Page 88 of All I Feel

Perhaps it was knowing that this was only the beginning of what was to come. That Ace’s palms gliding over the satin of my nightie would soon be his fingertips over the surface of my skin.

My knees weakened at the thought. Chills ran down my spine at the promise of him. Parts of me tingled and ached with need like I’d never experienced before.

Ace separated his mouth from mine, but he didn’t pull away. He kept a firm, possessive hold on me—not an inch of space between our bodies—as we both struggled to regain control of our breathing.

He got there first, and with his thumb strokingalong my cheek, he asked, “Are you sure about this, Tessa? You don’t have to rush if you’re not ready. I will wait for you.”

That he’d even offered to stop this, to wait for me, was enough for me to know I was making the right decision. My only regret was that I hadn’t known years ago that he was the one I’d needed in my life all along.

“I’ve never been so sure about anything in my entire life, Ace. This is exactly what I want.” I licked my lips as my fingers gripped his shirt at his sides. “I want to feel your hands all over my body. I want to touch and explore yours. But most of all, I want to feel you moving inside me.”

Somehow, his hold on me grew even firmer as he kissed me again and groaned. Mouth still connected to mine, tongue slipping past my lips, Ace effortlessly guided us toward the bed. He brought us to a stop beside it, tearing his mouth from mine once more, and framed my face in his hands. “I heard every word you said about what you want, Tessa. And nothing would make me happier than to give that to you, to us. But I need you to understand something before I do.”

A different kind of nervousness took hold of me. “What is it?”

“No matter that we’re here or that we might take this a bit further, if you change your mind at any time, you can tell me, and it’ll stop. No questions asked.”

God, he was such a wonderful man. He was everything I’d wanted, needed, and deserved to have all along. I could only hope he felt the same about me in return.

Offering a reassuring smile, I spoke softly. “I understand. But I want this, and I’m not going to change my mind.”

He jerked his chin down in understanding. “Okay. But I just need you to know that you can.”

“I do.”

With my assurances in hand, Ace wasted no more time. His lips brushed lightly against mine as his hands dropped from my face to my hips. He squeezed me there before gliding his palms back and over my ass, seeking another squeeze.

My hands left his sides, journeying up his torso, over his shoulders, and to my favorite place—his hair. I grew more and more eager for every bit of him I could get, but since I only felt confident in my ability to kiss him, I put all my effort into that, taking as much from him as he was from me.

Whether it was something I’d done that led to it or simply the natural way of things, Ace finally gave me something I’d been craving for the past several nights. His hands left my ass, drifted up my sides, and finally came up to cover my breasts. He squeezed gently before swiping his thumbs over the silky fabric covering my nipples.

A moan escaped me as desire pooled between my thighs.

Ace pulled his mouth from mine, but he didn’t stop kissing me. His lips moved along my jaw and down the side of my throat, where he kissed, nipped, and licked.

With every new touch I experienced, I craved more. I couldn’t understand why it seemed to be Ace’s mission to make this all about how he could make me feel. Part of me was lost, unsure what I could do for him in return.

Even if I’d attempted to come up with something, I’m not sure it would’ve mattered. Because Ace’s hands left my breasts, dropped to my thighs, and slipped beneath the hem of my nightie. His calloused palms were rough against mysmooth skin, and I loved the feeling as they drifted higher and higher.

Suddenly, they stopped at my bare hips, and Ace pulled his mouth from my collarbone to look down at me. Eyes wide with surprise, he said, “You’ve got nothing on underneath this.”

I shook my head. “No. Is… Is that alright?”

“Why would it not be?” Disbelief washed over his expression. “Can I take this off you? I want to see you, Princess. All of you.”

Biting my lip, I nodded slowly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I rasped.

Ace needed no further encouragement. His hands continued their ascent, ultimately pulling the nightie over my head and tossing it aside. He took half a step back, allowing his eyes to roam over my naked form. I was convinced the burn I felt beneath my skin was from the fire in his gaze as he took me in. “You’re beautiful, Tessa. I’ve never seen anything or anyone so perfect in all my life.”

I fidgeted awkwardly with my hands in front of my body, shifting back and forth on my feet. “I… You… Can I take off your shirt?”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Yes.”

Stepping forward, I brought my hands to the hem of his shirt and urged it up his torso. Ace helped, pulling it over his head and arms, tossing it in the same direction as my nightie.