Page 38 of Chasing Sparks

Because she’s right aboutallof it—she knows Raven wants to sleep with me and if my reputation is to be believed, she knows I’ll take her up on it.

But will I act on that offer, should Raven make it?

I don’t think so, and I need Ori to know that.

“Enough talk of work. What about tomorrow?” Yes, I’m being forward, but I can’t leave here like this, with this ever-widening emotional space between us.

She cocks her head up at me. “For what?”

“That home-cooked meal you promised.”

Ori releases a slow breath as she fiddles with her keys. “Umm … sure. Six o’clock work for you?”

The uncertainty lining her voice kills me, making me feel even more guilty about my appointment with Raven later tonight.

“Actually, could we do something earlier? How about three-thirty?”

Yes, it’s ridiculously early for dinner, but there’s a method to my madness.

Ori wipes a hand across her brow, growing more agitated by the second. “Why not?” She jerks her chin toward my truck.“You’d better go. The guys want to get some food and beer in them.”

Trouble is, I don’twantto go. I’m happy spending the next week leaning against this door with Ori’s body mere inches from mine.

And I feel like an asshole about the whole Raven situation, even though I’m not doing anything wrong. Iamworking, even though Ori and I both know Raven wants some playtime afterward.

But Ori and I aren’t exclusive. Hell, we aren’t even dating.

Ori is well aware of my dating habits—with no commitments or hearts involved—so why does this feel so fucking wrong?

I could have lied and claimed I was going to the bar with Braden and Zane, but isn’t that worse?

“Hey,” Zane yells from the truck, “today, dude.”

Ori forces a smile. “Drive safely, and thank you for today. You’re a great guy.”

“Right,” I mutter.

Truth is, I’m a heartless cad who fucks women because I’m incapable of love—or letting anyone love me.

“I’m serious. You’ve helped me so much with this house and not just the demolition, although that was beyond therapeutic. You gave me an honest breakdown of the repairs needed, along with an idea of price, so some contractor can’t take advantage of me.” Ori rests her palm against my chest, rises on tiptoe and presses a kiss to my cheek. “Now get out of here. I’m going to spend a few minutes in the atrium before calling it a night.”

With a tired sigh, I trudge back to the truck and slide behind the steering wheel.

Braden, as always, picks up on the subtle change in my mood. “Are you two okay?”

Huffing out a breath, I tug a hand through my hair. “Yeah … I just … let me get you guys home.”

I don’t want to get into it. Mainly because I don’t know what I’m feeling right now.

Ori let me off the hook. Even wished me a good time with Raven tonight. I don’t owe her anything, so why do I feel like the biggest asshole on the planet?

“Hey.” Zane reaches up from the backseat, giving me a friendly punch in the arm. “You want some women to get under your skin. It’s not always a bad thing.”

That’s as far as he takes it, but he’s said enough. His words hit their intended mark, and he’s right. Ori has gotten not just under my skin, but into every cell of my body.

I’m just not sure what to do what that knowledge.

“Listen up, handsome. I have an empty suite just waiting for some serious action.” Raven shoots me a coy wink as I put the finishing touches on her tattoo. “I also brought along some special lingerie and a few toys for the occasion.”

---