Page 53 of Until Ace

“Ace,” I breathe.

“I see it in your face that you like that, so don’t even try denying it.”

“I—” I don’t get to finish my sentence. That’s because in a blink, he’s in front of me, leans in, and circles my waist. He pulls me into his body, making a statement I can’t miss. His other hand travels lightly up my back until he cups my neck. Through all of that, I lose command of my body, as it drowns in the goose bumps his touch evokes. I watch as his mouth gets closer.

The moment his mouth touches mine, I’m lost. I’m propelled into Ace Wonderland.

It doesn’t even take a second before my mouth is welcoming his tongue. He teases me with light touches before taking it all away, making me crave more. And when I lose my patience and my tongue enters his mouth, he sucks it deeper. I go up on my tiptoes and press my body more firmly to his.

God, he feels good.

I don’t know when my hands moved; all I know is his heat under my palms feels heavenly. And when I shove my hands in his hair, demanding more of his kiss, more of him, more of everything, he growls into my mouth and slants his head, pushing my tongue back and taking over control of the kiss.

His hand goes into my hair as the other one slices diagonally up my back, coming over my shoulder, and both of them tighten, pressing us impossibly close.

I know he’s claiming me. And I can honestly say, being claimed by Ace Sterling is the best feeling in the entire world.

Suddenly, he breaks the kiss, leaving me in a daze.

“See?” he pants. “I told you, you like it.”

Before I have a chance to lie and say otherwise just to save face, he pulls my face into his neck and hugs me.

Holy shit, it feels awesome to be hugged by Ace.

I can’t help but start to wonder what else would be awesome when done by Ace.

I breathe him in before I lean my head back and look at him. God, his eyes, they're burning. I can actually feel him looking at me. From the first time I looked into his dark-brown eyes, I felt whole. I can't explain it, don't even want to try to understand it, but I know he is my future. He is the man I'm going to spend my life with.

It's almost ridiculous, the depth of my feelings toward him after such a short amount of time, but I know there's no denying them. Same as I know that what's reflected in his eyes screams that Ace feels the same way.

The only question is, will we be able to get what we want? Or will my family pull us under and ruin everything, the same as they’ve done my whole life?

I know there's one thing that's not the same—if they do come for me, if they try to rip me away from Ace, I will fight them tooth and nail. Because before, I didn't have anything to lose, but now? Now, I have everything.

“Fuck,” he rumbles before he leans back in. Just as our lips touch, my phone rings, and in response, my body turns to stone. Something Ace doesn't miss.

“Mandy,” Ace rumbles so I look at him, but I don't. Instead, I focus on his lips and try with all my might to keep the memory of his kiss in my mind, to not lose the beauty of it. Something that's damn near impossible, just because my phone is ringing.

Scared shitless of who is calling me, I reach a shaky hand to my back pocket and take my phone out.

“Mia,” I breathe in relief.

Chapter 11

Mandy

“Okay, I'm done tiptoeing.” Mia drops her fork on her plate, making me jump. “What is going on with you? You seem miles away.”

I push my hair behind my ear and pick up my glass of water. Before taking a sip, I reply, “I'm not miles away. I'm right here.”

I can see irritation all over Mia's face, and something tells me I should brace for what she's about to say. “Really? Then what was I saying?”

Shit.

I have no idea.

When I stay quiet and just push the food around my plate, she delivers a punch to my gut. “Mandy, honey, I thought we were past this bullshit. I thought we were friends.”