Page 37 of Chasing Sparks

A few hours later, we’ve demoed the kitchen and bathroom, working up quite an appetite in the process. Have to hand it to Ori. She plays with the big boys—guess she’s working out her frustrations, too.

“Shall I order some pizza for us or would you rather I give you cash, and you get the hell out of here?” Ori asks, wiping the sweat from her brow.

Fuck, but she looks amazing right now—her skin glistening, tiny pieces of drywall in her hair, her cheeks flushed with color.

Pretty sure she’ll disagree with my assessment, but there’s something about a woman who doesn’t need to get dolled up all the time.

Doesn’t hurt that I know exactly what deliciousness lies beneath her clothes, either.

Braden checks the time on his phone. “As amazing as pizza sounds, we’re meeting some people at the bar.”

Ori bends at the waist with a loud groan. “Thank God. I’m so glad you said that.”

We gather our tools and stow them in the truck. Ori meets us outside the carriage house and hands Braden and Zane a couple of hundred-dollar bills apiece.

“Thank you for everything.”

“This is too much,” Zane argues, but Ori waves him off. “Ash, can I please take her home? She’s gorgeous, funny, smart, and generous. They don’t make women like this anymore.”

“Back off, Romeo.” I slam down the lid to my toolbox, shooting a death stare at Zane.

His persistence is beginning to piss me off.

“Last but certainly not least,” Ori says, pressing some cash into my hand. “Thank you. I’ll be right out. Just have to lock up.”

“Wait a second.” I catch up to her and pin her against the exterior door. Then I slide the money into her back pocket, resting my hands against the swell of her ass. “Keep your money. That’s not the payment I want.”

She gazes up at me through her dark lashes. “What would you prefer?”

“Dinner and then you for dessert.”

Ori bites her lip, considering my request. “Do you want to come over tonight? Skip out on football and spend the evening with me? I’m a hell of a cook, so I can whip us up some dinner, we can have some wine, and then maybe a bubble bath. What do you think?”

It sounds fucking perfect, much like her, which is why turning her down sucks.

“That sounds incredible, but I’m working tonight.”

Her eyes widen behind her glasses. “I thought your shop was closed for the holidays.”

“I have a custom piece to finish. Raven called last night and asked if I could squeeze her in. She’s filming in Vegas next month and wants it fully healed before then.”

Ori leans against the door, her face a careful mask of neutrality. “Raven. She’s the Snow White-Jessica Rabbit mashup from the holiday festival, right?”

“Yeah.”

A sense of unease settles over me, which is stupid, really. I’m not doing anything wrong and yet, it feels that way.

Plus, I know Ori doesn’t hold Raven in high regard, and I don’t blame her. Raven messed with her head in an attempt to land a spot in my bed.

Didn’t work out in her favor, but despite my claims that nothing happened between me and the adult film star, I get the sneaking suspicion Ori doesn’t buy it.

Ori shifts her gaze to her ring, spinning it around her finger. “Have fun. I know she enjoys … spending time with you.”

I shrug, desperate to play it off. “It’s just work, you know.”

“Does she know that?” Ori waves her hand, as if dismissing the question. “Ignore me. It’s none of my business.”

She’s right, so why doesn’t that make me feel better?

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