by Lyra Parish
Ace grabbed my hand and interlocked his fingers with mine.
The brothers led the way as Ace and I took our time walking down the long hallway that led to the open floor plan. A wooden bar wrapped around one of the bars while a stage covered the opposite side. On stage, a band played in tempo. The brothers went straight to the bar, and Ace walked me to a booth tucked in the corner of the room.
"I'll be right back," he said, and met up with his brothers. From behind, they all looked exactly the same, tall, muscular, and stylish.
Ace returned with two glasses of red wine in his hand. "Jazz and wine pair perfectly."
"I agree." I took a sip and swallowed as he scooted in next to me in the booth.
We watched the band play a swing number in silence.
A single candle flickered on the table and I watched the flame rise and fall. Ace squeezed my thigh and sipped his wine. After a few more songs, he leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"Meet me down the hallway by the bathrooms in a few minutes."
I nodded once and he got up and walked confidently down the hall. After 100 seconds and the rest of my wine, I stood and walked in the same direction he had disappeared to. Low red lighting filled the hallway, making it seem dark and dungeon like. A hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a closet.
"There you are," Ace said.
We stood in pure darkness, but our lips easily found each other. I ran my fingers through his hair and he leaned his forehead against mine. He smelled like summer rain.
"I want you," he said in a hushed voice. His hands memorized my body, and I took in his gentle touch.
"I want you more," I whispered, gravitating back to his mouth.
Our kisses became more ravenous as I ran my fingers up his stomach. He released a breath on my neck between kisses. He moved to my mouth and his tongue twirled with mine.
"Take me," I said into his mouth before he completely pulled away.
"You're so naughty," he said as I unbuckled his belt.
His hands moved up my arms and he grabbed my face in his palms. He lifted the bottom of my skirt and slid my panties to the side then added the slightest amount of pressure to my clit. My body melted like ice in summer under his touch. He wrapped his finger around the edge of the lace and pulled, snapping it against my skin, causing a swirl of pain and pleasure.
"These are mine now." His low gravelly voice was pure sex.
A gentle hand returned back to me and moved in slow circles. I bit my bottom lip to hold back the moans that begged for an escape. My back pressed against the wall and I let go of my reserves. I wanted this as much as Ace wanted to give it to me.
Muffled voices traveled down the hall and I tensed. Ace dipped a finger in and I gasped and hoped I wasn't as loud as I sounded in my head. He knew exactly what my body wanted and needed.
"You're so sexy," he said, removing his fingers from my panties.
"You taste so good." I wanted to be able to see him as he spoke but it was too dark. Soft hands trailed down my body as he dropped to his knees and kissed up my thighs. My skirt was hiked to my waist and he lifted one of my legs over his shoulder. The first flick of his tongue on my clit made my entire body weak. I placed my hands on his shoulders as I sank into his greedy tongue.
"Ace," I whispered as I fell into the abyss of emotions. Twisting and turning, falling then floating, I didn't know which way was up or down and it didn't matter. With every passing second, I was losing myself in Ace’s touch. My knees went weak and heat rushed through me as the orgasm overtook me. I leaned my head against the wall and tried to breathe. My heart raced and my body relaxed. Ace's hands trailed up my thighs and rested on my hips. He dipped down and kissed me and I could taste myself on his lips. He growled and pressed his body against mine. The hardness pressed against me and I wanted more of him.
"You do that to me," he whispered, his teeth grazing against my neck.
I couldn't help but smile.
"I want you," I said.
A knock echoed on the door and for a moment we stilled. The doorknob jingled and I hurried and pulled down my dress and smoothed my hair. Ace laughed before moving away. He unlocked the door and a woman stood there.
"Umm. Sorry. I need to get a broom." Though I couldn't make out all the details of her face because of the darkness, by the tone of her voice, she sounded confused.
"After you," Ace said and stepped out with my hand tightly secured by his. We laughed, leaving our secret behind. The long hallway gave me time to gain control of my heart and my body. The hallway opened to the room where the band played a swing melody. I looked over Ace, finally being able to see his full face. Strong jaw, pouty lips, and a little smirk made my insides squirm. Instinctively, I bit the corner of my bottom lip thinking about what had happened. He lifted an eyebrow at me and I squeezed his hand before letting go. We walked to the bar and Ace pulled out a stool for me then sat next to me.
Nik pulled up a stool on the other side of me mumbling something about women under his breath. Ace's thumb brushed against the top of my leg and I relaxed. He leaned across the bar and stared at Nik.
Nik glanced at me then at Ace. I suddenly became self-conscious. I knew my cheeks were flushed and my lips were swollen from kissing Ace so hard. Did Nik notice us disappear? Did the brothers know what had happened? Was I wearing my satisfaction like a warm blanket?
"What's up?" Ace asked him.
"Women are so complicated. No offense."
"What's going on?" I asked
He breathed out slowly and ordered a drink. I had never seen him so frustrated.
Ace stood and moved to the other side of Nik.
"I want to be happy and I want someone to make me happy for the rest of my life. I'm tired of the games, the countless women who throw themselves at me. It's annoying." He took a sip of a beer.
"What are you going to do about it?" Ace said.
"I don’t know what to do anymore," Nik said.
"Lead with your heart," I said.
He turned and looked at me.
"I'm not saying I have all the answers. Sometimes I ask myself what the hell I'm doing. But if you follow your heart and let it lead you, the possibilities of what could happen are infinite. A lot of times we stop ourselves before saying what we feel."
Ace was smiling and he was smiling big. Nik nodded. He chugged the rest of the beer and slammed the glass down on the bar. He was smiling.
"You're absolutely right." Nik stood in a hurry and squeezed my shoulder before walking fast to the door.
"What was that about?" I asked Ace.
I turned and looked at Ace and he winked at me and gave me a cute little side grin.
"He's in love," I said.
Ace looked up and narrowed his eyes. He tapped his pointer finger on his lips.
"Who is it? You totally know." I ran my fingers through my hair and propped my chin on the palm of my hand.
"I don't know. I have an idea, but it seems completely ridiculous."
Jenny walked up and plopped down in the stool next to me.
"What's ridiculous?"
"Have you noticed anything strange about Nik?"
"No, what's up?" Jenny interlocked her fingers together and smiled.
"Nada," Ace said. I stared at his lips when he spoke. I wanted to taste them and he noticed. A few stagehands walked in and Jenny turned and looked at them.
"I'll see you later," she said and gave me a little hug and smiled at Ace.
"Do you think people are acting weird?" Ace asked.
"Maybe love is in the air."
When the bar announced last call, we finished our drinks and rode back to the buses, alone.
Ace stared out the window and I leaned into him.
"Did you mean it?"
"What's that?" I said into his chest.
"About following your heart."
"Absolutely. My head told me to run away, but my heart said to stay. Guess which one I followed."
His fingerti
ps brushed against the outside of my arm causing butterflies to swarm through me. I leaned into his hard body and rested my arm across his stomach. The vehicle halted and we exited. We shut our doors and Ace walked me across the parking lot to my bus.
"So, tomorrow. Are you ready?"
I grabbed his hand and turned and looked at him.
"More than ready. You didn't have to do all of that." A smile touched my lips.
"I'd do anything for you." Ace said pulling me close to him.
I breathed out, the excitement buzzing like electricity through my veins.
"Until tomorrow," he dipped his head down and traced my lips with his before he pressed.
"Until then," I breathed out before stepping onto the bus.
34
Ace
Time passed as we rendezvoused with sponsors and press. My parents flew into New York as a surprise, and we had lunch without Jenny. She would be so pissed when she saw them at the party and realized she didn't get to meet up with us. Soon after we ate, we were sent to hair stylists and tailors for a photo shoot at the top of an old building in Manhattan dressed in party tuxes. Together we looked like a team of James Bonds ready to fight crime, but I knew what Rolling Stone was doing. They were playing to the weaknesses of most women. A man in a suit was lady porn. These photos would be featured in an upcoming issue, a pre-party edition. We cracked open champagne and had a mini party as they took countless photographs. Afterwards we were asked questions and while my brothers spoke about the tour and the upcoming album, I sat in silence. The reporters had come to expect it. I'd come to ignore the low cut shirts, side-glances, and mindless flirting. They all wanted what they couldn't have. Forbidden might as well be my middle name.
When the lights of the buildings flickered on, I realized I hadn't spoken to Elizabeth since last night. Anxiousness flooded through me as I unlocked my phone. She hadn't tried to contact me either. A buzzing filled my ears, my heart pounded, and my mouth went dry.
"Nervous about something?" Nik asked.
Damn, he knew me too well.
I let out a slow and controlled breath. I glanced back down at my phone and decided to send her a text. Nik stood there and watched.
Me: It's almost time.
Elizabeth: :)
Me: Shall I pick you up at 7?
Elizabeth: I know you're downtown. I'll meet you there.
Me: Why are you so good to me?
Elizabeth: You haven't seen anything yet.
I didn't have to see her and knew she was smiling. That alone made me smile in return. Nik patted me on the back as we walked through the big open foyer of the building.
"You're falling for her, aren't you?" Nik tucked his hands in his pockets as we walked across the street toward the slick black limo. I turned and looked at him.
"Yeah," I said. There was no denying it.
We waited for Rex and Jex to get inside so we could continue to our next destination.
"She's a smart cookie," Nik said.
"Oh, about last night…"
He turned his head and looked at me.
"Who were you talking about?"
Nik shook his head.
"Come on. Seriously."
"I promised I wouldn't tell a soul," he said.
"I know how to keep a fucking secret. And if it's serious, it won't be a secret much longer, I'm sure."
The twins climbed inside of the car bickering.
"They had no idea which one of us was which," Jex said.
"And you were being a total asshole about it," Rex muttered then turned to Nik and me.
"Do we really look that much alike? I'm obviously better looking." Rex placed his hand under his chin and blinked fast.
"Of course, I'd have to have an annoying twin." Jex poured a glass of bourbon and shot it down.
I looked over at Nik. "I'll figure it out whether you tell me or not."
"Tell you what?” Jex set down the glass.
"Nothing at all," I said, knowing it was chapping their asses because they didn’t know what I was talking about.
"Leave it alone," Nik said directly to me.
"Would you leave it alone if it were me?" I poured a glass of bourbon too, taking it down in a gulp.
"Fair enough," he said, pouring a glass too.
"Good luck figuring it out," Nik continued and clinked the edge of his glass against mine. "You'll never guess."
"Now I want to fucking know what you're talking about," Rex said.
We drank our bourbon and shot the shit. It wouldn't be long until the biggest party of the year kicked off and I'd watch his every move until I knew. I had a feeling I knew who it was, but I would wait until it was confirmed.
35
Elizabeth
"You look great," Jenny said in the mirror as she tucked hair up out of her face with a bobby pin. We snuck onto bus one and got ready for the evening so we wouldn't have to fight for a bathroom or hot water.
"And look at you. You're like a freaking supermodel with those legs," I said.
She laughed, knowing exactly what I was talking about. The height was a Hathway thing, and she was gorgeous with big blue eyes and dark hair. If Jenny wanted to, she could be a model, but music moved her, and when music was in one’s soul, nothing could satisfy a person more.
She turned around and leaned her back against the vanity and crossed her arms.
"My brother may pass out when he sees you."
"Oh, stop."
After I applied a deep, seductive red lipstick, I slipped my feet into a pair of peep toe heels. It added an extra three inches. Jenny smacked her lips together, smoothed her dress, then grabbed my hand and led me to the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of tequila, salt, and two shot glasses.
"You need to take the edge off." She dipped the rim of the glass in salt then poured a shot so full it dripped over the edge, then repeated. After wiping her hands, she gave me the small glass and held one in her hand.
"To my future sister-in-law," she said with a smile.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "Geez. Why don't you start picking out kids’ names while you're at it." I laughed.
"I like the name Jacob for a little boy and June for a little girl. June Hathway. It sounds so cute, doesn’t it?"
I glared at her.
"I'm giving you a hard time," she said, then took the shot. She poured another and we downed them. The burning sensation coated my throat and I felt my body slightly relax. I sighed and she looped her arm in mine and we walked off the bus. A white car with dark windows waited for us and we slipped inside. When it jolted forward, so did my heart.
"I feel so rude for not asking if you had a date," I said.
"Don't. I almost did, but then I thought I'd have more fun if I went solo. Now I don't have to entertain any specific person tonight."
"You're such a player." I smiled.
"You haven't seen anything yet." She popped one eyebrow at me and it reminded me of Ace.
Ace. My heart rate raced and my palms became sweaty. Why the hell was I so nervous?
The car slowed outside of the venue. People flowed into the building in large crowds. Women were dressed in flowing costume dresses and men wore tuxes and bow ties. The dress Ace had chosen fit the occasion perfectly.
Jenny grabbed my hand and squeezed. Her excitement was almost contagious. I stepped outside and Jenny followed. Tons of people had already arrived and chatter filled the hallway to the banquet room. I took a deep breath for walking inside of the large room and was greeted with a "Band of Brothers" changing color ice sculpture.
"Ladies." Ace's voice was raspy and deep and melted me from the inside out. My eyes met his and an overwhelming sensation to kiss him right there in front of everyone nearly overtook me, but as much as I wanted to, I held it back. When he stared at me, it was like the crowd and music had completely vanished. We may as well have been the only two people in the room.
"Excuse us," he said, smiling, pulling my hand u
ntil my body was close to his.
"Have fun, you two," Jenny said and walked away leaving us in the entrance.
I was almost gasping for air as I studied him. Black tuxedo buttoned up and messy hair made the perfect combination. He took a step back and looked me from head to toe. He gave me a little nod with a side smile of approval.
"That dress looks exactly like I imagined it would on you."
I could feel heat go to my cheeks. "Thanks."
He leaned in. "But I have an overwhelming sensation to take it off you."
"What are you waiting for?" I said, licking my lips.
"Do you want to get out of here?"
I couldn't believe this.
"But this is your thing. Isn't this party a big deal?"
"I'd rather spend time with you. There will be many more parties, but we're only guaranteed right now. And right now, I want to spend time with you."
Ace grabbed my hand and we walked outside. The air was brisk and cool, but my cheeks felt warm.
We leaned against the side of the brick building and kissed like it would be our last time.
"You're so beautiful," Ace whispered. Tingles flooded my arms when his breath touched the softness of my neck. I opened my eyes and looked into his—so green. He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles with his pouty lips. I tilted my head and watched him.
"What?" he asked.
"I want to be with you. No cameras. No spotlights. No wandering eyes. Only me and you."
"I think I can make that happen.”
He led us down the sidewalk, across the empty parking lot, toward a lone limo parked on the street side. The driver rolled down the window and they exchanged a few words.
We climbed in the back and an overwhelming sensation overcame me. Ace had chosen me tonight. Ace had chosen me.
36
Ace
The limo rolled to a stop outside of the St. Regis Hotel and when Elizabeth saw the old red-bricked building, she turned and looked at me with a scandalous look on her face. The limo door opened and the faint sounds of music drifted in the background. I wanted to take her by the hand and dance with her in the streets, but instead, I smiled and we walked inside. Next time, I told myself. The floors and ceiling were covered in sparkling white marble, and it reminded me that no matter how much the city had changed around St. Regis, the hotel continued to stay the same with its old world and old money feel.