“You don’t have to answer that,” I said quickly when she hesitated. “It’s none of my business just because I told you about mine. I have a bad habit of being nosy.”
About people that I wanted to know more about. I was fascinated with Miss Ashlyn Hill and I wanted to know every single thing about her including her favorite food, movie, and band. Did she like classic rock, too?
“No, it’s fine. I just don’t talk about myself much, I guess. I was mostly raised by my grandmother and she always said that it’s more polite to be interested in others rather than talking about ourselves. But I doubt she meant that I shouldn’t answer when I’m asked.”
“You don’t have to answer anything. I’m not entit–”
“It’s okay,” Ashlyn interrupted. “I don’t have any big bad secrets or anything. My life was pretty boring. I had a fairly normal childhood. No, broken bones and only one major upheaval when my mom died suddenly and I went to live with my grandmother. I did well in school, but I wasn’t a genius like you. I just didn’t enjoy it much. Too many cliques and I didn’t fit into any of them. I was happy to graduate and go to college. There it wasn’t a crime to be different.”
She had my full attention now. If she’d been brought up by her grandmother that might explain her love of old things. But it was her description of herself as different that had my attention.
“How were you different? And I only ask because I always felt different, too. I wasn’t like the other kids.”
“Because you were so smart.”
Yes and no.
“It was more than that. Sometimes I just felt out of step with those my own age. I wasn’t a major party animal even in college. I was more serious and focused on the future.”
The pizza was gone and Ashlyn flipped the top over on the box before replying. “Maybe you were focused on the future because you knew what yours might be. I think most college kids don’t really and truly have a clue what they want to be when they grow up or how to create a secure future for themselves. It’s kind of ridiculous, don’t you think, that we ask eighteen-year-olds to pick what they want to be and do for the rest of their lives? Only a few know and we’ve barely experienced life at eighteen. I’ve always said that I don’t think kids should be allowed to go to college until they’re twenty-one. They should have to live and work for a few years and see what they’re good at.”
Her cheeks had gone quite pink and she buried her face in her hands. “I am so sorry. I really climbed up on my soapbox, didn’t I? I’ll shut up now.”
Tentatively reaching out, I gently pulled her hands away from her face. She’d never invited me to touch her before, but she didn’t shy away or slap my face. It was progress.
“I think you’ve made a valid point. Some of my friends are in far different fields now than their majors. Your idea has merit.”
Ashlyn ruffled Sam’s fur and scratched behind the dog’s ears. I was now officially jealous of my own pet. “Except for you. You knew what you wanted to do.”
“In a way. I wanted to make a difference and I wanted to make enough money to pay off my student loans and get a decent car. Not exactly the loftiest of goals.” It occurred to me in that moment that Ashlyn might not agree that I had attained those targets. To her I was a killer of old homes. “I know that you and I don’t agree on my new project, but this is something I’ve been wanting to do for years. It’s the culmination of a dream.”
She sucked in a breath and seemed to be weighing her words carefully. I took it as a good sign that she didn’t want to insult or upset me. “I don’t have an argument against your dream, Kyle. My only battle is where you’ve chosen to build it. I think there are other, better places.”
“I hope to convince you differently.”
Because I liked this woman. A whole hell of a lot. I wanted to see where things might go with her, but this development project sat right between us just waiting to throw a spanner in the works.
“I’ve done my homework.”
She had but only up to a point.
“You have put a great deal of effort into this, but please believe me when I say that I’ve crossed every t and dotted every ‘i’ for this project. This is my dream, remember? Half-measure simply wouldn’t do. This may be the most important thing I’ve ever done in my life. If you’re interested I can have some of the reports sent to you so you can read them for yourself. I’m an open book on my method here and I’m willing to let you see it all.” I leaned forward so that she could see into my eyes. I wanted her to see the truth there. “What are your dreams, Ashlyn?”
I thought that perhaps I’d crossed another line, but her gaze went a little dreamy and soft and then she sighed softly, sort of shrugging as if whatever had passed through her intelligent brain didn’t matter.
“I wanted to have my own business and now I do.”
Was that it? From her expression I didn’t think so.
“Is that it?”
Her brows flew up and she gave me a disbelieving look. “Isn’t that enough?”
“It is,” I assured her, deciding to be brave and placing my hand on hers where it rested on the rug. Her skin was warm and soft and I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if she was like that all over. My imagination was always getting me in trouble. “It’s an amazing dream. I just wondered if you had others.”
“Well…I want to be happy. But I think everyone does so I’m not sure that it’s a dream.”
“What about a family? Would you like that?”
A supremely personal question but I’d gone ahead and asked it. Something flashed behind her eyes, but it was gone in an instant.
“Maybe. If I found the right person.”
I had definitely hit a nerve but our first evening wasn’t the time to probe at it. I didn’t know what past hurts I’d be bringing up. Clearly though, there was more to Ashlyn Hill than what she put out there to the world and I wanted to know every detail. If she’d been hurt in the past I wanted to kiss and make it better.
“Ashlyn, do you like music?”
I’d surprised her by not pursuing my previous line of questioning and she blinked a few times as if processing my words.
“I do. Very much.”
I grinned and raised her hand so I could press my lips to her knuckles. “Then may I have this dance, Miss Hill?”
Luckily, I was well used to people looking at me like I had a screw loose. It had been happening my entire life. “You want to dance?”
“Yes. I think we should show Sam how it’s done.”
The snoozing canine raised his head at hearing his name and nudged my hand for more pets. I was happy to oblige.
“You want to dance?” she asked again. “Right now?”
“I can’t think of a better time. What kind of music do you like?” I rose and tugged her to her feet. If she liked the past, I had just the thing. My aunt had taught me and my siblings when we were kids. “Have you ever done the Hustle?”
* * *
Ashlyn
By the time we fell in a heap on the sofa, giggling like teenagers and more than a little sweaty, I knew I was in big trouble. I could fall hard for a man like this, but we were so different. Could any sort of relationship between us survive?
I doubted it. One of us would end up with a broken heart and it would probably be me. Frankly, I was tired of being the one crying after a breakup while my friends brought over ribs and ice cream, telling me he wasn’t worth it.
Sam had almost tripped us up, dancing around our legs with his tail wagging a mile a minute and thumping against the cushions on the couch. He was a far cry from the sad little puppy he’d been only this morning and my throat clogged with emotion again at the thought of the life he was going to have now. The puppy jumped up on us, his paws digging into our stomachs and knocking the wind from our lungs even as we struggled to catch our breath. Kyle quickly scooped the dog up in his arms and scratched him on the belly, much to Sam’s delight.
“Woman, you
wore me out. I haven’t danced like that since my sister’s wedding last year.”
Slapping my hand over my mouth, I tried to hold in my laughter. “Did you win the gold in dancing?”
“Naw, Jack would win hands down. I’m a little too awkward to medal in that event. You, on the other hand, would blow the competition out of the water. You’re amazing. Did you take lessons or is it natural?”
Blushing all the way to the roots of my hair, I shook my head. “No lessons. I just like music.”
Another thing Kyle and I had in common besides dogs. He had music on his phone, but he also had a vinyl collection that was impressive. Not as large as my own, of course. I’d also caught sight of some of his DVDs on a bookshelf and there were some old black and whites along with newer titles.
“Me too,” he said, his voice husky and low. We were sitting side by side, his thigh pressed against mine and I could smell the citrusy aroma of his body wash mixed with his own scent that was very pleasant indeed. Sort of warm and comfortable. Like a soft sweater in the fall. “I’m glad you came over to help me with Sam.”
Our gazes locked and I couldn’t help but stare into his brown eyes. His pupils were blown wide and if I’d looked in a mirror I was sure mine would be the same. “I am, too.”
“You know what might be even more fun? If you let me take you out on a date.” He leaned down more closely so I could feel his warm breath on my cheek. “I’m a decent man, Ashlyn. Let me prove it to you.”
“You don’t have to. I can see it. I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch. It’s just–”
His fingertip pressed against my lips and a zing of electricity ran through my body straight down to my toes. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d reacted this strongly to a simple touch.
“You don’t have to apologize. I understand your passion.”
He did but… Those houses were still slated to be demolished. He had a point about how much money it would take to restore them, though. Few had that sort of wealth.
“Do you want to think about it?” he asked, pulling back. Even Sam seemed to withdraw slightly as if he could feel the tension between us. “I don’t want to push you into something you’re not sure about.”
I wasn’t sure, and I had a feeling that I might vacillate back and forth, sort of twisting in the wind at the rate I was going. What would Shelby say about this?
Make a damn decision and own it. I needed to either say yes or forget Kyle Lewis even existed. I wasn’t necessarily ready to do the former, but I was positive I couldn’t do the latter. That left me only one option.
“Yes, I’ll go out with you.”
A leap of faith. What could possibly go wrong?
CHAPTER TEN
Kyle
So much for the doggy bed. Sam slept with me which I didn’t mind. He sprawled at the foot of the bed for most of the night and then woke me up bright and early for breakfast and a morning pee. It was a good thing I was an early riser because the sun was barely over the horizon when he’d licked my face and hands to wake me up. Of course, after I’d let him run around in the backyard and fed him, he came inside and curled up on the couch for a nap.
George showed up a few hours later with two coffees and a box of donuts that had Sam wide awake and sniffing the air. I’m definitely the type that will give a dog some people food but a glazed donut? No way. He could have a chicken and apple treat from the pet store.
“Looks like you got yourself a new roommate.” George leaned down to ruffle Sam’s fur and received a lick on the hand in return.
“This is Sam and it appears that he likes you. No accounting for taste, I guess.”
George held up the box of donuts. “I think I know why I’m one of his favorite people. When these are all gone I might not be held in such high regard.”
“He’ll remember,” I assured my friend. “He hasn’t been here long but already I can tell he’s highly motivated by food.”
George set the box and coffee on the kitchen counter. “Aren’t we all? The chocolate frosted are for me so keep your grubby mitts off of them.”
I can’t count how many times my friend had said those exact words to me every single time we had a box of donuts sitting between us. By now I knew that if I reached for a chocolate frosted, I’d be taking my life into my hands. Besides, my favorite were the custard cream-filled, and there was no better way to celebrate getting Ashlyn to say yes to a date than eating a sugar-filled concoction that wasn’t good for me.
I shoved one into my mouth, taking a huge bite. I’d have to run a half marathon to burn off these calories. “I don’t even want your chocolate donuts so relax. You’re far too tense. You should do something about that. Meditate. Get a massage. Go for a walk in nature.”
“Screw you,” George said, his mouth full. “I’m not stressed, just protective. And why are you so chill? I’ve heard that having a pet lowers your blood pressure, but they didn’t say that it would make you grin like the Joker. It’s slightly disturbing.”
I swallowed the last bite of donut. “I’ll have you know that I officially have a date with Miss Ashlyn Hill. I’m taking her to dinner and a movie tomorrow night.”
That was the plan, anyway. I’d picked out a nice restaurant and one of the movie theaters on campus was showing a Hitchcock double feature. I hoped that Ashlyn’s love of the past included Rear Window and Vertigo.
“An official date? As compared to an unofficial one?”
“Last night was sort of an unofficial date. She helped me with Sam. Turns out she volunteers at the animal shelter.”
“That’s some grade A universe shit. Like something out of a movie. You really didn’t know she was a volunteer there?”
I didn’t but if I had I would have adopted Sam days earlier.
“I think I was as shocked to see her as she was to see me. But she hung out here for awhile and it was great. She’s…terrific.”
What a fucking lame word. I couldn’t even describe how much I liked her and how incredibly attracted to her I was. And I was supposed to be a genius. Around Ashlyn though, I felt like I was back in high school with a crush on the prom queen.
“Well, don’t fuck it up. That’s my advice.”
George was always full of wisdom, some of it better than others.
“I’m not planning to.”
“You weren’t planning on getting stuck in that elevator the other night, but shit happens, my friend. Be ready. Wine her, dine her, and impress the fuck out of her.” He leaned forward, placing his palms on the marble countertop. “But whatever you do, do not under any circumstances talk about the tech campus with this woman. I know you’re all excited but I’m telling you…don’t do it. Nothing good can come from it. Avoid that topic at all costs.”
That might just be the best advice George had ever given me.
* * *
Ashlyn
Monday is my day off and that’s when I do my errands and chores. I’d woken up early and straightened the house before heading off to the grocery store to pick up food for the week. Later it was off to yoga class where I was meeting Emmy and Shelby when they finished work.
After some sun salutations and forty-five minutes of stretching my body into several ridiculous positions, the three of us found ourselves back at the barbecue joint for dinner. The waitress had barely left the table before Shelby was hounding me with the one question I didn’t want her to ask.
“Have you finished the book yet?”
Well…no.
“I’m working on it,” I said instead. “I’ve just been so busy this week.”
Which was totally the truth. Shelby, however, was crestfallen, her lips dropping at the corners as if I’d just told her Santa Claus wasn’t real and neither was the Easter Bunny.
“Oh. I guess I was hoping it would be the kind of book a person couldn’t put down.”
Crap, now I’d hurt her feelings and that was the last thing I’d wanted to do. She was one of my three best friends in the whole
world and now she felt like shit because I hadn’t finished reading her book.
“It’s a great book. I’ve just really been busy. I’m going to finish it tonight.”
There. I’d made the commitment. Now I had to do it. The fact was I was finding some of Shelby’s advice a little old-fashioned, although Emmy had assured me that Mia had said the same thing. Supposedly the book would get much, much better if I stuck with it.
Shelby’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful. You can call me anytime day or night to ask questions if you need to.”
“I don’t think I’ll need to do that but thank you for the offer.”
“Now we just need to find you a man to practice on,” Emmy said. “Too bad you turned down Kyle Lewis.”
About that…
I took a sip of my tea and then cleared my throat. “Funny you mention Kyle. He came to the animal shelter yesterday and adopted a dog – the yellow Lab Sam. I think I mentioned him last week. Anyway, Natalie asked me to give Kyle a hand with shopping for supplies and getting Sam situated in his new home.”
Emmy grinned and clapped her hands together. “Sam has a new home? That’s wonderful news.”
Shelby shot Emmy a dirty look. “That’s what you got from that? Sam has a new home. How about Ashlyn gave Kyle Lewis help?” She turned back to me, her eyes wide with excitement. “Did you go to his house? What’s it like? Is everything voice-activated? Does he really have a self-driving car?”
I wasn’t sure which question to answer first so I answered them all. One by one.
“I did go to his house and it’s a very nice but normal ranch in a normal neighborhood. I have no idea if everything or anything is voice-activated but he didn’t talk to the refrigerator or the microwave. As for the car, he drove it himself, but I guess he could have a second one in the garage. I didn’t check.”
Emmy rolled her eyes and elbowed Shelby. “You didn’t ask the most important question. What happened?”
I truly wanted their advice but admitting that I’d given in wasn’t easy.
Tease Him (ManTrap Book 2) Page 6
