The Trap Of Ace

And then reaching at the back of my neck, he let my hair fall free from the bun.

“Now it’s better,” he whispered, standing inches away from me. “Beautiful auburn silks like them shouldn’t

be tied.”

He’s comparing my hair to silk?

Heat crept up my cheeks as I fumbled with my bracelet. Grey eyes followed the movement. Clearing my

throat, I pulled away from him, causing his hand to fall from my hair.

His thick brows crinkled at the loss of touch.

Seriously, this man had an obsession with my hair. He seemed to love touching them every now and

then.

Taking the glass of champagne, I took a sip. The cool liquid gave soothe to my suddenly dry throat.

“I can’t believe you did all of this all by yourself. All the lights and flowers. You could just ask your staff,

they’d have done it for you. When did you do it anyway?” I went back to our previous conversation,

cutting the tense ambience around us.

He took his own glass, eyes still on me. “I was here before I went to pick you up. And I wanted to do it

with my own hands, after all, it was for my Rosebud.”

A warm sensation spread throughout my chest. Needing some more liquid to quench my thirst, I took

another gulp. This man always had a way with his words. He knew how to affect me with them.

The fruity flavor of the champagne felt good in my mouth. Then something clicked into my head.

Even for champagne, he didn’t go for the alcoholic one, he opted for a clean drink instead. I’d noticed it

before. He didn’t drink anymore. Not even at parties.

As far as I remembered, wine was his favorite drink of all time. On some occasions, I’d seen him drink

alcohol like water. Then what changed now?

“What’re you thinking, Rosebud?” tucking a strand behind my ear, he asked. One of his hands gently

placed over my hip.

Then the hefty roar of the wave crashing onto the shore snatched my attention. Gentle wind blew across

the beach. The full moon dangled up in the sky, cradling its luster into the water as it shimmered along

the waves.

With the beautiful sight before my eyes and his heat right behind me, I held my questions back for some

time longer. I didn’t want to break the peace raising the queries of the past.

Getting out of my heels, I walked up to the shore feeling the cool supple sand under my b**e feet. Soon a

curse of his followed from behind me. But I didn’t stop. Though the corner of my mouth twitched

imagining the look on his face seeing my revealed back cut.

The moment the waves reached me, tingling my toes with cold water, a smile stretched across my lips.

It’s been so long I’d last visited a beach, let alone a private one like this.

Soon I felt his presence beside me. And to my surprise, he was also b**e footed. Then I noticed how big

his feet were compared to mine. Just like our hands.

Looking up at the moon, I took a deep breath. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Not more than my Rosebud.”

My head snapped to him. Stormy grey met my turquoise.

Did he write some cheesy lines for tonight before coming here? Because he seemed to be the total

opposite of the cold businessman I saw everyday.

Averting my gaze from his intent one, with the fluttering of my tummy, I started to walk along the shore,

enjoying the cool water and breeze. He followed behind.

Flashes of our playing on the beach floated across my mind. A grin spread onto my lips. And then I did

what I didn’t even dream of doing ever again.

Crouching down, I took some water into my hand and splashed at him. At Achilles Valencian.

Jerking back slightly, he stood frozen for a second. After registering what just happened, a wicked gleam

flickered over his eyes. When he took a hasty step towards me, with my eyes wide, letting out a squeal, I

ran.

A musical laughter followed me as I sprinted away from him. Not wanting to miss the chance of this rare

sight, I looked over my shoulder.

With just a feet away, he chased me. Moonlight fell onto his heavenly features as his eyes twinkled with

happiness. The smile lines at the both sides of his eyes, and the beautiful grin across his lips had me

breathless. And it had nothing to do with my running.

Another screech left my mouth when he leaped for me. But speeding up my legs, I ran away from his

clutch.

“Do you think you can escape me, Rosebud?” His light voice, mixed with mirth rang like harmony to my

ears.

“Looking like you’re falling behind, Mr. Valencian. Catch me if you can!” yelling over my shoulder, I ran

faster. The night breeze slapped against my skin and the water splashed under my feet. I felt like I was

flying. Free from everything. I felt lighter.

“Gotcha!”

And then I was suddenly tackled over, another squeal left my mouth. But before we could land on the

ground, his strong arms around me pulled us straight.

“This is cheating! Your legs are bigger than mine!” I complained, wiggling into his hold. But the smile on

my face was still there.

“Now that’s also my fault?”

“Yes, it is!”

A throaty chuckle reverberated through his chest as he pulled me against him, resting his forehead

against mine. The way he tightened his arms around me, as if he never wanted to let go. His gaze shone

with contentment and felicity as he let out a breath. “Rosebud, what do I do with you?”

“What will you do?” I peered into his eyes, relaxing into his chest.

And as an answer, he cupped my cheeks and placed his lips on mine. My eyelids fluttered close, already

drunk on him. With his thumb brushing just beneath my lower lip, his mouth danced with mine into a slow

magical synch.

This time it wasn’t an urgent, possessive and demanding kiss. This time, it was a sweet, slow yet

passionate touch of affection. And it had my heart race to miles just like his punishing kisses did.

Pulling away, I gasped for breath, placing my head against his cheek. “I-it’s just a friendly date, you

remember that, right?”

“I didn’t know you kissed your friends.”

My face turned hot as I hid myself into his chest, causing him to chuckle.

So not fair! He couldn’t just kiss me and expect me not to kiss him back. Now who could resist this Greek

g*d?

And just then my stomach decided to embarrass me more. A grumble had me turn into a beetroot.

Pulling away, he cupped my chin. Amusement curved into his eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were hungry?”

I shrugged, looking away. Stupid stomach!

Biting his lip, he took my hand and dragged me with him. “Come, let me feed you something.”

And I didn’t complain.

When we reached the gazebo again, he turned to me. “Wait here, I’ll go and get the food.”

“I can help,” I offered.

He shook his head. “No, you wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Getting a nod from me, he turned around and walked back into the house.

Sighing, I took my glass and drank the rest of the champagne. Gazing at the ocean as I waited for him to

come back with the food, something caught my attention.

A vibration.

My phone?

When I grabbed my purse, my suspicion turned out right. But as soon as I opened the purse, the

vibration stopped.

Shaking my head, I fished the phone out. I shouldn’t have kept it on vibration. G*d knows who called me.

And as soon as my eyes locked with the screen, I stilled.

Three missed calls.

From Warner.

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