Page 31 of Protected from Reprisal
Just as I’m about to search for a hole to jump into, Ace shuts the stove off and moves the griddle off the heated burners. Then he walks around the counter to come to my side.
With me sitting and him standing, he looks even taller than usual.
Slowly, I raise my eyes to meet his.
Instead of the pity I’m expecting, empathy softens his gaze.
Without warning, he bends down and wraps his arms around me.
My breath catches.
My racing heart stumbles.
Inexplicably, tears burn behind my eyes.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I lean against him, resting my head on his chest.
Closing my eyes, I let myself absorb the sensations of Ace’s body so close to mine.
I breathe in his scent. I listen to the steady rhythm of his heart. I memorize the feel of his arms wrapped around me.
Though I know it’s meant to comfort, being held by Ace feels more right than anything I can remember.
“You’re not weak, Tink,” he says softly, his breath brushing my hair. “You’re the furthest thing from it.”
“I feel like it,” I mumble into his shirt.
“You’re not,” he replies firmly. “You said you never wanted me to lie. And I’m not.”
“Ace.”
He draws back to look at me. “Yara. You’re not. And I’ll keep reminding you until you believe it. Okay?”
As I meet his earnest gaze, hope fizzes to life again.
So I sit up straight, lift my chin, and give him a small smile. “Okay.” Then I glance at the half-cooked pancakes and shake my head. “Not sure they’re fixable.”
Ace chuckles. “We can’t tell Indy we messed up the pancakes, too. He’ll never let me hear the end of it.”
Feeling lighter than I have in weeks, I slide off the stool, grab Ace’s hand, and tow him around to the other side of the counter. “We’ll just make them again, that’s all. And this time, I won’t distract you halfway through.”
“Sounds good,” he replies. Then he grins. “After all, if I’m going to be your assistant for the day, I need plenty of energy.”
“True,” I agree. “And trust me,” I add with a teasing smile, “I plan on putting you to work.”
Ace grins at me. “I can’t wait.”
CHAPTER 6
ACE
The more timeI spend with Yara, the harder it is to keep ourjust friendsboundary intact.
I already knew she has all the qualities I could ever want in a woman. Not that I have a checklist or anything, but if I were to make one, she’d check every box.
Then there are the things I never considered before. Like how it felt when she opened up to me this morning, which I know wasn’t an easy thing for her. How her hand felt inside mine, so small and soft, yet deceptively strong. And how sexy Yara looked, all rumpled from sleep with her long hair loose around her shoulders and her nipples taunting me from beneath her shirt.
Ah, shit. Her nipples. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them all day—wondering what color they are and how they’d feel if I took them in my mouth. Would her skin taste sweet, like I’ve imagined? Would she like it gentle or with a hint of roughness? Would she make sexy sounds in the back of her throat like she did when she smelled those cookies I brought? Orwould she be more vocal, moaning my name while I bring her pleasure?
