Page 88 of Chasing Sparks

A smile cuts across Ash’s face, and he leans over to kiss me. “No other woman stands a chance.”

“I like that. Still, I’m going to keep staking my claim. It’s too bad that humans can’t operate like dogs. If I pee on it, it’s mine.”

That does it. Ash throws his head back in a laugh, the sound rich and unguarded, before sliding into the booth beside me and wrapping me in a hug. “I have fetishes, but that is not one of them.”

“Duly noted.”

The announcer calls out our flight, and Ash tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering. “You ready for some fun in the sun, little one?”

“Born ready.”

Stepping off a plane from single-digit weather into balmy sunshine feels like magic.

I inhale deeply, the air sweet with the lush, heady aroma of hibiscus and frangipani, their perfume mingling with the salty tang of the ocean breeze. Tossing my discarded sweatshirt over my shoulder, I shoot Ash a grin and skip toward the baggage claim.

Sue me. This weather is bliss.

Ash shakes his head, but there’s no hiding the grin spreading across his face. At the baggage carousel, he grabs my hand andpulls me into his arms, pressing a kiss to my shoulder before nuzzling the crook of my neck. “Someone’s happy.”

“Are you kidding? This is paradise. I think I’ll just stay here. Want to join me?”

“Do you promise to parade around in bikinis daily?”

“No.”

His eyes widen, and I laugh. “Who wants to wear that much clothing in this heat?”

He tightens his hold, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Remember what you said? These curves are reserved for a select few. As in me. Only me.”

I blink, caught off guard. I can’t believe he remembers me saying that at the holiday fair. Seems he was paying more attention than I realized.

I plant my hands on my hips and give him a mock scowl. “Are you acting the part of the possessive boyfriend?”

“Absolutely. You’re mine. End of story.”

Damn, but I love how that sounds. I love being his.

And I truly believe we have a future together. What that future looks like is anyone’s guess, but I’ll play it as it comes. Ash may be reserved when it comes to love, but I know how much he cares about me.

Hell, giving up every other woman in his life says more than words ever could.

Ash’s phone rings, and he answers it with a smirk. “Let me guess—your maternal radar went on high alert the second my feet hit Florida. Am I close?”

Ah, Ash’s mom. I know they’re close—he’s always showing me their latest sailing or restaurant adventures on social media—but this feels different. Does she know I exist? And if she does, what does she think of me?

“We’re here for four days. That’s all the time either of us could take off.” He glances at me with a smile. “Mom says hello.”

“Hi, Mrs. Hammond,” I reply, feeling oddly self-conscious.

“Ori says hi,” he relays into the phone. “Yeah, I wish Tampa was closer, too. I miss you. Love you, Mom.” He hangs up just as our luggage comes down from the carousel.

He grabs my suitcase before I can reach for it, his movements casual but full of purpose. “I bet she was hoping to see you while you were in Florida,” I say, testing the waters.

Ash shrugs, the corner of his mouth tugging into a small smile. “I think she was hoping to see you, actually.”

“Me? How come?”

He claims his own suitcase and pulls up the handle, motioning toward the rental car station. “Why do you think? Might have something to do with the fact that I’ve told her about you.”

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