Page 13 of Ace

“I heard tell you showed up with a chick, Prez.What’s up with that?”

I felt Emma stiffen at my side, and I squeezed her hand to let her know it was okay.Mom wasn’t the subtle kind.

“She’s not a chick, Mom.Her name is Emma, and she’s an old friend.”

“She doesn’t look that old.She your new side piece?”

I rolled my eyes.“I don’t have an old lady, so how would I have a side piece?And no, she and I are not an item.”I wanted to add yet, but wisely held my tongue.“She ran into a bit of trouble and came to me for help.”

“So, she’s fair game?”Mom was nothing if not direct.

“No.She’s hurt, and she’s under my protection.She’s off limits.”I glared around the room in case anyone misunderstood that.

Mom chuckled.“I see.”She took a good look at Emma, noting the bulge where the bandage pushed her shirt out.“Don’t worry, hun.They may look like a scruffy lot, but these are all good old boys.They’ll make sure no one hurts you anymore.Boyfriend trouble?”

Emma shook her head but didn’t elaborate.

“I need to get her settled in my room.I called church in forty-five minutes.I’ll catch you and Jake up after that.”I guided Emma over to the staircase, signaling the question-and-answer session was over.“Let’s go.”

Chapter Four

Emma

“There’s only one bed in here.”Emma looked around the room.

“It’s big.I’m sure we can share it.We’re both adults.“

“That’s what’s worrying me.”

That hurt.“You think I’m going to force myself on you?”

She shook her head, slanting me a sideways look.“Just about the opposite.”

“You’re worried I might not force myself on you?”I frowned, confused.

She chuckled.“I thought you were smarter than that.I’m worried I might not be able to keep my hands to myself if we’re both in that bed together.You know I’ve always had a bit of a thing for you.”

News to me.“You have?I’m too old for you.”

“You can’t seriously believe that.”She looked askance at me.“You’re what, ten years older than me, maybe twelve?”

“Exactly.Too old and too fucking experienced.”

She smiled, sidling toward me.“I’m not sure there is such a thing as too experienced.”

Before I knew what was happening, she reached up to pull my head down and locked her lips on mine.Melting into me, she opened her mouth to let my tongue explore at will.

Well fuck that.I’m not a saint.When I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close, she let out a startled whimper.Damn.Her side.I felt like the world’s biggest asshole.If I’d done any damage, Joker would kill me.

Emma’s one hand went to the bandage on her ribs.“I’m sorry.For a moment there I forgot about the damn bullet hole in my side.We just have to be a bit more careful.”

I stared at her in disbelief.“You’re sorry?Are you kidding?I know better, not to mention the fact that I called church in less than…” I glanced at my watch.“Less than thirty minutes.If I ever make love to you, it is not going to be a quickie before I leave for some damn meeting.”My eyes raked her from head to toe, my cock as hard as cement.“Make thatwhen.When I make love to you, because we both know it’s going to happen.And soon.”

I separated myself from her as gently as possible, but I couldn’t resist placing one last kiss on those tempting lips, now slightly parted and glistening with moisture.

I strode over to the door.With one hand on the knob, I turned back to her.“Stay here until I come back to get you.Right here.Unless the damn place is on fire, do not leave this room.”

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