"Your mother didn't do that. She's just mean." Ace massaged the back of her head. "Your uncle is a tool. I'm going to fix his mistake."
"I'm not crying. I can't cry anymore about this."
That was good. He wasn't sure he could stand any more of her tears. "Okay, so then—"
She jumped up, grabbing his neck for support, and wrapped her legs around his waist. He
stumbled backwards but quickly righted himself.
"Alice..."
She shook her head. "No talking. I want you. I know you want me. Maybe we'll be a good fit.
Maybe we can make today okay for one another."
Ace wasn't sure he wanted Alice to have sex with him because she was feeling down, but then her mouth met his and he couldn't think at all. Her lips were soft and yet strong, demanding.
Carrying her in his arms, he managed to somehow get the front door open by using one hand in a contorted way he wasn't sure he could duplicate again if he tried. His hands shook and he hoped it was the only physical sign of the control he was grasping for to fight back the surge of adrenaline threatening to overtake him.
The bedroom was downstairs. The couch was closer. Dropping down on the piece of
furniture with Alice still on top of him, he captured her in a tight embrace, kissing her with all the passion he felt inside.
She pulled back to look at him, worry pushing away the passion from her eyes. "How will you know...if we're compatible?"
He stroked the side of her face with the pads of his thumb and index finger. "Don't worry about that, honey."
"I want this to be good for you too.”
“It will."
He wished he'd never told her about his sexual "issue." Most of his partners never knew.
They thought he had as good a time as they had. But he'd never wanted a woman like he wanted Alice. If he was never able to lose himself inside her, then fine. Just to be with her felt like an honor.
He spoke again. "Are you sure you want this? It's fine to change your mind.”
“No." She shook her head, grinning. "I really want you, Ace. You're totally not my type, and I don't understand it, but I can't stop thinking about you.”
“I suppose I deserve that."
"You do."
She kissed him. She tasted like cherries and vanilla beans. Tantalizing, all consuming.
Kissing her back, he knew even if he could never lose himself inside of her, he could forget the world existed with each touch of her lips.
Her skilled hands tugged at his t-shirt and he grinned. There was something exciting in having Alice on top for their first time together. At least, for now. She had initiated this sexual session; it was only right she get to run it as she saw fit.
Still, he had to laugh. "In a hurry?"
"Yes." She nodded, her mouth looking kiss swollen. "I don't want to make out like a bunch of high school kids on the couch. I want you inside me."
"We'll get there. I want to play with you first. I want to get to know your body." It might kill him not to just find release but he was determined to make this fantastic.
"Really?" Her smile lit up the room. "Are you for real? I'm offering you fast, mind-blowing sex, and you're suggesting we make out for a while first?"
With the pent up aggression running through his veins, the fact he hadn't ripped her clothes from her body and pushed inside her all in under a minute was a tribute to his self control, which he could feel rapidly running out.
"We'll compromise."
She arched an eyebrow as she tugged at his shirt again. This time he helped her pull it over his head. "I won't make this an hour-long escapade, and you won't ask me to be wham, bam, thank you ma'am about it either."
"You're suggesting that we meet in the middle on this issue." He nodded. "I am."
"Fine."
Reaching up, he pulled her shirt over her head and sucked in his breath. Her breasts...heaven, her breasts. All good intentions were going out the window.
Tugging at her bra, he snapped it in two. "Sorry."
She glanced down at the broken material. "One of those Guardian things?”
“Usually I can control my own strength but with you..." He looked down at his hands. They still shook.
She bit on her lip as he grabbed her breasts. Her pink, pert nipples called to him.
He sat up slightly to push them together, sticking his nose in her cleavage.
Her breasts were a handful. Alice looked like a woman was supposed to look. All round curves and softness.
She ran her hands on the muscles of his chest and he shivered. "I guess I make you lose it then?"
"You could say that."
Alice's cheeks were flushed. "You're so strong."
He couldn't speak, not when there were Alice's breasts to pay attention to. He suckled one and then the other. She moaned and squirmed above him.
"I can't tell you how many times I fantasized about this," he said, moving between breasts.
She closed her eyes, rubbing against the bulge in his pants. "I hope I live up to the expectations."
"You're already surpassing them." He placed one of his legs between hers. She smiled and rocked against him. "That feels so good."
He watched her for a moment, growing even harder as she moved on his thigh.
She was so beautiful, such a sight to behold.
He wanted inside her. His blood surged in his veins. Pulling her even closer to him, he kissed her shoulder, biting down slightly as he tugged at her pants.
"Now who's in a hurry?"
"Me." He would gladly admit it. A thought occurred to him suddenly. "I need a condom."
She gasped, covering her mouth, her eyes alight with amusement as she helped him remove her pants. "Do you not have any?"
"I do. But they're in my room." He leapt up and repositioned her down on the couch. Wow, running with his erection pulsating inside of his jeans—not a comforting thought. "Wait here."
"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." She lay back on the sofa.
Damn, he really needed to hurry. He rushed downstairs to his room and pulled open the drawer next to his bed so abruptly, it dislodged from the nightstand, sending the contents all over the floor. He fell to his knees, rummaging through the mess and finally found what he sought. He picked up the unopened box that held two strings of condoms and ran from the room.
He took the stairs in one long jump and in two strides dove on top of Alice, catching himself with his elbows before he landed splat on top of her.
"Miss me?"
She grinned, kissing him again. "So much."
Chapter Eight
She wanted Ace's pants off. Biting her lip, she tugged at his button, relaxing only when he undid his zipper and removed his jeans. She took a look at where they were.
Ace's run to the bedroom for condoms had changed their positions on the couch.
He was on top of her now. His blond hair, which she had hated the length of when she'd first saw it, now hung down on top of her, covering the sides of her body, and she loved it.
"You're prettier than I am."
He shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous."
"You are. All that beautiful hair."
He shook his head before leaning down to bite her shoulder. "I get it; you don't like the hair."
It had grown on her but she wasn't going to tell him that, not yet. He kissed where he had bit her and then continued down her chest, covering her with kisses until he reached her breasts. She closed her eyes. God, when was the last time she had done this? She could hardly remember, which meant it hadn't been this good.
And they hadn't even gotten to the good parts yet.
As he sucked on one of her nipples, she moaned, grabbing the back of his head. "Like that, do you, honey?"
She nodded her response.
"Good, because I want to play with the other one too."
He pinched her other nipple. She thought she heard him laugh as her back arched off the couch.
<
br /> She raised an eyebrow at him. "Am I amusing you?"
"No, I'm simply having the time of my life here. That's all.”
“Here I thought you were something of a sex addict."
Moving down from her breasts, he kissed his way to her belly button. "I could get addicted to doing this with you."
She hoped that was the case. Truthfully, ever present in the back of her mind, was the possibility that she wouldn't be a good match for Ace. She might not be able to handle him.
His voice brought her back to the moment. "You're thinking too hard.”
“How can you tell?"
"Your eyes"—he pointed at them—"they've lost some of their heat.”
“I'm worrying—"
He interrupted her. "Shit, I wish I'd never told you about that."
"No." She shook her head. "I'm glad you did. I'd hate to think it was one way and have it turn out another."
"I'm not worrying about it; you shouldn't either."
His hands traveled up her legs, sending shivers everywhere. It was hard to worry when he did that. It was hard to do much of anything, actually, except feel.
And speaking of hard—she looked down at Ace's erect length, pushing at his gray briefs.
"That looks like it might hurt." Who was that woman saying these kinds of things to Ace?
She'd never heard herself use that particular tone before.
"Would you like to make it feel better?"
Nodding, she reached forward and tugged until his underwear came off. His freed hard-on bounced, stiff and huge. Of course, she should have expected that, considering how large Ace was in general. Still, she couldn't take her eyes off of the erect, male length staring up at her.
"I can't be the only one who is completely naked." Ace ripped her panties off her body.
She laughed. "You're so impatient. You can't blame that one on losing control.”
“Maybe I just like the feeling of tearing your clothes from your body." Moving backwards on the couch, he repositioned himself between her legs. Heavens, there was no mistaking what he was going to do. "Alice, I have wanted a taste of you since we met."
"Ace, um..." Wow.
His tongue played havoc inside her, swirling and moving. She wasn't even sure what all he was doing. Ace made a sound akin to a growl, which served only to make her hotter. Oh, god.
She was going to come.
With one last swirl of his tongue, he bit down on her clit. Her hips left the sofa as she came.
Her hands grabbed the couch as she screamed his name. Her core clenched in response.
She opened her eyes. Ace had moved. He stared at her. "Honey, you taste so sweet. I could never get enough of you."
That had a sound of permanence to it. Not able to deal with that at the moment, she laughed
as she pushed up at him. "Let's see if I can return the favor."
"No." He shook his head. "You touch me and it's over before it's even begun. I need to be inside of you."
"Then let's do it Guardian; let's see what we can do."
Ace raised an eyebrow at her challenge as she pushed him on the couch. He smiled. "Like to be on top?"
"Today I do." That was true and she wasn't sure why.
Leaning down, she planted kisses on his chest and his abdomen before she came to his large erection. "Give me the condom."
She put out her hand and he gave her the box. "Couldn't get the box open?”
“My hands are shaking, in case you hadn't noticed."
Smiling, she decided it was nice to have this much power over a man who was so much stronger than everyone else. She ripped open the cardboard container and pulled out a row of foil packages. Without wasting a single move, she promptly tore the top one open and discarded the rest to the floor.
She slipped it on him, and he moaned and closed his eyes. "Like that?" she asked.
He opened his green depths to regard her. Shivers traveled up her spine from the intensity of his gaze.
"I'll like it more when it's deep inside you."
She nodded as she straddled him. There wasn't anything more to say or think about. They'd come to this moment and she wanted it. As he slipped inside her, she felt the initial pinch as her body adjusted. God, it had been a very long time since she'd done this.
Ace moaned, grabbing her thighs, squeezing them with his strong hands. "Ride me, gorgeous."
And she felt gorgeous as he stared at her with heat in his eyes. She moved up until she almost pulled all the way off, then she pushed back down on him again. A jolt of pleasure filled her from the inside out. Wow, she was really, really wet. It was no surprise. This is hot.
She set up an easy rhythm; one she suspected had been honed through time by millions of couples. For right now, however, there was only the two of them. Together. On the couch.
Making the heavens move to their embrace.
"Faster, baby, faster."
His voice sounded hoarse, which only made her more turned on. She had done this to him.
He was a Guardian and he pleaded with her for more. Yes, she would give it to him.
Sitting higher on her knees, she made her movements faster, sharper, more intense. Reaching up, she grabbed her breasts as Ace's hands played havoc with her stomach and back.
She couldn't stand it. The pressure built inside her, driven by the fire she and Ace created together.
"Shit. Alice. I need to move faster." She could barely speak. "Do it."
Ace grabbed her by her waist and flipped her over backward, awkwardly. For a second they were just badly strewn body parts—arms and legs that weren't sure where they should be placed.
Then it all came together, and she gasped as Ace plunged deep inside her pussy. Wrapping her legs around him as he pushed her to the edge of the couch, she felt his hand catch her head before she banged against the armrest.
Yes, this was what she wanted. In and out, over and again, he moved. She bit down on her lip. Her muscles clenched. She wanted to come.
Ace spoke nonsense to her. She had no idea what he said. Some seemed dirty, some of it sweet. It all had the same effect. His voice only added to the intensity. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She knew seconds before it happened. Her insides exploded in a frenzy of feelings and colors, the likes of which she had never before experienced. Her back arched from the couch. "Yes," she screamed, and then screamed his name, thanking the heavens, all at the same time.
Moments later, Ace followed with a window-rattling shout. His arms came around her as he fell forward and tugged her into a tight embrace.
She closed her eyes, desperately hoping she wouldn't have to think for the next several hours.
She wasn't sure she'd be capable.
"Um...I'm home."
Ace's head shot up as he stared over the couch. "Shit."
Alice opened one eye, as the post-coital bliss she'd envisioned fled from the room. She whispered. "It's Lael, isn't it?"
Ace didn't look at her. "You're not supposed to be home for another hour." Opening the other eye, she noticed Ace's coloring had turned a distinctive red.
He was embarrassed. She supposed she should be also, but both Ace and the couch concealed
her. Lael couldn't see her at all. Plus, it wasn't like he was five years old. He was a teenager. He might even have sex. Inwardly, she shrugged. Maybe she'd be humiliated later.
"They cancelled my last period. The teacher never showed up, so one of my friends drove me home early." Lael had laughter in his voice. "I'm going to go down to my room and let you crazy people get dressed."
With that, she heard fast footsteps heading from the stairs.
Ace finally glanced at her. His hair was everywhere, half of it covering his face. "I guess we really didn't think this through very well."
"It'll give him something to embarrass you with for the rest of your life.”
“I suppose."
He bent down to kiss her and she let herself close her eyes to the feel of his stro
ng lips on hers. It felt nice to just exist for a moment.
"At least he didn’t arrive any earlier."
She opened her eyes at that thought. Yes, that would have been worse. "So?" He arched an eyebrow. "So?"
"Are you a parrot? Were you able to do it to your satisfaction with me or not?" Ace ran a hand through his hair. "Did you worry about that the whole time?”
“No." She shook her head. "Answer the damn question."
His grin spoke volumes. At the moment, he looked like a little boy who had a secret he knew he could taunt her with. "What will you give me if I tell you?"
She pushed at his chest. "Let me up."
"Yes, Alice, I was able to, as you so charmingly put it, do it to my heart's content." She swallowed, unsure if she had stopped breathing for a second. "Really?"
He raised his hand. "I do not lie."
Good news. She blinked. Very good news. It meant he would want to do it with her again.
Her heart beat hard. So, why was she panicking?
Ace sat up straight. "What is it?"
"Phone in the basement is ringing." He jumped up, grabbing his pants as he did.
Awkwardly, he stumbled back into them. "How can you hear it?"
He pointed to his ears. "Super hearing."
"Really?" She laughed as she called after him. "How can you hear anything through all that
hair on your head?"
Truthfully, she loved his hair now. But it felt more comfortable to tease him. That had been their natural banter. Changing it...well, that would mean something and she wasn't going to be that woman. Sex was sex. Love was love. And lately, for Alice it was "never the twain shall meet".
Really good sex, she'd learned in her twenties—and granted this was mind- blowing—did not have to warrant mushy feelings that ended with her eating chocolate ice cream, watching Humphrey Bogart, and sobbing at infomercials.
Ace sprinted back into the room, now fully dressed. She shot up on the couch. "What is it?"
"Someone launched a missile at the United States. I have to bring it down for the military."
She jumped up, grabbing her clothes off the floor. "What?”
“Usually Draco brings down the missiles. But today it's my turn."