He tore open a condom and put it on quickly, clearly not wanting to take any chances this time. I almost laughed, but I managed to swallow back the sound.
He plunged into me, filling me to the brim and more. I gasped for air, already moving my hips against his, rocking hard and fast. He caught my hips, slowing me down, soothing me into a gentler rhythm that really let me feel every slow drag of his head inside of me. I mewled, my breath catching on every exhale, feeling the air pushed out of me each time he thrust inside.
My pleasure spiked higher and higher with each movement until I felt like my whole body was prickling with desire. I came harder than I’d ever come before, pulling Ace over into a climax as well, our bodies pulsing as one. I shivered as he collapsed against me, my walls still quivering around him. He stroked a soothing hand down my side, comforting me with his closeness.
He rolled away from me, clearly having forgotten that we were on the couch rather than a bed. He fell hard to the floor, still grabbing at me for balance so that I ended up falling on top of him. I burst out into helpless giggles, practically crying with how amused I was.
“Oops” was all Ace had to say, smiling over at me and pulling me close to his side.
“Oops,” I agreed, snuggling into his handsome body, running my fingers absently over his abs and pecs.
Ace caught my hand, twisting his fingers into mine. “What do you think?” he asked.
“About what?” I asked cautiously. “The sex is great.” But I didn’t think that was what he was asking.
Ace sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Could we maybe try to date?” he asked, his voice sounding quiet and unsure. It was strange to hear the lack of his usual overconfidence. And it made me want to hold him even closer.
He cleared his throat. “I know that a lot of what we have is just crazy sexual tension,” he continued. “I can’t seem to keep my hands off you, Harper. You’re unbelievably, amazingly sexy. But there’s something more to it than just your body. You’re smart, and you’re fun to be around, and I like you. I’d like to date you.”
I blinked, surprised. It wasn’t exactly an unpleasant idea, dating him. And hadn’t I already been thinking that tonight seemed like a date? Nor was I complaining about the sex. Oh God, the sex. I’d needed that. More than I’d even realized.
But if we were going to actually date, things were going to get complicated. There was a reason I hadn’t dated anyone since I’d gotten pregnant with Ava. I didn’t know how to build a life with someone else when my life included a toddler as well. And with Ace, things were only going to be even more complicated.
He was the father of my child. And sooner or later, I was going to have to tell him that. I couldn’t predict what his reaction might be. What if I told him and he decided he never wanted to see me again?
But I didn’t really think he would do that. I hoped he wouldn’t anyway.
What about Ava, in all of this? I didn’t want her to start thinking of Ace as her daddy, or even as a good friend of mine, if he wasn’t going to stick around for good. I knew that was silly; I couldn’t predict the future. But I didn’t want her to really get to know Ace until I knew for sure that he wasn’t just going to disappear on her, on us, again.
Even if I’d been the one doing the disappearing last time.
I rubbed at my forehead, not sure what to say.
Ace caught my hand and kissed my palm, already getting to his feet. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said. “I’m sorry to put you on the spot. Forget that I asked.”
There was something wounded in his eyes, and he turned away from me.
“Wait,” I said, catching his wrist. “Sorry, I’m just thinking of all the things that could go wrong.” I took a deep breath. “I have a daughter,” I reminded him. “I like this. I like the sex. I like having fun with you. And if you wanted to date, I… really want that.” It was the honest truth, however much it surprised me. No matter how complicated things might become, I couldn’t deny how badly I wanted Ace.
He was different now. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was, but it gave me hope.
I shrugged. “I want to date you,” I said simply. “We’ll just need to take it slow, because of Ava.”
Ace stared at me for a minute. Then, he gave my naked body a pointed once-over, a wicked grin on his face. “I think it’s a little late for taking things slow,” he pointed out.
I had to laugh at that. “Yeah, maybe,” I agreed. Then, I sobered. “I just mean, in other senses. I don’t want you and Ava to become best buds and then, you know…”
“I get that,” Ace said softly, his thumb stroking my cheekbone. “We’ll take things at whatever pace you want. You just have to let me know what you’re okay with.”
“Right now, I’d be okay with getting a little cozier in a proper bed,” I said slyly.
Ace chortled. “Sounds like a plan,” he said, following me into my bedroom.
16
Ace
I felt good first thing Saturday morning. That was the first thing I noticed.