Page 15 of Ace of Hearts

“You never take your eyes off her, Levi.”

“And?”

“And that worries me. You’re not superhuman, you know. I might find her unbearable ... but unlike you, I have a pair of eyes that work. She’s very attractive. And you don’t need to be able to see colors to see that.”

I don’t resent him for saying this. Thomas is here to make sure I don’t mess up.

“If you’re going to cave in to the first sexy woman who ...”

“It’s nothing like that,” I assure him, smiling warmly. “She’s very beautiful, it’s true, but she’s not the first pretty woman I’ve ever met. I’m stronger than that.”

He looks at me, unconvinced, and asks what’s going on, in that case. To be honest, I’m not sure myself. I like Rose in a way I find hard to explain. She probably knows that, given that she flirts with me at every opportunity, despite my attempts to discourage her.

I told her she wasn’t my type, but she took the rejection with dignity, which only made me feel guilty.

“I don’t know yet ... but it won’t take me long to find out.”

I’m exhausted by the time I get back to the comfort of the suite at the end of the day. I did Rose a favor and said she didn’t have to come today, as I wouldn’t be needing her. I still haven’t gotten a chance to play Tito yet, which is starting to get frustrating.

I’m piling up the victories, but it’s never enough.

For now, though, I’ve earned a hot shower. I walk into the living room and then down the corridor to my room, unbuttoning my shirt. I’m walking past the bathroom when I hear noises coming from my bedroom.

Not just any noises.

Moans.

I stand stock-still, completely taken aback. They’re female moans. I’m completely thrown, for once in my life. Should I turn around and go back? But it’s my room!

“Rose?” I call out.

No reply. Filled with curiosity, I push the door open very slowly, wondering who on earth I’ll find.

Oh .

I frown in surprise, taking in the sight before me: Rose, sitting cross-legged on my bed, leaning back against the headboard, wearing a silk nightgown, a magazine in one hand and a glass of wine in the other ... Moaning loudly.

Staring at her in astonishment, I cross my arms and lean against the doorframe, observing her in silence for a good minute.

“Any chance you could tell me what you’re doing?” I say at last.

She looks up, finally realizing I’m there, and stops for a few seconds to reply calmly, “Oh, there you are. How was the tournament this afternoon?”

She starts moaning again as she waits for me to reply, adding a few “Oh, si ... Oh, Levi, si ... per favore ... ” —Oh yes, Levi!

Please! I want to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, but hearing my name in her mouth suddenly has an entirely indecent effect on my body.

I swallow, trying to hide my embarrassment.

When I don’t answer, Rose looks up from her magazine, wondering why I haven’t answered. Finally realizing I asked her a question, she says, “Oh, nothing special. Just reading a magazine and taking a rest.”

“On my bed?”

“I saw Tito go into his room just as I was coming back. So I thought someone should take over in your absence,” she says, shrugging.

I finally understand what’s going on. I laugh, still feeling shocked. It’s a very good idea, actually. If this doesn’t drive Tito completely mad, nothing will.

Rose continues to moan, the sounds now happening faster and faster. When I give her a questioning look, she whispers conspiratorially, “We’ve been in phase one for fifteen minutes now. I think we can speed things up a bit.”

I shake my head incredulously as she bangs the wall behind her with her elbow and starts to cry out. I smile despite the wave of warmth running through my body.

“Am I that good?”

That gets her attention. For some stupid reason, I wonder if she’s blushing again. Not knowing fills me with more disappointment than it should.

“Actually, I feel a bit let down,” she says, answering me.

“What about?”

“The life of a bride-to-be,” she says, making a face. “I was expecting more.”

“Such as . . . ?”

“I don’t know ... Breakfast in bed at the very least. Poems about my beautiful hair. Anything, really!”

I raise an eyebrow in amusement. I can’t tell if she’s serious or if this is still a joke.

“I see. You must be very disappointed.”

Suddenly, Thomas appears, looking in to see what’s going on. When he catches sight of Rose in my bed, he turns to me, puzzled.

“Do I even want to know?”

I shake my head, but Rose jumps right in. “My fiancé is neglecting me. I suggested couples therapy. Even our sex life is going wrong ...”

“We’re not married, Rose.”

She rolls her eyes. Thomas sighs and goes away, muttering to himself, “I knew I shouldn’t have come in here.”

I know what he means, only too well.

“I could do with some help here,” Rose says, scooting over to make room for me. “I don’t like silent lovers.”

“Not a chance.”

I wish her luck and leave to go take a shower. I can’t help thinking back to Tommy’s words earlier. I was telling him the truth, but he’s right to worry. Because that night at Li Mei’s party, I lied to Rose.

“You’re not my type.”

That’s not true. Far from it.

And that’s exactly what makes her so dangerous.