She set the pointer down, then folded her arms across her chest. “Most clients like to have a say on which ads we use. After all, they are spending a lot of money for them.”
“I’m not ‘most clients.’ I trust you. Zach said you were the best.”
A slight tinge of color lit up Ashely’s face, making her eyes sparkle.
“So, are we good here?”
“Yes. I’ll pick out two I think are the best and show them to you. Even though I appreciate your trust in me, I’ll feel more comfortable if you see and approve the first set of ads.”
“Okay. Now, what about some lunch?”
“I’m swamped. I have to meet with the CEO of Tech Plus next week, and I have a Zoom conference with Zach and Jeremy about a difficult client in Denver.”
He knew she was pushing him away, and it irked and excited him at the same time. “Gotcha. Just put the final two on my desk and text me when you do it. I’ll be on a couple of job sites for the rest of the week.”
“Oh … okay.” Disappointment laced her voice.
I’m up for the chase, baby, but there’s no fuckin’ way I’ll beg anyone for anything. “Good luck with the Aspen client. Zach told me you’ve been working hard on it.” He reached for the contract Pearl had set on the desk earlier.
Gathering up the exhibits, she nodded. “I’m sure Zach has painted a picture of me as a lonely workaholic.”
“Sort of, but I don’t believe it.” He looked up and met her gaze. “I know you like to bike ride.”
“I’ve been meaning to thank you for installing the alarm system in the house. You really shouldn’t have.”
“You’re good at changing the subject.”
“I didn’t know we were on a subject.”
A smile spread across his face. “Whatever you say, Ashley. And you’re welcome. I tried to talk the cheapskate into doing it, but when he flat-out refused, I had it done. I would’ve done it for any employee who has someone on her ass.”
“No one’s out to get me, but having a security system does make me feel safer. This will probably sound dumb to you, but I’m used to a lot of noise. Living in a small town … it’s so quiet, and kind of spooky.
He laughed. “I can see how moving from the city to a town can take some adjusting.”
She picked up her briefcase. “It does. I’m still trying to get used to it. I signed up for a yoga class at the recreation center.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why I told you that.”
Smokey pushed his chair back, then stood up. “I’m glad you’re finding the time to do something outside of working.”
“It’s sort of out of character for me. The funny thing is, since I’ve been here, I feel like taking more time off than I did in Denver.”
“It’s small-town living. The pace is slower and calmer here, and that can be pretty seductive,” He walked over to her.
“I guess you’re right. A lot of things in life can be seductive.” She looked up at him with those captivating eyes and smiled.
Smokey reached for her before he knew what he was doing. He pressed her to him, feeling the soft crush of her tits against his chest.
“Smokey, we can’t do this,” she whispered, but didn’t push him away.
“Can’t we?” he rasped.
Twining his fingers into her hair, he pulled on it, tilting her head back until their eyes locked. “Ashley.” Dipping his head low, he crushed his lips to hers.
Dropping her briefcase and papers to the floor, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body into his, allowing him to take possession of her mouth.
Desire burned through every nerve in his body, the voracious wildfire blurring the edges of all reason. He couldn’t remember ever wanting—needing—a woman more.
His hands on her ass, he ground his dick against her as his teeth tugged at her earlobe.
“Fuck, baby,” he growled.
“No,” she murmured, dropping her hands to his waist.
Smokey stared down at her, confused. “What the fuck?”
“Not like this,” she whispered. “Pearl, or anyone else, could walk in.”
He ran one hand up her arm to her neck. “They know to knock, but I can lock the door.”
Ashley pulled away, and he stepped back, his jaw tight, the veins in his neck pulsing.
They stared at one another, a tense silence hanging between them. Finally, she looked away and quietly gathered the materials that had fallen to the