Page 33 of Chasing Sparks

“Who do you think?” Braden says. “The woman whose house we’re going to right now. Ms. Oriana Thorne.”

I shake my head, drumming the steering wheel in an erratic rhythm. “What a load of garbage. I’m helping a friend because I’m a nice guy. That’s all this is.”

“Right,” Zane drawls, locking gazes with me, open amusement dancing in his eyes. The man is having way too much fun at my expense.

“I told you—” I growl out, but Zane throws up a hand, slowing my roll.

“Relax. I’m fucking with you, although Ori is hot as hell. Just saying.”

I’m tempted to reach behind me and grab my buddy by the collar to issue a stern warning about keeping his eyes off Ori, but I swallow it down.

My going apeshit will only solidify their belief that I’ve fallen into love’s trap, and I know for damn sure that won’t happen again.

Once is more than enough for this lifetime, thank you very much.

“Ori and I are not dating,” I mutter.

We’re not anything, aside from newly established friends who have engaged in the greatest sex this world has ever known.

We are the quintessential friends with benefits.

It’s a perfect scenario with zero obligation and full-on balls to the walls orgasms.

So why do I feel like an asshole admitting that fact aloud?

“Relax Ash,” Braden says, his gaze focused out the window. “After hearing Ori the other day, I realize you two agree when it comes to dating.”

Excuse me?

“How the hell do you know?”

And why do I care so much?

“When Ori dropped off the food, a woman pulled her aside and asked if you were single.”

“That takes balls.”

Braden nods. “I guess she could tell we were all friends and figured she would get the dirt from Ori. Woman to woman or some shit.”

“What did Ori say?”

Now Braden’s eyes spark with amusement. “That you were single and very popular.”

I smack the steering wheel with my palm. “Why the hell would she say that to a complete stranger?”

My brother shrugs, but the smirk never leaves his face. “Maybe because it’s the truth? All I’m saying is, you’ve got nothing to worry about with Ori. She knows where you stand.”

Then why does this knowledge bug me so much? Ori’s not wrong, but still …

“Fucking hell,” I curse under my breath, returning my focus to the road.

Thankfully, I know exactly where this place is, because the entrance is overgrown with vines, completely obscuring the address marker.

I pull down the long, winding driveway that leads to the Dean Estate, trying my damnedest to avoid the potholes which have taken up residence over the years.

“Ori told us to meet her at the carriage house, which I think is around here.” I drive around the house to a smaller structure that sits alongside an overgrown English garden. “I guess this is it.”

Braden’s eyes widen as he takes in the surroundings. “Holy shit, man. It’s been years since I’ve been here. Still can’t believe Ori bought it.”

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