Page 117 of The Fire We Make

“You talk about me, but I don’t think I’m the only one with secrets, Mr. King,” Joy said. There was a teasing lilt to her tone but her words were true.

Ace nodded, conceding her point. “I’ve got a temper,” he explained away with her words.

Joy couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Yeah, aight,” she rolled her eyes.

Ace grinned and opened his mouth like he was going to say something else but closed it. “Goodnight Rose,” he said instead.

“Goodnight,” Joy responded then reached for the door handle but was once again stopped from exiting.

“Hold up,” Ace halted her with a light grip on her elbow.

When Joy turned, she was met with Ace’s lips descending onto hers. She moved her hand from the door handle to Ace’s chiseled jaw, holding his face while their lips married and tongues danced.

After a few moments that felt like both hours and just a second, Ace pulled away with a satisfied smirk.

Joy grinned, wiping the remnants of her lipstick from his mouth. Without a word, she exited the car quickly and hurried inside on wobbly legs.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Joy was working in Ace’s office when the door opened.

She looked up, expecting to see him but faced a Chanel two piece skirt set and bombshell curls instead.

“Hey Joy,” April beamed when she saw her.

“Hey April, how are you?” Joy returned with a smile. She and April had become friendly over the past few months, but aside from that night at Amethyst a week ago, their relationship had yet to venture beyond quick hellos in the hall and shared lunches in the office.

“Ace ran down to the paralegal floor if you’re looking for him,” Joy informed her.

“Actually, I was looking for you,” April said.

Joy’s fingers froze over the keyboard. “Me?”

April nodded. “Yeah, I wanted to see if you wanted to go out for lunch.”

Joy stared blankly at April, her brain short circuiting trying to figure out April’s motive.

“Why?” she finally asked, her gaze searching.

April giggled. “I had some free time and wanted to hang out. My brother’s treat,” she sang in an attempt to entice.

Joy laughed. “Okay sure. I just need to send this email real fast.”

“Take your time.” April plopped down into Ace‘s chair and kicked her stilettos onto the desk. “Do you like working with my brother?” she asked.

Joy’s fingers tapped the wrong keys on the keyboard and her heart stuttered in her chest at just the thought of him. Enjoy was an understatement. She relished in being at his side, hearing his praises as they bounced ideas off of each other. She craved their nights alone in his office.

“Yeah I do,” she answered simply.

April hummed in acknowledgment. “Yeah my brother likes working with you too.”

Joy didn’t lift her eyes from her screen. “Oh yeah, he told you that?”

“He didn’t have to. He sings your praises every chance he gets and it’s very clear he likes spending time with you outside of work too.”

Joy looked up, suddenly understanding what was going on here.