“Yeah, I have just been hit with some hard truths in the last 24 hours. I have kept everything inside for so long. Now it seems as if it all wants to come tumbling out at the same time,” Daisy took another shaky breath. “Yesterday you said something to me that Luke has been telling me for years. I guess I just needed to hear it from another perspective. I have been running for so long and I am more than tired. I’m just not sure I can stop.”
“Daisy, I am here for whatever you need. But you have to open up to me. Tell me what you are running from. Why you have so little value of your own life,” Ace told her quietly while he stared into her eyes. He wanted so desperately for her to trust him and let him help her.
“I know. I promise I will tell you everything when we get home. I just need some time to get my thoughts together, alright?” Daisy pleaded with her eyes, willing him to understand.
“Of course. I understand,” Ace replied patiently. He helped Daisy gather her things and led her out to the waiting plane. The flight back to the US was uneventful. Daisy and Ace rode in a comfortable silence along with the rest of the team. Daisy’s mind was on her past, while Ace was plotting how best to help her and get her to open up and let him in her life.
Chapter 11
Once they arrived back in North Carolina, Daisy had to go through another debriefing again as did the Marines. Daisy was told she had to have a psych evaluation which was standard procedure following an incident of this magnitude. After all the formalities were over, Ace met Daisy in the lobby of the building where their debriefing was held. It was 0200 when they met to leave the building.
“Can I drive you home?” Ace asked tentatively. He wanted to spend more time with Daisy but didn’t want to push her away by being too smothering. He knew he was walking a fine line, but he just couldn’t stop himself.
“Yes, I would like that, thanks,” Daisy answered, surprising not only Ace, but herself as well. “I am beat. I don’t think I have the energy to drive home. Do you want to drive my car?”
“Yes, I actually rode over here with Straw and Tank the day we left. My car is at my apartment,” Ace answered with a sly grin. Daisy wondered how he had thought he was going to drive her home, but she just smiled without commenting. She dug in her bag and pulled out her keys and handed them over to Ace. He put his hand on her lower back and led her toward the parking lot.
When they entered the parking lot, Daisy led him to a large black SUV. It was a Toyota Sequoia loaded with safety features and 4-wheel drive. Ace was impressed and thankful she had a safe vehicle to drive. Ace loaded their bags in the back and came around to the passenger side to open Daisy’s door. She rolled her eyes as he insisted on helping her inside. He even pulled the seatbelt around her and secured it before shutting the door. He walked around to the driver’s side and climbed inside.
Once he had adjusted his seat, the rearview, and side mirrors, he started the vehicle. After learning all the buttons and switches, he put the vehicle in gear and headed toward the exit. When they reached the main road, he turned to Daisy.
“Which way, sweetheart?”
“Oh, I wasn’t thinking. Turn left. I live out in Sneed’s Ferry, Mimosa Bay.” Daisy said. She reached to the dash and turned on the GPS and hit GO HOME. The computerized voice began to give directions. After about a 30-minute drive they arrived at the gated community. Ace was pleased that Daisy had chosen a secure location to live. Her home was a large modern styled home. A half porch graced the right-hand side of the front of the home, with a large picture window taking up the other half. Ace was shocked at how large the home was and felt a little out of place for a moment. He hadn’t ever even dreamed of living in house this nice.
“I know it’s huge. I don’t need so much space, but I fell in love with it the moment I saw it,” Daisy said wistfully. “I used to want lots of things…when I was a kid, but things changed. This is one thing I let myself have from the old dreams.”
“It’s a very nice house,” Ace replied as he continued to take it all in. “Sit still. I’ll come around,” Ace instructed her. Daisy just shook her head. He was a true gentleman and it would be useless to argue with him about it.
Ace slipped out of the vehicle and came around to Daisy’s side and opened her door. When she was out, he closed her door and went to the back of the SUV and got their bags. They walked to the garage door. Taking her keys, Ace unlocked the door. As she started inside, he took her by the arm and pushed her behind him as he dropped their bags just inside the door. He peeked inside and scanned the room. He stepped further inside and continued to look around for any dangers. Daisy just shook her head while disarming the security system. What was his deal? This was a safe, gated neighborhood. Daisy didn’t try to deter him. She let him survey the house for burglars to his heart’s content.
After Ace had walked the entire house, both upstairs and down he finally came back to Daisy. He picked her bag up and looked at her questioningly.
“Where would you like me to take this, sweetheart?” Ace inquired.
“Just in there is the laundry room,” Daisy pointed toward a door off to the left of the back door. “I will get out my dirty clothes to wash then I will take the rest upstairs to my room.” Ace placed the bag on the floor of the laundry room. He walked back to the kitchen where Daisy was looking out the kitchen window. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He placed a kiss on her temple. Daisy leaned back into his hard-broad chest. They stood there for several minutes looking out toward the back yard. Daisy finally turned in Aces arms to face him.
“Why are you here? What’s the end game here?” Daisy asked quietly. She had placed her hands on his biceps as he held her with his arms wrapped loosely around her waist. She lifted her head to look up at Ace. He looked down at her intently.
“Daisy, I am attracted to you. I want to get to know you better,” Ace replied sincerely. “I know something has been eating at you for a long time. I just want to help you with your ‘demons’ as you call them. I’m not sure why. I normally don’t do relationships. With the way I work, getting sent on missions for weeks to months at a time, many times without notice. It makes it very difficult to have a lasting meaningful relationship, but I think you are worth the effort.”
Daisy didn’t know what to say to his declaration. She just looked up at him for several long moments, thinking about his words. Then made a decision. She nodded in agreement, but she was not up for a heavy conversation such as her past just now. It was time to change the subject.
“Would you like something to drink? Water or water?” Daisy laughed. “I don’t have any food. I got rid of everything before I left. I guess we should have stopped at the store on our way here.”
“I am fine, besides it’s the middle of the night. Not much we can get this time of night,” Ace said. Daisy nodded in agreement. Ace kept her in his embrace when she started to pull away. She looked back up at him in question.
“I am going to kiss you now, okay?” Ace asked, uncertainly.
“Okay,” Daisy complied.
Ace lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle, coaxing. Daisy opened her mouth and tentatively swiped her tongue out. At her gesture, Ace deepened the kiss. His tongue slid against Daisy’s in an exploratory dance. Ace ran his hands up to tangle them in her hair. Daisy moaned softly as desire flooded her body. She stepped closer to Ace and pressed herself into to him.
Ace broke the kiss and began to kissed his way to her left ear, nibbling softly on the lobe. He then worked his way down her neck kissing, nipping, and licking. Daisy let her head fall back moaning in pleasure as he moved over her body. Daisy was the most turned on she had ever remembered being. It had been a long time since she had been with anyone. He moved his mouth back up to hers, in a deep hot kiss.
Suddenly he pulled back to gaze at her. She opened her eyes in surprise. “What’s wrong?” She asked quietly.
“Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart. But if we keep this up, I won’t be able to stop,” he said with a wicked grin. “I have to stop before I strip you naked and take you right here on the kitchen table.” He said chuckling. Daisy stared at him in amazement.
