HARLEY

H is touch took me by surprise, but it was his kiss that knocked me out. Took me right out and altered my very existence. It was forceful and rough, a message as much as it was a kiss. At first, I froze, shocked and somewhat freaked out by it. Ace locked his lips to mine and held me tight, clarifying quickly that he would not release me. Merely a second passed before his intoxicating scent had me on the verge of begging for more. I allowed my body to relax and opened my lips to allow him deeper access. He didn’t miss a beat. Immediately, his tongue pried my mouth open even further, tilting my head back. The rough stubble of his cheeks scratched against my soft skin, making it burn. This was no ordinary kiss. Sure, it was laced with a dark heat and magnetic desire, but there was something else too. Something more magical, even. Like fate had intervened and somehow changed the path before me.

“You taste so fucking good.” Ace moaned when he finally pulled back. I hadn’t been ready for it and my lips were left wet and parted, my breathing deep and desperate. My whole body, suddenly empty and aching from his absence.

“But you can be such a little bitch.” He grinned and winked.

And there he was again. He seemed to love getting my back up.

Two could play this game. It was time to have some fun.

“I’ll have you know I can be much more than just a little bitch.” I repeated his words back to him, wrapped in sarcasm and emphasizing the “little” part.

“Are you mad that kissed you?” he asked, finally releasing me from his grasp, only to wrap an arm around my shoulders and pull me into a side hug. I raised my eyebrows but didn’t move his arm away because, well… I secretly liked it. But I didn’t let him know that. No, this was the guy that needed to know that I wouldn’t change my ways for anyone, not even him.

“It was a good kiss.” I answered.

His eyebrows shot up. “Good? Just good? It was fucking great and you know it. Don’t hide it, Harley. You like me just as much as I like you.”

“You like me?” I answered, my hand on my cheek in mock disbelief. “Then why didn’t you kiss me last time? I actually left thinking you weren’t into me. It was such a disappointment. Especially because I wore a matching bra and panties set that night.”

Did I want to get a reaction out of him? Absolutely. Plus, I was desperate to know the answer. And well… his response was pretty clear.

Watching Ace’s eyes widen in disbelief had me shook, but only for a moment. Then he pounced on me once more, claiming my lips again and making all our conversations a distant memory. This kiss was different. It was harder and rougher, and driven by a desperation that I freely mirrored right back to him.

We tumbled to the ground, his hand cupping my neck and holding my head in place as he pulled me on top of him. Rolling again and again, never releasing each other’s lips. The world melted away as we remained locked in our embrace. When we finally stopped tumbling down the last incline, we broke apart, rolling and laughing across the soft grass and finally coming to a stop with him on top of me.

My laugh broke the silence as I turned my face to look up at him. “Okay… you’re right. I like you too, Ace.” I whispered. “But what I don’t want or need is saving. Got it?”

Ace’s fingers gently brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Got it.” He nodded in just a slight whisper.

“Also… I’m not some whore who is here to take advantage of your success or your lifestyle, and in return, I expect you not to take advantage of me.”

“What does that mean?” Ace pulled his face back from mine in an instant. “What the hell does that mean? I’ve never tried to take…”

I put a finger to his lips. “Yeah, I know, but you’re a rock star and I’m a stripper. I’m not stupid, Ace. I just don’t want to get ditched right after you get yours.”

“Excuse me? Is that what you think? That I’m just some player who’s trying to get into your pants?” He was the one to pull back this time. “If that was what I was after, I would have done more than just kiss you and I would have done it the first night we were together.”

I nodded. Hearing it straight from his mouth made me realize the truth.

My hand found its way into my hair and began to twirl and twist the strands between my fingers. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I guess I’m not very trusting. I don’t really date and I didn’t really understand what you wanted or why you asked me out.” I whispered.

He stepped forward, head bowed down to look at me, his eyes piercing into what felt like the depths of my soul. “And I’m sorry too. I’ve been burned badly in the past. Dating is hard when you live the life I do. I don’t know much, Harley, but what I know is this. The night I saw you at the club is a night I’ll never forget.”

The air between us felt thick and heavy, the intensity of the moment made me uncomfortable. “Because I was hot, and you wanted to get in my pants?” I smirked.

“Harley!” he exploded. “You’re impossible! You drive me fucking crazy… but I love it.” With half frustration and half laughter, Ace scooped me up into the air, threw me over his back and slapped my ass hard.

I squealed and cursed, but he just shook his head. “Shut that dirty little mouth of yours or I will take advantage of you and damn it, girl, you will like it.” He only half joked.

“Oooh… that sounds enticing except… nope, it’s not happening, my friend. Your punishment for thinking dirty thoughts about me before, even knowing if I was into you, is that we aren’t moving past the kissing stage.” I laughed, poking my tongue out at him.

Why did I have to challenge him constantly?

“Sounds like that eventually might be a problem in our relationship. Guess we’re going to need couple’s therapy.” He laughed as he placed me back down on the ground gently.

“Relationship? So we’re dating now?” I chuckled. “You know this won’t last, right? Maybe for a little, but eventually, you’ll have to go on a world tour and you’ll find someone else.” I waved my hand around like the inevitability of our demise was a forgone conclusion. “Maybe another fan or a groupie or whatever. I know how this goes. It won’t take long before someone else is warming your bed while I’m at the club. I’m not an idiot, Ace. I know how it goes.” The words kept coming, and I babbled on, purposely fucking with him as I moved past him on the trail.

It didn’t take him long to show me exactly what I wanted. Within seconds, he grabbed my hand to pull me back and stepped into my personal space.

“Why don’t we bet on it?” Ace whispered darkly. “I don’t mess around, Harley. If I date you, I will not look at, or touch, another woman, even if we aren’t being intimate yet. And I’ll expect the same from you.”

“And you think that’s a punishment?” I giggled. “Let’s see who caves first.” I challenged him.

“So, we are dating now?” He cocked an eyebrow.

Damn, he looked so freakin’ hot in that moment.

My lips said the words they always did, but this time, it just didn’t have conviction. It usually did. I was wavering. “Actually, I don’t really date…” It sounded more like a question now.

“Cool. Neither do I.” He shrugged and chuckled.

I was so fucked. In the best possible way.