Page 78 of The First Spark

Ash didn’t insult me—at least not outright. He simply reaffirmed my initial belief that his change in attitude was just a facade. A means to an end.

Deep down, I always suspected that was Ash’s true motive behind his flirtations.

Quite simple, really.

His recent behavior clearly hinges on his need for my signature. I’m not sure why he’s still pretending to be interested, except to keep me in his pocket until the speakeasy opens.

Let’s be honest, people have fucked for far more trivial reasons. That’s what the rational side of my brain tells me.

But my emotions? That’s another story entirely. I believed his words, the look in his eyes, the desire in his kiss. I believed they were meant for me because I was different.

Turns out, I’m nothing more than a business transaction.

The emotional side of my psyche is tempted to grab a tattoo machine and decorate both their faces with chicken-scratch designs.

We’ll see who’s laughing then.

Before I can slip through the crowd and return to the safety of my bookstore, Ash looks over, catching my eye. A strange expression flits across his face, as he no doubt wonders which parts of his conversation I overheard.

Or perhaps he couldn’t care less.

What matters right now isIdo.

Ash sets his machine down and crooks his finger at me.I have two choices: ignore him or be an adult and talk to the man.

Have I mentioned how much it sucks being an adult?

I pull off my glasses and pinch the bridge of my nose, desperate to calm the anger brewing inside me.

Then, with a quick glance at Mina, I trudge the few steps to where Ash sits.

Ash drums the table, his green eyes intent on my face. “Where are you running off to? I’m just getting started.”

Better question, Ash, why do you care?

I shrug and tilt my head toward the exit. “My employees need their break. Don’t want to become known as the grinch who killed their Christmas spirit.”

Ash chuckles, running a hand over his jaw. “Why would they ever think that?”

Are we really reverting to small talk? “If they’d spoken to you, they’d have thought far worse.”

His eyes darken as they sweep over my form. “Not if they spoke to me in the last week. You’re the gift that keeps on giving.”

No wonder the man can juggle a dozen women at the same time. He possesses an uncanny ability to make you feel like you’re the only woman he sees, even in a room packed with potential dates.

One hell of a schtick.

Too bad it no longer works on me.

An annoyed grunt escapes my lips. Not technically a response, but Ash picks up on my hostile demeanor. Why wouldn’t he? It was myonlypersonality trait around him for those first six months. Guess I got it right the first time.

“Well, come back over when you’re done.” Ash jerks histhumb toward Raven, who’s watching our interaction with a great deal of interest. “You know where I’ll be.”

At least until he’s finished tattooing his ‘friend’. Then my money is on any number of hotel rooms in the area. Or perhaps he’ll give her a private tour of the basement—if he hasn’t already.

“Inking your Jessica Rabbit-Snow White mashup,” I mutter under my breath, the words meant solely for my benefit—and ego.

Apparently, Ash also possesses supersonic hearing. He throws his head back and laughs, a full-on, full body laugh that reverberates through the surrounding air. “That might be the most accurate description ever. I’ll have to let Raven know your nickname for her.”

---