Chapter 1

   The moment we arrive back at the penthouse after the Live Fashion Show, I’m seductively pinned up against the wall. Ace nuzzles my neck and covers me in hot kisses.

   'Ace, what are you doing?' I giggle. His lips smash onto mine as we share a fiery kiss. Panting, he cups my face and leans his forehead against mine.

   'I’m just thanking you,' he smirks. His hands slowly glide up my thighs, along my stomach, and he cups my breasts as he continues to kiss me, now sucking at my neck, which will leave a hickey.

   'People will see that Ace!' I giggle.

   'Good! Let them see it. I want everyone to know you’re mine,' he smiles, mischievously. He begins unbuckling his belt as we continue kissing against the wall. Lifting my dress, he runs his fingers up my thigh, grips my underwear and pulls them down. Cupping my thighs, I jump up and wrap my legs around his waist and he begins thrusting; Ace’s eyes are blazing with passion. My legs tighten around his waist, pulling him in as deep as possible, as we both moan. He continues to thrust harder and faster until waves of pleasure take over, and I helplessly cry out Ace’s name as I climax. Both of us drip with sweat and pant, my lips lock onto his, and I give him the sweetest, most gentle kiss.

‘I love you, Ace,’ I smile. Kissing my nose, my cheek, then my lips with a quick peck, he whispers back, 'I love you, Zurielle.'

Removing the rest of our clothing we make our way up into the shower, all the while, Ace’s phone is constantly beeping with messages and ringing.

'Do you want to answer your phone?' I ask.

'No, they can wait until tomorrow. I only want to focus on you tonight,' he smiles.

After we shower, we slip into bed.

'I still can't believe Mark went this far to jeopardise my business. I can’t believe you saved my show, my reputation, my hard work. I didn’t even know you could play the piano! And your voice! I thought I was staring at an angel sent from the heavens, when I saw you, seated at the piano and you began to sing. It was like a sense of euphoria took over me,' he smiles.

'I couldn’t let Mark ruin your show and humiliate you like that. It was the least I could do, to make it up to you, after I left you, without hearing you out about the photos,' I say, as my eyes well up.

'Zurielle, babe, come here, it’s okay,' he says, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close.

'No, it’s not okay, Ace. When I read your text messages I could feel the pain in them. I should have jumped off the bus and run straight back to you, but I didn’t,' I cry.

'When you didn’t answer your phone or reply to my messages, I wanted to chase after you. But, I wasn’t able to because the show was about to go live. It would not have looked good for my company if I wasn’t there. I was so relieved when Jack texted to say he found you at the Snake Pit, and explained everything to you. I was excited to have you by my side for the fashion show. And for everyone to see us together. Then I found out Mark was sabotaging the show, and the models came out on stage with the dresses slightly different, but still beautiful. To hear your quick-thinking was behind it, just blew my mind. When Sasha fell on stage after her heel snapped off, I noticed a couple of them were a bit wobbly on their feet. Poor Sasha. She did well to hide her embarrassment; limping off the stage. Bloody Mark, harming my staff like that!' Ace growls.

'We can deal with Mark tomorrow. I’m just glad your show went well, despite what happened behind the scenes, and that I'm here with you.'

'All thanks to you, Zurielle,' he smiles.

Ace switches on the TV with the remote; the news is reporting what a success the Live Fashion Show was, and how it went out with a bang!

'Who is the mysterious young woman Mr Brightly passionately kissed on live television? Only to scoop her off her feet and leave the stage with her? Rumours have it, Nessa Knight was supposed to close the show with her song that is currently number one on the charts. Not that we are complaining; the mysterious woman was completely amazing! We need to know who she is and how she won the heart of one of the world’s richest bachelors!'

'Congratulations, Zurielle. Seems like everyone enjoyed your number on stage, just as much as I did,' he smiles.

'Never in a million years did I think I would ever play the piano and sing on a stage in front of millions of people. I was so nervous, but I think it helped that I had been practising at the Snake Pit this last month. Otherwise, I may not have had the courage to do it,' I confess.

'Well, you nailed it, babe. I’m so proud of you,’ he says, then kisses me.

The news reporter on the TV speaks about Ace being shot by the gang leader of the Spider Backs.

'The mysterious lover of Mr Brightly appears to be linked to the Spider Backs. Rumours say she was the gang leader’s lover and that she was involved in underworld criminal activity. So how did Mr Brightly meet her, and become involved with this mysterious woman? Hopefully, we will have the answers after further investigations. So stay tuned for your nightly news!'

Ace switches the TV off while I sink down and hide under the covers.

'Why do they have to bring the Spider Backs up? Why are they still pursuing this story?' I whinge. Ace slides under the covers with me. We face eachother, as we hide away from the world, as if this one cover shields us from the world.

'People are curious. They want to know things. Especially about famous people. Everything will be fine. We have each other and that’s all that matters,' he says, caressing my face.

'Do you think they will give up on the story and move onto other matters?' I ask.

'Since the fashion show just happened, and you’re in the picture now, and our history with the Spider Backs, I don’t think this is a story they will drop anytime soon. You do realise you won’t be able to go anywhere on your own anymore without paparazzi following you everywhere? I will organise your own personal bodyguards for when you want to go places without me.’

'Are they really going to follow me everywhere?' I ask.

'Yes, so be mindful when you’re on phone calls; of them eavesdropping on private conversations. Even if you think it’s just a regular person having a cup of coffee. They’re most likely journalists trying to gain information to use about us,' he explains.

'Oh! And no more busses or cabs. You can use any of my other cars. Or I will organise one of your new bodyguards to be your driver,' he smiles.

'Yes, boss,' I say, sarcastically. Ace rolls over on top of me, pinning my wrists above my head. His face hovers over mine as he nips and kisses me along my neck. I moan.

'What was that you said?' He teases. My cheeks are flustered and my eyes are staring at his lips. I want to taste them...

'I want to taste your lips,’ I plead.

'That’s what I thought you said,' he smiles, then smashes his lips onto mine.

'Zurielle Summers: you are all mine!' He growls seductively in my ear. We spend the rest of the night ravishing each other’s bodies.