by Ivy McAdams
“I’m glad to have you join me.” His voice was still low and sultry. A sound she wasn’t used to from him, but one she could definitely get on board with.
As she rounded his side, he turned to look down at her. He took a step toward her, and her eyes roamed up and down the front of his body. Large chest and muscles across his stomach that begged her to reach out and touch. She was nearly tempted to do so, but something held her back. The unknown, perhaps. She’d never desired to touch a man like she did Ace.
He moved forward another step, a hand reaching out to trace her shoulder and up along her jaw, caressing her chin. “You have beautiful shoulders, Miss McGowen, but I’m sure they pale next to the rest of you.”
Even as boring as her love life might have been, she knew a line when she heard one. And yet, she felt completely compelled to give him what he wished for.
"Mr. Van den Berg," she cooed as she leaned into his fingers on her chin, "I think the time for such formalities has passed."
She lifted from the water slowly, letting it cascade down her body and form a latticework of ripples around her. At her full height, the surface of the water lapped at her bellybutton.
Ace leaned back a couple of inches with a head tilt as he drank her in.
“Clara,” he breathed. “I think you’re right.”
Chapter 10
Ace’s brow creased, and a small groan escaped his lips. His hands moved to Clara’s upper arms and squeezed, and she could tell he wanted to touch her breasts, but he refrained.
His response, however, stirred an urge deep inside her. She’d elicited a fairly primal reaction from him, and it felt amazing. A sense of control she’d never experienced.
She wanted it again.
Her eyes went to his lips, recalling the last time they’d touched hers. The frenzy and rough hands. No better place to start.
She lifted on her toes and touched her mouth to his. She heard his breath falter, felt his lips part for only an instant before his body reacted to her.
His hands tightened on her arms, pulling her toward him and nearly lifting her out of the water to crush her against his body, opening his mouth and claiming hers with a hunger that took her breath away. Her head spun, but she pushed into him as well, melding in as close as possible. She couldn’t move much with his hands on her arms, but she didn’t need to. Her mouth was doing all the work.
It was just as exciting as the first time. Sparks igniting her lips, his need coursing through from his skin.
Then he let her biceps go so he could wrap his arms around her back and hold her to him. She wound her arms around his neck, wrapping her fingers into his short black locks. He made a content sound into her mouth, and her energy spun faster. What else could she do to get him to make those delicious noises?
Her fingers ran through his hair, down his neck to his back, exploring the muscles she found there. Just as she entertained the thought of going lower, he shifted, and the hard length of him pressed into her legs. She gasped into his mouth.
He pulled back an inch to capture her eyes, then spoke with a hoarse voice. “Have you ever had sex with a man?”
Heat scalded her cheeks and neck, and it was almost too much to look him in the eye. “What? You know I’ve been married, Ace. Of course, I’ve...done that.”
The shake of his head was subtle, slow. “No, you’ve had sex. Probably allowed a man to have sex with you. But have you ever had sex with a man? Done what you wanted? Explored his body?"
With each word he spoke, the more the butterflies tripped and tumbled through her. He made her feel like a shy virgin, but a feeling of power was growing underneath the surface.
“No,” she said shyly. “I’ve never done anything like that.”
His nose brushed hers, lips barely touching her as he spoke. "You should. It's good for you."
A bubble of amusement at his arrogant lines burst forth, and she laughed under her breath. “Is it then? Good for me to make you feel good?”
His chuckle was darker, low in his chest. “I’m not saying it wouldn’t be good for me. Anything you do to me would be good for me.” He almost lost her into a melted puddle, but she held on and listened. “But it would be better for you. No expectations. Find what you want.”
The offer was enticing, but she narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
He slid his fingers along her jaw. It felt divine.
“I didn’t like that look of fear on your face last time. It hurt. I don’t want to ever see it again.” His fingers ran along the edge of her jaw, gripped her chin, and gave a short squeeze. “And the next time when I take you my way, I want you to be ready. I want you to trust me.”
Her chest seized, and the breath in her throat refused to move. She coughed softly, staring at him with wide eyes.
He intended there to be a next time, and it was going to be very different than this time.
It sounded as if it was going to be scary. But if the short encounters she’d had with him so far were any indication, Ace had no intention of hurting her.
He lifted her chin and captured her lips again, pulling her into a kiss so deep that her eyes rolled back, and her knees trembled.
Then he walked back toward the shoreline with her. His lips eased on hers as he moved them onto the sandy bank along the lapping edge of the water, and they lowered to their knees.
When he let her mouth go, he leaned back to rest on the shore, giving her a sly grin.
“You’re in control now, sugar.”
Clara stared at him, eyes instantly roaming his body, no longer covered by water. She couldn’t help but gape at the rigid length of his erection, standing proud and waiting on her. Her breath quickened as her eyes snapped back to his.
“Just me?”
His crooked grin was long and lazy. “Just you.”
She moved a hand to his abdomen, pressing her fingers into the hard muscles of his stomach. It was amazing how his simple flesh roused such a desire in her, but it did, and she moved her hand more. Along his belly button and over more muscles. His chest was even harder, but smooth. It felt good under her hand.
He hummed a sound of content as her hand roamed, and she smiled. That was what she liked. More sounds.
“What do I do for you?” she asked. “I mean, I know what I’m supposed to do.” Lay down and wait for it to be over. She’d perfected that. It was boring and quick. But he wanted something more from her. “Should I just…?” She moved to lay down beside him, but his hand caught her arm.
“Only if you want to,” he murmured. “But there are other things.” His hand slid down her arm to her fingers, guiding them to wrap around his shaft.
She sucked in a soft breath at the silky feel of him in her hand, and he hummed deep in his throat. She tightened her fingers, and his chest vibrated with the sound he elicited.
It was instantly intoxicating, and her breath jumped to catch up.
“So this is what makes you happy,” she whispered, moving her fingers slowly down the length of him, marveling at how wonderfully masculine it was. Hard and rigid, but soft against her skin. She’d hardly seen one before, much less been given the chance to study it.
“It can make you happy too.”
Her eyes moved up to his. Dark brown orbs in the fading light. They spoke to her. Begged her to trust him.
She wanted to with every inch of her body.
“How?” she whispered.
His eyes closed, and she realized she’d relented. It wasn’t as frightening as she’d expected.
“When you’re ready, I’ll show you.”
The fire deep in the depths of her belly burned brighter, rushing in between her legs, and setting a warm glow along every inch of her skin. Her fingers moved against his thick shaft again, enjoying the weight of him in her hand.
“I’m ready,” she said. “I want you to show me.”
The heat in his eyes flared. “You’re not ready yet. But you will be.”
“What should I do?”
/>
He regarded her for a moment before nodding toward his lap. “Step over me. One foot here, one there.”
She let him go and rolled off the bank. She felt exposed standing out of the water in front of him, but there was far too much on her mind to worry for long.
He took her hands as she stood over him, then slowly pulled her down.
“Right here,” he breathed. His chest and his nostrils heaved. She watched him in a lustful curiosity as he guided her down over him.
When she was nearly upon him, she realized his intent. She’d never experienced penetration in any other position, and the concept bewildered her, but she was determined to trust in Ace’s words.
He let go of her fingers and placed his hands on her small hips, guiding her lower still until the tip of him brushed the sensitive folds of her core.
She hissed in a breath, biting back a curse as a jolt of electricity shot through her. But he didn’t stop. The pressure of his hands on her hips lowered her again, the blunt end of his erection sliding along her opening, tantalizing her, and she gasped aloud. Her hands went to his, clutching them as they continued to move her.
Then the tip entered the first of her folds, and she bit into her lower lip. “Ace?”
He paused, and she found his eyes in the dark. They were hungry but locked onto her with unwavering attention.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m…” More than okay. Shocked into an amazing stupor. Unsure if she could handle much more from him without losing her mind.
“These are your hands on the reins,” he whispered, entrapping a few of her fingers with his on her hips. “What you say goes.”
She wiggled her fingers slightly in his and gave her hips a tentative tilt to rub him against her once again.
His jaw clenched, muscles tightening in his face. It was tantalizing in ways she could not form into thoughts.
“I trust you,” she breathed.
His fingers tightened on her hips, and she lowered with him as he drew her down until he’d filled her. Her head fell back with a groan that nearly drowned out his throaty moan.
She sat astride him for a moment, unable to collect herself from the surge within. The tickle of flame than had been burning beneath the surface of her skin raged into a wildfire.
“Clara,” he groaned. “God Almighty. What have you done?”
A tiny flicker of panic entered her brain, but the concentrated frown on his face eased into a crooked smile.
“You can have me as long as I can handle that tight little body of yours,” he growled.
She wasn’t entirely sure what he meant, but she understood what he wanted when his fingers moved on her hips again, drawing her up to slide his body from her depths. The sensation pulled at sensitive areas, but nothing like the new surge when he pulled her down and plunged in again.
Heat exploded within her, grabbing hold and twisting between her legs until she thought the very core of her might explode. And he did it again. And again. Every time she thought it was too much, he took her farther.
“Now you go,” he said through a panted breath.
Before she could ask what he meant, he removed his hands from her. She paused, hovering at the edge of his length.
She knew the rhythm now, and her body was hungry for more of him.
She bent her knees and pushed down into his hips, pulling him deep into her body in a rush that parted her lips. She poised over him, lifting again and coming down. She matched the rhythm he'd showed her, then went faster.
The fire within her was engulfed in a passion that left her breathless, panting for air and grinding hard against him to find a release. She tilted her hips, increasing the angle and the friction as she worked herself against him.
His head tilted back, a moan escaping him, and it nearly drove her mad.
Her fingernails scored into his chest as she moved, a delicious high overcoming her as she drove herself toward the brink of euphoria.
Ace's fingers dug into the sand next to them, but he was true to his words and refrained from touching her. She rocked her hips, rolling them against him. It forced him deeper, hitting a nerve. Ace's body jerked and lifted high to meet her with a growl, and her body exploded.
As he bowed up against her, groaning in release, a barrage of fireworks pinged inside her abdomen, and a sensation hotter and more exquisite than anything she could ever imagine overcame her. She rode out the waterfall of ecstasy, clinging to his body, his hips lodged in tight against her.
When her muscles had stilled, she planted her palms against his chest and lowered her head to catch her breath.
As her heartbeat began to slow, Ace rolled her to his side, cradling her against his chest. Then he pressed a hand to her cheek. He guided her face to his and kissed her. It wasn’t the fierce kiss she’d experienced so far. It was gentle and soothing. She melted against his body, and he smiled against her lips, resting his forehead to hers.
“Thank you for trusting me,” he whispered.
A delicious shiver ran up her spine, and she leaned further into his embrace.
“You’ve always been full of surprises,” she murmured, an inch of humor sneaking into her voice. “But I must say you floored me today.”
A chuckle rolled in his chest, tickling her body.
“I’ll take that and run with it any day of the week.”
“I’m sure you would.” She giggled.
“I can appreciate a brilliant and beautiful woman.”
“Appreciate her in ways that blow her mind.”
His eyes flashed in excitement. “Keep that wonderful brain intact, and I’ll blow your mind every night.”
Her breath caught, and a new flutter of excitement grabbed hold of her.
“I look forward to it.”
This time when his eyes flashed, they were darker. An edgier, knowing look. “Oh, you have no idea.”
Chapter 11
“The horses will be split. Some here and some here,” Ace said, pointing at different areas on Clara’s map. “A large group might draw too much attention.”
The majority of the gang sat near the fire, listening to the plan Ace and Clara had cooked up after their intimate festivities. Not that they revealed that part. He’d acted no different in front of the others, and she was thankful. The last thing they needed then were off-topic questions and prodding curiosities.
Besides, she didn’t even know what was going on between them. They’d shared a kiss on the job. Then he’d given her the biggest awakening of her life while they were supposed to be hatching a heist plan. It sounded so silly in her head, but it was true.
And she’d had sex with a man.
But not like she'd ever had in the past. It'd been just as he'd explained it. Far different than lying in bed, waiting for the end. She'd taken control, explored both his body and hers as she’d driven herself into a climactic release that had shocked the hell out of her.
He’d been surprisingly patient with her, something she had not expected, but she had a feeling he had far more surprises up his sleeve.
She couldn’t wait to experience them all.
“My group will enter this door in the back,” Ace continued. “That’s Clay, Otis, and Jeremiah. We’ll infiltrate the bank and hit the safe. The bags will likely be heavy and plentiful, so we’ll have to grab them and run.
“The second group will cover the alley behind the place. We can’t have anyone hitting our rear. It’ll be your job to keep people off us. Whatever it takes.”
Ace looked around the group, eyes lingering on Clara a second longer than necessary. She smiled inwardly, doing her best to look professional on the outside. However a professional outlaw and bank robber might look. The thought of taking on such titles far from thrilled her, but Ace’s plan did tickle her fancy.
"Mason, Nelson, and Jack will be outside with Clara," Ace said, then continued as if the orders were ordinary. "You'll watch the corners and the door. The alley, of course. Althoug
h, we're hoping to get in and get out without drawing too much―"
“What you mean with Clara?" Nelson asked.
All eyes turned to him. His white mustache was skewed to one side, and he leaned over his spread knees to lean farther into the conversation.
“I mean, she’s going to be calling the shots out there,” Ace said. His eyes passed over hers again, and she felt them reach for her. Pat her on the back and reassure her that he’d meant what he said earlier in their plan. She was going in as second in command. “She knows that place better than any one of us here. This map isn’t the only knowledge she’s got. We need her to keep us safe.”
Nelson’s bushy brow furrowed. “What the hell are you talking about? She’s a woman.”
“A damn fine one too, if you haven’t noticed,” Ace growled back. “That woman is more intelligent than most of you lot put together. I trust her judgment. I’m asking that you do too.”
“Women ain’t smart. They just―”
Ace’s shoulders tightened. “You can be disinvited.”
Nelson looked as if he wanted to throw another jab in, but Clay tilted his chin up with a scowl. “Since when does Ace steer you wrong? Shut your mouth, you fool. He knows what he’s doing.”
Ace leaned back in his seat without another word while Nelson coughed out a racket of disagreement. Otis did the same.
As the commotion settled, the others smiled in Clara’s direction. Jack looked confused.
“Sounds like a safe bet to me,” Clay said.
Sadie, though a still little pale, nodded happily alongside him.
“I think this is our best chance for a successful run at this,” Ace said. “My group, we’ll discuss further details later on this afternoon. You two, Clara and I will discuss the best places for you to be to see the alleyway.”
Clara glanced around the circle, realizing only two of her men were present. Bridget sat next to Sadie without a partner in sight. Clara narrowed her eyes a touch. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen Mason in a while.
“Until then, enjoy your lunch,” Ace said. He stood and tucked the map under his arm.
