Page 27 of Smokey's Distraction
With renewed determination not to let her body sway her mind, she pulled into a parking space, jumped out of the car, and dashed into the building.
6
“Aren’t you pretty,”Klutch said as Animal, Helm, Bones, and Shadow cracked up.
Without stopping, Smokey flipped them off as he headed toward the bar to down a shot of whiskey before taking off to meet Ashley.Sweet, sexy Ashley.
A soft hand ran down his arm. “You do look real handsome all dressed up, baby,” Tania said. “Where’re you going?”
“I got a business meeting,” he answered in a low voice while casting a sidelong glance at Klutch.
“A business meeting.” The club girl echoed his words. “That’s impressive.” Her fingers skimmed over his gray button-down shirt. “This fits you real well,” she said, leaning close to him.
“Business meeting my ass,” Klutch said before bursting into a hearty laugh.
“I bet that new chick in your office is gonna be at the meeting,” Helm said.
“She’ll be the only one there,” Animal added, and the rest of the table guffawed.
“Fuck you,” Smokey said as he brought the shot of Jack to his mouth. Tossing it back, his knuckles whitened as he gripped the glass.
“Are you going to a nice restaurant?” Tania asked as she pressed closer to him.
Smokey stepped away. “It’s just a work thing—that’s all. Why don’t you find something else to do besides bug me?”
The club woman’s smiling face crumbled to one filled with hurt, and his anger fizzled at that moment. Smokey reached out and ran the back of his fingers against her cheek, and she looked up at him, her eyes brimming.
“I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to ask you all those questions. I overstepped the line,” Tania said, a weak smile tugging the corners of her mouth.
Smokey’s hand dropped to his side, and he blew out a long breath between tight lips. “Don’t mind me.” He gestured the prospect to bring Tania a drink, then he winked at her and turned away.
“So what does this chick look like?” Bones asked.
“Like a professional, but you don’t have a fuckin’ clue what that is.” Smokey picked up his leather jacket and shrugged it on.
“Let’s google it,” Helm said.
“Yeah, why don’t you go ahead and do that. I’m outta here.” Smokey clutched the car keys in his fist. He walked out of the clubhouse and through the icy parking lot to his SUV. Pressing the fob to unlock the driver’s door, he slid inside and started the engine.
On the ride to the restaurant, Smokey tried unsuccessfully to keep his mind off Ashley. He’d been looking forward to this dinner far more than he’d like to admit. He’d even left work an hour earlier to go to the mall—the fuckin’ mall—to buy a dress shirt.Is that fucked or what?This isn’t a date, and if I want a nice fuck, I know Tania will give me a real good time. So why the hell am I making this into something special?Smokey slammed his hand against the steering wheel.This is bullshit! I’m done thinking with my cock.His jaw tightened with determination.
Scattered snowflakes peppered the windshield, so he switched on the wipers, then maneuvered the SUV through traffic and headed to the restaurant.
The smell of warm bread and sizzling steaks enveloped Smokey as he walked into the eatery. The dark wood benches housed people waiting for a table, but Ashley wasn’t among them.Maybe she’s already seated.Crossing the lobby, he stopped short at the podium.
“May I help you, sir?” the hostess asked.
Out of habit, Smokey ran his gaze over her, appreciating her nice figure and heart-shaped face.
“I’ve got a reservation under the name Smokey,” he replied.
The young woman tapped the computer screen, then looked up and smiled. “It’s for a table of two.”
“Yeah.”
“Would you like to be seated now or wait until the other member of your party arrives?”
She’s late—seems to be her habit.Before Smokey could answer the hostess, the front door opened and a blast of frigid air swept in. Looking toward the door, he saw Ashley with hair windblown and cheeks red from the cold. Smiling, she waved a black-gloved hand at him as she wiped her boots on the indoor mat at the entrance. The thin silver nose ring glinted under the vestibule’s pendant lights, complementing the shimmer in those beguiling blue eyes.
