Turning around, I reached out for a warm body beside me, but all I found was emptiness. Just the crinkled sheet and his lingering scent. Frowning, I opened my eyes and looked around.
There was no sign of him in the dimmed room. Even the bathroom’s door was ajar just as we left it last night.
Where was he?
I checked my mobile for the time. Three in the morning. Where could he go this early?
A gust of cool air touched my face, giving me my answer. The glass door of the balcony was open.
Clutching the blanket around me as I went to get up, a hiss left my lips at the pain that shot up in my lower region. Memories of last night flooded my mind, heating my cheeks.
There was even a delicious soreness across my entire body.
Achilles Valencian was true to his word. He punished me sweetly by taking me again and again until I couldn’t move any limbs the entire night. He was insatiable. And… perfect.
I bit my lip as another blush rose to my neck.
This time, I took it slow, securing the blanket around me. Padding to the balcony, I found him standing near the railing. Shirtless, his jeans hung low around his hips. His gaze lost in the dazzling light of the city below.
I walked to him and wrapped my arms around him from behind, kissing his ripped back.
“Rosebud?” Turning around with narrowed eyes, he pulled me into his warmth and hugged me closer. “What are you doing here? You should be asleep.”
“Shouldn’t I ask you the same?” Rubbing my hand against his chest, I felt his smooth, yet hard muscles.
Taking my hands, he kissed each of my knuckles. The blanket pooled around to my waist, and his gray eyes didn’t hesitate to stare, making my cheeks hot.
I placed my head on his chest.
“Are you shying away from me, Rosebud?” he teased. But I didn’t miss the huskiness and dark edge in his voice. “If it makes you feel better, I’ve seen everything already. Touched you. ”His grip tightened around me, tone dropping to a whisper, “Devoured you. You don’t need to shy away from me, my rose.”
He again changed the nickname. In these last two and a half months, I’ve realized he had three names for me. When he was all affectionate, he called me Rosebud. When he had perverted thoughts, he called me his rose. And when he was all serious and angry, he’d call me by my full name, Emerald. And I loved each one of them.
Snuggling in his chest at his bold words not to show him my bashfulness, I changed the topic. “You didn’t answer my question. What’re you doing here instead of sleeping?” I looked up at him. “Couldn’t sleep?”
Sighing, he brushed his lips across my forehead. “I did sleep, Rosebud. With you in my arms now, I never had such a good sleep in my entire life. It’s just… Carter called me a while ago regarding an important meeting. And I didn’t get any sleep after that.”
He pecked my nose.
“I usually sleep for three hours at night. But I slept more than that tonight. So don’t worry.”
I felt his days old dense stubble against my palm. “You were lost in deep thought. Something is bothering you. I can see it. What is it, Ace?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. Just work. Don’t worry about it.”
“Is it Antonio?”
His shoulders tensed at the mention of his name, sharp jaw ticked. I knew my assumption was right at the sight of his gray orbs turning to slits.
“It’s him, isn’t it?” I queried. “I know you’re bothered that he’s out of jail now. I’ve been wanting to ask you this. Why did you get him arrested? And how did you manage it?”
I’ve been holding myself back from asking him about Antonio. But after meeting him at the wedding today, after what he said to me, I couldn’t get his words out of my head.
“You can make the outside enemy leave you alone. But what about the enemy inside? How would you tackle them, Ms. Hutton?”
Enemy inside. What did he mean by that? Who was he talking about?
“How did you know I was behind his arrest?” One of his brows raised.
I rolled my eyes. “It was all on your face, Mr. Valencian. Anyone with eyes would have known it if they looked closely. Your eyes were full of smug.”
“Smug?” His brows furrowed. “He got what he deserved. Even though it was nothing compared to the things I have planned for him.” The malice in his voice was clear.
“How did you do it, anyway? Was the girl also your set up?”
Leaning in, he buried his nose into my hair. “She was in the picture even before I made any plan. She was already dating him, and unluckily for him, she aborted his child last month to avoid any unwanted motherhood. Though he didn’t even know about the pregnancy to force her into anything in the first place, he had done it in the past to some of his partners. And I just took advantage of his past and that girl’s greed for money.”
Disappointment filled me thinking of that child that was killed even before he or she could be born in this world. And after aborting her child, she even used it to frame someone for money. Even if the person was filth.
“I heard the police had evidence of his illegal businesses and I know this was also your doing. How did he get out so easily?” He could be more dangerous for us now. That man was already after him and Caleb, and now that Ace drowned his name in the market, he would definitely take revenge.
“He still has some connections with powerful politicians. He used them to get out,” he spit out the words. “The good thing is he can enjoy the destruction of his company before his own eyes now. And it’s just the beginning. He has a lot more coming his way. But he shouldn’t have come to the wedding and talk to you.”
The tightness of his grip around me and the rage in his eyes had me concerned.
“Why are you so mad that he talked to me? He didn’t do anything except some talking.”
Silence.
“Ace? What is it?”
“Nothing. He is dangerous, Rosebud. I don’t want him anywhere around you,” he said, cupping my cheeks. “I swear I’ll rip him to shreds if he even touches a strand of your hair.”
The uncontrolled fury in his gray orbs and a hidden fear lurking unsettled me.
Though his concern was legit. Antonio tried to frame Caleb with drugs to defame Ace. He could try to harm some of his loved ones again for his revenge. I could be that leech’s target easily now that Ace and I were together.
I kissed his chest, beaming at him. “Nothing will happen to me as long as you’re here with me. So don’t worry about that. Now think of a way to send him back behind the bars. And this time, forever. So he can’t try anything funny again.”
A smile stretched across his lips. Nodding, he pressed his lips against mine. “My queen’s wish is my command.”
Giggling, I kissed him back. His hands traveled across my curves, sneaking up to my chest.
A wince of mine had him frown in concern.
“Are you all right, Rosebud?”
“Yes. Just a little sore everywhere. You took too much liking to this particular area last night.”
No matter what he was doing, his hands didn’t budge from my bosoms last night for a second. Not that I complained, but I was now suffering for his adventurous hands. Though it was a delicious soreness.
“I’m so sorry, baby. Did I hurt you?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. His fingers brushed at the sides of my breasts softly.
I shook my head. “No. I’m fine. Just a little sore. They’ll get better tomorrow, I think.”
“I’m sorry. I just,” he bit his lip, still eyeing the fingerprints he left on my sensitive skin, “couldn’t keep my hands away from them. They’re too marvelous and perfect for me to stay away.”
Blushing, I slapped his hands away. It seemed he was obsessed with my chest like he was with my hair.
“Can we go sleep now? I’m tired.” I pouted.
“As my queen commands.” He captured my lips again into a scorching kiss and scooped me into his arms. Naked.
“The blanket,” I whispered, already battling with growing desire. I had to resist my urges if I wanted to walk tomorrow. But my hands were already feeling his hard body, ignoring my brain.
“Forget about it. I love you like this,” he groaned.
I clenched my thighs while he added additional marks on my neck where I was sure numerous already sat proudly from last night.
“We should sleep,” he murmured into my ear, placing me softly on the bed, hovering over me.
“We should,” I moaned at his flaming touch at my sides.
Placing a last kiss on my forehead when he tried to pull away, I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him back.
At his confused face, I pulled him into a kiss, my hips already begging for attention. His rigid not at all junior was very much awake against me, telling me his want as well. But he was holding back not to hurt me anymore.
And at that point, I didn’t care. I wanted him again. Another round wouldn’t be that bad, right?
“You’re sore…”
“Just be gentle.”
Soft touches over my hips, warm lips on my jaw and his hot breath fanning my skin woke me up from my beautiful slumber. My eyes fluttered open to the morning light, then fell on the breathtaking pair of gray orbs I was so much in love with.
“Good morning, my beautiful rose.” The huskiness of his morning voice sent a shiver down my body. Even in the morning, with his ruffled bed hair, he looked as perfect as ever, if not more beautiful.
As cliché as it sounded, this was the sight I wanted to wake up to for the rest of my life. The sight I had craved all my life.
A smile touched my lips. My heart was content, just as much as my body was. Though there was still a little pain down there, it wasn’t bad. The pain killer he made me gulp earlier in the morning after another session seemed to work.
“Morning.”
With a heart-stopping grin on his face, he brushed his lips against mine. “How did my Rosebud sleep?”
“Tired slumber is always the best.”
A husky chuckle reverberated through his chest as one of his palms massaged my inner thigh. “How’s the pain?”
My cheeks turned hot. “Better.”
Mischievousness twinkled in his gray pools. “Was I gentle enough?”
Rolling my eyes, I hid my face at the crook of his neck. Another chuckle left him at my bashfulness.
“Don’t hide yourself from me. I love when you turn all red because of me.” Pulling away, he grazed his fingers across my cheek. His intense gaze roamed my every feature as a breath left his lips. “I’m still wondering if you’re real. If you’re really here in my arms, in my bed with me.”
My heart tugged at his words. I snaked my arms around his neck. “It’s real. We’re real. And I’m not going anywhere. Never again.”
Placing his forehead on mine, he peered into my soul. “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment. I didn’t know if I’d ever be lucky enough to have you in my arms like this. But you fulfilled that dream of mine. And I can’t thank you enough for giving me this chance, baby. Thank you so much for forgiving me. I promise I’ll make it up to you for the rest of our lives.”
Something fluttered into my chest. Rest of our lives?
A happiness bloomed inside me. He wanted a future with me just as much as I did.
“I love you,” I whispered, my eyes burning with emotions slamming into my chest.
He kissed me deep. “I love you more.”
I wanted to argue, but the grumble of my tummy decided to interfere, turning me beetroot.
Pulling away, he laughed. “Come on, let’s get you freshened up. Then I’ll cook something for my Rosebud.”
I didn’t complain when he scooped me into his arms again and took me to the bathroom.
“Pancakes?” he asked, once done with the egg scrambles.
I nodded, chewing on the slice of apple he had cut for me to eat until he made some breakfast for me. I offered to help, but he denied and said I shouldn’t move much due to our wild activities last night. Though I wanted to say I was fine, I enjoyed the pampering. So, I let him have his way.
Dangling my feet from the kitchen counter, I watched him move around the kitchen with utmost ease. The way his back muscles flexed along with his movements had my mouth water. Not to forget those delicious abs.
While mixing the batter, his gaze kept flickering to my exposed legs. The T-shirt he made me put on reached my mid thighs. After he gave me a warm shower, surprisingly, he didn’t try anything naughty other than feeling my chest once. And seeing his lingering gazes, I could tell he was enjoying the view very much.
“Eyes on the batter, mister. I want my pancakes to be perfect,” I teased.
He raised a brow. “And what should I tell you? Eyes on the apple?”
He noticed me staring at his abs?
I blushed for the umpteenth time since last night.
Placing his hands on my hips, he stood between my legs and kissed my lips softly. “Did I tell you I love seeing you in my clothes?”
“Yes. Twice already.”
“Because that’s the truth. It shows that you belong to me.” His fingers grazed my inner thigh.
Rolling my eyes, I pushed him away, but he only snuggled my neck.
“I love my smell on you.”
I shook my head. What would I do with this caveman of mine?
Wrapping my arms around him, I kissed his shoulder just as the doorbell rang.
“Who’s it at this time?” I asked, pulling away.
His brows furrowed. “I don’t know. Let me check. You stay here.”
Nodding, I jumped down the counter as he went to attend the door. Placing the plate of apples aside, I poured the batter on the heated pan, humming one of my favorite songs.
Moments later, I heard footsteps coming closer, then his voice. My humming stopped immediately.
“Well, well. I didn’t know I’d find you here today.”
Turning around, my eyes met with his dark, empty ones. A fake smile plastered across his face.
I reciprocated the gesture with one of mine. “Good morning, Arthur.”
