Page 15 of Ace

“PTSD.Joker has it, sometimes bad.”She looked thoughtful.“Not sure if I should be telling you all this.The brothers, Riptide, they’re all ex-SEALs.By invitation only.Came back from the service and knew too much, seen too much to fit back into the cookie cutter world back home here.So, they joined Riptide.One by one.Here with their brothers, they can be themselves.No one freaks out if they have an episode.No one questions their sanity because we all understand.”

“Oh.”I’d had no idea.“No, he didn’t tell me.”

“Well, now you know.These are good men.Honorable men.They served their country, and they still do.”

I frowned.“They’re still in the service?”

She shook her head.“No.But I’ve said enough.Ace can explain the rest to you when he’s ready.Club business and all.”A faint smile crossed her face.“You’ll get used to that term.Club business.It’s what the guys say when they don’t want to tell you something.”

The sound of doors opening downstairs interrupted my reply.

Mom got up and glided over to the door.“Church is over, so I imagine Ace will be up here any minute.He’s one of the good ones.You’re a lucky woman.”

Ace appeared behind her.“Not so sure about that, Mom.But she’s stuck with me.”

* * *

Ace

I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but I heard the last part of Mom’s conversation with Emma.At least I wouldn’t have to explain club business to her.

Well, maybe a little.Like the part about it being for her own protection.If she were ever questioned by the police, what she didn’t know she couldn’t tell them.Once I put a ring on her finger and signed all that legal shit, it would be even less of an issue.A wife can’t be forced to testify against her husband.

Yeah, I’d jumped all the way from too old for her, to wedding bells.No one ever accused me of letting the grass grow under my feet.

“The bikers in Riptide were all Navy SEALs at some point?”

I narrowed my eyes.“I see Mom’s been spilling the beans.”

“She seems to think it’s okay because she’s under the impression that I’m going to be one of the gang.”Emma tilted her head.“Now why would she think that?”

I crossed the room in three long strides and captured her mouth with mine.The kiss was long and deep, our tongues tangling with each other in an erotic dance that had my cock swelling in anticipation.When we finally surfaced for air, I had to remind myself she’d been shot yesterday.It was a bit early for a wild naked playtime.

And frankly, I didn’t trust myself not to go wild.

“She thinks that because she saw the way we look at each other.”I ordered my cock to stand down.It didn’t take the hint.“You want me.You just haven’t admitted it yet.”

“I see ego isn’t one of your issues.”

I chuckled.“It’s not ego if it’s true.I didn’t hear any objections when I kissed you.”

“I was in shock.I expected an answer, not to be attacked by your lips.”

“You could have said no,” I pointed out.“I’ve never taken a woman by force.”

“I was in shock.”She tried to look stern, but didn’t quite pull it off.

“Because my kissing skills are so awesome?”

“They’re not bad, but I would hardly call them awesome.”She wrinkled her nose.

Yeah, she wanted me.

“Care for another round?Just so you can judge my awesomeness?”Without waiting for an answer, I seared another kiss across her lips.When she opened her mouth to protest, I took advantage, my tongue swooping in to conquer.

She tasted like sunshine on a Georgia summer’s day.Sweet, bright and welcoming.Almost more tempting than a bike ride, along the coastal highway.Almost.

I let my hands slide down her back, careful to avoid the bullet wound.Cupping her perfectly rounded ass, I let out a low groan.

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