Page 33 of Ace

“Nope.”He came round and held the door open for me.

“So?”

“Wait and see.”He elbowed the door shut.Sliding an arm around my waist, he led me across the parking lot to the back of one of the buildings.Concrete steps led down to a door at basement level.Throwing a mischievous look at me, he knocked on the bulky oak door.

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Ace

Emma couldn’t look more tempting if she were standing beside me stark naked.That little blue number she had on covered a minimal amount of skin while hinting at the delights to be had when I managed to get her out of it.Standing behind her, I could see all the way down her naked back, and the flared skirt dancing across her buttocks was just begging me to slide my hand under it.

Fuck, did she do this on purpose just to tease me?My cock had been in a semi-permanent state of erection ever since she’d stumbled into my house.

Had it only been a few days ago?

Within moments, the door was opened by Stanley, an old buddy from my military days.Dressed in black pants and waistcoat over a white button-down shirt, with a bow tie to finish, he looked like a butler out of some damn movie set.It kind of worked here though.Made the place seem classy.Hard to believe he’d been the one of the best hand-to-hand combat veterans less than a decade ago.

Bowing low from the waist, Stanley beckoned us in with a sweep of his hand.

Emma tilted her head, sending me a quick look before preceding me inside.I wasn’t sure if that look meant she was impressed, or wishing she’d knocked on someone else’s door that night.

The entryway was dimly lit and opened into a hallway decorated in old world elegance.The flickering lights on the wall were reminiscent of the gaslights in vogue at the turn of the century.Stanley and his partner, Geoff, had done a good job of staging the place.Geoff was a renowned chef, and this was their dream come true, to work together in an upscale restaurant that catered to a few select customers at a time.

Stanley led us to a room at the far end of the hallway.A real wood fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a flickering glow over the rich decor.The walls were painted in a muted green, with expensive looking landscape pictures hung at strategic spots.

The table, clad in crisp white linen, took center of the room, with two plush chairs arranged around it.Set with sparkling crystal glassware, gleaming silver utensils, and delicate bone China, it screamed high end quality.A fresh floral arrangement held two tapered candles, giving the room a romantic touch.

Holy shit.I turned to Stanley and caught the faintest hint of a smirk on his expressionless face.He hadn’t been kidding when he said his place would wow my new lady.

I gave him a discreet thumbs up, before turning to pull out a chair for Emma.Pacing to the opposite side of the table, I sat down.“Impressed?”

Her eyes went from the artwork to the perfectly set table.“It’s beautiful.Seems a little upscale for someone in your line of…” She hesitated, “Work.How did you find it?”

“Stanley here is an old Navy buddy.”I inclined my head.“Stanley, meet Emma.”

“Delighted.”He swept an approving look over Emma.“About time this old dog settled down.Would you like to start with something to drink?”

I decided to ignore his assumption that we were a couple.It actually felt good.I glanced at the bulge under Emma’s scanty dress where the bullet wound was bandaged.“Did Joker say not to mix the painkillers with alcohol?”

“He didn’t say, but probably safe to steer clear.”She smiled sweetly up at Stanley.“Nice to meet you.I’ll just have a glass of sparkling water.”

“A beer for me please.”

By the flicker of disapproval on Stanley’s face, I got the feeling most of the patrons did not order beer.“Very good, sir.”He turned and glided out of the room.

Emma looked around, nodding her approval at the elegant décor.“What is this place?”

“It’s known as The Cellar.I had to call in a favor to get us in on short notice.It’s reservations only, and they book weeks in advance.”

“Well now it sounds expensive.”She lifted her head and inhaled deeply.“Not sure what that is, but it smells wonderful.”

I loved the way her feelings showed on her face.“Whatever Geoff cooks, I’m sure it will taste great.And you are worth every penny.”

She looked uncomfortable at the compliment, and I made a note to keep the sweet talk to a minimum.Didn’t want to scare her off.She was under the impression this thing between us was going to burn itself out quickly.I knew better.

Stanley returned with a crystal glass of sparkling water and a fancy stein of beer.Classy touch.No bottled crap here.I waited until he departed to lift my glass in a salute.“To old friends, and new beginnings.”

Emma lifted her glass and tapped it against mine.The emotions playing across her face were easy to read.She was happy but scared at the same time.I wondered if the fear was of me, my club, or the feelings that she couldn’t ignore.

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