晚上睡不着看点害羞的连接

Chapter 107 - PLANS

Fall in love with someone

who\'s comfortable with your silence.

Find someone who don\'t need

your words to know it\'s

time to hug you.

***

I knocked on the door, waited for a few seconds and when there\'s no response I pushed it open. The empty room welcomed my vision as I stepped inside.

There\'s no sign Ace had been there.

I shrugged my shoulders and retreated back to the door. Perhaps, I shall search for him in the pool or in the garage.

I was about to close the door behind me when I noticed the door to the balcony was ajar. I think I found Ace already, I told myself and quietly made a beeline straight to the balcony door.

Ace was standing near the rails, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He was deep in his thoughts.

There\'s something wrong. I could feel it. The unusual expression on his face and the dark aura emanating around him says it all.

He didn\'t even hear when I entered the balcony nor did he turn towards me after I carefully closed the door. He was too lost in his thoughts as if he was in a totally different dimension.

I studied his face and saw he looked so lonely. The last time I saw him this down was when he opened up about his mother. It makes me wonder now what was bothering him.

I don\'t have a clue what to do at the moment but I found myself stepping closer to him. If only I could make him feel better.

If only I could wipe the loneliness etched on his handsome face and provide the comfort he needed now.

Before I?realized what I\'m doing, I had wrapped my arms tightly around him. His body was so deliciously warm that I couldn\'t stop my eyes from closing and savoring the moment.

He was surprised. No, surprise would be an understatement. Shock would be the right word to describe his reaction. He was caught off guard but I\'m glad he didn\'t pull away instead I felt him relaxed.

It was the only thing I could think of doing to erase all his worries even for just a minute. I was hoping that it actually worked.

"Phoenix…"

His voice was soft and gentle. Hearing him say my name was like hearing an angel call my name. It made my heart overflow with love and tenderness.

"Ace, I know I couldn\'t take all your worries but please let me share it with you."

He said nothing. Instead, he turned towards me and pulled me into his chest before wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Thank you, Phoenix. Having the warmth of your body pressed to mine is enough to melt all my worries." He whispered close to my ears and buried his nose into my hair.

"Is there a problem Ace, please don\'t hesitate to tell me. If it\'s all about the Ravenwood ball it\'s okay if you don\'t want to attend it. As for me, I gave my promise to Madam Stella and I shall attend it tonight."

His arms loosened around me. I was quite disappointed that he let me go. I still want to savor the fleeting moment wrapped in his arms.

I looked up and when I did I was lost in the beautiful depths of his ocean blue eyes. He was no longer worried, instead it was tenderness glowing on his eyes.

"I won\'t allow you to the Ravenwood Ball tonight. Especially if you\'re going to wear that Scarlet beaded gown. There\'s no way on earth I will allow any man to stay by your side. I shall guard you tonight like a fortress."

Was he serious? He sounds like a jealous husband.

"It\'s okay if you don\'t come, Ace. You don\'t need to force yourself to go to the ball just to guard me. I could take good care of myself. Besides, I will feel bad if you come against your will." I insisted.

I have a strong feeling that his strange behavior was due to Ravenwood Ball. He was doing just fine when we arrived hours ago but when Madam Stella mentioned the ball his attitude suddenly changed. I\'m getting curious why. I\'m sure he has his own valid reason.

"I will escort you to the ball, Phoenix." He said firmly.

I opened my mouth to argue but his mouth covered my own before I could say a word. A soft gasp escaped my lips and he took the opportunity to thrust his tongue inside my parted lips.

His arms hooked around my narrow waist, urging me closer. I didn\'t struggle. Instead I snuggled close to his body and wrapped my arms around his neck as I responded to the kiss with equal ardor.

His lips were so addictive that I couldn\'t think of anything but to kiss him deeply. He was so hot that he melted my knees with just a kiss—a french kiss.

I couldn\'t get enough of him. The deeper he kissed me the bigger my thirst grew.

When the kiss was over, I nearly groaned in exasperation.

Ace looked at me intently. His eyes were bright and wide as it wandered to my face as if he was memorizing the lines visible on my face.

"Do you know the reason why I will not allow you to go alone—aside of course from guarding you from men\'s prying eyes?"

His fingers slither to my cheeks creating a ticklish sensation to my skin. I bit my lower lip before I responded. "Why?"

"Of course, to spend the night with you." His fingers captured my chin and tilted it upwards until his lips barely touched mine. His breath fanned my face making me lose my concentration. "Since we couldn\'t have a formal date then let\'s take this opportunity to spend the night together. I\'ll treat you as my Queen. I shall not look at any other woman except you, Phoenix."

He sucked?the bottom of my lips. Then he finally let me go. My cheeks turned into a deep shade of crimson. I swallowed my tongue. I just stared at him unblinkingly.

"Go back to your room, Phoenix. Don\'t stress yourself too much. You need to take a beauty rest."

"But…. But…. I couldn\'t leave you Ace. You haven\'t told me why you looked so down."

"I\'m totally fine. There\'s no reason to tell you now." He assured me, kissing the tip of my nose.

"I\'m not convinced Ace. You\'re telling me you\'re fine just because you want me to leave you alone."

"I\'m telling the truth, Phoenix. A single kiss is all it takes to make me feel better.?Just go to your room and rest. You\'re not getting enough sleep these past few days and now is your chance."

"But—"

"Once I counted three and you\'re still here, I shall make love to you on this balcony at this very hour."

"Ace! What nonsense—"

"One."

"You\'re kidding right?" I gasped, horrified.

"Two."

"Damn you, Ace. You think you win now! Fine then, but I\'ll make sure you will pay for this tonight."

I marched to my room and slammed the door behind me with more force than required.

He was not going to tell me about what bothered him and I have no other option but to discover it myself. But I wonder if I could do anything to find it out. If only I could read his mind then I\'m spared from facing this ordeal.

I lay sprawled on the bed with eyes nailed to the ceiling. I was expecting for the door to burst open and Ace would enter the room and apologize but he did not. Half an hour passed by but he didn\'t appear. I realize he\'s not going to say sorry for not telling me what I need to know.

Could it be that he didn\'t trust me that much? Or is it because he cares too much and thinks it\'s better to keep everything to himself since he\'s a man.

I\'m so confused and I don\'t know which to believe now.

I pulled the pillow to my chest and hugged it tight. I still wonder what I am to Ace. I\'m not even sure if he really loves me or I\'m just a fleeting fancy. True he said he loves me but if he did feel that way then why couldn\'t he trust me with his secrets?

Why do I?feel that he\'s keeping something which he isn\'t ready to tell me yet. I would bet that whatever his secret is—it involves his mother. Could it be that Ace was afraid that he will encounter his mother at the Ravenwood Ball? Is that the reason why he was reluctant to attend it?

I shrugged my shoulders and moved down the bed. I hastily pulled the closet open and grabbed the black lace nighties from the hanger.

A smile stretched on my lips while I eyed the see-through fabric with interest.

This sexy night gown is perfect for my plans tonight. I couldn\'t wait to see the look on Ace\'s face after he sees me with it.