by Maggie Way
“Only water for me,” I answered softly. Who goes to a wine bar and orders water?
He raised his brow in contest to my order, but didn’t say anything. Turning to my friends, he waited while Ashley mulled over the menu. After she and Claire got their acts together and found their voices to order, he softly touched my cheek.
“I’ll be right back.”
I took the opportunity to look around. Another full bar was directly across the room from us, so this place was large enough for two bar wells. Geez. I saw Ace getting wine glasses as well as a bottle of Perrier, which had to be for me.
I finally took a seat at the table, so I wasn’t standing there like a dork-infested gawker. Ace returned with my water and poured the wine for my friends. He didn’t say anything, just winked before disappearing.
“Wow. That’s definitely a rebound creature. He’s obviously into you, so you can do him and tell us all about it,” Claire uttered.
I spewed my water. “Seriously? Filter!”
“I can’t help it. He’s hot,” Claire confessed.
“Yum,” Ashley agreed. “Besides, it would make Connor jealous.”
“For starters, I’m done with Connor. I even bought a new bed today. He’s history, so I’m not looking to make him jealous.”
“But, you are looking?” Ashley raised her brow.
I shook my head. It was obvious that the less they knew, the better. Neither of my girlfriends were in serious relationships and were in no position to give credible advice. Claire had been dating Nick for over two years, but their relationship was mostly physical. She described it as Sex-tration. When they got frustrated, they’d hook up for sex and magically work out their issues. Sounded more like kinky, mind-therapy to me without much commitment. I kept waiting to see who was leaving the fees on the bedside table. Neither of them ever confessed to leaving money; although, I repeatedly teased them about it.
Ashley, on the other hand, was a proudly professed virgin. How many twenty-eight-year-old virgins were there in the world? She’d watched her twin sister get pregnant in high school with a loser boyfriend. With one failed relationship after another, Brianna was a single mom to Tucker, who was ten years old, and had to live with her parents in order to make ends meet.
Ashley wanted to be a naughty girl, but she simply didn’t have the courage to step up to the sex buffet. I’d bought her a vibrator for her twenty-fifth birthday and embarrassed her terribly, but I think she was curious enough lately that the right guy could get his wish.
“You said you bought a new bed?” Ashley asked.
“Yup, gave the cheatin’ bed to him and proudly told the concierge to bill Connor for the storage fees.”
“I think I saw the delivery guys. One of them was smokin’ hot.”
“He’s a personal trainer. Gave me his card. You interested in a little personal session?” I teased her.
“God, no. He looks good; that’s all. He probably weighs 220, and I’m half that. He’d suffocate me.”
“Trust me, honey, I know you’d enjoy it and what a way to go.”
Our table roared in laughter and got the attention of tables nearby. We didn’t care. A girls’ night was just what I needed, sans the wine… Next time for sure, but I did get to indulge in the homemade bread and cheese plate that was served.
“Who ordered the bread?” I asked, while picking up the mini-menu easel at the center of the table.
“Not me.”
“Nope, not me either.”
“Says here that all guests receive complimentary Filone di Renella baked in their imported stone oven. It’s the owner’s family recipe,” I read from the menu.
“Well, aren’t you just a wealth of knowledge. I challenge you to say the name of that bread three times before coming up for air?” Claire propped her chin on her hands and waited patiently for me to cave.
“Okay, fine. Filone di Renella, Filone di Rotunda…” I cracked up, laughing so hard.
Cough, cough came from over my shoulder in a rugged, manly way. When I slowly turned and looked up, Ace stood within a foot of me with his arms folded and the look of amusement on his face.
“Filone di Renella was my great grandmother’s recipe. We’ve never changed it, and we bake it in our kitchen in her oven I had shipped here.” He touched my arm, and his contact left my mouth dry and open, my nipples at attention, and I’m certain a stream of moisture soaking my thong underwear. “With some practice, you’ll be able to say it beautifully.”
Then, he quickly turned and disappeared.
“Bring him back. I could listen to that sexy voice all day. I’d eat breadcrumbs off that bulked-out chest, which I’m sure is waxed to pristine definition. God, he’s beautiful,” Claire mumbled through sips of wine.
Our evening faded quicker than I desired and I’d never planned on closing the place down. I laughed so much and so hard at times the pain in my throat quickly reminded me I wasn’t 100% well.
When the check folders came with our tabs and I was confused. Why would I have a bill for water? I opened mine--no bill, just a strange looking plastic card with Ace’s name and number handwritten on it. The server slipped me a smile and walked away.
I quickly slid the card out and stuck it in my wallet, replacing it with some cash before closing it abruptly. I tried hard not to meet the prying eyes of the other two for fear I’d never hear the end of it.
We said our goodbyes to each other outside at the front entry. The girls had used the valet but I had parked in the garage.
I sat in the driver’s seat and stared at the strange card. Who used plastic business cards? I must have a discerning sense of smell because I got a whiff of his scent as if he was sitting right next to me in the car. I brought the card close to my nose and instantly recalled his delicious fragrance…clean linen and bergamot. The revelation stirred more in me than I’d ever experienced.
With the card back in my purse, I started the car, but felt a powerful force keeping me glued to my seat and firmly planted in the parking garage. Over thirty minutes had passed, but I was still in the same spot, staring at Ace’s card and reflecting on the intensity of his gaze.
I sent him a text.
Still in the parking lot, looking at your card
Come in. I’m the only one here.
I took a few deep breaths for courage and walked up to the entrance as the heavy wooden door swung open. There he stood in front of me, wearing a light blue cashmere sweater, navy trousers, and bare feet.
“You changed?” I asked with a slight smile.
“I got comfortable.”
“Will your boss be upset we’re here?”
“No. Can I get you that drink now?”
“Yes… No, I mean I want to…love to, but I’ve been sick and can’t mix alcohol with cold medicine. I shouldn’t be here. I need to go.”
“Wait, what brought you back?”
“The card.” I slowly turned and walked back to my car. I avoided the gnawing feeling urging me to look back, scared that I’d change my mind and even more frightened that I might like it.
Ace had a powerful presence and exerted control. He wasn’t a boy or a play-toy. I sensed he was a man used to getting what he wanted and had many ladies willing to give him that. His force field was all-encompassing, and I shuddered at the thought of being caught in it, afraid I’d never be able to resist him.
To Be Continued…
To read more, you’ll find Ace’s Key available at all major outlets for ebook, print and audio.
About the Author
With a creative personality, Abbie St. Claire has always had her nose in a book. Whether one for decorative painting, gourmet cooking or steamy erotica.
“Heck, those books all go together in my mind. My imagination can easily picture a painting session that turns steamy and I certainly see trying to prepare a gourmet meal while getting deliciously sidetracked with a partner and finishing that meal for breakfast,” St. Claire says with a raised brow and
twinkle in her eyes.
An International Best Selling Author, St. Claire focuses her work on writing steamy romance from the “writing nook” in her Houston, Texas kitchen, where she’s currently at work on the “5th Avenue Romance Series.
St. Claire has quite a bit in store for 2015 and 2016 with a new series, participation in several anthologies and even a golf-themed steamy novella slated for late summer. For her latest news, be sure to sign up for her mailing list at http://eepurl.com/U-fJz
Website: www.abbiestclaire.com
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Want to read more from Abbie St. Claire?
The Creek, Contemporary Romantic Suspense Novel
Christmas In July, Erotic Novella
Conflicted on 5th Avenue, Book One
Complicated on 5th Avenue, Book Two
Captivated on 5th Avenue, Book Three
Booty Call, Erotic Novella
Kiss Me-My Ass, Erotic Novella
Kiss Me-There, Erotic Novella
Ace’s Key, Erotic Novella
Tracks To Love, Contemporary Romance with Melissa Foster’s Remington Series
Running To You, Contemporary Romance writing as DeLaine Roberts
Two Sides of a Heartbeat, Contemporary Romance writing as DeLaine Roberts
My Confessions, Contemporary Romance writing as DeLaine Roberts
Chasing Air, Romantic Suspense, writing as DeLaine Roberts
