Page 76 of The First Spark

“What about her?”

“I don’t like her. I don’t like the way she’s looking at Ash.”

How can I respond to that statement? Hell, I hate it, too, but Ash is hardly virginal. Plus, he’s gorgeous, so it’s natural women will fawn over him.

Do I still loathe it? Of course. I am human, after all.

“She might stare at him, but she wasn’t the one kissing him a few minutes ago.” To be fair, I meant the words to stay in my head, and instantly regret the bevy of questions sure to follow my declaration.

Mina claps her hands together excitedly, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Ah, so you’re finally admitting it.”

“Worst kept secret in the world.”

“Are you and Ash dating?”

I shake my head, waving my hands in tandem. “No. The man doesn’t believe in the concept. He wanted to hang out tonight, but then some of his friends decided to throw a party in his honor. Screwed up all my plans for the evening.”

“See? This is why I hate her,” Mina reiterates, a scowl returning to her face.

“Don’t count me out yet,” I reply, straining to get a better view of Ash as he bends over to grab a towel from the floor. “I have ways of ensuring I get what I want.”

Two large men squeeze in front of Mina and me, effectively blocking our view. Seems chivalry is dead with this duo.

Tugging Mina’s sleeve, I use my slight size to my advantage,ducking around a few patrons and finding us a new spot with an even better line of sight.

It turns out this new spot has an added advantage: we’re also now within earshot of Ash and his client.

Raven lounges on the tattoo bed, her ample breasts pressing into the leather surface and offering Ash an up close and personal view of her assets. Her legs kick lazily in the air, and she wiggles her ass every now and again, giving the rest of the patrons a thrill.

But her focus is singular.

Ash continues setting up his workstation, seemingly oblivious to the massive tits just inches from his nose. He motions for her to turn on her side and she obliges, ensuring her shapely stems are on full display, but Ash remains the consummate professional. He focuses on applying the custom stencil with polished precision, first smoothing it against her skin before peeling it back slowly.

Maybe, despite her obvious outward beauty, this woman is not a threat.

And maybe I’m the reason.

Raven glances over to where I’m standing, and a slow smile crosses her crimson lips. But it’s not a friendly grin. It’s the smile I imagine a viper would make before sinking its fangs into an unwitting victim.

“Branching out into new interests, I see.” Raven speaks the words to Ash, but her gaze remains locked on me, aware I can hear every word.

Since Ash’s back is to me, I can’t see his expression, save for a slight shrug of his shoulders as he settles onto his stool. “What in the world does that mean?”

“Your little librarian. Is she a friend or afriend?”

Ash’s chuckle rises into the air. “Cut that shit out and lie still before I screw up this design.”

“You won’t mess it up. You never do. But you didn’t answer my question.”

“Don’t plan on it, either.”

“You’re no fun.”

Ash keeps his focus on the tattoo, the steady buzz of the machine almost drowning out their conversation.

Almost.

Damn me and my supersonic hearing.

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