Chapter 5
5
LESLIE
T hree weeks of playing Ace Hunter's fake girlfriend has been an exercise in sweet torture.Every morning, he shows up at my door with coffee and that dangerous smile.We head to Rosa's for breakfast, where he holds my hand across the table while stealing bites of my pancakes.Then he escorts me to work like some leather-clad knight, complete with a kiss that feels anything but fake.
Emma's thrilled with all the extra daddy time, especially since Ace started picking us both up after school.Even Jana's stopped trying to set me up, though her knowing looks when Ace walks me to my classroom make me want to hide in the supply closet.
I'm putting away the last of today's art projects that I brought home with me to mark when my phone buzzes.Shari's smiling face lights up my screen, and guilt hits me.Some best friend I am--I haven't given her a real update in weeks.
"Don't hate me," I say instead of hello.
"Bitch, I could never. But you better have a good explanation for ghosting me while you're playing house with your hot biker daddy."
I laugh, collapsing into my desk chair."I wasn't ghosting. I sent you that text this morning.I've just been... busy."
"Mmhmm. One measly text in two weeks does not count, ma'am.But I'll excuse it since you were busy getting that MC D?"
"Shari! There's been no... D-getting of any kind."
"Girl, why not? From the pictures floating around social media, that man looks like he could climb you like a tree."
Heat floods my cheeks. "You've been stalking my fake boyfriend?"
"Someone had to make sure he's good enough for my best friend.Plus, those arms? Damn."
"They are nice arms," I admit, thinking about how they feel when he wraps them around me to help me off his bike."But it's not real, remember?"
"Bullshit. I hear that tone. You're catching feelings."
"I'm not--" I stop, because lying to Shari never works."Maybe. A little. He's... different than I expected."
"Different good?"
"Different amazing." The words tumble out."He reads to Emma every night, does all the voices.He remembers how I like my coffee.Yesterday, he brought me lunch because he knew I had back-to-back meetings.And the way he looks at me sometimes..."
"Like he wants to eat you alive?"
"Like I matter." I twist a loose curl around my finger."Like I'm something precious he wants to protect, not possess."
"Oh honey." Shari's voice softens."You're in deep."
"I know. And it terrifies me."
"Because of Ian?"
"Because of everything." I stand, pacing my empty classroom."What if Ian finds us? What if he hurts them?Emma's the sweetest little girl, Shari.I can't put her in danger just because I'm falling for her dad."
"First of all, from what you've told me about Ace Hunter, that man can handle himself.Second, shouldn't that be his choice to make?"
"I guess..."
"No guessing. You deserve happiness, Les.Stop letting that psycho control your life."
"When did you get so wise?"
"Someone had to balance out your dumb ass." Her laugh turns wicked."Now, more importantly, your rushed text this morning mentioned dinner tonight.What are you wearing?"
I glance at the clock. Two hours until Ace picks me up for our first real alone time since this whole thing started."I have no idea. Help?"
"What message are we going for?"
"Something between 'thanks for protecting me' and 'feel free to rip this off with your teeth'?"
"Now that's my nasty friend!" Shari cackles."The black dress. You know the one."
"The wrap dress with the slit?"
"The very same. Pair it with those fuck-me heels I got you for Christmas."
"Shari! I can't wear those. They're practically stripper heels."
"Leslie Anne James, that man has been a perfect gentleman for three weeks.And this is the first time you are going to be spending a night with him without his daughter present.On the eve of Valentine’s day, no less. Time to make him a little less gentle, don't you think?"
I bite my lip, thinking about his ex's wedding tomorrow, and how this could all end soon."Maybe you're right."
"I'm always right. Now, tell me more about his arms."
We spend the next hour dissecting every moment of the past two weeks.Shari squeals over the breakfast dates, threatens to kill me for not telling her about the clubhouse visit sooner, and declares Ace "officially hot enough to risk death by ex-boyfriend for."
"Just promise me something," she says as I'm getting ready to hang up."Don't run from this because you're scared.I haven't heard you this happy since before Ian."
"I promise to try." It's the best I can offer.
"Good enough. Now go get pretty.And Leslie?"
"Yeah?"
"If you don't send me details about whatever happens tonight, I'm disowning you as my best friend."
"Love you, bitch."
"Love you more, beyatch."
I hang up laughing, but her words stick with me as I getready.Maybe she's right. Maybe I deserve this chance at happiness.
And maybe, just maybe, it's time to stop pretending this thing with Ace is fake.
My doorbell rings precisely at seven.I check my reflection one last time, smoothing down the black wrap dress that hugs every curve.The slit rides high on my thigh, and Shari's stripper heels make my legs look a mile long.My hair tumbles in loose curls around my shoulders--just the way I've noticed Ace likes it.
When I open the door, his sharp intake of breath is worth every minute spent getting ready.He fills my doorway in dark jeans and a black button-down under his cut that stretches across his broad shoulders, holding a bouquet of wild sunflowers.His eyes darken as they travel from my heels, lingering on the expanse of leg revealed by the slit, up to where the dress dips low between my breasts, before finally meeting my gaze.
"Fuck." The word comes out rough.One large hand cups my face, thumb brushing across my bottom lip."What are you doing to me?"
My pulse jumps as he leans in, pressing a kiss so soft it feels like a whisper against my lips.The contrast of his gentle touch and the raw hunger in his eyes makes me shiver.
"These are for you." He offers the flowers, his other hand still caressing my face."Though they pale in comparison."
I accept them with shaky hands, breathing in their sweet scent."Let me put these in water."
In my kitchen, I can feel his eyes on me as I arrange the flowers.The weight of his gaze sends tingles down my spine.
"Ready?" His voice is closer than I expected.I turn to find him right behind me, close enough that I have to tip my head back to meet his eyes.
"Yes." The word comes out breathier than intended.
The ride to his house is delicious torture.I press closer than necessary, my thighs squeezing his hips as we take each turn.The dress rides up, and his free hand drops to my bare knee at a stoplight, thumb stroking circles that make me bite back a moan.
By the time we arrive, I'm practically vibrating with anticipation.But nothing prepares me for what awaits inside.
The dining room glows with candlelight.A bottle of wine breathes beside two place settings on a table draped in crisp white linen.Soft jazz plays from hidden speakers.
"You cooked?" The domesticity of it all makes my heart flip.
"Don't sound so surprised." His hand settles on my lower back, guiding me to my chair."I have hidden talents."
"Do tell." I sink into the seat he pulls out, watching as he moves to pour the wine.
"Where's the mystery in that?" His fingers brush my shoulder as he sets down my glass."Though I'm happy to demonstrate a few."
Heat blooms in my chest at his tone.Over perfectly cooked steaks, I study his face in the candlelight.The hard edges that make him so intimidating to others have softened tonight.
"How are you feeling about tomorrow?" I can't help asking.
"The wedding?" He shrugs, reaching across to refill my wine."Honestly, I haven't given it much thought lately.Been focused on more important things and people."
His intense gaze sends warmth flooding my cheeks.Under the table, his foot hooks around my ankle.
"Is it weird?" I ask, trying to maintain coherent conversation despite how his touch sets my skin on fire."Being here without Emma?"
"A little." His thumb traces circles on my hand where it rests beside my plate."But it's nice having some adult time.Must be strange for you, constantly having my kid around while we're dating."
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off.
"And don't you dare remind me this isn't real."
A laugh bubbles up, more breathless than amused."I wasn't going to. I was going to say I genuinely enjoy spending time with Emma."
"Oh?" He stands, and the air changes.Everything feels charged as he rounds the table, closing the distance between us."Only Emma?"
I bite my lip as his eyes lock with mine.My heart pounds so hard I'm sure he can hear it."And if I said yes?"
He braces his hands on my chair arms, caging me in.The scent of leather and cologne surrounds me as he bends forward to rest his forehead against mine."Then I'd say you're a very bad liar, sweetheart."
His lips crash into mine, and two weeks of tension explode.My hands fist in his shirt as his tongue sweeps into my mouth, tasting of wine and desire.Strong hands lift me effortlessly, and I wrap my legs around his waist as the kiss deepens.
His mouth trails fire down my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point.One hand tangles in my hair, tipping my head back to give him better access while the other splays across my lower back, pressing me closer.
"We shouldn't," I whisper, even as my fingers work the buttons of his shirt.
"Tell me to stop." The words ghost across my collarbone as he kisses his way to the thin strap of my dress.His teeth catch it, dragging it down my shoulder.
My breath comes in short gasps as he blazes a path across my chest to the other strap, repeating the motion.The dress loosens, held up only by how tightly I'm pressed against him.
"Leslie." He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, and what I see there steals my breath.Hunger, yes, but something deeper too.Something that makes my heart race for entirely different reasons."I'm going to fuck you now, darlin'.Last chance to stop me."
My heart pounds against my ribs.Heat pools low in my belly at the raw need in his voice.I know we're about to cross a line we can't uncross.Know this will change everything.
I don't care.
"I’m on the pill, and clean. So, if you cross that line, you better do it raw and good." I roll my hips against him, drawing a growl from deep in hischest.
His answering smile is puresin."Thank fuck I’m clean too. Because trust me, darlin'. I intendto."