Page 41 of The First Spark

Chapter 9

The Trouble with Thorns

Ash

My eyes trail Ori’s figure as she disappears up the stairs. When the now unlocked door closes behind her, I release a forceful sigh and scrub my face.

Talk about an unexpected turn of events.

I never, in a million years, thought Ori and I would end up as lovers.

Or that I would turn her down for a second round.

I hurt her with my response. I saw that mischievous, sexy as fuck light go out in her eyes and the mask she wears to protect herself from assholes like me slide into place.

She handled it well, pretending it didn’t bother her to be just another night of fun—another notch on Asher Hammond’s belt.

What did Ori tell me right before I made my move? She didn’t want to be another name on my list, but I ensured she became one.

All because I can’t allow any woman too close. Not even one as mesmerizing as Oriana Thorne.

At least I was on the level with her last night, telling her the bare, brutal truth about my theories of love and romance.

She knew.

Still doesn’t negate one undisputed fact.

I. Am. An. Asshole.

With a grunt, I shove on my jeans and boots, rolling my neck to work out the kinks.

Back to my previously scheduled life.

My boots thud against the stairs, erasing any possibility of entering Black Lotus unseen. Wouldn’t have mattered anyway, since both Braden and Zane are lounging on the reception area couch, wearing smug, matching, ‘cat who ate the canary’ grins when I walk in.

They plan on having a field day with this one.

I plan on cutting them off at the pass.

“Don’t even say it,” I warn, pointing at each of them in turn. “Not one fucking word.”

Braden chuckles as he pulls out his phone to check the time. “I’m heading next door for some coffee. Unless you’d rather go in my stead, considering how you and Oriana have made up.”

“Made up in all the right ways,” Zane pipes in, earning a dark glower from me. “Don’t deny it, man. You reek of sex.”

It’s hardly the first time I’ve done the deed without a shower to wash away the previous night’s festivities, but somehow, Zane’s words rub me the wrong way.

Especially when it comes to Ori.

I know he’s pressing my buttons. Here’s hoping he catches the energy wafting off me and stops. Immediately.

No such luck.

Zane snickers, resting his hands behind his head, a mocking grin on his face. “Those library types are always the wild ones. You’d never think it to look at her, but I guarantee that woman has some serious tricks up her sleeve.”

“Watch your damn mouth,” I mutter, fixing him with a no-holds-barred glare.

Zane’s eyes widen at my tone, and he throws up his hands in surrender. “Shit. Take it easy. I didn’t mean anything by it. Hell, the woman is gorgeous. If I had a chance to bang her?—”

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