Page 13 of My Reluctant Valentine

I glance at the clock. Two hours until Ace picks me up for our first real alone time since this whole thing started."I have no idea. Help?"

"What message are we going for?"

"Something between 'thanks for protecting me' and 'feel free to rip this off with your teeth'?"

"Now that's my nasty friend!" Shari cackles."The black dress. You know the one."

"The wrap dress with the slit?"

"The very same. Pair it with those fuck-me heels I got you for Christmas."

"Shari! I can't wear those. They're practically stripper heels."

"Leslie Anne James, that man has been a perfect gentleman for three weeks.And this is the first time you are going to be spending a night with him without his daughter present.On the eve of Valentine’s day, no less. Time to make him a little less gentle, don't you think?"

I bite my lip, thinking about his ex's wedding tomorrow, and how this could all end soon."Maybe you're right."

"I'm always right. Now, tell me more about his arms."

We spend the next hour dissecting every moment of the past two weeks.Shari squeals over the breakfast dates, threatens to kill me for not telling her about the clubhouse visit sooner, and declares Ace "officially hot enough to risk death by ex-boyfriend for."

"Just promise me something," she says as I'm getting ready to hang up."Don't run from this because you're scared.I haven't heard you this happy since before Ian."

"I promise to try." It's the best I can offer.

"Good enough. Now go get pretty.And Leslie?"

"Yeah?"

"If you don't send me details about whatever happens tonight, I'm disowning you as my best friend."

"Love you, bitch."

"Love you more, beyatch."

I hang up laughing, but her words stick with me as I getready.Maybe she's right. Maybe I deserve this chance at happiness.

And maybe, just maybe, it's time to stop pretending this thing with Ace is fake.

My doorbell rings precisely at seven.I check my reflection one last time, smoothing down the black wrap dress that hugs every curve.The slit rides high on my thigh, and Shari's stripper heels make my legs look a mile long.My hair tumbles in loose curls around my shoulders--just the way I've noticed Ace likes it.

When I open the door, his sharp intake of breath is worth every minute spent getting ready.He fills my doorwayin dark jeans and a black button-down under his cut that stretches across his broad shoulders, holding a bouquet of wild sunflowers.His eyes darken as they travel from my heels, lingering on the expanse of leg revealed by the slit, up to where the dress dips low between my breasts, before finally meeting my gaze.

"Fuck." The word comes out rough.One large hand cups my face, thumb brushing across my bottom lip."What are you doing to me?"

My pulse jumps as he leans in, pressing a kiss so soft it feels like a whisper against my lips.The contrast of his gentle touch and the raw hunger in his eyes makes me shiver.

"These are for you." He offers the flowers, his other hand still caressing my face."Though they pale in comparison."

I accept them with shaky hands, breathing in their sweet scent."Let me put these in water."

In my kitchen, I can feel his eyes on me as I arrange the flowers.The weight of his gaze sends tingles down my spine.

"Ready?" His voice is closer than I expected.I turn to find him right behind me, close enough that I have to tip my head back to meet his eyes.

"Yes." The word comes out breathier than intended.

The ride to his house is delicious torture.I press closer than necessary, my thighs squeezing his hips as we take each turn.The dress rides up, and his free hand drops to my bare knee at a stoplight, thumb stroking circles that make me bite back a moan.

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