Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37824 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“Yes, please!” Orange juice was a treat on the compound. Ace pours me a giant cup, which I chug half down. “Wait,” I say when he starts to refill it. He doesn't stop, though. He fills it back up to the top and places the jug on the island. “That’s a lot of orange juice. It’s expensive.” We never took seconds at the compound. It most likely would have led to punishment.
“I promise it’s fine, sweetheart. Now sit.” He pulls out one of the chairs for me.
“I guess I really don’t know the price of things.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. "I'll need to find a job and then possibly find somewhere to live." My mind starts racing with things. “What qualifications do you need to have a job? I’m good at cooking and cleaning. I’m not bad in the garden, but I’m terrible at sewing. I mean, I can do it; I'm just not quick enough. You should see Winter. She’s like a machine.”
“Babe,” Ace cuts in. “Let’s slow down.”
“Could I work in your bar?”
“No.” He says this without even thinking about it.
“Right, sorry. It was a stupid question.” I mean I have absolutely zero clue what to do in a bar. I’ve never even been in one before. I take a deep breath, trying to get the burst of anxiety I’m experiencing under control. I really had not thought this far ahead when Winter and I were making our escape plan from Heaven’s Temple.
“Shit,” he mutters. “That’s not what I meant.”
"No, it's fine.” I wave my hand. “I get it. I don’t know anything about bars. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You can ask me anything, Libby.” He tries to reassure me, but my pride took a hit. “I’m going to move your chair.” Ace doesn’t wait for me to respond. He turns sideways to fully face me before hooking his foot in the bottom of it to pull me right between his legs. He’s so close his woodsy scent surrounds me.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m making things more clear. I’ll give you a job if you want one, but I think right now you just need to relax.” He slowly moves his hand to let me know he’s about to touch me. Ace’s hand comes to my bare thigh, his thumb drifting back and forth in a soothing motion. “Want you to start by getting used to people. A bar can be loud and filled with different types of people. Let's take a breath and let life settle in for a bit.”
“Okay,” I agree, loving his hand on me. His simple touch always calms me so much. Ace grounds me even in a way Winter couldn’t.
“Now eat,” he orders.
Ace picks up his fork, digging into the biscuits and gravy. He leaves his hand on my thigh. His thumb strokes me the whole time.
I don't care about adjusting to other people. I simply want to learn everything I can about him. I hope the snow keeps on falling so I can stay right here forever.
9
ACE
Isuppress a groan, determined not to awaken the sleeping beauty. Once again, I woke up to Libby plastered to me. Not that I’m complaining. I don't want her to wake up. I enjoy my time just feeling her body pressed against mine. I can watch her openly. I didn’t know sweet torture was a thing, but here I am. I have been experiencing it for the last week.
The first night here, Libby and I watched a movie in bed. It’s something we’ve done a lot over the last week. She’s enjoying it immensely. I love watching all of her different reactions. It’s actually teaching her a lot about how people interact with each other. And they say television will rot your brain.
We’d both dozed in and out at times. When night finally came and it was clear she couldn’t stay awake any longer, I said I’d take the couch. Libby protested, saying she was smaller. I told her my mother, rest her soul, would have my hide if I allowed her to sleep on the couch. So Libby suggested we share the bed. That it was big enough. It is a king. Not that it matters. She always found her way over to me in her sleep.
She was embarrassed the first few times she woke up pressed against me. I shrugged it off and downplayed it. I told her I didn’t mind her cuddles at all. Not a lie. It's all part of my plan to get her used to my touch. I want to get Libby comfortable with me so she never wants to leave. Each day I get more of that, but I’m worried it’s about to come to an end.
The blizzard had subsided for a day, but another one quickly followed. Now that one is dying down. I know the town is already starting to plow the roads and get things back on track. That means Winter is going to be coming here soon.