The First Spark

I have a very big problem … in the form of one very petite woman.

Don't get me wrong. I adore women, and if you ask any female in Sparkwood, you'll learn the feeling is mutual. With one tiny exception.

Oriana Thorne is a literal thorn in my side—a plucky, infuriatingly gorgeous, pain in the rear who rents the store next to mine.

We've disliked each other from the beginning, or at least since she marched into my shop and started issuing demands. Needless to say, I didn't roll out the welcome mat after that meet-hate.

I'd love to avoid the woman until the end of my days, but as fate would have it, I need her help. Without her approval, my plan to open a speakeasy beneath our shops is dead in the water. Considering Oriana is as fond of me as I am of her, winning her assistance will be no easy feat.

So, when a faulty lock forces the two of us to spend the night together, it's anyone's guess if we'll survive until morning. But that's a chance I'm willing to take. What's the worst that can happen? It's not like I'm going to fall in love with the woman …

Contains mature themes.