“You’re horrible, you know that?” She pushed against the hard muscles of his chest, but got nowhere.
“Hey, the condoms might come in handy, no?” He patted her on the bottom as she climbed into the car.
She tried to keep up the pretense of being mad at him, but that was hard to do when being with him was so much fun. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a good time doing something as simple as a shopping trip.
“How do you put up with your master?” she asked Conry, petting his wiry coat. “He’s incorrigible.”
Ash’s grin lit up his whole face, making her heart do that little hitch again. He was like a naughty little boy who could get away with anything because he knew he was cute. “I am sometimes, aren’t I? You should’ve seen the lady’s face when she was ringing you up.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it was hilarious. Just you wait.” She settled into her seat and thought about ways to get back at him. “Six days is a long time. I’m sure I’ll think of some way to make it up to you.”
He drove out of the parking lot and back onto the highway. Reckless wasn’t too far away now. “Don’t get so cocky. I bought a few items of my own.”
He slipped on a pair of aviators, then adjusted the rearview mirror. He looked cool and confident. His jaw was square and chiseled, with just the right amount of scruff. A little abrasive on sensitive skin, though, she recalled, and recrossed her legs.
Wearing a black T-shirt, leather jacket, and those motorcycle boots of his, he had the kind of cool, badass vibe that made her strong, independent self want to wear nothing but an apron and high heels and have his babies.
She pretended not to be impressed. “Very funny, but I saw what you bought, Ash. It was all my stuff.”
He turned his head slowly and looked over the top of his sunglasses at her. “I wasn’t in that store the whole time.”
Dark and Deadly: Eight Bad Boys of Paranormal Romance by Jennifer Ashley, Alyssa Day, Felicity Heaton, Erin Kellison, Laurie London, Erin Quinn, Bonnie Vanak and Caris Roane
CHAPTER 11
When Asher and Olivia arrived back at Reckless, the outside door had hardly closed behind them before an attractive, dark-haired man came sailing in from the garage area. He wore jeans, a Carhartt jacket and boots, and he was holding an oily rag.
Asher slid a hand under her hair and rested it at the base of her neck between her shoulders. It was subtle guy-speak for she’s mine.
“Hell yeah,” the man said, spotting Conry. “You got ’im.” The dog wagged his tail but stayed obediently by Asher’s side. “What a relief. I’d be one pissed-off asshole if someone picked up Edward or Bella and hauled them off to the pound. Caitlyn would be heartbroken.”
Olivia snickered at the names.
“My daughter named those dogs,” he said, holding up his palms as if to say don’t blame me. “I’m Rand. You must be Olivia.”
She nodded and smiled. “Thanks for…ah…letting me stay here with Ash. I really appreciate it.”
“My pleasure. Anytime.”
A look passed between the two men that she couldn’t read. Did Ash bring women here all the time? Was that why it was no big deal?
She held up her plastic shopping bags. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to make it home soon. Living like this can get expensive.”
“You guys were lucky to get out alive,” Rand said, shaking his head. “I saw some of the pictures online. God, what a fucking mess. That whole area is one big disaster.”
“Yeah, no kidding.” She didn’t want to think about all the people she hadn’t been able to help. “I hope I still have a car.”
“Did you park it on the street or in a garage?”
“It’s in the Fifth Avenue garage.”
“We tried to get to it,” Asher said, “but they had everything blocked off.”
Rand rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Doesn’t surprise me. According to the news blogs, several nearby buildings sustained a lot of damage.”
She shifted the bags to her other hand. “What’s frustrating is that I hadn’t parked there before. I was running late for work and missed the bus, so I had to drive. Have you heard if they opened the HOT yet?” She hated feeling dependent on Asher for everything. At least if she’d taken the bus, her car would be safe at home, and she’d be free to pack up and leave town when her week with him was over.
“Haven’t heard,” Rand replied, shaking his head. “But it could be awhile. From what I understand, they’ve got the city locked down tight while they look for those responsible.” Asher mumbled something under his breath that she didn’t quite catch, and Rand seemed to agree. “If you’re worried about staying here, don’t be. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”