Ace's Key: Book 1 Read Free Page B

might like it.
    Ace had a powerful presence and exerted control. He wasn’t a
boy or a play-toy. I sensed he was a man used to getting what he wanted and had
many ladies willing to give him that. His force field was all-encompassing, and
I shuddered at the thought of being caught in it, afraid I’d never be able to
resist him.

 
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    The following week brought much in the way of work assignments.
With a new product launch, there was always a checklist a mile long on my desk.
Just as I had expected, Jim had played it up big time to Rugger about his
design efforts for our new booth. When it came time for Friday’s round-table
meeting, I faked a doctor’s appointment, so Jim would have to run the show. He
was not going to be able to pull off his lies forever…truth always came calling.
    “You need to reschedule that doctor’s appointment,” Jim ordered
through the intercom.
    “I can’t. You’ve known all week I have to go. You’ll be fine.”
    “But…I, um, I… You have files on your laptop I need.”
    Yeah, he was damn right I had the files. All of them. My work.
My files. His lies.
    “I’ll leave my laptop open for you on my desk. I’ve gotta run,
late already.” I hung up so quickly I was certain I missed him throwing a
hissy-fit.
    My doctor’s appointment didn’t take very long and I was back on
the road headed home. I’d been stuck in traffic about twenty minutes when
Claire called.
    “You on your way home?” Her usually cheerful voice was grim.
    “Yes, why?”
    “I’m coming over. Ashley’s already off work and waiting on us.”
    “What’s the occasion?”
    “Just need some girl time.” Her usually upbeat demeanor was way
too subdued. Like down-in-the-shithole restrained.
    I’d known Claire since we were roommates at Rice University. I
knew her so well I could always tell her mood just by the way she answered the
phone. Something was wrong. Maybe she just needed to hook-up with Nick and have
some of that sex-tration.
    At my apartment building, the elevator ride seemed to take
forever. When I walked into my kitchen, the first thing I noticed was the wine
on the counter. I picked up the bottle and found it almost empty.
    Dang, somebody had started drinking without me.
    I walked around my apartment and didn’t see anyone. I looked
out to the balcony and saw the cigarette smoke. When Claire smoked, it was like
a hurricane was on the way or some other disastrous event. It wasn’t a good
sign.
    I stepped out on the patio and took the empty seat beside
Ashley.
    “You two started early and without me.” The intent of my joke
went up in the cigarette smoke.
    “Nick’s getting married. Said he met the love of his life.”
    “Okay. And?”
    “Now she’s frustrated and doesn’t have anyone to screw,” Ashley
chimed in.
    I started laughing. I knew it wasn’t funny, nor was it the
appropriate time, but c’mon, what did she expect? They were fuck-buddies .
Nothing else.
    “You’re beautiful, smart, and your family’s well-connected.
There’s no reason to be single. It’s what you’ve chosen over the years.”
    “Yes, but—”
    “No buts, Claire. Do you want to date? Get married? Have
babies?”
    “Yes, yes, and maybe?” She pouted.
    “I’m not sure which one was the maybe, but my point is you need
to get serious about having a real relationship. You aren’t getting any younger,
and you’ve been looking at it from all the wrong angles far too long. Let’s go
out.”
    “I know just the place.” She raised her brow.
    No, hell, no. There was no way I was going to Bluestone. No
way. “No, not there.”
    “Why not? You chicken?”
    No, she did not just challenge me . Damn. She knew I
didn’t walk away from a challenge. She was standing on the balcony, propped against
the rail, taking a long drag from her cigarette.
    “Fine. But you’ll wear what I pick out, and I’m going to fix
that messy hair of yours.”
    We spent the next couple of hours eating