Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
“Smart ass.” He kissed her, his lips wandering over hers with barely a hint of the strength in him. Soft and seeking, kind of sweet.
Desire spiraled slowly through her, making her limbs heavy.
Her fingers slid up his chest, tracing the warmth of his skin, the beat of his heart steady beneath her palm. He deepened the kiss gradually, not taking, just exploring, as if he had all the time in the world. The contrast of him—so controlled, so careful—undid her more than anything rough ever could.
He released her mouth to let her breathe. “I need to tell you, I have a hearing tomorrow.”
“I know.” She kissed down his jugular, inhaling his masculine scent.
“Besides the preliminary hearing, I guess the ADA filed a motion to have bail revoked because I’m a flight risk with the fighter pilot situation.” He sighed. “Guess I got lucky with the assistant last time. Now some new shark is on the case.”
Because of Kyle Mercer. A U.S. senator shouldn’t throw his weight around like that. Her heart thumped. “That’s my fault.”
“No, it isn’t. But I want you prepared in case I’m locked up. I don’t want you staying alone.”
She bit into the skin where his neck met his shoulder, happy to leave a love bite on him. He sucked in air, and she smiled. “Where do you want me to stay?” This was her home, and nobody was going to drive her from it.
“With one of my brothers. You should be more comfortable with Brock and Ophelia, and they have room.”
So he’d already arranged this? That was sweet. “I’m not going anywhere.” Her mind spun. How could she get Kyle to back off? Maybe it was time to go public with whatever she could.
Ace drew back only slightly, his mouth brushing the corner of hers. “You overthinking again?” he murmured.
“Probably,” she admitted softly.
His thumb traced a slow line along her jaw. “Don’t.” He kissed her again, full Ace Osprey style this time. Deep and firm, taking her out of her brain. Her body flushed wide awake and ready for him.
He levered back. “Thought I should tell you. I love you.”
She blinked, the world narrowing to the space between them. For a second she thought she’d imagined the words, but his green eyes were intense on hers. “You…” Her throat went dry. Of all the moments she’d rehearsed in her head, this wasn’t one of them.
His gaze didn’t waver. “Yeah. I know it’s quick, but I have to get it out there. Just in case.”
Her heart kicked hard against her ribs. “I love you,” she said, and this time her voice didn’t shake.
Something shifted in his expression then. Not surprise. Relief. “Good.”
She pressed her forehead to his. Wow. They’d jumped right into this, now hadn’t they?
His lips took hers, his arms flexing. Desire heated up inside her again, and she kissed him back.
Her phone buzzed. She pulled back, sighing, and managed to twist her body so she could pull her phone free from her pocket. “Dr. Smirnov,” she answered, heat flowing through her from the look in Ace’s eyes. She listened and then sighed. “I’ll be right there.”
He kissed her quick and hard. “What’s up?”
“Truck of teenagers crashed into the river. Everyone is talking and walking, but their parents want them checked out. I’ll be back as soon as I can to finish what we just started.”
His cheek creased. “It’s not a you thing any more, Doc. It’s a you and me. Let me get dressed real quick, and I’ll drive you.”
You and me. Yeah, she could live with that.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ace hated waiting more than he hated apricots, and that was saying something. He was allergic to the little bastards. He looked down at the green tie Daisy had told him to wear. “I’m not sure about the tie.”
Daisy sat at the head of the table in the sheriff’s conference room, wearing a fitted black suit that seemed somber. Her hair was pinned back tighter than usual. A legal pad sat in front of her with notes written in even lines. She looked him over. “I’m not sure. You do look like you’re trying too hard.”
“Agreed.” He tore off the tie and tossed it toward the door, leaving him in an ironed white button-down shirt.
“At least you shaved this morning,” Daisy noted.
He rubbed his smooth jaw, not sure why. His shadow was already coming in, and May liked it. She’d loved it rubbed against her inner thigh last night after they’d returned from checking out the kids from the wreck. A couple had bruises, but everyone was okay. The driver had swerved to avoid a deer and no alcohol had been involved. He figured if he didn’t go to prison, he should get used to heading to the hospital with May at all hours.
No way would he let her go alone. That was over. Well, unless he went to prison for something he didn’t do.