Page 89 of Chasing Sparks

My heart skips at his words, but I’m determined to play it cool. “You have? What did you say? That I’m amazing and a goddess in bed? Please tell me you didn’t say that last part.”

“Definitely not discussing our sex life with my mom,” he replies, his smirk growing. “But I did tell her I like you a little. That you keep me entertained.”

I roll my eyes, even as a laugh escapes me. I know he’s messing with me—his shit-eating grin serves as proof. I also know that any kind of public declaration is difficult for Ash, so while some women might find his words underwhelming, I realize what a big step it is for him to have mentioned me at all.

To anyone outside his immediate circle in Sparkwood.

“Thank God,” I sigh dramatically, grinning at him. “I was worried you told her I’m the greatest woman on the planet. That’s far too much hype to live up to. I prefer striving for mediocrity.”

“Little one,” he says, his voice a husky growl, “you haven’t been mediocre a day in your life.”

Looping my arm through his, we walk to the rental car counter and hand over our reservation paperwork. “Some might say the same for you, Mr. Hammond.”

“You’re just saying that because I stole you away from the ice and snow.”

“It sure as hell didn’t hurt your cause.”

Ash grabs the keys from the agent, and we stroll to our ride for the next few days—a sporty convertible, perfect for soaking up every drop of tropical air. “If that’s the case, then just wait until you see the hotel,” he says, a hint of mischief in his tone.

I wrap my arms around his waist, resting my chin on his chest as I gaze up at him. “Don’t need to. This is already one of the best days ever.”

He tilts my chin and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Just you wait, beautiful.”

The moment we arrive at the hotel, I understand exactly what Ash was referring to. It’s stunning—a high-end resort nestled on the beach, complete with onsite restaurants and luxury boutiques for when the shopping bug strikes.

The second I open the door to our temporary home, I freeze. Tropical bouquets burst with color in every corner of the suite, their perfume a lush mix of sweetness and spice, mingling with the faint saltiness carried in from the ocean breeze. Rose petals lie scattered across the bed, a box of decadent chocolates sits on the side table, and a bottle of champagne chills in an ice bucket, glistening with condensation.

It’s breathtaking.

“They think of everything. Talk about setting the mood,” I murmur.

Ash steps behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist as he lifts my bag from my shoulder and tosses it onto a nearby chair. “They didn’t think of this. I requested it.”

I twist in his embrace to face him. “You did all of this?”

He shrugs, his eyes warm as he leans in to kiss me. “I wanted it to be as special as you are.”

My chest tightens as I take it all in—every detail he arranged, every thoughtful touch. Blinking back tears, I rise on tiptoe and kiss him hard. “Any chance you might want to explore this bed before we explore the resort?”

A slow smile spreads across his face as he eases me onto the soft mattress, his hands cradling me with care. “No, but I will gladly explore every inch ofyou.”

Chapter 13

Sex On The Beach

Ash

“T

hat’s it. I’m never leaving.” Ori stretches out on the lounger, basking in the eighty-five-degree heat, her skin glowing under the sun.

I lower my sunglasses, letting my gaze sweep over her with zero subtlety. “As long as you keep dressing like that, we can stay here forever.”

Her blue bikini, though thicker than dental floss, covers just enough to fuel my imagination. She knows exactly how to work those curves, too, adding an extra hip shake or ass wiggle every time we stroll along the beach. She’s trouble, and she knows it.

Hell, I nearly came to blows with some asshole at the bar last night when he thought it was a good idea to get a little too friendly with her.

But Ori just grabbed my hands, pulling me onto the dance floor, her lips finding mine as if to remind me—and everyone else—exactly who she belongs to.

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