Ace runs his fingers through his hair. I know he’s struggling with this. Normally Ace is all about being the good guy and doing the right thing. This is really testing that for him.
“I could just kidnap you.” To prove his point, Knox grabs Whitney and tosses her over his shoulder. “See.” I snort a laugh.
“Put me down, you brute.” She wiggles in his hold, and he slaps her ass before he finally does as she asks.
“How about we get the rest of these boxes down and then order some pizza and hang out?” I suggest. Both of them grumble in agreement, heading back out to get more boxes for us.
“I’m so close to breaking,” I admit to Whitney when the boys are out of earshot.
“Me too,” she huffs, falling back onto her bed. “I sleep terribly without Knox.” She rolls to her side. “No one can knock me out like he can.”
“Gross.” I throw my pillow across the room at her, not wanting to hear about my brother’s sex life. I might be a bit jealous too. Ace and I have never gone that far before. I have no freaking clue why not. I can only imagine it goes back to his upstanding morals of being a good guy. He’d put Captain America to shame. I think he’s even more built than Chris Evans, actually.
“I suppose this might be fun. Having girls’ nights and such. We haven’t done that much lately since I started dating Knox.” Whitney always tries to find the silver lining in everything. She’s right, though. We haven't hung out much with only her and me.
“Dating? Did you just say we’re dating?” Knox growls when he enters the room. He grabs Whitney around the waist. “We’ll be back with food.”
“Hey!” Whitney tries to wiggle from his hold. She’s not putting much effort into it. Ace comes in as they leave, shutting the door behind them and flipping the lock.
“Want to break in your new bed?” He gives me that sexy smirk that has me squeezing my thighs together.
“What did you have in mind?”
He crosses the room, his fingers tangling in my hair as his mouth takes mine. I moan into his mouth as his fingers tighten in my hair, giving a small tug as he deepens the kiss. My fingers dig into his shirt, wanting more. For some reason, this kiss is different. It’s not sweet and soft but needy and demanding.
“Clothes off,” he growls against my mouth, surprising me. “I won’t ask again.” I stare up at him, still trying to catch my breath. My whole body lights up at his demands. Yeah, this is different for sure. Even the way he’s staring down at me.
I go for my shirt. I don’t even get it off before a banging starts at the door. “Why is this locked?” Whitney calls from the other side. Looks like she gave Knox the slip. Ace sucks in an irritated breath, reaching down and adjusting himself.
Something has changed with Ace. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I’m going to love it.
2
ACE
After hitting send on the email I was working on, I check Faith’s location to make sure she got to her next class. Her classes are a bit spread out during the week at different times, where I’ve jammed all mine into the morning so I can spend my afternoons being mentored by my dad. Knox is doing the same. Both of our fathers are brilliant. I know I can learn more from him than any college could ever offer me. I already spent a big chunk of my summer working here.
“Mr. King,” Tiffany calls from the doorway to my office. “I have your lunch.”
“Thank you.” She brings in a tray, setting it down on the corner of my desk. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
“This is good. Thank you.” I dismiss her. She stands there for a long moment before she finally leaves my office. Tiffany is efficient, but it can get a bit annoying when she lingers around. Almost begging me to order her to do something else for me. It’s odd, but I guess that is what having an assistant is for. I have to say it makes me uncomfortable at times, but I’m guessing it’s because I’m not a fan of people doing things for me.
It feels a bit strange at times to boss her around too. She’s a few years older than me, but I don’t really look my age. Though she might be a bit annoying, she never misses anything. If I ask her to do something, she’ll get it done quickly.
I pull my tray over to eat my lunch, wondering if Faith has eaten. I go to text her to ask but I stop myself. I’m supposed to be giving her space. Letting her spread her wings. My fingers itch to send her a message still. It’s only a small check-in.