Page 210 of Chasing Sparks

“What are you doing here?” I ask, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

He jiggles the keyring before tossing it onto the dresser. “I told you I was coming home after the opening.”

“I thought you meantyourhome.”

“You’re here. Our baby is here. That’s home to me.” He pauses, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. “Plus, I have a surprise for you tomorrow.”

“A surprise?”

“Yeah, and it’s a big one.”

The last one with Lucille was a pretty damn big one, too.

Ash unbuttons his shirt and walks over to drop a kiss on my mouth. “I’m hopping in the shower.”

“Okay.”

I watch him disappear into the bathroom, my thoughts swirling like a whirlwind. I wonder how things played out with Casey and the upcoming tour. Although I’m desperate for details, I’ll give him a few minutes to unwind first.

Ten minutes later, he emerges in a cloud of steam, a towel hanging low on his hips, droplets of water glistening on his skin.

“Better?” I ask, my eyes slowly trailing over his tatted physique, drinking in every inch. Damn, he’s a work of art.

Trust me, the man knows exactly what he does to me—and to the female population at large.

“Much.” He drops the towel and slips into bed next, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me against his chest. “I’ve barely slept the last two weeks. Apparently, insomnia is my new best friend.”

“Now you can get some well-earned sleep. How was the rest of the night?”

But Ash doesn’t answer me.

“Ash?”

Seems sleep has finally claimed him.

I press my lips to his in a soft kiss before settling my head against his chest. Looks like our chat will have to wait for another day.

“Goodnight, Ash.”

And then I hear it, so faint it’s almost unintelligible.

“Love you, Ori.”

But when his arms tighten around me, I know that regardless of our future, he means what he says. He loves me, and somehow, that will be enough.

Chapter 31

Are You Ready?

Ori

“H

ey, time to wake up.” Ash nudges me gently, his beard tickling my skin as he drops soft kisses along my shoulder.

“Do I have to?” I grumble, rolling over and snuggling further into the blanket.

“You do, and although you’re going to hate me for this, I hope you’ll understand why it’s necessary.”

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