“Of course, mother. Now let’s go have a nice afternoon,” Luke moved back into the backyard where several guests were pretending not to listen to the family drama.
Daisy sighed heavily and tried to relax. Ace moved into her personal space and faced her. He slid his arms around her waist.
“You want to go?” He asked quietly. Daisy just shook her head. She couldn’t speak right now, or the tears would fall. Her mother could always bring her to tears. It was a big reason she didn’t come visit very often. Joyce always wanted to punish Daisy for Luke’s injury. Ace continued. “If she says one more snarky comment we are out of here. I won’t take no for an answer. I’m not going to stand by while someone belittles you.”
“Thank you,” Daisy barely whispered around the lump in her throat. She cleared her throat and looked up into his eyes. “No one has ever stood up for me before. Luke tries, but he has a soft spot for mother. She has relied on him for years and he feels the need to take care of her.”
“Get used to it, Daisy. I will always be here for you. I will have your back,” He lowered his voice to whisper, “and your front.” He grinned and looked at her with heat in his eyes. He moved a little closer and planted a kiss on her forehead. He lingered just a little too long. Daisy looked up into his eyes again and wondered how she got so lucky. They moved on into the backyard and found some chairs near Luke.
The party was interrupted again when Daisy and Luke’s younger brothers arrived on the scene. Beau and Rosco arrived in a big flare. A flashy red sports car roared into the drive way. The men got out and headed into the backyard carrying cases of beer. They hollered a greeting to their brother.
“Hey Luke! You can start the party now! The fun is here,” Beau called as he crossed the patio. Rosco was hot on his heels. Both men stopped in their tracks when they saw Daisy.
“Well I’ll be damned!” Rosco exclaimed. “Luke said you would be here, but I didn’t believe it. Come here sis and give your brother some love.” Rosco reached for Daisy as Beau joined them in a bear hug. The brothers proceeded to tickle Daisy. It had been their favorite game when they were growing up. Daisy was squealing and jumping to get away from them. Luke joined in on the fun and blocked Daisy’s escape. The crowd in the backyard seemed to be enjoying the sibling’s antics. The men finally gave their poor sister a break and let her free. Daisy was laughing so hard she could hardly speak. The men were laughing too. Ace was happy to see this carefree side of Daisy. She looked so relaxed and lighthearted in that moment. He wanted to make her look that way every day.
The rest of the afternoon went much better. Daisy and her siblings settled into a comfortable comradery. They shared stories of their childhood. Ace thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Daisy’s brothers. He could see that Luke would have made an excellent Marine. It was a shame he never got the chance, but he didn’t seem to be bitter about it. He moved around comfortably, grilling, and interacting with his guests. Rosco and Beau were more than happy to talk about Luke’s security company and the crazy jobs they had done working for him.
As the evening waned into night, Ace could tell Daisy was getting tired. Despite her being physically fit, the time she had spent in the desert had taken its toll on her. She was trying to hide how tired she was getting, but Ace wasn’t going to let her over extend herself.
“Daisy, are you ready to go?” Ace asked her quietly, not intending for anyone else to hear his question. She looked at him in question but could tell he knew she was getting tired. She was grateful for his keen observation. She nodded in agreement and moved to say her good-byes to Luke, Beau, and Rosco. They were in conversation with some friends from work and their mother. When Daisy approached the group, all eyes turned to her.
“Luke, we are going to head out, but I’ll see you tomorrow?” Daisy asked tentatively.
“Daisy why not stay here at Luke’s house?” Joyce inquired, but no one paid her any attention.
“Sure, Daisy I’ll be free by tomorrow afternoon about 2? I’ll meet you and Ace down at Jay’s Bar and Grill. You remember, Jay Gordan? He was year older than me in high school. We played on the same football team. He own’s a couple of bars now and is doing really well. He’s married and has 3 kids. I know he would love to see you again,” Luke trailed off as he could see Daisy’s face pinch. “Or we can meet here if you want.”
“No, we’ll be there at 2pm,” Ace interjected. Daisy glowered at him but didn’t argue. She leaned over and gave Luke a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. Beau and Rosco gave her a hug as well. Ace took her hand and led her back to the car. Once he had helped her into the passenger side of the vehicle, he moved around to the driver’s side. He started the car and backed out of the driveway. They rode in a strained silence.
Chapter 15
They arrived at the hotel Ace had booked for them. Ace led her to their room after checking them in. When they entered, he placed their suitcases near the bed. He took her in his arms and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She melted into him. The stress of the day was just too much for her to keep her composure. Ace wrapped his left arm around her waist and placed his right hand at the nape of her neck, holding her to him while he devoured her. She moaned as she leaned into him and pressed her body to his.
Ace swept her off her feet and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently as he continued to consume her mouth. She inched up the mattress and opened her legs to allow him to move between them. She could feel his desire as he ground himself into her. She wanted to just be lost in him and forget all about her past, her sins, her need for atonement. As if Ace could read her mind, he pulled back, panting.
“Daisy I want to be with you more than anything, but not as just a distraction from your life. I want our first time to mean something,” Ace moved to get off her. She grabbed him by the biceps and halted his movements.
“Ace, yes a part of me wants to be distracted from the awful afternoon we have endured at my evil mother’s hands, but I really do like you. I haven’t been attracted to anyone in years. You make me laugh, cry, and for the first time in 20 years look forward to something,” Daisy bared her soul to him. “I need you, Ace. Please don’t deny me,” Daisy ended her declaration with a pleading look.
Ace continued to hover over her looking deeply in her eyes as if he was searching for something. He shifted to lay beside her on the bed, never breaking eye contact. He placed his left hand on the side of her face in a tender caress. Daisy leaned into his touch. She rolled onto her left side to face Ace.
“Ace, for the first time since Luke was hurt, you have made me think about the possibility that I could find happiness, find peace. You have made me forget for a few moments that I don’t deserve to be happy. You have made me want to have it…to have you. I don’t know what you are wanting out of us being together. I have no idea what you see in me, but for now I don’t want to question it. I just want to feel you, over me, under me, inside me. Let me have tonight.”
“God, Daisy. I can’t say no to you. I want us to be together, always. I know it’s too soon for me to be talking about forever, but when I look in your eyes, that’s what I see, it’s what I want. I will give you tonight and every night after if you will allow it,” Ace ended his admission. Ace knew that if he allowed himself to have her body, he would be forever hooked. She was the drug that he would crave until he goes to the grave.
“Yes Ace, I want that too. Now stop talking and make love to me,” Daisy reached for him and he allowed her to pull him to her. He took her mouth in a hot kiss. Their tongues dueled, sliding against one another. Ace sucked on her tongue and nipped her lower lip. He moved his hand to her waist and slid it under the hem of her blouse. His warm hand on her bare skin sent a delicious shiver over her, goosebumps erupted on her skin. He slowly moved his hand northward caressing her as he moved. He finally made contact with her bra. He could feel the lace in his hand. Her nipple beaded under his palm as he kneaded her breast through the fabric.
Daisy arched her back to give him better access. Ace lifted his head and smiled down at her. She arched an eyebrow in askance. He merely continued to rub her breast. He pinched the bud between his thumb and index finger, rolled it softly. Daisy closed her eyes as another moan escaped Daisy’s lips at the desire burning in her. Suddenly, all her pleasure was gone. Her eyes flew open. Ace was standing bedside the bed with an intense look in his eyes.
“Strip, Daisy,” Ace demanded as he began to remove his clothing. Daisy quickly moved to comply. She removed her blouse and bra followed by her pants and panties. She laid back on the bed on top of the bedspread, on display for him. Ace sucked in a sharp gasp at the beauty before him. He moved to cover her with his body.
“Daisy, you are so beautiful,” Ace declared. “I will never be able to get enough of you.”
Daisy was in awe of the man hovering over her naked body. He was absolutely beautiful, like a Greek god. His hard-muscled chest with a few scattered smatterings of hair led down to abs made of steel. They moved and flexed as he positioned himself over her. She continued to trail down his body taking in the v that led to his massive erection. It bobbed against his lower stomach as he moved over her. Daisy reached out to take it in her hand in fascination. It was not like she hadn’t seen one before, but she was entranced with Ace’s. She stroked him from top to bottom. A bead of pre-cum appeared in the slit on the head.
Daisy rubbed her index finger over it, swiping it up on her finger. She moved it to her mouth and sucked his essence off her finger. Ace watched her in awe. That was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. His cock hardened even more if that was even possible. She stroked him again and he closed his eyes enjoying the feel of her hands on his body. After a few more strokes, he grabbed her hand to still her movements.
“Sweetheart, I won’t last to get inside you if you keep that up,” Ace said huskily. Daisy shivered at the heat in his eyes and his voice as he whispered in her ear. He had moved to nuzzle her neck and sucked on her earlobe. Daisy felt moisture flood her thighs. The smell of her arousal was thick in the air. Ace worked his way down her neck across her collarbone and down to her left breast. When he sucked her left nipple into his mouth, Daisy moaned loudly. It felt so very good to have Ace’s mouth on her body. After he had satisfied himself that he had done a thorough job on the left, he moved to the right, sucking, licking, and softly biting her tender flesh and nipples.
