Using a serious tone, as though I stood before my colleagues at work, I said, "We shouldn't hang out." He stopped walking and turned around with his hands in his pockets. He shortened the gap between us. At the close proximity that we were to each other, I noticed a small peculiarity. He's taller than me by at least two inches!

"What do you mean?" said Ace. He looked as though I had stolen his world.

"What I mean is... we can't be around each other." My words faltered. He frowned.

"You're repeating yourself Damien. Different words, same meaning. Did someone tell you to say this?" My eyes widened. What! Can't I have my own desires?

"No. I just think that at my age I shouldn't be seen hanging around someone so young!" I almost yelled into his face in anger. He tilted his head to the side.

"Oh. Then how old are you? I'm twenty-nine." Twenty-nine? You look like twenty-one! There must be some form of witchcraft involved to look this good at such age! I laughed out loud.

"Don't lie to me. You are probably only twenty–one years old, maybe twenty–three if we're pushing it." He smiled.

"I'll take that as a compliment. However you still haven't told me your age," said Ace.

Through wheezing laughter I managed to cough up two words. "Thirty-three." He chuckled in response.

"See we aren't that far off. What is there to be bothered about?"

Finally regaining my composure I responded, "Well ... you're, you. And I'm not comfortable ... being around someone ... that has your position ... uh title." The unease in my heart danced freely across my features. The cold of the night had finally reached my bones. I walked off.

A pair of strong hands gripped the sides of my waist holding me firmly in place. A warm body leaned into mine. Hot breaths cascaded down my nape.

"Damien, answer me truthfully. Does your job define you?" The suddenness of his question threw me off balance. I struggled to break free from his iron grip. "I asked you a question in English. Answer me!" He squeezed tightly on my waist. I gasped from the sharp pain that surged from that area of skin.

"N, No. It doesn't." I quickly responded. His grip lessened in pressure as he guided my body to face him. With the setting sun behind him his black eyes seemed dark and lifeless. I couldn't help, but stare deeply into them. Without me noticing he slipped his hands around my waist holding me closely to himself.

"Damien, the same goes for me." He grazed his lips against mine. No! The soft touch sent tremors rampaging throughout my body. My thoughts became hazy.

"Ace." I whispered, dragging each syllable out in a deep, seductive tone.

His lips came down onto mine with full force. I lifted my hands wrapping them around his neck pulling his head closer to me. All memory of the words previously spoken had escaped me, as his tongue actively sought out mine. He forcefully pulled my body into his embrace as he constantly changed the direction of his head.

Ace's passionate actions left me weak and dizzy. Yes! I opened my lips even wider accepting the wild kiss, as he dominated my mouth. Loud, feral moans rose from the confines of my chest. The cold night air that entered my nose burned up with every flick of his tongue. This shouldn't have ended this way!

We stayed together in the throes of our passion until my knees weakened beneath me. Strikingly red lips released mine as I crumbled helplessly into his arms.

"Ace!"

"Mmn?" He responded. Crap I can't even talk! "Let's stay like this for a bit." Ace whispered in a low voice. With no energy left to refute his words, I gladly stayed cradled in his arms. A message alert was heard.

Who is messaging me at this hour? I started to reach for my phone when Ace pulled out his own. I saw him type something and then put it into his back pocket.

"Hey I'm actually here with my brother and his wife. This park is being opened under their management. I need to meet back with them, come with me." I ripped myself away from his comforting touch. My anger began to swell faster than a balloon.

"At least give the option for me to refuse!" Ace looked at me as though I said something strange.

"For what? I prefer to predict the beginning and jump to the end. No need for the filler content in between." He shrugged with indifference as he spoke. I stared at him in astonishment.

"I'm not interested in going!" I deflected his twisted way of thinking. He smiled with a hint of irritability hidden in his eyes. He raised his hands in defeat.

"Let's walk back," said Ace. I nodded in agreement. Why didn't I wear a longer blazer and gloves! It's really too cold out! I rubbed my hands together for the umpteenth time.

"Here." Ace handed over the right side of his black gloves.

"One side?" I questioned stupidly.

"Yes. One for you and one for me." He answered stoically. I slipped on the glove shoving the hand deep into my pocket. Thin, warm fingers slid into my forgotten left hand. I turned to look at him.

"Thanks," I said. He spared me a glance before continuing to look forward.

"You're welcomed," said Ace.

We arrived at the front of the park a little too soon for my taste. Ace released my hand and pulled me in close, so that our hips touched.

He smiled, saying, "Will there be a good night kiss?" I blushed like a schoolgirl on her first date. Should I indulge him? Yes. But at the same time, No! Will I regret letting this opportunity slip past? Damn it, I don't know!

I opened my mouth a few times, but the words wouldn't come out. He cupped my chin with his index finger, lifting up my head. His eyes ate up every inch of my face and neck, as he nibbled lightly on his lips. I could see the agitation in his movements. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want this. If I said I didn't want him, the way he wants me. The choice was clear.

One. Two. One. Two.

Playing up my charm, I smiled invitingly, saying, "Yes!"

Ace's eyes widened ever so slightly. He placed a kiss on my lips. I closed my eyes solely focusing on that endearing kiss. The moment it ended felt rushed and uncalled for. I frowned.

"What's wrong?" said Ace, as he searched my face.

I placed my hand on him and began to run my index finger up and down his chest. Looking left, right and then left again, before settling on his face. I batted my lashes at him.

"You stopped too soon." Shock was written on his face, whether it was because of my coquettish act or the words that followed was anyone's guess. Ace smiled in a devilish way, placing his lips against mine one more time. The insatiable beast that resided within me came to life. Yes!

"Ace!" A deep voice boomed to our right. We separated from each other panting heavily.

Looking pleased with himself Ace answered, saying, "Yes, brother." The man he called brother had the most disgusted facial expression I had ever seen.

"I knew you liked to mess around... but fucking with a ni**a! That's low! I won't stand by and watch you taint the Ackerman name!"

I opened my mouth to talk, but Ace beat me to it, saying, "Who I choose to fuck is none of your business! So look somewhere else, because I didn't ask for your fucking opinion! Know your fucking place!" The other man scowled at his words.

"I should leave," I said to Ace, as I handed him his glove which he loaned me.

This is getting out of hand. I don't have to deal with this man's fuckery.

"Yeah you should! We don't want any blacks around here. Get out our sight." The urge to punch him square in the face overwhelmed me, but I kept it in check. He may be a racist bastard, but he was the Ackerman family's racist bastard. I couldn't touch him even if I wanted.

I chalked it up allowing my ears to burn from the onslaught of his hateful words. Ace do something! I pleaded in my heart as his brother continued to rant at my back.

"How dare you get involved with that thing? I'm one hundred percent sure you could have any guy! Get rid of that black thing! It doesn't suit you and besides it disgusts me!" Unable to hear my thoughts and act. Nothing further was said by Ace and I was forced to leave with many negative emotions pounding against my chest.

His brother's words echoed in my mind long after I arrived home. I thought these kinds of things only occurred on the movie screens or in the words of a book. Is this really what others have to endure? Shouldn't racism be a thing of the past?

I tried hard to wrap my mind over the 'Why's' and the 'How's'. We have never even met each other before. How could he hate me to the point of saying those things? I asked myself but the answer never came. After taking a shower and laying down in bed, I finally felt the call of sleep.

I hope this day never repeats itself again.

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