Page 90 of Chasing Sparks

Trust me, I didn’t hesitate to return the favor.

I damn near lost it right there on the dance floor, in front of the entire crowd. It’s insane how much I want her, every second of every day.

Back home in New York, it’s easier to keep my emotions in check. I stay guarded, determined not to let myself get swept away by what I feel for her. But here, surrounded by sun and strangers, I don’t need the mask I wear to protect myself.

Here, I can just be me.

And allow myself to feeleverythingfor her.

Ori reaches over, her fingers brushing against my arm as she flashes me that soft smile of hers before returning to her book. That single touch sends a jolt through me, the kind that lingers even after her hand is gone.

I lean back, close my eyes, and let the sun warm me down to my core.

Damn, but I needed this trip. And there’s no one I’d rather be here with than Ori.

She’s the perfect traveler—never complains, always ready to try anything. I’ve got the photos of her kite sailing to prove it. She makes even the smallest moments feel monumental.

All the little things mean the world to her.

Like this morning, when I ordered breakfast delivered to our room. Sure, on its own, it’s hardly noteworthy, but I made sure it included all of Ori’s favorite treats—fresh pastries, fruit, and cappuccino. They set it up on the suite patio before she even stirred from the bed.

But when Ori woke up and saw the table laden with goodies, she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me like I was the most incredible man on the planet.

And in that moment, I felt like I was.

I excuse myself and duck inside our suite to call my brother. Look, I know the man’s totally capable, but I worry. There’s a lot happening back in New York.

“You’re the worst,” Braden says as soon as he picks up.

“Shit. That bad?”

“No. Everything’s fine. But you’re in paradise, and we got ten inches of snow yesterday. So yeah, I hate you. Nothing personal, of course.”

I chuckle, leaning against the sliding glass door to watch Ori wade into our private pool. The sunlight catches the curve of her shoulders, making it impossible to look away. “I can lie and tell you it’s terrible. Does that help?”

“No, because I know it’s a lie. Are you two having fun?”

“Best time ever.”

The second I say it, I know it’s true.

“Anything I need to know about?” I ask.

“Contractors are waiting on some custom tile to arrive so they can finish the floor, and Ori got a massive shipment of inventory yesterday, but other than that … oh, wait.”

My stomach tightens. “What’s up, Braden?”

He sighs into the phone, and I can already tell I’m not going to like this. “Fuck, I don’t know if I should tell you this.”

“Now youhaveto tell me.”

“Lucille’s been calling almost every day. She’s relentless. I told her you’re on vacation, and she keeps hinting around, asking where you are and if she can have the number.”

“Please tell me you didn’t.”

“Of course not. But prepare yourself for when you get back.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to stave off the irritation building inside me. “I’ll set her straight. Sorry that she’s bugging you.”

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