have extra income?”
“But I don’t want to pay rent.”
“You wouldn’t because I will be taking care of all of our expenses.”
“No way.”
“Uuuhh, yes way.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Yes, it does.” He watched her arms cross and her chin tilt and knew they were in for a good one. “I take care of my family. End of story.”
Snorting, Lisa lifted her beer and took a sip. “That isn’t even the opening chapter. I’m not some woman that needs taking care of since I’m more than capable of doing it myself.”
“Do you love me?”
“Yes.”
“And you want me to be happy?”
“Of course.”
“Then, let me do this. I know you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself, but I want to and hope you’ll
let me. You wouldn’t deny me something that was really important, would you?”
“I might if I could figure out a way to get away with it.”
Moving his chair closer, he slid his hand into her hair and cupped the back of her head. “You own me, Lisa, and it makes me damn uncomfortable because it gives you all the power. The only way for me to survive is if I fool myself into thinking that you need me. So, my taking care of you feeds the illusion and gives me a modicum of sanity.” Feeling her lips on his, he let out a breath when she kissed him gently.
“Far be it from me to mess with your sanity.”
“Is that a yes then?”
“It’s a yes, Ace.”
“Thank God.”
Pulling away, she patted his chest. “Can’t believe you want to live in sin with me.”
“We’re not going to be sinning for very long because I’m going to be putting a ring on your finger before you know it.” Seeing the waiter approach with their food, he kissed her hand and then moved back. “Looks great.”
After the waiter left, Ace leaned forward and stole a quick kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
***
Lisa watched Ace sauté the mushrooms and nodded her approval. “That’s perfect. The secret, according to Julia Child, of cooking the perfect mushroom is not to crowd them in the pan.”
“No crowding is happening, honey.”
Pulling a bowl out of the cupboard, she set it next to the stove and crossed her arms. “When they’re done, you can put them in there, and we’ll let them cool before we add them to the meat.”
“Roger that.”
“You’re a very good student.”
“I like learning new stuff and, for that to happen, you’ve got to keep your mouth shut and pay attention.”
