a good slap across the face, but she didn’t. Instead, she’d leaned in, pressing her tits against his arm and chest, her thigh against his. Her surrender had surprised and inflamed him, and it took sheer willpower to pull away instead of crushing her to him.
Part of him was pissed that he’d crossed the line, but another part was shocked she’d had such an effect on him. Women came and went in his life, and that’s the way he liked it. But Ashley? Well, she was a different story, and it irked the hell out of him that he was spending way too much time thinking about her. There was no denying he’d been attracted to her ever since he’d seen her at Blue’s Belly, but that wasn’t unusual for him—he liked pretty woman. But there’d been something more, something he didn’t feel with other women. From the first moment their eyes had locked, he’d been drawn to her. Drawn to her? What the hell was up with that? He couldn’t figure out what it even meant, but it was powerful, and he had to stop that shit from going any further—ASAP.
“I’m acting like a damn pussy,” he mumbled while pulling the cell phone from his pocket and plugging in her number, wanting to make sure she was safe. The time that Pearl had driven home in a blizzard, he’d called her to make sure she’d made it home all right, because he was just that kind of boss. Yeah, that was what he was going with.
“Hello?” Ashley answered.
“Hey. I just called to make sure you’re doing okay.”
There was a brief pause before she replied with, “I’m good, thanks.” He heard papers rustling in the background. “I owe you big time. Zach put in an alarm system, and I know you talked him into it.”
“Just happy you have one. Did you get a new tire?”
“Yes. I went to that place you suggested—they’re great.”
“Any other weird shit happen to you since last night?”
A small sigh carried through the line. “I’m fine, really.”
“Are you home now?”
“Actually, I’m just leaving work.”
“That’s dedication.”
She giggled. “Or I’m a workaholic.”
“In that case, why don’t we meet up on Saturday to go over the campaigns you prepared?” Smokey scrubbed a hand over his face. What’s my fuckin’ problem? I’m asking her out again? Shit. Pounding a fist against the grass, he rose to his feet.
“It’s the weekend,” she replied.
A dry laugh rose from his belly to his throat. “You said you’re a workaholic.”
“True. But we have an appointment to go over it all on Monday.”
“It seemed as if you thought I’d dissed you this week, and I’m just trying to show you I wasn’t.”
“Would you ask Pearl, Georgia, or any of the other women in the office to meet you on a Saturday?” Before he could respond, she added, “I just don’t want to be treated any differently than the others.”
“You’re not. Pearl has worked plenty of Saturdays—ask her husband sometime. And my crew and I work a lot of weekends to finish up a job. You’re making a big deal out of nothing, so forget about it,” he said, irritation pricking at him.
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m at it again, overthinking everything. Normally, I don’t have a problem working on weekends, but this Saturday, I’d planned to take advantage of the mild weather and go for a ride.”
“A ride?”
“Yeah, on my bike.”
He jerked his head back in shock. “You have a bike?”
“Yes. I love riding.”
“Damn. I never would’ve pictured you as a biker. What kind do you have?”
“An Alchemy. Do you ride?”
He winced. “Yeah, I do, but I’ve never heard of an Alchemy. Is it a rice burner?”
“What’s that?”
“Foreign made.”
“Oh, no, it’s made in Colorado. I like supporting local businesses. What kind of bike do you have?”
“Harley Forty-Eight Special. I didn’t know there was a manufacturer in the state who made bikes. Are they a new company?”
“Wait, I think we’re talking about two different things. You’re talking about a motorcycle, and I’m talking about a bicycle.” A peal of laughter rang out. “This is too funny.”
A large grin spread across his face. It was the first time he’d heard her laugh, and the sound warmed him.
“Ever since Zach told me I was coming here, I’ve wanted to bike through Pinewood Canyon. The photos I’ve seen are amazing.”
“So, you’re a cyclist.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed.”
There was a teasing quality to her voice that made some funny sensations kick up in his chest. Clenching his jaw, he jammed a