Paetyn’s POVI wake up and smile, remembering the night I spent with Ace. It feels almost like a dream, but I know it can’t be because I still ache in all the right places, and I can smell his woodsy scent all over me. I run my hands over my breasts and feel the sting of where he nipped me over and over. Can I really be wet for him this early in the morning? Apparently so.Turning slightly, I see that Ace is sleeping soundly beside me, his inky hair tussled, and his lips parted as though to kiss me. While I ache to kiss him, and do other things despite all we did last night, I also want to let him sleep. I imagine he’s been sleeping just as poorly as I have while we’ve been apart. Still, I can’t resist reaching out and gently twisting a strand of his dark hair around my finger. His hand darts out and snatches mine. Then, he kisses my palm and nibbles my fingertips. “You’ve been staring, little bird.” I swallow. “I have.” “You can always wake me up. I’d always rather be with you th
Ace’s POVI cup the back of Paetyn’s neck with one hand while the other slides around her waist, pulling her flush against my chest. A soft gasp slips past her full lips, and I greedily catch the sound in my mouth the second my lips attach to hers. It’s been far too fucking long since I’ve felt her against me. I pushed myself to near insanity reminding myself each day of how soft her skin is, how easily I can pull sounds from her, and how fucking sweet she smells. And now that I’ve got her back in my arms where she belongs, I’m never letting her go again. Over my dead body. Paetyn fists the front of my shirt as my mouth devours her. I saw the look in her eyes when she realised the material is coated in blood. My lifestyle is nothing new to her, but it eats away at me wondering if she thinks I’m a monster for enjoying the thrill of the kill and getting my hands dirty. I don’t want her to look at me and be scared. As long as she’s with me, she will never fear any harm that could come
Paetyn’s POVOh, shit.A shudder races down my spine at Ace’s presence. I can’t believe he’s here, standing behind me. I thought I had covered my tracks well and left him no way of finding me. But I should’ve known that this is a man who will do anything to get back what’s his.I keep my eyes locked on his car, unable to turn around. “How’d you find me?”A deep chuckle sounds in his chest. “Funny you should ask, because I simply stumbled upon you just now while I was walking back to my car.”He what?“So you’re saying you didn’t track me down to this location?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “Then how did you…?”“Let’s just say I was in the area for a job, and I happened to catch sight of you taking the trash out. I didn’t think today would be the day I’d find you, but here we are. Call it fate.”“Here we are,” I breathe, my chest tightening. “I don’t—”“Look at me, Paetyn,” Ace demands gruffly. “I want to talk to your pretty face, not the back of your head.”Exhaling sharply
Paetyn’s POVIt’s 1:00 in the morning, and I’m wide awake. I’ve been staring at the ceiling, desperately willing my body to allow sleep to consume me for what feels like hours. No amount of counting sheep or focusing on relaxing my breathing is working. The longer I lie here, the more my brain continues to turn. First, thoughts about Mom and how much I miss her seeped into my distracted mind. It’s hard to believe she’s been gone for five weeks. I’ll never get to see her smile, look into her enchanting eyes, or hear her familiar laugh again. I knew it was going to be hard living life without her, but I was hoping that, with time, the pain in my chest would ease. But instead, the pain has grown tenfold, pressing down on me like a pile of wet cement. While her funeral three weeks ago was quiet and small, the absence of my father hung heavy in the air. I know their relationship deteriorated over the years, but given how long they were together, I thought he would want to be there to sup
Ace’s POVThe dim lighting in the strip club makes it hard to see the faces of the men moving around me. But I don’t miss the way their oogling eyes linger on the half-naked women flashing million-dollar smiles and swaying their hips to the beat of the music, hoping to snatch some green bills that’ll hopefully pay their rent. Strobe lights flash above several platforms with poles attached to them in the center of the room, blinding me, distracting my attention span. I fucking despise coming to strip clubs only because it’s not my scene. I’m not into objectifying women or throwing cash at them so I can get a hard-on. The only reason I’m here is because of Enzo and the mission he gave me an hour ago. If he hadn’t stopped me before I left the house and asked me to do this, I would be at home in my office trying to track down Paetyn, like I have been for the past five weeks. Bringing the lit cigarette to my lips, I take a drag, relishing the hit of nicotine that seeps into my throat. Sm
Paetyn’s POVI’ve grown to despise this city. Where I used to find joy in the small things, like the hustle of people rushing by, the scent of street cart hotdogs, and the anonymity of being among thousands of people who don’t know my name or story, now I can’t stand it. The people have become too much to handle, setting my nerves on edge, and the stench of hotdogs and mustard makes my stomach twist painfully. And I’m no longer entirely invisible after the scandal with Liam. It doesn’t help that I’ve been desperate to stay under the radar so my ex-boyfriend doesn’t find me. I hate New York City. The spring air melts into the exposed skin of my arms. I’m glad winter has left the chat. Spring has brought with it warmer nights and no need to carry around multiple layers so I don’t freeze to death. It’s been a welcome change. Sighing, I step off the sidewalk and through the front door of a run-down apartment building. The red brick has seen better days, and the strong stench of bleach