Page 70 of The First Spark

Yes, of course I’m going to cave, but I have to put up a mild show of resistance—even if he sees right through it.

“Setting aside time for little old me? Well, aren’t I special?” I reply, shooting him a coy wink from behind my glasses.

“You most definitely are.”

“Maybe after I grab some food, I’ll head over to Black Lotus and watch you work. I’d like to see you in action.” I bite my lip, fully aware of the double entendre of my statement.

Ash also latches onto my words. He steps closer and wraps his hands around my waist, pulling me flush against him. “Thought you already had. Looking for some new ideas?”

Gliding my tongue along my lower lip, I gaze up at him through lowered lashes, desperately trying to appear unaffected by his proximity. “Told you I’m hungry. In truth, I possess an insatiable appetite.”

“Fucking hell, woman.” Ash mutters the words, but his dimpled smile assures me it’s meant in the best fashion. “You’re really fucking pretty, you know that?”

Warmth floods my cells again as his green eyes study me, threatening to short circuit my brain’s attempt to hold the man at arm’s length.

“I could say the same about you.”

A guffaw slips past his mouth. “I amnotpretty. Take that back.”

“Fine. Hot as hell. Better?”

“Getting there. We’ll work on it later.”

Zane clears his throat, ending our playful banter. Seems his chronically late employee is suddenly running a tight ship. “Come on, man. She’s waiting.”

With a final chuckle and roll of his eyes, Ash releases his grip on me and strolls over to Zane, giving his employee a playful punch in the shoulder. “Why are you in such a damn hurry all of a sudden?”

“Because,” Zane replies, flexing his tattooed arms as he drums the air, “the sooner you’re finished, the sooner we get down to the business of some serious fun. A few of the chicks have decided to stay the night in Sparkwood. Rented a suite at the hotel. The rest, as they say, shall go down in history.”

From my vantage point, I can’t hear Ash’s response to Zane as they walk inside Black Lotus, although I’m hopeful he’ll forgo the party for some up close and personal fun with me.

After all, he was the one who brought up spending time together, and if the look in his eyes was anything to hang my hat on, he’s all too eager for a second night of fun.

No, I’m not reading into it. I’m fully aware of Ash’s position on dating.

But isn’t every man footloose and fancy free until they meet the right woman?

Why can’t I be that woman? Ash already mentioned how different I am from his usual hookups—isn’t that a good thing?

In a league of my own.

Yes, it’sdefinitelya good thing.

I walk out of the tent and raise my hand to catch Mina’s attention across the parking lot.

She hurries over, rubbing her hands together briskly. “Damn, but it’s cold. Did you get any food yet? Braden mentioned they have?—”

“Don’t say the word pizza,” I warn her with a chuckle.

“Fine. How about soup and a sandwich from the deli?”

“Perfect.” I link arms with Mina as we stroll down the brightly lit sidewalk, dodging a vibrant mix of festival goers along the way.

“How is Ash?” Mina asks, a small smile playing on her mouth.

“Fine. He’s doing a live demonstration soon. I thought we could head over there after we eat.” I skew my mouth to the side and avert my gaze. “You could hang out with Braden some more.”

Mina laughs as a flush climbs her cheeks. “Sure, that’s why you want to hang out there. So I can talk to Braden.”

---