Page 5 of The First Spark

Am I being petty? Damn right, but every mention of her riles me up. Now I have to listen to Braden sing her praises?

“What’s wrong with our coffee?” I demand, my boot tapping out an erratic rhythm against the wood floor.

See? Totally riled up. Who needs caffeine when you’ve got pure, unadulterated loathing at your fingertips?

Braden yanks the cup from my grasp, downing a sip. “Where do I start? How about the fact that it’s sludge? Besides, she has the Jamaican blend I like, and I can’t get it anywhere else in Sparkwood.”

“I’ll make you a deal. I order you several kilos of your preferred coffee bean and you stay away from that woman.”

My brother’s face splits into a grin at my offer. “Ash, that woman has got you all hot and bothered.”

“Not even close.”

His brows raise, and I catch his smirk as he returns his attention to his drawing. “Never seen a woman elicit such a reaction from you.”

“That’s because I like most women.”

“You want me to speak to Oriana? I might have better luck, considering how much you detest her.”

“I’m perfectly capable of holding a conversation with the woman.”

“Sure about that?” He holds up his hands in a sign of surrender, but I note how the bastard is still biting back a grin. “I’m just saying, if you want her to agree, best not to go over there with guns blazing.Ican manage that feat. Canyou?”

Running a hand along my jaw, I catch sight of myself in the mirror on the far wall of the parlor. Braden is right—the womanhasgotten under my skin. I’m a bundle of nerves every time I hear her name or see her pass by.

I can either defer to my brother and let him handle the situation, or I can take care of said situation myself.

Since I’m not one to run from my problems, that leaves me one option.

Oriana and I will have a come to Jesus meeting. By theend, we’ll both either be dead or in agreement. To be honest, it’s anyone’s guess which way this battle will go.

“Well?” Braden presses, his hazel eyes locked on me.

“I appreciate your offer, but I need to do this. Tomorrow night, once Black Lotus closes, I’ll have a little chat with her.”

“That way no one can hear your screams?” He’s joking. At least, I hope it doesn’t come to that, or Ms. Tight Ass and I willbothbe paying a noise ordinance fine.

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge before shooting Braden another scowl. “Look at you—a comedian.”

“Hardly, although I think Oriana will surprise you.”

“Doubtful. Kiki claims all I need to do is toss a little charm Oriana’s way and it will all work out in the end.”

“Sounds simple.”

If only that were the case, but I’m smart enough to realize nothing could be further from the truth.

“Not with that woman, it isn’t.”

Chapter 2

Between a Date and a Hard Place

Ash

Turns out, there is a major kink in my plan and that kink is in the form of a beautiful woman.

No, I’m not referring to Oriana Thorne.

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