Page 34 of The Fire We Make

Swallowing down her premature disdain for the woman, she returned the greeting, introducing herself.

“I’m so happy you’re here, we have to get lunch together sometime.”

Joy just grinned. Play the game, she reminded herself.

Luckily, before she had to offer a response, April interjected. “Okay let me show you to your office and get you settled,” she said with a light hand on Joy’s arm.

“Thanks sis, I’ve got her from here,” a deep voice said behind them. Joy turned and almost choked on her spit.

As soon as his honey colored eyes met Joy’s, his full lips spread in a smile.

The man from the roof.

“Oh perfect. Joy, this is my big brother and the Junior Partner, Adonis King the Second. Brother, this is your new associate Joy Thibodeaux,” April made introductions.

Joy hadn’t recognized him before but now, in his expensive all black suit that was tailored to perfection and the tattoos on his chest covered, she remembered seeing his photo on the firm’s website.

“Joy Thibodeaux,” the man said like he was testing the name out on his tongue.

A shiver went down Joy’s spine at the sound of it on his lips. His deep tone made her tingle from her scalp to her toes.

“That’s me,” Joy answered.

“Do you happen to have a twin?” he asked with a knowing smirk, stepping closer. He was just as tall as she remembered. Even in her 4 inch pumps, the man towered over her. In any other man, she’d take his size as an automatic threat but on him, it was just sexy.

Joy fought to suppress her own smirk. “Not that I know of.”

“Hmm.” He stuck his hand out towards her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Joy Thibodeaux.”

“You as well Mr. King,” Joy returned, giving his hand a firm shake.

“Call me Ace,” he corrected.

Their eye contact held and Joy fought hard not to look away. Just like the night they met, the way the man’s gaze bore into hers, she swore she could feel him rooting around in her soul.

They seemed to look through her. Through the facade and into her depths. Joy didn’t want him or anyone else to look in there. Even more dangerous, the way he looked at her, Joy wanted to strip down and show him willingly.

Noticing that their hands were still attached, Joy snatched hers from his grip.

Ace put his hand in his pocket. “Why don’t I show you to your office,” he suggested.

Joy nodded and after thanking April, they headed off in the direction of Joy’s office. Joy was acutely aware of Ace’s assessing gaze on her the whole time.

Ace swung open the door and turned on the fluorescent light, illuminating the small office. It was about half the size of Joy’s bathroom back home but overlooked the city which was bathed in morning sunlight. In the center of the room was a long white desk with a rolling chair behind it and two monitors on top. A file cabinet the same height as the desk rested beside it and a small bookshelf was in the corner.

She only got to assess her new space for a moment before she heard the soft click of the door closing. She turned to find Ace leaning against the now closed door with his muscled arms crossed over his broad chest and a smirk on his lips.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Joy hissed, her body warming under his heated gaze.

“Like what?” he asked, wetting his full lips.

Joy’s gaze fell to the movement, her own lips tingling with the memory of how his lips had felt and his tongue tasted.

“You know what.”

He pushed off the door and took a step forward.

“Like I know what your lips taste like? Like I know what your body feels like?” He stepped closer with each iteration, his presence and cologne growing more potent with each step.