Page 16 of Chasing Sparks

I fall back on my last line of defense—sarcasm, my ever-reliable weapon in my arsenal of emotional survival.

I nibble my bottom lip with my teeth as I regard his chiseled face. “Don’t give me that look, Ash, and think I’ll fall at your feet. It might work on your other lady friends, but I don’t suffer from that malady.”

“I think you might.”

A scoff flies from my lips. The gall of this man. Okay, he might be dead to rights, but that’s beside the point.

Who goes around claiming no woman is immune to his charms?

Asher Hammond, apparently.

I suppose when your sexual escapades are the stuff of legends, you’re entitled to a big ego.

I’m still not caving, though.

He locks our hands together, all the while edging me closer. “You like me way more than you’re willing to admit.”

Tell me something I don’t know.

But I hold firm, hoping he won’t notice my racing pulse. “Just because you claim it doesn’t make it true.”

“Just because you deny it doesn’t make it false, either.” Ash buries his head against my neck, his tongue hot as it dances along my skin. “Just say it. You want me as badly as I want you.”

Arrogant bastard. Screw him for knowing me—and every weak spot on my body—so well.

How is that even possible after only two nights together? Most men take months to figure out a woman’s sexual kryptonite. Years, even. But Ash? He’s got every inch of me mapped out, and he’s taking full advantage of that knowledge.

With each passing moment, my resistance weakens.

I know I’m losing this battle. We both do, but I’ll make one last stand before I surrender to the passion coursing through my body.

“Perhaps, but I’m not giving this up for free.This,” I motion along my body, “you’ll have to earn.”

Ash bites his lip, his fingers hooking in the belt loops of my jeans. “I always earn my keep.”

He’s saying all the right things, pushing all the right buttons, but that’s what Asher Hammond does, right?

Is this what you want, Ori? A second encore?

Yes, please.

Another incredible night where nothing existed beyond the two of you?

Absolutely.

Even though that night ended with Ash jetting off to Vegas to party with copious amounts of alcohol and women?

Fuck.

My heart thinks Ash is perfection squared, while my head thinks my heart is an idiot who shouldn’t be trusted.

But my libido is kicking sense and sensibility’s ass right now.

“Do me a favor?” Ash asks.

“Besides buy you pizza and save you from the clutches of over-eager women?”

He reaches into his wallet and tosses a fifty on the table. “Now, will you do me a favor?”

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