“I…I don’t know what to say. Most guys wouldn’t stop,” Daisy stated with surprise. She took a deep breath trying to calm the desire running through her body. She stepped back as she looked away to abate the embarrassment, she felt at being aroused then rejected. Ace saw the hurt in her eyes, however.
“I don’t want to stop, Daisy. I would love nothing more than taking this all the way, but I want you to know me, to trust me. I don’t want to rush this and mess up what could be,” Ace said earnestly.
“Oh! Wow, Ace…I understand. It’s actually refreshing,” Daisy replied sincerely. “I have to admit, I was a little hurt at first, but how could I be upset with you after that declaration.” She smiled to let him know she wasn’t upset with him. Ace smiled back as he ran his hands up and down her back.
“So, do you want me to go out and find you something to eat, sweetheart?” Ace asked. Just then his cell phone began to ring. Ace looked at it and frowned. Hawk was calling. Why now? They had just gotten back and it was the middle of the night.
“Ace here. What’s up Hawk?” Ace listened intently to the person on the other end. Daisy was watching him closely, but she couldn’t get a read on him. He had his facial expressions well-schooled.
“Alright Hawk. I’ll be there.” Ace ended the call as his face fell. Daisy could tell something was wrong and Ace was struggling with telling her about it.
“What’s wrong Ace?” Daisy inquired softly. Ace looked deeply into her eyes for a moment.
“I’m needed back at base,” Ace said as he pulled up another number on his phone. “Do you remember, Elise? The woman we recovered from an ISIS psycho a few months ago?” Ace asked her.
“Yes, of course, I remember her,” Daisy replied not sure where this was going. Ace began talking to someone on the other end.
“Hey, Hack? Can you pick me up at this address?” Ace gave out Daisy’s address. “Thanks man, I owe you.” Ace ended the call and resumed his conversation with Daisy. “Elise and Deadeye have become an item and apparently she is missing. Her parents have called Hawk to see if we can help find her.”
“Oh, the poor woman. I hope she is okay,” Daisy replied as she moved closer to Ace. He took her in his arms and kissed her again.
“I don’t want to leave you, but Deadeye left Elise to help me find you and I have to return the favor,” Ace said quietly. Daisy wrapped her arms around Ace’s waist and rested her head on his broad chest.
“I totally understand, Ace. Elise needs the team. I will be fine,” Daisy smiled up at Ace to assure him.
“Promise me you won’t do anything crazy while I’m gone,” Ace pleaded. When Daisy didn’t answer right away, Ace continued. “I mean it Daisy. I want you here waiting for me when I get back.” Ace’s demand got Daisy’s hackles up a little.
“Ace, you have no right to try and command me to do or not do anything,” Daisy replied heatedly. “I can take care of myself. I recognize that I have taken some unnecessary risks in the past and I will make an effort to not continue to take such risks. But you need to back off. I’m not going to be told what to do.”
“I’m sorry Daisy,” Ace began. “I know I have no rights or hold over you, but I care for you. I just want you to be protected, healthy, and happy.” Ace looked deeply into Daisy’s eyes. “Please don’t be angry with me. I just want you to be safe.”
She gave him a little smile. How could she stay mad at that sweet face? He knew just how to get under her skin. “I promise to stay safe while you are gone. Don’t worry about me,” she assured him.
“I’ll always worry about you,” Ace said sincerely. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. May I come here when we get back?”
“Yes, Ace. I would like that,” Daisy answered before tiptoeing to place a kiss on Ace’s lips again. Ace gave her a big smile, while he tightened his arms around her waist. Ace’s phone pinged with an incoming message. He took a look at it.
“Hack is here. I have to go,” Ace gave her another deep kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
Daisy walked Ace to the door. Ace grabbed his bag from beside the back door and headed out the door. Daisy watched as he climbed in the passenger side of Hack’s Volkswagen bug. She stood looking at the driveway for a long while after they were gone. Daisy shook her head. She was acting like a teenager. She didn’t let men get under her skin. Why was she acting this way over Ace? Daisy decided to head up stairs and get some sleep. She would worry about her sanity and groceries later.
Chapter 12
A couple of days later, Daisy heard a knock at her door. She peeked through the narrow window on the left side of the front door to see Ace standing on her front porch. He hadn’t even texted her to let her know he was back. Daisy opened the door a crack.
“Well, I see you made it back,” Daisy smirked at Ace through the small opening she had created.
“Are you going to let me in? Or do I have to beg?” Ace inquired with raised eyebrows. Daisy wanted to make him squirm, but she just didn’t have it in her. She had missed him more than she wanted to admit. She was very happy to see him standing at her door. She swung the door open wider. She noticed Hack’s bug backing out of her driveway.
“Come on in, wayward soldier,” Daisy chuckled as Ace gave her a glare, but he pushed his way inside. He dropped his bag next to the front door and grabbed Daisy around the waist.
“You are a sight for sore eyes, sweetheart,” Ace declared as he swung her in a circle while giving her a quick kiss. “I’m starving. Can we order something to eat? What do you want?”
“Ummm…Chinese?” Daisy asked. “I haven’t had any in forever. It’s my favorite.”
She smiled up at him. He was still holding her in his arms. She placed her hands on hard-broad chest and caressed him gently.
“Sounds great!” Ace exclaimed as he reached into his back pocket to retrieve his cell phone. He looked up a local restaurant, called, and placed an order for delivery. Daisy stared at him in awe. He didn’t even ask what she wanted, but he ordered her favorite foods. She shook her head incredulously. When he ended the call, he looked at her and saw the surprise on her face. Confused he raised his eyebrows in question.
