29. Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Ace
F uck this shit. Her constantly ignoring me is driving me fucking insane. That fake-ass smile she throws my way whenever I try to interact with her, I fucking hate it. I want the real one. The one that lights up her face and tells me I still matter to her. The one that makes me feel like maybe I’m not as fucked up as I think I am. I need to fix this, to set things right, and soon.
All day, ever since I returned from the pool, I've been caught in a battle between doing what’s right and pursuing what I truly want. Maybe I should just let her go. Perhaps that’s the best choice for her because, let’s be honest, I’m a fucking mess. All the broken pieces of me will only drag her down. Yet every time I entertain that idea, the thought of losing her feels like someone has shoved a dagger through my heart.
How the hell am I supposed to do any of this?
Scarlet and Theo left for the bus before I even had a shot at talking to her. So now here I am stuck on this fucking bus, slouched on the couch, half-listening to Xander and Poppy’s conversation, barely pretending to care about whatever bullshit they’re talking about. Theo’s on the phone with Nate, going on about their usual shit. Alex is out cold in one of the bunks at the back of the bus, and though I haven’t seen Scarlet since we boarded, I assume she’s back there too, keeping her distance.
It’s late, and we’ve been sitting here for hours, talking about pointless shit. But I can feel it—the damn elephant in the room. Everyone’s tiptoeing around it, trying to figure out how to bring it up without pissing me off. But no one’s got the guts to say it. Not yet, anyway.
I down another beer, barely tasting it, and nod at something Xander just said. If he were to ask me anything right now, I wouldn’t have a fucking clue what he was talking about. My mind’s too far gone, wrapped up in thoughts of Scarlet. All I can do is watch him and Poppy and wonder how the hell he does it—how he manages to keep her happy, make her smile, and not some fake ass smile but a genuine one. The kind that lights up the whole damn room, not like the fake-ass smile Scarlet's been throwing my way lately. It’s killing me, knowing I’m the reason for that.
My eyes dart to the door as Scarlet stumbles out, looking all sleepy and absolutely fucking adorable. She glances around, offering everyone a smile—a real one this time. The kind that isn’t forced or hiding behind a wall of bullshit. That fake smile? That’s reserved just for me, apparently. Her hair’s a mess, exactly the way I like it, but I can’t help feeling disappointed that her loose-fitting t-shirt covers too much of her body. Still, those long, perfectly tattooed legs captivate me like a magnet, and I can’t resist letting my eyes wander down them.
“Nate says hello!” Theo shouts out to her.
“Tell him I said hello back,” she replies with a soft smile.
Poppy glances at her, “Did you want to come join us?”
“Thanks, but I just came to grab a bottle of water,” Scarlet says, moving toward the mini fridge. “Then I was going to head back to bed.”
The idea that she might be avoiding me—avoiding being in the same room as me—fucking stings.
As she moves to the fridge, I down the rest of my beer, trying desperately to distract myself from the ache in my chest.
Leaning forward, I add the empty bottle to the collection on the table, a silent testament to my futile efforts to dull the pain. Each bottle represents a little piece of me I’m trying to drown, but nothing seems to work.
“Ace,” Poppy’s voice slices through my thoughts, pulling me from the chaos in my head.
I glance over to find her and Xander watching me, his arm draped around her protectively. There’s a knowing look in their eyes that makes my stomach twist.
“Go talk to her,” Poppy urges, her tone gentle yet firm.
I shake my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what the fuck to say to her.”
“Anything will be fine. Trust me on this,” Poppy insists, her eyes soft but filled with determination. “Please.”
With a deep sigh, I push myself off the couch and make my way toward the kitchen area, slipping past Theo. My heart hammers with each step, feeling heavier as I get closer. She’s bent over, digging through the fridge, and my gaze drifts to those tiny sleep shorts that hug her ass perfectly. My cock reacts instantly, reminding me just how much I fucking want her.
With a bottle of water in hand, she straightens up and closes the fridge door. When she turns to face me, her eyes widen slightly, as if caught off guard. For a split second, we just stare at each other, the air thick with everything unsaid.
“Hey,” I mutter, hating how weak it sounds, but it’s all I can manage right now. Every word I want to spill gets stuck in my throat. I’m not even sure what the hell I’m supposed to say, but one thing’s crystal clear—I want her. I crave this connection we’ve got, no matter how fucking complicated it may be.
Her tired eyes meet mine, silently questioning what I’m doing. I sense her walls beginning to build up, and it fucking kills me.
“Can we talk?” I ask, feeling the weight of every word. I know whatever comes next has to mean something; it can't be the same old bullshit we’ve been dancing around.
“I’m tired, Ace,” she replies, and I can hear the exhaustion in it—like she’s just done with all of this, done with me. She’s sick of the small talk, and honestly, so am I.
But I can’t let it end here. Not like this.
I step closer, closing the distance between us. My heart’s pounding like a fucking drum, but I push on. “I get it,” I say quietly. “You’re tired of this, tired of me not having my shit together. But I need you to hear me out because I don’t know how to do this, how to be what you need… but I’m trying, Scarlet. I’m fucking trying because I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
Theo’s voice fades into the background, and I’m vaguely aware that he, Xander, and Poppy are all watching. But in this moment, none of that matters. Scarlet’s the only thing I can focus on.
She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine, and I take a deep breath, letting it all out. “I’m just gonna say it.” I pause. Just lay it out, asshole, before you lose the best thing that’s ever walked into your life. “You’re the one thing in my world that makes sense when everything else is so fucked up. I don’t know how to do this right, but I want to. I want to figure it out—with you.”
She stares at me, and I can’t tell if she's about to laugh, cry, walk away, or a combination of the three. So I do the only thing I can think of. I reach into my pocket and pull out the small, worn piece of paper I’ve been carrying around since she said she loved me. It’s nothing fancy—just a scrap I tore from one of my notebooks.
I stare down at the words I’ve scrawled on the paper, my heart racing as my eyes run quickly over each line.
Scar, I’m a fucking mess, and I know I’ve hurt you. I see it in your eyes, see it in your smile, the way you’ve started to pull away. But here’s the thing: when I’m with you, I feel something real—something I can’t shake. It’s like you’ve pulled me out of a dark pit I’ve been stuck in, and I don’t want to go back. You make me want to face my own bullshit, to be better, to fight for something that matters. You’ve shown me what it means to give a damn about someone else, and that scares the fuck out of me. I’m so sorry for the way I’ve treated you, for all the times I pushed you away when all I wanted was to pull you closer. I can’t pretend anymore. I love you, Scar. I really do. It’s terrifying to say it out loud, because everyone I’ve ever loved has walked away. And I know you deserve better. Better than who I am.
I glance back up at her. “I wrote this,” I say, my voice a little shaky. “It’s all the shit I can’t say out loud because I’m too fucked up to get it right. But it’s real, Scarlet. Every single word.”
I hold it out to her, and she hesitates, eyes flickering between me and the note. When she finally reaches for it, her fingers brush against mine, sending a jolt through me. For that fleeting moment, everything feels like it could be okay, like maybe we could find our way through this together.
She turns the paper, her eyes skimming over the words I poured my heart into, and I hold my breath, hoping like hell this is enough. That I’m enough. I need her to see just how much she means to me, even if I’m a total fucking mess when it comes to expressing it.
Then she glances up, and I catch the glimmer of tears in her eyes. “You love me?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper, like she can’t quite wrap her head around it.
I nod. “Yeah, Scar. I do.”
She takes a shaky breath, my words clearly hitting her hard. “I—”
I cut her off, stepping closer and pulling her into a fierce, unyielding kiss. My hands slide to her back, holding her as tight as I can. It’s a kiss filled with desperation and devotion, a promise of all the things I can’t put into words. When our lips finally part, I keep my forehead pressed against hers, my gaze locked onto hers with a fierce intensity.
“You’re mine, Scar,” I say, my voice low and full of heat. “You’re all I fucking want.”
When she smiles that genuine smile, it’s like a beacon of light that shines on her face, and I feel a swell of pride, knowing that I am the source of her joy. Suddenly, we both realize we’re not alone and turn to face the couch. Xander’s sporting a shit-eating grin, like he just witnessed the greatest show on earth. Poppy has her hand pressed to her heart, her eyes glistening with emotion, as if she’s about to burst into tears over some grand romantic gesture. Theo’s watching us with a thoughtful look, holding up his phone. At some point during all of this, he switched the call to video, and now Nate’s image is on the screen, his eyes glued to us.
I should feel embarrassed by our uninvited audience, but honestly, I couldn’t give less of a fuck. All that matters is the way Scarlet’s looking at me and how right this moment feels.
"You better fucking mean it, bro," Nate says through the phone.
I look over at Scarlet, my gaze steady and full of resolve. I take her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her skin against my own. “Yeah, I fucking mean it,” I say, my voice rough with raw honesty. “I’d tear down the whole fucking world just to make you smile. You’re everything to me, Scar.”
If we didn’t have an audience right now and we were alone in a hotel room, I’d show her just how much I love her, reveal every filthy thought running through my mind. I’d have her sprawled out on the bed, fucking her, licking her, making her come on my cock just to seal this promise. But for now, instead, I take a deep breath, feeling a wave of relief wash over me, feeling lighter than I’ve felt in a long time—like the weight of the world has finally lifted because I’ve claimed her as mine.
Since I finally pulled my head out of my ass and told Scar how I feel, things have only gotten better. It’s been a week now, and she’s been in my hotel room every night since. I feel lighter, like I can actually breathe, and there’s a real connection building between us. Every conversation peels back another layer, and I’m sharing parts of my past that I never thought I’d tell anyone. The mind-blowing sex. That’s just the icing on top. The way she comes, the sounds she makes—they’ve got me completely hooked. Tonight, after another killer show, I can’t wait to take her back to my room and ride that high all over again.
As Scarlet stands beside me in the elevator, it takes every ounce of willpower not to reach out and grab her ass, but with Xander, Theo, and Neil squeezed in here too, I resist the urge. I keep reminding myself that in just a few minutes, I’ll have her sprawled out on my bed, exactly how I want her.
Strangely enough, the usual groupie scene on this tour has been almost non-existent. Now that I’m officially off the market, it’s like the chaos just faded. I can tell Theo’s missing his fuck buddy; he still turns on the charm whenever there’s a girl around, but I’m not even sure he’s hooked up once this entire tour. The whole vibe’s different now—quieter, more toned down.
Things are moving fast with Scarlet, and despite my earlier doubts about where we’re headed, it’s not freaking me out the way I thought it would. Last night, I almost said those three little words, wanting her to hear them straight from me instead of reading them on a piece of paper. They were right there, sitting on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t make myself say them. I can’t figure out why it feels so terrifying. I know she’d never laugh or make me feel small, but letting down that guard—it feels like the hardest thing in the world. How fucked up is that?
Two nights ago, I had a video call with my sister that lasted until the early hours of the morning. It was a bit disappointing that Scarlet had dozed off in the bed next to me, as I didn’t get to indulge in my favorite thing—her. But on the bright side, I finally got to meet my three nieces. Seeing them together brings back memories of Daisy in her youth.
Daisy and I finally discussed setting the record straight about all the lies our mother has been spreading. Even though her story isn’t making headlines like it did a few weeks back, the term “abuser” keeps popping up—especially on social media. Kit’s been deleting endless comments just to keep the negativity at bay.
Kit made all the flight arrangements for me and Scarlet to join Daisy for an interview with Jerry Goldman tomorrow. I’m fucking nervous about diving back into that dark place and reliving it all. But I keep reminding myself that I owe it to that little boy—the one who suffered through all that pain—to make things right for him.
After that, my plan is to fly back and regroup with the guys for the next part of our tour—New York. I asked Scarlet to accompany me, and honestly, I don’t know if I’d get through this without her. She gives me the strength to be better, to be kinder to myself, and to see myself in a new light. She’s right—it was never my fault that I had fucked-up parents. I just wish I’d figured that out sooner.
The elevator doors slide open, and even though I’m dying to get Scarlet to my room, we hold back, letting Neil check the corridor first. Once he scans the area and gives us the all-clear, Xander and Theo step out, and then Scarlet and I follow.
As we walk, I pull her close, wrapping an arm around her waist and planting a soft kiss on the top of her head. It’s something I find myself doing more and more lately. Not too long ago, being this close would’ve sent me into a tailspin, convinced that letting someone in would set loose things I wasn’t ready to face. But now, with her by my side, it feels like each kiss is helping those fears melt away, bit by bit.
Neil waits in the hall as we each say our goodnights and head into our rooms. I close the door, and any restraint I had left vanishes. I pull Scarlet close, pressing her against the door, my lips crashing into hers with a hunger that’s been simmering all night. Feeling her warmth, her steady presence, drowns out everything else—any worries about the future, any shadows of the past. At this moment, she’s my anchor, grounding me, and I can’t get close enough to her.
She smells fucking divine, and that soft moan of hers sets my whole body ablaze with desire.
Her head tilts back, a soft, breathy sigh escaping as I trail my lips down her neck, savoring the warmth of her skin. My fingers find the button on her jeans, quickly flicking it open before tugging down the zipper. But of course, she’s wearing those damn jeans—the ones that cling tight and take forever to peel off. It’s maddening and exhilarating all at once.
“Don’t move,” I command, dropping to my knees, my gaze locked on hers. I can see the anticipation in her eyes as I slowly slide off her shoes. When I finally peel her jeans from her thighs, she steps out of them, revealing her black lace underwear hugging her curves. The sight alone stirs a deep groan from me, my mouth watering as I take in the soft lace, knowing just how close I am to her bare skin.
Fuck, this girl gets me going like no one else ever has. I look up at her, desire burning in my eyes, as I tap her ankle to widen her stance.
“Spread them,” I command, kissing the inside of her thigh, savoring the softness of her skin. When she obeys, I run my tongue along her thigh, coaxing soft, desperate noises from her, like she’s my instrument and I’m drawing out every sound of pleasure. “Now take off your shirt and bra,” I urge, my voice dripping with need. “Let me see those perfect tits.”
While she strips off her clothes, my tongue inches up her thigh toward the place I crave, where I know she’s aching for me to taste her. The moment she tosses her clothes to the floor and I get closer to her pussy, I hear her breathing change. I see her head drop back against the door, her eyes fluttering closed, lost in the pleasure building between us.
“God, you’re beautiful,” I murmur, my breath hot against her skin as I inch even closer.
When I reach her panty line, I tease her with my tongue along the edge, not bothering to break that barrier just yet. I want her to beg for what she craves. I can tell I’m getting to her by the way her palms are splayed against the door, as she fights for control.
“Ace,” she gasps, her voice all breathy and filled with need. “You’re killing me.” I can hear the frustration lacing her words, and it only drives me harder, eager to push her over the edge.
I press a kiss to her hip, smirking as her body shivers beneath my lips. Every little reaction tells me I’m getting her right where I want her, coaxing her to let go. She’s grown so much bolder with sex since those early days, when we first started fucking months ago. But now? She’s right there with me, her confidence matched by an intensity that drives us both wild. Ever since she took charge that day, something shifted between us. Now it’s no longer just a way to get off; it’s about savoring every second, drawing out every thrill until we’re both on the edge, ready to tip over together.
I slide her panties aside and run my tongue through her folds, giving her a quick flick of my tongue over her clit. Fuck, she tastes so good. The moan that escapes her lips sends a jolt of desire straight to my cock, making it harder than ever. I pull back, trailing kisses along her thigh, and when she drops her head to look at me, her eyes wide with confusion, I can’t help but grin.
“If you want it, you have to tell me you fucking want it,” I taunt, my voice low and teasing. “Beg me to give it to you.”
She lets out a deep sigh, her eyes boring into me, like if she didn’t need it so badly, she’d tell me I was an asshole for doing this to her. She pauses, watching me, and I can’t help but move my face closer. I blow hot air over her already aching skin, teasing her with the promise of what’s to come. A smirk pulls at my lips as I take in her reaction, and just to make it even harder for her, I flick my tongue out, landing a quick, tantalizing swipe against her clit.
When I pull back, she grabs my hair, yanking my head up to meet her gaze. I love this side of Scarlet—so desperate to get off, so demanding. “You’re going to get me off with your fucking mouth, asshole.” Then, with a softer tone, she adds, “Please.”
I reach up and rip her panties from her body, tossing the scraps aside so she’s completely bare and ready for me. Leaning forward, I give her what she craves, my tongue dancing over her, coaxing moans from deep within her with every swipe, every flick, every teasing pressure on her clit. Her fingers tighten in my hair, pulling me closer, and when her hips start to move, grinding against my face, it’s the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t take my eyes off her, watching her take what she wants in the most mind-blowingly erotic way.
I slip two fingers inside her, pumping them in rhythm with my tongue, and as I find that sweet spot, she becomes loud and explosive, just the way I love her. The thought of anyone walking past our door in the corridor, hearing her lose control, sends a thrill through me. Just the idea of fucking her against this door turns me on even more. She’s mine, and I’m going to make sure she knows it.
I can feel the pressure building inside her, the way her pussy throbs with need, begging for release. She’s so close, and I love how she’s losing herself in the pleasure I’m giving her. Every throb of her clit against my tongue drives me wild, and the urgency in her movements makes it clear she’s on the brink.
Her breaths come in desperate gasps, each one a sweet invitation to push her over the edge. She’s losing control, and I’m utterly captivated by the sight of her crumbling before me. The soft, pleading sounds spilling from her lips make me pick up the pace, my fingers curling just right as I stroke that sweet spot deep inside her. I can’t help but growl against her, savoring every delicious note.
“Come for me, baby,” I murmur against her, my voice low and husky. “I want to feel you.”
She’s so close, so damn close, and I can feel it in the way her body reacts—tightening, pulsing, begging for release. I can’t wait to watch her unravel, to see the moment she lets go completely, surrendering to the pleasure coursing through her.
And then it happens spectacularly. She cries out, a melody of pure ecstasy that fills the room, and I drink it all in—her pleasure, the way she quakes beneath my touch, her essence flooding my mouth. I’m fucking hungry for more, each drop igniting a fire inside me. I savor her, letting her pleasure wash over me, feeling every wave of her climax ripple through her body as she holds onto my head, her grip tightening as she rides my face, trembling with every pulse of her release. Each throb of her clit against my tongue sends a rush through me, and I’m consumed by the intoxicating blend of her pleasure and the need to keep her spiraling into ecstasy.
As her body quakes with the aftershocks of her orgasm, I pull back, a cocky smile spreading across my face. I love knowing I just gave her that kind of release, the kind that leaves her breathless and wanting more. I run my tongue over my bottom lip, savoring the sweetness of her orgasm lingering there, every taste reminding me of how badly she needed it—and how much more I want to give her.
Standing up, I watch her lean against the door, breathless, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She’s still caught in the haze of her orgasm, her skin flushed, her body trembling. Seeing her come completely undone like this drives me wild. I can’t wait any longer. I need to be balls deep inside her, feeling every inch, like it’s the only thing that matters right now.
I strip off my clothes in a rush, my cock hard and throbbing with need. Grabbing a condom from my pocket, I roll it on quickly. Every second I'm not in her is unbearable. I step forward, lifting her with ease, her back pressing against the door as her legs wrap around me. My cock brushes her entrance, the heat of her making me grit my teeth, and I angle myself just right, teasing her for a heartbeat before I slide into her, filling her completely in one smooth thrust.
The moment I’m inside her, her warmth surrounds me, and I let out a low groan. She feels incredible—tight, wet, and perfect.
Her nails dig into my shoulders, her hips pushing against mine, urging me deeper. I pull back just enough to thrust into her again, harder this time, and the sound she makes—fuck, it goes straight to my cock.
Her legs tighten around me, her body meeting every thrust as I slam into her, setting a rhythm that has her gasping. Each time I drive into her, I feel her pulse around me, her pussy clenching as if she doesn’t want to let go. My hands grip her hips, guiding her, fucking her against the door as she moans my name, her breath hot against my neck.
The sounds of our bodies colliding fill the room, her back thumping softly against the door with every thrust. Her head falls back, her eyes half-closed, and all I can think about is how fucking hot she looks, lost in the pleasure I’m giving her. I lean forward, my mouth finding her neck, kissing, biting, tasting her as I fuck her harder, feeling her getting closer to the edge again.
Her moans become louder, more desperate. The sound of her voice as she says my name, is raw and needy, pushing me to fuck her even harder. The wet slap of our bodies echoes through the room, dirty and obscene, and I know anyone walking by would hear everything—the filthy rhythm of us fucking, her loud moans, her breathy whimpers. But I don’t care. I’m too lost in the way she feels wrapped around my cock, so tight and hot, her body quivering as she chases another orgasm.
Her head falls back against the door, her lips parted, and I can see that look in her eyes, the one that tells me she’s close again. The way her pussy grips me is almost unbearable, the heat of her making it harder to hold back. I thrust into her with everything I’ve got, driving her closer. I dig my hands into her hips as I pin her against the door.
“Ace... I’m gonna—” Her voice breaks off into a moan, and I feel her body tense as her orgasm crashes over her.
But I’m not done with her. Not yet.
“Fuck,” I growl, gripping her hips harder as I fuck her through it. The way she’s coming again makes me push deeper, faster. Her moans turn into gasps, her legs trembling as I keep driving into her harder, my cock throbbing inside her. The door rattles under the force of it, and every noise she makes just makes me wilder.
I’m barely holding on, the feel of her too fucking good to stop. I slam into her again, harder this time, feeling the slick heat around my cock. The need for release builds up, my body tightening, every thrust pushing me closer to the edge.
Her fingers claw at my back, her nails digging into my skin, and I feel her pussy flutter around me as she starts to come again, her body giving in to the pleasure. That’s all it takes. The way she grips me, the sound of her falling apart, it sends me over the edge. I give her a few more brutal thrusts before my own release explodes, my cock pulsing deep inside her as I come hard.
The pleasure hits me like a wave, and I keep fucking her, feeling every second of it, every squeeze of her pussy as we ride out our orgasms. Her gasps and my groans mix until we both collapse, spent and breathless, against the door.
I can feel her body clinging to mine as we both catch our breath. I breathe her in, burying my face in the curve of her neck, inhaling her scent—a mix of sex, sweat, and something purely her. The warmth of her, the softness of her skin against mine, is intoxicating, and I can’t bring myself to pull away just yet.
Her fingers trace lazy patterns down my arms, and I can hear the soft rise and fall of her breathing, still coming down from the high of everything we’ve just done. I press my forehead against her collarbone, taking a moment to soak in the feeling of her against me.
When I finally pull back, I meet her gaze, a slow smirk spreading across my face. Her eyes are heavy, lips parted as she breathes, still drunk with pleasure. I kiss her neck one last time, nipping at her skin before I push us off the door, holding her tight as I carry her toward the bathroom.