Page 24 of The First Spark

“Things or people?” I tease, the warmth of the whiskey loosening my tongue.

Ash sputters his drink, then returns my cheeky grin. “That smart mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble, sweetheart.”

“Define trouble. I might just enjoy it.”

Of course I’m pushing his buttons. Turns out, it’s way more fun than I realized.

“I guarantee we would.”

No, that wasn’t a Freudian slip. Ash meant it exactly like that.

I have to hand it to him. The man is smooth when he turns on the charm.

Back to small talk, even if our other conversation is far more fun.

I take another sip of my drink. “I’m sorry your date was a disappointment. Do you have many of those?”

“Dates or disappointments?”

“I already know the answer to the first one. Everyone around here does.”

“Now, you have to tell me what you’ve heard about me.”

“Ash, you must know what the women say.”

“I want to know whatyou’veheard,” he presses, shooting me a wink.

Tucking my legs under me, I take another sip of whiskey as the relaxation flows through me. Seems the weight of my long-standing gripe with Ash bothered me more than I realized. Now that it’s in the past, I feel lighter.

“I’m not the only one with monikers. You have quite the handful of nicknames, too.”

“Such as?”

I tap my finger against my chin, recalling all the rumors about Ash and his legendary prowess. Trust me, there have been a ton. “Lady killer, heartbreaker, king of the one-night stands. Shall I continue?”

I expect a knowing smirk, but Ash’s eyes darken as his foot taps out an erratic rhythm against the floor. “Damn. I’m sorry I asked.”

“Ash, people love you here in Sparkwood—ladies and men alike.” I shrug, topping off his glass in a show of solidarity. “When it comes to you and me, it’s safe to say we were both wrong about each other.”

The smile returns to his face as he snaps his fingers. “Let’s make it right. How about a game of truth or consequences? Great way to get to know each other.”

“How about no?”

“Come on, Ori. We’re here all night. What else are we going to do? Unless … you have a better idea?” Again, his gaze sweeps over me, his lower lip caught between his teeth.

I know that look. I’ve seen the man use it countless times on countless women.

It never fails to charm them right out of their pants.

I realize Ash is getting off on his flirtatious banter, no doubt certain he’s getting to me. What he fails to understand is that, despite my bookworm appearance, I don’t actually have a corkscrew wedged up my bum.

Just because I don’t fall into bed with scads of men doesn’t mean I’m incapable of having fun.

Ilovehaving a good time, especially when it involves messing with men whose egos and biceps are the size of tree trunks.

Surprise, surprise, Ash possesses both.

Time to turn Mr. Asher Hammond on his head, something I doubt many women have attempted.

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