“You want to tell me what has you so quiet?” he asked. “Or should I guess?”
“I keep getting mixed signals from you and I’m confused. I think we need to set some boundaries if me moving in here is going to work,” she said. He was happy to hear that she was considering moving in with him and Arabella, especially since he hadn’t gotten to the part of finding her sleazy landlord in her bedroom, at her run-down apartment. There would be no way that she’d be going back there to live, even if she chose not to move in with him. He’d find her another option if that’s what she wanted.
“Ground rules?” he asked. He’d address her mention of mixed signals in a few minutes. First, he wanted to hear her list of rules, sure that he’d find most of them amusing.
“Well, first off, I’m going to try to be more conscientious about wearing more clothes,” she promised, looking down her body. He let his eyes follow hers down and smiled back at her when she caught him shamelessly checking her out in his t-shirt again.
“I think that one is going to be my least favorite rule and I haven’t heard any of the other ones yet,” he teased. She rolled her eyes and sat down next to him at the kitchen island. She took the plate of pizza that he had made for her and thanked him.
“What’s rule number two?” he asked, shoving half a slice of pizza into his mouth.
“You need to stop pretending to be interested in me,” she breathed.
“Ah—this is where the mixed signals come in I’m guessing,” he said.
“Yes,” she said. “And it’s confusing me.”
“I was wrong—rule number two is my least favorite,” he said. “In fact, it downright pisses me off.”
“Well, I’m sorry that I’ve pissed you off, but I can’t see how this is my fault,” she defended.
“It’s not your fault, Trinity. It’s mine. I should have been clearer,” he breathed. Ace dropped his slice of pizza to his plate and turned to face her. “I should have told you that I can’t stop thinking about you and that confuses the hell out of me. You’re my daughter’s aunt. You’re my ex’s little sister, but I can’t stop thinking about how much I want you.”
“You want me?” she asked.
“I do, and I’m sorry that I wasn’t clearer about my feelings,” Ace said.
“You want me?” she asked again. He was done playing around. He practically pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.
“I do,” he said. Ace sealed his mouth over hers and used her surprised gasp to his advantage, slipping his tongue into find hers. She tasted like sunshine and honey, and Ace was sure he’d never get enough of her. Arabella’s little cry broke their intimate moment and he put Trinity back onto her stool.
“Hold that thought, Honey,” he ordered. He crossed the kitchen to pick up his daughter. “Hey, baby girl,” he crooned, kissing her little head. “She needs to be changed and then I’m going to put her down. Give me just a minute?” he asked. Trinity could barely look at him. She shyly nodded her head as he headed down the hall to Arabella’s nursery. Ace knew that he had possibly fucked everything up with Trinity, and her wanting to move in with them, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d kiss her all over again, given the chance, but he wasn’t sure that it was his smartest move. All Ace knew was that he wanted Trinity and if he had his way, he’d make her his, and move her into his place tonight.