Page 126 of Smokey's Distraction
Smokey shrugged. “She knew she got off easy.”
“I wouldn’t say losing your job is ‘getting off easy’. A part of me feels sorry for her, but when I think about how scared I was, I want to scratch her eyes out.”
“That’s my woman. We’re having dinner with my brother tonight at El Tecolote—the restaurant I told you about.”
He saw the tears that rimmed her eyes before she looked away. “I can’t wait to meet your brother.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why do you look like you’re ready to cry? If you don’t wanna meet Ryan, that’s cool.”
“That isn’t it—I do want to meet him. I’m just touched you want us to meet.”
Women are so fuckin’ hard to understand. I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about.“Okay, as long as you’re good with it.”
She laughed. “I am. I’m looking forward to tonight. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up around six-thirty.”
“I’ll be ready.” She kissed him hard. “You’re one special guy,” she whispered, and then she was gone.
For a long moment, Smokey stared at the closed door, wondering what Ashley was doing at that very second. Was she in her office, or did she go to the break room for a cup of café au lait? No matter what he was doing, Ashley was always on his mind. He rubbed his chin with the tips of his fingers. The unexpected and powerful emotions swirling inside of him were new to him. Smokey knew lust and desire, but this went way beyond that. It was like free falling: it was something he couldn’t stop, even if he wanted to. Ashley had come into his life, slowly at first, and then all at once. And it was one of the biggest and best surprises of his life.
Glancing at the wall clock, he grazed his teeth along his bottom lip as he headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. The rest of the day would be spent at one of his construction sites, and he was already looking forward to seeing Ashley again. He shook his head.I’m nothing but a fuckin’ pussy.Smiling, he closed the door.
Yeah … he was hooked.
* * *
Ryan satin the back seat, prattling on about nothing, and Ashley’s questions and comments just egged him on more. Smokey was glad that his woman and brother were getting along, but after two hours of nonstop conversation at dinner, and now this, he was ready to pack it in.
“Are you coming in?” Ryan asked when Smokey pulled into the driveway.
“I’ll pass. Remember to call Cara. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Ryan leaned forward and placed his hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “I really enjoyed tonight.”
She pivoted in her seat. “I did too,” she said, looking back at Smokey. “We’ll do it again, for sure.”
Nodding, Smokey narrowed his eyes when he saw his mother step out onto the porch.
“We gotta get going,” he told Ryan.
“Right.” Opening the back door, he paused. “There’s Mom.”
“Aren’t you going to say something to your mother?” Ashley whispered.
The muscles in his jaw tightened. “No.”
“She’s coming over,” Ryan warned as he stepped out of the SUV.
Mumbling under his breath, “Fuck,” he got out of the car. Raising his chin to his mother, he said, “Hey.”
She averted her gaze to Ashley when she sprinted toward her.
“Hi,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Ashley.”
