Page 173 of Chasing Sparks

His grin widens as he advances, his steps deliberate and confident. “It’s a beautiful mess.”

“Wonderful. We’re a stunning disaster with glitter bombs instead of orange cones.”

“Ori?”

“What?”

“Less talking. More kissing.”

“Absolutely not. We are friends.”

“We arenotfriends.” His voice drops to a low rasp, sending a shiver skittering through me as he reaches the table.

“You need to stop,” I whisper, though my voice falters as his hands slide along my ribs, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

Ash leans in, his lips grazing the sensitive spot just beneath my ear. “Ori, shut up and kiss me,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin.

“No.” My fingers grip the edge of the table for stability as his mouth moves to the hollow of my collarbone, planting slow, deliberate kisses. I tip my head back, giving him greater access. “You want me so bad, you better take the lead.”

His eyes flash with amusement as he pulls back slightly, his devilish grin never wavering. “I’ll take more than that,” he murmurs, his hands tightening on my waist, his thumbs brushing lazy circles that make me squirm.

Before I can argue further, he hoists me onto the table and steps between my legs, his body pressing against me, firm and unapologetic. His lips hover just above mine, his unrelenting gaze locked on me.

“I’ll take everything,” he breathes, his voice rough and full of promise. “Hours and hours of worshipping you. That’s part of the fairytale, you know.”

“Not the ones I’ve read,” I whisper, my breath catching as his lips drift tenderly across mine.

“You’ve been reading the wrong ones.”

Then his mouth claims mine, his hand sliding around to cradle my neck. The kiss starts out slow and tantalizing, as ifhe’s savoring every second. But the moment a low moan slips from my throat, Ash tilts my head back and deepens the kiss, demanding all of me.

I gasp as his hands weave into my hair, loosening the bun I’d hastily thrown together. His fingers thread through the strands, angling my head for better access. His body molds to mine—solid and unyielding, his heat seeping into me, awakening every nerve.

My fingers twist into his shirt, clutching the fabric like a lifeline. My heart races as his lips leave mine to explore my jaw, tracing down to the tender hollow beneath my ear.

“How wet are you right now, beautiful? Maybe I should tear these pants off and have a closer look.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Like hell I wouldn’t.” His voice darkens, sending a shiver straight through me. “I’ll mark every inch of you as mine.”

He rests his hand on my stomach, his expression raw with hunger. “Forever mine.”

I bite my lower lip and pull him closer, the feel of his beard against my skin sending a wave of sparks through me. “Ash,” I breathe the word on a sigh, the wall around my heart crumbling to let him in.

The door bursts open, and the nurse walks in, a surprised smile on her face. “I’m sorry. I thought you two had left.”

“We’re leaving now,” I stammer, my cheeks flaming as I leap off the exam table.

She closes the door, and Ash lets out a grunt, adjusting himself with a wince.

“Problem?” I tease, unable to hide my smirk.

Ash laughs, though it comes out strained, his hand subtly adjusting his erect cock. “That’s putting it mildly. I’ve got one addiction in this world, and I’ve been without it for weeks.”

“And what’s that?”

His gaze locks with mine, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “You.”

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