Page 103 of The Fire We Make

“Nah. You not ready,” he said, searching her eyes and finding whatever he was looking for.

“You don’t know what I’m ready for,” Joy snapped, her face scrunching. “I’m here, ain’t I?”

“You ready to fuck but that ain’t all I want from you, Rose. If I slide up in that pussy she’s mine.”

Joy’s mouth parted.

“I ain’t never been a territorial nigga but you bring that shit out of me. I need you to be sure that you wanna give it to me cause once you do, I’m signing my name in that motherfucka.”

His eyes searched hers again. “You ready for that?”

Joy blinked up at Ace blankly, her mouth slightly agape as she tried to make sense of his words.

Her body was ready. It’d been ready since the moment they met on the roof.

But he wanted access beyond what she was willing to give him tonight. He wanted her to stay exposed once the lights came on and the alcohol wore off.

Joy didn’t know if she was capable of that.

Ace seemed to read her answer in her silence.

“Exactly.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips, then pulled back, going to the dresser on the other side of the room and returning with one of his t-shirts. “Here. I’ll order some food to soak up some of that alcohol. You can put this on and shower if you want,” he said.

"You're serious?" Joy gawked.

"Deadass serious, Rose."

Joy simply nodded and followed him into the bathroom.

After showering and moisturizing with Ace’s products, Joy walked down the stairs in search of Ace and finally looked around the extravagant house.

Ace’s home was exactly how Joy imagined it would be. As she stepped into the living room, she took notice of the black leather seating, sleek black side tables that housed expensive looking lamps, a glass coffee table, floor to ceiling windows, and a fireplace in the front of the room. It was clean, orderly, and dark. There wasn’t a speck of dust or a throw blanket out of place.

Standing in the middle of the room, Joy spotted Ace coming down the foyer they’d entered through with a to go bag in his hand.

“Is this your real house or your hoe house?” Joy asked with a hand on her hip.

Joy didn’t know why but the thought of Ace bringing her to the spot he used to keep from bringing his hoes where he laid his head made her angry.

Ace smirked as he approached her, setting the bag on the coffee table beside her.

“This is my real house. I sleep here every night. Alone,” he assured her.

“Hm,” Joy hummed.

“You know I think more of you than that, Rose,” Ace spoke low into her ear before kissing her earlobe.

She heard him chuckle after she shivered but she was too aroused to be upset.

“Have a seat. Get comfortable,” Ace said as he backed away. Joy did just that, sinking into one of the soft leather couches.

The notes of a saxophone floated through the air and Joy looked in Ace’s direction to see him fiddling with the speaker.

She watched as he crouched before her and removed their plates from the bag. He handed her one and a brief inspection revealed that it was a burger and fries. Joy wiggled excitedly, she hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the aroma of meat, veggies, and fried potatoes hit her nose.

“You always this happy over food?” Ace asked, watching her.

“Don’t judge me,” she mumbled, already reaching for a fry.