Chapter 14
14
I stride into Alicia’s new office, feeling the familiar weight of my sidearm resting against my hip. Old habits die hard, even after leaving the force. Bounty hunting may not come with a badge, but it sure as hell requires the same level of vigilance.
The scent of fresh paint and new furniture fills my nostrils. The space is bright and airy, sunlight streaming through the large windows. My gaze sweeps over the modern decor, a far cry from the offices we’re used to at the Iron Tornadoes’ offices. Ice and Whizz went for the série noire decoration handbook. A wry smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I take in the modern minimalist furnishings Alicia picked. Not exactly the kind of place you’d expect to find a wanted fugitive hiding out. But then again, Alicia’s always been one to keep us on our toes.
After we selected this place together, she refused to let me come and help her set it up. She wanted to surprise me.
Alicia stands in the center of the room, radiant in a crisp white blouse and tailored slacks. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and her eyes sparkle with excitement. She catches my eye and grins, her smile lighting up her face.
“Well, look at you,” I tease, crossing the room to pull her into a tight embrace. “All fancy and official.”
She laughs, the sound warm and familiar, as she returns my hug. “Like it? I wanted something fresh and modern.”
“It’s perfect,” I assure her, planting a quick kiss on her forehead. “Just like you.”
The door swings open, and the rest of the crew piles in, carrying boxes and bags filled with celebratory treats and decorations. Blaze and Glory whistles appreciatively as they survey the space.
“Damn, darlin’, you did good,” Blaze says, setting down a case of beer on the large glass conference table. “This place is nicer than our house.”
Glory mock growls in Blaze’s direction. I hear the woman has many qualities but keeping a clean house is not one of them. That’s not really a problem since they live in the clubhouse, where mess is an art form.
Alicia beams with pride as Falcon pulls in with Angel to offer their congratulations and compliments.
As the crew settles in for the small celebration, I hang back, basking in the energy that fills the room. A year ago, I never could have imagined a scene like this—Alicia standing tall as a respected businesswoman, embraced by the Iron Tornadoes as one of our own. One who is almost as well educated as Lisa now. She just finished all the classes she needed and became a CPA. I’m so proud of her.
Today, we’re here to celebrate her success and the start of a new chapter. I catch her eye from across the room, and she flashes me a brilliant smile that warms me from the inside out.
The door opens once again, and a few more members of the bounty-hunting team start filing in. Their boisterous laughter and backslapping fill the space. They come bearing gifts: a rare orchid, which Alicia will promptly kill by watering it too much, and a few bottles of fine Bourbon, which I will confiscate, as well as the box of Cuban cigars.
As the party kicks into full swing, I make my way over to Alicia, pulling her close. “Congratulations, baby,” I murmur, my lips brushing against her ear. “You’ve come so far, and I’m so proud of you.”
Her eyes shine with emotion as she gazes up at me. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she whispers, her voice thick with gratitude. “Without all of you.”
She comes closer to me and whispers in my ear, “I think I haven’t thanked you properly.”
That gets a large smile out of me. “What did you have in mind?”
“Well, I was thinking we could let them party in the conference room and go hide in my office for a bit.”
Why not indeed? The party is in full swing, every soul in the room is letting loose with laughter and rowdy cheers. They won’t even notice our absence. Alicia, she’s a sight to behold tonight, stunning in a way that makes my heart race. Nothing would make me happier than messing up her perfectly coifed hair while peeling off her business attire, layer by layer.
The playful smirk that curves her lips, it’s a telltale sign. She’s not bluffing. She really wants to do this. I nod subtly, a silent agreement passing between us. I take her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine, and lead her through the room. We weave between our friends, their laughter and cheers fading as we slip into her private office.
The moment the door clicks shut, sealing us in her private office, the air around us crackles with an undeniable charge. Alicia’s eyes, those sharp, intelligent orbs that usually hold a world of caution, darken with hunger. She catches her lower lip between her teeth, a subtle tell that I’ve come to recognize as a precursor to her more daring thoughts.
I can’t resist the pull any longer. I close the distance between us, my hands instinctively seeking the curve of her hips. I draw her toward me, our bodies fitting together as if they were designed for this very moment. It’s a perfect puzzle, and she’s the piece I never knew I was missing.
My lips meet hers in a fervent kiss, and passion sizzles between us. Our tongues dance in a rhythm that’s as natural as breathing, a passionate tango that speaks volumes about our shared desires.
Alicia’s hands explore my chest, her fingers tracing the contours of my muscles through the fabric of my shirt. A soft moan escapes her lips, the vibrations reverberating through our kiss, sending a jolt of desire straight to my core. I reach behind her, deftly pulling the shirt over her head and letting it fall to the floor. I unfasten her belt, the sound of the leather sliding through the loops echoing in the room, and she steps out of her pants. She stands before me now, clad in nothing but a lacy black bra and matching string.
I take a moment to drink in the sight of her, my eyes devouring every inch of her perfect form. She’s a vision, a marvel, and I can’t believe she’s here with me. I trace my fingers along the edge of her bra, teasing her, making her wait before I finally unclasp it. The garment falls, landing softly on her desk, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.
Alicia’s fingers deftly work at my belt, undoing the buckle with a practiced ease. In her sound-proofed office, there is no other sound than our breathing. Gone are the laughter and conversations of our friends in the other rooms. I marvel at the way her eyes seem to devour me, just as mine devoured her body moments before. I pull my shirt up, revealing scars that do not frighten her anymore. I push my jeans down, my boxers following suit. We stand before each other now, completely bare, completely vulnerable.
Alicia advances, her palms pressing firmly against my chest, propelling me backward. I falter slightly, taken aback by the unexpected show of force, smile, and steady myself on the edge of her desk. The cool surface offers contrasts to the heat radiating from our bodies. I chuckle as she flashes a wicked grin. With a swift movement, she pushes me onto the desk, her hands exploring my body with a fervor that mirrors my own. I grasp her hips, pulling her closer, the desire so strong it’s nearly unbearable. My heart races. I can sense the anticipation surging within me as I await her next move. Today, I’m letting her take the lead.
Our lips lock once more, the intensity of our kisses escalating as we surrender ourselves to the moment. Alicia’s fingers twist into my hair, tugging gently as she presses herself against me. The sensation sends a jolt of desire through me, making my heart race faster.
I slide my hand between us, my fingers brushing against the damp fabric of her panties. I trace the outline of her through the material, her breath catching as I caress her most sensitive spot. She gasps, her nails digging into my shoulders as I continue to explore every inch of her body, my touch igniting a fire within us both.
I let out a low growl, my fingers hooking into the waistband of her panties. With a swift tug, I pull them down her legs. I can smell her desire. I cast the small piece of material aside, my eyes never leaving hers as I position myself at her entrance. My hands grip her hips, guiding her onto me with gentle pressure. She sinks down slowly, her gaze locked onto mine as I fill her completely, our connection deepening with every inch.
We move in perfect harmony, our bodies synchronized in a dance older than time itself. The rhythm of our lovemaking fills the room. The desk beneath us creaks in protest. We don’t care; we’re lost in our own world of pleasure and passion, where nothing else matters but the two of us and this moment of pure, unadulterated bliss.
As we reach the peak of our desire, our movements become frantic, our breaths ragged. Alicia’s nails dig into my skin, leaving marks that I’ll wear proudly as evidence of our love.
With one final, powerful thrust, we both reach our climax, our bodies shuddering with the force of our release. We collapse against each other, our hearts in unison as we struggle to catch our breath.
After a few moments, Alicia lifts her head, her eyes meeting mine with a soft, loving gaze. “I love you, Ace,” she whispers, her voice filled with emotion.
I smile, brushing a stray hair from her face. “I love you too, Alicia. More than you will ever know.”
We share one more lingering kiss before reluctantly pulling apart and getting dressed. We slip back into the party, hand in hand. I think no one has noticed our absence. Oh no, I’m wrong.
Ice and Lisa, holding court next to the conference table, did notice. They both wink. Their smiles are such that I’m thinking maybe the good and proper Lisa is just a facade hiding a wild cat Ice knows how to let out.
They’ve had their time. Now it’s ours.
I am the luckiest man alive.
So happy this was not just a fugitive flirtation!
T hank you for reading Ace and Alicia’s story. When you have a minute, please don’t forget to leave a review in your favorite store.