Page 11 of Chasing Sparks

After a second night with the man, one that blew past all previously held expectations, he asked me out to dinner, despite telling me during the course of our lust-filled frolics that he doesn’t date.

As in ever. Love and romance are not on the menu for Asher Hammond.

So, when he asked me, I knew it meant something.

Until it didn’t.

And here we are.

“What do those women have that you don’t, Ori? Not a damn thing.” Mina waves her hand in the direction of Black Lotus.

“Not true,” I grumble, gulping down a mouthful of coffee. “They have at least two cup sizes on me.”

“Your boobs are fantastic, and you know it.”

She’s not lying. At the risk of sounding like a pompous ass, I have amazing tits. They’re perky and just the right size. Plus, judging by his earlier reaction, Ash seems equally enamored.

Even if it’s been ten days since he spent any time with them. Not that I’m counting.

“They also have about thirty more tattoos than me.”

Mina considers my statement. “Do you have any ink?”

I shake my head before guzzling down the last of my coffee. “That’s weird, right? Here I am, tattoo free and pining after a tattoo artist. We don’t match.”

“Opposites attract,” Mina reminds me in a sing-song voice, no doubt trying to lighten the mood.

But do they? Can two people with nothing in common, save for amazing sex, actually build something when one half of the duo has zero interest in said project?

I rest my chin on my palm and release a huff. “Maybe he isn’t that good in bed. Might have been a fluke.”

Mina snorts and shakes her head, knowing full well my statement is crap. “Every time?”

See? Mina has never slept with Ash, nor has she shown a speck of interest in the man, but even she knows he’s the most talented lover on the market. Word travels fast when you’re a legend.

And Asher Hammond is the king of legends. He’s perfect and perfectly unattainable. For some ridiculous reason, that combo is catnip to women.

Trust me, I know.

Lowering my head to the counter, I release a low groan. “I don’t want to like him, Mina.”

I shock myself with the veracity of my words, although I know each and every one is true.

Liking Asher Hammond is akin to dancing too close to the sun. I’m guaranteed to burn alive.

“But you do, and he likes you.”

“Does he, though?”

Mina nods, shooting me a wink. “Deep down, he’s always had a thing for you. That, no doubt, scares the shit out of a man like Ash. You always had a thing for him, too.”

I bark out a laugh at her statement. “Not true. Not even remotely, in the smallest increment, true.”

“You know you’re lying.”

“Did I think the man was good looking? Of course, but that’s hardly newsworthy. I also thought he was pugnacious and pedantic, with an ego bigger than his biceps.”

Another snort rises from Mina’s chest. “He should put that on his business cards.”

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