Ace did not miss Joanna’s fidgeting, but misunderstood it as her craving a cigarette.
Frowning, he lectured her like a father would, "You’re a woman, but you smoke?"
His judgy tone pissed Joanna off, and she straightened herself nacingly as she snapped,
"What’s wrong with won smoking? Why are n allowed to do it, but not won?"
"n are different from won,’ Ace said stubbornly.
"In what way?" Joanna demanded sharply. "From my perspective, won can do anything n can, but n can’t do everything won can. In that respect, won are nobler than n!"
"How so?"
"Won are more empathetic, sentintal, and kinder. Most importantly, they can bear children, and n can’t. Think about it—every human being ca from a woman, so why are n allowed to smoke but won aren’t?"
Ace actually could not co up with a retort against Joanna’s eloquent logic, and she snorted. "See? Can’t argue against that, can you? Give a reason if you think of one that’s reasonable."
Seizing the mont while Ace was spaced out, she snatched a cigarette from his box
and ignited hers with his.
This ti, Ace did not stop her. He sowhat agreed with her perspective that won were nobler than n, as they were an amalgamation of that which was beautiful, while n embodied bloodlust, death, and violence.
As Joanna smoked, she leaned very close to Ace. Their faces were so close that they
could feel the other’s breath on their skin. It was a delicate exchange, as addictive as
nicotine-one could get lost in it without realizing.
"I smoke because I’m frustrated. What reason do you have to smoke?" Steafan asked Joanna, staring at her through the smoke with a penetrating gaze.
Why did he feel like he had stared at her beautiful face countless tis, and yet completely forgot about it?"
"I’m frustrated too," Joanna rasped, closing her eyes after slowly calming herself.
"What’s frustrating you?" Ace asked, his eyes sharply studying her. ’I don’t think Jovan would leave you frustrated. Don’t you agree?"
He knew very well what Jovan was-plain Janes would certainly go crazy for him, but it didn’t make sense that a strong, independent, and smart woman like Joanna would do the sa.
That was why he had a hunch that Jovan was just a diversion. She was probably carrying more secrets than she let on, and it was those secrets that compelled her to walk into his trap.
"You’re wrong. I’m not as complicated as you think—Jovan is my only concern, and all I want for him is to live his days in peace and bliss..." Joanna spoke quietly as she stared at the cigarette between her fingers, and added quietly, "I’ve only taken a liking to the scent of nicotine over the last few years-it offers brief respite."
Jovan was a burden, but she would only be fine if he was, because it was Ace who had done this to her.
However, those words left Ace incensed. He snuffed his cigarette and leveled an icy glare at her, then demanded through clenched teeth, "You love him very much, is that it?
"Yes, that’s how much I love him. So please set us free, Mr. Moran!" Joanna clearly felt Ace’s rage, but she felt no fear, and instead repeatedly challenged the limit of his patience.
"In that case, get ready for a world of pain!" Ace snapped, his eyes ablaze with rage even as he snatched her cigarette and snuffed it out violently.
"What are you doing?!" Joanna exclaid, shifting backwards and putting her hand on the door handle, ready to flee at a mont’s notice.
"Weren’t you acting all noble and ready to give up everything for him? Having second
thoughts now, are we?"
"No, I just... wanted to prepare ntally."
"Don’t worry, I won’t kill you," Ace said, his gaze dangerously possessive as he held her dainty chin with his long fingers. "I’m only interested in your body."
"You’re sick!" Joanna’s face flushed, and she turned to open the door to escape the
awkward, suffocating space inside the car.
She didn’t expect Ace to lock the door before she could.
"If you’re not having second thoughts, why run?" Ace growled, approaching her like a
beast on the Moran, his handso face nuzzling her neck, and his lips brushing against her fair skin as he rasped, "If you love him so much,it’s not too much if you sacrifice your body for his freedom, don’t you think?"
"A-Are you sure about this?" Joanna seed paralyzed, her body so stiff it could not move, even though her blood was almost boiling.
"What, do I look like I’m kidding?" Ace’s voice was quiet, and his hot breath fanned her skin—the very image of temptation.
"What if I refuse?" Joanna pursed her lips as her heart pounded—this was the closest they had been for half a year, and she would be lying if she said that she was not getting a little eager.
There were claims that when you loved soone to bits, even your skin and muscles would rember them... and it was because of those mories that you would inevitably react.
It certainly applied to Ace too.
The first ti he saw her in Northern Varangia, his desire for her surged like a tidal wave.
He wanted her... in the truest sense of the word!
Even if he had forgotten her, his body still rembered hers from sheer instinct...
"If you say no, I will kiss you until you say yes!" And with those words, Ace pressed his lips to hers without waiting for her to respond.
"Mmph..." Joanna did not expect him to be so direct, and was dumbstruck.
He pinned her against the car door, his aura dominating as he claid her lips so fiercely that it was almost like he was trying to take her breath away.
As the kiss stretched on, the interior of the car began to heat up...
Both of them knew very well that this was wrong, but neither of them wanted to stop.
Perhaps it was that so-called muscle mory at work, and their brains could no longer control their bodies...
Reviews
All reviews (0)