Bound by Fire: Burning desire (#2)
Chapter 3

I was a complete mess. I’ve never cried in the past 20 something years and within 24 hours this is the second time I’ve cried. That too in front of Ace. My sobs died down and it registered to my mind that he was stroking my hair as he held me in his embrace. I pushed him away and tried to get out of bed, but my whole body protested and I hissed in pain. The wounds still hadn’t healed completely and according to the doctor I still had a few broken ribs.

He helped me into the bathroom and I cleaned myself off. By the time I exited the bathroom Ace had a breakfast set up. I ate in silence as he waited for me. I took a deep breath readying myself for the conversation ahead.

“What happened when you found me?”

“That worthless ex of yours stabbed you and tried to escape but we captured him. Thanks to you. You managed to disable almost half his men.” He shook his head. “Aiden was unharmed so we brought him home immediately. Vik and Lea never left his side. I rushed you over to the hospital I felt like I lost you.” There was a strange strain in his voice but I brushed it off.

“Where is that bastard now?”

“Six feet under…” my head snapped up. I would have liked to finish the job myself. “Don’t worry. I made him suffer.” He winked. How did he even know what I was thinking?

“So that’s it? We return to our lives like it didn’t happen.”

“Yes.”

We sat in silence for a while. Ace’s phone started going over he answered and had to leave. The rest of the day passed so slowly. It felt like I was going out of my mind. I tried distracting myself by watching T.V. but my mind kept wandering off. The only thing I could think of was what happened before I fainted. My mind kept coming up with so many scenarios of how it could have gone differently.

The maid brought lunch but I wasn’t in the mood. I told her to take it away. She was hesitant but finally listened. I glanced at the clock and noticed it was almost time for Aiden to be free from school. I got out of bed and changed my clothes to pick him up. I almost reached the elevator when it opened and Vik walked out with Aiden beside him. I felt a tinge of disappointment in my chest.

Aiden smiled widely when he saw me and ran over giving me a hug. I placed a kiss on his cheek.

“Were you going somewhere pretty lady?” Vik asked earning a smile from me. He always calls me that.

“I was about to pick this monkey up from school.” I pinched Aiden’s nose and he laughed. “How was school, monkey?”

Aiden started rattling off what he did in school.

“That sounds nice. Why don’t you go change.” I ruffled his hair.

“You know you need bed rest right?” Vik asked catching my attention. He observed the conversation between me and Aiden silently the whole time.

“I need to get out of here. I’m going out of my mind.”

“Have you had lunch?” I shook my head.

“Then let’s go.” I called Aiden and we left the mansion. Vik drove around a couple of minutes before parking in front of a café. It seemed familiar. That’s when I remembered that I already came here with Ace. We sat down and a waitress took our order.

“How are you holding up?” he asked after a moment of silence.

“I don’t know.” I sighed. Glancing at Aiden who was blissfully unaware of his surroundings and engrossed in his drawing.

“It will get better.”

“When?” I stared straight into his eyes and I knew he didn’t have an answer for me. He suddenly got up and Ace sat beside me after placing a kiss on Aiden’s head. I glared at Vik till he left the café, the traitor.

“I thought I told you to rest.” He said in my ear so Aiden wouldn’t hear. Before I could answer the waitress brought our food and seemed confused seeing Ace instead of Vik. Aiden and Ace enjoyed their food while I played with mine.

“Mama you need to finish your veggies.” Aiden said in a stern tone like I always used on him. Smiling I pinched his cheek and took a few bites from my food. I tried to blink my tears away. The rest of the meal went by with Ace and Aiden talking about some random subject.

By the time we returned to the mansion my energy was so drained I fell asleep without any problems. But just like last time I started seeing flashes of that day. Gasping I sat up. in attempt to calming myself I drank a glass of water.

“Daleyza…” my eyes snapped up to see Ace’s concerned gaze towards me. He was on the couch with his laptop on his thighs. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know Ace… I don’t know what’s wrong.” I snapped. “It feels like I’m slowly losing my mind and I don’t know why. It’s not like I haven’t been in dangerous situations before. I’ve never been bothered by those things before.” My voice croaked. “I don’t know what to do.” I whispered forming fists in my hair. He put his laptop aside and came to sit by me. The palm of his hand warmed my cheek. “Please help me take my mind off these things.” I pleaded as I felt tears streaming down my cheek. I was completely broken. I never pleaded to anyone before. He sensed my distress and his next movement stunned me for a moment.

Wiping my tears he gently placed his lips against mine. His lips moved slowly till I started giving in. When his lips parted my tongue entered his mouth as I started to move more frantically against him. He pulled back and pushed me on the bed while his gaze was locked with mine. He was asking permission to trust him in taking the lead. I gulped and blinked briefly. That night I found out how gently he could be. How different these feelings were opposed to when we’re having raw animalistic sex. I never knew my body could reach such pleasurable highs.

I finally drifted off in a dreamless slumber listening to the calming beat of his heart.