Chapter 2
ACE
The white rose and jasmine smell Ivy has to her makes my mouth water. From the second our gazes connect in the bathroom, there’s some gravity pulling me toward her. Something new I have never felt in my forty years of life. Unique and powerful.
I wait for her to leave the bathroom so I can ask her to eat with me.
I’ve been coming to this diner for years, even before I became a soccer star and had to come to the stadium next door for training.
The place has that typical homemade vibe, or what I thought would be homemade, since I never had much of a family.
I would keep dining there even if I changed clubs, even if I moved from the city.
Being famous means you’re wanted. Desired by the clubs, by the reporters, and by the paparazzi looking for the next scandal.
Unfortunately, it was never this simple with women.
They want to be seen on my arm, sure, and they want the easy life and the money...
But they never want me for more than a couple of dates.
I’m too big, everywhere, and I heard more than once that I make them uncomfortable.
It never mattered. I got used to that and focused on my job. Focused on being a better player, on bringing joy to the fans... Until she showed up.
I’m ready to ask her out. Shit, the way she makes my heart skip? That’s some teenage dream. And she’s beautiful—blond hair with the tips dyed pink, enormous hazel eyes, curves for days... She’s in her wedding dress, so she definitely ditched someone. That means she’s got to be single.
My phone rings. It breaks the moment, and I watch her leave the bathroom and sit down without having a chance to talk to her.
I gape down at my phone, anger bubbling inside me at whoever interrupted my chance at talking to this girl.
And I’m about to cancel the call when I see the name.
Victor Cooper and I went to college together and remained fast friends ever since.
He’s not much of a caller, so I pick the call up in case he’s in trouble.
He tells me about his sister and how she was supposed to get married.
The girl ran off, leaving the groom at the altar.
She took her car and skipped town. My brows rise as I hear that.
She wanted some distance, didn’t she? Victor goes on about how she’s probably heading to Miami and asks me to intercept her in case we meet.
And I can’t believe my bad luck, but there’s no way the girl who caught my eye is anyone other than Ivy. How many runaway brides do you expect to see in Miami every day? Shit. I can’t believe she’s Victor’s sister. I agree to help, cancel the call, and then approach her.
Now, she’s grinding her jaw from the passenger seat as I drive into my underground parking spot.
The woman has some spirit, hatred burning in her pupils while her gaze darts everywhere.
Searching for an exit, coming up with an escape plan.
She hasn’t screamed or tried to hit me, though I expected that.
She might not think she stands a chance. It doesn’t help my case.
And all I wanted was a date.
“So you’re friends with my brother,” she starts, glaring at me. “I didn’t know he had friends who kidnapped people. That seems dangerous.”
I release a sigh. Shit, she has a point. She won’t even want to see me in any other light after this. “Victor called me. He said you ran away from your wedding.” And I shoot a glance at her dress, a puffy one that looks like a cake. “And you look like you fit the bill.”
She scoffs. “Is that your way of justifying kidnapping? Not working.”
“Why are you even running? Why don’t you discuss your problems with your fiancé before you do that?
I’m sure he’s heartbroken.” I would be devastated if a woman like her left me hanging at the altar, though I’d eventually understand it.
My size doesn’t make me a loveable person.
It would make sense for her to run away.
Ivy crosses her arms, huffing as she looks out the window. “He doesn’t care. It’s a business exchange. He’s my father’s partner, and they’re doing some new deal or whatever. I don’t care.”
What? I arch an eyebrow, sliding a glance at her.
There’s no way that’s the case. Maybe she’s exaggerating to make a point?
I can’t believe Victor and his parents would force her into a marriage she doesn’t want.
Marriage is serious shit. It’s for life.
Technically. Why would they make her marry someone she doesn’t love?
Ivy’s chest still heaves, her leg bouncing as she works her bottom lip.
She isn’t in the mood for an argument. I could try to make her see reason, to convince her it mustn’t be so bad.
Maybe she’d relax and tell me the truth.
It’s okay to get cold feet. It’s okay to have second thoughts.
But I know that, if I tell her this right now, she’ll just blow. Not the right moment.
“Let’s try something,” I start, keeping my voice cool and low. “You must have run to Miami because you like it here, right?”
Her leg stops bouncing. She looks at me. “Yeah. I love the sight of the ocean.”
Me, too. I keep my gaze on hers, hypnotized by her amber eyes, the way they glint in the sun.
Someone honks behind me and I have to move down the ramp.
Didn’t notice I had stopped. “Okay, so here’s the deal.
You stay at my place. Take your time; think this through.
We can talk some days from now; see if that’s what you want. ”
Ivy frowns and turns to face me, her blond hair slipping to her cleavage. Shit, I have to drag my eyes away from her tits. They look so fucking amazing. “Of course that’s what I want. Why would I want to marry some old man who doesn’t care about me?”
I nod, more to make her my ally. She needs some time off. She’s too passionate right now, too angry. “Okay, but hear me out. I’ll talk to your brother and ask him to give you some days. You stay here and think this through. Maybe you and your family will reach a middle ground.”
She releases a sigh. “I wish it would be that simple...” Taking a piece of hair between two fingers, she plays with it for a minute. “Okay, I accept it. I can find a job and pay you back for hosting me...”
“No,” I cut her in. “No way. You don’t have to do that.”
“Well, you don’t have to do that either. You don’t know me. There’s no reason for you to help me out.”
“You’re Victor’s sister. He’s always been a good friend, and I want to help you figure this out.
” Liar, liar, pants on fire. I want to keep her around for more days because I’m stupid.
Ivy is gorgeous, and I want to keep her around for selfish reasons.
I shake my head, trying to clear the dirty thoughts.
“Listen, meditate on the matter. Your fiancé might not show, but he definitely likes you.” Who wouldn’t?
Fuck, I wish I had met her earlier. I wish Victor had given me a chance to meet her earlier, even if that ended in heartbreak.
My heart beats faster in my chest, the frustration of knowing she will never be mine making me angry.
“Ivy, you can stay, but I want you to think this through, you know? Some people are lucky to have someone to love...”
She straightens her spine in a jerk. “Are you saying I don’t deserve to be loved? Because, what, because I’m a big girl?” And she slams her hands down on the dress.
Her words take a moment to register. I gape at her in doubt. “What are you talking about?”
“You said I’m lucky because that jerk wants to marry me.” And her eyes veil over with tears.
I want to reach out and take her hand in mine, but I hold it back. Shit, I didn’t mean to hurt her. “No, Ivy. I meant your fiancé. He is the lucky one. A girl like you? Any man would be lucky to have a shot with you, and maybe your fiancé doesn’t say it often, but he’s lucky he can love you.”
She grows silent, sinking into the leather of the seat as I park the car.
I want to apologize for the misunderstanding, for having dragged her here, but what would it change?
Nothing. It changes nothing. She can stay here for a few days while she thinks this through, but she won’t stay. She can never be mine.
Ivy wouldn’t ever want to be mine.
I shoot a message to my assistant to buy Ivy some clothes.
She blushes when I ask her size but doesn’t question further as I show her to her room.
There’s a sadness on her face when she closes the door, and my heart squeezes in my chest at the sight of it.
Knowing I hurt her is the worst thing ever.
Fuck. This whole thing is going to break me, isn’t it?