Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
He puts a hand on my elbow. The rough callouses on his fingers dig into the sensitive flesh of my arm, and I like the feeling. I like how hard and rough he is, yet his touch is gentle. He guides me toward his truck.
When he opens the passenger door, I expect him to reach for a medical kit. Instead, he puts his big hands around my hips and lifts me into the truck. He moves my body easily even though I have generous curves.
Ace puts a hand on my knee. “Stay.”
I love the idea of him issuing commands and telling me exactly what he wants me to do. Would he be like that in the bedroom? Would he tell me to spread my legs and show him my pussy?
He returns a second later with a medical box. He sets it on the floor and rifles through the contents with ease. I don’t think he was a medic, but he did save my dad’s life.
“Don’t tell him about this.” I don’t know what happened the day he saved him. There’s a lot I don’t know about my dad or Ace. They’re both so quiet and stoic. What little I do know has been cobbled together from whispered conversations when my mom was alive.
He snorts, but when he reaches for my face, he’s gentle. “The kid doesn’t deserve your protection.”
“It’s not him I’m protecting. It would break Dad’s heart if he knew the kid he took in and treated like a son had been stealing from him. It’s better if he thinks he ran off.”
Ace grunts but makes no promises. He finishes tending to the spot, putting a butterfly bandage there. I doubt I needed one, but it still makes me feel warm inside. “Thanks for putting me back together again.”
He cups my face, and our breaths mingle as we share the same air. For one wild moment, I think he’s going to kiss me.
I wet my lips and wait. My heart is pounding painfully in my chest. My palms are clammy. My body is tingling. From the look in his eyes to the hot skin of his palm, I feel his heat everywhere.
The sound of crunching gravel as another vehicle approaches the store breaks the spell. He drops his hand, and the moment is lost.
I go for an easy, unaffected smile. I’m not sure if I’m doing it right. I’m not sure of anything at this moment except that I want Ace’s lips on mine. Need them. “Sounds like I have customers.”
“You should close up early today.”
I gesture for him to step aside. When he does, I’m not disappointed. This whole day hasn’t been a big disappointment, reminding me of all the stupid girlish hopes I’ve managed to push down over the last few years.
Once again, my world has tilted on its axis. I’d almost convinced myself that my pesky crush was over. Then Ace had to go and do this. He had to defend me and look so damn hot doing it. He had to patch me up, put his hands on me, and make me feel cared for. “I’m fine. It’s fine.”
I’m not fine. It’s not fine.
With every step toward the parking lot, I can feel his eyes on me. I can’t look back. I won’t look back. It will shatter me.
3
ACE
It’s been six weeks, and I’ve crossed the line from wrong to sick. I knew it the day I ran off Cody. I crept around Mackenzie’s house, checked the perimeter, and watched over it the whole night to make sure the little shit didn’t try to come back. Maybe on the surface, it sounds fine. Noble, even.
Problem is, I haven’t stopped. I’m there every night. When I’m not doing these wilderness tours for macho tourists who are convinced they can magically become rugged outdoorsmen in a weekend, I’m following her. Watching her.
At the hardware store when she’s working.
At the coffee shop when she’s meeting with friends.
At her home when she’s recording her videos.
I’m always there, just out of sight.
Sometimes, she pauses. Almost like she senses me.
Fuck, I hope she does. I hope it makes her wet between her legs to know that I’m nearby, waiting, and eager to pounce on her perfect little body.
Even now as I trail her and her friends around the autumn festival, I’m barely hanging onto my control. I’m worse than an animal. I’m a monster, toying with his prey, willing her to sense me. To sense the danger she’s in. Would it excite her to know the depraved ways I want her? Would it make the little pearl between her thighs swell to sense my clawing need?
She throws her head back, laughing at something her friends said. All that creamy exposed skin has me wanting to sink my teeth into her flesh. Would she claw at my back, nails digging deep into my skin? Would she sigh my name or would she scream it?