Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Ace
I stride out the back, round the building, and through the front door of the bar with my hands in my pockets and a shit eatin’ grin on my face.
Harper is already back at the table. Sitting ramrod straight. Cheeks flushed. A fresh whiskey in her hand that she's gripping tight enough to crack the glass. Her eyes find mine the second I walk in, and I watch her swallow hard, her throat bobbing, her thighs pressing together under the table.
Good girl.
I head straight for Colten and Jett at the bar. Colten takes one look at me and narrows his eyes.
"Where the hell did you go?"
I shrug. "Fresh air."
"Bullshit."
"Colten. Fresh air." I pick up my beer. Drain it. "We're leaving."
Because my dick is aching and I can’t spend another second looking at Harper, because I am on the verge of snapping and bending her over that goddamn table and letting everyone watch.
Jett groans. "I just ordered another round."
"Cancel it. We're going."
Jett looks at Colten. Colten looks at me. Whatever they see on my face tells them not to argue.
"Fine," Jett mutters, sliding off his stool. "But you owe me a round."
I straighten my hat, adjust my belt, and walk across the bar toward Harper's table. Her dad sees me first, he gives me a nod and a warm smile, because everyone in this town loves the Sterlings, even the ones who know better.
"Mr. Jones. Good to see you, sir." I tip my hat. “Bert.”
"Ace Sterling, you've gotten big," Bert says, clapping my arm. "Your dad would be proud."
There’s that pang in my chest that happens every time someone mentions my father. Nearly three years he’s been gone, and I miss him just as much as the first day without him.
That wound will never heal.
"Thank you, sir. That means a lot."
I turn to Hudson.
He's watching me with a tight smile. He hates me as much as I do him. He stands, pretending to be brave and extends his hand. I glance down, biting back my grin.
I take it.
The same hand. The one that was curled deep inside his fiancée ninety seconds ago.
I squeeze, holding his gaze, letting the handshake last just long enough. It’s my hand that has Harper squirming in her seat, desperate for a release.
It’s me that’s edging her to the point she’s going to combust later for me.
"Good to meet you, Henry. Congratulations again. You're a lucky man." I flash him a smile.
If only I could smash my fist right between his eyes.
"It’s Hudson," he corrects me.
I drop his hand. “Yeah. Whatever.”
Then I lean down to Harper. Place my lips right next to her ear. Close enough that no one else can hear. Close enough that I feel her whole body tense.
"That's the closest he's ever going to get to knowing what it would be like to have you, Harper. I’ll see you later, pretty girl."
I pull back. She's staring at me. Her eyes wide, her lips parted. That beautiful flush on her cheeks deepening from pink to red.
I tip my hat to the table. "Y'all have a good night. I know I’m going to."
I turn and walk out. Jett and Colten behind me.
"You look pleased with yourself," Colten says.
"I'm a happy man, Colt."
"You're a dangerous man."
"Same thing."
Jett throws his arm around my shoulder. "Did you just do something incredibly stupid?"
"Probably."
"Was it worth it?"
I think about her face. The way she said you without hesitating. The way her back arched against the wall. The way she's sitting in that bar right now, wearing his ring, thinking about my hands.
"Yeah," I say. "It was worth it."
We climb into my truck. Jett calls shotgun. Colten takes the back. I start the engine and pull out onto the road.
My phone buzzes before we've hit the end of the street.
Goldie: I hate you. I am so horny right now, I can’t even see straight.
I grin.
ME: No, you don't, baby. See you later.
Three dots. Then:
Goldie: You're a dead man, Ace Sterling.
ME: Make sure I die with your pussy on my face.
I toss the phone on the dash and drive home with the windows down and the taste of her still on my lips.
I've been waiting a long ass time for this.
She's worth every goddamn second.