Page 18 of Wonderland

“I don’t know. I’m drawn to you, and I’m not going to question it. When you want something, you take it before someone else tries to. It’s how I’ve gotten to where I am today. A boy from the streets that would steal food to feed myself and my mom after my shit of a father left. It’s served me well.” I don’t think I’ve ever openly shared that part of my life with any other human being.

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, and I know she’s thinking over what I said. She is either going to make me do this the hard way or the easy way. If I was a better man, I’d let her go, but I’m not. Besides, my little Ace has a way of finding trouble. She needs someone that can watch over her. I’ll keep her safe. That’s how I justify it in my head. It’s fair. Not that I ever play fair, but with her I find I want to. There are some things I’ll never be able to let her do, but I can find ways to offset that.

“Fine, I’ll go with you.” I start to respond, but she puts her hand over my mouth. “Don’t be an asshole and say I was going to either way.” I smile against her palm. That was what I was going to say. She slowly drops her hand.

I pull out my wallet and toss some hundreds on the table.

“We’re already finishing each other's sentences. We might as well be an old married couple.”

“You’re the only old one here.”

“If you want to call me Daddy, have at it.” I grab her hand.

“Wait, what kind of kinks are you into?”

The people in the diner try to pretend they aren’t watching this little show play out, stealing a last look as I lead Ace back out of the diner.

“My kink is you.” I open the SUV door for her. She ducks her head to hide her smile from me as she slips into the back seat.

Ace can pretend to be annoyed with me all she wants. If that’s what makes her feel better, I’ll let her have it. I don’t want her hiding anything from me, but time will change that. She’ll see, even without my words. In fact, I’m going to prove to her how serious I’m taking all of this.

Taking her.

12

ELSA (ACE)

Bo doesn’t leave any space between us when he slips into the other side of the SUV. I peek over at him, not sure what to think. I know I shouldn’t be so eager to go with him, but I can’t help that I’m drawn to the man. It shouldn’t be such a surprise.

My sister always leaned more toward the clean-cut men when we read romance books. I had a taste for the bad ones and not because I wanted to change them. Their stories were always much more interesting. Finding out how they became the man they were and why they were drawn to one woman more than others. Bo doesn’t know why he’s drawn to me. I’m not sure what to make of that.

I suppose he doesn’t know me, but could that mean it’s something else? Something no one is even sure is real until they experience it. The rest of the world doubting love at first sight or soulmates. Two people meant to come together by fate. A pull that brought them together. The idea is magical, but I never thought it was truly real.

“You’re thinking more now than when you count cards,” Bo says.

“Counting cards is easy.” I tilt my head to peek over at him. “Reading people and understanding them is more complicated.”

“I can’t count cards. I know how it’s done, but you have to be quick.” It’s more than being quick. You either have it or you don’t. Your mind doesn’t have to count the numbers; it knows the answer the second you see that card.

“But you can read people.” A talent I wish I could master.

“Better than most,” he agrees, not trying to deny it. “With the life I lead, it’s a skill set that has gotten me far.”

“Gives you an edge.”

“You’re not so easy to read.” His words surprise me for some reason. I thought he was actually doing a good job reading me.

“Is that why you have this little obsession with me?”

“It’s far from little, Ace.” He gives me that killer smirk of his. The one that makes my body ache and want a repeat of our last ride.

“What happens when you figure me out?”

“I might be able to get some sleep.” I slip back into my seat, not loving his answer. His hand comes to my thigh. “Not because I’ll grow bored. You keep me on my toes, Ace. I’ve been chasing your ass all over town.”

“That might never change.” I smirk back at him.

“Maybe so, but I can make sure that you're mine.” I stare into his eyes for a long moment, realizing how serious he is about this. He doesn’t need to play any games. I’m sure he could bed almost any woman in Vegas. Why chase me if it didn’t mean something?

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