Ace in the Hole Read Online Free Page A

how I had hoped, but what matters is your happiness.” He laid his hand over hers on her stomach. “I know how important children were for you.”
    “If you’re seeking my forgiveness, you have it. I made peace with what happened a while ago.”
    “Forgiveness is great in its own way, but that’s not the reason I’m telling you this. It should have been done a long time ago. I should have told you so you understood why. It had nothing to do with anything you did…or because I didn’t love you.”
    Even as he sat before her, he realized he’d loved her then and he still loved her. That was what made the situation so much more difficult.

 
    C urled up in front of the fire with a warm blanket, Gwen laid the book on her lap and let her head rest against the back of the sofa. It was a perfect evening, one she had been having almost every night this week. She couldn’t resist curling up with a good book in front of the fire, but tonight was different. She couldn’t get her thoughts away from Ace.
    Even after having her heartbroken by him, she couldn’t get him out of her system. She longed to feel his touch. If only they could pick up where they left off. She dragged her hand through her spiky hair and enjoyed the moment. At least the tension that had been there before was gone.
    “Why didn’t you tell me you bumped into Lucky?”
    His words pulled her from her thoughts. “You sidetracked me when I got in and I forgot. He wanted me to pass on the invitation to his place for dinner. You’re supposed to text him your response tonight so he knows.”
    He held up his cell phone. “I know. He just texted me. He suggested I send you to bed without supper, like Mom always threatened, for not telling me.”
    “Your mom would have never done that.”
    “No, but she threatened. So, little lady, shall I force you to bed?”
    Her hormones were playing with her heart and soul; if she wasn’t careful they’d lead her to dangerous waters. “Try me, if you’re man enough.”
    He tossed his phone aside and stalked toward her. “That sounds like a challenge. One I think I should take you up on.” Taking hold of her hand, he pulled her up out of the chair, the blanket sliding down her legs to land in a pile at their feet.
    “Ace.”
    “Yes?” He scooped her into his arms.
    “Put me down.” Instead of doing what she asked, he pretended to drop her, forcing her to squeal. “Ace Le Diamond, I demand you put me down.” She tried to fill her voice with authority but it was hard with his cologne filling each breath.
    “You know I won’t drop you.”
    “What are you doing?” She resisted the urge to rest her head against his strong chest. “You’re not putting me to bed.”
    “It’s been so long and I’ve missed you. Is it wrong that I just want to feel you against me?” He sank down onto the sofa, taking her with him. “If it is, I don’t want to be right. I just want to hold you. Is that too much to ask?”
    “No, it’s not.” She let herself relax in his embrace, her head resting on the curve of his shoulder. She began to wonder what it might have been like if they’d never drifted apart. Maybe they’d be sharing this same moment as a married couple, the child she was expecting his. Fantasies, yes—but it was what she wanted.
    His lips brushed against the top of her forehead. “This is nice.”
    She leaned away and looked into his eyes, hoping to find the answer she needed. She needed to know if she was just another girl to fill the time before he left again, or if there were feelings within him that burned for her.
    “I can’t do this.”
    “What?”
    “I can’t…” She took a deep breath and pushed away the tears. “Ace, I never stopped loving you. All these years I waited for you, hoping one day you’d see reason and come back. When I woke up from the coma, you were the one person I wanted at my bedside, but then I realized it was never going to happen. Instead of giving my heart away to