15. The Fine Print of Flirtation
Chapter 15
The Fine Print of Flirtation
Ori
M ina has procured some prime real estate to watch the demonstration, no doubt in part because of her striking good looks. Even though she’s dressed simply in a sweater and jeans, there is no denying the adoring glances shot her way.
Although, if any of them make an unwelcome advance, I’m breaking their fingers—along with other body parts.
Little big sister, at your service.
“Check you out,” I state with a sly grin as I sidle up to my friend. “Even I can see from this vantage point.”
“No doubt Ash would ensure you receive a front row seat.” She pivots, her hands planted on her hips. “Are you still going to deny something is happening between you two?”
I turn my gaze forward, as a smile threatens to break across my face. “Absolutely.”
“Your lipstick is smeared.”
Shit .
Dragging a finger beneath my lip, I cast Mina a side-eye. “Better?”
She chuckles and shakes her head. “No.”
With a huff, I throw up my hands in resignation. “Let me go fix my face. I’ll be right back.”
“Ash will only mess it up again.” Another smirk dances its way across my friend’s face. She’s having way too much fun at my expense.
“Better stop or I’ll have a chat with Braden.”
The smile falls from her lips as her mouth drops open in a gape. “You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I though?” I call the words out over my shoulder, before ducking into One More Page to fix my mussed appearance.
It’s an empty threat, although part of me would love to speak to Braden about how amazing Mina is, and that he’s a fool if he doesn’t snatch her up immediately.
But Mina might bury me six feet under if I did that.
Right now, I have too many enjoyable moments in my future to take such a risk.
After fixing the smudge of lipstick barely noticeable under my lip—while simultaneously hoping Ash is wearing far more of it—I return to Black Lotus.
But something is different, or should I say, someone .
Mina stands rigid, her lips a thin line of disapproval.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, pushing a lock of blonde hair away from her face. “Did someone say something to you? Whose ass do I need to kick?”
Mina shakes her head and offers a forced smile. “Everyone has been fine. Sweet, even. With one exception. Her . ”
I follow Mina’s glare to Ash’s client, Raven, the buxom, inky-haired beauty.
“What about her?”
“I don’t like her. I don’t like the way she’s looking at Ash.”
How can I respond to that statement? Hell, I hate it, too, but Ash is hardly virginal. Plus, he’s gorgeous, so it’s natural women will fawn over him.
Do I still loathe it? Of course. I am human, after all.
“She might stare at him, but she wasn’t the one kissing him a few minutes ago.” To be fair, I meant the words to stay in my head, and instantly regret the bevy of questions sure to follow my declaration.
Mina claps her hands together excitedly, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Ah, so you’re finally admitting it.”
“Worst kept secret in the world.”
“Are you and Ash dating?”
I shake my head, waving my hands in tandem. “No. The man doesn’t believe in the concept. He wanted to hang out tonight, but then some of his friends decided to throw a party in his honor. Screwed up all my plans for the evening.”
“See? This is why I hate her,” Mina reiterates, a scowl returning to her face.
“Don’t count me out yet,” I reply, straining to get a better view of Ash as he bends over to grab a towel from the floor. “I have ways of ensuring I get what I want.”
Two large men squeeze in front of Mina and me, effectively blocking our view. Seems chivalry is dead with this duo.
Tugging Mina’s sleeve, I use my slight size to my advantage, ducking around a few patrons and finding us a new spot with an even better line of sight.
It turns out this new spot has an added advantage: we’re also now within earshot of Ash and his client.
Raven lounges on the tattoo bed, her ample breasts pressing into the leather surface and offering Ash an up close and personal view of her assets. Her legs kick lazily in the air, and she wiggles her ass every now and again, giving the rest of the patrons a thrill.
But her focus is singular.
Ash continues setting up his workstation, seemingly oblivious to the massive tits just inches from his nose. He motions for her to turn on her side and she obliges, ensuring her shapely stems are on full display, but Ash remains the consummate professional. He focuses on applying the custom stencil with polished precision, first smoothing it against her skin before peeling it back slowly.
Maybe, despite her obvious outward beauty, this woman is not a threat.
And maybe I’m the reason.
Raven glances over to where I’m standing, and a slow smile crosses her crimson lips. But it’s not a friendly grin. It’s the smile I imagine a viper would make before sinking its fangs into an unwitting victim.
“Branching out into new interests, I see.” Raven speaks the words to Ash, but her gaze remains locked on me, aware I can hear every word.
Since Ash’s back is to me, I can’t see his expression, save for a slight shrug of his shoulders as he settles onto his stool. “What in the world does that mean?”
“Your little librarian. Is she a friend or a friend ? ”
Ash’s chuckle rises into the air. “Cut that shit out and lie still before I screw up this design.”
“You won’t mess it up. You never do. But you didn’t answer my question.”
“Don’t plan on it, either.”
“You’re no fun.”
Ash keeps his focus on the tattoo, the steady buzz of the machine almost drowning out their conversation.
Almost .
Damn me and my supersonic hearing.
Raven huffs out a breath, pooching her lips in feigned annoyance. “Come on, tell me the truth. Who is she?”
“Why do you care?” Ash grumbles, keeping his hand steady as he lays down some ink.
“Because she’s not your usual type, but you seem mighty interested in that one.”
Now my ears really perk up, desperate to hear how Ash responds to her claim.
Yes, I’m thirty-nine years old, but deep down, I’m still just a girl with a heady crush.
Ash shakes his head as he wipes her design, another laugh rising from his chest. “Remember that woman I hated?”
“Your neighbor?”
Ash nods. “Turns out, I don’t hate her after all.”
I bite back a sarcastic laugh at his words.
Don’t bowl me over with your romantic lines, Ash.
“Are they talking about you?” Mina asks, her voice a fierce whisper.
Why do people always pick the worst time to inject themselves into a conversation? Can’t Mina see I’m busy eavesdropping ?
“Shh.” It’s the only response my friend needs as she falls silent and I return my attention to the drama unfolding not five feet from me.
Raven wags her finger at Ash. “Wait a minute. She’s the one you share a basement with, right?”
“One and the same.”
“Did she sign the paperwork?”
“She did.”
Raven shakes her head, a sly giggle escaping her lips. “ You are devious.”
Ash pauses again, tilting his head toward her. “What do you mean?”
“Now I get it. You, buttering her up and showering her with attention. Of course, you said you’d do anything to ensure that speakeasy opened. Well played, Ash. Well played.”
He waves his hand, clearly distracted by her incessant questions. “You’re reading too much into it. It’s just … business. Nothing more than that.”
Ash’s words seep into my soul with the finality of a chainsaw cutting through wood.
I guess I’m nothing in his equation.
Raven leans over, one crimson nail dragging along his biceps. “And you are one hell of a talented businessman. Perhaps I can find a deal we can negotiate.”
Ash’s shoulders shake with silent laughter as he waves her hand away. “Will you please stop so I can concentrate?”
So glad they find this scenario funny.
Seems I’m the only one not laughing.
“Want to get out of here?” Mina asks, her glare fixed on Ash and his ‘friend’ .
I nod, keeping my eyes downcast. “Yeah. I’ve seen enough.”
Actually, I’ve seen and heard more than enough.
Ash didn’t insult me—at least not outright. He simply reaffirmed my initial belief that his change in attitude was just a facade. A means to an end.
Deep down, I always suspected that was Ash’s true motive behind his flirtations.
Quite simple, really.
His recent behavior clearly hinges on his need for my signature. I’m not sure why he’s still pretending to be interested, except to keep me in his pocket until the speakeasy opens.
Let’s be honest, people have fucked for far more trivial reasons. That’s what the rational side of my brain tells me.
But my emotions? That’s another story entirely. I believed his words, the look in his eyes, the desire in his kiss. I believed they were meant for me because I was different.
Turns out, I’m nothing more than a business transaction.
The emotional side of my psyche is tempted to grab a tattoo machine and decorate both their faces with chicken-scratch designs.
We’ll see who’s laughing then.
Before I can slip through the crowd and return to the safety of my bookstore, Ash looks over, catching my eye. A strange expression flits across his face, as he no doubt wonders which parts of his conversation I overheard.
Or perhaps he couldn’t care less.
What matters right now is I do.
Ash sets his machine down and crooks his finger at me. I have two choices: ignore him or be an adult and talk to the man.
Have I mentioned how much it sucks being an adult?
I pull off my glasses and pinch the bridge of my nose, desperate to calm the anger brewing inside me.
Then, with a quick glance at Mina, I trudge the few steps to where Ash sits.
Ash drums the table, his green eyes intent on my face. “Where are you running off to? I’m just getting started.”
Better question, Ash, why do you care?
I shrug and tilt my head toward the exit. “My employees need their break. Don’t want to become known as the grinch who killed their Christmas spirit.”
Ash chuckles, running a hand over his jaw. “Why would they ever think that?”
Are we really reverting to small talk? “If they’d spoken to you, they’d have thought far worse.”
His eyes darken as they sweep over my form. “Not if they spoke to me in the last week. You’re the gift that keeps on giving.”
No wonder the man can juggle a dozen women at the same time. He possesses an uncanny ability to make you feel like you’re the only woman he sees, even in a room packed with potential dates.
One hell of a schtick.
Too bad it no longer works on me.
An annoyed grunt escapes my lips. Not technically a response, but Ash picks up on my hostile demeanor. Why wouldn’t he? It was my only personality trait around him for those first six months. Guess I got it right the first time.
“Well, come back over when you’re done.” Ash jerks his thumb toward Raven, who’s watching our interaction with a great deal of interest. “You know where I’ll be.”
At least until he’s finished tattooing his ‘friend’. Then my money is on any number of hotel rooms in the area. Or perhaps he’ll give her a private tour of the basement—if he hasn’t already.
“Inking your Jessica Rabbit-Snow White mashup,” I mutter under my breath, the words meant solely for my benefit—and ego.
Apparently, Ash also possesses supersonic hearing. He throws his head back and laughs, a full-on, full body laugh that reverberates through the surrounding air. “That might be the most accurate description ever. I’ll have to let Raven know your nickname for her.”
Wrong response, Asher Hammond.
“I’m sure you will.” I bite out the words, my jaw tight with aggravation.
Not that Raven will care. The woman has zero hangups about her feminine wiles. Just ask any man in Black Lotus and they’ll agree.
But she’s got her eye on the grand prize and no doubt, the feeling is mutual.
I’m not a threat by any stretch.
She probably sees me in the same way Ash does, as a pretty and uptight geeky woman with zero ink, no piercings, and a preference for jazz clubs over nightclubs.
Seems me and my wickedly talented mouth will have to find another venue in which to play.
This one is all booked up.
“Did I hear my name mentioned?” Raven’s pale arm wraps around Ash’s shoulder as she interjects herself into our chat .
How lovely. This afternoon keeps getting better and better.
“What were you two saying about me?” she asks, shooting Ash a coy smile.
“Talking about your ink and the party later.” Thankfully, Ash doesn’t divulge my nickname for the black-haired beauty. Maybe he’s saving it for when they’re alone so he can claim it as his own.
Whatever works.
“Are you coming, too?” Raven inquires, arching a sculpted brow at me.
“We’ll see,” I mumble. “It depends on how I feel later. The shop is busy, so I’ll likely be too tired.”
Code for no chance in hell.
“That’s a shame.” Her voice is soft, but there’s no missing the tone—dripping with sarcasm, layered beneath a breathy whisper. “We haven’t officially met. I’m Raven.”
“I heard.” After a beat, I huff out a sigh and extend my hand. “I’m Ori.”
“The bookstore owner.” A smile lights up her face as her gaze volleys between Ash and me. “You look like a bookstore owner.”
Now what the fuck is that supposed to mean?
Raven catches the anger flashing across my face and rests a hand on my arm. “It’s not an insult. You’ve got this adorable librarian aesthetic about you.”
Shoot me. Now.
There’s nothing as humbling as a gorgeous vixen calling you adorable. Bonus points for doing it in front of the man who used me—not for sex, but for my signature.
I feel like a Pomeranian.
Wearing glasses .
About to turn feral.
Sure, call me adorable, Ms. Thirst Trap. We’ll see how that plays out for you when I rip those extensions out by the root.
And … yep. Now I’m feral.
It’s time to go.
“I have to get back to work, as do you. See you around, Ash.” A choked laugh emerges from my throat, but it’s the best I can manage.
“Hey,” Ash cuts in, forcing me to pivot in his direction once more. “Are you coming back?”
What I want to do is scream at him that I’d far rather endure a root canal sans Novocain. But being the prim and proper librarian geek that I am, I refrain from causing a scene.
Besides, this is his shop and if Raven knows the truth of Ash’s motives with me, most of these people do, too.
To be brutally honest, I’m too damn embarrassed by that notion to raise a fuss.
I thought Ash saw me. Turns out, all he saw was a means to an end, and I fell for it.
“Who knows, Ash? It’s anybody’s guess.”
I don’t stick around to hear his response. There’s nothing he can say to make this situation suck any less.
Mina waits for me at the door of Black Lotus, her foot tapping out an erratic rhythm.
Trust me, I feel you, my friend.
“You heard?” I ask, although I already know the answer. Anger wafts off her in waves and despite her doll-like appearance, I’ve no doubt Mina could kick some serious ass when provoked.
Annabelle and the feral Pomeranian, reporting for duty .
“What a bitch,” she snaps, narrowing her gaze at Raven. “What does he see in her, anyway?”
“Tits, ass, and a good time. Besides, she’s right. I am a mousy librarian type, and you know what? I like me, just as I am. Fuck him and her if they don’t appreciate it. Better yet, they can fuck each other and leave me out of it.”
Mina’s mouth drops open at my forceful reply. Too bad I don’t have the guts to say it to their faces. “Damn straight, but do you actually mean those words?”
I blink back tears as we duck from the shop and into the shared hallway. But instead of allowing the weight of my feelings to kowtow me, I straighten and roll my shoulders back.
“Without a doubt. He can have his basement and his lies. I’ll keep my heart and pride intact. There are plenty of great men out there. Too bad Asher Hammond isn’t one of them.”
“Want me to mop the floor with them? Trip over something while he’s tattooing her and screw up her ink?”
I fiddle with the ring on my hand and force a tremulous smile. “Here I thought my mind was traveling some dubious roads today. No, leave them alone. It’s not a big deal.”
Or should I say, I’m not a big deal, at least not according to Ash. No, to him, I’m nothing.
Mina wraps an arm around me, offering a hug of solidarity.
She knows I’m lying, but she’ll let me play my part.
Suck it up, Oriana. One pitfall of being a romantic is falling for a man who can fake affection as easily as he fakes a smile.