Page 27 of Until Ace

“You said no, and he still pushed.”

Why is he reciting what happened? I was present, so I know.

I shrug.

“Does this happen often?” Ace asks.

I watch, fascinated, as a muscle in his jaw jumps.

“Mandy?” he asks when I don’t answer.

“What?”

“Does this happen often?” he repeats.

I can see he didn’t like what transpired here moments ago. Truthfully, neither did I, since something about the guy was off. Usually, when they think they can get me to give them the time of day, it only takes one refusal before they back down.

“Sometimes it does.” It happens on a daily basis, but I have a feeling if I told him the truth, it would be the wrong answer.

“Are they usually that pushy?”

I have no idea where he’s going with this, but it seems important that I answer.

“Um, no. Usually, when I decline their invite, they just tell me who they’re here to see,” I say carefully, since each affirmative answer is making him angrier.

He just keeps standing with his arms crossed, looking like he’s ready to kill someone.

“It’s not that bad normally, and I always turn them down. It’s also the reason why no one here likes me. I always have to pretend I'm cold and standoffish. They think I’m a bitch. But I asked Ken for a promotion; I want to sell cars. I'm tired of sitting here day after day, pretending I’m a human mannequin and having guys hit on me for no other reason than I’m a woman sitting in a car dealership and I appear in the commercials. I want more from my life. I’m a hard worker, and I will get it. And even though Ken said he can’t give me a promotion, he promised he will in the future. So there’s that. Also, I would never go out with someone who wants me just because he saw me on TV and thinks I’m an easy lay. And then there’s….” I abruptly catch myself, stop my ramble, and lower my hand, since I was pointing at him.

Fuck!

I almost blurted that, as of recently, I have another reason for declining all the offers, and that reason is him.

Throughout my speech, he went from clearly pissed off to amused, and now he’s looking at me in a way I haven’t been looked at in a long, long time. If ever.

His face is gentle, almost tender. And he’s wearing a small smile.

Having that look directed at me, and by Ace no less, is enough to send shivers from my scalp all the way down to my belly. We stand like this for a moment, me experiencing something I haven’t in a long time, him not even realizing what he’s giving me and how huge it is. That is until he opens his mouth and finishes what I was about to say by rasping, “Then there’s me.”

The shivers go lower and gather in one spot. The one between my legs, making me wet.

I don’t respond to his taunt.

This time, it’s me who crosses my arms.

This is definitely a time to put on my armor and act like a cold bitch. I need to protect at least a shred of my dignity.

That is why I walk slowly to the edge and step off the platform. Standing right in front of him, I sidestep him, then turn around and ask loudly, “Who can I get for you?”

He’s not fazed by my act even a little bit. He throws his head back and roars with laughter.

I stand, looking at him, completely frozen to the spot, too scared to move from fear that if I did, he would stop.

I’ve seen many beautiful things in my life. Eaten gourmet dinners and drank fine wine.

Those meals are one of the only things I allow myself to indulge in, in life. It’s only mine, and I keep it a secret, because if anyone in my family knew, the guilt trip they would lay on me would be enough to make me give it up.

I’ve even listened to such beautiful music you had no choice but to cry and say it was an experience.