CHAPTER 1

AMARA POV.

My heart cried out in protest as I walked slowly down the white polished tiled floors, in a white gown that would have been any woman’s dream dress that hugged all the right places. Everyone's eyes were on me, and it made me very uncomfortable. Only my brother and a few friends came to see me through this day, even though I knew they didn’t approve. It made me feel a little bit better knowing that neither did I… especially as all of the other guests were eyeing me up and down as though I was worthy of whatever this was. I was never one for being the centre of attention or had I ever been one to worry about my looks, but Clarissa Milton had brought in her personal stylist to do my hair and make-up and she had insisted on having my dress custom made, no matter how much I protested against it. At least I managed to put my foot down when it came to my long black hair. I wanted a style that flowed easily around me and not pulled up into some kind of tight fashion bun that would pull at my skin on my forehead and filled with flowers and a crown in it to add to the itch that would undoubtedly be made worse by the hair sprays that my hair would be doused with.  I took a deep breath and sniffled back tears as discretely as I could, but I knew the redness in my eyes were very evident from the hours of crying.

As I looked towards the end, I glared at the man that was the root of my current misery along with his father was standing at the end of the isle, looking expensively smug in their black custom-tailored tuxedo’s. If he hadn't been who he was, I would've thought that he looked very attractive and in truth, I have thought of him as a handsome guy whilst we went to school together. But this was here and now and this was Ace Milton that we were talking about. I wanted to pitch the flowers in my hands at his smirking face! I wanted to do it as much as I wanted to turn around and leave him there at the altar in front of everyone to make him feel how humiliating it was for me to be walking down the isle towards him. My feet faltered as I tried to remind myself why I was doing this and trying to work up the courage to actually go through with it I saw his smug smile falter slightly as he gave me a threatening look that reminded me that I had no choice in this and that he would not hesitate to make true on his threats.

People were starting to whisper as I stood there indecisively and glared at Ace, and he glared back just as hard. I took a deep breath through my nose before releasing it from between my teeth and I forced my legs to move towards him again.

Ace’s father, some kind or another businessman, Hugo Milton, who had been standing to his son's left looked faintly relieved. It looked like he also feared that I would turn and run out on his son. Humiliating their family name in front of everyone present, But I kept on walking. The isle getting shorter with every step and closer to Ace where I would inevitably be signing away my freedom. I just have to try and not kill the man that I would be calling husband soon. Hugo smirked at his wife before she turned to in her seat in the front row to look at her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. She watched me as I as slowly made my way over to her son and I could now see she looked a little paler than before, but she was standing with her chin held high and nose in the air.

Up until a month ago, I had been happy and in love with Jared. I am still in love with Jared, but I wasn't happy or with him anymore. He was the man I wanted to be getting married with today, but instead he hated me so much that he practically screamed at me that he never wanted to see me again. I took a deep breath as I glared at Ace as I felt fresh tears start to burn in the corners of my eyes and when I finally made it to the top of the alter and joined his side, I was ready to burst out aloud in tears and I had to bite down hard on my teeth to keep that from happening. I ignored the pointed look that Ace was giving me from the side. He was clearly not happy that I was ignoring him, but luckily, he turned to face to official when he started the ceremony. I tried to tune out what the official was saying, closing my eyes and trying to believe that this was just a nightmare, but instead Ace’s voice echoed in my mind around about the time when he set up his ultimatum for me.

*FLASHBACK*

I walked up the path towards my brother’s front door of the little two-bedroom house he owned. I smiled as I saw a few more changes that seemed to sprung up overnight. Typical of someone working in construction and even more predictable from someone being the boss of their own construction business. He didn’t live alone, my fiancé, Jared turner, moved in temporarily in order to save money for some of our wedding expenses. The only other person that lived her was Jared’s sister who also happened to be my brother’s fiancé, Emily turner. Can you believe we all got engaged together… For some reason the guys thought it would be romantic. I smiled at that thought. Not exactly what I pictured when I thought about getting engaged but it was sweet non the less. As I approached the open door, I heard voices coming from inside.

"... I am sorry Mr. Wood, but the due date for the repayment has expired. The bank can unfortunately not give further extension.” The man was saying. His voice didn't sound familiar to Amara, but it was Alex, my brother’s voice, that turned my stomach nervously. He sounded so vulnerable. “Please, we need just a little more time. The business is starting to pick up and we only need a few more jobs and a little bit more time, and then we’ll be able to pay it.” Alex’s voice carried out through the door that stood ajar. There was a moments silence before Jared voice spoke up. “You can't do this to us now! Not when we are so close!" He exclaimed.

As silently as possible, I made my way over to the nearest window and peaked inside. Alex and Jared were both standing side by side, almost shoulder to shoulder and looking down at a balding middle-aged man in a suit who was gathering papers from the kitchen counter that separated him from them, which was good because Alex looked like he was about to jump the guy and knock his teeth out.

"I'm sorry Mr. Wood, Mr. Turner, but if this buyer didn’t come forward and offered to pay more than the settlement that is owed on the property, I could have given you more time. The papers will be signed in the next few days then the property will be legally his to which you will have to vacate the premises as soon as possible. I'm very sorry." The man said in a not so sorry voice. I quickly pushed away from the window and ran around the corner of the little house. I made it just in time to see the balding little man come out and walk swiftly down the path that I came in on. He stopped abruptly as it looked like he sniffed the air and I had to duck back around the corner when he turned towards me. I held my breath. Goodness knows why, but I suddenly got a strange feeling. I was certain that he didn’t see me but for some reason I knew that he knew I was here. I chanced a peak and gasped. He was staring right at me… he gave me a kind smile and bowed his head in acknowledgement to me before continuing down the driveway. I frowned as I watched him walking away and I looked about. Where was his car? I wondered as he kept walking until he reached the road, crossed it and disappeared into the tall trees of the wooded area. “What the…?” I said aloud as I have never before seen a man in a suit, willingly go into the woods.

Voices brought me back to the occupants in the little house and I quickly made my way over to the window again. “What now?” Jared asked as he stood by the kitchen table where the other man in the suit previously stood and looked towards Alex who was looking defeated. “Alex! We can’t just give up now!” Jared said and Alex slammed his fists onto the kitchen table. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT ME TO DO JARED?! I HAVE TAKEN OUT A LOAN, WITH MY HOUSE AS COLLATERAL, TO START OUR BUSINESS AND I JUST FUCKING LOST EVERYTHING AND YOU WANT TO KNOW ‘WHAT NOW?’” my brother exploded in the kitchen, and I had to clap a hand in front of my mouth in order to not make a shocked sound. “YOU LOST EVERYTHING?!” Jared exclaimed angrily as he too slammed his fists onto the kitchen table. “I ALSO TOOK OUT LOANS TO HELP BUILD OUR BUSINESS TO WHERE IT IS TODAY! I EVEN HAD TO LIE TO AMARA AS TO WHY I WAS LIVING HERE BECAUSE I COULND’T AFFORD THE RENT ANYMORE!” He said and another shocked gasp escaped me but this time I have had enough. Guilt washed over me. I didn’t know Jared took out loans? Nor did I know my brother Alex took out loans as well. I thought the construction business was doing good, here it sounded like it was going under. My brother was about to lose his house all because of loans he and Jared can’t repay.

Instead of going in, I turned and quickly made my way down the path towards where I parked my car. I was just about to unlock it when I got the feeling that I was being watched. I looked towards the house but there was no one to be seen and then I looked towards to where the man in the suit disappeared to and all I could see were trees. I swallowed when the feeling didn’t go away and when the hairs on my neck stood up, I swung around and gasped at the man that stood a few feet from me. He was tall and from the how his shirt stretched over his chest and his pants hugged his legs, he was very well muscular, and he had an arrogant aura around him with piercing blue grey eyes and killer smile that would make any woman melt into a puddle. Except for me…

‘ACE?” I exclaimed in shock. I haven’t seen him in a few years since we all graduated from school. We hated each other, but I had to admit that he looked good, and I hated the fact that my heart rate leaped into overdrive when my eyes met his. “ACE Milton?” I asked just to be sure, and he smirked at me whilst raising an eyebrow at me. “Can you think of anyone else that would be matching my description?” He asked sarcastically as he indicated to himself, and I rolled my eyes. “You were always so full of yourself. Always thought you were better than others.” I said and he still kept smirking at me as he looked me up and down. “Because I am better than everyone else.” He said smugly. A shiver ran through my body at the look he was giving me, and I looked towards the house before addressing him again.

"What are you doing here? What do you want?” I asked getting suspicious. Ace smirked knowingly. There was something off about the way he was looking at me now before he looked towards my brother’s house or soon to be someone else’s house.

"Me? I'm just having a look at my new property," he said and my eyes went wide. "What? You're prop…, No, that's impossible!" I said angrily as a bunch of emotions threatened to hit me all at once.

He gave me a smug look as he came closer. "You heard right. This house and the land it stands on will soon belong to me and I was just thinking about what I should do with it.” He said as he feigned in going into thought. I always wanted my own racetrack" he said cheerily.

I felt like was going to be sick. "You can’t! this is my brother’s home. he risked everything to build himself up to where they are today and if they only had a little bit more time, they would have had the money to pay the loans back!” I exclaimed emotionally. Ace gave me an analysing look, but I didn’t notice because I kept rambling on.

"My brother has built himself up from scratch to be where he is today! You can't just throw him and Jared out!” I exclaimed. I noticed a look cross his face when I mentioned Jared’s name. I knew from high school, that Jared and Ace never got along. Ace even beat up Jared on a few occasions when Jared came to my rescue when Ace bullied me. “You really have no sense of decency or a heart! You are still just a school bully except now you are asshole one than before.” I sneered at him.

Anger crossed his face, and he took a step forward, and I subconsciously took a step back, mentally cursing myself in my head. I didn’t want him to think that he was intimidating me. His eyes slid over me again and I had to fight the urge to cross my hands over my chest in defence. He stood there for a moment as he looked at me intently before he spoke again.

"What would you be willing to do for your brother?" he asked seriously, his eyes starveling towards my breasts and this time I couldn’t stop myself from folding my arms over my chest. He smirked knowing and I looked at him in disgust. "That will never happen! So, you can just give up on that.” I snapped at him.

"You might change your mind if you hear what I have to say.” He said with that killer smirk of his and I swallowed. “Are you insane? I am engaged to be married to Jared! Nothing you say will change my mind.” I said and his smirk fell from his face when I talked about Jared again. He suddenly looked serious and a lot more intimidating.

“If you want to help you brother and… Jared, to keep the house and to have their business boosted, then I suggest you listen to what I have to say otherwise I can have them thrown out within an hour and the house torn to the ground my sundown!” He threatened and a shiver of fear ran down my back that left me feeling cold. “And because I know that you would do anything to stop that from happening, you will stand there and listen to my proposal.” He said and I swallowed nervously as my heartbeat erratically.

I've been watching you for a long time, Amara, and I am not just talking from when we were in school together, but afterwards as well.” He said and my jaw practically hit the floor as it dropped in shock. “There is something that I want above anything else in this world," Ace admitted. I looked at him in disbelief. "Whatever it is, the answer is no." I knew what a man like Ace Milton wanted. He'd sleep with me and tell Jared. Humiliating Jared and degrade me not to mention it would put a stop to my and Jared’s relationship. Did he really hate Jared so much that he would go to such lengths to ruin my fiancé?

"I’ll make it easy for you. Either you do what I want, or your brother loses his house and I’ll make sure that their business is next.” He said seriously and anger erupted in my chest. “You bastard! Are you trying to blackmail me into sleeping with you? Have you lost your mind?” I asked as I dropped my arms back to my sides and balled my hands into fists.

Ace raised an amused eyebrow at me as I got angrier at him. “For Jared and my brother, I would do anything for, except sleep with you!” I said and I was about to turn towards my car when a shocked gasp escaped my lungs as I felt myself being twisted around again before I felt myself being sandwiched between a car and a warm, hard body. With wide eyes, my head snapped up into Ace’s face. He was a lot taller than me. My head barely reaching his shoulder. Ace had hold of my hand that he grabbed in order to turn me back to face him and his other hand rested on my car, next to my head, blocking me in with nowhere to escape.

My breath hitched in my chest as my heartbeat escalated into overdrive. The hold he had on my hand felt strangely… nice. Comforting even and I swear there were little tingles that danced across my skin where he held it. Ace took a breath and swallowed as he looked down at me and I could swear he felt what I just did. He seemed to get a hold of himself as he looked at me seriously before speaking. “This goes beyond a simple fuck," he muttered lowly, and his eyes darted towards my lips. My breathing was already coming out in nervous puffs, and I could help but lick my lips as he stared at them and for some reason that made me feel guilty, I felt something stir deep inside of me. “ W- What do you mean?” I asked breathlessly. "If you want your brother to keep his home, and I’ll even throw in a bonus by giving his business a boost, you will leave Jared and marry me instead." Ace said seriously. His light bluish silver eyes even seemed to have gotten darker as he set out his terms.

I felt as if he had sucker punched me. This had to be a joke! "You are out of your mind!" I yelled, trying to break free of his hold that he had on my hand and trying to put space between us, but to no avail. “Do you really hate Jared that much that you would want to sleep with me to ruin our relationship?” I chastised as I felt myself getting closer to tears. "I'm serious and this has nothing to do with Jared, Amara." he said seriously as he looked me in the eyes. I hated to admit it but I believed him when he said it. “It’s you!” He spoke clearly. “In order for me to leave your brother alone, all I want is you. I’ll even pay off both of their debts and give their business a clientele boost.” He said and my mouth dropped open once again disbelief as I stared up at him. He was serious! “I'm afraid that I will need an answer from you now, Amara.” He said and I swear I could have seen something that looked like guilt cross his features, but it was back to his stoney mask as he looked at me. “N-Now?” I stuttered and he nodded. “You can’t expect me to make a decision right now?!” I spoke. My brain was starting to go into panic mode, and I shook my head vigorously. “I can’t… Please you can’t throw a decision as big as this on me and expect to give my answer now!” I spoke. Can you at least give me a few days to think about this?” I pleaded but he shook his head. “I need your decision now… Otherwise I will throw you brother, Jared and Emily out onto the street and tear the house down in front of them.” He said before lowering his head close to her ear. A shiver ran through my body as his hot breath fanned over the skin of my neck and I had to swallow back a moan that made me feel guilty for reacting this way towards Ace.

"Can you live with yourself knowing that you could have prevented all of that?" He asked huskily in my ear and my breath hitched in my throat. “Because I can and I will do whatever it takes to have you, Amara.” He said seriously as he lifted his head a bit to be able to look me in the eyes again. We were almost nose to nose, our breaths mingling with each other and for a moment my mind fogged up and I felt like leaning towards him, but luckily his voice brought me back to the present. “I need your answer, Amara.” He spoke softly as he looked down at me. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realised that there was no other way. I closed my eyes as the tears fell and I nodded my head. “Words, Amara. I need you to say the words.” He said and his eyes seemed the get darker. “I need you, Amara Wood, to speak my name and state that you accept my bond.” He spoke seriously. I was too distraught at the time, but it was kind of a strange request, but I said those dreaded words that he wanted to hear. “Ace...” I started to speak before my throat nearly closed with emotion. I swallowed it down before trying again. “Ace Milton, I accept your bond.” I said and I closed my eyes against more tears, but a shocked gasp left my body when I felt something pass through and into me right before Ace’s mouth landed on mine.

*FLASHBACK ENDS*