Filed To Story: Kidnapped by My Mate Novel (Belle & Grayson)
“What do you even have to be worried about?” I fumed. “You’re not here. How could you even know if something happened?”
I expected him to yell at me again, but to my surprise, Ace was silent for several seconds as he processed my words.
Just as I was about to ask if he was still there, he spoke again.
“Is that what all of this is about?”
I paused. “What do you mean?”
He let out a deep breath on the other side of the phone. “Thank fuck. Goddess, I was worried.”
I imagined him running a hand down his face; the way he always did when he was relieved or tired.
“My sweet, little Doe. I miss you too, sweetheart.”
He was speaking much softer now, his tone smooth and deep and comforting.
Despite my best efforts, my body instantly reacted, and most of the tension I’d been feeling faded.
But as happy as I was for him to confirm he still loved me, I was determined not to give in to the urge to roll over and surrender just because the opportunity to make amends had presented itself.
Not this time!
“What are you talking about? I never said I miss you,” I stated stubbornly.
“No, you never said it, but I still know you do. I feel the same way. I hate it when we’re apart. You’re my best friend.”
I flinched. That was the last thing I wanted to hear right now. “Best friends tell each other where they’re going instead of just disappearing without any notice.”
“I texted you,” he pointed out.
“It was the vaguest text ever! All you said was ‘Something came up.’ You didn’t tell me where you were going or what you were doing or why you had to leave school so suddenly.”
And don’t even get me started on the fact that you were seen leaving with the drop-dead-gorgeous new girl.
I chose to leave that part out. He didn’t need to know about the jealousy burning a hole in my heart.
“I’m sorry, Doe,” he went on. “I was a huge jerk today, wasn’t I? Fuck, and then I left you by yourself and…I can see why you’ve been avoiding my calls.
“It doesn’t make it okay, but I understand why you did it. I confused you today.”
Uh, yeah, like you are confusing me right now.
How could someone’s words bring me so much comfort while utterly bewildering me at the same time?
“I miss you too, Doe,” he repeated once more. “I hate being away from you just as much as you do and I wish I were with you right now. More than anything.”
I blinked up at my ceiling. The longer Ace’s buttery-smooth voice traveled through the phone and into my ear, the harder it was not to forgive him.
I let out a deep breath, exhaustion replacing my anger. I hadn’t realized how much tension I’d been carrying and allowed my body to slump and relax for the first time since he left me that morning.
“O-okay,” I replied. It was the only thing I could think to say.
“Yeah? Is it okay? Can you forgive me? I hate that I made you so upset.”
There was still a small spark of rage left in me, just big enough to continue arguing with him if I wanted to.
But I didn’t want to.
“I’ll think about it,” I murmured.
He let out a sigh of relief. “I guess that’s good enough for now. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
I chewed my bottom lip. “Ace?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Are you coming over here tonight? To s-sleep with me?”
“Of course I am. I always sleep with you. You know that. Have you been worried about that?”
“Only a little,” I mumbled. My cheeks heated. “I just sleep better with you by my side.”
Plus, I have just watched the scariest movie of my life and will no doubt be plagued with nightmares all night if he doesn’t come over.
“Fuck, you’re blushing right now, aren’t you? I love it when you blush.” Ace let out a deep groan that made the space between my legs tingle slightly.
“I sleep better when I’m by your side too. So, you never have to worry about that.
I’ll always sleep with you. Did something happen to make you think otherwise?”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Other than you being in Canada all day?”
Ace paused. My stomach dropped.
“How the fuck did you know that?” he demanded.
Shit, why the hell did I mention Canada? ?“I-I, um…”
“Did your dad tell you?” Ace continued.
My silence was answer enough for him.
He swore under his breath. “That’s great. Just fucking perfect.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. “I was in Ontario earlier today, yes. I’m landing in Colorado in an hour and a half.”
So, my dad told the truth then. Why did he get to know but I didn’t?
“Why didn’t you tell me? And why did you need to go to Canada, anyway?”
Ace sighed. “It’s complicated, Doe. I can’t really get into it right now, but I promise, I’ll explain the whole thing to you later. For now, let’s just say, I had a family emergency.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know you don’t have any family in Ontario, Ace.”
“They moved there recently,” he replied without skipping a beat.
Lies, lies, and more lies.
“Is there anything your father didn’t tell you about my business?” Ace asked. “I’ll have to talk to him about what he can and cannot share with you. He needs to learn some boundaries.”
My nostrils flared. “My dad can share whatever he wants with me. He’s the only one who isn’t keeping secrets and, therefore, he’s the only person I can trust at the moment.
“You will not take that away from me because you feel like having this mysterious second life that you want me to know nothing about for no good reason.”
I could hear Ace grinding his teeth on the other end of the phone. “I don’t have a second li—”
He cut himself off and took a deep breath to calm himself down. “I don’t want to fight anymore. I’ve been away from you all day and just want to hear your voice.
Tell me about your day.”