Chapter 58: Date

Isabelle Reinhart.

The drive was filled with comfortable conversation, compliments, and laughter. The ease with which we communicated made me realize just how much we had grown together. Every moment in his presence felt special, and I found myself hanging onto his every word.

As the car pulled up to a stop, I looked out and my eyes widened in awe. A towering skyscraper loomed before us. I realized this was the new Italian restaurant that had opened last year and only allowed people with memberships inside. I glanced at Ace, my curiosity piqued. He smiled mysteriously, his eyes gleaming.

Ace's hand settled on my back, guiding me towards the entrance of the restaurant. The manager greeted us with a respectful nod and a warm smile, acknowledging Ace as if he were a familiar guest.

"Good evening, Mr. Rhodes. Ms. Reinhart," he said with a slight bow and I gave him a small smile.

"The arrangements have been made." He said to Ace and he nodded in response.

We followed the manager, and I glanced at Ace who winked at me playfully. The elevator ride was quick, and as the doors opened, I stepped out into a space that took my breath away.

Soft lighting illuminated the area, casting a warm and inviting glow. I glanced around in awe as Ace led me towards a balcony. My eyes widened further as I took in the breathtaking view before me – the city lights twinkling like stars against the canvas of the night sky.

Ace's hand was warm against my back as he guided me outside, the cool breeze ruffling my hair. The balcony was a private oasis, secluded from the bustling restaurant below. A single table was elegantly set, adorned with fine china and candles that flickered in the gentle wind.

I turned to Ace, a mixture of surprise and delight in my eyes. "Ace, this is... incredible."

He smiled, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "I'm glad you like it."

It was impossible not to like this place. The ambiance was enchanting, the atmosphere filled with a sense of intimacy and romance.

"Why is there no one else here?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. "Is the restaurant closed?"

Ace's smile grew wider, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "I'm not a fan of people."

I chuckled softly, shaking my head in feigned disappointment as he shrugged. "Of course you would do that."

The night unfolded and we ordered our food, drinking and eating as light music played in the background. The city lights below seemed to dance in rhythm with our conversation, creating a magical evening.

After we had finished eating, I stood by the balcony railing, my eyes fixed on the breathtaking city lights that stretched before us.

I felt Ace's presence behind me, his arms encircling my waist in a warm and tender hold. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I leaned back slightly into his embrace, finding comfort and solace in his closeness.

Ace's chest rose and fell in sync with my breath, his arms creating a protective cocoon around me. The city seemed to fade into the background as his presence became my focal point. His heartbeat was a steady rhythm that matched the gentle sway of our bodies.

The soft melody of "Can't Help Falling in Love" filled the air, wrapping around us like a gentle embrace, and a soft smile tugged at my lips.

And then, as if on cue, he stepped back slightly, his grip on my waist loosening. He extended his hand towards me, a silent invitation.

"We couldn't dance on our last date," he said with a playful smile, his voice a soft melody that blended with the music in the air. The corners of my lips lifted into a grin as I reached out, placing my hand in his. The connection felt electric.

Wise men say Only fools, only fools rush in His hand held mine with a gentle firmness, his fingers interlocking with mine. With a small nod, he guided me to the open space, away from the railing and under the starlit sky.

But I can't help falling in love with you The cool breeze tousled my hair as we found our rhythm, our bodies swaying together in harmony with the song.

The world around us seemed to fade away as we moved to the music, lost in our own little bubble of time and space.

Shall I stay?

Would it be, would it be a sin?

His touch was steady yet tender, leading me with an innate understanding of each step. His gaze never left mine, a silent conversation passing between us that spoke volumes.

If I can't help falling in love with you As the lyrics continued to flow, a mixture of vulnerability and sometimes else coursed through me. I felt as though every fear, every doubt was being replaced with the simple joy of being in this moment, in his arms.

And as the song reached its final notes, we stood there, the music fading into the background, the city lights surrounding us like a sea of stars. Ace's grip on my hand remained firm, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

With a tender smile, he drew me closer, his other hand coming to rest against my cheek. His touch was feather-light as he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft, sweet kiss.

“C’mon, let’s go,” he whispered in my ear and I groaned a little.

“But this I’m having fun,” I whined and he chuckled against my body.

“I know, Princess. But I need to take you somewhere,” he pressed his cheek to my hair as he lazily dragged his fingers up and down my arms.

“Wait there’s more?” I asked, leaning back to look at his face and he just gave me a small smile.

*****

The gentle hum of the car's engine created a soothing background noise as we drove through the unknown path. I leaned against the window, my fingers occasionally tracing patterns on the glass. Ace's fingers danced lazily on my thigh, the touch sending warmth through me despite the coolness of the evening.

The night outside was dark and mysterious, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with a hint of curiosity. I stole a glance at Ace, his profile illuminated by the dashboard lights. His features were relaxed, a small smile playing on his lips as he focused on the road ahead.

As we continued to drive, my curiosity grew. The surroundings began to shift, and I noticed the landscape becoming more secluded. Tall trees framed the path, their branches casting elongated shadows in the dim light.

My eyebrow quirked in question, and I couldn't help but tease, "If you had plans to murder me, you didn't have to feed me such good food." I chuckled. Ace shook his head with a laugh, his gaze briefly meeting mine before returning to the road.

The car finally came to a stop in an area that seemed completely abandoned. The darkness enveloped us, and I could barely make out the silhouettes of trees surrounding us. I shot Ace a bemused look, but he simply grinned and got out of the car.

Stepping out of the car myself, I shivered slightly in the cool night air. Ace moved to my side, his presence immediately comforting. He extended his hand, and I placed mine in his, allowing him to guide me.

Ace's steps were sure and confident, and I followed his lead without hesitation. After a short while, he stopped and took out his phone. With a few taps, something magical happened – the darkness around us was suddenly illuminated by a soft, warm glow.

My eyes widened in surprise, and I let out a gasp. The trees that had been shrouded in darkness were now adorned with delicate fairy lights. They sparkled like stars that had descended to earth, casting a soft and dreamy glow around us.

I turned to Ace, my heart swelling with wonder. "Wow," I breathed, my voice barely audible in the enchanted setting.

He looked at me with a playful grin, clearly pleased with my reaction.

The lights created an otherworldly atmosphere, as if we were in our own private world far away from the city's bustle.

My heart quickened with anticipation as I noticed something ahead – a tree house nestled in the branches of a tall tree. Its wooden structure seemed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, a hidden gem in the heart of the forest.

I glanced at Ace, my eyebrows raised in surprise. He met my gaze with a nonchalant shrug and a playful smile. "After you," he said, pointing towards the wooden ladder that led up to the tree house.

I looked from him to the ladder, then back to him again. My curiosity was piqued, so without a second thought, I approached the ladder and started climbing.

The ladder swayed slightly under my weight, the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets filling the air. With each rung I ascended, the anticipation grew, and I could feel Ace's presence just behind me.

Finally, I reached the small entrance to the tree house. I turned around to face Ace, a mixture of excitement and wonder in my eyes. He climbed up effortlessly, his movements confident and graceful; like he’d done it a hundred times before.

The tree house itself was cozy and rustic. Wooden planks made up the walls, and the roof was a combination of thatch and leaves. It was small, but comfy. The fairy lights weaved around the structure, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.

Sitting on the blanket spread out beneath the twinkling fairy lights, I leaned back against Ace's comforting presence. His arms enveloped me, creating a cocoon of warmth and safety. The night air was cool, and I welcomed the protective embrace he offered.

His voice broke the peaceful silence, and I turned my head slightly to look at him. His gaze was distant, lost in memories that seemed to hold a mix of pain and nostalgia. "I used to come here a lot as a kid," he said, his tone soft.

I could feel his body tense slightly behind me, and without hesitation, my hand moved to rub his arm in a reassuring manner. I wanted him to know that I was here for him, that he could share whatever he felt comfortable sharing.

He took a deep breath before continuing, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "This place… it holds memories. Some good, some not so good." His fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on my arm as if he needed the connection, the grounding.

Curiosity mixed with concern, and I encouraged him to open up, my voice gentle. "Tell me about it, Ace."

His voice carrying a mix of emotions. Ace started speaking, “My mother, the woman you saw the other day, she urhm… I was her first born.”

I nodded and interlocked our fingers together as Ace continued telling me about his family history. His voice breaking at some points made my heart clench in agony.

“You don’t have to do this,” I pressed a kiss to the temple of his head and he shook his head, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“I want to,” he said and I nodded in understanding.

As he explained, my heart ached for him. Brad — his biological father had shattered Ace as a kid. He told me about William, the elderly man with kind eyes that I met in Paris. He told me about Noah, his half brother that I was yet to meet.

“That night he— he tied me up to the bed and beat me till I lost consciousness,” I winced at the pain in his voice, feeling his emotions as if they were my own. I cupped his cheek, brushing off a tear that had escaped.

His story was a tangle of heartache and injustice that no child should ever have to endure.

I could see his hesitation, his internal struggle, “Isabelle, I’m fucked in the head. I have issues. I get insecure. I let my anger get the best of me. I don’t think you realize that now but— but being mine, it’s not easy. I completely shut down at times. I’ve tried changing, tried moving past it but I’m still held by the shackles of my past.”

“You asked me today that I needed to show you that I deserved to call you mine. This is me baring myself to you. This place is where I’ve spent most of my childhood, hiding from the monsters within me.”

“I completely understand if you this is too much. I’m not an easy man. I’ll walk out of your life if you—“

“Ace, shut up,” I interrupted, tears pouring out of my eyes as I held his face in mine.

“No, Isabelle, you need to understand. I’m a messed up—“

“I know, okay? I understand that you have your demons, but so do I. Did you really think I stuck around, breaking my heart over and over again for a year and a half just to walk out on you one day? I’ve seen you be the man of my dreams one moment and the villain of my story the next. I’m not giving up on you. You get it through your thick head,” I flicked his forehead and he broke into a chuckle between his sobs and pressed his forehead against mine.

“Princess?”

“Mhm?”

“I know this is probably too soon but…” he trailed, his fingers caressing my cheek.

“But?”

“I love you.” He whispered against my forehead and pressed feather kisses to my eyes before capturing my lips in a deep kiss.

“You don’t have to say it back—“

“I love you,” the words left my mouth before I had a chance to even register my thoughts.

His eyes flew to mine in surprise and I just gave him a sly smile and nodded. He captured my lips again, the kiss more intense and passionate then before. Snaking his arm up to my neck, he bent me down and deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing with mine as I felt him smile against my lips.

My phone started ringing in my clutch and I felt him groan against my lip as I chuckled and broke away. With him still peppering my cheek and jaw with kisses, I took the phone out and frowned.

“Now, who the fuck is Nate?” Ace asked, looking at the caller ID and the smiling picture of Nate holding flowers.

“Oooh, jealous, are we?” I smiled smugly, wrapping both my arms around his neck and he narrowed his eyes at me.

“I saw you with him at the restaurant the other day.” He said, his tone possessive and dominant as his hand found the back of my neck and he bent my face down to look at me.

“Who is he, Princess?” He said, his other hand snaking up the inside of my thigh, close to my panties and I could already tell my panties were wet for him, even though he hadn’t even touched me yet.

“And why do you wanna know?” My voice came out hoarse and huskier than I’d intended it to and I saw darkness consume his eyes.

“Because you’re mine.”

His hand slid up to the hook of my panties and he lazily dragged his fingers up and down, his eyes fixated on mine as I bit my lip to keep myself from moaning, “Keep playing games, Princess, and I’ll fuck the answer out of you against this wall.”

“I’d like to see you try,” I whispered back, my finger against his lips.

Stupid, stupid alcohol.

He smiled again, a sinister expression consuming his eyes as he lay me down on the blanket and captured my lips, his hand now on my panties as he touched me through the fabric and I moaned against his mouth. He grunted in satisfaction as I arched my back as his fingers — dramatically slow, played with the fabric of my panties.

My phone started ringing again and this time it was I who groaned first and I felt Ace smile against my lip.

“You better get that,” he said, his lips still on mine and I sighed.

Picking up the phone from the floor, I slid my finger against the screen and put it to my ear.

“Hey, Nate. Everything alright?” I asked, my fingers still in Ace’s hair.

“Oh, yeah. You weren’t busy, were you?” He said from the other side and although I wanted to tell him that I was one hundred percent but I didn’t want him to think I was only nice to him in front of Zach. Besides this was the first time he was calling me.

“Nope. What’s up?” I asked and Ace sighed and laid down beside me, interlocking our fingers together.

“Uh— Zach’s birthday is next week. And I know it’s tradition between you two to like to celebrate together, along with your late father of course, but I was wondering if I could maybe throw him a small surprise party this year, if you’re okay with that. There won’t be many people. Just you and whoever you want to invite for Zach,” he voice was laced with hesitation and I chuckled at how nervous he sounded.

“Of course, Nate! Go for it. I’m here if you need any help in this regard,” I said enthusiastically and felt his sigh of relief from the other side.

“Oh, my God. Thank you, Belle!”

“Of course. G’luck!” I said into the phone and cut the call.

“So, Zach’s boyfriend?” Ace’s voice came not a second later and I shook my head, but a small smile played on my lips.

“Eavesdropping isn’t ethical, Ace,” I tsked, as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me on top of him.

“Not my fault you’re lying right beside me,” he whispered, tucking my hair behind my ear.

As he held me in his arms, I couldn't help but admire his strength. Despite the darkness he had faced, he had built a life for himself, rising above the pain and becoming the person he was today. And I was grateful that he had chosen to share a glimpse of his past with me, letting me into a part of him that he rarely showed to anyone.

And as I rested against him, I knew that I was right where I belonged – in his arms, listening to the beating of his heart.