Page 37 of Scoring Position

“Where did you learn to do this?” I ask quietly, enjoying the small tugs as he makes his way downward. It feels so good—and oddly intimate, in the best possible way—that he’s doing this for me.

“During the end, when my grandma got too weak, she wasn’t able to lift her arms to do her hair. It knotted easily with all the time she spent in bed, so I learned how to braid so she didn’t have to deal with it.” My heart breaks every time he talks about her, knowing she was the only family he really had. That has to be hard to deal with alone.

I turn, taking his hand in mine. “You know, any time you want to talk about her, I’d love to hear more. She raised an amazing man, Ace. And I’m sure you were the best part of her days, because you’re the best part of mine.”

He smiles softly, cupping my cheek. “Thank you,” he replies, leaning forward and kissing my lips. “Before I met you, I felt her absence everywhere. I was surrounded by people all the time, but I still felt like none of them really knew me. It doesn’t feel like that now. It’s like she sent you to me so I don’t have to go through shit on my own. I’m glad you’re here.”

I blink away the tears that fill my eyes, returning his smile as I nuzzle into him. “Me too. Plus, she taught you that bit about the candy, and I couldn’t resist, so maybe you’re right about her sending me.”

He wraps his arms around me, taking me with him as he leans against the pillow. “It’s funny because when I tried it on Rachel Borden in the third grade, she called me gross.” He purses his lips in thought. “Maybe it was because I gave her a handful of Skittles from the bottom of my backpack, but still. She wasn’t quite as receptive to the gesture as you are, Sweets.”

I snuggle into him. “Good thing she set you straight. I wouldn’t have wanted dirty backpack candy either.”

He laughs. “Noted. So,” he says, steering the conversation in another direction, “we have one more night here. Want to switch it up and you pick a role-play for us? Something you want to try?”

I raise my brows in surprise. “We don’t have to do that. I just knew you wanted to see what it was like to say yes to a woman when she asked you to bring her back to your room. I don’t expect you to fulfill my fantasies.”

“Fuck that,” he scoffs. “I had a blast last night. And I think you did, too. Tell me what you want from me, and I’ll make it happen.”

I think carefully. There are millions of things I’ve wanted to try, but Ryan was never open-minded enough for me to ask. Some of the kinks I suspect I might be into would’ve freaked him out, but Ace isn’t like that. We’ve had some pretty deep conversations already, and he’s never judged, so maybe this is my chance to explore with someone I trust.

“I…” I pause, trying to find the right words to express what it is that I want. “I want to be degraded. And used…like you did in the shower. I want it rough.”

He contemplates, smirking when an idea comes to mind. “I just read a bully romance that had a lot of degradation and humiliation in it. I’m sure I could come up with something good if you want to give it a try.”

I nod, attempting to hide my excitement. “Yeah, I think I do.”

“Okay then,” he says, turning my head so he’s looking into my eyes. “But we’re going to need a safe word for this one—and if there’s anything you don’t want me to do or say, tell me. I want this to be good for you. I never want to hurt you, Lark.”

I nod my head. “I think the traffic light system we read about is probably best for this. If I’m feeling uncomfortable, I’ll sayyellow, so you don’t keep going in that direction. If I want you to stop completely, I’ll sayred. I’ve never done this before, so I don’t really know what my limits are, but I trust you to lead it.”

To be honest, I’m already wet thinking of letting Ace degrade me. Normally, something like this would be scary, but I trust him and know he’ll take care of me.

He tightens his arms around me, dropping his lips to my ear. “I can’t wait to make you my dirty little whore tonight, baby. I hope you’re ready.”

Tucking my lips over my teeth to hide the giddy smile that’s dying to break free, I steel my expression, willing the butterflies in my stomach to stand down before turning my head toward him. “Looking forward to it.”

TWENTY-TWO

ACE

ACE:

Hey, Sweets. Looking hot as fuck up there in my jersey.

LARK:

How many times do you think you’ll get away with texting me from the dugout before you get in trouble?

ACE:

Not sure.

Little change of plans for tonight. Stop by the front desk when you get back to the hotel. They’re going to give you a key to Suite 4501. Go in and follow the directions I left for you on the table by the door. I’ll be there as soon as I’m done with media.

LARK:

And if I don’t?

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