Page 15 of Chasing Sparks

Still, he’s not getting his kicksthateasily.

“Maybe you got lucky. It was only two times.”

My words unhinge him, but he recovers quickly. “Beautiful, it waswaymore than two times.”

“Correction. I meant two nights.” Slowly, I lift my hand to my mouth, gently biting the tip of my pinky finger. My tongue flicks out to tease it, a playful smile tugging at my lips. His eyes darken, tracking my every movement. “Although it has been a while. Maybe I’m building it up in my head.”

That does it.

Ash tosses his pizza aside and pulls me onto his lap. With a disarming smirk, he plucks the slice from my hand and drops it into the box alongside his.

Then, his fingers go to work, deftly unbuttoning my blouse. “More than happy to offer you a refresher course.”

“No can do,” I reply, staying his hands.

“Don’t tell me it’s that time of the month. Figures I get five seconds free, and you’re temporarily out of order.”

“That’s next week, actually.”

“Good to know. I’ll remember to bring you chocolate and maintain a safe distance.”

“Aren’t you hilarious?”

He chuckles at my perturbed expression, completely nonplussed by my fake show of anger. “So, what’s stopping you right now? I see you, me, and a couch with which we are very familiar.”

Here goes nothing.

As I sat in the basement, awaiting Ash’s arrival, I made a vitally important decision.

Go big or go home hasalwaysbeen my motto. It explains why I now own a rundown manor house and why I uprooted my life in Manhattan to move to Sparkwood.

When I set my mind to something, I’m the most determined woman on the planet. Dogged in pursuit of my dreams … even when those dreams play out far differently in reality than they do in my brain.

Ever since that first night with Ash, I’ve wanted something more with him, although I’m aware this is likely a fool’s errand. But no matter how tempting, I refuse to become part of his friends-with-benefits rotation.

“No sex until we have a proper date.”

The corners of Ash’s mouth quirk upward as he bites back a smile. “Laying down the law, Ori? I like that. Take charge looks hot as hell on you.”

Despite the man’s ability to turn my insides into a fluttery mess with a single glance, I must maintain focus.

Ash needs to understand I’m not like all the other women in his life, content to possess a sliver of his time.

He has boundaries regarding love, and I have them regarding playtime, although I doubt Ash will accept the terms. He’s notexactly hurting for female companionship, and he might chalk me and my rules up as being too high maintenance for his taste.

Still, I need to stay the course formypreservation and dignity.

We’ll ignore my heart for the moment.

I rest my hands against his muscled chest, allowing a bit of distance between us as I meet his gaze. “I’m serious.”

He raises a brow at me, but his smile never falters. Seems Ash is enjoying this game, although, per his own admission, he never backs down from a challenge.

Especially when he knows the stakes.

Hell, we’re both fully aware of how magnificent our nights together were, which isnothelping my current hormone situation.

What’s a woman to do when her body wants to commit treason and cave to the enemy? An enemy who tastes delicious and feels even better? An enemy whoknowshe’s God’s gift to women?

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