Page 26 of No Ordinary Girl
Some people have the knack of making you nervous, just with their mere presence. Ace is one of those people. And I can’t quite read him like I can others – I don’t know why. Hands in pockets, he had a playful smile. He was dressed in black from head to toe, his light porcelain striking under the moonlight. He looked surreal. Yes… I could definitely see what all the girls saw. There’d been a lot of chatter about him. I got the impression that he was a player, and I already knew I’d do well to steer clear of him.
He raked a hand through his golden hair, slicked back retro-style, the widow’s peak caught me by surprise. Yes, the guy was hot, but then looks are only one piece of the puzzle.
“You seem a little out of sorts, love.” Oh damn, and then there was the British accent.
I smiled. Iwasout of sorts – he was right.
“I’m… I’m just…”
“You look like the little girl who stayed up past her bed time to sit on the landing, and spy on her parents’ party.
I laughed. “Well, you got me. That’s exactly how I feel…”
He smiled at me again but he wasn’t making fun of me. He wanted to help. “All you need is the pyjamas and teddy.”
“I just feel like I don’t quite belong.” It was official, I was already spilling all my secrets and all my vulnerabilities, drawing him a detailed picture of my hang-ups, and I couldn’t even blame it on the alcohol. Ace has that effect on you.
He felt sorry for me. Again, I was a little bunny. A bunny he could pet, but this time, I was wounded.
“Everyone belongs,” he said, looking straight into me. His striking topaz eyes had a strong hold of me. I was spellbound. “Everyone belongs if they think they do,” he added as he inched closer and pressed a soft hand on my shoulder, his gaze still locked to mine. I was wondering what the hell he was up to. My heart was racing – we’re talking the Grand Prix.
“Close your eyes,” he said.
“Why?”
“Just close your eyes.”
I trusted him. I decided to let go. I swallowed hard as I closed my eyes.
“Just picture…” His voice was hypnotizing. I clung to it like a lifeline. “They’re all starkers… stark naked. They’re just like you. No better. No worse. They’re all bare and just as vulnerable as you.”
My eyes popped wide open, and every single person was in their birthday suits. I blinked in disbelief. And then they were dressed again; plaid shirts, torn jeans, too-short skirts.
But a second before… for a fraction of a second, I could have sworn that they were all naked.
Ace left me with a smile. “Bye, Cinnamon. Catch you around.”
“It’s Anna. My name is Anna,” I called out.
He turned to me again and smiled. “Bye, Anna.”
My heart was pounding. A pretty blonde walked up to me, holding a red Solo cup. She wore the coolest checkered skirt and a shirt which may or may not have been passed through a paper shredder. Her black bra popped out underneath, but somehow she didn’t look trashy. “Don’t even go there.”
I turned to her, curious. “What?”
“Ace Rogers. He’s trouble. He’s a master player.”
I nodded. “I suspected as much.”
She smiled. “He’ll break your heart.”
“Oh no, he won’t,” I objected. Obviously, she didn’t know who she was dealing with. I may be a loner, but my self-esteem is healthy and I’m not one to go all googly-eyes over a charmer who tells me I’m pretty. Please… “I’m too smart for that. I don’t get involved with players. The popular jock, the fun rich kid… they’re not for me.”
She laughed out loud. “You obviously don’t know Ace. He’ll win you over if he likes the looks of you and wants you. He gets everything he wants.”
“Yes… quite the charmer, he is.”
She inched closer. “It’s more than that. Ace is a Spellbinder.”
