In this excerpt from "Ceremony in Death" by J.D. Robb, there's a light-hearted exchange between the characters Dallas and Roarke. Dallas feels embarrassed about a tattoo of a rose on her body, expressing her discomfort as she confronts Roarke. Despite facing numerous dangerous situations in her career as a lieutenant, she finds the tattoo particularly humiliating and emphasizes its personal significance.

Roarke, however, finds humor in the situation and downplays her embarrassment by recalling her past traumatic experiences, suggesting that the tattoo shouldn’t bother her as much. His affectionate response reveals his deep feelings for her, as he tries to comfort her by merging humor with a display of love. Their interaction highlights both the challenges and the lighter moments in their relationship.