The Trap Of Ace By Eva Zahan

Chapter 51

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 glanced at the table clock on the side table beside the bed. Three in the morning. Where could he go this early?

And then a gust of cool air touched my face. 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. Thus memories of last night flooded back in my mind, heating up my cheeks. There was even a delicious soreness across my entire body.

Achilles Valencian was true to his words. He did punish 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 up my neck.

This time I took it slow and got up, securing the blanket around me. Padding into the balcony, I found him standing near the railings. Shirtless, he had only his jeans hung low around his hips. His gaze lost into the dazzling light of the city down in the streets.

I walked to him and wrapped my arms around him from behind, kissing his ripped back muscles.

"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 skin yet hard muscles.

Taking both of my hands, he kissed each of my knuckles. The blanket pooled around to my waist due to lack of grip. And his grey eyes didn't take a second to take a look. And they stayed there long enough to have my cheeks aflame. I wrapped my arms around him, placing 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 that he'd three names for me. When he was all affectionate, he'd call me Rosebud. When he had perverted thoughts in his head, he'd call me his rose. And when he was all serious and angry, he'd call me with my full name, Emerald. And I loved each one of them. The way he pronounced them, it made them all different from others taking my name. There weren't any warm fuzzy feelings with others.

Snuggling more into 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 some important work. And I didn't get any sleep after that."

Looking down into my eyes, he pecked my nose.

"I usually only sleep for three hours at night. But I slept more than that tonight. So don't worry."

I grazed his days old dense stubble. "You were lost in deep thought. Something is bothering you, I can see it. What's 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 grey orbs that turned into slits now.

"It's him, isn't it?" I queried. "I know you're bothered at the thing that he's out of police custody now. I've been wanting to ask you this. Why did you get him arrested? And how did you manage it?"

Due to our conflicts, I held myself back from asking him about Antonio. And 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 outsider 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 had looked closely. Your eyes were full of smug."

"Smug?" His forehead furrowed. "He did what he deserved. Even though it was nothing compared to the things I've planned for him." The malice in his voice was clear.

"How did you do it anyways? 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 after she found out due to avoid any unwanted motherhood. Though he didn't even know about that 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."

A disappointment set in me thinking of that child that was k****d even before he 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 a filth.

"I heard the police had evidence of his illegal businesses and I know this was also your doing. But then, 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 literally d*****d his name in the market, he would definitely take revenge.

"Though I ruined his business, he still has some connections with powerful people in politics. He used them to get out," he spit out the words, lips curling into a sneer. "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 at his way. The only thing that didn't sit well with me was his coming at the wedding and talking to you."

The tightness of his grip around me and rage into his eyes had me concerned.

"Why are you so mad that he talked to me? He didn't do anything except just some talking."

He didn't give any answer to my question, just stared at me with his jaw set firm. "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 into shreds if he even touches a strand of your hair."

The uncontrolled fury in his grey orbs and a hidden fear lurking around had me feel unsettled. But I wasn't afraid of Antonio. I'd kick his sorry a*s if he even tries to do something.

Though his concern was legit. Antonio tried to frame Caleb with d***s to defame Ace. He could try to harm some of his loved ones again to shower his revenge on. And I could be that leech's target easily now that we were together.

I kissed his chest, smiling at him. "Nothing will happen to me as long as you're here with me. So don't worry about that. Now think a way to send him back behind the bars. And this time, forever. So that he can't try anything funny again." A smile stretched across his lips. Nodding his head, 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 winch of mine had him frown in concern.

"Are you alright, 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 gloves 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 b*****s 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 got an obsession with my chest just like he had for my hair.

"Can we go and sleep now. I'm tired." I pouted.

"As my queen commands," saying, he captured my lips again into a scorching kiss and scooped me into his arms. Naked.

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"The blanket," I whispered, already battling with my 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 at his adding 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 and then fell on the breathtaking pair of grey 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 cliche 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 in deep down.

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 k****r he made me gulp earlier in the morning after our another session, seemed to work good. "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 t***h. "How's the pain?"

My cheeks turned hot. "Better."

Mischievousness twinkled in his grey 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 around my every feature as a breath left his lips. "I'm still wondering if you're real. If you're really here into my arms on 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 wanted.

"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 into 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 washroom. Though my hands tried their best to cover my feminine parts much to his amusement.

***

"Pancakes?" he asked, once done with the egg scrambles.

I nodded, chewing on the slice of apple he had cut 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 that I was fine, I enjoyed the pampering.

So I let him have his way.

Dangling my feet down the kitchen counter, I ate my apple and watched him move around the kitchen with utmost ease. The way his back muscles flexed along his movement had my mouth water. Not to forget those delicious abs. Achilles Valencian cooking in his kitchen shirtless? And for me?

I didn't know I was that lucky.

In between mixing the batter, his eyes kept flickering to my exposed legs beside him. After he gave me a warm shower, unbelievable, but he didn't try anything naughty other than feeling my chest, he made me wear one of his t-shirts. And I was more than grateful for that. It was much more comfortable than my gown would be right now.

And due to its length to my thighs, I didn't wear any pants underneath except my panties. 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 upteenth 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's a symbol that you belong to me." His fingers grazed my inner t***h.

Rolling my eyes, I pushed him away but he only snuggled his face into 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 my head, I jumped down the counter as he went to attend the door. Placing the plate of apple aside, I started to pour the batter on the heated pan, humming one of my favorite songs. Moments later, I heard footsteps coming closer and then I heard 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 empty dark ones. A fake smile plastered across his face.

And I reciprocated the gesture with one of mine. "Good morning, Arthur."