He hopped down from the cab and came around, but she didn’t see Luke anywhere. “Luke decided not to come with you?” she inquired, trying to not appear disappointed.
“He’s helping out with something at the house, but he’ll be over tomorrow to help me start clearing the area you plan to garden.” He moved to the tailgate and lowered it. “Now, he’s a big boy, so don’t be afraid. He’s very docile.”
Ashe nearly rolled her eyes. A docile wolf? He may be in denial, but she knew that these animals still harbored their natural wild instinct and could turn on their handlers without warning. “Whatever you say. Are you sure this is a good idea? He doesn’t know me at all.”
He simply shrugged his massive shoulders. “I’ll tell you what, if he gives you any trouble, I’ll eat my shorts. That’s how much faith I have in this working for you.”
“I’m holding you to it. I should probably look into getting a large breed dog of my own to help with critters coming into the yard. A fence will only stop so much.”
“You’re right about that, but there’s plenty of time to find yourself a pup later. Shadow here will be a good watchdog for you.” His smile made him even more approachable, yet it still didn’t hold a candle to Luke’s.
“Why did you pick the name, Shadow?” Just then, a large mass of black fur rose from the truck bed. It was the biggest wolf she’d ever seen! Its coat was long, thick and shiny, telling her that this animal was well cared for and healthy.
It stepped to the end of the tailgate and sat, looking to Benson for permission to get down, she guessed. Sure enough, with a small hand gesture, the big predator bounded down and came to stand at his side, now facing where she still stood on the porch steps.
With its fur dark as night, the eyes were damn near hypnotic. A blue gaze so bright, she could have sworn they were glowing, stared back at her with utter focus, like it was studying her.
“I gave him his name, mainly because at night you can’t even see his ass unless he looks your way. It makes him an excellent hunter,” Benson bragged, patting the canine on the head. “I’m going to walk him up to you, okay?”
Nervous now, Ashe stammered, “Um…okay.” Seeing it across the drive, standing next to Benson was one thing, having it come to her was a little scary.
“Don’t worry. I just want him to get your scent. He’ll pick up on Lilly too since you’ve been holding her. Once he knows the scents that belong, he can determine the one’s that don’t.”
When he put it like that, it made perfect sense, as long as she could hold still. All she could do was nod her head as she watched them walk slowly forward. “He’s so big,” she whispered.
“Yeah, but he’s a lover, that’s for sure. Hold your hand out, palm up, and let him come to you just like you would any other canine,” he instructed, holding his own hand out for example.
“Like this?”
“Perfect. Now just let him do the rest.”
Ashe did as she was told, and tried to keep her hand steady while the wolf came ever closer. Now that she could see him better, she noted how similar his eye color was to Luke’s.
Christ on a cracker! Now I’m comparing him to a wolf? She thought with a small shake of her head. When she did so, he stopped and cocked his head curiously. Clearly he was an intelligent animal, if a simple gesture was enough to have him stop and take notice. “Come on, bug guy,” she called.
He closed the distance and gave her a few cursory sniffs before nudging her hand. Cautiously, she turned her palm and allowed it to smooth over his soft fur along the side of his head before giving a little scratch behind the ear.
“It looks like he likes you,” Benson said, stepping up behind Shadow and giving him a playful pat on the back. “You stay here, Shadow. Guard.”
At the stern order, Shadow moved past Ashe and took a seat next to the front door. “I should let him sleep in the living room,” she mused. “I’ve always hated to see pets left out in the cold at night.”
“He’s a natural born predator, Ashe. He’ll be perfectly fine on the porch, and he’ll be better able to keep any nasty little pests away from the house.”
“Well, he’s at least going to have a blanket and some water out here then.” Moving past the wolf watching her, Ashe went inside, leaving the door open, and snagged a blanket from the closet before going to the kitchen and coming back with a big bowl of water. “Here we go! All set for the night.” Spreading out the makeshift bed, she set the water bowl at the edge and looked back to the duo, waiting.
Benson smiled, pointed to the bed and said, “There’s your bed Shadow. Better get in it.”
Why he seemed to find it so amusing to tell his pet to get in bed, she’d never understand. Oddly enough, Shadow seemed to narrow his eyes at Benson, even as he moved to do as he was told, plopping down with an indignant huff.
“Are you sure he’ll be happy camping out here for the night? He doesn’t seem too thrilled.” No sooner had the words left her mouth, than she felt a cold nose on her arm. He’d come to her side like he understood what she’d said, and she gave his head a scratch, petting him as if he was a family pet and not a semi-wild animal. Leaning down to his level, she smiled. “You really are a sweet boy, aren’t you?” The lick up the side of her face had her upright in an instant. “I sincerely hope you haven’t been licking your ass recently, buddy.”
Benson’s guffaw caused her own laughter to bubble up, yet Shadow just sat down looking rather disgruntled as they said their goodnights and goodbyes. Benson told her to not be surprised if Shadow left once she was up and about in the morning, since he usually goes for a run, but that he’d have no problem finding his way back to Benson’s house.
After sitting outside with Shadow for a little longer, Ashe retreated inside and made sure that the house was locked up tight before finally collapsing in bed. It had been an insane day, full of events she’d never imagine happening to her. To think, she’d traveled across the United States without incident, yet came home to a mugging and a break-in.
It just went to show a girl couldn’t be too careful. And that’s just what she’d have to be where Luke was concerned. The boy was a sinful bit of eye candy for sure, and a walking advertisement for heartache. A random hook-up was the last thing she needed right now. She was a mom, and therefore she’d need to behave like one…no matter how tempting the man was.
Chapter Eight
2 Weeks later…
Ashe
“Okay, you can turn it on now,” Luke called out from where he stood next to her garden.
Ashe giggled behind her hand. She knew good and well that once she turned the faucet on the sprinkler was going to soak him. Twisting the knob anyway, she doubled over when he gave a shout and a little high-stepping dance out of the rows of plant.
“Holy hell that was cold,” he laughed, shaking the water droplets off his arms.
Ashe tried to muster up her most innocent expression. “You mean you weren’t telling me to turn the sprinkler on so you could cool off?” she asked with an exaggerated bat of her eyelashes.
“You brat! You knew I would get wet,” he accused, walking over to her with the confident swagger she loved.
They’d both been working hard, weeding, watering and planting. Fencing would begin the next day, and Ashe was happy to see her plans taking shape.
If she weren’t constantly distracted by the devilishly sexy man next to her, perhaps she would be of more help. He seemed to have an endless amount of energy that she envied.
Already the sun was high in the sky, beating down on them and all but insuring she looked dreadful. Sure, she could dress in a pair of shorts and a tank to look cute, but with her blotchy cheeks from the heat along with the sweat leaving her hair damp and disheveled, she knew she was a mess.
Despite her appearance, Ashe didn’t miss the heated looks, or the way he always seemed to find a way to touch her arm, hip or the small of her back. Just innocent brushes for the most part, but they were playing h
ell on her body.
“Awe, a little water won’t kill you, Luke. Besides,” she giggled again, “hydration is important on a hot day.”
Ashe stepped over to the playpen they’d set up near the porch with a little extra sway to her hips. It never hurts to give your all, she chuckled inwardly.
Luke had moved the patio umbrella over so Lilly could be outside with them, but also be protected from the sun. So far, she’d been content to lie there and look around, allowing them to get a lot of work done.
“Hey, Ashe, come look at this and tell me what you think,” Luke called from the edge of the ten by ten section they’d just finished.
Unsure of what it could be, she jogged over to where he stood with his hands on his hips. “What is it?” she asked, not seeing anything wrong.
“This!”
Luke’s exclamation startled her enough to allow him to scoop her up and toss her over his shoulder before walking them both back under the sprinkler’s cold spray.
Ashe was hanging upside down in a fit of laughter with his firm ass right in her face. “And you called me a brat?”
“What can I say? The water was so refreshing I thought you might enjoy it too,” he chuckled.
When he stopped in the middle of a row, she had a second to wonder what he was doing before he began to slide her down his chiseled front—allowing her to feel his hard contours against her soft body—until her feet hit the ground.
Cool water was still raining down on them and when Ashe looked up, she was met with Luke’s infectious smile and the brilliant blue of his heated gaze.
“You look fantastic all wet,” he drawled.
“Really? Damn it, why didn’t anyone tell me the drown rat look had made a comeback?”
“You’re a sassy little thing, aren’t you?”
“What can I say? I throw sass around like beads at Mardi Gras,” she teased, grinning up at him. Ashe was absolutely loving how his arms were still around her waist, holding her loosely as they enjoyed their cool shower. “Maybe I should just grab a bar of soap and we can clean up out here,” she joked, tipping her head up to allow the water to rinse her face.
Warm hands moved from her waist, up her arms, to her shoulders before cupping her face. Ashe blinked her eyes open in time to see his mouth descending on hers.
His lips brushed hers, sending a jolt down her spine. Her surprised gasp allowed him easy access as his sinful mouth delivered a hungry kiss that left her body tingling and her head light. Never had she been so completely swept away by a man.
The possessive way he held her, how his tongue danced with hers, and the sexy little growl he let out when she gripped his shirt, had her lady bits in a swoon.
By the time he pulled back, Ashe was panting. She rose up on her toes in an attempt to get closer, hoping he’d do it again.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I couldn’t help myself. I had to see if you tasted as sweet as you look.”
“And did I?”
“Oh, yeah.”
At that, she pulled him back down by the collar of his shirt, sealing her lips over his and sinking into his hold.
It was both incredible, and unreal just how right it felt being held and kissed silly by Luke. Her body was on fire, her panties soaked from more than the sprinkler, and she was loving it.
In truth, Ashe had been feeling like a giddy little girl with her first crush whenever he was around. Her whole day brightened when he got to the house.
Luke was a great help too. He’d dug into her garden project with gusto, knocking out the sectioning and preparing the plots the first day. They’d then sat down and planned out the best areas of the yard to plant each crop based on sunlight, shade, water needs and so forth.
It had surprised her how much information he’d sought out in order to assist her. Most people would have merely shown up, done what was asked of them, and gone on their merry way.
Yet as she stood there, lost in a sensual haze, Ashe couldn’t help but entertain the idea of having a relationship with Luke. At the same time, she wondered if he would even be interested in anything more than a fling.
Pulling away, she was happy to note his eyes appeared to be blazing as he looked down at her. “Well, you certainly kiss as good as you look, she tossed out, turning to carefully step out of the garden. “I’m going to change and do lunch. Do you want to see if anything of my dad’s would fit you? I think there’s some knit shorts somewhere and some t-shirts. I could toss your clothes in the dryer while we eat.”
His sheepish smile was too cute and gave him a boyish charm. Combined with his devilish good looks, it was a wonder her ovaries hadn’t exploded.
“It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. Are you sure you don’t mind? I could have Benson bring me a change of clothes.”
“No problem at all. Let me take Lilly inside and I’ll get you a towel to start with.”
Luke came up beside her, both of them looking down at Lilly, who was staring up at a lizard crawling along the underside of the umbrella. He leaned over and picked up a plush butterfly and bounced it above her until it looked like the wings were flapping.
“Why don’t you go get some dry clothes on, and I’ll entertain princess Lilly for a while?”
“Are you sure?” Ashe hated to push her daughter on someone, but it would be faster and she wouldn’t have to get Lilly all wet by carrying her in.
“Absolutely. Besides, we’re good buddies, aren’t we, princess?” he asked softly, giving her belly a tickle.
Lilly’s gummy grin and chubby, squirming body told Ashe that she was enjoying the attention, so she relented. “Okay, I’ll make it quick,” she promised.
Racing through the house, she quickly threw her wet garments in the tub, then pulled on a pair of running shorts and a goofy t-shirt that read, Sarcastic comment loading…please wait. It had been a gift from her dad, and though it was now pretty faded, it was soft and comfortable.
She was just walking back through her room, when she caught her reflection in the full-length mirror near her closet. The scratches from the badger were healed, but she now had some scarring. It wasn’t bad, but it would be a reminder of that day every time she saw it.
Now there’s a good excuse not to shave my legs!
She pulled her hair back into a somewhat neat ponytail and hurried to find Luke an outfit. Her dad wasn’t a tall guy, so the most she could hope for was a pair of shorts with an elastic waistband. Any shirt she may have found would be much too tight on Luke’s broad shoulders, but it wasn’t like sharing a meal while staring at his bare chest would be a hardship.
She got lucky and found a pair of shorts that used to be sweats until her mother cut them off. What she didn’t expect to find was an envelope with her uncle’s name scrawled on it, tucked in the back of her father’s pajama drawer.
“What the hell is this?” she mused aloud. When she flipped it over, she saw that it was sealed, but she also noted the address and logo for a no-kill shelter her grandfather used to own.
It was even stranger because her uncle had hated going to that place. According to her father, it was because the animals would all go crazy whenever he came in. Almost like they were scared of him, or something.
So why would there be something in her dad’s room, addressed to her uncle, in an envelope from a place he hated? Could this be why he was so adamant about helping her clean out the upstairs rooms? Was he looking for this envelope?
In the Will, the house and all it’s contents had been left to Ashe. There had been nothing allotted to her Uncle James, but she hadn’t really expected there to be. It wasn’t like he and her dad had a great relationship, but her curiosity was definitely getting the better of her now.
It was her conscience that kept her from opening it and nosing through the contents right then and there. Instead, she tucked the envelope in her waistband and made her way back downstairs to relieve Luke of his baby duty and give him the shorts to change into.
They were sitt
ing at the table enjoying their sandwiches, when her cell rang. She wasn’t too surprised to see that it was her Uncle James. He’d taken to calling at least once a day to check on her and Lilly, and inquire as to whether she was prepared to begin with the clean-out or not.
Sure enough, this time was no different, except now she was wondering if he was genuinely looking to help her, or if he had an ulterior motive. Perhaps she should take a peek inside that envelope and see just what he was so anxious to get his hands on.
His disgruntled tone was new. Like he was getting tired of the task being put off. “Are you ever going to be ready to do this job, or what? My generosity only goes so far, Ashelynn. If you want my help on this, then get the lead out.”
What. The. Fuck? “Listen, James, I never asked for your help in the first place. I’ve been patient, since we both lost someone we care deeply about, but you’re starting to tick me off here.”
His snort on the other end of the line only fueled her anger. He was laughing at her? “Don’t kid yourself, Ashe. Your dad never cared for me, never accepted me as a brother. I guess since we weren’t cut from the same cloth, then I wasn’t good enough to be around his family.”
Fed up with the whole situation, with his constant calls and harassment over her parent’s private rooms in the house, she finally lost her cool. “You listen to me. I will not have you badmouthing my parents. I’m sure if dad had a problem with you, then it was for good reason. Don’t bother coming by, or calling me anymore regarding anything to do with this house. It, and everything in it, was left to me. I’ll get to it whenever I damn well feel like it, and it’s none of your business when that may be. Understood?”
“You sassy little bitch! One thing your dad never did was punish you for your mouth, but I’d sure as hell have done it,” he growled.
“You know what? You can kiss my sass! Don’t call here and you damn sure better not come on my property.”
Sassy Ever After: Kiss My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 7
