Chapter 1 #4
As he avoids me while looking around his place, I study his eyes.
This man is so different from the men I’m used to being surrounded by.
A hard worker and ambitious, he knows what he wants and is accomplished at such a young age.
He’s easy to talk to, has a great sense of humor, and is gorgeous.
I mean, his entire demeanor made me open up and tell him something only a handful of people know.
I roam his face some more, and I’m finally close enough to see the color of his irises. They’re a mix of blue and green, extremely unique and beautiful. My gaze lowers to his full lips, and then to his chiseled jaw that has some stubble on it.
Of course, I found a man who piqued my interest for the first time in years, and I’m never seeing him again. The idea makes me want to jump his bones and flee at the same time.
“Like what you see?”
Lifting my gaze, I notice the amusement and cockiness in his eyes, but I don’t smile back. Instead of responding, I decide to act, taking advantage of the fact that he’s no longer uncomfortable.
I don’t want to hide anymore. I’m just hoping he doesn’t recognize me from the tabloids I was in years ago. But he doesn’t strike me as the kind of man who would read the gossip columns or be into social media.
Dragging my hands to the back of my head, I let out a sigh while untying the knot and pulling out the pins that were holding the mask in place around the base of my hair.
The moment it falls, and I move my face upward, Ace’s eyes widen, and I see his Adam’s apple bob.
Feeling slightly cocky myself, I hit him back with his own words. “Like what you see?”
He simply nods and lets out a slight cough. “Um, yeah.”
My grin grows.
Okay, this man doesn’t understand that my biggest flaw is nosiness, and I’m desperate to see what he looks like without the large mask. I slowly lean over until my arms reach around his head, and I lift the elastic band of his mask until I’m able to grab it and put it on the bar next to mine.
Ace’s head straightens slowly as I remain in the same position. My torso is slightly squished by the edge of the bar, making my boobs look bigger than they are because of the way I’m standing, and our faces are only inches apart, but I don’t move.
I knew the man was attractive, but wow, the eyebrows and full face make the biggest difference. He’s incredibly beautiful.
My breathing picks up, and so does his—eyes to lips and lips to eyes.
No, I can’t.
“What kind of music do you like?” Looking behind him, I spot the old handheld wireless radio near the bottles of alcohol. Standing, I make my way around the bar, slowly passing Ace. “I’m assuming this works?”
“Yes.” His voice sounds strained, and I can only imagine how crazy he must think I am.
Turning the radio on, I flip through a few stations until I land on one that’s playing “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” by ABBA. “Oh, fuck yes!”
I turn to Ace and find him covering his mouth with a hand, nothing but humor lining his features.
Reaching behind him, I down my vodka soda and bob my head to the song, still not wanting this night to end.
If we only have one night, we’re going all out.
Grabbing Ace’s free hand, I force him to spin me as the chorus hits.
He starts to shake his head before I ask what he knows is coming. “Dance with me?”
Biting his lip, he says, “I don’t dance.”
Scoffing, I take off my shoes. “Everyone dances, even if it’s only in their apartment alone. Come on.” I stick out my bottom lip. “Please?”
He looks at me and then away, then back again. “Fuck it.”
“Yes! That’s what I’m talking about. And just to let you know, I’m a complete klutz.”
Ace snickers as I grab the small radio and drag him from behind the bar to the spacious room. Jumping and swiveling my head, I give him an encouraging smile, and he follows me.
He loosens up and mimics my movements. When the second chorus hits, he twirls me, and then I attempt to twirl him the same way.
His knees bend a hell of a lot before he can complete the spin, and we both shake our heads, agreeing that that’s something we don’t need to try again.
We move around the room, holding hands, doing silly poses, and bobbing our heads to the point where I’m extremely dizzy.
The song ends, and we’re smiling like breathless idiots. I haven’t felt this free in so long, and I don’t want this to end.
The radio host shares an odd fact about ABBA, but I ignore it as soon as Ace’s eyes, unique and warm, meet mine and soften. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done something like that. Too long.”
My chest squeezes. “Same.”
The radio host announces the next song, and “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane plays. Smiling, I tell him, “I love this song.”
Ace hesitates, doubt flickering in his eyes, but he makes a choice and sticks out a hand. “May I have one last dance?”
Swallowing harshly, I place my palm in his.
I squeal as Ace pulls me closer until his hand touches my hip, and our chests are barely an inch apart.
Keeping my eyes down, we dance slowly to the bittersweet song that somehow captures this moment perfectly.
I’m still not ready for the night to end, but we both know it’s coming to a close.
A wave of emotions washes over me, knowing I’ll never see this man again.
Why now? Why him? Why am I meeting him when we’re headed in completely different directions?
But everything happens for a reason, and for some reason, we were meant to have one night and one night only. It’ll be something we both have to live with. Maybe we’ll regret it later, but I have to live in the now.
His fingers tip my head until I’m forced to meet his gaze. His eyes reflect the same bittersweet feeling the song’s lyrics express, and I know that we’re both thinking how timing can be one of the cruelest and most amazing things in the world.
“Kiss me,” I demand softly.
Ace’s gaze heats, and a second later, he crushes his lips to mine.
We sigh at the feeling, and a moment later, I know that this was the worst and best thing I could’ve decided on tonight, because this kiss, this feeling, isn’t something I’ve ever experienced.
Fireworks explode, and my stomach dips as something stronger than butterflies gathers in it.
My core clenches at the same time that my heart skips a beat.
It’s all too much.
We pause for a moment, looking at each other. His eyes show exactly how I feel and what I’m thinking. They’re wide with amazement.
And even though I know this will only make things worse, I stand on my tiptoes, wrap my arms around his neck, and pull him down until our kisses become messier and we’re nothing but tangled limbs, our tongues clashing against each other’s—a passionate yet aggressive embrace.
A moan slips from me as he skillfully moves his tongue, as if trying to show me what he’d be doing to me if it weren’t just in my mouth. He responds with a moan of his own, and fuck if that isn’t the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. The sound alone makes the space between my thighs slick.
He pushes me against the wall and showers my neck with kisses. My head tilts back, giving him better access. I promised myself a long time ago that the next man I sleep with would be the last one I bring into my bed, but right now, I know I want to make the most of our time together.
Grabbing a fistful of his hair, I force him to look at me.
His pupils are dilated, and I realize he isn’t speaking because he doesn’t know my real name.
That should bother me more than it does, but I’m so overwhelmed with lust and feelings that all logical thoughts have long disappeared.
Slowly, I lift my dress, exposing my legs and guiding his hand onto my bare thigh.
He closes his eyes, and his face contorts with pain as his hand squeezes my leg.
Ace rests his forehead against mine and gradually slides his hand higher, both of our chests rising faster, our breaths syncing.
His fingers brush the lace of my underwear, and I exhale sharply.
Finally, he slips his hand inside my thong and senses how wet I am for him. A gasp escapes me.
“Fuck,” Ace hisses, and a thread in him snaps.
He sticks two fingers inside of me and covers my mouth with his as I whimper at the intensity of the feeling.
His fingers move expertly, fucking me while using his palm to massage my clit.
He groans into my mouth as I feel him rub himself against my stomach.
Throwing my head back, I rub my palm over his pants, where I find a large surprise waiting for me. He curses again and kisses me harsher.
Ace presses himself against my hand, and we’re both entirely immersed in each other.
Then my phone rings. Not just my regular ringtone, but the chorus of “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon.
The one I assigned to my grandmother’s phone number.
It instantly makes me stiffen and squeeze my eyes shut.
That means it’s past eleven, and they’re wondering why I haven’t gotten back to the penthouse.
Ace halts all movement. Want and release hang in the air as he realizes our time is up. The disappointment in his eyes is clear.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “Don’t be.”
We let my dress fall, and Ace smiles, letting out a deep breath. My phone rings again, but this time it’s from my grandfather’s cell, which also has a specific ringtone set.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I really have to go.” I run and send my grandmother a text saying I was with some friends from the ball getting some food, and that I am on my way to the penthouse now.
“Let me drive you to wherever you’re headed.”
Putting on my heels, I move my head from side to side. “I can’t risk my grandparents seeing you. I’ll be fine.”
Rounding the bar, I grab my purse and copy of The Princess Bride, taking a step toward the door. Holding my breath, I glance back one last time and find Ace standing at the end of the bar. I take a moment to memorize his handsome face, strong hands, and expressive eyes.
My friends often wonder why I get involved in their love lives.
They think it’s because I love gossip, but really, it’s to help them avoid ending up like me.
With a dramatic and endless complicated love life like mine—one that’s practically nonexistent—so far, it’s worked.
Most of them have their happily ever afters, and I feel so behind.
Oh, timing and fate, you fickle bitch.
“Thank you for tonight,” I whisper.
He sucks in a ragged breath, rubbing a hand over his face. “At least tell me your real name.”
His eyes are pleading with me, and as much as I want to know his real name, too, it won’t change anything, but I give him something.
Something he’ll need to figure out if he really wants to know who I am.
A line from Emma by Jane Austen, the reason I was named Emma.
And it’s a line that’s very fitting for the situation we’re in.
I offer him a sad smile and quote Mr. Knightley.
“Surprises are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable.” With that, I slowly walk backward.
He slackens, looking confused and disappointed.
“You’re clever enough to figure it out,” I say.
When I reach the door, I turn around one last time to find him still watching my every move.
“Yes, people do tell me I’m dramatic, and here I am proving it by making this exit. Surely, it’s not one you’ll forget.”
Then I run down the block back into the busy streets of London, unsure if the choice I made by not giving him my name was the right one.