Intent(39)

This is when it really hits me that I’m still naked in Ace’s bed. My clothes are strewn all over his house, and even though we shared an incredible night, I’m not comfortable walking around naked just yet. I grasp the sheet and hold it to my chest as I sit up and look around then remember that I took his shirt off him while we were in the living room.

I have no choice. I have to do the naked walk of shame across the room now.

When I slide to the side of the bed, I feel Ace’s eyes on my back. I turn my head to look over my shoulder at him and meet his gaze. He questions my motives with just a look, a shift of his eyes, a tightening of the muscles around them. Am I leaving? Am I running now that I realize what we’ve done? He’s listening to his daughter, but he’s trying to read me.

Leaning back on my arm, I place a soft kiss on his cheek for reassurance. His free hand wraps around mine, securing me in place. Gently shaking my head from side to side, I silently answer his doubts before I point toward the bathroom door. He gives me a single nod and loosens his grip on me. After a deep breath, I sit back up and slide out of the bed…butt-ass naked…and walk as quickly as I can without being too obvious.

As I round the corner of the bed, Ace finally gets a word in with River.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have had the pleasure of seeing Layne since you’ve been gone.”

The secret meaning behind his choice of words is betrayed by the playful tone of his voice. My chin drops to my chest as I hurry to get on the other side of the closed door. Finally, in private, I release the breath I’ve been holding in one forceful exhale before making the mistake of glancing in the mirror.

Oh.

My.

God.

Not washing my makeup off last night was a huge mistake because I look like a rabid raccoon this morning. My hair is standing up in every direction imaginable and my eye makeup is smeared haphazardly across my cheeks. There’s no way I’m going back out there with Ace when I look like a terrible rendition of Medusa. I take care of my personal business, find an extra toothbrush, and brush away my morning breath. When I confirm he’s still talking on the phone, I decide to use this time to take a fast shower.

The hot water soothes the tender ache in my muscles from our sexcapades last night, and the memory brings a smile to my face. The only soap in here is Ace’s masculine-scented body wash, Boss No. 6. No wonder he always smells so good, I think as I lather up. With his body wash, shampoo, and conditioner infused into every pore of my body, I dry off and wrap the towel around me with every intention of finding my clothes from last night.

When I open the door, Ace is standing on the other side, waiting for me with the look of a man on a mission. I startle at first and release a nervous laugh. “You scared me. Everything okay with River?”

He nods but doesn’t reply otherwise, doesn’t take his eyes off mine.

“Is she having fun with your sister?”

Again, the wordless nod, but there’s an obvious gleam in his eyes.

“What is it?”

“Are you going somewhere?”

It’s a trick question, that much I know.

“I just needed a shower. And I need clean clothes. And a hair dryer.”

“You running?”

“Yes, I am,” I reply, keeping my voice soft. His face falls with disappointment and the tightness in my chest squeezes my heart. “I’m running straight to you. Straight into the flames, not away. I meant every word I said last night, Ace.”

He pulls me into him and wraps his arms around me. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear you say that.” With a quick tug on my towel, it crumples to my feet and one side of Ace’s mouth quirks upward. “Oops.”





Chapter Thirteen





ACE



“You’re not wearing that.” I fully realize that I sound like an ass right now, but I’m willing to accept that.

Layne laughs, effectively dismissing my outburst. “Yes, I am wearing this. It’s the only bathing suit I brought with me.”

“So wear shorts and a T-shirt instead.”

“No, I’m not wearing shorts and a T-shirt all day, either. It’s almost a thousand degrees outside with a humidity level of at least three million percent. You’re the one who asked me to be in this race with you, so deal with it.”

I don’t know exactly how I’m supposed to deal with it when she’s wearing a barely-there black bikini to the inner tube race today. The race that the whole town will turn out for. The race where we’ll get soaking wet from the minor-category rapids splashing all over us. The race where she’ll most likely be in a two-person raft, sitting between my legs, and wearing next to nothing.

“Layne, sugar.” I soften my tone.

“No, sugar. Your sweet-talking won’t change my mind. Nice try, though.” Her saccharine-laced smile doesn’t fool me. She’s enjoying this little squabble. She’s enjoying winning it.

“You like to argue too much,” I mumble petulantly.

She shrugs. “I’m good at it. Always have been. Are you ready to go now? We’re late enough as it is because I let you win the argument earlier this morning, right after my shower.”

That makes me laugh heartily. “You let me win? That’s amusing. As I recall, you’re the one who pushed me down on the bed and had your wicked way with me. You were very intent on getting your workout this morning. I don’t recall having a say in it.”