“Well, it is my company. And I'm not dead yet, sugah.”
I lifted my iced tea. “To not giving up control until you're dead.”
“Wooee! I like that!” William clinked my glass while the other two laughed.
Just as I took a sip, I saw Cyrus staring at me from one of the other tables, his hand around the base of a glass. His eyes narrowed as if he'd heard my toast and didn't approve. He certainly didn't lift his glass to me. Which only made me more rebellious. I leaned over and kissed Ace's cheek.
A crack came, and I spun to see Cyrus shaking glass shards and liquid off his hand. Most of that liquid was whatever he'd been drinking, but some of it was blood. The server rushed over to help clean the mess and fuss over Cyrus's wounded hand while the rest of the restaurant gaped at the display.
But even with the server bustling about him, Cyrus stared only at me.
“Do you know that man?” Ace asked.
Blinking out of my Cyrus-trance, I looked at Ace. “No. I have no idea who he is.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Would you like to come in?” I asked after Ace kissed me goodnight.
The kiss was fabulous enough for me to simply pull him inside, but I didn't think Ace would like that. He was so damn respectful.
After staring at me for a few seconds too long, Ace said, “I would. Very much.”
“But?”
“No buts.” He stepped inside, shut my door, and locked it. Again, that took longer than it should have, and I wondered if he was working up his nerve to bed me. So sweet. But when Ace turned to face me, he wasn't sweet anymore. He was hungry.
Grinning, I turned and dashed upstairs.
Ace's laughter followed me, then his footsteps. He caught up to me just inside my bedroom and pulled me into his arms. Our lips met, and it was even better than the last kiss. Because I knew this kiss was leading to more.
Finally!
Fire ran down my belly and ignited my lady bits. Oh, yeah, I'm going there. It was that hot. That fucking sexy. And wehadn't taken anything off yet. I groaned and ground against him. Forget being a lady now. It was time to break this body in.
I stepped back, pulled my dress up over my head, and then tossed it aside.
Ace sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. As if he'd never seen a woman before, he touched my cheek and then moved his hand down my throat. Over my sternum. He skimmed the edge of my black lace bra, tightening my nipples without touching them, and then turned his hand over to brush his knuckles over my belly.
I grabbed his hand before it went any further. “Take off your clothes.”
“Not yet.” He kicked off his shoes.
“What? Why not?”
“This will be over with too soon if I take off my clothes now. I need some time to get you as ready as I am. Let me worship you, Goddess.”
“You know? I think I'm all right with that.” I sashayed to my bed, sat down, then took my time removing my high heels.
Ace watched me like a predator, only glancing at the shoes when I tossed them aside. Then he pounced.
With a yip, I fell back on the bed. Ace pulled me up and under him. And then he was kissing me again. If I had any doubt over how much he wanted me, it vanished when he pressed his erection against my core.
And groaned.
Panting, he pulled out of our kiss and stared at me. “Take off your bra.”
I reached behind myself and undid the bra.
