Chapter 18

18

LIBBY

A ce pulls me into his lap as he collapses in his chair. His bare cock rests against my sex. It’s covered in his release. I rest my head on his shoulder. I want to cling to him and never let go. This is the first time in days I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. Home. That is what he is to me.

“That was—” I search for a word. I’m not sure there is one good enough. What is happening between us is unfamiliar to me. I have never experienced anything like it before. It’s scary and exciting all at the same time. This man holds so much of me in his hands.

“Tell me, Libby, I need to know. What was that for you?” There is a hitch to his voice that has me sitting up so that I can see his face. Gosh, I have missed him so damn such.

“More than I could have ever dreamed of.” I didn’t know it could be this way between two people.

“That’s good, baby.” He places his hand on my shoulder, his thumb stroking my neck.

“I really missed you.”

“I really fucking missed you too.”

“Really?” I shift, running my hands down his chest. Even doing this, only touching him I missed. “You didn’t call or anything. Stop by.” I kept hoping he would. I feel kind of needy admitting that, but what is the point of hiding it? It would get me nowhere.

“You think I didn’t want to?” He shakes his head. “Libby, baby. I’ve been going insane without you.” Hope blooms inside my chest.

“You went on a mission.” He left. I don’t know why that hurt so much. “The second I was out of your hair.”

“Out of my hair,” he half-growls. “If I could, Libby, I’d keep your little ass connected to me.” I smile at that. I kind of love that idea. “Yeah, I needed to keep busy so I wouldn't track your ass down and drag you back here. I did some work that needed to be done but not my normal. I was going to come out to Garrett’s tonight. I only wrapped up an hour ago. Came here to shower and head out. That was until I saw your change of location.”

“My what?” It makes me happy to hear that he was coming to see me.

“I might not have been there, Libby, but I’ve had eyes on you. I always know where you are.”

“You’re worried something still might happen?” I wouldn't think anyone would be stupid enough to go onto Garrett's land again.

“Because I need to know. For me, Libby. I lost you once. I’m not letting that happen again. I've been searching for you for months. I know I shouldn’t be tracking you. You’re supposed to be free now, but I can’t fully let you go.” I suck in a breath, trying to take in everything he’s saying.

“Since the first time?” I’ll never forget that day. I’ve thought about him too. Actually, I dreamt of him many times.

“Yeah. Thank fuck fate made sure to bring you back to me.” His arm wraps around me, pulling me snuggly into him.

“You kind of found me,” I point out. Why does that day feel like a million lifetimes ago? My life has changed so much in such a short span of time.

"And I had to finish what was started. I didn't leave, Libby. I've been here but working. We carried out a raid on Heaven's Temple a few hours ago.”

"What!" I gasp. "What does that mean? What happened?" I knew they said it would be taken care of, but I thought it would be weeks before something happened. That there would be more talk of it. "How did it happen already?" I fire off one question after another. My mind starts to spin, thinking of all the people still back there. I hope the innocents made it.

"Babe.” He cups my face. “Everything is okay.” I stare into his eyes and start to relax. “As much as I don’t want to let you go right now, maybe we should get your sister and Garrett.” I nod in agreement.

Ace lifts me off his lap onto my feet. He starts to dress me. I let him, enjoying him taking care of me. I also missed caring for him.

“Libby.” Ace snags my attention, having gotten lost in my thoughts of our days together spent at his place. All the small things we did for each other. “Before we go out there, we need to be on the same page.”

“About what?”

“You’re not leaving with your sister tonight. You stay with me,” he orders. “Shit, that came out wrong.” Ace runs a hand down his face.

“You don’t want me to stay?” I can’t hide my disappointment. I don’t have it in me.

“I do, but I’m fighting myself here. I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I can’t let you go either.” I love how bossy he is but also how considerate at the same time. My insides melt. This is love. It has to be. So I tell him the truth.

“I like when you boss me around.”

Ace’s nose flares. “Careful, Libby,” he warns. “You won’t be able to take that back.”

“I don’t wanna take it back. I want to experience more of it. Of you. I trust you, Ace. I never want to leave.” Before I can say any more, Ace has me in his arms, his mouth on mine. The kiss is deep and possessive, and I love every damn second of it. I pour all of the emotions I’ve been feeling into it. There is nothing more in this world that I want than to be his.