Embarrassment and desire twine through me as my gaze darts from his piercing green eyes to his hand.
I’m lost for words, and I can’t believe I’ve just agreed to give him my purity, let alone warm his bed for the entire month I am promised to him—under contract.
But I guess my virginity is a small price to pay if he can help me escape my parents and uncle Flynn.
Part of me feels like a sinner just thinking about Ace fucking me.
The enemy of my father and a surge of arousal slams into me.
Ace wags his finger, “straddle my thigh. Right here.”
Gingerly placing one foot in front of the other, I approach him with my chest rising and falling with every shallow breath I take.
“I’m going to stop you right there, Little Bird.” He growls with one corner of his mouth curling and instantly, I stop in my tracks with a frown on my face. “I know you are innocent. But I believe you aren’t completely sheltered to the point that you do not know that you need to remove your pants and underwear.”
Swallowing thickly, my cheeks flush, and I slowly begin to pull my jeans and underwear down my hips. Kicking them off to the side, I place my hand over my sex, shielding it from his prying eyes that have my nipples hardening beneath my t-shirt.
Pointing to the ground between his legs that are spread wide, “here. Now.” He demands in a raspy voice, and on autopilot, I do as I am told. “Remove your hand.”
I do as he says, closing my eyes as my pussy is levelled with his face, and I’m a little worried that he will smell my arousal.
Shame licks my feverish flesh.
My eyes snap open as a growl vibrates from the back of his throat. “Place your foot on my knee.”
Understanding dawns on me, bringing with it a current of need. I have to grip his shoulder as I obey, and I lift my leg, setting my bare foot on his knee.
I sense him leaning forward as I tilt my head back, focusing on the light shade above me and, vividly, I hear him breathe me in.
“Can I taste you, Little Bird? I need you wet with desire before you take my finger.”
I release a shuddering breath as I nod my head.
“Words. I need to hear you say it.”
Dipping my head, I meet his green gaze, “ye-yes…”
The moment his wet tongue that feels like velvet touches my clit. I can’t help but whimper.
Warm. Wet. Soft and firm.
Everything I have read about in smut-filled novels.
My fingers caressing my needy clit never felt as good as Aces’ tongue. Not once did I roll my eyes in pleasure, as I am right now.
My fingers twitch to dive deep into the roots of his hair as I fuck his mouth, screaming his name like he wants me to.
But I don’t. I have more self-control than that and instead, I curl my hand at my side, losing myself in the bliss.
A low ache surfaces in the pit of my stomach, “Oh… A…ace…” His name slips out of my mouth. “I’m going to… oh…”
Just as I’m about to tumble over the edge, he removes his tongue, lips and hot breath away from where I need them the most.
I sigh with disappointment, almost wanting to cry out in frustration.
“Fuck my hand, Little Bird.” He grips my hip with his free hand, licking his lips as he guides me onto his finger.
I come down lightly and Ace pushes his finger inside me. This time, I don’t bother trying to conceal the whimper that departs my lips.
“Take what you need, Little Bird.” He coaxes, urging me to rock against his palm.
Continuing to hold on to his shoulder, I look him in the eyes, licking my lips that have suddenly gone all dry.
“Your hand isn’t what I want.”
“You are going to have to earn my cock.” He hisses as he smiles arrogantly. “I’m not a teenage boy who is desperate to fuck your pretty little cunt and chase my own pleasure. You will have my cock inside you when I am good and ready to give it to you. Not a moment sooner.” His voice is hard, with an underlay of determination to make me suffer.
“I was referring to your tongue,” I tell him with a slight shake of my head.
His cock, I can wait for it.
But his mouth?
That’s an entirely different situation.
He chuckles, raising his hand, wrapping his thick fingers around my throat. “Only good girls get to come on my face, Little Bird.” His voice is low and sinful. “Now show me how pretty you come.”
“Okay.” I breathe out.
His grip tightens around my throat, heightening my arousal. “Okay, who?”
“Sir.”
“Try again.” He growls, bouncing his leg up and down beneath me. The tip of his finger massages something deep within my core, and my fingers dig into his shoulder.
“Ace.”
His hand moves up to my jaw, and he forces my head to the side, running the flat surface of his tongue up my cheek. “Wrong again…”
“Daddy?” I whisper, feeling dirty as the word escapes my lips.
It feels wicked.
Taboo.
“Hmm, give Daddy your first orgasm.”
I begin to move, grinding against his palm, forcing his finger as deep as I can get it inside me.
But it’s not enough to chase away the ache that is bubbling inside me. It feels so good and naughty at the same time.
Meeting Aces’ gaze. A look of hunger flashes in his eyes, and he leans forward, capturing my nipple through the fabric of my t-shirt.
He sucks hard, making me cry out as he grazes his teeth along the sensitive bud that has a direct line to my clit.
“Take it off.”
I remove the t-shirt with no hesitation, removing the last barrier between us, and I toss it behind me.
The way he watches me… Gods, I can barely catch my escaping breath.
My orgasm begins to surface, so I slow down, wanting to make this feeling last as long as I can. I want to remember this moment between us forever.
I lean back, placing my hands on his kneecaps, giving him a view of the fine line between the valley of my breasts as I fuck his hand. Losing the last shred of self-control as I desperately chase my orgasm.
Through my long lashes, I watch his jaw tighten. “So fucking beautiful. Gorgeous…”
“All for you, Daddy.” I moan.
He drags me closer, “come for Daddy, Little Bird.”
Parting my pussy with his fingers, he flicks my clit. My gaze moves around his office and I realise his door is still wide open.
If someone were to walk past, there would be no doubt about what we were doing, no hiding how close I am about to come with his finger deep inside me.
A low growl fills the space between us, and he begins to pump his finger inside me, adding another one. I bite my lower lip, drawing blood, as I conceal a shuddering moan from departing my lips.
“You just clenched around me,” he growls in a ragged breath, swirling his fingers inside me, drawing out my orgasm. “You were looking at the door. Did it turn you on thinking that someone would catch us?”
Falling forward, I rest my head against his chest and sigh. “Yes, Daddy.”
I feel him remove his fingers from inside me, and I lift myself to help him.
“Look at me,” he demands in a voice that makes me shudder with need.
Lifting my head, I meet his gaze and watch him slip the fingers he had inside me between his lips, sucking them dry.
“If getting you off with a sense of being caught turns you on, Little Bird… You and I are going to have so much fun together.” He smirks, leaning forward until his lips are grazing the hardshell of my ear. “I love making my girls come during social events, and we just happen to have one tomorrow night where your uncle Flynn will also be present.”
After I signed the contract and made no amendments to it. I quickly pull on my clothes, feeling Aces’ gaze watching me.After he returns the contract to the envelope it came out of. He walks around his large desk to stand in front of me.“From this moment forward, you realise that your body is mine, Little Bird.”Lifting my gaze to meet his, “yes. I read the contract before I signed my soul over to the devil himself, Ace.” I answer him upon exhaling through my nostrils. “I still don’t understand why you made me sign it naked.”A lopsided smirk stretches across his face. “Am I the first man who has seen you bare?”“Yes.”“There’s your answer, then, Little Bird. The thought of me being the only man to ever see you bare makes breathing worthwhile. Especially knowing that your uncle Flynn has been keeping you hidden from the real world to keep you pure for his touch only.”A violent shudder corrupts my body. “Please… don’t speak like that. It makes me feel sick to think that all this tim
ACE.My eyes snap open as I jolt awake. An icy shiver takes over my soul.Brushing a hand over my face, I try to shake the exhaustion that clings to me. Releasing a long sigh, I cast my gaze downward to find Birdenes’ arm slung across my bare chest with her leg over my hip. Half of her body is over mine, and she is using me as her human pillow.If she were one of my other girls, I would have rolled her over and turned my back to face her. I’m not the type of man who likes to hug. There are no roses and chocolates with a happy ending in sight with these auction deals.You bid on a number that just so happens to tickle your fantasies. You fuck her, feed her, house her, and give her some spending money to help pass the time.But with Birdene, there is no urgency to push her off me. If I’m to be brutally honest. I feel the complete opposite. I want nothing more than to crush her small frame against my large body.A few stray strands of her hair tickle my nose, filling my senses with he
I stir when the sound of the curtains being drawn back releases me from the clutches of my deep slumber. The warmth from the early morning sun rays caresses the side of my face, and I roll over, groaning. “Just one more minute, please, Lucy…” “Mr. Ripley asks that you swallow the small white pill next to the large glass of water I have left beside your bed.” I jolt upright in the bed, dragging the sheet with me. My eyes dart around the room until they finally land on Alanas’. “Shit…” I exhale, brushing a hand over my weary face. “I forgot Ace now owns me for a month.” A soft smile graces Alanas' tiresome face. “If I may offer you one piece of advice, Ms. Black?” She says in a hesitant tone as she dips her head, knowing that she is about to speak out of context. Swallowing thickly, I stare at her. “Please. I need all the advice I can get.” I reply honestly. Lifting her chin, she steps forward and picks up the small pill that sits on a round saucer and the large glass of water.
As I reach Aces’ closed office door, I lift my hand and hold it in the air. I suck in three large breaths, and every time I releas them, I tell myself to knock. But it’s like my body is paralysed, and I cannot bring myself to take the leap and just… knock. Lowering my hand, I turn around and shake my head. I’m not ready to walk back in there after what happened between us last night. Deep down, I know if he demands me to do it again, I will. Not only because I’ve signed my body over to him for a month. But the sizzling thought of his fingers being rooted deep inside me as I fuck them with his gaze hot and heavy on mine, makes me weak at the knees. I’m almost twenty-one and Aces fingers are the only action I’ve ever had apart from my own fingers. I flinch when the office door opens, “running away from me already, Little Bird?” A hot shiver glides up my spine as his voice pierces my eardrums, which leaves them pulsing. I look over my shoulder, not meeting his gaze, and brea
ACE.The moment Birdene closes the door behind her, I grit my teeth to suppress the roar that is lodged in my throat.How dare she insinuate that I've borderline committed rape. If she had read the fucking contract, she would have known better than to hurl those fucking disgusting words at me.Rape.Do I look like a man who needs to take her virtue by force when I can walk into any club I want and have women falling at my feet? In groups.I swear… if her lips become looser, I will deliver her to Flynns’ front doorstep with a fucking pretty bow attached around her neck. As much as she intrigues me, she isn’t worth tarnishing my reputation over.Then there’s Alana.After all these years, she still has the backbone to go behind my back trading information for money with Flynn Black. After everything I have done for her, granted, she doesn’t know. But I have never given her a reason to believe that I am behind her husband's gutless actions.I’m not the bastard who put the gun in his han
The limo slows down as it reaches the front of the hotel where the gala is being hosted. Bright lights illuminate the dark sky as loud voices filled with laughter and chatter resonate through the atmosphere.Lowering my gaze, I nervously play with the sparkling, emerald green, satin gloves that match my evening gown and Aces’ eyes. I secretly hope he likes what I’ve picked out.I’m not sure if it was the gown or the colour that caught my attention first. But as I drew closer to it on the rack where it was sandwiched between a few other stunning gowns… I made my mind up then and there that this was the one that I would be wearing tonight.The sleeves and blouse are vaguely of a gypsy cut, all done in earthy greens and shades of black flecked with silver that seem to undulate on their own violation. The skirt consists of ruffled tiers of burnt charcoal that end in a ragged hem just above the ankle as if the seamstress had suddenly been called away before completing her task at hand.
Ace ushers me to a quiet corner, his gaze gives me a solid once over as he places his hands on my shoulders. “Breathe, Little Bird. You are here with me and I won’t let your uncle touch you.” He says in a low and grim voice. Inhaling deeply, I nod my head as I slowly register everything he is saying. “I hate that he has this effect on me,” I whisper, fighting back the torrent of tears threatening to escape past my tear ducts. “He’s mad… furious. I can hear it in his voice, and I know that if he can get me alone for even a minute, he will inflict a world of pain onto me.” Lifting my trembling hand, I place it over my racing heart and I close my eyes, counting to four. “Flynn won’t get the chance to corner you, Birdene.” He says through gritted teeth and I open my eyes to look up at him, realising that he has used my given name for the very first time since I have known him. And I can’t help but like the way it rolls off the tip of his tongue. “I want you to turn around.” Turnin
It’s been about three long and excruciating hours since Ace started to lead me around the room. Introducing me to multitudes of people who reek of money and power with a heavy dose of danger and chaos. Everything Ace said about this being a gala held for the underworld moguls was the truth. He wasn’t lying about my grandfather being in the Mafia either. And I don’t know how I feel about my grandfather any more. I'm confused and I feel like such a fool. How could I have not known? All these years I thought he could do no wrong in my eyes. Turns out, he had left a path of destruction in his wake during his younger days. He had a fascination for blood and sending his enemy's bodies home to their loved ones in pieces. Like… Jigsaw pieces. Who the fuck does that? The look of shock that blazed brilliantly in everyone’s eyes whom I had the displeasure of meeting as Ace introduced me to them as Birdene Black was evident as hell. They all asked the same questions, and I couldn
EPILOGUE.(Three years later…)While Kayla plays on the kitchen floor with her favourite doll that Holden had bought her for her third birthday just yesterday, I put the finishing touches on her birthday cake.My parents, Wicked and Ele have driven out here for the weekend with their kids. I’ve been looking forward to this day for months. Though living here in the middle of nowhere is nice, sometimes the silence can be just as deafening and lonely. For our safety, Knox and I rarely make the trip out to the city, and I’ve come to learn that I’m more of an introvert, and I’m fine with that. But the company of my mother and best friend is like nothing else. I suppose you could say that I like to live through them. I look forward to hearing their stories and seeing the kids. I know Kayla enjoys seeing the kids just as much as I do, and I can tell that she will make the perfect older sister when her sibling arrives. That’s right…I found out this morning that Knox and I are expectin
I slowly stand up from the ground, wiping my hands down the front of my clothes, tucking the loose strands from my top knot behind my ears, and I finish placing the rest of my roses into the crystal vase.Every fibre in my body is screaming at me to ask Wicked where Ace is. But I also don’t want to take this moment away from Ele. She believed for many weeks that Wicked had forgotten about us; about her.She believed that she was an absolute menace, wreaking havoc wherever she went, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. Lives were ruthlessly snuffed out, sacrificed in the trail of her existence. The toll of her actions was immeasurable, a dark cloud of tragedy hanging heavy over her every step.And now that Wicked is here, clearing the air between them and openly claiming Ele with his mouth, I would rather not ruin the moment for her.Hell… I’d be fucking furious if someone interrupted Ace staking his claim upon me.Ele needs this.She needs him, and I’m happy for her.I look u
I tilt my head to the side and gaze at my reflection in the full-length mirror, affectionately caressing my belly.Today is a significant day for me as it marks my twenty-first birthday.Coincidentally, it is also the ninetieth day since Ele and I arrived at our second safe house. This safe house became our refuge after Holden failed to return to the cabin. However, we received the relieving news a week later that he was alive and well. The SUV he was driving swerved off the road and crashed into a tree after one of its back tyres popped.He claims that he just missed us and believed it would be safer to observe us from a distance instead. Our new safe house is a penthouse located in the heart of the city, which also happens to be within Ismails' territory.A contract was drafted between him and Ace, stipulating that if either of us needs protection within Ismails' territory, Ismail will receive ownership of Ace's clubs as compensation.We are slowly starting to see some normalcy r
“Theodore.” She groans as if she is physically in pain, choking on her words. “I know I said that I wanted him dead, but now that he is, I feel like a large chunk of my soul is missing. He was my twin, and I killed him to save Wicked. What have I done...”A gusty breath filled with relief leaves my body almost instantly, and I close my eyes, needing to take a second for myself as I regain control of my emotions once again. Upon opening my eyes, I sigh as my gaze falls on Ele.She looks so torn up about her actions that I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Yeah, I know she had plans to kill Theodore; to end her bloodline. But I guess she didn’t consider that it would emotionally hurt like a bitch for her too because they share a special connection that only twins have.“I’m so sorry, Ele. I can’t even begin to comprehend what you are going through.” I reply, finding it challenging to find the right words to comfort her without upsetting her further. “If you killed Theo to save Wicked
I held my breath, doing my best to try to pick up on any unusual sounds coming from the front of the cabin. My eyes dart around the closet in the dark, looking for any signs of shadows beneath the door and in between the double doors.I feel like I’m about to pass out. This is all too much and I just want it to be over with.Standing up, I slowly open the closet doors, being mindful of the slight squeaking sound it makes when it gets halfway. I turn to my side and slowly squeeze myself between the doors, then tiptoe down the hallway.The cabin is still. Not a sound penetrates the air, and I begin to panic even more, wondering if Holden has been shot or taken hostage by our intruder. As I get to the living room, I hesitantly peek my head around the corner and I am met with the front door being left ajar.I descend the three stairs and look around the living room, noticing that there aren’t any bullet holes in the walls or the kitchen. I lower my gaze to the floor in front of the door
It’s been three days since my world turned upside down.Three days since I got married and watched my husband get stabbed shortly after.Three days that I was brought to this cabin that is in the middle of nowhere.After witnessing Theo stab Ace, I lost consciousness before Holden exited my parent’s mansion. Everything was spiralling out of control so quickly that I couldn’t quite process how much danger we were in until it was too late.I pace the small living room, biting my nails as I hold on to the fragile thread of hope dangling in front of me.There has been no contact or news about Ace, my parents or Wicked and Eleni.I don’t know if they are alive, injured, or dead. And it’s not like I can leave the cabin because I don’t know the pin to deactivate the security system from notifying Holden that the front door has opened without his knowledge.I feel like I am losing my mind.Seconds feel like minutes. Minutes feel like hours, and hours feel like days.“If you don’t stop pacing
The rapid bang of gunshots sends people racing towards the mansion. A man falls dead on the grass and I have to jump over his still body. Or risk tripping over his limbs that are splayed out beside him, loose and bent where he lies in a puddle of his own blood. My father and Aces’ henchmen all dressed in black suits, yank their concealed guns from inside their jackets free and take aim at the gunmen who are dressed as servers. Someone did a shitty job screening everyone who entered the mansion only hours ago. And because of their delinquency, people are dying right, left and centre. More people plummet to the ground. Some of them are screaming in terror, anger, and pain and others just lay there motionless with blood pooling on their clothes. “Come on, Mrs. Ripley. We need to take cover.” Holden yells over the gunshots ringing in the air. I gulp, doing my best to keep up with him in my heels and the wedding gown that clings to me like a second layer of skin. Unable to mutte
ACE. “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest states in a quivering tone right before a bullet finds a gap in our human defence wall and drills into his skull – instantly killing him. It all seems to play out in slow motion in front of me, blood squirts through the air and I crush my lips against Amelias’, turning our bodies, so her back is facing the now-dead priest. The beat of my heart is drumming against my chest frantically, filling my ears with blood. I didn't think they would attack us this early into our wedding. I close my eyes, pouring my love and soul into our first kiss as husband and wife, praying that this won’t be the last one, either. A small moan departs her lips as a low growl leaves mine and clings to it, entwining our pleasure as one. “We have to move.” Holden bellows with a grunt. “We won’t be able to hold our position much longer, and whoever these cunts are, they have a sniper with them too.”
My body is almost vibrating with anticipation as the whole morning has flown by in a haze. After I had asked my mother and Eleni to give me a moment alone, I looked at my reflection in the floor-length mirror.My fingers brush over the layers of lace and silk, toying with a few pearls that have been hand-stitched onto the bodice of the gown.I can’t prevent the girly smile from spreading across my face like wildfire as I admire the gown that Ace had chosen for me.Today’s the day that I start my new life and become Mrs. Ace Ripley, leaving my past behind like smoke drifting through my fingers – elusive, transparent. I turn around when the sound of the door softly creeks open again. This time, it’s my father who enters the room with a large grin adorning his handsome face. He places both of his hands over his mouth as his gaze lingers over my gown, then rises to my face.“You look… beautiful, baby girl.” He says in a strained voice like he is doing his best to hold back his unshed t