Page 60 of The First Spark

“Don’t play dumb. They, like every other woman out here, want a chance with you.”

“Interesting theory.”

“It’s not a theory.”

Ash’s gaze roves the length of me, a smirk coloring his mouth. “If that’s the case, then how come you’renotdressed like that?”

Conceited prick.

No way will I give his ego that level of satisfaction, especially not after he shot me down for a second round.

He can butter up his harem if he requires accolades.

“It’s simple. At my age, I’m far too practical to catch pneumonia, hoping to catch a man’s eye.” I pull my glasses down and peer at him over my lenses. “Plus, I’m not looking for a spot in your rotation.”

Aloof and haughty bitch, at your service.

My barb hits its target as the smile falls from Ash’s face.He crosses his arms over his broad chest, rocking back on his heels. “Good to know.”

Damn it.

Now, I feel guilty about my snarky comment, which is ridiculous. First, Ash knows he’s adored. He’s got a line of women—a literal line—ready to service his every need.

Second, it’s not like the man actually cares how I view him. I’m one voice in a sea of hundreds.

Third, and thebiggestreason, I asked him out. He shot me down. If anything, I should be the one who’s pissed.

Come to think of it, I guess I am.

Still, I hate being that person. Jealousy is a terrible look and even though I wounded his ego, he hasn’t stalked off, despite my caustic retort.

Time to ease the tension in this conversation. I lean into him, giving him a teasing nudge. “There must be one holdout in your crowd of adoring fans. Otherwise, it’s too easy and where is the fun in that?”

Ash glances down at where I nudged him, his expression softening just a touch. The pressure eases, but there’s still a flicker of unresolved emotion in his eyes.

“Maybe you’re right,” he says, as his gaze wanders over the throng of women awaiting his affections. “Too easy gets boring after a while.”

“I’ll give you this, Mr. Hammond. You’re never boring.”

“Neither are you, Ms. Thorne.”

“That’s Ms. Frost Queen to you,” I retort, the sassy edge lining my words, as I bite back a smile.

Ash catches me off guard when he wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me toward him. I glance up athim, momentarily frozen by the intensity of his stare. “No matter how it looks, don’t read too much into it.”

What the hell does that mean? Don’t read into our one-night stand and his subsequent blow-off? Don’t read into the cluster of women desperate to spend an hour alone with him? Don’t read into this moment?

Nice try, Ash, but I’m reading intoallof it.

I need distance. Preferably a safe distance of fifty miles or so, but since that isn’t an option, I’ll go with my second-best bet.

Stepping from his side, I allow us both some breathing room. I motion to the table and chairs at the far end of the tent. “Your tent is popular. Is it strictly because you’re playing Santa later or am I missing something?”

Ash quirks his brow at me. “I’m playing Santa?”

“Of sorts. To one or more of these women, anyway. Fulfilling their Christmas wish list.”

He snorts out a laugh and shakes his head before tugging a hand through his hair. “We’ve got the bar and photo booth, which is always a hit, plus I’m doing a live demonstration later. We’re raffling off a custom piece.”

---