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Blaze Within 16
Ace was in an exceptionally good mood the next morning and it was contagious. He kissed me as he danced with me in our small kitchen. I was dying to tell him how much money I had made. I wanted to break open a bottle of champagne and celebrate with him. But I only wanted to share it with this Ace. I didn’t want drug addicted Ace to know about the money I had made, or where it was hidden. Ace drove me to work my lunch shift at Kiki’s. I nearly skipped into the restaurant in my joy. I was finally hitting a good streak in my life. I had an amazing client, who maybe saw me as more. It was possible, right? He did want to spend an entire day with me. He wouldn’t have done that if he didn’t truly like me. He would have just had the quick roll in the sack and went on his way like the other men did. And Ace was currently sober. I hoped with all my might it would stay that way. We couldn’t do down the dark path of his drug abuse again. Perhaps I should use the money Alaric had given me to pay
Blaze Within 17
The bass pounded loudly from the speakers in the large room where the engagement party was being held. It was packed full of all of Catherine’s and Fred’s family and friends, which seemed to be half the state of Florida. It was an interesting mix of Fred’s accountant friends and upper-class family and Catherine’s former co-workers at Blue Hades and her current co-workers at her receptionist job. There was a large dance floor which was constantly full. Ace had taken me out to dance to a few songs, but had since disappeared. Large, rectangular tables sprawled across the half of the room which was not occupied by the dance floor. I sat at one of them, sipping on sparkling water when Catherine approached. “You can’t look glum at my party,” she drawled out in her Southern accent. “It’s going to be bring the entire party down and Lord knows I can’t have that.” I chuckled at her as she sat down beside me and threw her arm around my shoulders. “I’m just resting my feet. These heels are kill
Blaze Within 18
“You gotta be fucking kidding me,” Ace remarked as I dropped my eyes downward. I was completely and totally ashamed of what had occurred and what Alaric was now witnessing. “What happened?” Alaric asked in his British accent. His voice sounded restrained with anger. “She was clumsy as usual and hit her head,” Ace drew out as he pressed the napkin harder against my head. I winced at the pressure. “Is that what happened?” Alaric asked gently. I lifted my eyes back up and my heart fluttered as he was crouched down, inches away from me. His concerned green eyes bore into my inner soul and I struggled harder than I ever have with the lie. “What the hell, man,” Ace said angrily beside me. “You don’t believe me?” “Yeah,” I whispered out. “That’s what happened. I tripped.” I could see the disappointment in Alaric’s eyes and it tore at my heart. “Let’s take a look,” he instructed as he slowly raised his hand toward my face. He pushed Ace hand away as he reached into a bag behind him. He
Blaze Within 19
Ace didn’t come home that night. I slept alone in the apartment. I hide Alaric’s suit jacket in the back of my closet. I wanted to sleep in it, wrapped in his scent, but I didn’t want to risk Ace coming home and asking questions about it. Alaric came into Kiki’s while I was working the next day. I didn’t wait on his table and tried my best to avoid him. I did sneak some looks at him, and he caught me once. I quickly turned away and acted busy. Ace didn’t come home until Wednesday. He was there when I came home from work. He was sitting on the futon when I walked in. I slowly closed the door behind me as I looked at him. “Hi.” He quickly stood up and walked over to me. I watched in stunned horror as he dropped to his knees in front of me. He grabbed my hands, kissing them as he broke down in tears. ‘I’m so sorry Stella,” he wept as he laid his head in my hands. “I’m so sorry I hurt you again. I’m a fuck up and I know that. I don’t know why you stay here with me. I’m a piece of shit
Blaze Within 20
I spent the rest of the week dwelling upon what I had agreed to. I sat in my apartment with guilt weighing heavily on my shoulders. I loved Ace. I wanted to be with Ace. He was doing so much better. Why was I willing to risk screwing that up for Alaric? He should just be a client, yet somehow he was something more to me, and that scared me. I told Ace I was going to Catherine on Friday for a girl’s night. He accepted the lie and it broke my heart the trust he had in me. I gave him a kiss as he left for work before going and changing into a black mini-skirt and a lace camisole. I grabbed Alaric’s suit jacket and slipped into it. This encounter would be my opportunity to return it. I left my hair down but put loose waves into it and applied my make-up. I slipped into black heels and hurried out the door to catch the bus. My legs bounced nervously the entire ride to the fight. Once off the bus, I had a few minutes to walk. As I approached the building, I noticed a man standing outside.
Blaze Within 21
Alaric drove us back to his condo. He opened the door for me and I walked in, admiring once again the beauty of the place. He came up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my neck. I smiled, my body electric with his touches. I turned around to face him and he immediately slid my jacket off. His hands came up to my face, cupping my cheeks as his mouth pressed onto mine. His lips attacked mine, his tongue quickly prodding at my lips. I grabbed his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside. He quickly did the same to my camisole and made quick work of my bra. He bent down, picking me up as I straddled him. He carried me over to the couch and gently placed me down upon it. He laid down atop me as we made out. He pulled away, moving down my body to pull my skirt and thong off. He lowered his mouth to my most sensitive area and I gasped. My hands went into his hair as he tasted me. Never had a man done this while paying me for sex. It wasn’t about me, it was about
Blaze Within 22
“Stella. Stella.” I slowly opened my eyes and stared into Alaric’s green ones. I quickly sat up and cringed as my abdomen cried out in pain. My hand shot over it as Alaric looked at me in confusion. “You alright?” “Yeah,” I breathed out as I quickly dropped my hand to my side. “Stomach cramp. Sorry. Did I fall asleep?” He grinned broadly at me. “You’ve been snoring for the past couple of hours.” I groaned as I raised my hand to my forehead. “I’m so sorry. You can take off some money from what you owe me for today since … “ He chuckled as he took my hand into his. “I’m not going to do that. I enjoyed the snoring. It went in tune with the music.” I burst into laughter as I covered my face with my hands. “I don’t snore!” His laughter mixed with mine as he gently pulled my hands away from my face. “You do, and it was adorable.” I rolled my eyes as he turned and exited the car. He came around and opened my door and I stepped out beside him. I glanced around and realized we were at
Blaze Within 23
We ate our lunch and packed up before heading back out onto the trail. Alaric held my hand, making sure to always be a gentleman and help me over an uneven area or fallen logs. Being secluded in nature alone with him felt intimate, in a way more intimate than the things we had already done. His hand felt natural and so very right wrapped around mine. He never once lost his temper with me when I was obviously slowing him down or when I clumsily tripped. He had patience for days with me. And his smile. That gorgeous smile that overwhelmed his face and pierced dimples into his cheeks was nearly always on display. He would run his hand through his hair constantly and the urge to run my fingers through it grew with each passing minute. “How do you keep your hair so perfect?” I asked absentmindedly. He glanced at me and grinned. “You like it?” I laughed lightly as I looked up at the tall branches of the trees all around us. They stood green and vivid against the blue sky beyond. “Maybe.”
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