Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
TESSA
“I don’t mean to alarm you, but we have multiple problems now.”
How I could be in my current position, feeling as physically and emotionally wonderful as I did, and still believe there was anything to complain about was ludicrous.
I was entirely aware of that reality. But I couldn’t ignore the few things that were bugging me, and there was only one person I needed to address those issues with.
Seemingly confused, since I was naked, sated, and curled up beside him, Ace asked, “What could possibly be wrong when we just had the morning that we did with each other?”
I sent him a knowing smile. “I agree that this morning’s…
activities would lead any sane person to believe that there couldn’t possibly be anything wrong.
But in case you were unaware, it’s now currently past the time I’d usually get out of bed to be able to do all that I need to do and still get to work on time. ”
“Mmm,” Ace hummed. “I see how that could be a problem. But you won’t be late today.”
My fingertips drifted lightly over his pecs, and I hoped it made him feel the same that I did when he brushed his fingers along my spine or hip.
“I love what we have between us now, Ace. The physical intimacy is wonderful, and it makes me feel so good in more than one way. So, it’d be very easy to forego other responsibilities.
The problem is that I like what I do, and I don’t want to start showing up to work late when I’ve worked so hard to make that the one area of my life where I’m responsible with my time. ”
Ace leaned forward, pressed a kiss to my forehead, and squeezed my hip.
“I can assure you that won’t happen, Tessa.
You’ve been staying with me for just over a week now.
I’ve taken notice of how long you need to get ready in the morning, and there’s still plenty of time for you to get ready and be to work on time. ”
I shouldn’t have been surprised by that, but for some reason, I was.
Ace had quietly observed my morning routine and noted the time it took me.
It warmed my heart to know he’d been paying attention for years—he knew so many things about me from the time we were young and never forgot any of them—and now that we were together, he was continuing to put in extra effort.
“It astounds me that you’ve gone to such lengths,” I shared. “And I can see why you’d say there’s plenty of time. But even if I can get myself ready for work on time, there’s still one small detail you’re overlooking.”
His brow furrowed. “What is that?”
“I won’t have time to make you breakfast like I was supposed to yesterday,” I pointed out.
Ace chuckled, reached for my thigh, and hitched it over his leg in order to shrink the space between our bodies.
His hand drifted up to my ass, where he cupped me firmly, before he said, “I don’t think that’s a problem, though.
Yesterday’s impromptu breakfast with our parents went so well, and I’m glad we shared the news of our relationship with them. ”
“I agree with you on that. But I still want to make you breakfast, and there’s no way I’m going to be able to do it now.”
A mischievous smile spread across his face. “You did give me breakfast this morning when I had my mouth between your legs. Technically, it is called eating, and if I’m honest, it’s my favorite thing to eat.”
Shooting him an unimpressed look, I said, “I don’t want to say anything that might make you think I’m diminishing what you did with your mouth this morning. It was utterly delightful for me.”
“Me, too.” He was wearing a massive grin.
“Right. But it doesn’t count, Ace. It’s not a meal.”
“It might not be a full entrée, but I would think that you, of all people, could appreciate just how wonderful appetizers are. Now that we’re together, and you have such a fascination for meal starters, I figure it’s important for me to acquire the same appreciation.”
I released a frustrated sigh. “I’m not going to win this argument, am I?”
“Do you really want to?”
Admittedly, it was foolish of me to even consider trying to talk Ace out of making it so we had a morning like this. It had been wonderful. He was happy and satisfied with it, and I was the same. “Not really,” I admitted. “I just want to make you breakfast one of these mornings.”
Ace gave me another kiss on the forehead. “You will. For now, for today, how about you just do what you’ve got to do to get yourself ready, and I’ll make breakfast?”
“We don’t really have any other option if I’m going to make it to work on time.”
“Speaking of work, sometime today, I should be getting the remaining parts I need to fix your car,” he shared. “My hope is to have all the repairs done on it by the end of the week.”
As relieved as I was to know I’d have my car fixed and at my disposal again, there was a small part of me that had enjoyed the extra time I had with Ace in the mornings when he’d been driving me to work. “You didn’t waste any time, did you?”
“I’m not exactly thrilled about missing out on our drive together in the morning, but it’ll be good for you to be able to come and go as you please. Plus, Lark won’t need to bring you home after work, either.”
I nodded. “That’s true. Are you worried at all, though?”
“About what?”
“That it could happen again? That if what happened wasn’t just some random guy, and Ryan is behind what’s been happening, I could wind up in the same situation for a second time?”
Ace’s expression turned serious, and I hated that I’d shifted his mood after we’d had such a great morning together. But I didn’t think this was the kind of thing to pretend was no big deal, especially if what Ace had presumed was going on was the case.
“I’m not sure if there will ever be a time when I’m not worried about your safety,” he began.
“But if Hastings is behind what’s been happening, I’m reassured by having Kash and his team surveilling him now.
You shouldn’t have to have your entire life disrupted by this guy, Tessa.
So, while I love being able to drive you to work every morning, I also think you deserve to be able to come and go as you please.
We’re taking all the necessary measures to keep you safe, otherwise. ”
I nodded, draped my arm over his side, and shifted my upper body the remaining distance to his until we were touching from top to toe. Kissing his chest, I murmured, “I love you, Ace.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I love you, too, Princess.”
We stayed like that for a moment before we had no choice but to separate, get out of bed, and get ourselves ready for work.
As promised, while I was dealing with clothes, hair, and makeup, Ace went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for us.
I had just enough time to sit down to eat with him before we were out the door.
I arrived at work with five minutes to spare, which was much closer than I liked to cut it.
I might’ve wanted to get there just a touch sooner, especially considering I had so much I wanted to share with Lark, but considering I was still on time, and I’d been given two orgasms by Ace this morning, it was difficult to truly feel any frustration.
No sooner had I gotten myself situated, my first client walked through the door. And for the rest of the morning, I was busy with back-to-back appointments. My best friend appeared to be just as busy, so unfortunately, it wasn’t until lunch that we both had a chance to chat.
“You just made it here on time this morning,” Lark pointed out.
Nodding, I said, “I know. I’m working on figuring that out.”
“I was mostly just teasing you. I didn’t realize there was anything to figure out.”
Considering how much I needed to share with Lark, it was probably a good thing I didn’t try to share any details of my weekend after Ace’s birthday celebration at Lou’s.
“There didn’t used to be, but now there is,” I shared.
Curiosity washed over her expression. “What’s going on?”
I bit the corner of my lip and shot her an innocent smile. “Things might’ve changed between Ace and me this weekend.”
Hesitant, she arched a brow. “Changed in a good way, right?”
“In a very good way,” I confirmed, nodding.
“Did you…”
I nodded again. “After Ace and I went back to his place on Saturday, I gave him a birthday gift I suspect he’s going to remember for the rest of his life.”
Lark forced a smile on her face as she tried to hide the way she winced. “Right. Okay. So, I’m your best friend and would normally ask you for all the juicy details, but I can’t do that in this situation. I’ll just say that I hope it was wonderful for you.”
I beamed at her. “It was spectacular.”
“Good.” She offered a genuine smile this time. “Then I’m beyond happy for you. For both of you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m grateful for that. Your parents were just as thrilled when they showed up Sunday morning to take Ace out for his birthday breakfast and found me there, wearing nothing but his T-shirt.”
Lark’s eyes rounded. “Are you joking?”
Shaking my head, I shared, “Your mom acted like it was any other day. Your dad was mildly uncomfortable, realizing what he’d walked in on, even though he was genuinely happy for us.
Ace was completely unbothered, and I was mortified.
I mean, imagine if the roles were reversed, you were with one of my brothers, and my parents showed up when you had nothing but a T-shirt on. And I mean, nothing.”
My best friend pressed her lips together to stifle her laughter. “I would’ve been just as mortified. But I guess it could’ve been worse, right?”
“Oh, yeah? How do you figure?”
She giggled. “You and Ace could’ve been at your place, and your parents could’ve shown up. Imagine your dad walking in and seeing you wearing nothing but Ace’s shirt.”
“About that…” I trailed off as her expression twisted with horror.
“That was supposed to be a joke. You make it seem like that happened.”