Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Paetyn
PAETYN: Hey! I’m going to get dinner with Raya before I head home. There is left over food in the fridge if you want to heat that up. I’ll see you later.
“Texting your fiancé, are you?”
My head snaps up at the sound of Ace’s voice, and I slip my phone into my purse, not waiting for Liam’s response. Ace has one hand on the steering wheel while the other rests on his lap. His eyes should be looking ahead, but instead they’re on me.
Everything about him is intense, even when he’s doing something as simple as driving a car.
I clear my throat and shift in the seat. “I don’t want him to worry about where I am.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“That I’m getting dinner with my friend.”
Ace smirks and turns to look at the road, not saying a word. But he doesn’t have to since I know exactly what he’s thinking.
Thankfully, he doesn’t comment on it. Instead, he surprises me by asking, “How was work?”
I blink at him. “Work?”
“Yeah.”
I rub my hands together in my lap, staring at the side of his face as he watches the road. “It was… okay. Nothing to write home about.”
“Do you like your job?” he asks.
“I do,” I answer without hesitation. “I enjoy helping people. It’s not the easiest job in the world, but if I can make a difference to at least one person's life, then that’s enough for me.”
Ace nods slowly, digesting my words. “Could you treat me?”
“Do you have something you want to talk about?” I throw at him with a raised brow. “You don’t strike me as the type of person who would.”
He hums, ocean eyes flicking to me. “And what type of person do you think I am, little bird?”
I swallow hard, eyes roaming over his sharp features, the curve of his jaw, and the inky strands falling around his face. Truthfully, I don’t know what type of person Ace is because I don’t know him well at all. At least, not what is on the inside. From the outside looking in, I can tell a lot about his character, but without the added depth of the details and experiences that shaped him, it’s hard to get a read on him.
“From what I can see, you carry yourself with an air of confidence most men don’t have. You have a stoic exterior, but seem to care deeply, and it’s not something you try to hide. Everything you do is with precision and purpose. If I had to guess, you’re the type of man who is ruthless to the bone, knows what he wants, and how to get it, and is fiercely loyal.”
Ace rolls his tongue inside his cheek, eyes darting to mine when the car comes to a halt at a set of traffic lights. He regards me, the gaze long and intense as my words settle in the air around us. With how he’s looking at me, I wish I could shove the words back in my mouth.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “You got all that from just looking at me?”
I shrug, my right leg bouncing with nervous energy. “I like to read people.”
The light turns green, and the car jolts forward. “Well, I would have to say that is a fair assessment. Did you gather all of that when I had you at the cabin?”
“Mostly,” I answer. “And partly from our encounters since.”
He grins as he turns the car onto a quiet residential street. We turn into a driveway of a two-story house, the outside pristine with dark gray panels and a wooden porch attached to the front. The gardens around the house are well kept, and the lawn is freshly mowed. It looks like something out of a movie and not something I would have expected from a man like Ace.
He catches me blinking up at the house. “What?”
“Nothing,” I murmur and clear my throat. “You have a nice house.”
“It belonged to my parents before they passed away a few years back.”
My head snaps to him, ready to ask about his parents since he brought up the topic, but he’s already stepping out of the car, the door closing behind him.
I release a long breath before getting out and following him to the front door. The house is pitch black when we enter, but Ace flips a few switches, and the bottom floor is immediately illuminated with a yellow glow.
In this lighting, Ace is just as handsome as when he’s lurking in the shadows of the alleyway, watching from a distance. Besides when he would bring me food in the cabin, I haven’t seen him in anything but the natural lighting of the moon. Now, as I stand here gazing at him across the foyer, it’s hard to deny just how attractive this man is.
“You have to stop looking at me like that, little bird.” Ace’s deep voice shocks me from my thoughts.
He’s standing in front of me, his eyes gazing down at me with such intensity I shiver. His hand comes up to cup my cheek, the gesture stealing the breath from my lungs.
“Although, did you really think I was going to keep my hands to myself?”
My heart hammers in my chest, and in the silence of the house, I know he can hear it. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out besides a puff of air. In the back of my mind, I thought he would keep from tempting me, but I knew deep in my heart he wouldn’t. But if I’m being honest, I think my subconscious knew that would be the case and forced me to agree to go with him. I set myself up.
Ace’s hand moves from my cheek to slip a strand of silver-white hair behind my ear. Warmth floods my skin where his fingertips graze. No matter how soft the touch or subtle the gesture, my body immediately reacts to him.
He lowers his head, our lips barely brushing as he holds my gaze. “Say the word, little bird, and I’ll fucking devour you.”
No . I should say no and push him away. It would be the right thing to do considering the circumstances and the fact I have a fiancé at home.
But the words refuse to leave my mouth, choosing to stay hidden in the back of my throat.
He grins at my lack of words and tilts his head to the side. “Or would you prefer I take what I want?”
The thought of him taking what he wants from me, with his dominating presence and intensity, should have me running for the hills. Instead, heat pools in my core, and I have to squeeze my thighs together to fight the dull ache beginning to throb.
When I don’t respond, Ace’s eyes darken, and his hands find my hips in a punishing grip. “Don’t say I didn’t try to play nice, little bird.”
In the blink of an eye, a pressure presents itself against my stomach and my hair flies around my head as my eyes lock with the ground beneath me. I’m too startled to make a sound as Ace walks to the staircase behind us and takes two steps at a time with me over his shoulder.
All I can do is stare at the ground, stunned by what happened. He picked me up and flung me over his shoulder without so much as making a sound or breaking a sweat. If Liam were to do something like that, I’m sure he would struggle to get me over his shoulder considering his narrow shoulders and lack of strength. But Ace did it with ease, and I can’t stop the blush from spreading across my cheeks.
What the hell have I just gotten myself into?
Each step down the dark hallway echoes in my head. I feel like a lamb going to the slaughter, unable to stop my fate even if I wanted to. And I don’t.
It’s hard to rationalize the situation I’m in when Ace has his thick arm wrapped tightly around my thighs, his fingers grazing over my skin as he stalks closer to the door at the far end of the hallway. I know this is wrong and I should get the hell out of this house, but I’m unable to find the strength to leave. To walk away and never see this man again.
But the thought is somewhat depressing to me and I can’t figure out why. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Ace makes me feel alive and safe. My body responds to his touch with ease, like I was made for him. When I feel him watching from a distance, my skin alights with thousands of tiny fires as adrenaline pulses in my veins.
What I feel when I’m with Ace is not something I can explain. It doesn’t even make sense to me. But I know I can’t continue to fight whatever is happening. If anything, I need to allow myself to give into this man, only if to see what becomes of it.
Ace pushes the door open with ease, stepping into the dark room. My head feels heavy from being upside down and my vision blurs with the darkness surrounding me. Seconds later, a light is flicked on, casting the room in a soft yellow glow.
I’m hoisted over Ace’s shoulder, my feet landing softly on the ground. Unsteady on my feet, I glance around the room as my eyes adjust to the room. It’s a simple space that suits a man like Ace well. Everything is black. And I mean everything .
A black king-sized bed frame sits opposite from the door, draped in black sheets and pillows. Two black bedside tables rests on either side with a gold metal lamp on each one. To the left, a large black dresser leans against the wall beside the only window in the room. For a large room, I would expect to see more furniture than this.
What does surprise me though is the black wooden chest on the wall to my right, sitting on the floor beside the door to the attached bathroom. Although it matches the rest of the room in terms of color, the sight of it sends a shiver racing down my spine.
What is hiding in a chest like that?
As if sensing my curiosity, Ace rests a hand on the small of my back, his mouth inches from ear as he whispers, “Would you like to see what’s inside, little bird?”
My heart rate spikes at the proximity of his chest to my back and the way his warm breath fans against the shell of my ear. I eye the chest, wondering what could possibly be inside.
Maybe it’s loaded with a lot of weapons or something more sinister that I wouldn’t be able to wrap my head around. Anything is possible with Ace, given how little I know about him.
When I don’t respond, Ace chuckles. “Maybe you’re not ready yet.”
“I’m ready.” The words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them. I swallow hard. “I mean, I want to see what’s inside.”
Ace steps out from behind me and walks toward the mystery chest. “Okay, little bird. If you say so.”
My heart is in my throat as I wait for him to flick the latch open. The hinges groan as he lifts the top up, revealing the hidden contents inside. I step forward to get a better look, my hands fisted at my side to stop the trembling threatening to consume me.
As my gaze sweeps across the contents lying inside, the pounding of my heart intensifies. My eyes flick between Ace and the box, unable to believe what I’m seeing. “W-what is this?”
Ace drags his tongue across his bottom lip, his ocean eyes locked on me, studying my reaction. “A side to me only some are privy to know.”
“And what side is that?”
“Maybe you’ll find out.”
I’m unable to tear my eyes away from the abundance of sex toys. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Some of the items among the ropes, handcuffs and bondage restraints are foreign to me. Something I never thought I’d see, and yet, arousal pools between my thighs at the sight of them and my heart jackhammers against my rib cage with anticipation.
The thought of Ace sharing this side of him with other women brings a pang of jealousy. But I quickly push the emotion away because I have no right to feel that way about a man I hardly know.
Ace steps forward, invading my space with his cologne and intense gaze. I tip my head back to meet his gaze. “Is this the type of distraction you were looking for?”
Before I can think about it, I nod, my body trembling with desire and anticipation.
A slow, lazy grin slides across his handsome features. “Tell me, little bird. Does your fiancé know you have a darker side to you? Because I can see it reflected in your eyes.”
I swallow hard. In the bedroom, Liam is a fairly vanilla person, and while I respect that he doesn’t want to explore other kinks or switch things up in the bedroom, I can’t deny that I have always wanted more . What that entailed exactly was unknown to me. At least, until now.
“No,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Well, I can see it written across those pretty features of yours.” Ace’s hand comes up to rest on my cheek. “And I plan to show you what you’ve been missing out on.”
He drops his head to capture my lips, rough and demanding. My arms instinctually lift to wrap around his neck, but his hands capture my wrists before I can touch him, forcing them at my side while his tongue plunges into my mouth, claiming the space.
Not being able to touch him forces a whine up my throat, and my veins thrum with anticipation. I want to touch him, to feel his warmth against me, but his tight grip on my wrists leave no space for wriggle room, so I’m left with no choice but to kiss him back.
His tongue swipes across my bottom lip before nibbling on the skin. My eyes roll to the back of my head as stars dance across my darkened vision. I had no idea a man could kiss like this and illicit such a fire deep in my core that I feel it spreading across every inch of my body.
Ace pulls away, a devilish smirk on his sharp features. “Strip for me.”
My eyes nearly bulge out of my head. “W-what?”
He walks past me and sits on the edge of the mattress, settling his gaze on me. At no point does he give away what he’s thinking. I hate that he is able to hide his thoughts so easily behind those stormy eyes. I just want to know what is going on inside that head of his.
I turn to face him. “You want me to strip?”
He nods.
“ Now ?”
“Now, little bird.” Ace places his hands on the duvet behind him and leans back, eyes locked on me. “Or do you need a hand?”
My cheeks flame at his suggestion. The last thing I want is for him to help me undress when it’s clear he wants a show. Although I’m fucking nervous in the presence of this man, I don’t want him to see how much he affects me. Not yet, at least.
“Okay,” I murmur and begin to unbutton my blouse. My fingers tremble over each button, and I just know I must look like a fool, but I soldier on.
By the time the fabric falls away, and I pop open the button on my trousers, the tips of my fingers tingle with warmth and my pulse thumps at the base of my throat. Ace’s eyes on me are intense as they watch my every movement. Part of me wants to put an end to this for fear of embarrassing myself, but the other part is desperate to know what happens next. Especially with the chest of wonders behind me.
“Slowly,” Ace groans as I slide the material of my pants down my thighs. He fists the sheets behind him in his hands as his gaze locks onto my lower half.
The fire in his eyes and pulsating of his jaw as he clenches ignites the burning of my core. Arousal pools between my thighs as I step out of my shoes and slide the pants off, going at a pace approved by Ace, judging by his obvious erection.
Oh, good lord.
What have I gotten myself into?
When I’m left standing in my black lace underwear and white blouse hanging from my shoulders, Ace stands and steps toward me, towering over my frame. My breath hitches in my throat when he slides the material off my shoulders.
“Kneel on the edge of the mattress with your back to me.”
A chill races down my spine at his words. When I meet his gaze, the blue in his irises are darker than usual and laced with an emotion I can’t read. I swallow hard at the sight of them.
Without saying a word, I step around him and kneel on the edge as he instructed. I rest my hands flat on my thighs and stare out the window opposite me as a way to distract myself from whatever Ace is doing behind me. I have no idea what to expect after seeing what he had hidden in the chest. But what I do know is my body is thrumming with nervous energy as I wait to find out.
A gasp slips past my lips when the hook of my bra snaps open, the material falling from my shoulders and onto my lap with ease.
“Put your hands behind your back,” Ace commands gruffly, his voice low.
Swallowing hard, I do as I’m told. My core is throbbing and in desperate need of attention or some goddamn relief because this is too much.
A slightly rough material closes around both of my wrists, strapped down by what sounds like Velcro. I try to pull them apart, but whatever is secured around them doesn’t allow much room for movement, forcing my shoulders back.
Ace’s fingers brush over the base of my neck before a similar material is wrapped around it, secured by a Velcro strap. My heart hammers in my chest as I put two and two together.
Holy shit . He has me bound.
He traces the curve of my spine, a low hum sounding from his throat. “So fucking beautiful, little bird. Every inch of you is screaming for me to touch it, mark it, claim it. You were fucking made for me.”
I gasp when his hand comes down on my right ass cheek, the sound echoing throughout the room. The stinging sensation quickly morphs into pleasure, and I bite back a moan.
Ace steps away and rummages through the chest, unaware of the fog swimming in my mind and the heat coursing through my veins.
“I’m going to go easy on you this time, little bird. But next time, I won’t be able to say the same thing.”
He appears behind me again, his chest brushing against my back and his erection pressing into my ass. My breath catches in my throat when his hand grazes over my hip, and up to my stomach. His fingers leave a trail of heat behind them, sizzling my skin.
I shiver under his touch.
“Your body reacts to my every touch,” he muses, his fingers dancing over my skin where they stop at the curve of my breast. “Almost as if you were fucking made for me.”
A sharp pain sparks from my nipple as something roughly pinches it. I gasp, my chest heaving as I look down to find the source of pain. My eyes widen at the metal clamp attached to a chain capturing my nipple between it. The pain of it squeezing me to the point I fear it’s going to do more damage than good quickly morphs into a whirlwind of pleasure I have never experienced before.
Heat pools between my thighs as another one clamps down over the other nipple, both of them now attached by a chain.
Holy fuck . What the hell is happening right now?
Ace’s warm breath fans over the curve of my shoulder as he reaches around me. “Head back.”
I do as he says and tilt my head back, my breathing coming out in pants and my head swimming with a fucked up concoction of pleasure and pain. I don’t know what Ace is doing, nor can I focus on his movements when all I can think about is the nipple clamps and how they’re driving me wild.
Ace leans back and tugs on the chain attached to the clamps, and my head drops forward.
What the fuck…
“Are they…”
I don’t get the chance to finish asking the question because I already know the answer. Not only are my hands bound behind my back with a collar wrapped tightly around my neck, but now the nipple clamps are also attached to the collar.
Imagining what I look like at this moment, on my knees and bound in front of the most attractive man I have ever laid eyes on, causes a flood of arousal to pool between my thighs, making a mess of my panties.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, little bird,” Ace murmurs behind me, his hand tracing the curve of my spine. “And you’re all mine.”
His hand glides over my ass and slips between my thighs. Heat spreads across my cheeks the moment his fingers make contact with my damp panties.
“You’re fucking soaked,” Ace says, his voice strained. His fingers swipe over the material, moving back and forth, teasing me.
I close my eyes as a moan slips past my lips. Not being able to move or touch him is driving me to insanity, and the pressure of the clamps on my nipples is not helping.
A strangled gasp sounds in the air when Ace pulls my panties to the side and slips two fingers inside of me. The pressure of him pressing against my walls has my vision blurring at the edges. Too much is happening right now and I’m unable to keep up.
Ace drops his mouth to my neck, his lips attaching to the skin as he sucks and bites, drawing another moan from me. He pumps his fingers into me, the rhythm slow at first before gaining momentum. I’m all but panting as he drives into me, taking what he wants.
He pulls back from my neck and presses a delicate kiss to the shell of my ear as he stops moving his hand. I whine at the sudden loss of movement.
“Bounce on my fingers, little bird. I want to see you fuck my hand like it’s yours.”
Needing to feel him moving inside me again, I rock my hips forward, chasing that friction. A deep groan sounds from Ace’s throat as he stands unmoving behind me, his eyes burning holes in the back of my head.
With a shaky breath, I lift myself up ever so slightly before dropping back down, feeling his fingers sink inside me. My eyes roll back in my head as a wave of pleasure crashes over me.
“That’s it,” Ace coaxes, his voice strained. “Fuck my hand. I want to feel every last inch of you.”
I don’t know what came over me, maybe it was his filthy words or the nipple clamps going straight to my head, but I pick up the rhythm and slam down on his hand, desperate to feel more. Heat blooms in my core and I’m close to rushing over the edge.
Everything is beginning to feel like too much, namely the way I’m bound and fucking Ace’s fingers, but also his intense presence behind me, urging me forward. My vision is non-existent and my breathing is ragged as I bounce up and down, waiting for the tidal wave of pleasure to hit me.
I just want to—
A hand on my shoulder stops my movements. Ace pulls his hand away, and I whine in frustration at the loss of contact.
He wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pushes me forward until my face is pressed firmly into the soft duvet with my ass in the air. The clamps tighten around my nipples in the new position and I cry out, wriggling under Ace’s grip.
His hand slides over the curve of my ass as his fingers tighten around my neck. “Don’t move a muscle, little bird. If you do, I’ll have to punish you.”
My skin tingles at his promise. I don’t know what his definition of punishment is, but a voice in the back of my mind is demanding I find out.
Ace releases my neck and steps back, the sound of his belt clinking filling my ears.
I hold my breath as I shift on the bed, hoping to bring some relief to my poor nipples. But that earns me a harsh smack on the ass.
“Fuck,” I groan as the stinging sensation intensifies.
“I told you not to move,” Ace warns, his voice dangerously low. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d punish you.”
Heat rolls in my core and I exhale a shaky breath as I listen to him pull the belt through the loops. It falls to the carpeted floor with a soft thud, followed by the dragging of a zipper.
My heart hammers in my chest as I listen to Ace’s movements. It’s driving me crazy not being able to see what he’s doing, the anticipation gnawing at my sides, given the current position I’m in.
“Ace,” I murmur before I’m able to stop myself. “Please…”
“Please what, little bird?”
“Touch me, please.”
A hum vibrates in his throat. “Is that right?”
I nod, unable to find my voice as I breathe heavily against the duvet.
“Have you been a good girl, Pae?”
I open my mouth to speak but only a puff of air escapes. My lack of response earns me another smack on the ass, harder than the previous one. I yelp and fist the bed sheets, riding out the sting sizzling beneath the raw skin.
“I asked you a question. Have you been a good girl?”
“Ye-yes,” I stammer, breathless.
“Yes what ?” Ace probes, his voice thick with lust.
“Yes, I’ve been a good girl.”
My heart is jackhammering in my chest as the words leave my mouth. I stare at the door to my left, waiting for Ace to do something or say something, but all I’m met with is silence. My knee jerk reaction is to look over my shoulder to see what he’s doing, but the threat of being punished rears its head, so I don’t move a muscle.
After a long moment, Ace slides his hand over the curve of my ass and tears the edge of my drenched panties. “I need you to tell me you’re mine.”
My eyes snap open. “Wh-what?”
His hand slips beneath the material to drag over my slick folds, teasing me. “Tell me you’re mine, Paetyn. I want to hear you say it.”
“I-I—” I can’t do that , I want to say, but the words die on my tongue. How could I possibly say something like that to a man I barely know? The same man who kidnapped me and held me captive for a week. The same man who has been stalking me ever since and could potentially be a dangerous man?
“No?” he murmurs and pulls away, adding to my growing frustration. “One day you’ll tell me without my having to ask, little bird. Because believe it or not, you are mine.”
My arms are tugged back at the same time I feel the crown of his cock nudge my entrance. The pressure of Ace slowly sliding into me and the cuffs around my wrists as my back is forced to arch has my vision blurring at the edges and a groan bursting from my lips.
“Fuck,” Ace grunts as he bottoms out. “You’re perfect, little bird, and so fucking tight.”
All I can manage is a moan in response as he drags out of me only to slam his hips forward, driving deeper into me. A shock of pleasure zaps through my veins as my nipples brush against the duvet, the clamps somehow tightening around the raw skin as Ace picks up the pace.
He releases my bound hands to grip my waist as he drives into me, muttering curse words under his breath. With the position I’m in, bound with my ass in the air, a new wave of sensation flows through me like a tsunami, crashing into every crevice of my body. It’s almost too much to handle, but somehow, I manage to stay focused and zero in on the filthy groans leaving Ace’s mouth and the way he fills me.
He truly is unlike any man I’ve ever met. Being with him makes me feel alive and free to express my deepest, darkest desires. He has brought out parts of myself I didn’t know existed until I met him, and now it’s all I crave. Because of him, all I want is more. And I know he’s the only person who can give me that.
“Ace,” I cry, unable to handle the pressure building rapidly in my core. “I can’t—”
“I don’t fucking care if you’re engaged to that loser,” Ace grunts as he jerks his hips forward, meeting with relentless thrusts. “He doesn’t make you feel the way I do. In fact, he doesn’t deserve to fucking see you this way or hear the sweet sounds you make.”
He brings a hand down on my exposed ass and it just about sends me over the edge. I’m breathless and my head is starting to spin, but I focus on Ace and his presence. I’m addicted to the feel of his fingers digging into my skin and the way his cologne wraps around me like a warm blanket.
“Shit,” Ace hisses as he picks up the pace, the slapping of our skin almost deafening. “Fuck!”
I don’t see the blinding light coming or notice the fall over the edge of the cliff, but I sure as fuck feel it in every corner of my body. My body trembles as I come, the orgasm shocking me to my core and stealing my vision as I ride the wave.
“Ace!” I cry, shaking violently as he continues to fuck me, chasing his own release.
Moments later, Ace pumps into me slowly, filling me with his release. Each drag of his cock through my sensitive walls has me trembling all over again as I come down from the high. My head is blank as I stare at the wall, trying to make sense of what the hell just happened.
Ace just blew your fucking mind is what happened .
“Fuck,” Ace strangles out as he pulls out of me. His absence has me biting back a cry. “Jesus fuck, Pae.”
He tugs on my bound hands, pulling me back until I’m on my knees. My body feels like jelly as he reaches around and takes the clamps off what I’m sure are bruised nipples. Cool air bites at the raw skin and I hiss at the sensation. Ace undoes the straps around my wrists, freeing my arms that are aching from the awkward position, and then removes the collar around my neck.
“You did so good,” Ace praises. He presses a delicate kiss to my shoulder. “Maybe you can handle this side to me.”
I think I’m in shock as I stand from the bed and turn to Ace. He’s completely naked with a slight sheen of sweat coating his smooth skin. Every muscle in his chest, arms, and abdomen are taut from exertion. If I wasn’t so dazed from the insane orgasm I just had, I would drop to my knees and repay the favor.
Ace tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “I’m okay.”
“Let me get you cleaned up.”
I silently watch Ace disappear into the attached bathroom, followed by the sound of rushing water. Moments later, he returns wearing a pair of sweatpants and holding a damp cloth. My heart pulses at the base of my throat as he drops to his knees and swipes the cloth between my thighs, collecting every last drop of our bodily fluids.
He did the same thing when we were back in the cabin. I hadn’t expected him to perform any sort of after-care for me then, but I appreciated the effort. Now, seeing him on his knees as he works to clean me has my heart swelling with an emotion I’d rather not think about.
“Thank you,” I murmur when he stands, his eyes locking with mine.
“For what? ”
“For cleaning me,” I admit, my cheeks warm. “And for… that.”
A grin splits across his face. “You don’t need to thank me. I would do anything for you.”
I blink at him, letting his words settle around me before I look away. Wordlessly, I step to the side and scoop up my clothes, holding them close to my chest. “I should probably go home.”
Liam is probably wondering when I’ll return. Guilt settles low in my stomach knowing that I’m lying to him about my whereabouts, and while part of me feels terrible about it, another part of me knows I can’t resist Ace and the way he makes me feel. A fucked up war is raging inside my head and I don’t know which side is going to win.
What I do know is I can’t stay here with Ace for a second longer, not when my emotions are on such high alert. Having his intense presence in proximity will only mess with my head more than he already has since the moment he walked into my life.
Well, forced his way in.
Ace stands behind me, his hand sliding up my arm to rest on my shoulder. His warm breath fans across the curve of my neck, sending a shiver racing down my spine. “Just so you know, I’m not going to stop until you’re mine. Even if I have to pry you from that fucker’s hands, I’ll gladly do it. I would do anything for you, little bird, even if it means burning the fucking earth to the ground until I have you.”
I swallow hard, my breathing shaky as I slip my hands through my blouse sleeves. “Please take me back to my car, Ace. I have to go home.”
He steps away, taking with him the warmth I crave and the presence that keeps me safe. “As you wish, little bird.”
* * *
The television is on when I walk through the door, my shoes hanging from the tips of my fingers. When I poke my head through the doorway to the living room, Liam is nowhere to be seen. It’s not even 10:00 PM, so surely he’s awake.
When I walk into the kitchen, I spot the back of Liam’s head as he sits at the island, a glass of whiskey in his hand. My heart stills in my chest at the sight. Liam isn’t one to drink hard liquor often, unless he’s had a particularly long day at work.
“I’m home,” I say as I walk further into the room. He doesn’t flinch at my words but lifts the glass to take a sip as I round the island. “Did you make something for dinner?”
Liam lifts his eyes to meet mine, and I nearly stumble back at the intensity of them. The gray in his irises are like a raging storm cloud, ready to bring chaos when it makes landfall. His hair is pushed back from his face with his tie hanging loosely around his neck. I’ve never seen Liam like this before.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Are you cheating on me, Paetyn?”
His words hit me like a semi-truck, tearing through my heart and lungs before shooting out of my back. I blink, trying to process his words.
He takes my silence as answer enough.
“I fucking knew it.” He runs his hand through his hair and shakes his head. “I can smell men’s cologne on you even from here.”
The mention of cologne kicks me back into reality, and I frown. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed the women’s perfume clinging to the collar of your shirt for months, Liam.”
He stands and slams his hands down on the countertop, his eyes locked with mine. “Stop trying to change the subject. You’re cheating on me.”
“I’m changing the subject?” I ask, exasperated. “You’re one to talk. You’re accusing me of cheating on you because you can smell men’s cologne? I work with male clients every day, so it could be because of that. You, on the other hand, come home smelling of women’s perfume and often times have lipstick smudged on your collar. Don’t think for a second that I’m some sort of idiot because I’m not, Liam.”
His jaw ticks as he regards me, his gaze hard. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t try to tell me I’m wrong because I know what I’ve seen. So before you start accusing me of something, maybe you should check yourself first.”
He opens his mouth to say something, but instead, he grabs the glass beside him and launches it at the wall beside me. I gasp and cover my face. Tiny shards of glass nick at my arms, but not enough to seriously hurt me.
“I can’t even look at you right now.” He pushes away from the island. “I’m sleeping in the spare room tonight.”
And with that, he storms away, leaving me to clean up the mess he created and pick my heart up off the floor. I stare after him, at a loss for words as to what just happened. The look in his eyes is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and his anger was brutal. But what hurts the most is that he refuses to take accountability for his actions, claiming I’m the only one in the wrong.
I lower to my knees, scanning the pieces of glass surrounding me. I should take this as my sign to leave Liam because it’s clear neither of us are happy, but I have my mother and her health to think about. If I leave now, she won’t get the help she needs. But if I stay, I have to live with a man who doesn’t care about me like I thought he did.
With a sigh, I scoop the shards into a pile, ignoring the sharp pain shooting up my arms as the glass slices into my fingers.
What the hell am I doing?