Page 83 of Chasing Sparks

I jerk my chin toward the book in a pseudo-greeting. “You should wash your hands before handling that—better yet, wear gloves.”

Eddie frowns, glancing down at the book. “Gloves? Seriously? Why?”

“The oils from your hands can seep into the pages and mess with the ink over time. That’s a first edition, and it’s worth a small fortune. Your fingerprints could wreck the value. Just saying.”

He straightens, his smile dimming slightly. “Didn’t know you were such a book expert.”

“Neither did I.” Ori walks over, a surprised smile lighting up her face as she tips her head up for a kiss. “Since when do you know so much about antique books?”

“Since my girlfriend owns a bookstore.” I shrug, pulling her slight frame against me and claiming her mouth in a hungry kiss.

Do I throw in some extra tongue action and an ass grab for Eddie’s benefit?

Damn right I do.

I meant what I told Ori—any man comes near her, and I’m breaking them into tiny shards.

No, it’s not love, but it is a fierce protectiveness if anyone dares to take what’s mine. And Ori is the most precious thing in my world, even if I don’t have the balls to tell her.

So, I’ll show her instead.

“Aren’t you spicy today?” Ori teases, licking her lips and giggling as she brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. “How are things coming along withRum & Ruin?”

“Why don’t you walk downstairs and have a look? We can take the newly restored bar for a test drive.”

I glance over Ori’s shoulder at Eddie, who’s looking increasingly uncomfortable. Good. Time for the old boy to take the hint.

“Sorry. Just can’t resist with her,” I say, squeezing her tighter to my chest, my grin as unapologetic as it gets.

Eddie shrugs, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he averts his gaze. “Have at it, man. Hey, it’s almost time to hang new light fixtures, and Ori mentioned you’d like to select them?”

I tighten my arm around Ori, a small, satisfied smile curling my lips. As much as I can’t stand Eddie, I love that Ori and I are working on the Dean Estate together. It feels like we’re building something real—even with him as the unwelcome third wheel.

“You saw the pendant lights I set aside in the main house?” I glance down at Ori, brushing a thumb across her cheek. “You like those for the apartment, right?”

She tilts her head to the side. “The Tiffany glass ones?”

“Yeah.”

“Those are beautiful. Can you hang those, Eddie?” Ori asks, her voice sweet and unassuming.

A broad smile stretches across Eddie’s face as he looks at her. “Anything for you.”

Seriously?

I grumble under my breath, refusing to be one-upped by a thirty-year-old contractor.

“Hey, little one,” I say, turning Ori’s attention back to me, “I need you to go home and pack.”

Her brow furrows as she glances up at me, confusion flickering in her eyes. “What for?”

“I have a surprise for us.”

Ori releases a nervous laugh as she bites her bottom lip. “I have a huge inventory due in a week.”

“I know,” I reply, not missing a beat as I brush a stray strand of hair from her cheek. “Mina said she and a few of the other girls will handle it.”

Her arms cross over her chest, her curiosity building. “What am I packing for, exactly?”

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