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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.”
Blaze Within 24
“Married” Jessica remarked as she eyed the man sitting at one of her tables at Kiki’s. He winked at her as we glanced at him. “All the married ones hit on me.” I turned toward her suspiciously. “How do you know he’s married?” She turned her back to the man and leaned against the counter. She raised her left hand and pointed to her ring finger. “He’s got a tan line from his missing ring.” My jaw dropped as I glanced back at him. “That’s disgusting.” She shrugged. “At least I’ll get a good tip if I flirt back. It doesn’t have to go anywhere.” “Stella!” Becca, another waitress, called my name. I turned toward her to find her carrying a beautiful arrangement of a dozen roses. “You have a delivery” she said as she handed me the flowers. “Aw,” Jessica drew out with big eyes. “Ace is such a sweetheart.” “He’s definitely a keeper,” Becca remarked. Jessica sighed. “I need a Ace.” “Don’t we all” Becca called out as she headed off to grab some plates of food to take out to her tables.
Blaze Within 25
The music in the nightclub pounded loudly, the bass taking control of my heartbeat and forcing it in rhythm with the music. The place was packed with scantily dressed woman and roving men ready to take them home. A DJ sat at the front of the dancefloor, pounding the music out of the speakers. The dancefloor was an ocean of people all moving to the beat of the music. I sat with Ace in a reserved VIP section of the club as I watched the action below. He had his arm around my shoulders as he relaxed beside me. Jaxon sat across from us with his blonde date whose large breasts were spilling out of her dress. They unfortunately seemed to have caught Ace attention and I caught his eyes wandering to them several times already. “Do you want a drink?” Ace asked as he sat forward and spoke into my ear over the music. I shook my head as I turned toward him. “No, thank you.” He nodded as he waved for the waitress for our area. It didn’t seem to matter that neither Ace nor I were twenty-one. Wha
Blaze Within 26
"It's rape, Stella" Catherine stated as she stared wide-eyed at me. I had fled Blue Hades as soon as Ace had left and went straight to her place. She had quickly swept me inside as I showed up sobbing at her doorstep. My hands shook slightly as they held the hot chocolate she had offered me. I sat on her couch, my tears now dry. Why had I run away? What would Jaxon and Ace say? "Stella" Catherine called in her Southern accent. "You need to report this to the police. You can't let him get away with it." I shook my head as I quickly stood up and set the cup down. "I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have told you. I'm sorry. I just ... " "Stella." She quickly leapt to her feet and wrapped me in a surprising hug. "Sweetie, you can't let him do this anymore. I have turned my head to several of his outbursts and one too many bruises, but this is a new low. Even for him. You don't have to allow him to get away with this." "He's my boyfriend," I challenged her. "We have sex." She dr
Blaze Within 27
I skipped working at Blue Hades the next weekend. Truthfully, I never planned to return there again. Ace didn’t have much to say about it. I’m pretty sure the guilt of what had occurred between us last time I was there still weighed heavily on his heart. I was able to pick up a couple shifts at Kiki’s to make up for the loss income, though it came nowhere close to what I made at Blue Hades. I leaned against the wall behind of Kiki’s near the backdoor on my break. Catherine stood beside me. Her and Fred had come in to eat lunch and he had left to wait for her in the car while I took my break at the smoking spot out back to talk to my friend. “So what did Ace say this time?” Catherine asked as she kicked at a cigarette butt on the ground. I hesitated as I mentally debated how much I wanted to tell her. With a sigh, I finally confessed the truth. She was my closest and most trusted friend. She was the only one who knew anything about the abuse I had suffered. “He says he never meant fo
Blaze Within 28
I sat atop my suitcase outside my apartment waiting for Alaric to pick me up. Ace was still inside asleep. He had been snoring soundly when I left, but nerves still made my legs bounce and my hands tremble. I had to get out of here before he woke up. I told him Catherine was driving me to the bus stop for my private getaway. He couldn't find out the truth. I stood up as my eyes caught sight of Alaric's black sports car heading toward me. I grabbed my suitcase and started toward the car before he was even fully parked. He quickly jumped out and ran over to me. He swept the suitcase out of my hand as I took in the sight of him in his skinny blue jeans and an old tour shirt from a rock band. Sunglasses sat atop his head as he smiled at me with his shining green eyes which traveled up and down my body with a simple, yellow sundress on. "Are you in a rush?" he chuckled in his British accent. "Sure" I breathed out in reply as he walked with me over to the passenger door. He opened it for
Blaze Within 29
I emerged over an hour later. I slid my fingers over my red dress. It had a deep v-neck which extended all the way down to the red belted waist. The red fabric beneath the belt flowed freely and openly. A large slit ran up one side to add to the sexy feature of the dress. I matched it with black, strappy heels and left my hair down in beach waves. Alaric stood in front of me openly gawking. His eyes ran over every inch of my body, burning my cheeks and tingling my insides with his inspection. “What?” I asked nervously as I looked down at my feet. “You’re gorgeous.” My eyes slowly lifted at his words, a slight smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I took in the sight of him standing in front of me as he stood star struck before me. He had on black slacks with a white, button up shirt and black suit jacket. He had on a black tie and black dress boots. His hair was slicked up and back and fell in perfect waves on either side of his face. His piercing green eyes drank in the sight of
Blaze Within 30
The quite conversations were soon interrupted by the announcement and arrival of the bridal party. They filed in, waving and dancing along the way to their table. Food was served, toasts were made, and cake was cut. The bride and groom had their first dance before the dancefloor was opened up to everyone. The band’s music was turned up as people began dancing and mingling throughout the tables. Alaric’s arm returned to the back of my chair as he leaned back in his own. I turned toward him and took in his handsome profile as he causally looked around the room. His jawline was strong and pronounced yet his face had a softness. He wet his full, red lips as he turned toward me. “Are you having a good time?” I nodded, refusing to divulge even the slightest hint of my jealousy. “It’s a beautiful wedding.” The band began the first musical bars of an infamous rock song as Alaric opened his mouth to say something but was quickly interrupted. “Alaric! Alaric!” a flock of women suddenly scre
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