HARLEY

A ce Novak was in my apartment.

The fucking guitarist and backup singer for Desolation Sound was in my shitty apartment. How was this even my life? Even after two dates and an incredible kiss, the reality of it still shocked me.

Still committed to playing the gentleman’s role, Ace had kissed me chastely on the cheek when he’d first arrived. That had been a mistake. It was clearly difficult for both of us to pull apart once his lips had touched my cheek. The sexual tension in the tiny space was making me jittery but for his part, and I had to give him credit, Ace seemed cool as a cucumber. He was much better at this than I was. Aria’s words danced around in my head. And she was probably right. I might be the first to cave.

“Listen Harley… I have to tell you something,” Ace began after I’d handed him a beer. “I spoke to Jax this afternoon, and he’s asked me to… uh… work with him on the new album while Aria is away on tour. He said his muse had finally returned, and he wanted to go on a… uh, a song writing retreat.”

“What’s a song writing retreat?” I asked curiously as I cut pizza slices and placed two on Ace’s plate.

“Well, for the last album, we basically sequestered ourselves in an Airbnb for like two months.”

“Oh… uh okay.” I mumbled.

Like what was I supposed to say to that? This was his career. It was important. My mind raced with all the possibilities. Was tonight our last night together? Was this all it was ever going to be? I guess this shouldn’t surprise me. I’d known it all along.

Then why did it feel like a vice was squeezing my rib cage so hard I couldn’t breathe?

“Well, basically…” Ace continued between bites of pizza, we’d be gone for eight weeks. He wants to do this while Aria is away so that they can spend quality time together afterwards when she gets back.

“Yeah, of course, makes sense.” I conceded with probably way more confidence than I actually felt. “But…” I grinned as I sat down next to him and took a bite of pizza. “What does this mean for us?” I asked casually, adding a little wink to punctuate my question. I needed more than anything to make this kind as lighthearted as possible. Matter of fact, with a little dry humour, was always my go-to. I was a master at it, too. No one could hide their true feelings like I could.

Ace reached for my hands and held them in his, slowly rubbing a finger back and forth against my skin. It was a distracting and intoxicating feeling. “If I’m gone for eight weeks, I won’t be able to see you, protect you… but maybe if you didn’t work while I was gone…. Maybe? Think about it like taking an extended vacation. I’ll be more than happy to cover your lost wages during that time. I just can’t wrap my mind around how I can protect you if I’m not here.”

“Excuse me?” I blurted out, incredulous. “What do you mean, you don’t want me to work? Are you asking or telling me? Because…”

“Relax, Harley.” He shushed me quietly as he pulled me into his lap. “I don’t want to tell you what to do, baby, but I just can’t stand the idea of other men staring at you and ogling what’s mine.” He nuzzled into my neck.

Despite his warm and inviting physical touch, I was already raging. “Well, I’ve got a news flash for you, Ace. All this…” I motioned across my body, “is actually mine and not yours. Not now or ever. “

I didn’t mince any words, nor could my sharp, icy tone about to be confused with anything else. “Not to mention, I need to work and I actually like my job and you know that I’ve never had any plans to leaving Sunset Dreams.”

Silence.

Each second felt like an hour as we sat still, silently throwing accusations and sharp words at one another.

Finally, he spoke.

Raising his hands in surrender, he shook his head. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just worried…”

Crossing my arms across my chest, I stared him down, my tone as icy as my feelings. “Yes, you did mean it like that.”

Ace’s eyes darkened and his fists clench into balls. Pushing me off of him, he stood up.

“Well, fuck this!” He yelled. “Jesus Christ!” He swore as he paced up and down my tiny living room. “What’s wrong with not wanting anyone else to see the woman I’m dating, naked? Especially when I haven’t yet!” He yelled back at me.

As soon as the words fell from his mouth, he went silent, completely still, almost catatonic. It was weird and honestly kind of scary.

“What did you say?” I whispered, feeling shaky.

“I was under the impression that we agreed to keep seeing each other but that it would be… sort of platonic.” I ventured. Okay, so I knew platonic wasn’t the right way to describe this, but I was still hopping mad and refused to give an inch.

Ace’s gigantic frame engulfed my personal space. His hands wrapped me up and drew me in closer. Looking up at him, towering over me was intimidating and… hot. Okay, who was I trying to kid? I had it bad for Ace Novak in a way that felt completely new to me.

“Harley.” He growled. “Nothing between us is platonic. We have shared kisses that meant more to me than entire relationships. Just because I haven’t been inside you yet doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. And just so you know, I care very much.”

He reached and pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. And the room got quiet again.

He was softening my walls. I could feel little pieces crumbling and breaking off. Tiny little crumbs peppered the surrounding floor. I wanted so much to believe him, to believe that I was worthy enough of his affection, but despite it all, he was still a rock star. A rock star who had done everything in his power to get my number. He was a guy who got what he wanted, or who took it rather. Power, money, and prestige, he had it all and was everything I wasn’t. He just couldn’t see it because he was blinded by lust. If he couldn’t see it but I sure could.

Yet, I was desperate. Desperate in my need to touch him, kiss him, let him know how I felt about him, but I couldn’t put myself at risk like that. I never caught feelings, but now that I had, I’d never been more scared in my life. No way was I going to be at his mercy.

Ace reached over and with just the tip of his fingers and lifted my chin to look me dead in the eyes “Aren’t you going to say something?” He asked softly.

Tears filled my eyes as my emotions took over. Swallowing hard, I tried to rein it in, but it was no use. This man had me twisted up and turned inside out.

My lips parted, and I sucked in air. “I… I want to… but…. I’m scared…but I still want to.” I finally whispered so low it was barely audible.

Neither of us moved an inch. Still holding my chin in place, his eyes bore deeper into me. “You want what?” He growled, one finger at my chest, gently guiding me back to the couch.

I only had enough air for one word.

“I want… you, Ace Novak. I want you.”

And with that, we both pounced. Like lovers kept apart for decades, we ravaged each other’s mouths. The fear was still there, but somehow I instinctively knew that we could find our way through it.

His tongue slipped into mine and coaxed my mouth open even wider. We tumbled from the couch to the floor, not even caring that we’d knocked over the bowl of chips that I’d put on the coffee table and were now rolling our way through its contents. The sound of each chip cracking and crumbling beneath our weight mirrored the thunderous crumbling of everything I had held on to for so long. Except I wasn’t breaking. The shards of what had been long destroyed were being glued back together, the sum of their parts suddenly much worthier than their whole had ever been.

Hands skimmed across each other’s bodies, roaming, exploring, and pulling at the fabric barrier between us. Within minutes, he’d removed both my shirt and his. The cool air puckered my skin and contrasted sharply with the warmth of his hands.

“Pierced nipples… my favourite.” Ace murmured, seconds after my bra went flying across the room. He dipped his head to kiss, lick and then blow on one diamond hard nipple. Taking the barbell in his mouth, he allowed his teeth to graze across the sensitive pierced skin, driving me wild with the sensation.

“Fuck, Ace…” I moaned.

Ace chuckled. “Just getting started baby, but tell me… any other piercings I should know about?”

I bit my lower lip. “You’ll have to wait and find out.”

Ace’s eyes went black. “Your sassy little mouth will get you a nasty punishment one day.”

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Hope so.”

He roared. Like seriously, a fucking king of the jungle roar escaped his mouth, sending vibrations right down to my core. It was so hot.

Flipping me over, Ace pulled at my black lace panties and had them around my ankles in seconds.

“How am I the only one naked so far?” I giggled, running my hands down his stunning chest of rippled muscle. I pulled at his belt. “Take those pants off.”

“Nope.” He grinned. “I need to inspect my beautiful girl first.” He lifted me on to the couch and spread my legs apart before leaning back on his knees to admire the view. “You’re so fucking gorgeous, babe… but shit, these had to hurt.” His eyes flicked back to mine as his fingers reached for the several metal bars and rings that pierced my delicate flesh.

“When I first did them, it hurt like hell.” I laughed. “But it’s been years and now… now I think it was the best decision I ever made.”

I’d started with a small gold labia ring and within a few months, I’d added a horizontal hood piercing. The diamond ends of the barbell sat above and below my already swollen clit.

“Makes it a lot more sensitive.” I exhaled.

Ace gave me a deliciously evil grin before dipping his head to gently kiss the spot between the metal tips.

The slightest touch made me jump, and he seemed to expect it as he held my legs apart firmly and inspected further. “Hold still baby.” He warned before flicking the metal with his tongue a few times, then taking my clit in his mouth and sucking it hard. Within minutes, Ace took me to a place where heaven and earth collided. Sensation took over, and I melted into it, never thinking, only feeling. He had me begging for release within minutes because of that magical tongue of his.

“Hang on, baby, just a little longer now. Almost there.” Ace whispered as he coaxed my body closer to the edge, to the place where my mind went blank and all I could do was feel.

It didn’t take long for him to have me thrashing about, desperate for the release. To his credit, Ace was masterfully skilled and kept at it with just the right amount of pressure and movement that caused me to explode into a million pieces.

“So fucking stunning, baby.” He exhaled as I came down from the high.

I opened my eyes and gazed at him through the fog. “That was amazing. You’re amazing.”

“Happy to be of service, beautiful girl.” He joked, trailing his lips up my body, gently kissing every spot from my belly button up to my sternum and then to the hollow spot at the base of my neck. Every second feeling incredible until the cold hard metal of his belt buckle grazed harshly against my soft delicate folds.

Putting my hand on his shoulder, I pushed him back a little. “Pants off, mister. I want to see the goods.” I teased.

My guy didn’t need to be told twice. Standing up, he slowly opened his belt and dropped his jeans. They fell to the floor alongside his underwear, leaving him standing before me in all his naked glory.

Biting down hard on my lower lip, I could only whisper. “Magnificent.”

His huge cock stood tall and proud, the tip glistening with his desire.

“Like what you see.” He smirked at my reaction.

“Mm… sure do.” I replied. Sliding down the couch, I dropped to my knees before him. Burying his hands in my hair, Ace threw his head back as I cupped his balls and slid my mouth down his shaft.

“So good, baby.” He groaned as I worked him up and down. Hollowing out my cheeks, I sucked him hard and fast before switching to slow and steady. Each minute, working him up to the edge, then pulling back again. Teasing, taunting, and playing with this stunning man until he was on the verge of exploding into the abyss.

“Enough!” He roared as he pulled me up from my knees. “Can’t take it any longer. Need to be inside you.” His words were quick, his breathing erratic.

We tumbled back down to the floor, our mouths fused together as our hands roamed each other’s naked flesh. His fingers were back between my legs, and inside me, pumping in and out, back and forth, making me ride his hand until my juices had drenched us both.

“Hurry babe, I need you inside me.” I begged.

Ace reached for his jeans and pulled out a condom, slipping it on quickly. “Baby, I could have waited longer for you, but I’m so damn glad I didn’t have to.” He whispered as he lined himself with my entrance.

“I should have made you wait.” I teased.

“But… you caved, first.” Ace whispered back, knowing just how much that would annoy me.

That fucker.

There was no time to react or clap back with my own comment because, as if right on cue, his words hit me as his cock pushed inside me. Ace was a big guy, and the intrusion was quick and harsh. Yet, despite the initial shock, my body immediately relaxed to accommodate him. He stayed still for a few moments, allowing me to grow accustomed to his size.

“Perfect fit. So warm, so tight… you feel exactly as I had imagined, beautiful.”

I smiled up at him and wrapped my arms around his back. “Except I didn’t cave, you did.” I teased.

Throwing his head back, Ace chuckled. “So competitive…” He mused, beginning to move back and forth.

The exquisite feeling synced our movements, and we tabled all conversation. Ace didn’t fuck, he created art. Every touch, kiss and lick felt unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. He was attentive to every sound and movement I made. It felt like he was studying every inch of my body, intent on committing it to memory. I’d never felt so cared for, both during sex and in life. Suddenly, I fully understood what intimacy meant. It wasn’t just a word but a feeling, and Ace had been the one to make me feel it.

It didn’t matter that we had started on the floor of the living room in my shitty apartment. We could have been anywhere and neither of us would have cared. We were so engrossed in each other that nothing else mattered. Ace took me on the floor, onto the couch, up against the wall and finally on all fours, from the back. As his fingers gripped my ass and he angled himself in even deeper, making me scream out loudly.

“Fuck babe… they can hear you down the street.” Ace said between thrusts.

I turned my head to look back at him.

“I love it.” He grinned, relishing the fact that it was all because of him. “Let’s see how loud you can get.” He challenged me.

I arched my back as he thrusted harder and soon we were riding that tidal wave of immeasurable pleasure. His thick shaft rubbed continuously across my G-spot, making it feel like every cell in my body was alight with magic. Somehow, he held off on his own release until I exploded beneath him. Then finally, letting himself go right alongside me. We tumbled from that peak together, hanging on to each other for dear life as we crashed into pure bliss.

That otherworldly buzz that fills the body after it’s all over has to be what heaven feels like. Those moments where your body is still flying high but your mind is nothing but absolute mush. That’s where all good decisions go to die.

Snuggled up in my favourite fluffy blanket on the couch, I watched as he pulled out his guitar and strummed a tune. “Any requests?” He asked.

Damn, did he look sexy perched on my couch in his underwear, hair all messed up and his face still flushed from being inside me.

“It’s gotta be Afterglow for me.” I giggled.

He grinned and complied. Afterglow was a Desolation Sound song from their last album.

As he played, the melody took over, and I allowed myself to get lost in the moment. Feeling warm, sated and totally buzzed, listening to a private concert from my very own rock star. It was picture perfect, and I smiled, committing it to my memory forever.

When he finished playing, he joined me back on the couch and wrapped me up in his arms.

“Mm… that was amazing, Ace.” I grinned up at him.

His response was nothing more than a simple kiss on my forehead.

Suddenly, my mouth opened, and I spoke without thinking. “You know… maybe I could take a little vacation from work.”

Ace sat up straight. One hand turned my chin to face him, our eyes just inches apart. “Seriously? You’d really consider it?” He asked, excitement immediately taking over every inch of him.