Ace’s jaw hardened. “He seems like a narcissistic asshole to me.”
Her lips twitched. “I totally agree.”
He eyed the oversized couch in the living room. “How about I sack out on your sofa?”
May turned. “Ace.”
He met her stare.
Awareness crackled between them. His gaze dipped briefly to her mouth before snapping back to her eyes.
“I’m a big girl and know what I’m doing.” She stepped back, breaking the moment. “Go home. Get some sleep. I’m sure the troopers will want to talk to you again tomorrow, unless Tyler confesses.”
“Oh, that kid will confess,” Ace said.
“If he killed her,” May replied.
Ace nodded slowly. “His temper’s too volatile and they’ll get him to break.”
May studied him. “The troopers are that good?”
Ace huffed a laugh. “By the end of my interview, I thought I was guilty.”
She smiled up at him. “Thanks for driving me home.”
“Sure.” Ace didn’t step back or break eye contact. The night air had cooled, but heat still pulsed low in his bloodstream. “How about I kiss you this time?”
Need flashed in her pretty eyes.
“One kiss,” he said gently. “It’s okay to say no.”
She jerked her chin up. “I know it’s okay to say no. I’m perfectly comfortable doing so.”
Ace’s mouth twitched. “Good. I’m glad.”
She stared at him for a long moment, something shifting behind her eyes. Then she exhaled. “All right. One kiss.”
He didn’t move right away. Yeah, he could be patient when he wanted. The silence stretched tight between them, charged and fragile. Finally, he stepped closer, lifting a hand to her chin. His touch was slow and deliberate.
Her gaze flicked to his mouth. “Are you all healed?”
“Yeah. It was minor.”
“It still looks like it might hurt.” Her eyes darkened with the blue deepening.
“Let’s find out.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers, soft and testing.
She sucked in a breath.
Then he kissed her.
Fully.
His hand slid to the back of her neck, his fingers curling as he cupped her head. He held her gently but firmly, angling her mouth to his. The kiss deepened instantly, heat flaring fast inside him.
She tasted warm and sweet. She made a small sound against his lips, and something inside him snapped loose. Hunger surged through him, raw and demanding. Her hands fisted in his shirt, gripping tight as she kissed him back, matching him, meeting him.
The world narrowed.
