“Yessir.” Alan nodded and hurried away before he got quizzed on more ancient literature.
I shook my head. “Kids these days.”
Ace chuckled. “No one appreciates the classics anymore.”
“Oh, I do.” An image of Cyrus, then Jake popped into my head. “And I believe in them too.”
“You what? Are you saying you believe in the Greek Gods?”
“Absolutely. I know they're real.”
“And how do you know that?”
I leaned forward and whispered to him, “Because I'm a goddess.”
Ace burst out laughing, pushing himself back in his wicker chair. “You had me going for a second there.”
“You don't believe me?”
“Oh, I know you're a goddess, cher. Just not a Greek one.”
“Well said.” I sipped my coffee and tried to decide how long I should wait before I took Ace to bed. Another hour should do it.
Chapter Fifteen
An hour slid into two. Breakfast turned into lunch. Lunch became dinner at a place called August. The restaurant had bare brick walls, hardwood floors, and big plates that they put tiny food on. French. Expensive. Frustrating.
“I'm going to need another meal after this,” I said to Ace.
“Salina, I'm shocked. Are you asking me out to breakfastagain? If I wasn't such a gentleman, I'd think you were inviting me home with you.”
“Funny. No. I'm asking you to take me somewhere with real food.”
“You have to admit the food here is outstanding.”
“It is. What little I got of it.”
“Now, I don't think you're being fair, darlin'. That steak was a good size. It was only the appetizers that were small.”
“And the dessert.”
He shook his head. “This place is usually a hit with the ladies.”
“You've had two other meals with me today. What about those meals made you think that I was like other women or ate like other women?”
“Touche. I think you about gave that waiter a heart attack when you asked to have your dessert first.”
“For a second, I thought he'd refuse.”
“So did I. But he must value his job more than his ideals.” Ace winked at me.
“I could go for some ice cream. A sundae, to be precise.”
“As the Goddess demands.” He waved at the server, asked for the check, and then paid.
We left the restaurant holding hands. Bruno was at home, dropped off sometime after lunch. So, it was just the two of us walking down the street, looking for a place to get some ice cream. I'd known Ace for all of a day, but I already felt comfortable with him. Ace was the opposite of the hounds. Considerate, sweet, and casual. He didn't pressure me or make demands.
By the time we finished our ice cream and Ace drove me back to my place, I was ready to take him upstairs and rock his world. But he just kissed my cheek, told me he had a lovely day, and asked when he could see me again. I almost suggested that he could see all of me in a few minutes if he stuck around, but the way he stared at me—as if I truly was a goddess—made me reluctant to ruin the illusion for him. A lady wouldn't fuck a guy after one day.
