Page 28 of The First Spark

“I see we’ve segued to sex talk,” Ori says, sputtering her whiskey as she takes a sip.

“It’s always interesting.”

With a grin, she gestures to herself. “Not when you think I’m an old maid who fucks through a sheet.”

See? Totally vanilla. At least she admits the fact.

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Answer the question.”

“Easy. Airplane bathroom.”

Or … not vanilla at all.

“You did not fuck in an airplane bathroom,” I scoff, dismissing her claim with a wave of my hand.

But Ori’s shrug and unaffected gaze tell me she most definitelydidjoin the mile high club. Hell, even I haven’t checked that one off my bucket list.

“I did. Really tight space even for my tiny body. Do not recommend.”

“Was this with your boyfriend at the time?”

“Not exactly. The co-pilot.” Ori giggles at my shocked expression. “Just becauseyouthink I’m a prissy bitch doesn’t mean you’re right.”

“Few women surprise me.”

“Are you saying I’m not typical?”

“In any way. Huh.” Yes, I’m floored by her admission. I’m also pretty fucking turned on. Sitting up, I shift on the couch, trying to adjust myself without Oriana catching on.

Judging by the mischievous smirk on her face, she knows exactly what I’m doing. “You okay over there?”

“I don’t know. You care to help me out?”

“You’ve never been told no, have you?”

“Not true. I got rejected a ton as a teenager, but then I started paying attention to women. Picking up on the subtle cues—the intangible signs that they’re interested. After a while, I got damn good at it.”

“And what cues are you picking up from me?” Ori inquires, resting her head on her hand, expectant curiosity on her face.

“That you have no intention of falling for any of my lines, even if you are attracted to me.”

“Is that a fact?”

I shift again, those dark eyes of hers boring holes intomy visage. Talk about an intense gaze. “Honestly, it’s a guess. You’re hard to read, Ori.”

Now the corners of that gorgeous mouth curl up. “Thought you were good at reading women.”

Tossing up my hands, I shoot her an embarrassed grin. “Not you, apparently. But you’re nothing like the women I’m used to.”

Ori stiffens, her eyes cutting to an innocuous spot on the floor. “Got it.”

Shit, it was a compliment—one that went over like a lead balloon. “That’s a good thing, Ori.”

She releases a sigh before meeting my gaze. “It’s just I’ve heard that exact line so many times regarding me. How I’m a tough nut to crack and not worth the effort. And I know they’re not all wrong.”

“Actually, that’s exactly what they are. The wrong guys.”

“Well, I’ve had my share of the wrong guys, so I’m thinking the right one isn’t out there. Maybe I should take a page from your playbook and sample all the wares in Sparkwood.”

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