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Chapter 322
~Valerie’s POV~
Before us lay a hidden spring, clear, rippling water cradled in smooth rocks, with sunlight breaking across its surface in molten gold patterns.
The air here carried the faint, calming scent of water lilies.
I inhaled deeply, feeling an odd peace settle over me.
Ace came up behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist in a gentle, unhurried hug. "This is my space," he murmured against my hair, "where I come to breathe when everything feels too loud."
I held my breath and let him do what he wanted.
Astra was also a constant reminder in my head that I needed this kind of calm, the type that the Lycans brought.
I wrapped my arms around his and let the moment pass.
After some time, Ace pulled away, gave that apologetic smile and stood beside me. Instinctively, I reached for his hand in mine.
"Who owns this mansion?" I asked out fo the blue.
Ace reached up, scratching the back of his hair as his lips pulled back in such child-like smile that warmed the heart.
"Mine."
"Yours? And not your family’s?"
"My family has estates in all five regions, but this one was built for me by Mum. It’s our little secret getaway."
I was speechless beyond words.
Ace went on to explain how his mother had made him and Ash pick a region, and they did, then she offered them the houses as their birthday gifts when they turned sixteen.
The only other person who could visit here at will was his mother.
"Hey, enough of all this talk, it makes it seem like I’m bragging to you. I brought you ere to have a nice time and take your mind off everything."
I tucked my ear behind my ear and looked at the morning sun first, before looking at him.
"Is this like a date?"
Ace did not say much, but he intertwined my hand in his and pulled me closer so I was standing facing him.
"My love, would you honour me by going out on a date with me?"
A giggle tore through my lips as I lowered my head. "You’re not proposing Ace."
"If I were, I’d be on one knee. But I’m not." I nodded. "Yet. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want you to be my better half in the future."
"And my other mates?"
"I’ve been born to share. I get jealous, but I think I can handle them. Who knows, you may grow tired of them and choose to be with me forever."
I couldn’t help the laughter that tore through my mouth. He was funny without even trying so much to please me.
Ace’s thumb brushed lightly over my knuckles, the warmth of his touch seeping deeper than I wanted to admit.
"You laugh like sunlight," he murmured suddenly. "I could spend hours just trying to make you do it again."
Heat pooled in my cheeks, and I looked away, suddenly too aware of how close we stood.
His hand lifted, fingertips skimming my jaw before tracing the outline of my lips with an almost reverent slowness.
"You don’t know what you do to me, Valerie," he whispered, as if the words were meant for the air between us alone.
"You make it very hard for a man to keep his hands to himself," he said softly, brushing his knuckles over my lower lip.
I didn’t trust my voice, so I stayed quiet, my heart doing an odd little sprint in my chest.
I should’ve stepped back. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to move on, not entirely.
I should’ve reminded myself that rushing into something new wasn’t wise. But when his impossibly tender gaze locked with mine, my resolve crumbled and all my reservations loosened.
So when Ace leaned in again and his lips pressed to mine, I didn’t stop him.
It wasn’t rushed. He didn’t consume me, he coaxed me.
Every stroke of his lips was slow, like he was memorising the shape of my lips.
I could feel the restraint in the way he held me, his hunger fighting to spiral, yet he refused to take more than I was ready to give.
It was almost more intoxicating than any heated kiss could have been.
When he finally pulled back, his eyes were smouldering, and I could feel the heat of his desire even in the cool morning air. "Come on," he murmured, still holding my hand as he nodded toward the sparkling water.
"Would you like a dip in the lake? Or the swimming pool?"
I blinked at him. "Neither. I didn’t bring a change of clothes."
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