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Ace’s body jolts and he lifts his head, his brown eyes melted chocolate, his hold still tight, another part of his anatomy very hard and making its presence known as it presses against my belly.

“Fuck off!” he snaps. But his mouth is hitched up as he brushes lips over mine.

“Language!” Joan calls.

I giggle even though I’m still reveling in tasting that smile as he steps back, wondering which kiss was better—the feel of his grin against my lips or the one with all the tongue.

It’s a toss-up.

And I am so totally fucked.

“Fire,” Ace murmurs.

I sigh.

Noble chuckles.

Then we get back to work and I do my part knowing Ace is right.

I do have fire.

And that afternoon, I prove it.

Because between Noble, Ace, and myself…

We win the whole damned thing.

Spoiler alert: Joan is not happy.

But I make it up to her by letting her teach me how to make her homemade rolls.

So really, it’s wins all around.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Ace

I sit on the edge of the bed and Violet’s shoulders hitch up as she keeps typing away on her laptop.

When I glance over, she angles the screen away from me.

Right.

Avoiding me.

I should probably let her.

But I’m not going to.

My interest is piqued. My dick is involved (and maybe my heart is a little bit too). So I’m doing what I always do when I’m interested in a woman⁠—

I ignore all manner of misgivings and…

I win.

Or I’m going to, anyway.

She’s all those things I told her this morning and more, so maybe she’ll take my two mill and hit the door after the contract is up but—for now—I’m going to get my fill.