DamienAce Hotels were scattered throughout North America, and we were known for the prodigious customer service, the firm privacy when a known celebrity came to stay, and the prestigious appeal and feel of the hotels.When I built the first Ace Hotel in New Jersey, I didn't think it would get popular and acknowledged in such a short period of time. One hotel became four, and then four became hundreds, creating my franchise: Ace Hotels.I played football throughout high school and college, and my nickname was Ace because no one fucking played like me. I was a savage, brutal, and could knock down any man with just the brush of my shoulder.It wasn't until my father passed away that I gave up football and pursued business. Here I was, some odd number of years later, sitting in one of many building offices I owned, speaking about opening up another Ace Hotel.I looked down at the watch strapped to my wrist and tapped my foot impatiently on the floor. The meeting I was in to discuss the p
With one last glance at me, Mr. Damien Wilson shoved the flashcards into his pocket and sauntered to his office.My eyes stayed on his backside until he closed the office door, and then I melted into a puddle as I slumped back into my swivel chair.I rested my hand over my racing heart while the other rested on my enflamed cheeks.Attagirl.One word. It took one word to make me swoon. Goddamn it. It wasn't Damien's first time saying it to me. He always praised me, and my cheeks gave me away each time.He'd smile and then walk away as if entertained by my response. I'd melt into a freaking puddle when he walked away obliviously to what that word made me feel.It made me feel seen, heard, and acknowledged. It made me feel appreciated as if I was doing something that needed to be appreciated.He would say it when I did the bare minimum of my job or when I did something grand. His tone was never condescending or belittling; it was always genuine and honest.Damien is an honest man. I coul
NINAConsultation with Theo Ferreira confirmed for two pm.I closed the email, letting out a heavy sigh while I tapped my foot impatiently. With my hand on my hip and my eyes fixated on Cheryl's kids, I dialled her number."Steel," I whisper-yelled, scolding the boy who had just snatched a toy truck from his baby brothers arms. I glared at him, and his smug expression morphed into one of distaste as the toddler glared back.Fucking kids.Full heartedly, they left me wanting to rip the hair out of my head majority of the time. Thankfully, receiving a fresh tattoo was a shameless stress-reliever that I had no problem indulging in. And I was about to indulge- if Cheryl returned back to her kids and allowed me to make it to my appointment on time.I took a deep breath in, hearing the call ring on and on until it reached voicemail."Bitch," I whispered, trying again. Cheryl was sloppy with her schedule, and often forgot that I was only there to look after her kids for the allocated time sh
"Why are you nervous?" Brian asked, entering the room with a coffee cup and an unlit cigarette in the same hand.I stopped bouncing my knee the second he pointed it out, completely unaware that I was doing it in the first place. I didn't bother answering his question-because really, why was I anxious? I had no reason to be."Don't smoke that in here," I murmured, adding a few touch-ups on the sketch of Nina's tattoo. "I have a client coming in half an hour."I stared at the design, tapping the end of my pen against my lips. It looked fine to me, but I had this unnerving hope that Nina would think it was more than just fine.I took a deep breath in, unable to decide if I should add more shade for extra depth. I changed my mind-it didn't need any. Pausing, I pulled the sketchbook away from me and tried to envision it on her body. On her ribs. How the ink would look on her skin tone.I licked my lower lip, narrowing my eyes at the paper.I spoke to her for all of fifteen minutes, and sud
Nina pursed her lips, turning to the side and I followed her movements. She stared at the mirror, her eyes turning into slits before she shook her head."A bit higher," she said softly, a little unsure.I did as she requested."Is here okay?" I asked again, eyeing her in the mirror and taking note of her expression."On my rib. Not the side of my waist, Theo." Nina said. "Higher.""Okay, lift your t-shirt higher," I said, and Nina did so- showing me that she wasn't wearing a bra underneath while still covering herself.I put it on the spot, and it was as if something sparked within her and she nodded."Yes," she stated. "Right there."I held it there for a moment, figuring out the exact area she wanted it."Is that fine?" Nina asked, turning her head to look at me. She was so close to me-close enough for me to feel how warm she was. "I mean, is it fine on that spot? It's not going to cause complications with the shape or...whatever?""No, you're good," I confirmed. It wasn't going to
NINAMy immediate answer was yes, why not?My delayed answer was no, I don't know you.I didn't know Theo except for his name, and that we had spent the last three hours together with his face three inches away from me. I also knew that there wasn't a moment where he had made me feel uncomfortable, which I counted as a blessing considering the last few tattoo artists I had seen.Was that enough to get in a car with him and allow him to drive me home?Surely not."Nevermind," Theo murmured, snapping his glove off and discarding it in the bin. "I'm sorry-that was very-""Sure," I interrupted him, giving him a grin that hopefully showed him that I was grateful for his offer. "You'll save my ass." A lot.The next bus was going to arrive in another hour-and the stop was a twenty minute walk from my apartment. I would have taken my car but it was in the shop getting a bunch of shit fixed that I didn't pay attention to. And my side was sore, way more than I thought it would be.I could alway
I hoisted my backpack onto my shoulder, watching Theo click a button on the immobiliser that lit up the lights of his car."Thank you," I muttered. "Again.""It's no issue," Theo assured, lifting his shoulders with a small shrug. "I can't let you wait out here for a bus. Get in."Sweet, or a serial killer? I was about to find out.I grinned, opening the door and instantly I was engulfed by the familiar cologne. I sat down on the seat, pushing my backpack between my legs and sitting back. The interior was a lot neater than my car, and smelled unbelievably good.Theo sat down next to me behind the wheel and fired up the engine."Where are we going?" Theo asked, his hand on the steering wheel as he turned his head to glance at me.He didn't seem bothered by the extra stop, on the contrary. I, on the other hand, had to strain to hide how he was unknowingly making me feel. He was close to me, but there was something different about it. We were no longer in the professional environment of h
I drove off from Nina's complex, absolutely fucking kicking myself for not having the balls to ask a simple question. Hey, can I have your number? Please? How hard was that?Apparently the hardest fucking thing in the world.I groaned, holding the steering with both hands as I dropped my head against the rest. I knew the girl for all of five seconds, and she had managed to make me feel more than I did the entire year. How was that even remotely possible?I grit my teeth, realising that I was being dramatic as fuck and it wasn't the end of the world.Despite knowing that, the regret I felt deepened the more I put distance between me and her apartment.Of course her number was in the system, but doing it that way felt unethical and... just wrong. I wanted her to give it me out of her own free will, and now the opportunity had slipped out of my grasp because I couldn't bring myself to utter those words.What was I going to do with it, anyway? Ask her to hang out? And risk sounding like a
NINATheo stared down at me, his chest heaving and his eyes half-lidded. If he looked at me like that, I'd let him do anything to me. Anything.There were so many things that I wanted to say. You don't need to ask. Just put me in the position you want me. Tie me up and have me the way you need to. I wanted Theo to know that I trusted him with all of me, and that meant allowing him to do whatever he pleased."Can you give me a safe word, baby?" Theo breathed, running his hand over my thigh.The action was soft, and slow-but it left a trail of fire in his path. I squeezed my legs together, a failed attempt at providing relief to the annoying throb between my legs. It didn't work. Theo slipped his hand between my thighs, forcing them apart while he made sure I kept my eyes on his face.He was rough, but gentle and he made it clear that it was his turn to have fun.Safe word? I licked my lips, unable to concentrate long enough to think of a damn word. What could it possibly be? I was too
That was until I felt her take my pants off, and I opened my eyes to see her removing my boxers. Holy shit. My mouth fell agape, realising that Nina had different plans."Nina-" I stammered, forgetting that her name was something that I hardly called her."Be quiet," she whispered, wrapping her hand around the base of my dick.I caught my moan and swallowed it, still breathing heavily as I stared down at her. I'm so fucking hard. Every stroke was magnified, but my heart nearly stopped when I felt her mouth close around my tip. Fuck.My body tensed, and I whimpered when her tongue ran over the length of my dick. I looked down at her, incapable of taking my eyes off her."Oh, fuck-" I hissed, trying to understand and comprehend how it felt that good.Don't cum. Not yet. How fucking embarrassing was that?Nina stopped moving. "What did I say?""Be quiet," I repeated breathlessly, succumbing to her every demand. From her smile, I could tell that she was satisfied.I breathed out a sigh of
I couldn't stop thinking about Nina, or her words. Yes, I'll move in with you. The thought had me smiling- too many times for comfort. The idea of it was about to drive me insane and I couldn't fathom waking up every morning with her next to me.How dare she make me this happy?It almost felt...unreal.Breathing out a sigh, I let my head fall onto the pillow while I listened to the sound of Nina showering. I was tempted to join her, and possibly show my appreciation for all the ways she made me feel.I licked my lower lip, staring off in the direction of the bathroom. I should. I closed my eyes, telling myself that she should enjoy her time. With that being said, I stayed glued on the bed and almost fucking kicked myself for it.After all our moments together, I still managed to feel the tiniest bit of nerves when it came to her.How?The water stopped running and a few seconds later, Nina stepped into the room in nothing but a white towel around her body. Her face was flushed, and he
"Hi, baby," Theo's voice was soft, and gentle and all that I wanted after a long day of classes. I stepped aside to let him in, and I couldn't help but admire how good he looked in those glasses."I'm so happy to see you," I said softly, feeling relieved. I was tired but when Alice asked for an emergency babysitter, I couldn't resist. I was happy to."Why?" Theo said, gazing down at me. "Are you hungry?"I chuckled, nodding my head. "You got me.""Ah," he murmured, giving me a look as he set all the items down in the kitchen.I cradled Oliver in my arms, holding the bottle to his mouth. He drank as if he had never been fed before, and I scoffed a small laugh when he gasped for air and started drinking again. He held the bottle, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that he could keep his own bottle in place.I nodded in approval, sitting down as I let him enjoy his meal."You're so beautiful," Theo murmured, catching me off guard and I grinned at the compliment. He stood with his han
NINA"Hey, baby," I whispered, stroking the back of my knuckles over the little's boy cheek. He giggled, waving his tiny hands in the air as he kicked his feet. I held him close to me, smiling down at his adorable face when he latched onto my finger."Hi, mama," Brian greeted, entering the living room with the brightest smile on his face.Alice rolled her eyes, using the tall mirror to put her earrings on. Brian hugged her from behind, still grinning when he kissed her on the shoulder.They were both dressed in formal clothes-on their way to attend a black tie event. I stood with Oliver in my arms, attempting to sway him to sleep but the baby seemed to be as awake as ever."Hi, Nina." Brian let go of her, offering me a small wave when he plopped himself down on the couch. His tie was loose, and the buttons left undone. He stretched his arms over the back of the couch, folding one leg over the other when he took a deep breath in and sighed heavily."Hey, you okay? You seem a little str
"Oh my God," Nina whispered to herself, rushing out of her chair and down the hall. "I'm a mess."I opened my mouth-hoping to catch her attention, but she disappeared into the room and left no room for me to speak. I wanted to tell her that there was no need for her to fix herself up, but noises of cupboards and drawers opening and closing could be heard.I smiled as I approached the door, still reeling from Nina's words. I love you. There wasn't a thing in the world that made me happier. I wanted to hear her say it over and over again.My smile dropped the moment I remembered who was on the other side of the door. It morphed into a distasteful frown.What was she doing here? It was the last thing I expected. And the last thing I wanted. She was my mother, yes. But she had hurt me in ways I couldn't fathom and knowing that she was there was a reminder that I didn't need.I took a deep breath in, letting my hand rest on a handle. She knocked again, nearly shaking the doorframe with the
NINAI groaned out of my sleep, letting my arm drag over the empty space next to me. Empty? That didn't feel right.Waking up alone felt foreign and unfamiliar. I opened my eyes, sighing when I saw that Theo wasn't next to me. I strained my ears, listening to the sound of rummaging in the kitchen and I smiled sleepily when my head dropped back down on the pillow. A few seconds later, I was hit with the comforting aroma of cooking.Theo was making breakfast.I blinked, attempting to push myself off the bed. It didn't work. The last few days had drained me, and I was still feeling the effects of it even though I was no longer on my period.Letting out a breath, I rolled over to my back and stared at the high ceiling. I stayed like that for a little while until I heard light footsteps approach the bedroom. My head turned to the noise, seeing Theo's face pop around the doorframe. Only his face. I chuckled, seeing the disappointed expression at the realisation that I was awake.He sighed,
I leaned against the edge of the counter, waiting for Nina to step out of the shower. She had been in there for a while, and I listened to the spray of water hit the tiles while I busied myself with bouncing my knee. I was nervous-the tiniest bit.But it intensified when the water stopped and the glass door slid open.My body went still. Why am I nervous? It was the thought that she might not like what I had spread out for her that had me feeling anxious. I took a deep breath in, glancing around the kitchen one more time to make sure everything was in place.Nina needed a little cheering up, and I had no problem doing that for her. From her favourite flowers to her favourite dish, I could only hope that she liked it. I really hoped she liked it.Am I doing too much? I questioned myself.When it came to Nina, I wanted her to be happy and satisfied. Most of all, I wanted her to feel loved. Yes, that was it. I needed her to know that my heart belonged to hers. Even if it just meant getti
NINAI stepped out of my last class for the day, feeling as if I was about to collapse at any second as I dragged my backpack over my shoulder.Everything felt extra heavy today. Everything felt longer, too. My lower back ached, and the cold weather only managed to make it worse. I wanted nothing more than to lie down in a bed and forget that I was on my period.Fucking period. At least it confirmed that my birth control did its job.Imagine.My body craved for a nap, preferably with Theo's warm body next to me. Where was he, anyway? I was stuck in a four hour lab, and had no communication with him throughout those four hours.I wondered if he was still on campus. Probably not. I glanced at the watch on my wrist, seeing that Theo's last lecture ended almost two hours ago. I sighed, knowing that I'd have to get myself home even when it felt like death was knocking on my door.Dramatic? Absolutely not. Everything ached and pained. Besides that, I was starving.Deciding to stop wasting t