Beware 2: The Comeback (12 page)

I pass room after room, and when I pass room 210, I count from there. “Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen…”

I stop in front of 214, touching the pearls that are fastened around my neck. I hear myself breathing, and I don’t understand why I’m acting like I’ve never done this before. I’ve been tempted by Ace plenty of times. This same exact thing happened when we first met. I ran to his place in need of release. I ran to him out of temptation. I ran to him out of curiosity and, most of all, hunger. I sought pleasure. Real pleasure I knew he could provide.

And now, I’m here for the same thing, with love sprinkled on top, of course.

The temptation. That little thing between lust and full-blown love.

My finger runs down the glossy brown door. I inhale. I become bold.

I knock and wait impatiently.

Several heart-thumping seconds later, the door swings open. And, fuck me, he’s only wearing a towel. One single white towel hanging just below his waist, revealing that perfect, delicious V all women’s mouths water for. Despite the scars and gunshot wounds Bianca mentioned, he is absolutely delectable. I want to kiss each one. Caress them as if I can heal them and make them go away. He’s standing here, like he’s ready for me.
Perfect timing. You go girl!

He blinks down at me, eyes thin and dark. And then, he smirks, clutching the bronze doorknob.

“Red.” He says the nickname so simply yet so deliciously that my bottom lips quivers and my cheeks blaze like a furnace.

Clearing my throat,
I barge in, walking around him and his devious smirk to the center of the living room. I pace for a second, but when the door clicks shut and Ace turns in my direction, I frown, lifting a stern finger in the air.

"Let's get one thing straight." I wave my finger at him, eyebrows stitching. "This is not a game, Ace. This isn't New York. This isn't us chasing each other around, bickering over bullshit." I dare a step forward as he glares down at me, his jaw flexed. "And let's get another thing straight," I breathe, the space between us diminishing as he takes a step forward as well, head tilted. "I’m not here because you think you've summoned me."

"No?" He raises an eyebrow. Without realizing it, my eyes drop from his face to his torso.
The six-pack… oh, the six-pack. It’s still there. Still glorious. Still sexy as shit.
"Then why are you here, Red?" Two more steps forward. I hold onto my confidence, reaching up to unbutton the first button of my trench coat. My hands tremble. Ace's eyes broaden, the rest of his face remaining the same.

Stern.

Serious.

No emotion showing whatsoever.

"Because,”
Holy shit, am I really doing this?
"…I'm tired of lying to myself." Quivering hands land on the last button. The jacket flaps open, and I shrug it off, allowing it to puddle around my feet.

His eyes blaze with dominant hunger as they glitter down my frame. His hands tighten into fists, a clear sign he’s trying to restrain himself. That’s just too bad. He’s the dog, and I’m the steak. His mouth is watering for a taste. It’s impossible for him to deny me.

While he stares at me, nearly naked before him, my mind drifts to other places. I've been bold with Ace plenty of times before, but this feels shallow. I feel like an amateur all over again.

What is he thinking? Does he like what he’s seeing or is he too busy staring at the four stretch marks I developed because of
his
child growing to be seven pounds and eight ounces in my womb.

Insecurity rapes me. Ashamed, I start to cover up, but Ace stops me, clutching my wrist in his large hand and tugging me forward. Our bodies clash, but he doesn't dare stumble. His gaze, still hot and heavy, locks with mine, and I ache.

Clench.

Long for him.

Desired moisture collects in my panties, and my mouth gapes. My bottom lip trembles with words unspoken.
Do you still love me? Do you still want me? Do you see me differently now? WHAT IS IT?!
All questions I want to ask but don't.

Finally, Ace speaks up, his voice deep and pleasant. "Fucking need you," he murmurs almost as if he's just read my mind. My eyes expand, but the question on my lips is stolen as he crushes my mouth with his, pulling me in even more, groaning with ferocity.

God, the first time in three years he kisses me like he means it and I don't stop him. This is way different from the time in the kitchen. There, our time was limited, and anyone could’ve walked through the door, but here… we have all the time in the world. I've wanted
this
since seeing him that very first time on the beach, and had I not passed out, I would've kissed him like this—passionate yet violent.

Wild yet so romantic.

Despite all the unanswered questions.

That’s how badly I crave him.

Impatience gets the best of me. I reach down and snatch the towel from his waist as his tongue explores my mouth. He tugs on my panties, and in no time, they puddle around my six-inch heels.

He presses his hard cock on me, and an unhinged moan bubbles out of me.

Ace picks me up in his arms, clutching my ass in his hands as he stumbles towards the sofa. We land way too roughly, collapsing on the cold leather. I don’t mind. Not one bit.

Lifting my thigh, he sinks between my legs and adjusts himself. I’m not blessed with patience. He's waited long enough. His cock, hot, long, and thick, thrusts into me, and my back arches, my pussy showing no resistance to his deep stroke.

"Fuck, London," he growls, burying his face into the crook of my neck.
“Tell me what you need,” he murmurs, his breath trailing down my bare skin.

A mixture of a moan and pant escape me. “I need you to take me, Ace. Take me. Own me. Don’t be easy. Be rough. Fuck me. Just—”I release a ragged breath, tightening my hold around his neck, “…
fuck
me.”

His eyes blaze, and within them, I spot the flaming hunger. Those were the words he wanted to hear. He’s wanted to hear them for years. I gasp as he grips my ass cheek with one hand, holding onto the back of my head with the other and stroking hard.

Fast.

Uncontrollably.

Like he means it.

"Knew you'd drop by," he purrs, almost mocking. If I weren't so wrapped up in the moment, I would tell him to go to hell.

 He plunges deeper. My legs lock around his firm, sculpted thighs, and my fingers grasp his ass. His fingers tangle in my hair, and he wrenches back, exposing my neck. Wet, highly erotic moans escape me as he sucks on my skin, still thrusting, bringing us to the brink as he marks me.

He slightly releases the hold on my hair, bringing his mouth down on mine. His sweet tongue slips through my lips, tasting me, his other hand running up my thigh until he reaches my swelling clit. He circles the delicate nub torturously, and my lips part, breaking the embrace. He groans, delighted, watching as I shut my eyes and writhe with undeniable pleasure.

"You wanted to cum like this, right?" he asks. "With my dick deep inside you.” His lips run across mine.

“Yes,” I breathe.

“For how long”

“For a long time.”

He holds on tighter. “I'm here, Red," he murmurs into my ear. "I'm here, and I'm not going any-fucking-where."

His voice is collateral damage. His words. His promises. I don’t want him to go anywhere. Not ever again. I want him to mean it this time. Slick walls constrict around long, hot thickness, his momentum ongoing.

I meet with him, lowering my chin and kissing fervently. Ace holds onto me but keeps a steady finger on my clit, and as we stare into each other's eyes, the climax arrives. Shooting stars and fireworks I haven't seen in years burst around me, and I cry out, coming so hard around him that my legs lock.

"Fuck," Ace groans, the muscles in his neck tightening. He grinds his hips in small circles even after he cums, pleasing me until, finally, he collapses on top of me and I whimper, my walls pulsing around him.

We pant through the moment, him with his eyes shut and me with mine wide open, staring up at the ceiling. Pushing up on one elbow, Ace looks from my eyes to my lips. He tips his head forward, and his teeth softly scrape my bottom lip. I’m granted a gentle bite, and I sigh, aching for him all over again.

"I'm not going anywhere," he repeats, cupping my face and crushing my swollen lips with his.

I nod, breaking the kiss. "Please don't. Stay."

He blinks, his upper lip twitching. “How badly do you want me to stay?”

I place a hand on his damp chest, swiping the sweat away. “I
need
you to stay.”

"Then leave him." A demand. Not a request.

I perch on my elbows, pulling my hand away. "You know I can't do that right now, Ace. It takes time."

"Don't tell me you can't. After all the shit we’ve been through, I no longer believe in that word when it comes to us." He pushes up and pulls away from me, agitated.

I push up on my elbows completely, disbelieving how our wonderfully heated moment has turned foul so quickly. Turning his back to me, Ace storms for the bedroom, but I stalk after him, a heavy frown creasing my forehead. Before I can speak, he whirls around, gripping my shoulders tight. His nostrils flare, his eyes dark and livid. “Leave. Him,” he demands again, voice dark.

“I can’t, Ace. It’s not that simple.”

He pulls away, upper lip twitching again. “Why the hell not?” I start to speak, but I’m not given the chance because he continues. “I don’t like knowing that motherfucker touches you. I don’t like knowing he’s near you. I don’t like him. Period.”

“He’s a good guy,” I whisper.

“He’s not
me
.” His voice is heated. A near growl. I stare up at him. He’s right. He’s not Ace. He’s the complete opposite. “
My
son won’t grow up thinking another man is his father. I won’t fucking have it.”

He steps back, dropping his line of sight, and my heart aches. I step forward, gripping the tops of his shoulders. He breathes hard and heavy, grimacing at the wall across from him and purposely avoiding my eyes. “It won’t be that way. Just give me some time.”

“Time for what, London?” He looks at me again. “I’m here for you. What the hell are we waiting for?” My arms go limp. I start to lose my hold on him. Noticing my withdrawal, he seizes my wrists before my hands can completely fall, and I gasp, looking from the large tan hands locked around my arms to his eyes.

“How do I know you’re here to stay? You promised me, but turned right around and lied straight to my face that same night.”

He doesn’t speak. Instead, he yanks me forward, studying my face. I pant as one of his hands runs down my waist, then back up to the back of my neck. He slants my head back, making sure my eyes stick with his. Leaning in, his lips touching the shell of my ear, he whispers, “I will
never
lie to you again. No need.” The pit of my belly blazes. Heat travels to my sex. Why is it that, every time he speaks, I always get worked up? “You’re right about this not being New York,” he tells me. “I know that. That’s why I didn’t go back.”

“So what is this then?”

“This is real, London. This is you and me. I love you. I need you in my life. This isn’t some made up fairytale shit I’ve been holding onto. This is fucking real. We,” he breathes, slowly dropping to his knees before me, “…are
real
.” His hands glide up my legs, rounding back to my ass. He squeezes my plump cheeks in hand, pulling me closer, his mouth near my anxious pussy.

“Ace,” I whisper, shutting my eyes, breathless.

“I know you care about him, but you don’t love him like you love me. And let’s face it,” he mocks, placing a kiss on my pelvis and then my inner thighs, teasing. Delicious heat bombards me. “He can’t please you like I can. He can’t
fuck
you like I can. He
isn’t
me. He isn’t the one you fantasize about. I am. I’m a witness.” His voice purrs and vibrates between my legs as he spreads them apart.

And then it hits me. “Are you serious? You were watching me last night?!”

His eyes travel up, no response beyond a subtle smirk on his lips.

My cheeks burn from embarrassment, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip. That explains the pearls this morning. He saw me… masturbating to the thought of him. The satisfied smile I held onto while I fell asleep.

Oh, God.

“Hold still, baby,” Ace murmurs. “You were teasing yourself last night, trying to get rid of the thought of me. Right now, I’m gonna make you cum like my life depends on it. I’m gonna have you thinking about it for days.” Ace’s hot tongue runs between my folds, and a sharp gasp spews out of me. He squeezes my ass again, growling, creating a vibrating sensation that makes my legs tremble.

I breathe hard, running my hand across the top of his head. His cropped, curly hair gets entangled in my fingers, and I clutch it, getting a deep groan out of him and a spank on the ass. He’s so fucking good. This tongue, this magical tongue that can make me cum at any given moment, is the best I’ve ever had.