Intent(31)

“No, Layne, wait!” are the last words I hear before I hang up on him.

After I silence my phone, I climb the stairs to the second floor of the spacious cabin and walk into the large master bedroom. The double French doors lead out to a balcony overlooking the river between this house and Ace’s. Marcia has furnished this cabin with all the best amenities, one of them being the plush chaise lounger that gives a perfect view of Ace’s house through the trees.

Stretched out on the lounger, I release the pent-up anger and anxiety Bobby’s call created through my hot, salty tears. The numbness I felt has dissipated, and the plethora of feelings threaten to overwhelm me. Then I see movement on Ace’s deck, but my vision is blurry from tears. Since I don’t have a tissue, I use my sleeve to dry my eyes to get a better look.

I’d recognize that stance from a mile away. Even in the dark, with only an outline of a shadow, I’d know him. Whether he’s displaying his tough, strong side or his intuitive, thoughtful side, he projects pure strength in every move he makes. The way he stands—his head held high, his chest naturally protruding, and his hands in fists at his waist—exudes masculinity. Simply watching Ace Sharp standing on his back porch has fully distracted me from the dark thoughts and feelings Bobby elicited.

His arm raises and waves at me. He knows I’m watching him. I’m completely busted and there’s no way to hide it, so I wave back. He retrieves something from his pocket and holds it up for me to see. The flash of the lit screen of his phone alerts me that he’s about to call me, so I grab mine in anticipation.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Layne.” The low-pitched timbre of his voice sounds so sensuous over the phone. “Are you stalking me again?”

I can’t help my reaction—I actually giggle in embarrassment from his playfulness. “I was out here first. So, technically, you’re stalking me again.”

“I’m definitely stalking you, beautiful. But don’t worry, you’ll love it,” he promises.

I have no doubt he’ll keep his word.





Chapter Ten





Layne



Ace smiles broadly at my approach when I arrive at the rehab center to see Frankie. “Come walk with me to catch Frankie,” he requests and holds out his hand. I slide my hand in his and he interlocks our fingers. “Now you can’t spook and run away from me.”

“Where would I go?” I chuckle.

“Where are you from?” he asks and catches me off guard.

“New York,” I confirm his suspicion.

“Ah, she reveals information about herself.” He grins and squeezes my hand.

“I just thought you should know at least that, since you’re stalking me, after all.”

“Are you helping me? Making sure I know where to find you?”

“I’m not planning on going anywhere, Ace,” I reply. “You’ll just have to stalk me around here.”

He stops walking and turns to face me. “I’m going to hold you to that, beautiful.”

“You meant it when you said you wanted to take a chance on us,” I whisper.

Ace tilts his head, the natural blond highlights in his light brown hair gleaming in the bright sunshine. He narrows his eyes at me ever so slightly before he replies. “I absolutely meant it. I don’t say things if I don’t intend to see it through. Around here, you’re a man of your word or you’re no man at all.”

His free hand cups my cheek, and he continues to gaze deep into my eyes. When he leans in, I’m ready for the kiss I know is coming. Only his kiss has ever affected me this much, in so many ways. His lips brush against mine, softly as first, and then the kiss becomes urgent, needy, demanding. His arm wraps around me and pulls me closer to him, and our bodies align, my breasts pressing against his chest.

He pulls back first but his lips continue to hover above mine. “You test my willpower in the best ways.”

“I’d love to know how you have such strong willpower. Apparently, I have none.”

“You can’t say that to me when my self-control is hanging by a thread. We’ll both end up in jail for lewd behavior.”

“Temporary insanity. Caused by an overload of hormones and pheromones.”

“Are you saying I bring out the animal in you?”

His voice is low and sensual as his fingers grip my hair. He lulls me into a place where I don’t care about anything else. All the wrongs and hurts fade to black when I’m with him like this, when I feel his sincerity, and it makes me crave even more. The effortless mutual feelings between Ace and me make it clear to me that I tried to force my relationship with Bobby.

“You definitely bring out the animal in me.”

“That’s good to know,” he smirks. “I’ll use that to my advantage later.”

Then he grabs my hand and continues walking toward Frankie. He chuckles lightly at my groan of frustration, and I’d swear that’s pride written all over his face. The way Tara, the waitress in town, spoke of him, it sounded as if he was the most desired man around. Surely he has his pick of women to date.

“So, tell me about Ace Sharp. What else do I not know about you?” I try to keep my tone light—not too inquisitive, not too interested. Not too desperate for information.