Page 243 of The Reluctant Hero

He pulls away from me and gets the bed ready for me to lie down. I do feel groggy even though I haven’t done anything today. I’m confused for a second because he’s preparing Jake’s side of the bed. Ace seems to prefer the other side.

“Come on, darlin’,” he paces behind me and unties the robe to let it fall at our feet.

I crawl into the bed without protest.

Ace takes off the jeans he’s wearing and gets into bed on the other side, pulling me close.

“I love you,” he kisses my temple.

I wrap my arms around him as best I can and huddle in his heat like a coward. He doesn’t tease me once about it, either.

51

Changing Forms

Amanda

I don’t sleep well that night for several reasons.

The first is how tense I am after seeing the photo.

The second isAce.

He falls asleep easily, but when he wakes up, his hands are all over me. Sometimes just feeling me as if reassuring himself I’m there. Other times, he plays with my breasts or core, teasing me until I’m ready to jump him. He never follows through, claiming I need to wait for a surprise he has for me.

I’m ready to strangle him by morning.

When we get up, the metal blinds are still active, and I’m glaring at him. His erection is like a taunt all by itself, but he acts as if he isn’t hard.

This man is a murder mystery episode waiting to happen.

I shower alone in tepid water to try and snap myself out of it. I’m a little afraid that if I start trying to relieve the pressure myself that he’s going to lose his shit. He’d deserve it. On the other hand, I want to know what I’m waiting for.

It doesn’t help that he’s following me everywhere, safely tucked in his jeans again. He watches me shower, dress, and snarl at him with a soft smile of affection that doesn’t soothe me at all.

I’m opening the door to escape him when his palm hits the wood and pushes it shut. He’s pressed against my back with his hands under my shirt in seconds. His hands move over the mounds of my breasts and tweak my nipples. I’m so ready I fallback into him with a moan. If he would just relent for a second I’d be in a lot better mood.

As fast as he touches me, he’s gone, leaving me with clenched fists and heavy breaths.

“Give me Jakob,” I grit out and hold up a hand.

“Fuck no,” he chuckles as if that’s the best joke he’s ever heard.

I snatch the door open and start marching out.

“Wait,” Ace lurches after me to wrap an arm around my waist and keep me still.

I open my mouth to berate him at full volume, but he settles his lips near my ear and whispers, “You’re surprise is in the basement, darlin’. Don’t bother bein’ gentle with it.”

He swats my butt as he passes me to bound up the stairs. I watch him, completely baffled. After a second, I start scowling again. He just smacked my ass. I mean, I don’t mind but it’s the principle of it. I should have ripped his head off. It’s too late now.

The only noise is coming from the kitchen. We’re early enough that no one else seems to be awake.

My eyes slide from the kitchen doorway where women are chattering to the stairs leading to the basement.

The only thing down there is the gym.

I swear, if it’s a treadmill, I’m going to line him, Jake, and Cade up to get smacked by Jakob in one strike.

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