Page 199 of Chasing Sparks

“Since you’re such an expert, why don’t you show me how it’s done?”

“Nice try,” I reply, swinging my legs out of bed. “I’m going to hose off. Order me some fettuccine, please? I’m craving carbs.”

“At least it’s not pickles and ice cream.”

“Yet. Give it time.”

“Hey Ori, one day you’re going to regret not jumping on this marriage deal while it’s still on the table,” he calls after me.

“Don’t hold your breath,” I reply in a sing-song voice. “Ash, your phone is ringing.”

He waves it off, content to lounge in the bed a few minutes longer. “They can wait. I’m too busy enjoying this moment.”

I duck into the bathroom and turn on the shower. Although I might have laughed off Ash’s persistent hints about our betrothal, every single one hit the bullseye of my heart, leading me to one undeniable fact: he loves me.

Maybe he can’t say those exact words, but he’s told me in so many other ways.

And yet, there’s still a niggling voice in the back of my head, reminding me that Ash doesn’t believe in love. He’s told me this on numerous occasions.

What if this is all just an elaborate way of keeping me close without risking anything deeper?

I try to dismiss the thought as lunacy, but it lingers like a bruise that’s only tender when you press it.

Then again, does it even matter?

How could I not love him? He risked everything—his reputation, his business, his life—to save those girls. He also risked losing me to keep me safe from the same monster.

Maybe Ishouldask him to marry me, though if this is some kind of new game, my heart won’t recover this time.

I stroll out of the bathroom after a luxurious shower to find Ash on the phone, tension radiating off him in waves.

“Everythingis gone? And you didn’t see her leave?” he snaps into the phone.

Uh-oh. I pull the towel from my head, my ears perking up at his heated conversation.

“Shit, Braden. Just search high and low for a note or anything, okay? Yeah, I know you already did, but can you do it again? Thanks.”

Ash ends the call with a frustrated sigh. He tosses the phone on the counter, raking his fingers through his hair.

“Everything okay?”

Not sure why I bother asking when I already know the answer is a definitive no.

Ash shakes his head, his hands drumming an erratic beat against the counter. “That was Braden. He went to check on Lucille. All her stuff is gone from the farm—every stitch of clothing, all her toiletries, everything.”

“Did she say she was leaving?”

“No, which has me really fucking worried.” He runs a hand over his jaw, another sigh escaping his lips. “Come on. Take a ride with me toBlack Lotus.”

“What are we looking for?”

“She kept all her tattoo gear there. I want to see if it’s gone, too.”

“Let me get dressed.”

I’m ready to go five minutes later, although I look like a hot mess in my oversized sweats, my damp hair twisted under a hat. “Don’t say a word about my appearance,” I warn Ash as I slide on my coat.

I mean for it to lighten the mood, but it falls on deaf ears. Even though Ash doesn’t love Lucille anymore, the thought of harm befalling her is more than he can bear.

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