Ace of Hearts

by Chantal Fernando

  Our time is coming to an end, but I’m not going to think about that tonight.

  No, tonight I’m going to be in the present and enjoy my first date with my biker man.

  “So let me get this straight,” I start, needing to clarify. “You haven’t been on an actual date in four years? So what have you been doing then? Boning and bailing?”

  “Something like that.” He smirks, taking a sip of his Scotch. When Ace said we were going out to eat, I didn’t think he’d take me to the most expensive restaurant there is. I didn’t say anything, but I’ve heard of this place, and have always wanted to eat here. I also heard that there is a long-ass waiting list, so I don’t know how he got us in last-minute. “And spare me from your judgy look.”

  “I’m never judgmental,” I sniff, raising my own glass to my mouth. “I’m an Aquarius. We’re known for being open-minded and rebellious.”

  Which is why I’m on a date with a forbidden biker and man-whore who will more than likely break my heart in the end.

  “Don’t give me that star-sign shit.” He laughs, placing his glass down and studying me. “People use that shit all the time to act like assholes.”

  My jaw drops open. I love astrology. Not the day-to-day stuff, but the sign character and personality traits; I love that shit. “What sign are you? Let me guess. Probably a Virgo or a Scorpio.”

  He stills. “Someone told you that, didn’t they?”

  “Ha! Which one are you? The overcritical Virgo, or the craziness that is a Scorpio?” I ask him, arching my brow. “Who would have told me that? You think I’m walking around the clubhouse asking men when your birthday is?”

  “I’m a Virgo,” he replies, gray eyes narrowing. “That was just a lucky guess then. I’m not overly critical.” He pauses, and sighs. “You’re going to blame everything on me being a Virgo now, aren’t you?”

  “I’m not blaming anything on you,” I say, shrugging. “You brought me to Bravo’s to eat, which is a restaurant I’ve wanted to go to forever, so there’s nothing bad I can say about you right now.”

  He glances around the restaurant. “You like this place, huh?”

  I nod. “Are you kidding me? It’s the hardest place to get a reservation. I tried for my eighteenth birthday when Mom brought me to the city, but no luck.”

  He leans closer to me, voice lowered. “You know who owns this place right?”

  I shake my head.

  He starts laughing to himself, and I wait patiently for him to finish. “Remember I told you we own a few businesses?”

  “Get out of here,” I whisper. “You guys own this place? I thought you meant strip clubs and a brothel or something, not a flashy, expensive Italian restaurant.”

  These men are just full of surprises.

  “We own those too,” he says casually, reaching over and taking my hand. “But this is definitely where most of our income is generated. It was actually originally Mac’s family business, but it was called something else back then, and we fixed it up, changed the name, improved the menu, and did renovations et cetera, and people just loved it. We hardly come here anymore, but we all used to eat here all the time.”

  “I’m still in shock,” I admit.

  The waitress comes over with our meals, and we both thank her as she places the plates in front of each of us. We both ordered pasta—me a seafood marinara, and him a carbonara. He also got some breaded chicken and garlic bread. We had oysters for an appetizer, which was my first time trying them. I still don’t know how to feel about them.

  “You underestimate us,” he says, picking up his fork. “You see the side of us most people never get to see, Erin. We aren’t like this with everyone, and I think that’s where you’re getting confused.”

  I don’t want to admit it, but maybe he’s right. They’ve had to be good to me from the get-go, respectful, and treat me like one of their own. If I was a random just walking in, it would have been a whole different scenario.

  “That might be true, but I go by how people treat me, so it doesn’t really change anything from my standpoint.”

  I know they didn’t get to where they are now by being nice to everyone and following the law. They’re bikers. But at the same time they’ve been only kind to me. Welcoming. So I see them as good people. To me, they are good people.

  “Tell me something about you, Ace,” I say, studying him. “Do you think you’ll be in the MC forever? How does that all work?”

  He nods instantly. “Yeah, of course. The Ravens are my family. And my goal is to move up the ranks and become vice president, and who knows? Maybe even one day I’ll be leading the whole MC.”

  “Ambitious, then,” I reply with a teasing smile. “I guess we all need goals, right?”

  “Something like that.”

  I take a bite of my food and moan as a prawn hits my tongue. “This is amazing. Thank you for bringing me here. I can now tick a dinner at Bravo’s off my bucket list.”

  “You’ll be coming here many more times, I assure you,” he says, like it’s no big deal. And to him it probably isn’t.

  Will it be with him, though?

  20

  After dinner and dessert, we go for a ride around the city to all the scenic views and hot spots. The place is so alive, so many people doing different things. So different from home. I breathe in all the scents and soak up the new experiences, loving every second of it.

  We’re standing side by side, peering over a high-up view of the city when he asks, “Do you still want to see a movie? Or do you want to go back to the clubhouse?”

  I move to stand in front of him, my back to the view. “Up to you, I’m easy.”

  “You’re far from easy,” he murmurs, bending down and giving me a quick taste of his lips.

  “You taste like chocolate mousse.”

  “I want to taste you again,” he whispers into my ear. “I think I could get addicted to the taste of your pussy, Erin.”

  I glance around, blushing, making sure no one can hear, even though he said it so softly there’s no chance anyone else could.

  “What, all of a sudden you’re shy?” he teases, kissing my cheek and then my neck.

  I close my eyes and let my head fall back, giving him easy access. “I’m not shy.”

  “You smell so good,” he says, licking my neck. His hands find my hips and pull me against him, and lust takes over, nothing else mattering in this moment.

  “I want you, Ace. I mean really want you,” I tell him, moaning. “I want your cock inside of me. You say I’ve only been with boys, well why don’t you show me what it’s like to be with a man.”

  This morning, after I went down on him, he returned the favor, making me come twice with his devilish tongue, but he didn’t have sex with me. He had his shower, and then we cuddled in bed before heading outside to check out my bike.

  “Fuckin’ hell, Erin,” he grits out. “I’ve tried to be good around you, and it hasn’t been easy.”

  “And why are you being good?” I ask him, confused. “Because of what my dad said? Do you really think he doesn’t know what’s going on? I spend most, if not all, of my time with you. We’re on a fucking date right now, and he has to know that.”

  “It’s complicated,” he mutters, looking away from me. “It’s a respect thing, you wouldn’t understand.”

  “And eating my pussy is respectful?” I ask, scowling, shaking my head. “I don’t get it, Ace. Do you want me or not?”

  “Wanting you isn’t the issue.”

  “Then what is? I haven’t had sex in a really long time, I’m talking over a year, and I really like you, Ace. I want you. I want you to fuck me. Are you going to give me that or not? Because it feels like a game you’re playing, and I have no idea what’s going on. I’m going to be leaving soon, and the men have made hints that you’re basically a ladies’ man and fuck heaps of women, so I’m a little confused as to why you won’t fuck me when it’s obvious that there’s something here between us.”

>   He pushes me back against the railing and kisses me, punishing me with his lips, his fingers tightening on my waist. If I’ve pushed him too far with my honesty, then too bad. Apparently men aren’t good at communication at any age. He ends the kiss and pulls me to his bike without saying a word. I climb on the back, tension between us at an all-time peak. I know he can’t feel my pebbled nipples through my leather jacket, but I can, and all I want to do is have his mouth on them. I hold on to him as he rides off, taking me fuck knows where. I try to enjoy the ride, but it’s hard when my panties are damp and I’m sexually frustrated and confused.

  Don’t get me wrong—I love his company, but to be honest, I’m a little offended that he will fuck any woman in heels . . . but he won’t fuck me.

  I don’t get it.

  Does he not want me as badly as I do him?

  He used the word respect, but all I want is some fuckin’ disrespect from him right now. Until we leave the bed, at least, then I can go back to being his princess.

  When the bike comes to a stop in a parking lot, I look around to see where he’s taken me.

  A hotel.

  Oh, shit.

  He walks me inside, still in silence, and stops at reception. “Do you have any rooms available for tonight?” he asks the lady.

  She presses some buttons on her keyboard and nods. “Yes, sir. We have plenty of rooms.”

  He places his credit card down on the desk. “One night please, your best room.”

  Her eyes widen. “Sir, the best room is three thousand—”

  “That’s fine,” he says, waving away her concern.

  I open my mouth, then close it.

  That’s a lot of money, especially if we aren’t going to be able to stay the entire night. “Are you sure—?”

  “Not a word from you,” he says in a low, deep voice, so only I can hear.

  I sigh heavily but listen to him. This was my idea, and if he wants to spend thousands, that’s on him. Meanwhile, I don’t even have that much money in my savings account, never mind blowing it on one night. After she hands over our key, he takes my hand and leads me to the elevator. We get in, alone, and as soon as the doors close, he pushes me back against the wall and kisses me, roughly, lifting my hands and pinning them above my head.

  The saying “Be careful what you wish for” flashes through my mind.

  I wanted all of him, and now I’m going to get it.

  But am I ready for it?

  The elevator comes to a stop, and he steps away from me, leaving me panting.

  Breathless.

  I push myself off the wall and step out of the elevator, Ace following closely behind. I don’t know which way our room is, so I silently wait for him to direct me. With a hand on the small of my back, he leads me to the right, and down a long hallway. The hotel is impressive, beautifully decorated and modern, but I don’t have the time or the inclination to stop and admire the view. My mind is focused on one thing and one thing only. We come to a stop in front of room 7328, and Ace opens the door. I walk in and briefly glance around before I turn and face him. He’s about a foot away from me, and my heart is starting to race, the air so thick in the room that I don’t know how we’re both not suffocating. He places the key down on the table and then removes his leather jacket, followed by his navy-blue shirt. He takes his belt off next, slowly, seductively, and then holds it in his hands like he wants to spank me with it.

  “What are you going to do with that?” I ask him, wide-eyed, but my tone husky and sinful.

  He throws it on the bed with a smirk, then undoes the button of his jeans, and removes them.

  He’s not wearing any underwear.

  “Undress,” he commands.

  I remove item by item—my jeans, my top, and then my bra and panties—while he watches intently, taking in every single part of my body. Nothing can be hidden from him, so I just stand there, naked, letting him take his fill. My body isn’t perfect, but I know that he likes what he sees, and I don’t feel self-conscious. I feel beautiful, sexy, and excited. I know I will never regret this, even if after I leave, nothing ever happens between us again.

  “You’re perfect,” he rumbles, closing the space between us. “You drive me fuckin’ crazy, Erin.”

  “The feeling is mutual,” I reply, reaching out to touch his cock, which I can see hardening before my very eyes. “You have no idea how badly I want you.”

  “Why don’t you show me?” he asks, reaching down to play with my breasts. “Lay back on the bed and spread your legs for me.”

  I swallow hard, then sit down on the bed, scooting backward and lying down. Probably not the most graceful movement, but oh well. I make sure our eyes are connected as I slowly spread my thighs, showing my glistening sex. He takes his time lowering his gaze down my body before stopping on my pussy and licking his lips.

  “On your knees,” he demands. “I want you to bend over, so I can lick you from behind this time.”

  Oh.

  I roll over and scoot up onto my knees, bending over for him. If he hadn’t seen everything before, he definitely has now. I really hope I did a good enough job shaving, because in this light, he will definitely be able to see everything. Warm hands cup the globes of my ass and squeeze, and then a wet tongue is on me, licking me from behind. I’ve never done this before, and I find myself being turned on by the new, vulnerable position of being down on my elbows. He slides a finger inside me while he licks my clit, making those moaning noises that turn me on so fucking much that I bite down on the pillow in front of me. As he slips a second finger inside, my orgasm hits me out of nowhere. I cry out as he draws every last ounce of pleasure out of me. Then he’s gone and I hear him opening a condom and sliding it on, his cock pressing against the entrance to my sex. Before he can slide in, I push back against him, sliding up on his erection.

  He moans, and gently slaps my ass. “Wait.”

  “Don’t want to wait,” I reply.

  He pulls out of me completely, and rolls me over so I’m on my back. Inserting himself between my thighs, looking down at me.

  “Kiss me,” I whisper, and I don’t need to ask twice. He kisses me slowly, deeply, and pushes himself inside me at the same time. He’s big, but he works himself in gradually and takes his time. I lift my hips up to meet his, because I don’t want to be a starfish, and dig my nails into his back as his strokes increase, turning faster and deeper.

  “Fuck, you feel good,” he grits out, kissing my neck and sucking and biting, and driving me wild. Next he pays attention to my breasts, licking and sucking on them until my back is arched and I can’t even remember what my name is, my hands squeezing them and bringing them to his lips. He pulls out and moves behind me, in the spooning position, lifting my leg up and sliding back inside me. I close my eyes and just feel while he kisses my ear, my neck, my jawline, and reaches between us to play with my clit with his fingers. I come twice before he finishes.

  We sleep for an hour or two, me wrapped in his arms, before I’m woken up again with his mouth between my legs, followed by another round of delicious sex.

  And I realize that he was right.

  I’ve never been with a real man before.

  21

  As I wake, I smile before I even open my eyes, remembering last night. I can still feel him, deliciously sore, as I lazily stretch my body. We got back to the clubhouse at 6:00 a.m. and snuck back into our own rooms. I don’t know why we felt the need to do that, considering we were gone all night, but I guess now that we’re back here nothing has really changed. Away from the MC, it’s just me and Ace, but here, it’s everyone. We can’t only think of ourselves because the MC is a unit.

  And my dad happens to be the leader of that unit.

  I have a long shower, get dressed, and go to see if Ace is awake. When he doesn’t answer when I knock on his door, I head to the kitchen instead. I’m walking past one of the rooms when I hear my dad’s voice.

  “I told you to do what you had to do to ke
ep her here!” he growls. “Not keep her out all night, leaving me worried sick about her! The only reason I haven’t killed you for going after my daughter after my warning is because I don’t want her to leave.”

  “She’s still here, isn’t she?” Ace replies.

  I freeze the second I hear his voice.

  Dad told Ace to do anything to keep me here?

  Anything?

  I flash back to last night.

  Well, he sure fucking did not just do anything, but everything.

  “Yeah, she’s here, where she needs to be, but I don’t want you taking her out and not fuckin’ coming home again, Ace. I’m serious. I didn’t want her to be with a biker, but if that’s what it’s going to take to make her stay, then so be it.” He pauses, then adds, “Jesus. I knew you two were close, but I never thought you’d go there. If this is the tactic you are using, you damn well better not hurt her. I will kill you slowly, in front of all the men, to show them what happens when someone goes against my orders. And you can say good-bye to being vice president when I step down and Rogue takes over.”

  I cover my face with my hands, trying to process what I’m hearing. It sounds to me like my father has been blackmailing Ace to be with me so that I stay here. He’s promising that he’ll be vice president?

  Even during my father’s outburst on that first night I’ve never heard him sound so scary; his tone makes me want to go hide. This is exactly what Ace was trying to tell me. I’ve been shown only the good, the nice, and the fun. I haven’t been shown the reality.

  This, right here, is the truth of who they are.

  Ace is with me because my father gave him an incentive. So I would stay here. So he can move up in the MC world. The whole thing was one big game to them. A ruse. And I’ve been manipulated and lied to the entire time.

  Betrayed again by people who I thought cared about me, by the two men who mean the most to me.

  I run back to my room and lock the door behind me.

  I need to get the fuck out of here, now.