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“I feel pretty broken,” I admit, looking away. I don’t like the way she’s looking at me. I don’t want to be the one she saves and looks after. I want to be her safe harbor, the one who is her steady rock.
“You still deserve love. You still deserve good things, and I really hope you find them,” she tells me softly with her cheeks going pink.
I crush her to my chest, knowing she’s wrong. I don’t deserve anything good. But I’ll take anything my curvy angel is willing to give me.
11
MACKENZIE
Ace’s showeris a tight squeeze. It wasn’t built for two people. But I kind of like that. I like the way our bodies are pressed up against each other. I like the steam and the heat and the intimacy of him running his hands over my body, tenderly caring for me. I like that when I step out of the shower, I smell like him.
“What are you smiling about?” He asks, drying my body on a towel. He pauses to press a soft kiss to my stomach. His beard tickles my sensitive skin.
“Just happy,” I tell him as I thread my fingers through his thick hair. I love touching him. I love everything about Ace.
He smiles. It’s a real one, and I think it’s the first one I’ve ever seen from him. “I'm happy too. You make me happy.”
His words give me a warm glow. Before I can suggest other ways to make each other happy, my phone rings from his bedroom. “That’s probably Ginger. I promised I’d call her tonight.”
He nods. “Have your call. I’m going to order some food anyway. Does Ernie’s work for you?”
“Sounds perfect.”
He drapes one of his big shirts around my shoulders. He carefully buttons each button, stopping to tweak my nose when he’s done. “Don’t take too long on that phone call. I still have plans for you tonight, sweetheart.”
He kisses me one last time before he leaves the bathroom.
I glance at the mirror and see my cheeks are flushed. I tingle all over from his sensual promises. I can't believe after so long of wanting him, that we finally have each other. Except I don’t know how long we’ll get to be together. If my dad tells Ace that we can't be together, will he walk away from everything we’ve shared?
The thought of tearing apart the two men I love most in the world hurts me. No, I'll find a way to break this gently to my dad. Maybe I'll tell him I'm seeing someone and wait a few weeks. Then I’ll slowly introduce the idea of Ace. Maybe that won't hurt him so much.
My phone rings again, and I answer Ginger’s call this time. “Girl, I have beendyingfor details!”
I chuckle. “Ace is amazing.”
“And...?” She prompts. “What’s the equipment like? You’ve got to give your girl some insight here. What’s he like in bed? Is he one of those sweet, tender guys or—?”
“Definitely not sweet and tender,” I tell her as I leave the bathroom and walk into Ace’s big bedroom with its dark furniture and masculine smell. I think again of the filthy things he said when he drove me to his cabin. “He’s commanding and dominant, almost like he knows my body better than I do. It’s such a turn-on.”
“But?” Ginger asks, sensing my hesitancy.
“I’m afraid that my dad is going to be so angry when he finds out. He’ll feel like I betrayed him.” I sink onto Ace’s bed and sit cross-legged. “Part of me wishes I could go back in time and do all of this differently. I wish I could give my dad some kind of warning to let him know what was about to happen.”
“You have to follow your heart,” she advises. “I think your dad will want you to be happy.”
“I’ll tell him tomorrow. He’ll be at the hardware store for the monthly check-in.” Part of me is scared to tell him. What if I’m here thinking that this thing between us is permanent and Ace only sees it as a fling?
Before I can dwell on the thought, I hear someone at the front door. There’s a loud, banging sound then Ace is talking in a low, urgent tone.
I tell Ginger goodbye and step into the hallway. As soon as I do, I recognize the angry voice. It’s my dad. He knows I’m here. I swallow and pause, taking time to listen.
“Why the fuck didn’t you answer your phone? What the fuck is the matter with you?”
“I was with someone. She’s here now,” Ace’s voice is calm, even.
“You have someone here? I don’t care what whore was spreading her legs for you. Answer when I call!” Dad yells right before he reaches for the nearest wall. He punches it, his fist going through the drywall.
“I wasn’t with a whore.” There’s a steely note of determination in Ace’s voice. “I was with my future wife.”
