Filed To Story: The Trap Of Ace Book PDF Free
Why was he calling me?
The phone buzzed again.
But this time, it was a message from him.
“Who is it?”
My thumb halted in mid-air from opening the message.
Slowly turning around, I put my phone back into my purse.
“It’s Mom.She asked if we’ve reached the party safely.”
I couldn’t mention Warner’s name.
No matter how sweet Ace was at that moment, jealousy didn’t sit well with him.
He proved it many times before.
And I didn’t want to ruin this night when it just started.
I’d just talk to Warner later.
Nodding, he put the trays of food on the table and gestured to me to sit.
Of course, he pulled out a chair for me.
Shaking my head, I smiled.
“Thank you.”
When he settled in his chair, my eyes fell on his broad shoulders.
His jacket was gone, now he was only in his black shirt.
It clung to his sculpted chest and arms like a second skin.
Those folded sleeves up to his elbows, displaying the veiny strong hands, had me staring.
A breathless sigh left my lips.
Why was he so perfect in every way?
Except his stubborn self, of course!
The delicious aroma of the covered food snatched my attention.
My stomach growled again.
He took the lids off the food platters, and my mouth watered.
Cheesy garlic shrimp!
My eyes snapped up to him.
Smiling at me, he put some shrimp on my plate, drizzling the sweet and sour sauce on it.
Just the way I liked.
Seeing my surprise, he said, “How could I forget to make my girl’s favorite food on our first date?”
I gasped, eyeing the shrimps, roasted potatoes, chicken sizzling, and spaghetti.
All my favorites.
“You—you made all of this?”
I didn’t know he had culinary skills.
His gaze locked with mine.
“You didn’t argue about me calling you my girl or it’s our actual date.”
Oh!
My cheeks turned hot.
I was so stunned he made all those dishes for me I totally ignored his other words.
“I—yes.
It’s just a friendly date.
Don’t forget that!
And I’m not your girl.”
I cleared my throat, shifting in my chair.
He chuckled.
That beautiful sound always made me feel something inside me.
It felt like he was a totally different man around me.
He talked more, he laughed more.
His eyes held light.
“Well, our kiss proves both of your beliefs are wrong.”
He put some spaghetti on my plate and reached for the roasted potatoes.
“And yes, I cooked them myself.”
I tried my best not to turn beetroot out of embarrassment.
Though whatever I said, my actions told the opposite.
But it wasn’t my fault.
I tried my best to resist him, but he always crossed my boundaries.
“I didn’t know you knew how to cook.”
I changed the subject, sticking my fork into a shrimp.
He shrugged.
“I only know to make my girl’s favorite dishes.”
My fork stopped halfway to my mouth.
My heart skipped as I stared at him.
He only learned to make my favorite dishes?
“W-why?”
I stuttered.
“So I could always keep my queen happy and full.”
His intense gaze made me gulp.
Something soared in my chest as I struggled with the tons of emotions he made me feel.
Averting my eyes, I took a bite of the cheesy shrimp.
And I was amazed.
It was delicious!
Eager, I put two more into my mouth, and then tasted the chicken.
My eyes closed at the savory flavors bursting into my mouth.
Once I opened them, I noticed he didn’t even touch his plate yet.
With an uncertain expression, he watched me.
As if waiting for something.
With my mouth full, I raised my brow.
He scratched the back of his head.
“Uh, how’s the food?
Did you like it?”
I gaped at him.
Was Achilles Valencian nervous?
And he needed my approval?
Swallowing, I bit back my smile and nodded.
“They’re delicious.
You’d be an excellent chef if you weren’t a businessman,” I answered truthfully.
Relief washed over his features as he relaxed in his seat.
Wait, was I hallucinating?
Was that pink tint I was seeing on his cheeks?
Achilles Valencian was blushing!
Oh shit!
I should have clicked a picture of it!
Noticing my wide eyes, he cleared his throat, and put back on his confident expression.
This time I couldn’t hide my smile.
“You were blushing.”
“I wasn’t!
Now eat your food.
They’re getting cold,” he said, filling his own plate.
“Here, try some spaghetti.
I’m sure you’ll like it.”
“You were blushing.
I saw it!”
I argued, teasing him.
“It’s okay to blush, you know.
It’s normal.”
He cursed under his breath.
I snickered.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.
No one will ever know that Achilles Valencian blushed.”
“Rosebud!”
he warned, his gray orbs formed into a scowl.
“Eat your food.”
Biting my lip, I finally decided to leave him alone and concentrate on my food.
As we silently ate, my eyes fell on his knuckles again.
None of the movements of his hands seemed to bother him, even if they were black and blue.
He didn’t even wince once.
My hands itched to drag him inside and put some ointment on them.
But I knew he wouldn’t let me until the date was over.
“When did you buy this place from Tobias’s friend’s family?”
The way the guard outside greeted him, staff working for him here, and the way he planned everything said that he owned this house and the private beach.
He didn’t have to look up at me as he already was watching me.
He was watching me more than he ate his food, not letting me eat comfortably.
How could I when his hawk-like eyes were watching me?
Annoying man!
“Three years ago.
They didn’t want to sell it at first, but I convinced them.”
“How?”
His shrug was casual.
“By offering them triple of the actual price of this property.”
My eyes widened.
“Triple?
But why?
You could just buy any other property, much bigger than this.”
Again, the intensity was back in his gray pools.
“Those didn’t remind me of my Rosebud.”
My heart caught at my throat as I stared at him.
He-he brought this beach house for me?
First that company, then that canvas, and now this.
I was out of words.
I didn’t know what to say or react.
So dumbfounded, I went back to my plate.
Once we finished the dinner, he stood and gave me his hand.
“Dance?”
A slow music hummed in the background.
Hesitantly, I placed my hand on his, letting him pull me to my feet and gather closer to his warmth.
His heady cologne filled my senses as we swayed slowly along with the harmony.
Gazing at my eyes, he tucked a strand behind my ear.
“Did I say how beautiful you’re looking tonight?”
his low voice said.
With heated cheeks, I shook my head.
“Well, you’re looking enchanting tonight, Rosebud,” he rasped.
I blushed some more.
“Thank you.
You’re not looking bad either.”