Page 19

Calming my tired body, I wrap Ashley in my arms. She’s just about asleep. This was Earth-shattering sex. And to me, it meant more than just a fuck. I’m hooked. I keep telling myself to take it easy, as this is a dangerous path, but my mouth opens anyway.

“You’re mine. I can’t ever let you go again,” I whisper into her hair and stiffen. Oh shit, I’m in deep trouble. I didn’t mean to say that. Her breathing is even, so I hope she’s asleep and didn’t hear my words. I’ve wanted Ashley for a long time. When I saw her behind the bar in Violets two years ago, it hit me like a thunderbolt. I’ve been fighting my attraction to her since then, and I’m tired of fighting.

I’m not a cuddler. I’m a kinky pig really, but right now, I feel at peace with Ashley in my arms, just feeling her warmth and her steady breathing. While I hold her, nothing can touch either of us. My brain is tired and my body aches, so I adjust my position and feel her ass pushing into me. A small smile plays around my lips. I never thought something so simple could make me feel so good.

???

I wake feeling disorientated. There is heat in my back, my god, it’s like a furnace! I try to fully shake myself awake. As I open my eyes, I realize I’m not in my own bed. Suddenly last night comes rushing back in. I roll onto my back with my arm over my face and take a deep breath. When I turn my head, I see Ashley. She looks peaceful, with a small smile playing on her face. She scoots closer to me and throws her arm over my chest. I thought this would be awkward, but she feels so natural next to me, as though it’s where she belongs.

Letting her warmth seep through my body and soul, a feeling of deep peace settles over me. Peace, I haven’t known in a long time. Too long, I realize now. I also realize that I don’t want to let her go, which is worrying. I’m not looking for an old lady. It is the farthest thing from my mind. However, my body appears to feel different, and my dick seems to agree.

I carefully remove her arm and slide out of bed. Putting my boxers and jeans on, I make my way to the kitchen and find all the makings for coffee. My stomach rumbles, so I forage for breakfast items. Not much there, but enough for pancakes and bacon, so I set to work. It feels weird to stand here in her kitchen, very domesticated and strangely, I don’t feel like getting the hell out of here. My phone shows it’s five-thirty, so in case Ashley has an early start, I make my way back into the bedroom while the pancakes are resting and the bacon is under the grill.

“Morning, princess.” I lean over her and place a kiss on her cheek. She starts to move and groans.

“What time is it? And what smells so good? Coffee . . . I need coffee.” I put the cup I filled for her on the bedside table and smirk. Not a morning person then.

“What time do you need to get up, princess? What shift are you on? It’s just half-past five.” I wait for her reply.

“It’s my day off today,” she groans.

“I gotta get going soon, gotta go home, shower and change, and get to work,” I tell her, “but I made breakfast. Pancakes and bacon, all ready. Want me to bring you some?”

“No thanks, Vegas. I’m awake now. I’ll get up and come into the kitchen to join you.” She smiles at me. That smile hits me right in my gut, my protective instinct crashes right through me. I turn on my heel, return to the kitchen, set the table, and bring the bacon and pancake over. I load my plate and spread plenty of maple syrup over my bacon. Heart attack on a plate! My mouth waters.

“Wow, that smells soooo gooood.” Ashley moans, and just that little sound has my cock hard as steel. She loads her plate and digs in. “Mmm, so good.” She moans again.

“Glad you’re enjoying it,” I say between gritted teeth. My cock is threatening to burst out of my jeans.

She throws me a look, her eyes grazing over my shirtless torso, inspecting my many tattoos. They’re all meaningful to me, like the storybook of my life.

“Your artwork is amazing,” she says, reaching out and running her finger over my right bicep. She stops and traces the tree of life placed there, then she looks at me and asks, “Who’s Elvira?” I guess it’s only fair to ask about another woman’s name on my arm.

“She was my grandmother, princess. She brought me up for most of my life. It’s a long story and I don’t have time to tell it all right now.” She nods at me, unperturbed.

“Okay, maybe you can tell me about her sometime. I know little to nothing about your life.” I’m stunned.

She didn’t push, nor snipe, just accepted my answer for what it was. The truth. That was easier than I thought.

“Sure, princess, I’ll tell you about her when we have more time.” Pushing my chair back, I walk into the bedroom, leaving Ash at the table. Pulling on my T-shirt and cut, I shove my feet into my boots, which are still where I chucked them off last night. I rejoin Ashley, bend down, and kiss her hair. “Gotta run, princess,” I tell her. “Have a great day off. I’ll text you later.”

She peers at me with a strange look in her eye, but says, “Bye, Vegas, have a good day too.” Her attention goes back to her breakfast, and she doesn’t look up at me when I open the door and leave. Not sure why, but for some reason, I feel guilty for leaving her there. My head is fucked. If I had any feelings, I’d say I’m utterly conflicted, but since I don’t do feelings, I won’t.

I get on my bike, join the traffic, making my way home in no time. After a shower, a change of clothes, and another large coffee, I head to the workshop and start my day.

By lunchtime, I feel like a bear with a sore head. My mood is glacial, and I grunt or bark at everyone. What a shitty day. Suddenly, my overall is grabbed, and I’m dragged from behind. I’m just about to swing for whoever it is when I hear Sparks’s voice,

“Easy, tiger, if you need to go a couple rounds to settle your damn mood, then so be it, but I’d rather not and just drag you out for lunch instead.” His words instantly deflate me. Having been an ass all morning, I think I needed a change of scenery.

“Let go, dick, or I’ll have your hands,” I growl at Sparks, earning me a snicker.

“Promises, promises. It would give me time off to spend and molest my old lady, so go ahead, see if I care.” He chuckles. In the changing room, I peel out of my overalls and follow Sparks to the bikes.

Predictably, we end up at Ally’s. We order, and I look out the window while waiting for grub to arrive. Sparks clears his throat.

“What’s up with you, man? You’re not yourself today, and I’m getting fed up with being growled at. I’m here for you, man, so talk to me.” I look at him over the rim of my coffee mug.

“What is this, a sisterly heart to heart?” I mock.

“For fuck’s sake, Vegas, drop it. You’ve been a pain in the ass all morning and either you talk, or I’ll wrap any tool I can get my hands on round your head.” Sparks is pissed. That doesn’t happen often, and I sigh.

“Is this about Ashley?” he inquires.

“Wow, you guys been spying on me?” I grouse.

“No, man, but you have been looking at her in a certain way for months now. Then there are the rearranged facial features by Raven. I can count. One plus one makes two, if you excuse the pun.” Sparks looks straight at me. “Are you gonna claim her?”

“Fuck no.” I nearly jump out of my seat. “I don’t want an old lady. I’m not the type to be tied down.”

“Calm the fuck down and sit down,” Sparks growls at me. My voice had risen without me realizing.

“Are you just stupid? Or can you not see what’s right in front of you? Meeting Ally was the best thing that ever happened to me. Do I look pussy whipped to you? Or under stress and hating my life?” he continues. “Let me tell you something, asshole. Ashley is an amazing woman. Not only has she mooned over you for a while, but she deals with her shit. And she sure had plenty of it to deal with. And you are a grade-A fool.”

That made me sit up straight. “What shit?” I ask tightly.

“Can’t tell you, Bro, Ally would have my balls. I’m not supposed to know, only overheard bits the other day by accident. Can’t let on bro, sorry. How about you just damn well ask her?” he grates back at me.

“You are one lucky asshole to have her crushing on you, don’t fuck it up. Raven will calm down!” Suddenly my appetite is gone. I take out my phone.

Vegas: Hey princess, how is your day? Sorry I ran out this morning. Had to get ready for work. A few minutes pass and have me drumming my fingers on the table.

Ashley: Hey you, my day is going great. Thank you. Just on my way to see Carl. What are you up to?

Vegas: Just having lunch at Ally’s with Sparks. Want to come over to mine tonight? I’ll put some steaks on the grill.

Ashley: Can I bring anything?

Vegas: No princess, all in hand. Salad and baked potato, okay with you?

Ashley: Sure, no problems.

Vegas: wear bike appropriate clothes, we’ll go for a ride after dinner.

Ashley: What time?

Vegas: Seven thirty okay for you?

Ashley: See you then. Text me the address. STYL

Sparks looks interrogatingly at me.

“Are you gonna get your head out of your ass and act like a human being, or dare I say, man, for once?” He quips. I nod at him.

“I’ll get to the bottom of this,”

“You better, and man, if Ally wasn’t joined to my hip, I’d so make a go of getting Ashley!” he smirks, “And I know I’m not the only one,” He chuckles when I growl at him. Actually growl.

“Keep your hands to yourself, or you’ll lose them. Ashley is mine! Put the word out!” Sparks laughs, pointing his finger at me.

“Make sure you let her know, else Flakey might get in there!” he bends over laughing. Just then, both of our cells ding. I open mine and find a group text. They have declared Saturday a bar day for all members. I groan. Oh great, just what I want.

???

I struggle to keep my mind on work for the rest of the afternoon. My thoughts go to Flakey. It’s my turn to sit with him next week if he’s still in then. Ashley spends a lot of time with him. I heard the prospects talking about her turning up at all hours, sending them for breaks, spending time with Flakey. They also mentioned how close they seem. I know they are close, but now it rankles me. Do I have to step in? I sigh in relief when it is time to down tools.

A smile is plastered on my face on the ride home. I take the long way round. The feeling of six hundred solid pounds of steel between my legs, growling, and the wind in my face blows out my bad mood. I love the smell of the countryside, wooded areas, fields, and to feel the temperature changes when riding. It makes me feel connected and whole.

I turn into the garage, walk into the house, open the freezer, and get out some steaks. In the fridge, I find some baking potatoes and shove them in the oven. Next, I make the salad and put it back into the fridge. I make my way to the gym and run on the treadmill for a few miles. After lifting some weights, my body feels pleasantly tired, and I escape into the shower.

My hair still wet, I take the steaks out onto the back porch, where I start the grill. I check my phone, having text her the address earlier and directions, but no reply. It is quarter past seven, so it is safe to start dinner. The potatoes are almost done when I look up. My phone notifies me that the security camera is activated. I can see her car coming down the drive and push the button for the gate before she can stop and ring and use the intercom. Walking back inside, I open the door, watching her pull up in front of the garage. She gets out, and the surprised look on her face makes me chuckle. Never fails to amuse me to see other people’s reaction to my pad, not that many have seen it. I walk toward her, pull her to me, and hold her close.

“Hey, you’re early” I smile down at her, placing a kiss on top of her head. Her smile is blinding and makes my heart miss a beat.

“Yup, thought I’d surprise you and see if I can help.” She wraps her arms around my middle and squeezes.

“No princess, nothing left to do. I’ve just put the steaks on the grill. Let’s get inside.” I lead the way inside the house, set the alarm and watch her taking it all in.

“Wow, this place is amazing Vegas!” she breathes. I laugh.

“It’s alright“ I smirk.

We walk through to the kitchen, and she takes a seat at the kitchen Island. “How do you like your steak?” I ask.

“Medium rare, please.” A girl after my own heart. I can’t stand to ruin a good steak by turning it into well done shoe leather.

I walk out on the deck, check and turn the steaks. When I get back inside, she has been making herself useful, took the potatoes out, found plates, cutlery and the salad is on the table as well. As are condiments. Efficient.

“Thanks princess, way to make me feel inept!” I tease her.

“Nonsense,” comes her immediate reply. “You’ve been at work and did all the cooking. Giving a hand is the least I can do.” I bring in the steaks, we load our plates and eat in amicable silence. I groan, I’m stuffed.

“That was great Vegas. I didn’t know you were such a skilled cook!” she grins at me, leaning back, rubbing her stomach. “I couldn’t eat another crumb!” I grab a beer out of the fridge and offer her one. She shakes her head, so I pass her a bottle of water.

“I’ll give you five minutes, then we go for a ride” I throw over my shoulder as I close the fridge door. Grabbing her hand without waiting for a reply, I pull her up and walk her out onto the back porch. Ashley looks around.

“Wow, is this all yours?” She points at the wooded area behind the house.

“Sure is, princess. I like my privacy. My home is my refuge. Very few people know where it is, or what it is like. You are one of the chosen few.”

I capture her eyes with mine and don’t miss the slight widening in surprise. She turns, steps up to me, and puts her arm around my waist. I rest my chin on the top of her head and just enjoy the moment.

“Thank you,” she says quietly. “For inviting me here and showing me all this. I appreciate it.” I pull her closer and kiss the top of her head. Her shampoo smells of some exotic fruit, and her perfume is intoxicating. I inhale deep.

“Are you sniffing me?” She laughs.

“I am, princess. You smell so damn delicious,” I grumble, knowing I’ve been caught.

I reach down and slap her amazing ass in her tight jeans. “Come on, let’s go.” I step away and walk inside. She follows, closing the patio doors.

“Meet you at the garage,” she throws back at me as she makes her way out the front door. I hurry to disable the alarm, but it’s too late and it makes a hell of a racket. “Oops!” She grins at me while walking to her car and swaying her ass at me. As much as my dick appreciates the view, riding with a hard on is uncomfortable. Down, boy!