Page 140 of The Fire We Make

He stilled.

“Which detective?”

Joy tilted her head and Ace tilted his, a silent stare off over eggs and toast.

“What’s your question, Joy?”

“He seemed pretty interested in you and your family.”

Ace shrugged. “Comes with the territory.”

“Mm,” Joy hummed.

“Where’s this coming from?” Ace asked, setting down his fork.

Joy pushed the eggs around on her plate. “I just wanna make sure you’re not in any trouble.”

Ace smirked slightly. “You worried about me, baby?”

“You seem like you can handle yourself,” Joy said, images of Ace ferociously slamming his fists into Detective Harris surfaced to the forefront of her mind.

“Yes,” he nodded. “I can.”

“And do you handle yourself that way often?”

“I do whatever’s necessary to protect the people I care about,” Ace said, pinning her with his intense stare. It simultaneously felt like a promise and a threat.

A normal woman would be worried. A normal woman would have run for the hills. A normal woman wouldn’t feel a thump beginning to resonate at the joining of her thighs at the thought of a man killing just for the crime of touching her.

And he’d do it again, his eyes said.

Ace held her stare unapologetically, almost daring her to shy away from him now that she’d seen a different side of him.

Joy didn't look away, and she could only hope he didn’t either if he saw a different side of her.

“Finish your breakfast. The stylist will be here soon,” he said, effectively ending the conversation.

Joy nodded, letting it go, and brought her mug to her lips.

She felt Ace’s eyes on her as she took small bites of her breakfast but didn’t look up.

Across the table, he stood and left the room. Joy felt when his energy returned, looming behind her.

The subtle bite of cold metal on her chest and kisses behind her ear made her suck in a breath.

She looked down and gasped.

A dainty pendant glittered between the valley of her breasts. Rubies, emeralds, and diamonds made up the shape of a rose on a thin gold chain.

“Adonis,” she breathed, running her fingers lightly over the necklace. “What is this?”

It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she’d ever seen and the most touching gift she’d ever received.

Ace leaned down and spoke into her ear. “A rose for my rose. You like it?” he asked.

Joy nodded, speechless. She looked over her shoulder to look into his eyes.

“I love it,” she said.