26. Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Scarlet
B y the time we get back to the hotel, it’s late, and the night’s been nothing short of incredible. We absolutely killed it on stage, and the crowd was devouring every moment. But the real highlight wasn’t the show—it was seeing Ace and Daisy sitting off to the side, talking into the early hours of the morning. None of us wanted to break up their moment. You could feel how much they both needed this, like years of silence and distance were finally beginning to crumble away.
By the time Kit finally kicked out the last groupie—after Theo, of all people, had had enough, which, honestly, still blows my mind—the rest of us just sat back, letting Daisy and Ace have their moment. I never thought I’d see the day when Theo would tire of groupies, but maybe tonight was different. Watching Ace and Daisy reconnect seemed to settle all of us, like we were all feeling the weight of the moment.
Throughout the night, I glanced over at Ace, noticing the glint of tears in his eyes during the more intense parts of their conversation. Seeing Ace—the tough, grumpy guy—letting his guard down like that was something I never thought I’d see. His gentle demeanor towards her made me realize the depth of his love for Daisy, a love that has remained strong despite the years and miles that had kept them apart. There’s a raw intensity to it, something powerful that reveals just how much he’s been carrying all these years. It’s added this whole new layer to him, one I didn’t know existed.
What surprised me even more was what he did on stage. Out of nowhere, he reached out and wrapped his arm around me in front of thousands of people. Ace has never shown that kind of affection before, not publicly anyway. Hell, even Theo looked shocked, though he didn’t say a word to me about it. I could see it in his face. Tonight felt different somehow, like a wall came down between us, even if just for a moment.
As we take the elevator up in silence, the mood feels heavy. Xander is silent, engrossed in his phone, while Theo leans back against the wall with his eyes closed. It hits me how different things are for him without Nate. Those two have always been inseparable. Now, there’s a quiet grief in Theo, a shadow that says just how deeply he misses Nate.
Ace stands next to me, his gaze fixed on the floor, completely lost in his head.
The elevator doors slide open, and we all step out. Xander’s the first to disappear into his room, barely giving any of us a glance before closing the door behind him. Ace's room is next, but before he can make a move, I grab his hand and pull him toward mine.
Theo watches us, his eyes narrowing as if he’s deciding whether he should step in. But I shoot him a look—a warning that tells him not to even think about it. This isn’t about him; it’s about Ace and me, and whatever happens next. Finally, he seems to get the message and keeps his distance, staying quiet.
Theo doesn’t say a word as he disappears into his room, leaving Ace and me alone in the hallway. I slide my key card into the lock, and as soon as the door clicks shut behind us, Ace is on me. He pushes me against the door, his hands firm on my hips, and his lips find mine with a hunger that steals my breath. There’s a raw, unrestrained intensity in the way he kisses me, like he’s been holding this in for far too long. It’s not just a kiss—it’s an all-consuming need that leaves me weak at the knees.
His hands slide down to grab my ass, and with a swift, powerful motion, he lifts me up. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist as he carries me, possessive and in control. His hand slides down to grip my ass, while the other tangles in my hair, holding me exactly where he wants. His mouth claims mine, deep and demanding, drawing a moan from me as he guides us toward the bed. The way he controls every move, every touch, sends my pulse into overdrive.
We stop at the bed, and I brace myself for him to drop me onto it as he has done so many times before, but this time, he just holds me close, kissing me like he can’t get enough—like he’s devouring me to satisfy some insatiable hunger. When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, our breaths mingling as we both pant like we’ve just been through two rounds of fucking already. His eyes drift shut for a moment, like he’s drinking in every beat, every breath, savoring this second between us as if it’s something sacred.
“I want you naked and sprawled out on this bed,” he growls, his voice dripping with that raw dominance that sends a shiver straight down my spine. It’s sexy as hell, this commanding side of Ace, the way he lets me know exactly what he wants. If only he was this clear with his feelings.
He sets me down on my feet at the edge of the bed. I lift my shirt, starting to pull it over my head, but I’m moving too slow for his liking. In one swift, possessive move, he grabs the fabric, yanking it away and tossing it aside like he can’t stand to wait a second longer.
His gaze drops hungrily to my tits. His tongue darts out to wet his bottom lip, like he can’t wait to taste them. I reach behind to unhook my bra, but before I can even pull it off, he’s there, yanking it down my arms in one swift motion. He flings the bra across the room, leaving me exposed and vulnerable. The heat of his desire wraps around me like a blazing fire, igniting every nerve in my body.
As I kick off my shoes, he leans in, taking one of my nipples into his mouth, sucking and teasing it. I moan as I tilt my head back, momentarily losing myself in the overwhelming sensation. The warmth of his mouth pulls me under, and for a moment, I forget I need to be naked for him. But his free hand pinches my other nipple, jolting me back to reality.
“Get undressed,” he commands, his voice rough, and then he dives back in, sucking harder. The heat pools between my legs as I fumble to undo the copper button on my jeans. I slide them down, along with my panties, letting the fabric glide down my hips and off my legs until I’m completely bare.
The moment I’m naked, he stands tall, looking down at me with a hunger that is all consuming. “Get on the bed,” he orders. “Lay down,” he says, then swiftly pulls his shirt off and tosses it aside.
My eyes roam over his chiseled abs and the black ink that captivates me every time. He’s fucking beautiful, every inch of him, from his body to the art that adorns it.
I settle back on the bed, still mesmerized as he strips down, yanking his jeans off like they’re burning him. My focus sharpens on his hard cock, the piercing catching the light. He reaches down, stroking himself with a casual confidence that sends a thrill through me.
“Spread your legs,” he commands, and when I look up at him, I catch the sly grin playing on his lips. He knows exactly how much I love the way he takes control, how much it drives me wild.
I spread my legs, feeling a rush of excitement.
“Wider,” he demands, his tone leaving no room for argument.
He's savoring every second, teasing me as he drags his cock slowly along my soaked pussy, drawing out every inch of tension. Just months ago, by now he would have already flipped me over, pushed me on all fours, and taken me without a second thought. But tonight, he’s intent on making me wait, making me want it even more.
His gaze stays on my pussy, dark with hunger as he gives himself a stroke.
"As much as I want to taste your pussy,” he murmurs, voice laced with raw need, "I need to fuck you even more right now."
His filthy words send a wave of heat coursing through me. He leans down, reaches into his jeans to retrieve a condom, tears it open with his teeth. The sight of his mouth slightly parted as he rolls it onto his hard cock is utterly intoxicating, and I’m unable to look away.
When he looks up, the intensity in his eyes makes my heart race. He moves onto the bed, gripping my knees and spreading them wide. My breath hitches as he aligns his cock with my entrance, his gaze locked onto my pussy.
With a deep thrust, he fills me completely, and I can't help but moan at the delicious stretch.
“Fucking hell,” he groans, his gaze fixed on my face as he starts to move slowly, savoring every moment as he watches my reactions.
He picks up the pace, each thrust hitting that sweet spot, pleasure shooting through my body. I get lost in the moment, my eyes fluttering shut as I try to savor the feeling.
“Open your eyes,” he commands, his voice a deep growl. “When you come, you see who the fuck is getting you off.”
I obey, forcing my eyes open as he fucks me harder and harder, each thrust pulling more moans from me. Waves of ecstasy crash over my body, pushing me closer to the brink of something explosive. The need to surrender builds, an irresistible urge to let go completely.
But just when I think I might break, he suddenly slows, as if he wants to draw this moment out, not ready to chase his orgasm just yet. He leans in, pressing his lips to mine in a soft kiss, a stark contrast to the frantic desperation he had only moments ago. This kiss is warm and gentle, igniting a different kind of fire within me.
“God, you feel so fucking good,” he groans, his voice thick with lust as he watches me. His face hovers above mine as he fucks me slowly, and I catch a glimpse of something vulnerable in his eyes, something that tells me he’s letting me in.
And in this moment, I know I have to lay it all out. I can’t hold back any longer. I have to tell him how I feel. “I love you, Ace,” I whisper, my voice trembling with the weight of my emotions as my fingers trace his jawline.
I feel his body tense up the moment the words come out. He swallows hard and stops moving. A knot of doubt tightens in my chest as he turns his head away from me. Did I say something wrong? The look he was giving me moments ago has vanished, replaced by an expression I can’t quite read as his gaze comes back to me. I see it immediately—he’s pulling back, retreating, as if my words are too much for him.
He pulls out of me, and the sudden emptiness hits me hard. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Ace runs his hands through his hair. I move closer, placing a hand on his back as I lean forward to see his face.
“Ace, is everything alright?” I ask.
He remains silent. The conflict on his face and the uncertainty in his eyes are painfully clear, and it cuts me deep.
Theo was right. He’ll never love me—not in the way I love him. In a frenzy, he hastily reaches for his jeans and pulls them on while I watch, unable to do anything. I know exactly what’s coming next; he’s about to bolt, to run away from the words I just uttered—run away from me.
I pull the sheet up over my body, wrapping my arms tightly around my legs, trying to shield myself from the sudden emptiness that has settled in the space between us. The room feels colder now, as if the warmth we shared has vanished with his retreat.
Silence fills the room as he grabs his shirt and shoes, and I don’t dare say a word. He pauses at the door, casting one last, lingering glance my way. In his eyes, I catch the turmoil and uncertainty, a battle to understand my feelings. He seems lost, unsure of how to process what I’ve just said or how to respond to me in this moment.
Then, without uttering a single word, he turns and walks out, leaving me alone in the haunting quiet of the room, the weight of my unreturned love heavy in the air.
As the door clicks shut, a thick, almost suffocating silence wraps around me. I remain frozen, my gaze fixed on the spot where he stood just moments ago, desperately hoping he will come back. But deep down, I know he won’t.
I squeeze my eyes shut, but the tears still manage to escape, burning a trail down my cheeks. My chest tightens, and a sob escapes my throat, shaking my entire body. I curl tighter under the sheets, attempting to hold myself together, but it’s no use. The dam breaks, and I bury my face in the pillow, allowing the tears to flow freely.
I’ve never experienced this kind of ache before—this deep, soul-crushing pain that comes from loving someone who can’t love me back. And now, I’m alone in this room, surrounded by nothing but the haunting echo of my own heartbreak.