I don’t understand what issues Vanessa has that stop her from taking full responsibility for Luna. She seems fine. Anyway, it really is none of my business and since I don’t plan on being in Lexi’s life for long, it doesn’t matter.
“I know what you mean,” I tell her. “Sometimes dating takes a back seat.”
We have a nice evening talking and just getting to know one another.
Chapter 12
Lexi
On the drive home, my body feels as if it’s on fire. I glance at Ace’s strong hands as they grip the steering wheel and imagine them stroking my body, making it tingle and ache for more.
For the first time since meeting Ace, I feel as though I’m beginning to get a glimpse of the man inside. He senses my stare and turns to me. He smiles and takes my hand in his. Warmth swamps my whole body. It feels so natural for my hand to be enclosed in his.
He holds my hand until we get home.
“Do you want to come in?” I ask him, knowing that there’s no way I am letting him go home. This is becoming a common thing with me. An evening out with Ace doesn’t end when he drops me home. I never want it to end.
“Sure, thanks,” he says.
I feel Ace’s eyes on me as I lead the way to the front door. I find myself swaying as I walk. Too bad I’m wearing pants. A pencil skirt would have worked a lot better, but I’ll work with what I have.
“Hi, you’re right on time,” Vanessa says when I walk into the house. She sees Ace behind me and smiles. “Hi, good to see you.”
“Maamaa,” Luna says and waddles to her feet from the rug where her toys are strewn.
She runs to me and I lift her. “My beautiful baby girl,” I croon as I soak in the warmth of her hug.
This is the second-best time of the day for me. The first is in the morning when Luna sees me and her sweet face lights up. I forget about Ace as Luna and I hug and kiss.
“Hi, Luna,” Ace says, jolting me back to the present.
Luna stretches her right hand out and Ace takes it. He turns it around and kisses the back. Luna giggles.
“Dinner’s in the oven,” Vanessa says. “Luna has already had her bath and her dinner is in the fridge.”
“Thanks, sis,” I tell her.
She winks at me discreetly and then leaves for work. Luna wriggles and I lower her to the floor. Ace joins her on the rug and together they stack colored pegs.
I feel sticky after a day of work and I excuse myself to take a quick shower. I muse over how comfortable I feel leaving Luna with Ace. Despite his PTSD, he has a solid presence, something that makes you know that you’re well taken care of when he’s around.
After my shower, I pull on a pair of shorts and a crop top. I admit that my intentions are not noble at all. I want to feel Ace’s eyes hungrily following me. I’m braless and just the thought of his hand sneaking under my top to play with my nipples has me squirming.
I return to the living room to find Ace and Luna engrossed in a game of hide-and-seek.
I join them and for the next twenty minutes, it’s all fun and giggles. I don’t miss his gaze on my chest. My full breasts bounce when I move, and it makes me feel feminine and sexy.
“Dinner time for you, young lady,” I say to Luna and we all head to the kitchen.
I place Luna in her highchair and proceed to warm her dinner. She eats without a fuss because she’s tired and sleepy. After dinner, we cuddle on the couch while Ace watches the news on TV. At seven, after a cup of warm milk, she’s ready for bed.
“Say goodnight to—” my mind goes blank.
“Ace,” he says, amusement in his voice. “Goodnight sweetheart, sleep tight.”
She smiles sleepily before her head flops on my shoulder. Most nights I read her a bedtime story but tonight, as soon as her head hits the pillow, she closes her eyes. I kiss her forehead and tiptoe out.
“Ready for dinner?” I ask Ace as I return to the living room.
“Close that door,” Ace growls. “And come here.”
His commanding sexy voice sends tingles down my spine. I do as he asks and turn the key. His gaze doesn’t leave me as I sashay toward him. He takes my hand and draws me to his lap so that I’m straddling him. I moan when I sit on his rock-hard manhood.
Before our lips meet, I catch a glance of the desire blazing in his eyes. A storm has been raging between us all evening and when we kiss, it goes out of control. Ace slips his hands underneath my top and cups my breasts. I grind myself on his cock in wild uncontrolled movements.