The Ace of Spades by m81170

Official Description:

It started out as game, but she was my match in every way. Love crept up on lust and knocked me off my throne. Unfortunately, the stakes of my game were too high and the cost was almost more than I could bear.

Word Count: 16,070

I discovered Ace of Spades because I have the oh-so-fabulous author, M81170, of An Introduction to Swirl and Daisy, on author alert. If you’re familiar with the brilliant innocence her characters, Swirl and Daisy, you might come to this fic (like I did) with some preconceived ideas of how this story plays out, but SURPRISE! Ace of Spades is edgy, complex and utterly well written.

M81170 pushes her boundaries in this fic and takes us to wonderful and dark places.

Ace of Spades is complete and only five chapters long, which is good, because you won’t be able to stop reading until it’s done! The story is based on an invented game called the Spade’s Triad, where girls became cards in a game of human poker.

“How about a game of Spade’s Triad?”

“That game is messed up,” my brother said, not even bothering to glance up from the book he was reading. He was ridiculously moral for someone who shared my DNA and had lived with me for over twenty years. He rarely ever agreed to indulge in The Gamble stage of the game and outright refused to participate in The Opponent.

“But that’s what makes it so much fun,” I said, smirking. “Besides, any heartbreak she may suffer is well worth it for a night with me.”

He looked up from his book with a scowl and glanced across the restaurant at the brunette I was eyeing. She was a sweet thing, perhaps a little plain, but I often found that made girls more willing to play. Seeking reassurance or self-esteem or some shit like that.

“You have serious issues. I highly doubt she’d see it that way.”

I rolled my eyes. I had given up all hope of my brother being something other than a dickless wimp, but was it too much for just a little pride? The loser would be a virgin into his sixties. “Whatever. Just take the bet. You pay for dinner tonight if I get her number and dinner for the next three nights if I get her into the restaurant bathroom.”

It was all a pretext. We both knew he would be paying for dinner regardless of whether I came back empty-handed (which I wouldn’t), but winning made me feel like less of a freeloader. I was fairly positive my need to earn my meal was the only reason he ever agreed to play.

Yep, no Swirl and Daisy there! The story evolves in a cat and mouse game where all the players are playing with different rules and arguably different in games.

There wasn’t a chance in hell that I imagined Bella’s body hitting mine in all the right places as she slithered off her stool. Even after her feet were firmly on the ground, Bella’s ass pressed into my hard-on and lingered there for a beat longer than was completely necessary. She giggled softly and gave me a secretive smile. “You have something in your pocket.”

Definitely not my imagination.

Her hips swayed seductively as she walked away, and I felt like I could slap myself for not seeing it sooner. Bella was a goddamn genius.

The night in the restaurant replayed for the millionth time inside my head, but the fog had been lifted and I could see the film for what it truly was. She had seen it all before — a man picks up a girl, fucks her, and dumps her. After a player has had his opponent, what use is she to him then? I had been under the impression that our game had ended when she sent me away, but I was mistaken.

This was the ultimate game of Spade’s Triad and Bella was the player, not I.

I am such a sucker for a story where a character is battling their own demons. The complexity of the characters, the backstory build up and the main character’s self-exploration (yep, even the frustrating, but oh so hot physical kind) is really what makes this fic stand out above the rest.

I would love to say more, but to do so would so would reveal too much of the plotline. I will tell you, there one of the best “jaw-dropping-oh-my-God-how-did-I-not-see-that-coming,” moments that I have read in a long time.

Ace of Spades is not what I expected, but turned out to be everything I wanted… and more!

Being one of the unfortunate few who hasn’t gotten around to reading Swirl and Daisy yet, I was completely new to m81170’s style when I read The Ace of Spades. I was drawn in from the very beginning, however, impressed with how she formulated an entire plot around a card game, and through the point of view of a character that isn’t stated. He’s a player, but meets a Bella who knows how to fight fire with fire. When he approaches Bella, using all his best moves, she throws a wrench in his plans by offering her phone number to someone else.

“Is that your friend’s name? Edward?”

“He’s my brother, but yeah his name is Edward.”

“Edward,” she repeated again, a slow smile lifting her cheeks. “I like that.”

“And your point?” I snapped. Who the fuck cared about my brother?

“You can have my phone number if you give it to Edward.”

“What?” I said dumbly, sure I had heard correctly but not wanting to believe those words had actually just come from her lips.

She was already tearing off a piece of scratch paper and jotting down her number. “Give this to Edward, please,” she said, handing it to me.

Although only five chapters long, this story is not lacking in plot, or the emotional arch of characters as they experience growth and change. The little tidbits of citrus we get are excellent as well.

By day I would watch her, haunt her, and by night, I would take myself in hand as I thought of our fun. With each stroke, I’d imagine an encounter we’d had, the way her face had looked and the way she’d spoken to me. As the pressure swelled, I would think about Isabella at home in her bed, touching herself to the thought of our game. I’d imagine that as her hips bucked in ecstasy, her thoughts were of only me.

When I was on the verge of coming, I often let my mind wander to the future. I allowed myself to think of what it would be like when our game was finally over, when I’d get to hold her in my arms and make her scream my name — when I’d finally get to bestow upon her the coveted Queen of Spades.

“Isabella,” I whispered every time I came. The pleasure brought by Isabella, even if by my own hand, was incredible — enough to satiate my hunger for other opponents.

It’s a great little fic, and the end is both bittersweet and satisfying. I highly recommend it!

I tried to write this review like seventeen times, but I kept giving too much away. I love this story because it’s mysterious and hot and funny. I love it because even though I’ve read it two-and-a-half times, I still am not sure what I think. I want you to read it because it’s awesome. Don’t miss out on this fic, I’m serious!

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