Chapter 19

SYBIL wouldn’t forget the taste of his lips, their softness, and the feeling she had now that she had tasted them. She wouldn’t forget Ace. It was a memory she would carry in her heart forever…
A moan escaped her lips when his hands started roaming, gently caressing her up and down. Feeling his warmth travel through her body ignited an invisible fire in her system. She knew it wasn’t just his desire; there was something with the way he touched her that made her feel their connection. It was always there… or could it be that it had been there since the beginning?
Ace moved away from her. She wanted to make a protest because he didn’t want their kiss to end.
“I—”
“Hush…” He put his finger above her lips, silencing her, then cupped her cheek. “Tell me you’re sober, Sybil. Tell me you won’t forget about this—”
“I’m sober.” She met his gaze and smiled. “And I will never forget this moment, Ace….”
He claimed her lips again, and this time it was fiery. Sybil’s hands then went up to his hair and grabbed its strands when he deepened the kiss. She knew he wanted more, and so did she.
Ace trailed kisses to her jaw up to her earlobe and whispered, “If you tell me to stop, I—”
“Don’t stop…” she drawled. Her hand slid down to the hem of his shirt and pulled it up.
She heard him cackle lightly and distanced himself a little so she could get rid of his shirt. Sybil bit her lower lip when his broad shoulders, sturdy chest, and chiseled abs greeted her. It wasn’t the first time she had seen him without a shirt; many times already, whenever he would chop the wood in the backyard. And oh, he was completely naked when he first saw him. However, it was the first time she could touch and admire him that close. With shaky hands, she reached him and gently palmed his chest down to his washboard stomach. He felt so warm… and as her palm stayed longer, she felt it slowly burning.
“How could this be…?” she muttered under her breath.
“What?” Ace held her chin and tilted her head upward. His eyes were sparkling with anticipation and fondness.
“You look like the finest architecture. I must paint you again. Nude.”
It made him laugh. And with one swift move, Ace brought her above his lap.
“You can do whatever pleases you. I’m a willing victim.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, which made her close her eyes.
“Kiss me again,” she begged.
Ace cupped the back of her head and kissed her. She then opened her mouth and welcomed him. It was another kind of kiss once again. His tongue entered her mouth and battled hers, pushing her sanity to the edge. Right then, she had decided that there was no turning back.
“Ace… make love to me,” she drawled when his lips traveled down to her neck. She felt his hands tighten to her sides.
“Hmm…”
Sybil gasped when he nibbled and bit the sensitive flesh of her neck. It sent frisson running up and down her spine. Soon, he started undressing her.
She thought she would feel conscious after getting naked in front of him. But Ace didn’t give her a chance to feel bad about herself. He looked at her with admiration and desire in his eyes. He kissed and caressed every inch of her with care as though he feared breaking her.
“A-Ace…” She felt her body shaking as his lips traveled up her inner thigh.
There was this sensation that started to build down there, making her toes curl. It was new to her; it excited her, and she felt nervous. It was a roller coaster ride of emotion. And it was clear to her that it wasn’t just physical. Her heart, her soul, everything was involved. It was crazy…
She closed her eyes. Whatever would happen next, she was ready for it.
“Sybil…”
Her eyes opened when she felt him on top of her.
“Y-yes?”
“Are you… ready?”
She answered him by parting her legs, welcoming him. He then kissed her gently on the lips as he slowly entered her.
“O-oh, God…” Her hand clenched and unclenched against the sheet as he thrust even deeper.
She felt pain at first, but Ace knew exactly what to do. He was so considerate of what she would feel; he would let her relax before thrusting in again. Soon, the pain was replaced with pleasure.
“Sybil…” Ace groaned and buried his face between her neck and shoulder.
His pace had changed; it went faster, taking them both higher. She embraced him and clutched her legs around his waist.

SHE woke up feeling butterfly kisses above her chest, and there was Ace, the one and only culprit. He then raised his head and met her gaze after noticing she was awake.
“Are you hungry? I haven’t cooked breakfast.”
“How could you when you won’t leave the bed.”
“I think I was compelled not to leave your side from now on,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.
Laughing, she washed her palm on his face.
“You have to go to work, Ace.”
His grin was replaced with a frown.
“Perhaps I should just call the farm and tell them I’m sick. What do you think?”
“And then what?” She arched a brow.
“Well, we could spend all day together then, and—”
“Ace…”
“Hmm?” He pulled her closer to him and sniffed her hair.
“I have paintings to finish, and you need to go to work.”
He groaned in protest, making her laugh. Sybil patted his arm and kissed the tip of his nose.
“Let’s just spend the whole weekend together. What do you think?”
“I don’t have a choice anyway.” He slipped out of bed and donned his shorts. “I’m making breakfast. What do you want?”
“Hmm…” She tried to think of what she had craved for the past few days. “French toast and bacon.”
He nodded and went out of the bedroom afterward.
Sybil let out a sigh after she was left alone. She first thought that Ace wouldn’t be there when she woke up. Next was that there would be this awkward atmosphere between them. And lastly, they would avoid each other. But all of her thoughts left her that morning because he stayed.
Could that mean Ace’s feelings were sincere?
She flinched when her phone suddenly vibrated above the bedside table. Sonja sent a text message informing her that she would stay with her mother longer than planned. Well, that sounded like a piece of good news for her.