Chapter 7 #2
Her face softened. “It’s not his fault. It’s how he was raised. His father was strict, and demanded a lot from his kids. And my dad wanted a son to carry on the family name. Mom had a difficult pregnancy, so the doctors recommended no more after me. I was all he got.”
And the asshole should cherish the tough, gorgeous, determined daughter that he’d raised.
Ace stroked her arm. “You going to sleep now?”
There was a flash of fear in her eyes. He watched as she locked it down.
“I can stay with you until you fall asleep,” he said.
She dipped her head, almost shyly. “You don’t mind?”
“I don’t mind.”
He turned off the lamp and pulled her down beside him on the bed. They rested their heads on the pillow and he pulled her against him.
She snuggled into him and Ace tried to stay relaxed. She felt so damn good. She rested her hand on his bare chest, her sleek legs pressed against his.
His cock was hard in an instant. He swallowed a groan. At least the darkness hid it. He’d jerked off earlier, the sweet taste of her on his lips. Shit . He was going to need another cold shower.
“I feel safe with you.”
Her quiet words were slurred with sleep. He pressed a kiss to her temple, realizing what a gift those words were. He already knew she tried to do everything herself and didn’t let herself trust very easily. “I’m right here, gatinha . Sleep now.”
He heard her breathing even out. He gently pressed a palm to her flat belly.
Panic, awe, and a bunch of other emotions hit him. There was a baby in there. A bit of Maggie and a bit of him. Hell, it would be a terror.
Smiling, he drifted off to sleep.
* * *
When Ace woke, sunlight was peeking around the blinds.
Maggie was half lying on top of him. Her tank top had ridden up, and her bare belly and breast were pressed against him.
His cock was so hard it hurt.
He blew out a breath. He wouldn’t hurt her any more than he already had. It was his job to keep her safe.
He’d fucked it up with Rodrigo. Ace’s gut churned. He wasn’t going to let that happen with Maggie. He wasn’t going to take his eyes off the job.
He slipped out from under her. She mumbled, but didn’t wake. There were dark circles under her eyes. She was already tired, and the nightmare hadn’t helped.
He watched her curl up in the bed and dragged in a breath. The punch of protectiveness almost made him stagger.
Quickly, he headed to his bedroom. He needed to shower, jerk off again, then work out how to keep her safe today.
He stripped and stepped under the water. He took his throbbing cock in hand.
As he stroked, he pressed the other palm to the tiles and groaned. He thought of Maggie. Sweet and spicy Maggie.
He stroked harder, rougher. His groan echoed off the tiles. “Fuck, yeah, Maggie.”
Something made him look up.
Maggie was standing on the other side of the glass. She was only in that tank top and those tiny panties.
Fuck .
Her gaze was glued to where he was stroking his cock, her lips parted.
“Maggie,” he growled.
Her gaze jerked up. “You have such a gorgeous cock.” She licked her lips. “I want to watch you blow for me.”
Now Ace’s growl was long and tortured. He tugged harder and she pressed one palm to the glass.
“Hand in your panties,” he ordered. “I bet that little clit is swollen and needs rubbing.”
She moaned, her hand sliding down her belly and into the cotton.
Just watching her made his cock swell impossibly more.
“You did this.” He turned so she had a perfect view of his hard cock as he worked it. “It’s your fault I’m so hard.”
Her cheeks flushed; her fingers were busy. “ Ace .”
“Watch, gatinha .” He felt the pleasure building, like a storm. “Watch.”
“Do it.”
Ace gave one last tug, then he was coming. He groaned her name as his come spurted over his hand and fell on the tiles.
A second later, she made a sound that he knew well, her body shaking as she came.
She slumped against the glass.
“Wow,” she breathed. “Hell of a way to start the day.”
He smiled at her and rinsed off.
“I’d love to join you,” she murmured. “But I really need to get to work.”
Ace nodded. “I’m going to message Vander. I’m coming with you, and I’ll work from your office.”
She bit her lip. “That’s going to mess with your work—”
“I don’t care. And Vander won’t, either. He’s committed to keeping you safe. If I can’t be with you, Vander or one of the other guys will.”
“Thanks, Ace.”
She didn’t need to thank him.
Suddenly, her face went sheet-white.
“Maggie?”
She spun and ran to the toilet.
“Maggie!” He leaped out of the shower, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around his hips.
She was crouched by the toilet, her face pale, her hand on her belly. She wasn’t being sick, but he could see she was fighting it.
“Hey.” He knelt beside her and rubbed her back.
“This is your fault,” she said miserably.
“Totally.” He’d take the blame, if it made her feel better.
She pulled in a breath. “Okay, I think it’s passing. I’m not going to be sick.”
Good . He hated seeing her feel unwell. “Come on, I’ll make you some toast, or get you crackers, or something.”