(STEAMY SCENE AHEAD. YOU ARE WARNED)
Astrid was relieved when she reached the mansion. The clock ticked at 11.45pm and she was yawning. Butler Lionel waited for them at the entrance and asked if they wanted any refreshments, to which Ace requested a jug of warm water with slices of lemon. Before she can ask further, Ace practically dragged her into his room.
`It's really late. I should be sleeping, Ace', Astrid threw her bag on the couch, and laid sprawled on the bed.
`Not until I see your bruises and cuts', Ace took a first aid kit from the bathroom and placed it beside his bed, on a side table.
`What do you want me to do?', her eyes blinked at him. He stood beside her and pulled her hands up to make her sit and said `Strip'.
`What?!' she shouted; all sleepiness flew out the window.
`Look, as you said it is getting late. I have a jacuzzi with bubbles and your essential oils in it. Lionel prepared it in advance. Just strip and get in. It will help your bruises.', he exhaled and removed his office shirt, and prodded towards the washroom.
He stopped at the doorframe and spoke ` You can wear your undergarments', before entering in, leaving the door open for her. Those will come out soon.
Astrid was edgy, but a new feeling of anticipation washed her. Will I be able to seduce him as Matilda said? she thought and bit her lips. She had never done this before, and her stomach somersaulted with naughty thoughts of them. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
Astrid stripped off her jeans and blouse, leaving behind her black bra and underwear. She took a robe from the closet and wore it, relishing in its smell. Musky, just like Ace. She tiptoed inside the bathroom and saw a silhouette of Ace in the shower cubicle. The steam had fogged the glass, leaving glimpses of his naked back. She gulped and stood there to admire him.
His back was just as muscular as his front. She could make out his hands scrubbing his head, his biceps tout. The shampoo dripped slowly from his neck down to his strong back before moving further down to his well-defined waist. She let out a soft moan and froze when Ace stopped.
`Astrid, is that you? Go in the jacuzzi. The water will turn cold!', he spoke louder, with his eyes closed, the shampoo suds all over his face.
Astrid did not wait to be told twice and walked further in the middle of the washroom, her eyes stealing glances at him.
She almost lost her footing at the steps but bend down to steady herself. She took one last look at Ace who was still in the shower cubicle and dropped her robe. Damnit, he looks so fucking delicious all naked like that. She stepped inside the jacuzzi and sat on a ledge inside the jacuzzi before resting her head on the plush headrest.
The constant jets of water were adjusted to a minimum level, gentle on her skin. She took a deep breath, lavender and peppermint oil bursting into her nostrils. She raised her neck further into the cushion and spread her arms wide, closing her eyes and enjoying her time.
`Fuck, luxury feels fucking hell good', she breathed.
`It does when you have me', Ace whispered back into her ears.
Astrid's eyes flew open, alarmed and turned to see Ace sitting on the marble ledge, his legs dipped inside the jacuzzi, his face only an inch away from hers. Damn, he was wearing a towel.
`I mean. I did not mean it that way', her face turned crimson red earning a laugh as smooth as velvet from him.
`You can use me in any way you want. No questions asked. Care if I join in? I have champagne', he winked at her and slipped his towel away, baring his buttocks at her. Astrid never having seen a naked man up close, kept her eyes glued at him. Memerized at the sight of him in front of her. Ace carefully popped the bottle and filled two flute glasses with champagne.
Ace turned his body and closed the small distance between them, allowing her to see him in all his glory. Tattoos, dick and all. Astrid gulped, her eyes widened like a ball but she never wavered from her stare.
He was staring at her flushed cheeks and pale brown eyes which were turning darker, dilated. Good, she is feeling the same as I am, Ace thought. This makes it so much easier to touch her when she is curious about me as well. She has kept quiet, but her eyes were anything but silent, they were checking me out shamelessly. Not that I mind, I loved it.
When he dipped his legs inside the jacuzzi, she inhaled sharply, moving her eyes to look up at his face. She knew she was completely turned on by him, so she kept her mouth silent, fearing her voice would change exposing her real intent to jump on him and fuck him hard.
Wordlessly, he place a flute in her hands, motioning her to drink it as he did with his.
`It's fuzzy', she drained it and licked her lips, his eyes moved to her lips. Fuck me.
`You are drinking it like vodka shots. You are supposed to sip it', Ace laughed at her.
`I don't have the whole night to sip some bubbly drink. One more shot, please', she shoved her flute at him and Ace poured the champagne carefully.
`What do you plan on doing the whole night?', he asked huskily, placing his empty flute on the marble.
`Sleep?', she raised her eyebrows at him. Ace frowned when she finished the flute. Before he could stop her, she moved towards him and grabbed the bottle, swinging it to her lips. God, help me, I need this drink to make a move on him.
Ace took in her seating position, straddling him. His hands moved to her body, examining her bruises and cuts at the back. Some had turned ugly to blue-black and some were dark red. By the time he finished checking her body, he was pissed.
`The fuck you train like a punching bag. Astrid, you are hurt everywhere!', his voice thundered in the washroom. Astrid stopped drinking and placed the bottle away before wiping her mouth.
`Shhh. It's okay. Would you believe me if I told you I kicked his ass worse?', she kissed his cheek to assure him.
`You'd better. I need to have a word with him later!' he admonished her and mumbled something like the need to kick him where the sun never shines.
Astrid giggled and hugged him. Ace waited until his temper flickered away. All thoughts of fucking her evaporated with the sight of the bruises on her body.
`Astrid turn your back to me. Let me massage you', he steadied her shoulder and she spun around splashing the water around a bit.
`This ok?', her neck craned to look at him.
`Just relax', Ace turned up the heat and increased the speed of the water jet a notch before kneading her shoulders. Her bra strap was hampering his moves and he heaved a sigh.
`Astrid. Do you trust me to remove um..um.. your bra?', his hands placed on her shoulder, anticipating a reply.
Astrid felt her stomach flipping again. Her face went crimson red again but since she was faced away from him, she nodded.
`Say it, love', his voice just above a whisper.
`I…I trust yo….you', she answered breathily.
`Good', Ace did not waste a second and opened her bra clasp, pulling the bra away from her. She gasped and Ace's eyes darken with desire. He took deep breaths to ease himself and focused on the task at hand. Fuck, fuck.