Page 8 of Stella’s Manster

“You do?”

“Yes, of course. I don’t take an amazing woman like you to be a liar just for the fun of it. Everything will be okay. I’ll take care of it. I promise.”

“Oh?” I retract my claws. “I appreciate that.”

“I hate that this has happened to your brother and I don’t want to put you two through anything else.” He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. “But you see, it’s just… my job, you know?” he says with a frown.

I sigh and nod. I understand that he has to go back into that courtroom and perform the tasks he’s been paid to do. I understand that he is just doing what he has to do for the sake of his livelihood.

I understand, but I don’t like it.

Thinking back to the party, I remember how he took care of me so effortlessly. It’s the sweetest thing that anyone, especially a stranger, has ever done for me. Why can’t we just go back to that moment in time when things were so much simpler?

“I wish it wasn’t this way. I’m grateful for what you did for me at the party,” I tell him.

He takes a step toward me. “And I’d do it again without question. I want to get to know you. Please don’t let this get in the way of that,” he pleads.

My heart aches as I gaze at him. Truthfully, I want to get to know him too. Things are just so complicated with my brother’s case. I don’t know what to do.

“Just give me a chance,” he interrupts my thoughts. “Let me take you out for one dinner.”

I raise a brow in his direction. “I don’t even know your name.”

He holds his hand out, and says, “I’m Ace. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you…” His voice trails off and he arches his brows.

“Stella,” I finish his sentence and shake his hand.

The moment our hands touch, electricity sparks between us. We hardly know anything about each other. It seems crazy to let myself fall for him, but for some reason, I feel like I can trust him. After all, he was a complete gentleman when he had me alone in that bathroom.

But of all the men in the world, why am I drawn to Ace? He’s practically the enemy here, even though outside the courtroom he doesn’t seem that way.

“I told you that everything would be okay and I’m a man of my word,” Ace tells me as he softly grabs ahold of both my hands. “I can’t be the only one who feels this, right?”

Beads of perspiration build along the hairline on my forehead and my skin tingles when he touches me. There isn’t a person in the world who could resist the intense stare of those blue eyes.

Would it really be that bad if I went out with the man fighting against Darren? Ace can’t help what his job is and who’s to say if he will win this case without truthful evidence? Ace told me everything will be okay, and I have no reason not to believe him. This may be my chance to find happiness, even if the circumstances are complicated. Darren would understand that right? Darren would want me to be happy. For what Ace did for me at the party, I should at least buy him lunch or something. In a way, I owe him.

“You’re not the only one who feels this,” I rub my thumbs against his.

Ace smiles and squeezes my hand. “Great! I’m taking you out tonight,” he fires back with confidence.

Ace takes my number and promises to contact me later to figure out a time for our date. Before I know it, court is back in session. Ace walks down the hallway of the courthouse and disappears.

Left standing in the hallway, eyes frozen in the direction of the courtroom door where I last saw Ace. My face flushes. My heart races. My skin tingles. In a way, Ace makes me feel more alive.

But thoughts swirl in the back of my mind.

I just hope my date with Ace doesn’t come between me and Darren.

Chapter Four: Ace

I stand outside of Martinellis, the newest Italian restaurant in Swellville, pacing slightly back and forth outside the opening. I’m going big tonight. Stella needs to know that if she gives us a chance to get to know each other, it’ll be worth it. The two of us meeting wasn’t a mistake. Sure, I feel terrible about the whole situation with her brother. But I just have to prove to her that I’m not the enemy. At least, I don’t want to be. I need Stella to feel comfortable and safe with me if we ever have a chance at a future together.

Click, click.

The sound of high heels tapping the ground takes my attention. I look toward the parking lot and spot Stella walking toward me. She wears a black dress with emerald green accents that adorn her prominent curves.

I exhale a long breath as I take in her beauty. I move a few steps forward to meet her at the bottom of the stairs, and when she reaches me, I bring her hand to my lips and plant a kiss on the top of it.

---