Page 81 of The First Spark

“Your skin took the color beautifully,” I murmur, before placing a protective bandage over the design. “You know the drill—wash with a gentle soap, pat dry, apply a thin layer of ointment and avoid the sun.”

Raven chuckles and shoots me a flirty grin. “Do I look like I spend much time in the sun?”

“No, you’re pretty much vampire status.”

“Good thing you like vampires.”

I ignore her heated reply and focus on massaging my palms with my thumbs, trying to ease the stiffness that’s taken up residence. My hands ache, but it’s a small price to pay for creating art.

There are two things I love in this world—tattooing and sex. Some may call me arrogant, but I worked my ass off to master my skill, and it’s way more than pushing a needle into flesh. I listen to my clients. I hear their stories—a random collection of the best and worst moments of their lives—before guiding them to a piece of art that encapsulates that moment.

And watching someone release a long-held toxic belief or trauma after gazing upon their new skin art? There’s no better feeling in the world.

Except for sex.

Not just any sex, either. The kind of raucous lovemaking that turns you inside out and leaves you ravenous for more.

Great sex is hard to come by. Knock-down, run-you-over-like-a-steam-engine sex? Even more rare, and there have only been two women to drive my mind over the ledge like that.

One ripped my heart apart years ago and the other—Ori—never returned tonight.

Even though my focus remained on Raven’s tattoo, I shot numerous glances at the people gathered around my workstation, hoping my petite brunette neighbor would be hanging out in the crowd. There’s something about herpresence that’s warm and inviting. As crazy as it sounds, I feel safe knowing she’s nearby.

I also feel an overwhelming need to rip her clothes off, but that’s hardly surprising after the night we spent together. Let’s put it this way: if Braden hadn’t burst into the supply closet, I would have torn Ori’s pants down and licked her sweet pussy until she couldn’t stand. Hell, I was tempted to do it even after he discovered our hiding spot. Why not give the good patrons of Black Lotus one hell of a show?

But Ori didn’t come back, and I don’t believe her story about One More Page beingthatbusy.

No, she practically ran out of here, all thanks to Raven and her backhanded compliment.

In Raven’s defense, her comment about Ori is dead-on-balls accurate. Shedoeshave an adorable bookish look about her, an air of innocence that covers a brilliant and dirty mind. Not to mention an incredibly delicious set of curves.

What that little librarian fails to realize is her effect on the male population.

Oriana Thorne is fucking beautiful, and she has no idea how many men around this town lust after her.

But after paying close attention over the last week, I do, and it’s too damn many.

These guys think they’re slick, as they peruse the shelves of her store and ask questions about books they’ll never read, all the while dropping hints about how they’d love to show her around Sparkwood.

They find a reason to linger outside the shop or by the coffee bar, hoping they might say something witty enough to whet Ori’s appetite.

I’ve yet to see one succeed in scoring a date, but I’ve watched it play out on five separate occasions.

With one particularly dedicated would-be suitor, I strolled outside Black Lotus and leaned against the front glass window, my arms crossed over my chest as I fixed him with a look of death. Sometimes, words aren’t necessary—he heard me loud and clear.

Look, Ori’s a tiny woman. It’s my duty to protect her from the undesirables around here. Even if in her mind,I’mthe most undesirable one at the moment.

Something I plan to remedy just as soon as I finish cleaning up.

Zane pokes his head into the studio space and flashes an admiring grin at Raven. “Locking up now. You two ready to go?”

“We’ll catch up with you,” Raven replies for both of us, as she bends over to pull on her heels, offering us a view of her plump ass.

That adage about when you’ve got it, flaunt it, works double time with a woman like Raven. What God didn’t give her, a plastic surgeon supplied, and she’s more than happy to work every angle of her physique.

Guess that’s why she’s one of the hottest adult film stars in the industry. I can claim I didn’t watch her flicks after meeting her the first time, but why lie? Plus, I didn’t have to look up a damn thing—Zane gladly offered to wrangle up some video evidence. Let’s just say the woman has some serious moves, one in particular that involves some rope, a chandelier, and plenty of candle wax.

I’ll leave you to fill in the blanks.

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