Five Words

Chapter 12

~Ace

Three years earlier...

Sarah trails up my leg with tip of her heels. I have been forcing myself to stay calm, and not lunge at her and kiss her. She has been testing every ounce of patience in me.

She is biting her lips, her eyes staring right into mine, a wine glass in her hand and she is swirling the drink slowly.

"Shall we skip dinner?" I close the menu and push it away.

"Why?" She sips from her drink, "I'm having so much fun." She moves her leg away and I'm thankful when she does.

"You're having all the fun." I correct her, "I'm hanging by a thread."

She ignores me and covers my hand with hers, "So what are you going to eat?"

I turn my hand, skillfully intertwining our fingers.

"I was thinking I should go with something fulfilling, like steak." I raise the glass to my lips.

"Hmmm..." she looks down at her menu, while her thumb caresses my skin.

"I'll take whatever you will take." She says after a few seconds of thinking.

"Okay."

I call the waiter for him to fill him in on our orders. Sarah, once again, surprises me by ordering another bottle of their best wine.

We're minors, and alcohol isn't what they are supposed to serve us. But since the owner of the restaurant is my father's friend, he allows me to order whatever I want, as long as I don't go crazy.

Her ordering another bottle of wine might be a little too much.

"Don't you think ordering another one will be considered pushing our luck?" I ask her when the waiter is out of sight.

"Live a little, Ace." She pulls her hand from mine and sinks back into her seat, folding her arms across her chest. "It is one bottle of wine."

"Did I tell you how ravishing you look in that dress tonight?"

Her lips break into a beautiful smile, "No, you didn't mention it."

"Really?" I tip forward, and she follows my lead.

"Really. In fact, I would like you to tell me over and over again."

"Well, Ms. Keyes, you look absolutely stunning tonight."

Her eyes gleam, "What else?"

"I watched your every step, since we left your house. I watched you as you walked till this table, swaying from side to side. I bet everyone watched you walk in the room."

She bites her lip, "You were certainly observing."

"I was admiring. Still am." I correct her.

"I have a question." She moves forward, "You won't take me home after dinner, right?"

Hell no. That has never been my intention.

"My parents are out of town, so I thought..." I let the idea sink and she is smiling broadly in a few seconds.

"I have a surprise for you."

"You do?"

"One that I know you'll love." She repeats my words.

"Care to share?"

"I'll tell you once we get out of here." She promises.

The waiter brings our food, setting each plate in front of us. Then as requested, he sets the red box beside Sarah's plate. He smiles at her and then looks at me. I nod and he excuses himself and leaves.

"You didn't." She shakes her head as she picks up the rectangular box. "Ace, tell me you didn't."

"I didn't."

I smile at her. I watch her. I memorize her movements. I memorize how her eyes glisten as tears well up in her eyes. The way her lips curve up forming the smile I am slowly falling in love with. The way her cheeks turn crimson because she is happy. I like seeing her happy. I like Sarah, more than words can ever express.

"I can't believe you, Ace. It's the same color, the same model. How did you—when did you? Øh god, Ace. I love it." She picks up the bracelet and inspects it.

"I'm glad that you love it."

She hands me the bracelet to wrap it around her wrist. I do just that.

"It's a perfect fit." I say once it's secured around her wrist.

"Thank you so much, Ace. I'm at a loss of words."

"Don't say anything. It looks perfect."

"You're perfect, Ace."

My heart leaps with happiness when she says that. But she has no idea how perfect she is. I might be falling too fast for this girl, but what scares me is that I'm not afraid to fall in love with her this quickly. It feels like the faster it happens, the faster I'll be able to call her mine.

_____________

I close the door behind us and turn to lock it.

"The Myers'—" Sarah pushes me against the front door cutting me off.

"I think we should skip the house tour, since I've seen all the house. Had dinner twice with your family, and been to your room like a thousand times." Her hands are undoing my cravat.

I place my hand under her ear, "Then we shouldn't go to my room."

"You sure?" Her hands are working fast on my dress shirt, undoing all the buttons.

"You decide." I am breathing heavily when she moves the shirt out of the way and her hand touches my bare chest.

"Do you want to know what I have in store for you?"

I'm not sure if I've nodded or not, but I believe I did since she starts speaking.

"I talked to my parents. I convinced them to respect my decision. I told them I didn't want anything to do with Texas. I told them I wanted to go to Washington. I told them I wanted to be with you." She is standing on her tiptoes, her lips are at my ear, "I think I love you, Ace Myers."

That is all that I can take. I grab her by the hip and turn us around. I push my body against hers. She bats her eyelashes, and I'm a goner. I kiss her.

I've never let happier in my life. I've never felt more alive.

"I think I love you, Sarah Keyes." I whisper against her lip.

She smiles. I smile. Then we're making our way to my bedroom, trying our best to keep our clothes on till we get to my bedroom.