Page 2 of Chasing Sparks

“Eh,” I mutter, taking another swallow of coffee.

“Wait a damn minute. You’re playing it straight this year? Holy shit, what have you done with my buddy, Ash?” Zane shakes his head, a look of utter disappointment on his face.

“Relax. I’ll be there.”

Will I engage in any sordid behavior? Probably not, even though Ori and I aren’t dating. Okay, we agreed to go on a date, but right now, we’re in that gray friends-with-benefits area.

So, if I feel so inclined, I’m free to do what I want.

Hell, Oriana made a cheeky aside before I left this morning, warning me to play safe because she knows I play hard.

Which means she’s not laying any claim to me … or she’s got sordid plans of her own this week.

Well, fuck.

There’s that damn jealousy again.

Maybe I should text her, just to let her know I arrived safely. Also, to remind her I’m thinking of her, which might put the kibosh on any ofherplanned extracurricular activities.

And then I realize I don’t have her phone number. How the hell have I slept with her multiple times and not gotten her digits?

Unacceptable.

Glancing at the time, I realize she’s working andthatnumber I can locate.

I dial One More Page and hope to God Ori answers the phone, mainly because I don’t want to give Mina any more gossip to chew.

“Good afternoon, One More Page.” Ori’s honey smooth voice melts into my bones.

“Fuck, I love your voice.”

“Ash?”

“Yeah. Were you expecting someone else to call and say that?”

The answer had better be no.

“Hmm,” she muses, “what day is it?”

“Tuesday. Why?”

“Well, depending on the day, I would know who was calling to whisper sweet nothings in my ear.”

“Cut that shit out right now.”

Ori laughs and I realize with every moment, I’m falling deeper under her spell. “How are you feeling?”

“Dead to the world, but amazing otherwise.”

“That’s what a night with me will do for you,” she replies in a sing-song voice. “Try not to have too much fun out there, Ash.”

“Ditto for you, Little One.”

She huffs into the phone, but I hear the amusement in her voice. “Fine. I suppose you’re worth the wait.”

“Damn straight.” Feeling eyes on me, I glance up and catch Zane’s incredulous stare. “I better go.”

“Bodyguard, over and out.”

---