Page 17

17

Raya

Ace pulls up in a sleek black rental, something low and fast that reminds me of a panther. The engine purrs, waiting to be unleashed. I slide into the buttery leather passenger seat and smile, running my fingers over the woodgrain paneling on the door. I like this. And I like that Ace likes nice things.

It’s one of the first things I noticed about him. Unlike his raggedy ass family, he’s not flashy about it. He just likes quality. Precision. Well-crafted things. Things that last.

I want to be one of those things.

He places my luggage in the trunk, then gets in. His eyes linger on me as I buckle up. He’s waiting for me to say something, but I’m dreading it. The Ordered Steps marquee said it all, but it’s not enough.

I could have asked him to pick me up from home. I could have even met him at the car rental place. But this is probably for the best. It’s a test, maybe. A way to see how he reacts, if he’ll pry. If he’ll judge me.

He doesn’t.

“You ready?” he asks, his voice even.

I nod.

He pulls out onto the main road, smooth and effortless. I feel the power beneath us, the easy strength of the engine humming through my seat, vibrating between my legs. But I can’t enjoy it. The knot in my stomach is too persistent. I fucking hate this part, giving up a piece of me and presenting it to someone else. But I have to. If I want him to trust me, to get closer to me—if I want that ring—I have to give him something.

He waits until we hit the highway before he asks me.

“Why’d you lie?”

His voice is calm, but I tense at the sound of it. The words don’t sting as much as they should, though. He just wants me to give him something real, and that’s a good thing.

I exhale. “I was embarrassed.”

I turn to face him, letting my expression soften just enough to show him what I need him to see. Vulnerability. Regret. Sincerity.

Never mind that I sincerely regret nothing.

“I thought I had everything figured out after graduation, but I couldn’t find a job. Everybody else had motion, but I was stuck.” That’s all true, except for the graduation part. “I didn’t wanna seem like a failure, especially to a man like you.”

The words taste natural on my tongue.

He doesn’t speak right away. His fingers flex on the steering wheel while he processes it. He wants to believe me. He’s looking for honesty, and I just handed him a version of it.

After a moment, he nods. “I get that.”

I study his profile, the way his brows pull together slightly as he ponders my words. Why did I have to fall in love with such a brilliant, analytical man? That’s the worst type of man to lie to.

I need to distract him before he digs any deeper.

“How long is the drive? I can’t remember.”

But it’s not enough, I see that immediately.

“Is there anything else?” he asks. “Something else you haven’t told me?

My stomach twists, but I don’t hesitate.

“My parents are separated. My mom lives in Ohio.”

Another half-truth. The bitch is in Ohio, but with her new husband and family. Living a life that doesn’t have space for me. I leave out all the phone calls I’ve made that she didn’t pick up, and the empty excuses and apologies returned to me through text.

He nods. I take a breath, ready to shift the conversation.

“Can I tell you something?” I say, keeping my voice light. “It’s not a big thing, but it might bother you.”

His body stiffens. I have his full attention, and anticipation.

I fold my hands in my lap. “At the cookout…when you made your announcement? It bothered me.”

It’s subtle, but I see it—the quick flash of pain in his eyes before he hides it.

“I looked it up,” I continue, watching him closely. “It’s a huge deal, Ace. And the way your parents reacted? Like you just told them you washed the dishes?” I shake my head. “I hated it. I wish they were more excited for you.”

His shoulders stiffen, but he doesn’t speak. I press on.

“You’re out here building something that’s gonna last. Something people will remember. You should be celebrated for that.” My voice drops into something softer, more intimate. “You’re impressive, Ace. I admire you. I’m proud of you.”

The words sink into him, and I feel his reaction before I see it. His shoulders drop, just slightly. His grip on the steering wheel loosens.

I’ve hit the right nerve.

That pod of orcas doesn’t give him this. They withhold and judge, making him prove himself over and over, and it’s never enough.

But I can be different. I can be what he needs.

He exhales. “You ever think about what you wanna leave behind?”

I’m throwed.

What the fuck is this philosophical shit? This negro really wants to know me. Deeply.

“A legacy,” I say, because that sounds right.

His eyebrows raise as if to encourage me to elaborate. “What kinda legacy?”

Your last name. Obvi.

“Okay, lemme put it a different way,” he says. “What’s your dream?”

Nigga, my dream is to be Mrs. Ace Taylor. That’s it and that’s all. But I can’t say that yet, so I lie again.

“I wanna teach,” I offer with a wistful smile. “High school kids. I wanna help them figure things out before they go out into the world and create their legacy.”

Ooh. That was good.

It didn’t land, though, judging by the tightness on his face.

“With all your Spelman connections, you really couldn’t find a job?”

Fuuuuuuuck.

All these questions.

My pulse quickens as I try to figure a way out of this.

I know this road trip was my idea, but it’s almost like he planned it himself. I’m trapped with no escape, completely at the mercy of him and his profound ass questions.

“I didn’t wanna use them,” I say. “I wanted to do it on my own. I can be stubborn sometimes.”

His lips pull to the side. He’s skeptical. “I know some people. It’s nothing for me to put in a call.”

“No.” It comes out too fast.

His frown deepens. “Why not?”

“I just…I don’t want a handout.” I pat his thigh. “I appreciate it, though.”

He looks back and forth between me and the highway, trying to read between the lines. Then he nods again, and I settle into my buttery leather seat and close my eyes, waiting for my nervous system to regulate.

Silence stretches between us, but it’s comfortable. The wind rushes through the open windows, warm and persistent against my bare skin. R&B, something slow and sultry, clicks on and vibrates through the speakers. This is nice.

I open my eyes. “Pull over.”

His brows lift. “Why? You okay?”

I just look at him.

Hesitation, then curiosity flickers in his expression. Without a word, he eases the car onto the side of the road about half a mile from the next exit.

The second he shifts into park, I unbuckle my seatbelt and turn toward him.

I reach for his hand, running my fingers over his palm, tracing the lines there. His skin is warm and slightly rough, the hands of a man who builds things.

“I wanna get closer to you,” I say softly. My fingers trail up his forearm, slow, teasing. “I like you, Ace.”

His breath hitches slightly.

“I had to pull over for you to tell me that?” he teases.

I nod.

His eyes darken as his hand moves to my thigh, fingertips brushing the thin fabric of my sundress. The heat of his touch spreads through me, setting my skin ablaze.

“I like you, too,” he says, his eyes dark and searching.

I lean over the console, closing the space between us. I let my lips hover over his, smiling against his mouth as I murmur, “Show me.”

Despite our location, and the numerous cars and trucks whizzing by, Ace doesn’t hesitate.

One second, we’re breathing the same air, his lips barely grazing mine, and the next, his hands are on me, firm and demanding. He drags me into his lap, my thighs straddling his. His grip is possessive. His eyes are wild. My dress rides up my legs, exposing me to him.

His mouth claims mine, hot and consuming, like he’s been starving for me. There’s something beneath the urgency. Need, maybe. Relief.

This is why you have to let them miss you sometimes.

I run my fingers down the back of his head. I know it does something to him. He grimaces, then fondles my thighs while I grind against him, savoring the way his dick responds to me.

Outside hums loudly, the cars, the wind. Anyone can see inside here if they look hard enough. We could get a ticket for this.

The danger electrifies me.

I slide my tongue between his lips, swallowing his groan. His hands move to my ass, finding me pantyless, squeezing and kneading. I break away, trailing kisses down his jaw. I settle at his neck, licking and sucking the skin there.

“Raya…” My name is a plea in his mouth.

I lean back to look at him. His chest rises and falls unevenly, his eyes half-lidded.

“We shouldn’t be doing this here,” he says, but his hands don’t release their grip.

I smile, slow and wicked. “Then make me stop.”

He doesn’t.

Instead, he tilts his head, eyes narrowing slightly like he’s figured something out. “You like this, don’t you?”

My eyes flicker over his perfect face, but I don’t answer. I don’t need to. But since we’re discovering shit about each other, I put a hand on his cheek and say, “You like that I admire you.”

He licks me off his lips. “Yeah.” His hands slide higher, bunching my dress around my waist. “I do.”

I lean back in, brushing his lips with mine. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re unmatched.” I trail my fingers up his neck, then graze the top of his head, riding the waves. “You’re brilliant.” I press a kiss to his temple. “Powerful.” Another to his jaw. “You’re a fucking visionary.”

His head tilts back as he surrenders to my praise.

I love you.

That’s all I hear in my head, but what I say is, “I want you. Right here.”

He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth. I stare at it, warm all over, wet below, heart racing.

This man. My God.

I reach between us as he lifts my hips, positioning me right where he wants me. I pull him out, sinking down immediately, and we release twin sighs of relief. His lips trail down my neck, my collarbone, the tops of my breasts. I brace myself on his shoulders and start the ride, shuddering from the pleasure.

This is sublime .

Caution is key here. Ace has the kind of dick that makes you lose your wherewithal. I could very well slip into delirium and admit to something that’ll work against me. I have to keep my wits about me.

But it’s so good .

I’m losing control. We both are. I ride him faster, trying to snatch some power back, but it’s not working. My body is leading me. I can’t stop. I can’t adjust.

“Oh my God…” I moan. “Ace…”

“Yeah.” He’s right there with me, pistoning his hips, keeping my pace. “What the fuck. So fuckin’ wet…Jesus…”

The windows are beginning to fog. I stare helplessly out the back, barely registering the sunset, the way it’s taking a final bow, leaving the sky bruised with blue and purple. I can’t even enjoy it. I’m out of my mind.

I don’t wanna cum, but my body isn’t giving me a choice. I squeeze my walls in protest, but that just makes Ace groan louder, which makes my pussy wetter, which makes it feel even more deliciously pleasurable, which means I’m done .

I shatter with a loud moan, trembling in his arms. He’s right behind me, and I can’t lie—I love this. There’s something meaningful about cumming at the same time, something poetic, something deep. It’s exquisite.

And I think I’ve learned another lesson today.

Maybe losing control doesn’t have to feel like death.