Page 19 of The First Spark

No way will I give the bastard the satisfaction of knowing he startled me. Instead, I rise to my full height—still more than a foot shorter than the man—and shoot off a glare. “Of you? Not a chance. Aggravated. Annoyed as hell. Perturbed. Those are far more accurate terms for describing how I feel about you.”

A few seconds tick by, both of us standing our ground, our eyes locked on the other in a fiery battle of wills.

I break first, but only because Ireallyneed that glass of wine now. “Why are you down here?”

“It’s my basement, too.”

“Let me guess. You have a secret sex dungeon down here.” And no doubt, Lydia is waiting in the wings, desperate for me to vacate the premises.

Trust me, Lydia, we’re on the same page.

“Why? Are you interested?” Asher runs his hand over his bearded jaw, his movements slow and purposeful,drawing all my attention to his mouth—an action that doesn’t go unnoticed. His lips quirk into a barely there smile, knowing damn well the effect he’s having on me, even if I’d sooner die a fiery death than admit it.

“Not in the slightest.” I shift my weight and avert my gaze to a distant point, determined to maintain an even keel.

I will not allow this ogre to upset me.

Asher shoves his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Trust me, sweetheart. Your frigid ass could use it.”

So much for remaining even keeled.

“Fuck you, Asher.” I spit the words out, an enraged huff escaping my lips. Not my most original comeback, but I worry that using words too big might only confuse the Neanderthal.

He chuckles, a low, gravelly sound rising from his chest. “No thanks. As much as you’d love it, you’re not my type.”

I clench my teeth, wondering why his caustic comment stings. Of course, I’m not his type. I don’twantto be his type.

“Coming from you, that’s a compliment. Guess I’m special, since you’ve fucked everyone else in town.”

Asher throws his head back, a dark laugh biting through his words. “Now you’re jealous.”

God, what I’d give to swing a frying pan at his head right now. That would wipe the smirk off his face.

“What does any woman see in you?” I grit my teeth as the rage bubbles through me.

He leans against the basement wall, that cocky grin playing across his face. I’ve seen it a hundred times before,but he’s never aimed it in my direction. “Same thing you do, sweetheart.”

Screw this crap. I just want to get out of here, go home and have a stiff drink. Forget the wine. My bottle of tequila is seeing some action tonight.

I shove past him and stomp up the stairs, hoping against all odds that, somehow, the door remains unlocked.

With a jiggle of the handle, my worst fears are confirmed.

It’s not.

I pivot on the step. “You have a key to this door?”

Asher moves to the bottom of the stairs, peering up at me. “I do, but it’s in Black Lotus.”

Strike one.

I reach for my mobile phone, groaning when I realize I left it in the bookstore. “Please tell me you have your phone.”

He shakes his head, but I see the amusement dancing across his face. So glad he’s having a good time. Bully for him.

“How do you not have your phone?” I demand.

“You don’t have yours.”

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