Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Eve did her best to keep Rosalee’s mind off of Ace by taking her shopping for a new dress. Then they went to the salon and got their hair and nails done.

“This dress looks amazing on you, it will have every man in the place chasing you.”

Looking at herself in the mirror, she frowned. “That’s what you said the last time we went to a club, and look at how that turned out,” she replied, turning to Eve. “It’s a little too sexy and revealing, don’t you think?”

“Not at all, it’s what everyone is wearing to the club these days.” After talking Rosalee into buying the dress, she then took her to the beauty salon where they both got their hair and nails done.

Back at the apartment, Brett had dinner ready for them. He wanted the girls to eat before going out drinking. He made a chicken stir-fry and salad, which they thought was delicious. It never ceased to amaze them what a great cook he was.

Brett was dressed and waiting for the ladies to come out, and when they did, he got to his feet and stared at them both, but mostly at Eve. “Wow, just wow. You two look smoking hot, and I can’t wait to walk into the club with two of the most beautiful women on my arm.”

Eve went over and put her arms around his neck. “You look so sexy, and you’re my man, so all those women in the club better keep their hands off of you, or else they will have me to deal with,” she said, giving him a big kiss.

Rosalee stood there watching, but when the kiss kept going, she turned her head and looked the other way. She knew where this was going, and if it continued, they wouldn’t be going anywhere. “Okay, you guys, either get a room or let’s get going.”

They both looked at her and laughed. “I believe she’s right because if you keep kissing me like this, I’m just going to take you right into that bedroom and bang the crap out of you,” he said, releasing her.

Once they got to the club, they didn’t have to wait too long to get in, and boy was it ever crowded and noisy, which of course was expected. Luck was on their side when they were able to find a table overlooking the dance floor. Brett went over to the bar and got them all some drinks, rum and coke for the girls and a beer for himself. He was a beer drinker and didn’t care for the harder stuff. He would occasionally have a glass of wine, but that was the extent of it. He sat down next to Eve, putting his arm around her shoulder.

Rosalee looked down on the dance floor and watched everyone dancing. Oh, how she wished that Ace was there with her. Just thinking about him brought tears to her eyes; she was missing him desperately.

“Yoo-hoo,” Eve snapped her fingers in front of Rosalee’s face to get her attention. “I know you’re thinking about him, so stop it and start enjoying yourself,” she said, pushing the rum and coke in front of her.

It was a little hard to hear Eve over the loud noise of the music, but she could make out what was being said, so picking up her drink, she started drinking it. “You’re right, I’m here to have fun and not think about him. I could use another drink,” she said, lightly slamming her glass back down on the table.

When Brett went up to go over to the bar, she stopped him and went to hand him some money.

He shook his head. “No, this is my treat tonight, so keep your money.” He walked away before she could protest. When he came back to the table with a tray full of drinks, he took Eve’s hand and dragged her down onto the dance floor.

Rosalee watched them. She just loved how sweet he was to Eve. He was so loving and tender, and the way they moved together and the way they were staring into each other’s eyes was so sweet to watch. They returned after a couple of dances, and sitting down, they grabbed their drinks. That was when a stranger approached their table and asked Rosalee to dance. She was about to turn him down when Eve shouted out so that they could hear.

“She would love to dance with you.”

Rolling her eyes at Eve, she felt she had no choice but to get up and dance with the man. He was young, tall, and had blonde hair. She thought he was very cute, but he was definitely not her type, and even if he were, she had just broken up with Ace and was in no mood to take up with someone so soon. She doubted if she ever would.

“I’m John,” he shouted over the loud music when they got on the dance floor.

“I’m Rosalee,” she replied.

“I noticed that you weren’t with anyone, and that was the only reason I had the nerve to come up and ask you to dance. I usually don’t approach strange women in a bar, but my buddy saw me looking at you, and they told me I should come over and ask you for a dance.”

“I love dancing, so I’m glad you asked me.”

“Me too. I don’t suppose I could buy you a drink when we’re done dancing? I would really like to get to know you and maybe take you out to dinner some night.”

She stopped dancing and looked at him. “I’m sorry, I just broke up with somebody, and I’m not ready to start going out. I’m so sorry,” she said, and turning, she left him standing there as she hurried back to the table.

“Why did you leave the dance floor in such a hurry?” Eve asked when she sat down.

“He was asking me out, and I panicked. I didn’t want to encourage him, so I ran away. But I did tell him I was sorry and that I wasn’t ready to date. I think maybe this was a mistake coming here.”

“Now why would you say that?”

She looked at Brett and answered him quietly. “I wanted to come here just to dance and have some fun, not to get hit on.”

He stood up and held out his hand. “I won’t hit on you or ask you out, so come dance with me.”

She looked at Eve when she answered him. “No, that’s okay. You and Eve go dance, and I’ll just sit here and watch.”

“Don’t be silly, go dance with Brett. He loves to dance, and I can use a break. Go on, I really don’t mind.”

She figured she might as well. She knew him and felt safe, knowing he wouldn’t put the moves on her, and she was itching to get up and dance. So taking his hand, they went down onto the dance floor.

After a couple of dances, they went back to the table to have a drink with Eve.

She had just taken a sip of her drink when she noticed a shadow on the table and looked up and was shocked when she saw Ace standing there, looking like he hadn’t shaved in a week. “Ace, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to talk to you.”

“What? I can’t hear you over this loud music.”

He hated that these places were so loud, and you couldn’t have a conversation with anyone. When he said it a second time, and she still didn’t hear him, he grabbed her hand and pulled her up off her chair. But then Brett got up and pulled her hand away from Ace.

“Don’t put your hand on her,” he barked, getting ready for a fight when Ace pushed him back.

Rosalee jumped in between them, putting her hands on each one of their chests to keep them apart. “Stop it, you two.” She turned her head to look at Ace. “What do you want?”

He moved closer so that she could hear him. “We can’t talk in here, it’s too noisy. Let’s go outside where we can talk and not be disturbed.”

Brett shook his head. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”

“Maybe you should let her decide that for herself, and who the fuck do you think you are anyway?”

Rosalee looked at Brett. “It’s okay, I’ll go outside and talk to him and then I’ll be back. You don’t have to worry about me.”

He looked over at Ace angrily. “If she’s not back here in ten minutes then I’m coming out to get her and you just might find a fist in your face.”

They went out the back exit door, thankfully there was nobody out there.

She stood there with her arms crossed and shivered from the cold. “When Brett says he’ll come for me he means it so you better hurry up and start talking.” Just seeing him standing in front of her she felt like crying, she was so deeply in love with him and yet he had hurt her.

When he saw her shivering he removed his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“It’s only been a day and I seriously doubt that you missed me. I think it was just the sex you missed.”

“No, you’re so wrong about that.”

“Then what is it?” When he didn’t answer she turned to go back in. “That’s it, I’ve had enough so just go home and leave me alone.”

He knew he had to tell her the truth now before he lost her forever. “I love you damn it.”

She stopped just as her hand reached for the doorknob and turned around to look back at him. “You’ve never said that to me before.”

“I should have, but I was afraid, afraid to love someone the way I love you.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“If he knew how much I love you he would try to take you away from me.”

“Who?” she asked, moving closer to him.

“Evan.”

She was more confused now than ever. “Evan! Why would he do that? Ace, you have to tell me the truth.”

He started pacing back and forth, running his fingers through his hair. “Do you remember that I told you how my wife was cheating on me?”

She nodded her head.

“She was sleeping with my brother, and he planned it so that I would find out. He said that no matter what woman I had in my life, he would get her into his bed.”

“I’m so sorry, but I’m not just any woman. I would never cheat on the man that I love.”

He made a gasping sound as he went over and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“Yes, I love you too, and I have been in love with you for some time now. But I cannot go on the way we have been, keeping secrets and sneaking around and having sex in your office.”

“You’re right, and there will be no more keeping it a secret. I want the whole world to know that we’re a couple and that I love you.”

She thought her heart was going to burst with happiness. “Do you really mean that?”

He wrapped his arms around her, his lips coming crashing down on hers in a kiss that left her breathless and weak in the knees. He smiled when he saw that her eyes were still closed and her chest was still heaving. “Yes, does that answer your question?”

She opened her eyes to stare into his. “Would you like to go home now?” She was more than willing to go home and show him how much she loved him.

He moved the strand of hair that had gotten in her face. “No, I don’t. You wanted us to have a night out to dance and have a few drinks, and that’s what we’re going to do. There will be no more hiding or staying locked away; from now on, we’re going to do what other couples do and go on dates. I think we should go back inside now before Brett comes looking for you and punches me in the face.”

When they walked inside, he took her hand and proudly walked to where their table was and sat down with her.

“So I see the two of you have made up. So did he talk you into keeping your relationship a secret?” Brett asked, giving Ace the evil eye.

“Yes, we have made up, and for your information, we are no longer keeping anything a secret. Before you ask, it was his decision.”

Ace leaned over the table closer to Brett so that he could hear him. “I know how worried you were about Rosalee, and I appreciate you looking out for her. When she walked out on me yesterday, that was when I realized how much I loved her and didn’t want to lose her. I had my reasons for wanting to keep it a secret, which I won’t get into, but let me assure you I’ll never hurt her again.”

Brett could tell that the man was sincere and decided to give him a chance. “I’ll never understand what reason you could have for wanting to keep quiet about you and Rosalee. I hope you keep your word and never hurt her because she is very special to me and Eve. Now how about I order us all some drinks.”

Two hours later, after dancing and drinking, she was feeling tired and wanted to go home. “Guys, I don’t know about you, but I’m really beat.”

“But it’s still early,” Eve said, feeling disappointed that the evening was going to end so soon.

Brett put his arm around her. “Sweetheart, why don’t you wait here, and I’ll give her a ride home, and that way we can stay out longer.”

“Wait, there’s no need for you to drive her home. I also think you’ve had too much to drink and should take a taxi back to your place. Since I’ve only had one drink, I’ll give her a ride back to her apartment.”

After the two men shook hands, Ace and Rosalee left the club, and he drove her straight to her apartment.

“You know, if you want to just grab a change of clothes, you can come back to my place.”

She gave him a warm smile. “I think I’d rather stay home if you don’t mind?”

He placed his hand on her thigh and smiled. As much as he would have liked for her to go back home with him, he understood where she was coming from. “Okay, if that’s what you want.”