Ace of spades
She gets out of the car and I follow her down driveway trying not to touch the many cars parked there.
She knocks on the door with a huge smile on her face, and when the door opens her smile disappears. Standing in front of us is a tall muscular guy, with an intense stare, and a creepy grin. I would find him attractive if he wasn’t looking at us like we are his next meal.
“Hey Clara, I see you brought me a new play thing, and this one is cuter than most.” He looks me up and down biting his lip, and I fight the need to kick him in the nuts. My parents raised me better than that.
“Out of the way Viper, I’m not in the mood for your immature ways.” She says as she pushes past him and pulls me inside.
There are about 20 people in the living room dancing to dubstep music and tripping over each other. I bite back a laugh when I see a girl falling headfirst over the couch. Lord forgive me, but that was funny.
The tall guy’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
“I’m immature Clara? You know better than most that I’m not, and I wanna have a good time tonight, with or without you.”
He wraps an arm around a blond girl’s body and kisses her forcefully. The chick doesn’t seem to mind as she kisses him back, but I can’t help but think, that was way too forward of him. I feel my hands clutch at my sides upset. Clara rolls her eyes in his direction.
“Please tell you didn’t date that guy,” I say looking at him as he scoops Another girl under his arm.
“Unfortunately I did in high school. It wasn't because I was attracted to him though. I quickly regretted dating Viper.”
I shake my head. “Thank goodness, that guy gives me the creeps, no offense.”
She shrugs. “None taken, come on, I’m sure my brother is upstairs playing pool or something.”
She takes my hand in hers and walks up the stairs. People are making out on the steps, and we have to slide past them cautiously, making sure not to fall. Once we finally get to the top she pulls me into a rec room, with a few pinball machines and a pool table. The room is empty but clearly people have been drinking in here with all the bottles everywhere.
“This place is nice,” I comment and run my fingers over the pool table.
“I know right? My brother lives here with his roommate and best friend Cameron. I think it’s how he is able to afford it. He should be here, I’ll text him.”
She pulls her phone out and I sense a bad presence. I turn around and sure enough that Viper guy is strutting through the door with a redhead clung to his arm. He pulls her off and stands uncomfortably close in front of me.
“I haven’t actually got the chance to introduce myself since Carla was being so rude. I’m Viper, and you are?”
“Leave her alone Viper, I’m warning you,” Clara says glaring at him, but he ignores her as he continues staring at me.
“I’m Heather,” I say dryly hoping he will take the hint and leave me alone. He winks at me, and I fight the cringe, his hand moves towards my arm, but before he can touch me, and deep voice fills the room.
“Don’t you dare touch her Viper. You lay a hand on her or Clara and you will surely lose it.”
I look up at the mystery man defending us, and I try not to drool. He is drop-dead gorgeous with his leather jacket draped over his shoulder, distressed jeans, and black t-shirt. He has the most perfect tattoos I’ve ever seen running down both of his arms. He flips his black hair back and smiles at me, but then he returns his attention towards Viper and glares at him.
“Get out of my room Viper, that’s my last warning.” His voice sounds deadly, but sexy, and that southern accent? I’m in trouble.
Viper looks me up and down, and steps away. “That’s fine, I like a little challenge anyways.” He licks his lips and walks out of the room.
Gross.
“If he lays a hand on either of you, I’m trusting y’all to tell me.” He gives us a serious look but before we can respond Clara runs up to him and wraps her arms around him he stumbles back and laughs as he hugs her back tightly.
“I’m missed you, you asshole why haven’t you called me?” She asks still in his arms, and he pulls away. “I’ve been meaning to I promise, I’ve just been busy.”
She gives him a suspicious look, and steps back.
“I went to your shop yesterday and you weren’t there.”
“I was probably out for lunch silly.” He responds bopping her nose the way I would with my sister... wait... does that mean...?
“Um who are you?” I ask him awkwardly, and Clara sighs.
“He’s my brother who clearly has a lot of explaining to do.” He looks back at her upset. Oh now I see it! He looks like the male version of Clara. Definitely her twin.
“Great. What did I do this time?”
She looks at him like he has two heads.
“You invited Viper!”
“I didn’t invite him, Cameron did, and since this is technically his party, I don’t really have a say.”
She rolls her eyes. “But it's your party too. I'm upset he invited him without telling us. I’m going outside to have a smoke, I’ll be back soon.”
She storms off, and I’m forced into an awkward silence with Clara’s hot brother.
“So umm...” I begin and he cuts me off.
“I’m sorry about that, I’m Hansel, but everyone calls me Ace.” He walks up to me and extends his strong vainy hand. I shake it with a smile. The shake is firm and warm.
“Nice to meet you Ace.”
“Gosh your hands are freezing Heather.” He says with a chuckle, before releasing my hand gently.
“I’ll get you a drink if you’d like. A beer should warm you up.”
I nod and he smiles warmly before heading downstairs.
Oh brother, I don’t think I’ve seen a man that good looking outside of my chick flick movies. Even then, he puts them to shame.
He swaggers back into the room, with an unopened beer bottle, and cracks it open before he hands it to me.
“Thank you,” I say as I press the bottle to my lips and take a tiny sip. I don’t drink often but I’m getting used to the taste of beer, despite hating it before.
“Your welcome.” He says with a smile as he sits on the pool table and opens a bottle for himself.
“Take a seat.” He says patting the pool table next to him.
“Okay.” I lay the bottle on a nearby coaster, and push myself up to sit on the table.
“My sister has told me a lot about you. Actually she won’t shut up about you, to be honest. She rarely makes friends so you must be special.”
I take a deep breath and look up at him, his eyes are gentle and curious on mine. My cheeks flush.
“I wouldn’t say that, I mean Clara is pretty outgoing.”
He nods.
“Yes but she only ever makes acquaintances. You have been her only true friend in a long time.”
He drinks from his bottle.
“Well she is kinda like a sister to me, and what exactly has she said about me?” I ask him curiously and he places the bottle down.
“Humm... let’s see if I remember correctly... She said you are a good girl, but that you are also free-spirited, she said you are the daughter of a pastor, that you have a sister, and that you love art.” He looks at me waiting for me to tell him if he’s right.
“Wow, you have enough information to steal my identity.” I joke, and he laughs deeply, the sound vibrating through me.
“So I’m right, aren’t I?” He asks, and I nod, hiding a smile.
“I do love art, and I saw your bike out there. She’s a beauty.”
He looks at me with a playful grin.
“Thank you, I’d put a ring on her if she had a finger.” He chuckles.
“She has a handlebar,” I suggest, and he raises an eyebrow, before he laughs.
“Don’t tempt me Heather, I will.”
“So... You’re an artist? What kind of media do you work with?” I ask him and he blinks a few times at me before he answers.
“Well I work with skin and inks, but before that I used to do a lot of murals downtown. I’ve actually done most of them.”
It all makes sense now. How could I have been so blind?
“Wait... You are Ace, the guy that owns Ace tattoo shop?”
He nods.
“That’s me, I’m surprised my sister didn’t mention that.”
He shakes his head and drinks more of his beer. Holy smokes, Mitch who?
“Are you an artist yourself Heather?”
He pulls me out of my thoughts.
“Uhh, I used to paint for fun. I never made it past the hobby stage. I would love to see your artwork if you don’t mind.” I tell him and he looks at me with another raised eyebrow.
“I don’t have any art in the house. If you wanna see my artwork you would have to take a ride with me downtown. That’s only if you trust me.” he says with a raised eyebrow. He looks as sinful as he does sexy. Dangerous look, for sure, yet I don't feel intimidated by him. Something about him feels homey.