Lifting her from his lap, he stood and stepped away from her. “Why don’t you go home and rest? I’m in a shitty mood today.”
Reaching out to touch his arm, she closed the distance between them again, at least physically. “Ace, I don’t mind your bad moods. I have them, too, you know. Am I supposed to stay away from you when I’m angry or sad? Besides, none of this is your fault. You can’t be everywhere at once, and you sure as hell can’t anticipate what anyone else will do.”
Ace nodded, not looking the least bit convinced. “I’ve got work to do.”
More than a little concerned, Hope placed her hands on his chest and looked up at him through her lashes. “Will I see you tonight?”
Shaking his head, Ace stepped away from her and moved to the window. “No. I’m on patrol tonight. Go home and take it easy. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Hope walked up behind him and rubbed his back. “But you’re already tired. How are you going to work all day and then all night?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m going home in a bit to sleep for a while and then I’ll be back.”
“I’ll go to your house and—”
“No, Hope. I said I needed to get some sleep, something I won’t do if you’re there.”
“But—”
“No.” He turned to take her in his arms and kissed her forehead. “Are you going to be a wife who nags all the time?”
Wrinkling her nose, Hope put her hands on his shoulders and rubbed against him. “If I get out of hand, I guess you’ll have to spank me.”
“Go home, honey. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Still unsettled, Hope left his office.
And the seed began to grow.
* * * *
Hope turned to look at the clock on her nightstand for about the fourth time. Groaning, she buried her face in the pillow, knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she talked to Ace.
Cursing herself for her insecurity, she reached for her cell phone. After turning on the low light next to her bed, she propped a pillow behind her and stared down at the phone. Running her thumb over the small screen she debated her decision, and knew she had no choice.
Damn it. He was driving her crazy. She knew she’d never get to sleep until she heard his voice.
She dialed his number, hugging a pillow to her chest while she waited for him to answer.
“Tyler.”
“Ace? Hi, it’s me. Um, Hope. Um…are you okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be? What’s wrong, honey? Why are you still awake? Are you in pain?”
Hope turned to her side, still hugging the pillow. “No, I soaked in the tub before I got into bed.”
“Headache?”
“I took some aspirin and it’s gone, Ace. I’m fine. I called to talk about you.” Pushing the pillow away, she sat up. “Did you get any sleep?”
“Yes. Hope, what’s this about? What’s wrong?”
Hoping her habit of speaking her mind wouldn’t cost her to lose the only man she’d ever love, she took a deep breath and let her anger free. “That’s what the hell I want to know. Don’t you want me any more?”
Ace cursed. “What the hell are you talking about now? Just this afternoon I gave you the pendant to match my ring. Didn’t I ask you to marry me?”
“But the necklace doesn’t mean anything to you!” Hope swallowed a sob. “You didn’t touch me.”
“Of course I touched you.” The weariness in his voice convinced her more than anything that her instincts were right.
“Look, Ace, I know something’s wrong. If you’ve got a problem with me, spill it.”
The heavy silence scared her more than she’d like to admit. The frustrated sigh following it didn’t make her feel any better.
“I’m sorry, Hope. I knew I’d handled you wrong.”
“You didn’t handle me at all.”
“Is that what this is all about? You got hit by a truck, Hope.”
“I know that, damn it! I just need to feel close to you. You’re making me sound like some sex-crazed—”
“What are you wearing?”
His silky tone wiped away a little of her apprehension. Frowning, she looked down at herself and grimaced. Well she could lie, couldn’t she? Leaning back against the pillows, she smiled. “I’m wearing a sexy black nightgown. It’s all lace so you can see everything. That is, you could see everything if you were here.”
Ace’s soft chuckled relieved her somewhat. “Liar. You’re wearing one of those big cotton T-shirts you like to sleep in.”
Hope shot up. “How do you know that?” Getting out of bed, she went to the window to peer through the blinds. “How do you know what I sleep in? Every time I sleep with you, I sleep naked.”
“Of course you do. Never mind how I know what you sleep in.” His voice took on a slight edge. “You lied to me, baby.”
Hope shivered at his tone, her nipples pebbling against the big cotton T-shirt she wore. She licked her suddenly dry lips. “So, what are you gonna do about it?”
Another of those deafening silences unnerved her.
Ace sighed. “Baby, I’m on patrol. Get a good night’s sleep and we’ll talk tomorrow. Good night, honey.”
After he disconnected she stared down at the phone, placing it carefully on the nightstand so she didn’t give in to the urge to throw it. Mentally replaying the conversation, she tried to shake the uncomfortable feeling that talking to Ace had changed nothing.
* * * *
When Ace pulled into the parking lot of Desire’s hotel restaurant two nights later, Hope could barely contain her excitement.
She waited for him to come around for her, just sitting there staring up at him when he opened the door to help her out.
Staring up at him, she could hardly believe he was hers.
Smiling, she reached out to grab handfuls of his hair to pull him closer.
He bent close, touching her lips with his. “Never, for one minute, doubt how much I love you.”
Holding onto him, she shivered at the feel of his hands settling on her waist. Meeting his kiss, she poured herself into it, desperate to surrender to him.
All too soon, Ace broke off his kiss, his hands gentle as he lifted her from the seat, sliding her down the length of his body to set her on her feet.
“Are you sure you’re all right? No more headaches?”
With their arms around each other, they crossed the parking lot. “Ace, I told you that I’m fine. Listen, the guy wasn’t going that fast. I’ve had bruises before and I will again. Lighten up, will you?”
She reached down to grab a handful of his fine ass. “I think I already showed you, Sheriff, that I’m tough.”
Ace grabbed her hand, holding it in his. “But you’re not handling tenderness very well, are you?”
Uneasy, she looked up at him from beneath her lashes and poked his hard stomach. “I can handle tenderness. Just don’t you dare back off because you’re scared of hurting me.”
Opening the door, he ushered her into the restaurant. “Don’t be ridiculous. I thought we’d agreed that I was in charge.”
Hope lifted a hand in greeting to several people she knew. “Are we eating in a privacy booth? I wore the dress with the buttons on purpose.”
“No. Come on. You haven’t eaten since breakfast.”
Stunned, Hope blinked up at him as he seated her. “How the hell do you know this stuff?”
With a small smile, Ace took his own seat and opened the menu. “I know you better than you know yourself. Trust me to take care of you, baby. What would you like to eat?”
Something in his voice bothered her. She pushed her menu aside and leaned toward him. “Ace, I promise you that I’m okay. You’re scaring me. What I really need from you is to know that things haven’t changed.”
Ace smiled indulgently, patting her hand as he looked back at the menu. “We’re getting married soon, baby. Everything is fine and will get even better. Now, what would you like
to eat?”
Chapter Fifteen
A week after the truck clipped her, Hope was going out of her mind. She knew that not being able to catch the guy who did it frustrated the hell out of Ace, but if he didn’t make love to her soon, she would explode.
“What the hell’s wrong with you? You’re in love and engaged to one of the sexiest men on God’s green earth and you’re acting like somebody stole your favorite toy.”
Hope looked up from the mess she’d made on her desk to glare at her sister. “If Ace doesn’t screw my brains out soon I’m going to hurt him.”
Charity blinked and plopped down into the chair in front of Hope’s desk. “I don’t get you. You’re mad because he’s not screwing you after you got hit by a truck? You’re black and blue all over!”
Hope shrugged. “The bruises are almost gone.” Sitting back, she sighed. “I know it sounds crazy, but he hasn’t touched me in any sexual way since he gave me a massage. He’s so gentle with me, it’s as though he’s afraid I might break.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
Hope sat up and played with a paper clip. All week she’d kept her fears to herself. She had to tell someone or she would burst. “The night of the accident, do you remember when he was in the bathroom with me?”
“Yeah. So?”
“Well, he was looking over the bruises and he got this really strange, almost defeated look on his face. Anyway, he asked me if he caused any of those bruises. We had some pretty rough sex the night before, I mean, it was fabulous—”
“Spare me.”
Tossing the clip back onto her desk, Hope leaned back again, propping her feet up on the corner. “Anyway, he seemed really upset about it. I told him that we’ll probably give each other bruises, but I’m a big girl. Hell, I get bruised all the time running into things. And I like rough sex. Sure, there are times when slow and easy might be nice, but I don’t want him thinking that I can’t take it. Damn it, Charity, I want Ace back. What he said that night is going to drive me crazy until we make love again. I can understand that he’d want to be careful for a little bit, but I need to feel close to him again.”
“But he comes to take you to dinner almost every night.”
“And I love being with him. But other than mind-blowing kisses, he doesn’t touch me. I’m telling you, something’s wrong.”
Charity smiled and leaned back. “Then do something about it. I’ve never known you to sit back and wait for something before. Maybe he’s waiting for you to make the first move so he knows you’re feeling better.”
Hope sighed and nodded, her stomach clenching. “I know, but I’m afraid, and it pisses me off.” Making a decision, she stood. “After the club closes tonight, I’m going over there.”
* * * *
Hours later and aroused from tonight’s demonstration, Hope called Ace.
He picked up on the second ring. “Tyler.”
“I’m a very horny woman who needs a great deal of attention.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Yep. I’ve been listening to a man begging his mistress to let him come for the last hour. I remembered what it felt like to be in that position and willing to do anything to come.”
“Remember that, do you?”
“How could I forget? I know it’s been a long time, in fact, it seems like forever, but I was wondering if you knew where I could get some relief. Somebody stole my vibrator again. I was thinking about buying another one.”
“You’d better not.”
Hope leaned back and closed her eyes at his dark tone. This was the man she missed so desperately. Relief weakened her, and she had to swallow the lump in her throat before speaking. “Or what?” Her heart skipped a beat when he didn’t answer right away.
“Or you’ll wish you hadn’t.”
Forcing a lightness she didn’t feel, she laughed softly. “That didn’t sound very intimidating, Sheriff.”
“I’ll intimidate you plenty when I see you. Are you done for the night?”
“Yes. You?”
“You caught me stepping out of the shower.”
“So you’re naked and wet?”
“I am. Are you home?”
Hope looked longingly at the white ranch house to the front porch with the two comfortable chairs and sighed. “No. I’m not at home.” Walking toward the steps to the porch, she pictured a few flowers out front, the kind that her mother had. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember the name of them.
“Where the hell are you?”
Grinning, Hope made her way quietly up the stairs, skipping the second one which she’d already learned creaked, and settled into one of the chairs on the front porch. “Hiding from you. What would you do to me if you found me?” She had to keep her voice low so he wouldn’t hear her from inside, but the background noises she heard told her that even now he was throwing on clothes. Another drawer slammed.
“Sheriff? I’ve been a bad girl, hiding from you. You gonna spank me?”
“Damn it, Hope. I don’t like you running around at night. Where the hell are you? I’m coming to get you.”
“Why? You don’t want to screw me anymore.”
Silence reined, the deafening sound of it telling her that Ace had stilled. His weary sigh tugged at her heart. “Of course I want you, baby. Now tell me where you are so I can come and get you. I’ll bring you back here and make love to you nice and slow, so slow you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“I won’t break, you know.”
“Where are you?”
“Sitting on your front porch.”
When the phone clicked in her ear, she smiled and casually closed it and stuck in it the pocket of her jacket, looking up when the front door opened.
Wearing only a pair of jeans that he hadn’t yet buttoned, Ace stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips, a small smile playing at his lips.
“Not a real good hiding spot.”
Hope looked him up and down, from his wide shoulders, down his strong chest to his tight abs and beyond, and grinned. “I wasn’t trying too hard.” The bulge behind the zipper of his jeans seemed to grow under her gaze, holding her attention until she reluctantly looked away, following the long trail of denim to his bare feet. A Greek God would be jealous of the body standing in front of her. It was hard to believe sometimes that he finally belonged to her.
“How the hell can even your feet look sexy?”
Ace’s smile grew. “I think getting hit in the head scrambled your brain. You coming in?”
Hope leaned back in the chair and propped her feet on the small table. “I don’t know. What are you offering?”
Ace’s eyes flared at the challenge, but immediately dimmed as he smiled indulgently. Coming forward, he lifted her high in his arms. “I’m going to strip you out of those clothes and devour you.”
As he started inside with her, she laid a hand on his hot chest. “I might be agreeable to that.” She reached up to kiss his jaw. “I’ve missed you.”
Ace strode into the house, closing and locking the door before carrying her down the hall to his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him. “I’ve missed you, too. God help me, but I don’t think I can give you up now. I can’t even sleep at night without you.” He laid her on the bed and slid a hand inside her jacket, his mouth covering hers.
Hope threaded her fingers through his still damp hair, holding him to her, her senses whirling. She moaned into his mouth, arching as his hand covered a breast. His tongue explored her mouth as though kissing her for the first time. Already she trembled, the power of his kiss on her senses drawing her into the warmth of his love. She felt it with every stroke of his tongue, every slide of his lips on hers.
His hand left her breast to move over her stomach, gently caressing, his other hand sliding under her to pull her even closer. One kiss led to another and another, each one more devastating to her senses than the last.
Hope held on to him like a lifeline, tilting her h
ead when his lips left hers to brush lightly over her jaw and to her cheek.
“I love these dimples.” His soft, low tone, so different and yet so familiar, washed over her.
Turning her head to smile at him, she wrapped a leg around his thigh. “Hmm. I love you.”
Ace lifted his head and brushed her hair back from her face. “I love you, too, baby, probably more than I should.”
“Impossible.” Swept up in a vortex of warmth and desire, she wrapped herself around Ace, impatient each time she had to let go of him so he could remove another item of clothing.
He slid a hand inside her jacket and around her to lift her against him. He removed her jacket slowly, his mouth never leaving hers. As he tossed it aside, she toed off her shoes, quickly hooking her leg around him again. He broke off his kiss to pull her sweater over her head, his mouth exploring the curve of her breasts as soon as he bared them.
Clumsily pulling her arms out of the sleeves, she impatiently threw it aside to sink her fingers into his hair again. She trembled in his arms, shuddering when his hands roamed her body with slow, firm caresses that molded her against him.
Her stomach muscles quivered under the hand he slid inside her pants. He took his time in unfastening them, driving her wild as he slowly worked them down her legs and off. She shivered against him, waiting for him to rip her bra and panties from her, dying to feel him against her bare flesh.
Instead, he unclipped her bra, drawing it from her so slowly she thought she’d go crazy. His lips covered every inch of skin he exposed, his warm kisses setting her on fire with need. Instead of making her wait as he usually did, he gave her what she wanted immediately, using his tongue and lips on her nipples, slowly sucking one and then the other into his mouth, creating a languorous heat that flowed over, and made her movements clumsy.
Stripping her bra completely off of her body, he tossed it aside, immediately gathering her against him. With a hand tangled in her hair, he tilted her head back to rake his teeth down her neck and over the slope of her shoulder while his hand covered her abdomen. His lips trailed down to her breasts as he turned her more fully onto her back and slid his fingers inside her panties to cover her mound.
Dark Desire Page 19