He walked over to the bed and bent down low so his face was mere inches from hers. “And you love it.” He kissed her hard then straightened up and started for the bathroom.
A while later, Smokey walked into the kitchen to find Ashley standing in front of the window in a short denim skirt and spandex top, her raven hair falling to her perfectly shaped hips that curved in toward her toned legs. From her profile, he saw the roundness of her breast, and the faint outline of a nipple pressing against the fabric of her top. Sucking in his breath, he drank her in, causing his dick to stir. It amazed him how she could take him from zero to sixty in seconds without doing a damn thing.
He came up behind her, roped his arms around her waist, hugging her close as he whispered in her ear, “My sexy woman.”
Placing her hands on top of his, she leaned into him. When she turned her head and raised it up toward him, he leaned down and kissed her passionately.
“I hate like fuck to leave you today.”
Ashley ran her fingers along his jaw. “I wish you could stay. I’ll miss you.”
Pulling away, he muttered, “Yeah,” before scooping up the keys to her cage. “What’re you going to do now that our plans went to hell?”
“I think I’ll go to the shelter for a bit, then over to the yoga studio for a class. I’m sure I can find something on TV to entertain me tonight.” Pointing to his hand, she asked, “What are you doing with my keys?”
“We’ll take your car, and I’m driving. Are you scheduled at the shelter?” He didn’t like her being around Brady when he wasn’t around.
“No, but last night ended real weird. What was up with Brady? He acted like we were committing a crime when all we were doing was kissing in the parking lot, in a dark corner, after my shift was over. He was so pissed and out of line.”
Anger pricked his skin when he recalled how disrespectful Brady had been, especially to Ashley. It had taken all he had not to deck the asshole right then and there, but he didn’t want to beat the jerk to a pulp in front of her. Instead, Smokey told the director to “Fuck off” before he got Ashley out of there.
Cocking her head to the side, she asked, “What did he call us?”
“A bunch of sex-starved seals,” he bit out.
“That’s it!” She snapped her fingers. “Sex-starved seals!” She fell into a fit of laughter. “What the hell does that even mean?”
He couldn’t help but smile in spite of the anger brewing inside of him. He loved the way she laughed—unabashed and melodious.
“I can’t believe he read us the riot act, like he was my dad or something.”
“The jerk has a hard-on for you. He was pissed ’cause he wanted to be the one kissing you. If he crosses the line again, my fists will teach him the meaning of respect.”
“I’m glad you didn’t get into a fight with him last night. I think he’s just a lonely man who wants to find a mother for his kids.”
“There are plenty of women in town. If he keeps up his shit, I’m gonna set him straight. I’d rather you didn’t go to the shelter unless I’m with you.”
“Let’s not ruin this moment. I can take care of myself. And besides, he’s never there on Sundays.”
Grunting, he opened the door, stepped into the garage, and pushed the opener.
“My keys, please,” Ashley said, heading to the driver’s side.
“I’m driving.”
“Are you afraid?”
He snorted. “No—I’m not afraid of shit. I don’t like being a passenger.”
“Or,” she said, running a finger down his arm, “you don’t like women drivers.”
A smile formed on his lips. “I like you.”
“You know what I mean,” she said, playfully slapping his chest.
“I know you’re beautiful, sexy, sassy, and irresistible.”
She batted her dark lashes at him. “Am I?”
Grinning, he tugged her to him. “You know you are.” His lips skimmed against hers as he spoke. “Now, get your sweet ass in the car.”
Giggling, she walked over to the passenger side and slid onto the seat as he settled behind the wheel, starting the engine.
Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, Smokey saw that he had three hours before he was expected at the club. That would be enough time to shop, prepare a killer meal, and get it on with Ashley