Page 104 of The First Spark

A fool’s errand, I know, but tell that to my emotions.

Suddenly, his face splits into a grin. “You mean Jade.”

“I don’t know her name. I’m sort of shocked you can remember them all. Wait, did you buy a planner like I suggested? Organization is key,” I grumble, the sarcasm dripping off every word.

His smile widens, and an infuriating chuckle emerges from Ash’s perfect mouth. “You’re jealous.”

The bastard. “Are we done here?”

“No, I don’t think we are.” Ash moves toward me, but I duck away, intent on maintaining space between us. “Admit you’re jealous.”

“Get out, Asher.”

He bites his lip, but another laugh escapes. “Jade is my cousin. She got stranded by her friend and needed a ride home. I helped her out because that’s what family does.”

I scan his handsome face, taking in the smirk playing on his lips and the amusement sparkling in his eyes. Part of me wants to grab him and kiss him senseless, while the other part of me is tempted to throw my cup of now cold coffee straight at his head. “I thought she was … one of your women.”

“Well, she’s not. She’s family. Glad to know you’re jealous of other women in my space, though. I was starting to worry.” He drifts a finger along my jaw, but I jerk my head away, earning another amused snort.

“Is that why you want to know aboutmydates?” Yes, I’m turning the tables on him and judging by the change in Ash’s expression, I’ve hit the mother lode.

“Just curious,” he mutters, averting his gaze.

Oh no, you’re not getting off that easily.

I stand under him, peering into his now petulant face. “Just curious if I’m fucking them. Is that it?”

A muscle jumps in his jaw and I realize I’m not alone in this game. Ash is an equal player.

Now it’s my turn to snicker—at us both, honestly. “Glad to know you’re jealous of other men inmyspace.”

“Not sure if you’d call it jealousy.”

“What would you call it, then?”

Ash cracks his knuckles as his lips tighten into a thin line. “I’d like to have a chat with them. Back them the fuck up away from you.”

Well, I’ll be damned.

“Sounds like jealousy to me.”

Ash resumes striding across the office floor and I wonder if he’ll wear the boards out before the night is through. “Things are different since the other night. At least, they are for me. My employees are having a field day with this situation. Ribbing me mercilessly about us.”

My heart sinks at his words. “They’re making fun of me?”

“Of course not. They’re making fun ofme, because I swore I couldn’t stand you, and now I’m inventing reasons to be near you.”

I bite back a smile, forcing myself to appear unaffected. “You haven’t been near me in days.”

He scrubs his face with his hands, a look of aggravation coloring his features. “I know, because I don’t want to like you, Ori.”

So much for that warm and fuzzy feeling. Pushing my glasses up my nose, I throw up my hands in resignation. “Gee, thanks. Way to make a woman feel special.”

Ash pushes the office door shut before backing me against the wall and caging me between his inked forearms. “I’m serious. You’ve messed with my brain, and now I can’tstop thinking about you.All the time. A constant loop of your beautiful face, the feeling of being inside you, how you taste. I’m going out of my mind.”

This time, the smile succeeds in breaking across my face. How can it not? I never thought I’d hear the man utter those words. “Asher Hammond, do you have a crush on me?”

Ash shakes his head, a snort of indignation rising from his chest. “Yes. Okay? I do. I have a crush on you. Fucking hell.”

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