Ace

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  “All right.” Ace glanced at his watch. “It’s already past quitting time. You go ahead and see to your grandfather. I’ll pick you up at your place. I’ll just take a minute to change.”

  Ally turned away and grabbed her purse as she headed toward the elevator. She was halfway home before she realized that she’d just broken all the promises she’d made to herself last night. After that impassioned speech she’d made to Ace, nothing had changed. In fact, she’d just agreed to a date with him.

  She groaned. An honest-to-goodness date. What was happening to her? When she was around Ace Wilde, her mind turned to mush. If she wasn’t extremely careful, her resolve might do the same.

  In his office, Ace was feeling pretty smug. He hadn’t lost that old touch. He’d managed to pull that con so smoothly, Ally Brady hadn’t even seen it coming. And now, whether she liked it or not, she was going to spend another evening with him.

  “What’ll you have?” The waitress was wearing a pair of frayed cutoffs and a T-shirt emblazoned with the bar’s logo, a red devil, complete with horns and a pitchfork.

  “Two long necks and two burgers.”

  In the smoky Red Devil Bar, Ace and Ally sat in a booth in a darkened corner where they could watch the action. There were four pool tables, all being used. Most of the players wagered nothing more than a beer, or the cost of the next game. But a few of them slapped tens and twenties down on the table when they lost.

  Ace nodded toward the nearest pool table. “Want to play?”

  She shook her head.

  “Why not? Afraid you’ll embarrass me again?”

  She winced. “That last time wasn’t a fair assessment of your skill, Ace. I got you drunk.”

  “I got myself drunk.” He took her hand in his, playing with her fingers. “So why didn’t you come here that night in search of suckers?”

  “It was too close to Gramps’s place. I wanted to be far enough away that nobody would recognize me. So I drove all the way to Prosperous.”

  “You had a long drive home that night. I bet you were looking over your shoulder the whole way.”

  She laughed. “I was. What an awful night. I was really scared.”

  “You were?” He felt her pulse jump when he caressed her wrist and was pleased that it was his touch that was causing such a reaction. “I’d have never guessed. You looked as cool as an iceberg.”

  “You know what they say. Never let ’em see you sweat.”

  “Yeah.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the palm. And was delighted to realize she was doing exactly that—sweating.

  “Here you are.” The waitress set down their beers. “Your burgers will be up in a few minutes.” She lifted her tray and hurried off.

  As Ace brought the bottle to his mouth, Ally grinned. “Think you can handle it?”

  “As long as I have only one.” His lips curved in a smile. “I may never enjoy the sheer pleasure of a cold beer again.”

  They watched as two cowboys leaned over the pool table arguing over the best way to sink the last ball. Finally the first cowboy shot and missed, and the second one did the same.

  “They’d be easy pickings,” Ace said. “Are you sure you’re not a little tempted?”

  Ally laughed. “Am I that transparent?”

  “Yeah.” He studied her. “It’s your eyes. Those little points of flame shooting out of them are a dead giveaway.”

  “Then how come you didn’t pick up on that clue the night I hustled you?”

  “Because you got me drunk.”

  “You just told me you got yourself drunk.”

  He caught her hand and studied her long slender fingers. “Who knows? Maybe I got drunk on those big green eyes of yours. Every time I look into them, I feel my head swim.”

  Ally was relieved when the waitress interrupted them with their burgers and fries. Every time Ace touched her like that she could feel the little licks of fire along her spine. And could feel her resolve slip another notch.

  “You were right,” he said after his first bite.

  ‘I was? About what?”

  “Absolutely the worst burger I’ve ever tasted. I think it even has Clancy’s pizza beat.”

  Despite his admission, he managed to finish every bite. When that was gone he smothered the fries in ketchup and dug in.

  Ally nodded toward the pool table. “Now our cowboys are going to play for money. As though that will somehow make them better players.”

  She and Ace shared a laugh.

  “A fool and his money…” The moment the words were out of her mouth she wished she could call them back. But it was too late. Ace was looking at her in a strange way.

  Though his features never changed, there was a hint of a challenge in his eyes. “That other table is empty. Let’s shoot a game of pool.”

  As she started to protest he shook his head. “No con. And no fuzzy brains. Just straight-up, no-holds-barred pool.”

  She held back. “What’ll we play for?”

  His grin was fast and wicked. “What else? Bragging rights.”

  “Ace, you don’t understand. I’m good.”

  “Yeah.” He laughed. “I won’t argue with that. And from what your grandfather says, you may be unbeatable. But I deserve a fair shot. Agreed?”

  She gave a reluctant nod. “Okay. I agree. But I warn you. I won’t pull any punches. I have no intention of holding back and letting you win just for the sake of that fragile male ego.”

  “Fragile male ego?” His laugh was deep and rich. “Oh, Red. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  Ally watched as he collected the balls and racked them. “Who’s going to break?”

  “We’ll flip a coin.” Ace produced a quarter and said, “Call it.”

  “Heads.” Ally watched as he caught it, and held it out. Then with a grin she picked up her stick. “Looks like my luck holds.”

  Ace stood back and watched as she took careful aim and sent the balls scattering. “Maybe you think you’re the lucky one, Red. But from where I’m standing, I’d say I’m the lucky guy with the best view.”

  She smacked his arm. “No muddled brain, remember? Pay attention. I’m about to give you a lesson in shooting pool.”

  And she did. Ace watched with a smile of pure appreciation as she called her shots and sank each of the balls in sequence.

  “Red.” He leaned close and brushed a kiss over her cheek. “You are pure poetry in motion.”

  Ally absorbed the quick little rush of heat and had to steady herself against the table. When she took her next shot, the ball rolled to the very lip of the pocket, but failed to drop.

  “What’s this? Has the lady lost her edge?” Ace wiggled his brows.

  “I ought to complain that you took unfair advantage. That kiss did something to my brain.”

  “Good. Remind me to kiss you again next game.” He picked up his stick and sank the rest of the balls.

  “Very smooth.” Ally shot him an admiring glance. “You didn’t play that way the other night.”

  “Yeah. Just an off night. Something I drank. But I think I’m back on track.” He racked the balls. “Okay. We’ll call that first game a draw. We both sank the same number of balls. But since I made the last shot, I get the break this game.”

  He sent the cue ball racing into the cluster of balls, scattering them and setting them up nicely. After that, he ran the table, never missing a shot.

  When he was through, Ally shook her head in admiration. “I don’t believe it. That was absolutely beautiful. You really are very good, you know.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He looked pleased with himself. “Looks like I get the break again.” He made a good break, but failed to sink a single ball.

  “Uh-oh.” Ally took up her stick. “That’s going to cost you, cowboy.” She sized up the table, then began making shot after shot without a single miss. When there was only one ball left she batted her lashes at him and said slyly, “I’ll bank it off the left
side, and sink it here.” She touched the tip of her stick to the pocket, then proceeded to make the shot with textbook perfection.

  When she turned, Ace was grinning from ear to ear. “Like I said, Red. Pure poetry in motion. Watching you shoot pool is just about the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “Want to play again?”

  He shook his head. “We’ve each won one. That gives us both bragging rights. I think we’d better quit while we’re ahead.”

  “All right.” She shot him a mysterious smile. “Now I’ll show you a little trick my grandfather taught me when I was just a kid. I’ve never seen anyone else manage it.” She set a ball in the middle of the table and picked up two pool sticks and the cue ball, then proceeded to walk to a second table, which had just been vacated. Holding one stick in each hand she balanced the cue ball between them and launched it so perfectly it flew from one table to the other, rolled directly toward the waiting ball, and sent it sinking into the left pocket.

  Ace couldn’t hide his astonishment. “Can you do that every time?”

  She laughed. “I’ve never missed. Well, maybe once or twice. But most times, I can do it on the first try.”

  “I’m not sure I could even launch a ball that accurately with my hand, let alone using two sticks. That’s some trick, Red.” He was still shaking his head as he took the sticks from her hand and returned them to the rack.

  On the far side of the room, next to the jukebox, was a small dance floor. Motioning toward it, he held out his hand. “Come on. Dance with me.”

  She put her hand in his and allowed him to lead her toward the far side of the room.

  Patsy Cline’s haunting voice was warbling about being crazy in love. As the words played through her mind, Ally allowed him to draw her even closer, until her lips were pressed to his throat, and his mouth was buried at the hair of her temple.

  It was the sweetest torture of Ace’s life, to hold her like this, to move with her like this, to breathe her in until his lungs were filled with the sweet, spicy scent of her. He couldn’t recall anything or anyone he’d ever wanted so desperately. He wanted, right this minute, to carry her out into the night and, while the darkness closed around them, to make love with her until they were both sated.

  What he settled for was moving slowly around the smoke-filled dance floor, while the music washed over him. She felt so good in his arms. So right. With that lush body brushing his, and her fingers playing with the hair at his neck, and her breath warm against his cheek.

  The music changed from Patsy to Garth to Trisha. But through it all, the same plaintive cry for love came through, casting its spell, until the two of them were barely moving. With their arms around each other, and their bodies swaying gently to the music, they felt as if they were the only two people in the world.

  Ace stared down into her eyes. “If we don’t get out of here soon, Red, I’m going to make a fool of myself right here in front of everybody.”

  She sighed. “I’m willing.”

  “To get out of here? Or to see me make a fool of myself?”

  “Well…” She laughed. “Since I’ve already seen the last, let’s go for the first.”

  He caught her hand and led her out into the night. As soon as they reached his truck he gathered her close, desperate for the taste of her lips. But before he could kiss her they heard the sounds of muttered oaths and looked up to see two drunken cowboys engaged in a knock-down-drag-out fistfight.

  “Come on.” Frustrated, Ace opened the door and helped her inside, then rounded the truck and climbed in the driver’s side.

  Minutes later they were heading out of town. For the longest time neither of them spoke. But they kept darting glances at one another. And when Ace reached for Ally’s hand, and linked his fingers with hers, she felt the heat begin to rise between them until she could hardly breathe.

  By the time her grandfather’s ranch came into view, the tension shimmered between them like a living, palpable entity. Amid a chorus of barking Ace pulled to a stop and walked around the truck. As she stepped down, Ally glanced toward the barn. The light was on in her grandfather’s workroom.

  Without a word they walked to the porch, with the dogs trailing at their heels. Ally bent to pet them. Satisfied, Buster and Billy trotted back to the barn, leaving them alone.

  When they climbed the steps, Ally paused at the door.

  Before she could say a word Ace’s arms were crushing her to him. His mouth was savaging hers. Devouring her. And she was lost in a haze of the most amazing sensations.

  “This was all I’ve wanted.” He whispered the words against her lips, then inside her mouth, as he took the kiss deeper. “All night. Just this.”

  Like a starving man he feasted on her. Devoured her. Drank her in. His big hands framed her face and he stared down into her eyes. His own were hot and fierce. His voice a low growl. “You’ve done something to me, Red.” He pressed kisses to her eyelids, her temple, her cheek. “Ever since you walked into my life, I can’t think of anything but you.” He nibbled the corner of her mouth, then lower, running quick, nibbling kisses down her throat until she nearly sobbed with the need for more. “You make me crazy, Red. I don’t know what time it is. What day it is. And I don’t care. I don’t care about anything but you. But this.”

  With lips and teeth and tongue he teased and tormented. And all the while his hands roamed her back, her sides, until his thumbs found her breasts and began to stroke.

  She tried to think but it was impossible. All she could do was hold on as he took her higher and higher. She knew that if she but said the word, Ace would take her. Here. Now. And this terrible tension between them could be eased. But in some small part of her mind she could hear the warning. He was Ace Wilde. Her boss. And the son of her grandfather’s old enemy.

  “Ace.” She pushed against him, needing a moment to calm the storm raging inside. “I have to…” She dragged air into her lungs. “We have to…”

  “I know what we have to do.” He covered her mouth with his and stoked the fire higher.

  “No.” She pushed away, struggling for the strength she needed. “I need to…go inside now.”

  “All right.” His smile was quick.

  “Alone.”

  He leaned his hands on the door on either side of her head and pressed his forehead to hers. “I was afraid you’d say that.”

  She touched a hand to his cheek. “One of us has to be sensible.”

  “That again.” He took a deep breath and lifted his head. “I take it I’m not invited to spend the night?”

  She shook her head. “Too dangerous. We’d never make it.”

  “Yeah.” His smile was back. “But we’d have a great time.”

  “I have no doubt.” She turned and opened the door.

  He leaned in the doorway and took her chin in his hand, brushing his lips over hers. “Come to the Double W tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s Saturday. It’s the only way I’ll get to see you. I don’t think I could go a whole weekend without my Red fix.” Before she could say a word he added, “I’ll have Cody take a look at your old truck’s engine.”

  “Will you feed me, too?”

  “Oh. So you need to be bribed? Yeah. If that’s what it takes, I’ll even feed you.”

  “You’ve got a deal.”

  He nodded, then stepped off the porch and strolled to the truck.

  As he drove along the deserted stretch of road, he realized that his hands on the wheel were none too steady. And his breathing still hadn’t returned to normal.

  What the hell was happening to him? No woman had ever had this effect on him. Pure lust, he consoled himself. She was a beautiful woman. It was natural enough to want her.

  But there was a nagging little thought that was making him uncomfortable. The things he was feeling for Ally were unlike anything he’d ever felt before. Although he’d only known Allison Brady a few days, he felt as if he’d been waiting all his li
fe for her.

  Chapter 7

  “Gramps?” Ally poked her head in the doorway of Harlan’s workroom. Morning sunlight spilled through the windows and skylights. “I brought you breakfast. And a pot of coffee.”

  “Ah. My angel.” He set aside the length of leather and picked up a mug, holding it out while she filled it. He leaned back and drank. “You sure you’re all right with this, Allycat?”

  “With what?” She set down his plate.

  “My being out here so much. Even sleeping out here. I know it makes more work for you. And it seems pretty ungrateful, since you’re so recently returned.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m just happy to see you finding such enjoyment in your work again.”

  “Yeah. It’s good to get back to it. Those last couple of months…” He shook his head. “When I couldn’t make these old legs work anymore, and realized I couldn’t get out to the barn and back, I started feeling old and useless.”

  “You, Gramps?” Ally put her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “You’re the youngest man I know.”

  His eyes danced with unconcealed pleasure. “Well, that’s how I feel now that you’ve come home. I just hope you don’t mind being all alone in that big old house.”

  Her voice lowered with emotion. “For years I was alone in places I didn’t want to be. Now that I’m here, I don’t mind that I’m in the house and you’re out here. We have each other, Gramps. That’s all that matters.”

  “Yep. You got that right.” He looked up. “I heard you and Ace come back pretty late last night.”

  She grinned. “It couldn’t have been too late. The lights were still on in your workroom.”

  “Don’t let that fool you. Doesn’t mean a thing.” He winked. “Sometimes I fall asleep at my workbench and the lights stay on all night.”

  “Maybe I’d better start checking up on you before I go to bed, the way you used to check on me all those years ago.”

  “Reverse our roles, you mean? Naw. I’m not ready for that yet. Besides, I’ve got old Buster and Billy to watch over me.”

  The two dogs were busy emptying the bowls of dog food Ally had filled from a sack by the door.