Page 197 of Chasing Sparks

“Ash?”

“Yes, my love?”

“I missed you.” Her arms tighten around me, and I melt into her embrace.

With a sigh, I rest my forehead against hers. “I’ve only ever been right here, waiting for you.”

I know how lucky I am that Ori has given me another chance. That through some twist of fate, her unrelenting understanding and enormous heart still have room for me.

She’ll never have to question my loyalty—or my love—again.

“I needed that,” Ori murmurs against my chest.

“Understatement of the year.” I tuck a hand behind my head, my other arm draped protectively around her. “See? This is yet another reason why you should’ve accepted my marriage proposal. Fantastic sex on demand.”

Am I messing with her? Yes—and no. I’d like to know where Ori stands on walking down the aisle, especially since I may have dropped a small fortune on a vintage engagement ring.

Ori props her chin on my chest, quirking her brows in surprise. “When exactly did you propose and how did I miss it?”

“I talked about it that night at the speakeasy?—”

“When you were drunk,” she reminds me.

“Minor detail,” I chuckle. “And then again, on that day with that investor prick.”

She bites her lip as a cheeky grin threatens to break across her face. “That’syour idea of a proposal?”

“I think it’s pretty good.”

Ori’s laughter bubbles between us, light and warm. “It’s terrible, actually.”

“Thanks a lot.”

She peppers kisses across my chest, her fingers trailing idle designs on my skin. “I should’ve agreed to all of it, though, just to throw you off.”

“You should have, because now you’ll have to ask me,” I tease, smiling up at her. “And you will, too.”

“Is that a fact?”

“It is, because I’m the total package. Good in bed, good job, nice guy?—”

“Eh, I don’t know about all that.”

“Oh, you’re going to pay for that.” I tickle her sides, laughing as she squirms against me, her delighted squeals filling the room.

With an exaggerated harrumph, she fixes me with her dark gaze. "You’re an amazing man. You’ve built two incredible businesses, and as for your skills in the bedroom ..."

“Well? Go ahead, you can say it.”

Am I being a cocky bastard? Of course, but here’s the thing. Ori loves that side of me, just as much as she loves the sweet teddy bear side.

“Best time I’ve ever had.”

“Damn straight.” I tug her close, my voice thick with emotion. “And you’re mine.”

The heat simmers between us as we stare at each other. Two people couldn’t be more different and yet, we make perfect sense. The yin to my yang. The light to my shadow.

I roll on top of her, capturing her lips in a slow, teasing kiss that quickly deepens, threatening to consume us both in its heat.

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