Page 65 of The First Spark

Maybe it’s because he was guaranteed a quick fuck in the basement. Or maybe, just maybe, he likes me, too. Even if he won’t admit that fact.

“I heard there is a champagne and chocolate set up outside the wine bar, and I’m dying to taste some chocolate right now.”

Ash averts his gaze, barking out a laugh. “Dying, huh?”

“Absolutely desperate. My mouth is watering already.” I drag my tongue along my lower lip and release a low moan.

“Fucking hell,” Ash mutters, grabbing at his jeans to adjust himself once more. “You don’t play fair.”

Biting my lip, I hold his gaze. He may have to leave, but I’m ensuring I remain at the forefront of his thoughts. “Where’s the fun in that? Now scoot. Go pick your lucky winner.”

My gaze follows Ash as he saunters across the tent, ready to choose the lucky recipient of his custom-made body art. If the gods are kind, it’ll be a burly man who wins the prize.

Turns out, the gods are sadistic assholes. I grit my teeth as Ash selects the winner from the glass bowl—a striking woman with inky black hair, a wisp of a waist and the biggest tits I’ve seen outside of the porn industry.

Mina sidles over, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Having fun?”

“Not at the moment,” I grumble, shooting a side-eye toward Ash and the dark-haired beauty captivating his attention.

“Not now. Before.”

“It was fine,” I lie, determined to downplay my stolen moments with Sparkwood’s resident heartthrob. “Why?”

Mina shakes her head, releasing an aggravated grunt. “Fine? What a load of garbage. I saw you two canoodling.”

Despite my internal angst, I chuckle and down my last sip of wine. “That is a bald-faced lie. I never canoodle. For your information, I’m Ash’s new bodyguard.”

“Is that what you two are calling it?”

“What wouldyoucall it?”

“Totally fucking hot for one another.” She wags her finger under my nose. “Don’t deny it. Everyone in this tent saw what happened between you two.”

“Great, I’ll likely have a hit out on me by the end of the festival.” I brush imaginary lint from my coat, trying my damnedest to put my emotions back to rights. “Maybe he did it to get a rise out of them. Stoke their jealousy. Stranger things have happened.”

Mina rolls her eyes. “Or maybe Ash did it to send a message.”

“What message is that?”

“Back off, because he’s off the market.”

Now I’ve heard everything. Yes, the romantic idealist in me yearns for that to be the case, but the realistic side of my nature warns me it’s highly unlikely. Does Ash like me? Probably. Thinks I’m great in the sack? I’m leaning toward yes. Willing to part with his player persona for me? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

“Trust me, not even close. I’ve been hired for my extraordinary sparring skills. End of story.”

I hug myself as the brisk chill sweeps in from the tent entrance. Funny how I didn’t feel the cold in Ash’s arms. But it’s back to reality.

At least for the present.

“Obviously. What other reason could he have?” Mina motions toward the store. “Ready to head out for a bit? Check out the rest of the festival?”

“Absolutely. Want to join me for some champagne and chocolate at the wine bar?”

Mina’s eyes light up like a kid at, well, Christmas. “Definitely.”

I cast one final glance toward Ash before ducking out ofthe tent, but he’s too involved with Ms. Porn USA to notice me.

Yet another reason keeping my distance is the smart move. There is no way I can share a man with a bevy of other women—that’s just not in my DNA.

---