Page 21 of Say You Will
“I promise we’ll dance the night away next time Uncle Ronnie and I babysit. Deal?” At almost four, she had me wrapped around her thumb.
“Shake on it, Unca D,” she demanded. Done deal. I wished my sister and her family could have made the trip. My nephews adored Bunny and JJ.
The parents left next, my mom still excited, Dad dragging his tired feet. I shared my mother’s love of dancing; Dad did too, he just couldn’t keep up with the two of us anymore. I received hugs and kisses from them and Ace’s parents.
Momma Lark placed her left hand on my cheek and guided me down to her height. “Thanks for the mani/pedi and the dress. I feel like a million bucks.”
“You deserve it, Momma. Thanks for raising an amazing kid.” She laughed as I squeezed her tight.
I looked around to see who was left. Sean and Brett were slow dancing even though the music was upbeat. A couple of their friends remained, but most seemed to have taken off at some point. As the evening wore on, patrons came and left, many who knew us giving words of congratulations upon hearing the news. We were as much a fixture there as Jake and Terry; everybody knew our names.
Just after seven, Terry turned on the televisions, placing our beloved Red Sox on the jumbo screen. I signaled Jake for two, gathered my man and the pints of beer, and ensconced us in a booth where we could snuggle and watch the game.
At the first half-inning break, Ace bumped my shoulder with his, and I lifted my arm for him to get closer.
He kissed my jaw. “Love you, D.” I caught him studying his ring, he’d chosen ahava and slipped the one with the Star of David on me.
“Like it?”
“Love it. It’s perfect. Can I ask where you found them?”
“At Trop. I ran into Theo working at one of the jewelry stores. He was very helpful.”
“Theo?”
“You know, from temple and Haven. We just saw him a few weeks ago on our date.” Of course, Ace knew, but I did so love to tease him.
“The Nordic angel who slings beers and mixes a mean cocktail works at a jewelry store, too?”
“Yes,” I grumbled. Ace should not be commenting on the man’s gorgeousness on the day of our engagement.
“He’s got nothing on you, babe.” Ace patted my thigh, then left his hand there, caressing me through my slacks. If he kept it up, we’d be leaving sooner rather than later. As his hand slid further up my leg, sooner was looking closer and closer, and I forgot about any other man but mine. Would anyone blame us for leaving early? Doubtful.
We returned our attention to the game, dealt graciously with the interruptions from those offering well wishes to those saying good night. We’d finished the pints by the end of the third, and I was turned on enough from Ace’s not-so-subtle movements that the bedroom seemed imminent.
When he leaned forward to place his glass on the table, I attacked his neck, not-so-gently biting like a vampire staking his claim. His quiet moan echoed my desire. It was time to go.
I scooted out of the booth and offered my hand to assist him. When he stood, I stepped in close, palming the back of his head, and whispered into his ear, “Game time.”
The shiver my words elicited made me smirk. Before I’d met Ace, I’d never thought I would find delight in dominating another. Not that we were hardcore, far from it. I believed we both found reprieve from our daily lives in our play. Ace had to be on top of everything as a store manager, his control taxing both mind and body. When he came home, he needed to let someone else make the decisions for a little while. I, on the other hand, was at the mercy of my supervisor, the pharmacist-in-charge, and the customer. In the bedroom, I could take the control I needed to balance my psyche.
My proposing was part of that. Where Ace would worry and fret about marriage, I could make the black-and-white choice. This was the step forward we both wanted, the need to show our commitment not only to each other but to our family and friends. I was in it for the long haul, and I knew Ace wanted to join me for the ride.
I slipped my hand into his and led him to the bar. Together, we thanked Jake and Terry for allowing me to host the party at T.J.’s before I took him home.
Ace preceded me into the house.
“Stop,” I said, closing the front door and flipping the deadbolt. He froze in the process of unbuttoning his dress shirt. “That’s my job to do.”
He let his arms drop to his sides and waited, his tongue wetting his lips, his fingers twitching. I could taste his anticipation; it mirrored my own. “I want you to go upstairs and stand at the foot of the bed facing away from the door. Put your hands in your pockets and wait for me.”
“Shoes?” he asked.
“You may take them off, along with your socks.” When he stood there without moving, I gave him the last instruction. “Go.” He went. Up the stairs and to the end of the hallway. Wanting him primed and eager, I followed slowly, turning into the guest bathroom to take care of business. Before I entered our bedroom, I stopped in the doorway and admired him. His shoulders were just as broad as the day we met, his silver-laced hair slightly longer, giving me more to grab. His clothes fit the same, and his hands in his pockets pulled the fabric tight across his ass. The minute movements of his arms told me he was moving his hands and fingers, probably adjusting his bulge.
Ace’s shoulders rounded, then pulled back. He tilted his head from side to side. The nervous twitches were adorable. He had no need to be, but I didn’t bother to correct him. His being on edge added extra spice to our play. I liked him not knowing what was coming, liked seeing the surprise and elation in his eyes. Loved the way he showed how much he cared for me in his kiss.
Having had my fill of Ace’s back side, I toed off my shoes and removed my socks. With quiet footfalls, I advanced, rolling heel to toe, in a sneak attack. I waited in silence expectation for him to realize I was there, breathing warm air on his neck. The moment he stiffened, I reached around him, closing the distance between us. One arm around his waist, the other his shoulder. One hand splayed on his hip, the other spanning his throat.