Page 99 of Little Sunshine

It was something much different. Something that settled in my quickened heart, swirling stomach, and areas lower.

Despite his threat, he smiled adoringly down at her, and that made my heart rate go funnier. He said something else that I didn’t catch, but it made her cheeks flush.

Not wanting to do or say something stupid, I tore my focus from the couple and looked down. “Oh.” I held the iPad out. “I think this is yours.”

“Ash said you might like my taste in reading material better than his.” She took the tablet and glanced at the screen. “That’s one of my favorite books. Major hangover afterward.” She offered it back to me. “Do you want to borrow it so you can finish reading?”

And add literary fuel to my already stoked and ready to combust fire?

Hell no.

I shook my head. “Thank you, though.”

“Text me the title, and I’ll put it on her phone,” Ash said.

“No, you won’t because I don’t have a phone.”

Everyone’s eyes dropped to the phone I literally held in my hand. When Ash’s returned to mine, a smirk pulled at his lips.

I wanted to kiss it off him.

Or maybe shove the cell in his mouth.

I wasn’t sure which.

I kept my own mouth shut since I’d already made a mini scene by calling him an ass in front of an audience. I didn’t need to make it any worse.

He spoke instead, his smirk changing to a sweet smile. “You ready?”

Between Ash’s nearness, my reading material, his boss’ interaction with his wife, my hypocritical sadness at his lack of trust, that damn smile, and… Well, everything to do with Ash, I needed to get control of myself before I was stuck in the SUV with him. It didn’t matter how big that sucker was, it was still too confined.

“I’m going to pop into the restroom first,” I said before facing forward. “It was very nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Black?—”

“Maximo and Juliet,” the man corrected. Although the way he subtly gripped her ass said he liked the reminder they were married.

“Right,” I agreed, not that it mattered.

I’d likely never see them again.

Ash

I knew Mila was annoyed.

Her calling me an ass had kinda clued me in.

I’d assumed there’d be worse once we were closed in the elevator, but I got none of the snapped attitude I’d expected.

Wanted.

Craved.

Instead, she’d stood as far off to the side as she could get and stared straight ahead like she wanted to be anywhere but there.

“Mila—” I started.

But the doors chose that moment to slide open, and she hurried out. She slowed after a few steps. A few more, and she stopped altogether. “Where is your car?”

“Getting some work done,” I said since that was easier than explaining Cole needed to check it for listening devices.

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