He gives me a half smile. “Not all of us.”

“Apparently,” I tease. “The association of rock stars may revoke your membership card if this ever gets out.”

“I don’t care.” He laughs. “Let them. I’m through with that life, anyhow. I’ve got all I need being here with you. I could give a shit about the music industry at this point. I’ll get a job somewhere, anywhere you want to live, and I’ll use my musical talents to serenade you.”

I lean down and press my lips to his. “I could get used to being serenaded. You’re going to spoil me and ruin me for all other men. No one will ever be able to live up to you.”

Ace grins. “Good, I don’t want any other man to have a chance in hell. Besides, I don’t plan on ever leaving you.”

Warmth floods my heart. Hearing him say that he’s never going to leave me is the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. It makes me crave him that much more.

“Make love to me,” I whisper. “I want to be yours in every possible way.”

That’s all the permission he needs and he rolls me over, pressing his weight on top of me. His hand slides over the mound of my breast, over my collarbone and against my neck until his thick fingers thread into my hair. Kisses from his sensual lips follow, setting my skin on fire as he finds his way to my mouth.

When his tongue darts out and traces the entrance of my mouth, I open, giving him full access. I spread my legs wider, squirming below him with anticipation, needing to feel him inside of me, moving with nothing between us.

With one swift movement, Ace buries himself deep inside me. His eyes burn with fiery passion as he pulls back and then rocks into me again.

He groans as he leans down next to my ear and whispers, “Jesus. I can’t believe you’re mine.”

A shudder rips through me as I close my eyes and revel in the pure romanticism in his voice. Those words—those sweet, sweet words wrapping around my heart, making me feel so loved and so wanted—are nearly enough to make me admit to Ace just how I feel about him.

Strong arms slip under me and wrap around my shoulders as he continues his deliciously slow, rhythmic pace. Each thrust causes my core to burn with even more need for this man.

I reach behind him and grab his muscular ass in my hands, loving the way each muscle moves as he continues to please me. “Oh, Ace. That’s it.”

He rises up, still working himself into me. “Don’t come yet. The sounds you make will send me over the edge, and I’m nowhere near done with you. I want to make this last. You feel . . . God, Iris. You feel fucking amazing.” He leans down and whispers against my mouth, “It’s like your body was made just for me.”

A tremble rushes through me, and I know he asked me to wait, but there’s no way of stopping the impending orgasm that’s about to spread through me.

I dig my nails into his backside. “Oh, God. Ace. I’m coming. I can’t stop . . . ohhhh.”

His rhythm picks up speed, and he pounds into me much harder and much faster than he was before, intensifying my pleasure before his movements go rigid and he closes his eyes and growls as he comes hard inside me.

When he opens his eyes and simply gazes at me with a look that can only be explained as pure awe, like I’m the most amazing thing he’s ever seen, I can no longer fight it. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m wholeheartedly in love with Ace Johnson, but I’m scared to tell him.

Later that afternoon, when Ace and I can find the strength to pull ourselves away from my bed, I walk him to the door while he pulls his shirt over his head.

When I open the front door for him, he pulls me into his tight embrace and kisses me. “Would it be weird if I say I miss you every minute that we’re not together?”

I laugh and shake my head. “No, because I feel exactly the same way.” I giggle as he kisses my neck, but then playfully push him back. “Go shower before I change my mind and drag you back to my room.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “That’s definitely not a threat.”

I push him back once more and laugh. “Go.”

As Ace heads down my front steps, he buttons and zips his jeans. My face instantly reddens when I notice Tanner’s car parked in front of my place, knowing he’s seen us and the way Ace is still practically getting dressed while walking out my front door.

Ace passes by the car just as Tanner opens the driver’s door and gets out. He gives Ace a curt nod, and Ace instantly stops in his tracks and whips back around to stare at me with an expression that clearly asks if I need him to stay.

I shake my head, and he pulls his lips into a tight line as if he doesn’t like my answer, but he obliges by heading around the corner to his own place.

Tanner pulls a pair of dark sunglasses off his face as he approaches me. He’s not in a suit today, but in a more relaxed outfit of jeans and a light blue button-down. The dark hair on his head is styled back, making the cool blue tone of his eyes stand out more.

He’s attractive, but he’s a sleazy asshole.

Tanner glances back in the direction Ace just went and then raises one eyebrow as he turns back to stare up at me. “I guess you weren’t kidding when you said you’ve moved on.”

I fold my arms over my chest and suddenly regret not throwing a bra on as I dressed in a tank top and pair of shorts to walk Ace out. “What do you want, Tanner?”

He sighs as he rests his hand on the wooden railing of my porch. “Can’t I come in?”