Lady Luck: Ashby Crime Family Romance Book 4

by Winters, KB

  “Man, I’m telling you, she had tits out to here,” Mace said with a dirty laugh. He’d just finished a set squats, and he had the attention of the guys as he described his latest date. “And she begged me to titty fuck her. Begged.”

  I shook my head, but it was hard to be anything but amused when Mace started talking about his hookups. Half the time I’d swear the guy was looking for true love but the other half? He sounded like he was just a dirty pussy hound.

  “And you obliged, of course?”

  Mace went on to finish a set of presses and continued with his story, shrugging like it was nothing and for a big dude like him, it really wasn’t. “She was too cute to disappoint, and the way she took my cock deep when I titty fucked her? Well I’m taking her out again tonight. I might be in love.”

  Hulu barked out a laugh and shook his head. “Love? Just how deep does a girl need to suck you off to get your brain, man?”

  Mace flipped him off. “Bro, you don’t get it. This chick is the real deal. Over dinner she talked to me about Socrates and shit, waxed poetic about the music of The Doors, and then she was dirty as fuck in bed. Do you come across women like that all the time? I sure as shit don’t.”

  “You’re serious.” I don’t know why I sounded so shocked, but I was.

  “Hell yeah, man. She’s great and in the sack, she’s phenomenal.” He was serious, and I was happy for him, if a little envious.

  “Good for you, Mace.”

  “Yeah, thanks Emmett. Now you want to tell us who put that goofy ass grin on your face?”

  Hulu laughed. “Don’t even bother asking that question, Emmett is applying for the role as Glitz’s resident monk. A dangerous job considering somebody is out here icing priests.”

  “Damn, Hulu, that’s cold. But hilarious,” Mace laughed and moved to pick up free weights. “Seriously, you and Nessa just friends or you playing the long game?”

  I frowned because I didn’t want to talk about Vanessa like she was just another woman. Another conquest. She wasn’t anything of the sort, and I wanted more than just a few rounds of sex.

  “We’re friends, simple as that.”

  Mace and Hulu looked at each other and laughed. “Long game,” they said at the same time.

  “Fuck you guys.” I punctuated the words with a two-handed bird. I wasn’t playing a game, but I knew Vanessa was still fragile and suffering the effects of grief, so I was happy to be her friend while she needed one. I just hoped I didn’t end up in the friend zone permanently.

  “I’ve seen the way you look at her, man.” Hulu clasped his beefy hands together and batted his eyelashes. “And she looks at you the same. If nothing has happened yet, it will soon enough.” His dark eyes held mine for a second, assessing me like an enemy combatant.

  “And? I’m listening to the warning or the threat.” I knew the guys had all grown a soft spot for Vanessa, and I knew what I was, where I was from. “Let’s have it.”

  Mace frowned. “What the fuck are you talkin’ about man? You’re one of the good guys. Hell, I kind of hate that about you.”

  I nodded at Hulu. “Then what’s with that look?”

  Hulu shrugged. “Just, well just tread carefully. Provo is acting like an asshole right now because he’s very protective of Nessa. You know he served with Lance and…shit, I don’t know, just tread carefully.”

  “I’m not worried about Provo.” I was more worried about the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and she didn’t appear ready to let Lance go yet. She still wore her wedding ring and that flash of guilt I’d caught in her eyes after we kissed—both times—told me she was struggling.

  Hard.

  “I’d be careful,” Mace said playfully. “That fucker could snipe you from a thousand yards, before you even finished a dirty thought about her.”

  “A dirty thought about who?” The familiar melodic trill of her voice stopped my heart for a solid two seconds before it started to beat normal again. Vanessa stood on the edge of the weight area with a smile on her face and mischief gleaming in big blue eyes, totally free of makeup.

  She was gorgeous in jeans that molded to every curve, every dip in her waist, the flare of her hips and hugged each leg tight. The plain white t-shirt was anything but, showcasing a spectacular set of tits with hard nipples. Desire? I wondered or the evening chill? “Hey Vanessa. What brings you by?”

  “I’ll tell you if you tell me who’s getting sniped before they can have a dirty thought? Seems like a bummer way to go.”

  Mace barked out a laugh. “Can’t argue with that, Nessa. I guess you’re here for Father Emmett?”

  Her dark brows dipped in confusion. “Father?”

  “Ignore Mace,” I told her abruptly. “He’s in love and his brain’s fried. He’s already thinking about marriage.”

  “The busty philosopher?” she asked with excited wide eyes.

  “Yep,” he answered with a proud smile. “I’ll give you all the deets. Tomorrow night at the office.”

  Vanessa rolled her eyes. “Am I sure I want all the deets?” Her bland, sarcastic tone had me and Hulu laughing hard enough to earn us both glares from Mace.

  Mace wiggled his thick, dark brows. “I’m seeing her tonight too, so you’ll get the scoop on that.”

  “I better run to the corner store and play the lottery with the way my luck is shaping up.” Vanessa lifted one brow and that small move had Mace crumbling into a fit of laughter.

  “Make sure you put down sixty-nine. It’s always my lucky number.”

  Her lips twitched and a small laugh escaped. “You’re ridiculous, you know that, right?”

  Mace shrugged. “It’s all part of my charm.”

  “Or something,” she muttered. “Have a good time and, you know, no glove, no love.”

  “Yes ma’am.” He saluted and picked up the free weights Hulu had just put down. “So, which of us did you stop by here to see? Oh wait, let me guess.”

  Her cheeks flushed pink, and I tossed my sweaty towel at Mace.

  “Everything all right?” She suddenly looked nervous and it occurred to me that maybe she’d stopped by because something was wrong.

  “Everything is fine, Emmett. Better than fine, I think. Except my hunger. And my lack of a dinner companion. Interested?”

  Hell yes. “Yeah, of course. There’s a new Mexican restaurant in Mayhem I’ve been wanting to try out. They say it has the best chiles rellenos you’ve ever tasted.”

  And that thought instantly made me think of tasting her mouth again, which led to thoughts of tasting in her other places.

  Her lips parted in a smile that took my breath away. “Sounds perfect.”

  “Ten minutes,” I told her and grabbed my towel from Mace. I needed to take a shower and change into something that wasn’t gym clothes.

  Hulu grunted. “A beautiful woman just invited you to dinner. Take fifteen minutes and wash all the manly bits. Maybe even put on something other than a t-shirt.”

  Hulu had a point, but I would never give him the satisfaction.

  “Thanks. I was thinking of wearing pajamas.”

  “Better than that monk’s habit you usually wear,” Hulu shot back, making himself laugh. “Do monks were habits like nuns? Whatever that shit is called, you’ve been wearing it too long if you know what I’m saying.”

  “You’re so clever I’m not sure anyone knows what you’re saying.” Whenever Hulu opened his mouth, the guy had the subtlety of a bull in a China shop.

  “Right?”

  “That last set was shit,” I told him. “You should redo it if you want the ladies to think those muscles are natural.”

  Hulu flipping me out was the last thing I saw before I finally made my way to the locker room to shower and change.

  “Asshole,” he called out loud enough that the whole damn gym could hear.

  I went through my routine quickly, eager to get back to Vanessa and spend a few hours with her. Despite those hot as fuck kisses, I had to remind
myself not to get my hopes up. She was still stuck in the endless loop of grief whether she wanted to be or not, and I was a friendly face.

  Nothing more.

  Thirteen minutes later I joined Vanessa who was deep in conversation with Rachel. I overheard her say, “I saw your big fight at the Arena and…wow. Such powerful hits. It was like watching a choreographed fight.”

  Rachel blushed but it was mostly hidden under her sun-kissed skin. “Thanks, I think.”

  “Oh! Not that I don’t think it’s real. Trust me, those hits could be heard from half a mile away just from the way you both moved. It was magical.”

  Rachel smiled. “Thanks. I can see why Emmett’s been keeping you all to himself.”

  She slid a knowing look my way, her smile bright and devious.

  Vanessa turned to me, mischief in her own blue eyes. “Is that what you’ve been doing Emmett, keeping me to yourself?”

  “Trying,” I growled and pulled her away before Rachel said anything to embarrass me further. “Hard to do when you keep popping up around my stupid ass friends.”

  She laughed and looped her arm through mine. “So far I like your friends.”

  “Yeah, I like ’em too. Most of the time.” But every last one of them was determined to get me coupled up. Whether it was my brother, Maisie, Kat, Sadie or the guys, they were always trying to get me to make a move on a woman, something I’d been reluctant to do. Until Vanessa.

  “Where did you park?” Too much shit had gone down in the House of Ashby parking lot to leave her alone even for a few seconds.

  “I didn’t. I took a Lyft because I was hoping you’d offer me a ride home.”

  There was something in her eyes that I didn’t bother trying to figure out because there was no way in hell it was desire.

  “That depends, I guess.”

  She smiled. “Yeah? What does it depend on?”

  I shrugged and guided her to my car. “For starters, how good the food is. And then, how engaging the company is.”

  She slid into the passenger seat with a laugh. “Did I ever tell you about this friend of mine who once ate a snake burger?”

  Her words surprised a laugh out of me as I closed her door and jogged around to the driver’s side. The drive to the restaurant took less than twenty minutes and in a stroke of luck, the young hostess stuck us in a cozy booth near the back of the restaurant.

  I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t help but feel a little hopeful at that small act.

  Vanessa flashed a sweet, sexy smile as she looked around the upscale Mexican restaurant that looked like a hip bistro.

  “Ooh, this is fancy,” she said, and I gave myself a mental high five for picking a place that make her eyes light up like that.

  “Wait until you taste the food.”

  If I wasn’t mistaken, there was a flash of heat in those deep blue orbs, and I let that float me through two hours of conversation and damn good food.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Vanessa

  “You were right. Best Mexican food I’ve ever had.” I’d eaten far more than I meant to and even more considering just how fitted my jeans were tonight, but the food really was that good.

  “What did you like best?”

  “Easy question,” I smiled and pointed to the food in front of me. “Sweet potato tamales. I mean, can you imagine that this is a potato? Takes loving carbs to a whole new level.”

  Emmett flashed another of those affectionate smiles, one that made it feel like we’d known each other much longer than a couple of months.

  That’s a good sign, I reminded myself, knowing Lance would be furious if he thought I was pining away with grief. He might not be thrilled with the idea of me moving on with my life, but I knew it would be what he wanted. Hell, it would be what he expected.

  Emmett cleared his throat and said in a deep, newscaster voice, “So what you’re saying is that you have a carb addiction?”

  I laughed. “Addiction is pretty strong, but let’s just say we have a mutual fondness for each other. Especially on my ass.”

  A big manly laugh exploded from Emmett, and I swear, it was the loudest I’d ever heard him. “That tamale has excellent taste, in that case.”

  Feeling bold, I slid my fork through the scrumptious tamale and held out a bite for him. “Don’t take my word for it, have a taste.”

  His blue eyes darkened with what I interpreted as desire, and I felt the last of my doubt crumble away. I wasn’t sure what I was ready for, but I knew I was ready to at least try to move on with my life. Emmett wrapped his lips around the fork and pulled the bite off with a moan, chewing slowly with his eyes closed until a small smile of satisfaction formed on his lips.

  “So damn delicious.”

  “What did you think about that flan? I think we should get a piece to go because I have some apple pie flavored moonshine that would be perfect with it.”

  I didn’t mean to blurt it out so eagerly but I hadn’t done this, whatever this was, as an adult.

  Emmett blinked as surprised washed over him but his smile grew wider. “Moonshine?”

  “Yep.”

  “What could be better than good booze shared with a beautiful woman?”

  I took that as a yes and smiled in relief. “Perfect.” My heart raced as our server packed up some flan to go, and we left the restaurant. I didn’t know if it was nerves or just anticipation of what would happen next, but I was determined to push myself as much as I could.

  Somehow Emmett sensed my anxiety and reached over to rest a reassuring hand on my thigh, which didn’t reassure me so much as send heat through my entire body.

  “You’re in charge here, Vanessa. Nothing will happen unless you want it to. Okay?”

  I didn’t know which was sweeter, the fact that he thought I was uncomfortable or the fact that he was willing to put my mind at ease when I was the one who invited him over.

  “Yeah, okay. Thanks, Emmett.”

  He turned off the car in the driveway and turned to me, heat and kindness swirling in his blue eyes under the desert moon. “You sure you want me to come inside?”

  “Yes. I am. Come on,” I said, opening my door and leaving the flan for him to collect while I headed up the walk to the house.

  My legs might have been a little shaky but that was to be expected. This was my first sort of date with anyone other than Lance, so I shook off the shakiness and pushed my shoulders back, opening the front door with confidence.

  Emmett’s hand found the small of my back and I gasped at his nearness, but I also leaned into it. “You smell good.” His words were low and gravelly, filled with desire.

  He desired me. It wasn’t pity or sympathy, it was desire. Pure lust and want.

  “Thanks,” I said, hesitating at the door. I decided to keep the heels on because they made me feel confident. Ready.

  “How about that drink?”

  When I turned to Emmett, he was smiling. “Sounds good. Want some help?”

  “Nope. I got it. You have a seat in the living room.”

  I rushed off before he could say anything else, but the sight of Emmett’s lips pulling into an amused grin made me remember those kisses. Those hot kisses that had almost brought me to orgasm, right here in this kitchen. I wasn’t ready to relive those kisses quite so vividly, and with Emmett so close by.

  I shook off my nerves and grabbed two tumblers in one hand, the jar of moonshine in the other. I threw my shoulders back and headed into the living room, where Emmett waited with a seductive smile on his face.

  “Don’t be nervous Vanessa. I don’t bite. Well, unless you want me to.”

  Shit. I didn’t even know how to respond to that. “Good to know?”

  Emmett laughed and met me in the center of the room, easily taking the glasses from my hand. “You’re cute when you’re nervous.”

  “I’m not nervous,” I insisted though my shaky voice made a liar out of me.

  “Good, because the last thing I want to do is t
o make you nervous, Vanessa.” His gaze lingered on mine for a long, intense moment that I felt in my belly. And lower.

  “Good to know, but curious minds also want to know something.”

  “Yeah? What’s that?” Emmett licked his lips and sat back on the sofa, pouring two fingers of moonshine into each glass.

  “If that’s the last thing you want, what’s the first?” Maybe Nessa had shown up tonight instead of plain old Vanessa.

  “You really want to know?” He took a sip, his blue eyes never leaving mine, darkening when I nodded eagerly.

  “The first thing I want is to repeat those kisses we shared. But I won’t rush you into anything you’re not ready for.”

  For some reason, his cautious words made me want to be the reckless one, the one who did whatever she wanted without analyzing it to death.

  “Me too,” I told him honestly and set my glass down without taking a sip. I took Emmett’s glass and put it on the table where it belonged before fitting myself on his lap.

  “I tried to stop thinking about it, but I couldn’t.”

  He grabbed my hips and sat back on the sofa, getting comfortable as his thumbs rubbed along my waistband. “If you want a repeat, make it happen.”

  I didn’t miss the challenge in his eyes or his tone, and even though I was nervous as hell, I grabbed his face and put my lips to his, feeling bold. The kiss started out chaste. Emmett let me set the tone, following my lead which only made me feel bolder. Sexier. Sliding my tongue back and forth against the seam of his mouth, I teased him and he let me, only opening up when my tongue slid between his lips.

  He groaned and his hands tightened on my hips but Emmett left the pace up to me and I was enjoying the taste of his mouth, that hint of moonshine and leftover pie combined with his unique taste was irresistible.

  We kissed for what felt like forever and then I felt his hot, slightly calloused hands sliding under my shirt and over my ribs before cupping my breasts. I gasped but instead of pulling back and reassessing, I leaned into his touch, silently begging for more.

  His touch made me squirm against him and the feel of Emmett’s cock, long and hard beneath his jeans, only made me wiggle more. Back and forth my hips ground against him, sliding against the hard length. I pulled back with a breathless moan.