Page 18 of Igniting Sparks

Funny, there’s a familiarity with this house, but I swear I’ve never been here before.

“Mina?” I call up the stairs. “Where are you?”

“You made it,” Mina exclaims from the upstairs level. “Come on up. I’m in the bedroom.”

And just like that, my mind dives straight into the gutter.

Mina. Bedroom. What could go wrong?

I follow the sound of her voice up the stairs, grinding to a halt at the door to her bedroom.

Let’s just say Mina has an interesting idea of moving attire. Most people opt for jeans or sweats. Not Mina. She’s wearing a skirt just this side of legal, which showcases the most perfect pair of legs on the planet. And her ass? Jesus. I thought I was in trouble before. Now, IknowI’m a dead man.

“You’re wearing a skirt to move?” The question flies from my mouth before I have a chance to reel it back.

Mina turns, a bright smile coloring her face. “It’s actually shorts. Super comfy.” She lifts the hem of the micro mini, revealing the shorts underneath.

Not helping my situation atall.

“Looks comfy,” I mumble, shoving my hands in my pockets as I try to put some space between my jeans and myever-growing cock. I force out an exhale and rock back on the balls of my feet. “I brought along the enclosed trailer, so we should have room for most of your things. Where should I start?”

Mina bends down, giving me another criminally hot glimpse of her ass—unintentional, I’m sure. Probably. Maybe.

She nods toward a stack of boxes in the corner.“Those are ready to go. Then I have my nightstand and bed frame. Beyond that, I don’t have much furniture. Do you have an extra dresser I could use? Or closet space at the house?”

“You’re in luck. The bedroom has a dresseranda walk-in closet. Plenty of space for all your clothing. I’m sure you have way more than I do.”

Mina shrugs as she wipes her hands on a towel. "You’d be surprised. I don’t own a lot outside of dance gear, which is kind of pointless now.”

There’s something about her tone that pulls at my heartstrings. She truly believes that she’s washed up, finished at twenty-five. Doesn’t help that her aunt is making her play this ridiculous game to prove her worth.

Although, if it weren’t for her inane demands, I wouldn’t be Mina’s new roommate.

Not sure if I should lecture her aunt or send her a bouquet of roses.

Closing the small distance between us, I pull Mina into a gentle hug. “Hey, none of that negative self-talk. You’re going to be running a dance studio soon, remember? You’ll need all that dance gear.”

She tips her head up, shooting me a sunny smile before pressing her lips to my cheek. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re the nicest guy in the world?”

“I have my moments, but I’m also grumpy in the morning.”

Her grin widens. “Don’t worry. I have ways to cheer you up.”

“Mina? Are you up there?” Her mother’s voice carries up the stairs, breaking into our moment.

For the best, really, because I was about two seconds away from a second helping of her lips, and this time, I would take full control.

And that would only muddy the situation further… right?

“Up here, Mom. Braden just arrived.” Her sky-blue eyes sparkle at me. “I better go see what she needs. Are you good here?”

“Yeah. I’m great.”

And the truth is, I mean it. This offbeat situation might be exactly what I need.

Or maybe Mina is.

I’m organizing boxes like Tetris in the trailer when I hear a woman’s voice behind me. “Thank you for doing this.”