by Ravenna Tate
He carried her into his bedroom and laid her on the bed, then covered her body with his and kissed her until she could hardly breathe. When he released her mouth again, they were a tangle of hands and clothes as they undressed each other at breakneck speed.
Ace licked every square inch of her skin, and Harper’s loud moans turned into a continuous stream of words, begging him to fuck her. He nearly fell off the bed reaching over to grab a condom from the box on the nightstand, and she laughed.
“Oh, that’s going to cost you.”
Harper let out a squeal and rolled off the bed, laughing so hard now she could barely take a full breath. He put on the condom and caught her around the waist as she scurried for the hallway. He ground his dick against her ass crack, torturing her with tiny nips up and down her neck.
“You’re in very big trouble, Harper.”
She shivered at the sound of his voice, so deep and sexy. Whatever he wanted to do to her, she’d let him, no questions asked. This man was everything she’d ever fantasized about, all rolled up into one gorgeous body and a killer smile. The fact that he’d overcome such a horrific past made his attitude about work and life easier to understand.
She wanted to show him that not all people were bad. Not everyone was out to hurt others, or cause him pain simply because they could do it. Not all women used him for his money or his name. She wanted him to know real love. Her love. She no longer cared that he was her boss and this was a business arrangement. Fuck that. She was in love with him, and he needed to know that, even if all she did was show it in her touch, her kiss, and in the way she made love to him.
****
Ace dragged Harper back to the bed and pushed her over onto the edge so she was bent at the waist. He stood behind her, pinning her legs, and spanked her pretty ass, alternating cheeks. She yelled and laughed at the same time, and he thought his heart would burst at the realization he could give her this much pleasure from something so simple, and that he loved to do.
“If my damn hand didn’t hurt so much I’d spank you until you cried for laughing at me.” He hoped she knew he wasn’t angry. It was merely part of the sexy game he liked to play with her.
“I’m sorry, Ace.”
He straightened her up, turned her to face him, and cupped her chin. “Really? Or are you just saying that so I won’t spank you anymore?” He really needed to buy a paddle. And maybe a few more things he could use on her firm, round ass.
“Well that’s a loaded question if ever I heard one.”
Did she crave this? This dominance? Every nuance of her body language told him she did, and he wanted to give it to her, but he was so ready to fuck it was ridiculous. He was too close to bursting wide open to wait much longer. “And that’s not an answer, Harper.”
She held his gaze for long, luscious moments, and time stopped while he waited. “I’m just saying it so you’ll spank me some more.”
Ace groaned out loud. He bent her over again and resumed spanking her until she cried out again and his hand was on fire. “Had enough now?”
“Yes.” More giggles. The sound was like manna. He’d never tire of hearing it.
“Then why are you still laughing?”
“I’m so happy.”
He turned her over and scooted her up on the bed. Then he lay on top of her and cupped her face again. “How happy are you, baby? Tell me.”
She stared at him with frightening intensity. He was playing with fire here. If she said the words, he’d have to do something about it. He’d heard them before, and every single time they marked the end. But he couldn’t end this. Not now. Not after what he’d just told her.
“Happier than I’ve ever been.”
“Why? Tell me why you feel that way.” Was that why he’d done it? He’d backed himself into a corner. Why? Did he want to fall in love with Harper? Did he need her to finally push him past his fear to the point he allowed that to happen? He’d never met anyone like her. He’d avoided her type for a reason. He wanted women who were used to casual relationships.
She hadn’t had any real relationships. She was exactly the kind of woman who would fall head over heels easily. Is that why he’d chosen her? Why he’d used her invading his privacy as the perfect excuse? Deep down, did he want this?
“Because you’re everything I’ve ever imagined a real man should be.”
Whoa. “Elaborate, please.”
She licked her lips, but this time it wasn’t from lust. She was nervous. It showed on her face. “You’re gorgeous, sexy, and you know what you’re doing in bed. You have a great sense of humor, you’re doing a job that helps all of mankind, you’re the most amazing kisser on the planet, and … and you make me feel like a beautiful, sexy woman.”
“You are a beautiful, sexy woman,” he whispered. Ace kissed her, and then he slipped his dick into her pussy. She didn’t even need lube tonight. She was so damn wet he couldn’t believe how easy it was to fuck her. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t enjoying it. It felt like heaven to be inside her.
She cried out and clutched his arms, her beautiful face alive with a look of absolute bliss. When she came, it was difficult for him to hang on, but he didn’t want this to end yet. He withdrew, then kissed every inch of her skin again until she clutched the comforter and begged him once more to fuck her. Only then did he roll her over and plunge his dick into her pussy from behind.
This was his favorite way to fuck, especially Harper. He loved her ass, and he adored watching her shake her head back and forth as he brought her to climax again. When he reached underneath to flick her clit, she moaned loudly as the contractions started up once more. She probably didn’t know this, but she had an amazing capacity for orgasm. And he never tired of making it happen for her. He never tired of her.
Ace let go and came, and then he pulled off the condom and rolled her into his arms. He inhaled her scent, and hugged her as tightly as he could. Maybe he’d ask her to move in here with him? She could have her own room if she wanted. The place was large enough for her to have privacy, yet still be close enough that he could have her at his side whenever he wanted.
And he’d promised to take her out, so that’s what he would do. He’d show her off to the entire city, and introduce her to experiences she’d never had. In the morning, he’d call his parents and invite them over this weekend to meet her. Yes. He would do all of that. Because Harper was the woman he wanted. He’d been waiting a long time for her, and now she was here in his arms.
Chapter Thirteen
Harper felt like she was living inside a fairytale during the next week. She spent so much time at Ace’s apartment that he began to hint about her moving in. While she loved the idea of being with him all the time, a whiny, nagging voice reminded her that she’d need to find another place to live if this went south. She told him she’d think about it, but he asked her every single day.
He also told her he’d never asked any of the women he’d gone out with to move in. That made her feel special and told her he wasn’t merely playing around, but she still didn’t want to say yes because he hadn’t told her this was anything other than what it had started out to be. A business arrangement.
He showed her the suite of rooms that would be her own if she said yes, but also confessed that while he thought having a place for alone time when she needed it would help ease the transition for both of them, he still wanted her in his bed every night.
She spent each night with him now as it was. He walked to work with her in the mornings, and walked home with her each afternoon. During the day he still sent her text messages, and he started finding excuses to venture down into the basement to speak with her and the rest of the team.
While Harper enjoyed the attention, Rob began to watch them closely whenever Ace came down to their department. After a few times, he caught Harper alone in the break room and stood way too close to her. “Are you and our boss sleeping together?”
“Excuse me?”
“He’s neve
r come down here this much. Why did he put you on this team if he’s not dating you? Is it to spy on us?”
Harper tried to push past him, but he actually moved in front of her. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I do my job, and so do the rest of us. We don’t need anyone watching us.”
Her pulse raced. Ace would want to know about this, but right now she needed to get out of this room. “I’m not here to do anything except the same thing the rest of you are doing.”
“So why does Ace walk into the building with you every morning?”
“That’s none of your damn business. Now step aside and let me get back to work.”
Rob gave her a cold stare but finally moved. Harper forced herself to wait ten minutes in case anyone had overheard them and was watching to see what she did, and then she texted Ace and told him what happened. He didn’t answer her for over an hour, apologizing at first. He’d been in a meeting and his phone was off. He asked if she was safe and she assured him she was, and then he said they’d talk about it after work.
That night during dinner, Ace wanted details, and Harper told him everything that Rob had said and how he’d acted in the break room.
“Have any of the others tried to grill you for information about us, or accused you of spying on them?”
“No. No one has said a word to me like that. Rob is a loner on the team. Now that I’ve had the chance to watch their interactions, he doesn’t seem to have any friends there.”
It wasn’t that she was ashamed of seeing Ace. Not at all. But they had agreed it would be best not to broadcast their relationship all over the building. She had a job to do, and he wanted her mind free to concentrate on it rather than having to field questions or deal with resentment.
Ace’s gaze turned angry. “I want you to tell me every time he does something like this.”
“Believe me, I will.”
“Be careful what you tell him.”
“I’m not telling him shit other than what I said to him today.”
“Good girl. I’m sorry. I had no idea he was like this. I’m going to do some digging into his background. I should have done that when I realized you two knew each other. He’s Traci’s cousin. We have no way of knowing what she might have said to him.”
She’d met his parents when they came over for dinner, and found them to be warm people. They were surprisingly easy to talk to, and in many ways reminded her of her own parents. Ace must have told them that her parents were dead because they never asked about her family. She didn’t learn anything else about his teen years from them, but it was evident in the way they looked at him how proud they were of the man he’d become.
Ace took her to the symphony one Tuesday evening, and surprised her with his knowledge of music and his appreciation for the performers. They visited the art gallery in town that Thursday afternoon, and she discovered he knew a lot about art as well. “Is there anything you don’t know?” she asked him as they ate dinner in a trendy café close to the city’s cultural center.
His grin never failed to make her wet. “Well, let’s see. I’m lousy at any math beyond basic functions, I couldn’t tell you how a combustion engine works, and I can’t grow plants to save my life.”
“I knew it. You are flawed.”
His easy laugh made her feel as if they’d been longtime lovers. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? It would ruin my reputation.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it, then licked it. Shivers ran up and down her spine. “You know so many of them, I certainly hope so.”
Even though no one was sitting close enough to hear, she leaned forward. “So who owes whom now? Have I repaid my debt only to now have enough dirt on you to fill a tabloid website?” His eyes clouded over, and she wanted to kick herself ten times over. “Ace, it was only a joke. I’m sorry.”
He shook his head before she finished her sentence. “No, that’s not it. I’m not upset with you. I’m upset with myself.”
“Why?”
He glanced around, and then moved his chair closer to hers. “Because this has gone way beyond you owing me any debt. At least, I think it has.” His gaze bored into hers, searching, desperate even. What did he want to hear? Did he sense how much she loved him? Was he waiting for her to say it first?
And what if she’d completely misread him just now? What if that wasn’t the emotion those dark eyes held at all? What if his asking for clarification had to do with the fact that he was terrified of the emotion he sensed in her?
Ace let go of her hand and started to gather the remnants of their dinner. “Guess it’s time to head back. We both have to get up for work in the morning.”
She didn’t want to leave. And she certainly didn’t want to with so much left unsaid between them. “Let’s not go. Tomorrow is Friday. Let’s blow the day off and spend it in bed.”
The corners of his mouth turned up. “I wish I could. I have meetings all day, and I can reschedule maybe two of them at best.” He took her hand again. “But that is a deliciously wicked idea, and I’ll see what I can do about clearing my calendar for next Friday.”
He rose and she did, too, but then she placed a hand on his arm. “Ace, hang on.” She couldn’t say it here. It was too personal, especially for someone like him. But she had to say something. She had to address his earlier comment. “It has gone beyond that. Way beyond that. For me, anyway.”
He looked like he was about to say something, but then she and Ace both turned at the sound of their names. Oh shit. It was Traci, and she was with three other women Harper didn’t know. They were headed straight for them.
Ace swore under his breath.
“Well, well. Isn’t this cozy?” There was no misinterpreting the sarcasm in Traci’s voice. “Out for a business dinner?”
“No, this isn’t business,” said Ace. “How are you, Traci?”
“Oh, me? I’m great. Absolutely wonderful.” She didn’t sound wonderful. She sounded bitter and pissed off as hell. Traci eyed Harper like she was an insect. “And how are you two?”
Ace draped his arm across Harper’s shoulder, and she resisted the urge to smile. There was no need to rub salt in the wounds.
“We were at the art gallery earlier,” he said. “Have you been there lately? They’re having an exhibit of early twentieth century works. Very intriguing.”
Traci’s gaze drifted over his arm, and then rested on Harper’s face. Harper had a sudden urge to apologize although she’d done nothing wrong. If anyone owed an apology here, it was Traci to Ace. But clearly Traci wasn’t thrilled to see Ace out on a date with Harper.
“My friends and I are on our way to see a movie.”
It wasn’t lost on Harper that she didn’t bother to introduce the three friends.
“Well, have fun,” said Ace. “Nice to see you again.” He steered Harper away, but that didn’t stop the feeling of daggers hitting her in the back. Sadness engulfed her. She and Traci getting drunk that night had led to all this. She should be grateful to the woman, but all she felt right now was anger. The same sense of confusion she’d had over how this all started with her and Ace was back, and she didn’t like it.
She waited until they were well out of range and then shook off his arm and faced him. “Why did you do that?”
He gave her a look of incredulity. “How can you ask me that? She got drunk and hacked into my personal accounts because I dumped her.”
“I hacked into them, too,” she said quietly. There were people all around them, walking past on their way to wherever, but Harper knew this couldn’t wait until they had more privacy. “How many other women have done that to you?”
“None, if you want the truth. The other relationships ended amicably, which might surprise you.”
“Actually it does.”
His gaze grew hard and cold. “And why is that?”
“Traci fell in love with you, Ace.”
“I know th
at. She told me so.”
Harper put her hands on her hips. “Does that mean anything to you? That a woman would feel that much for you?”
“Of course it does. But what am I supposed to do if I don’t feel the same thing for her? Would you have me lie to someone? Would that make it right?”
He was practically shouting now, but she didn’t care. Her feelings for him were all mixed up with what had happened just now, and with what she and Traci had done over a month ago. She was confused, and really didn’t understand her own reactions, but she couldn’t seem to stop the words from tumbling out.
“No. Of course not. But it’s impossible for me to believe that they all didn’t do the same thing. That every one of them didn’t fall in love with you. You make it pretty damn impossible for a woman not to, Ace.”
The expression on his face went from chilly to hopeful in less than two seconds flat. He moved closer to her and placed a hand on each shoulder. “Is that so?” His voice was quieter now. “All of them, Harper? Do you really think all of them fell in love with me?”
Her heart pounded, and sweat broke out along her hairline. “Yes.”
“And what about you?” He was so quiet now she barely heard the question. “Have you fallen in love with me?”
Oh God… She swallowed against the sudden lump in her throat. Everything around them faded away into the background. There were only Ace’s dark eyes, piercing her soul, and his touch on her shoulders. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, I have.”
The look on his face took her breath away. Relief, mixed with joy. She could hardly believe he wasn’t angry with her and ready to bolt.
“It’s about time one of us admitted it.” He kissed her, tongue and all. Harper forgot where they were and returned the kiss, going so far as to reach around and grab his ass. When he finally released it, his eyes blazed with triumph and love. Yes, it was love. She blinked back tears as she stared at him, waiting.
He leaned close to her ear, reminding her of the first time he’d done that, and she shivered at the memory. “I love you, too. Let’s go back to my apartment before I fuck you right here on the sidewalk.”
