Chapter 62 – Pancakes

Isabelle Reinhart.

The gentle rays of morning sunlight filtered through unfamiliar curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. For a brief moment, I lay still, enveloped in a cocoon of drowsiness and uncertainty.

Disoriented and groggy, I slowly blinked my eyes open, greeted by unfamiliar surroundings. Panic prickled at the edges of my consciousness as I tried to make sense of where I was.

I tried to stretch, only to realize that strong arms were wrapped around me. Panic fluttered in my chest, my heart racing as my eyes snapped open. The room was unfamiliar, the surroundings foreign to my memory. My mind raced as I struggled to piece together the events of the night before.

"Oh, what have I done?" I whispered to myself, anxiety tingling through my veins.

My gaze darted around the room, everything unfamiliar and alien. The edges of my memory were hazy at best, and I struggled to piece together the events of the previous night. Fear gripped me, and my breath quickened.

Then, a familiar scent enveloped me, a blend of woodsy cologne and something distinctly Ace. My eyes widened as my gaze fell upon the sleeping form beside me. Ace, his face relaxed in slumber, held me in his arms.

The realization brought a mixture of confusion and relief. Memories of the previous night remained blurred. I struggled to recall how I had ended up here, in Ace's bed.

My gaze settled on his sleeping form, his features softened by the deep sleep. He murmured something unintelligible and nuzzled closer, his head nestled against my neck. The sensation of his warm breath against my skin sent a shiver down my spine, and my heart fluttered.

My fingers traced the outline of his arm, my touch tentative yet curious. His grip on me tightened slightly, as if instinctively pulling me closer.

As his lashes fluttered open, revealing his sleepy gaze, my breath caught in my throat. His eyes, still clouded with remnants of sleep, met mine, and a lazy smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Good morning, Princess," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

My heart raced, and I managed a weak smile in return. "Morning."

Oh God, if I’d had sex with him and didn’t remember a moment of it I'd never forgive myself.

"Sleep well?" he asked, his gaze searching mine with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

I nodded, though my mind was spinning with unanswered questions.

“When did we… erhm… end up here?” I asked, biting my lip as his gaze followed the movement.

“You don’t remember?” Ace gave me a sly smile.

“No. Did we…?” I asked, my heart beating a million miles per second.

“Did we what, Princess?” He smirked and nuzzled in my chest, his lips leaving a trail of kisses on my neck.

“Have sex?” I blurted, my heartbeat skipped with anticipation and nervousness as his movements stopped; his lips still on my jaw.

“Did you want to?” He asked, his voice hoarse and groggy that made me question my morals.

“C’mon! Tell me already!” I whined as his body vibrated against me in a deep rich chuckle and warmth seeped into my heart.

“We didn’t, my love. Come on now, do you really think that low of me?” His fingers ran down from my lips to my cleavage and he repeated the motion, staring at me with those beautiful brown eyes.

“Trust me when I say drunk Isabelle can be really persuasive if she wants something,” I said, shaking my head and he replied with a smile.

“Oh, I know all about that,” Ace winked and my cheeks heated up in embarrassment.

I hated the fact that I couldn’t remember anything from my drunken nights. It was like God’s way of punishing me for having too much. Every time I drank, I told myself I wouldn’t drink too much but God forbid if I ever actually listened to my conscience.

“I’ll make you breakfast, hm?” He whispered, not making any move to get out of bed and I nodded, biting my lip.

I took a moment before answering. "Breakfast sounds good."

He smiled before capturing my lips in a deep kiss, his fingers curling in my hair and his body hovering over mine. Breaking away he gave a small smile before getting up from the bed and walking towards the bathroom.

I then looked down at my clothes and my face heated up instantly. Oh, God…

Zach, you piece of shit.

*****

As I came out of the bathroom, my gaze fell upon the chair where his shirt lay. I hesitated only for a moment before picking it up and throwing it on.

The shirt was comfortably oversized, enveloping me in a cocoon of his scent and warmth. I checked my phone and found a wink face emoji from Zach sent past midnight to which I rolled my eyes and decided to confront him later.

I came out of the room. Following the inviting scent of pancakes, I descended the stairs, the shirt swaying gently around my thighs.

As I entered the kitchen, my breath hitched at the sight before me. Ace stood there, shirtless and relaxed, his focus on the pancakes sizzling on the griddle. The play of muscles across his back, the way his hair fell slightly across his forehead—it made me feel things I’d rather not admit.

Leaning casually against the doorframe, I watched him for a beat, appreciating the casual confidence with which he moved. Before I could fully process my own thoughts, his voice reached my ears, a wry smirk accompanying his words. "Take a picture."

Caught off guard by his keen sense of awareness, I raised an eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and amusement coloring my expression. He had sensed my presence without turning around, a reminder of how careful I needed to tread around him.

I approached him, my steps light as I closed the distance between us. I allowed my fingers to brush against his side, a light touch that spoke of companionship.

He turned to me, a playful glint in his eyes, and with a quick motion, he lifted me in his arms and sat me on the counter. The cool surface pressed against my thighs as I settled in.

With grace, he continued to flip pancakes, his movements fluid and practiced. The air was filled with the aroma of breakfast that maybe my mouth water.

"You know," he began, his gaze focused on the task at hand, "pancakes are my specialty." The corner of his lips lifted in a half-smile, his confidence a stark contrast to the uncertainty I felt within.

I let out a soft laugh, a mixture of nerves and amusement. "Is that so? I'll be the judge of that, then." I watched as he placed a perfectly cooked pancake onto a plate, his attention fully on the task at hand.

After he was done he started putting in fruits in the blender and I just saw him with utter fascination, thinking of our life ahead. When he was done he threw me a boyish smile and came to stand right in front of me. Parting my legs apart, he stepped inside and pressed his mouth to mine. His tongue caressed my lips slowly.

“You look so hot in my clothes,” he murmured against my lips and I smiled as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“You should lend me some,” I playfully said, still letting his tongue explore my mouth.

“Or you could just—“ his phone set on the other side of the counter started ringing and he groaned inside my mouth.

“I fucking hate everyone,” he mumbled before making his way to the phone and I chuckled in response.

“What now, Jonathan?” Ace said into the phone while I took out the juice and placed the plates on the table.

“Fine, I’ll be there,” he said after a few minutes of talking with Jonathan — someone I knew from the office.

He sat down beside me on the table, his eyes weary and unfocused.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, placing my hand on top of his.

“Yeah it’s just this trip I might have to take. I have a meeting in an hour, and if it goes well then we’re good. If it doesn’t, I might have to fly to Canada for a few days.”

“Oh…”

“Don’t worry, Princess. I’ll be back soon,” he gave me a small smile, looking at the expressions on my face and I just gave a weak nod.

We were still in our honeymoon phase of the relationship and the idea of parting from him, even for a few days, didn't really seem like something I’d be interested in.

I reached for a plate as he offered me one of the pancakes he had just prepared. The taste was a delightful blend of flavors, and I savored each bite, relishing not only the food but his presence right beside me.

We continued eating, Ace filling me in on everything that happened last night and all the things that I said and me feeling exceedingly embarrassed every passing minute.

Life felt good.