Page 92 of The Fire We Make

“I’ll take you home,” he replied. The finality held no room for argument.

“I’m fine,” Joy protested.

“I didn’t ask.”

Joy smacked her lips. “You’re bossy.”

“I’m the boss,” he winked.

When the doors opened to the lobby, Joy and Ace engaged in a silent standoff. Joy gave in to her desires, staying put as the doors began to close.

When they shut again, a triumphant smile spread across Ace’s lips. Joy scoffed.

Ray was already waiting idled outside the elevator doors when they arrived at the garage level. Ace opened the door for Joy, and she stepped in then he slid in beside her.

“We’ll be dropping Joy off first,” Ace informed the driver.

“Yes sir,” Ray replied.

Joy gave him the address to the brownstone and with Nina Simone singing softly through the speakers, they pulled out of the parking garage.

Evening traffic bustled around Brooklyn as Joy kept her eyes fixed outside the window.

Joy didn’t think she’d like New York as much as she did, but she understood now why Mel chose to make the city her home. With each passing day, she fell deeper in love with it and the ache of homesickness grew a bit duller.

Joy kept her eyes out the window, her body facing the door. She pretended not to feel Ace’s heated gaze on her. She pretended not still to feel the ghost of his lips on hers.

She heard the rustling fabric of Ace moving, then a zing of electricity went through her body when Ace’s knee brushed hers. Joy shifted away, unable to stand the heat of his touch.

Ace moved closer.

They did this dance of retreating and following until Joy was wedged between the door and Ace’s body.

“Do you mind?” she finally snapped, turning to face him.

“Not at all,” he grinned, clearly enjoying getting under her skin. Joy huffed and turned her attention back to the window.

The ride to her place was silent until they pulled in front of the building.

“Thanks,” Joy mumbled. She didn’t wait for him to open the door, the scent of his cologne and weight of his presence suffocating her.

Ace was quick about stepping out of the car and walking around the back to come to her side. Before she could do so on her own, he extended his hand to help her out. When Joy began walking to the door, Ace kept stride with her, walking her all the way up to the front door.

“Thank you for the ride,” Joy said again.

“Don’t be too thankful. I had selfish intentions.”

“Oh? And what were they?”

He shrugged. “The more time we spend together, the more I want. I didn’t see much of you today.”

“Yeah well… you were busy,” she said, folding her arms over her chest.

The twinkle in his eyes and small quirk of his lips let Joy know that he knew exactly what she was referring to.

He’d clocked her attention. And now he’d clocked her jealousy.

“I would’ve rather been busy with you, but you were hiding from me today,” he said instead of calling her on it. He took a step forward.