Page 11 of Ace

“Not like that!”Although to be honest, the idea of having a hookup with Ace sent delightful shivers dancing down my spine.I just didn’t want to it to be payment for something.

You want it to matter, my treacherous heart said.I quickly squashed that thought down where it belonged.

He immediately looked repentant, reaching out to stroke one finger down my cheek.“I was just kidding around.I would never make a woman pay for something with sex.I want you to have a phone so you can call someone if you are in danger.It will make me feel better, so it’s really for me, not you.”

Damn, the man had a way of turning things around to make me like him even more.

“Make the call to your boss, and I’ll rustle us up some breakfast before we head out.”He turned around, rummaging in the fridge.

* * *

Breakfast turned out to be eggs sunny side up, toast and hash browns with crispy fried bacon.The man was full of surprises.When he said rustle up breakfast, I kind of expected him to pull muffins or something similar out of the freezer.Maybe a box of stale cereal out of the cupboard.

We ate in companionable silence, and he insisted that I sit while he stacked the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on.

“Do you feel up to riding on the back of my bike, or do you want to use the truck?”

I hesitated.I really wanted to say bike, but I wasn’t sure my side could take it.I’d never been on a motorcycle but the idea of the freedom it represented was tempting.

“How about we take the truck for now, and I promise you a ride on the bike as soon as you’re feeling better.”Ace’s eyes narrowed.“Joker will skin me alive if I do anything to open your wound up again.”

“Sounds like a sensible plan.”I wrinkled my nose.“Some days I’m just not a fan of sensible.”

Ace snorted.“Compared to the rest of us from the ‘hood, you are the epitome of sensible!”

* * *

Ace

Damn, she looked good sitting beside me in my truck, even wearing my oversized shirt rolled up and tied at her waist.I kind of liked the fact she was wearing my clothes.Like she belonged to me, even if I hadn’t put a cut on her yet.

Fuck.I needed to get myself under control.I was too old for her, and she was too good for me.

Still, a tiny voice in my head murmured,you know there’s major sparks there, on both sides.You could just have a sizzling one-night stand and part ways.Scratch that itch and walk away.

“The clubhouse is in town, right?I’m pretty sure I know where.”Emma’s voice dragged me back to reality.

“Barely in town.”I braked to let an old man and his dog cross the street.“It’s on the outskirts.More room, less nosy neighbors that way.”

I had her full attention now.“Why?Do you guys throw wild parties or something?

“Both.”Who knew how much fun it would be to tease her?

She tilted her head.“Both what?”

“Wild parties and something.”I grinned.“We do both.”

“What’s something?”

I shrugged; the grin still plastered on my face.“You’re the one that brought it up.You tell me.”

“Drugs?”She didn’t look happy at the thought.

“Nah.We have a strict rule against any of the brothers doing drugs.That always leads to trouble.Just liquor and beer.Not everyone is worried about privacy, though, so that might be an issue with nosy neighbors.”I slanted her a sideways look.“You into watching?”

She lifted her brows.“As in watching other people have sex?No.”

“Didn’t think so.”I tried my best not to laugh.“You’re a little too prissy for that.”

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