Page 54 of The First Spark

I yank a hand through my hair and heave out a sigh. “You know, I get called Mr. One Night Stand all the time,yet here she is, not forty-eight hours later, with another guy, and it’s fine.”

Now Kiki’s grin is full-fledged.

“What is so damn funny?”

“That woman I mentioned earlier? The one who would turn you upside down? Looks like you’ve already met her.”

“Who? Ori? No. Not at all.”

“Right. Not even a little bit.” She shrugs with a knowing smirk. “I guess she isn’t your type, though.”

What is it with women and that line?

Is there a handbook somewhere that describes my perfect woman?

One that states a gorgeous, sexy as fuck librarian type couldn’t possibly fit the bill for me? Because I’d like to see it, and then burn the damn thing.

“Exactly.” I mumble the words, knowing it’s total crap, before flagging the bartender for another refill. The whiskey is going down way too easily now, and for all the wrong reasons. The gorgeous redhead smiles in my direction and sets about making my drink. “She’ll do nicely, though.”

Kiki glances at the bartender and shakes her head. “She won’t cure what ails you, although it’s likely a good thing you have a backup plan, all things considered.”

“Considering what?”

“Ori’s date for the evening.”

Kiki is pushing all my buttons right now. I’m not sure what she hopes to accomplish, outside of pushing my anger into the red.

Drumming an erratic rhythm against the table with my fingers, I will myself to relax.

I’m fully aware the women I bed take other lovers, andvice versa. We’re adults having a good time. It’s not serious and so long as we’re safe and honest, it’s not a problem.

That isnotthe case with Ori’s buddy from Manhattan.

Him, I want to dismember and bury in a shallow grave.

And Kiki knows it—relishing every second as she watches me squirm.

“I better go.” Kiki stands up and pulls her coat off the hook at the end of the booth. “I have to admit, it’s nice to see.”

“See what?”

“You, all tangled up over Oriana Thorne.”

I roll my eyes before giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Be safe driving. Give Drake my best.”

Then she’s gone into the night, heading toward her cozy house where her husband awaits her arrival.

I’m glad for her. Truly.

But that Oriana is also warm and cozy tonight and it’snotwith me?

Not so much.

The sexy redhead delivers me a fresh drink and I notice I’m the only one getting this level of personal service—not that I’m complaining. “Hey Ash, why don’t you come join me at the bar? I’ll be off in an hour and then you and I can have some fun.”

No doubt she’ll be a hell of a good time, too.

Only trouble with that scenario? I don’t want her in my bed.

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