“Ash, I narrowed it down—”
Ash stood leaning against the counter, looking like he’d just been
sucker punched. He was replying to a text when he looked up.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You didn’t, darlin’. Let me finish this and we’ll see what you
picked out.” He finished typing and slid his phone closed. He still
looked almost queasy as he put the phone in his pocket and went to
her.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine. Whatcha got?”
“Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Who Framed Roger
Rabbit. ”
Ash grinned at her and said, “Quirky taste, darlin’. I’d pick Jessica
Rabbit any day.”
“Exactly! All my friends think I’m crazy when they see I own that
movie. Lawrence absolutely detested it.”
“Well, then that just strengthens my opinion of it. The man clearly
had no taste.”
Ash squeezed her from behind as she giggled and slid the DVD
into the player, murmuring seductively, “‘I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that way.’” Juliana rubbed her fanny against his groin, and Ash gave
her a growly rumble as he slid his hands over her hips and nuzzled her
throat. She felt his phone buzz in his shirt pocket.
“Shit,” he muttered. “Sorry, darlin’.” Pulling the phone from his
pocket, Ash looked at the screen. He grunted discontentedly and said,
Spurs and Heels
113
“Would you mind if I made a call real quick? Otherwise, I have a
feeling my phone will be going off all night.”
“No, go ahead.”
Sitting down on the couch, Juliana realized that she’d given no
thought to whether or not they’d gotten the store closed with no
problems. It made her feel a little uncomfortable and guilty. She
rolled her eyes and sighed when another part of her rebelled at the
notion that the store defined her life, who she was. Somehow, she’d
become what Doug had been looking for in a manager. She was
caught up in it twenty-four-seven as if she were its parent or
caregiver.
Unsuccessfully scratching at one of the itchy sutures on her back,
she wondered if it wasn’t just more free time, or more flexibility, that
she needed. Maybe it was time for a bigger change? Time to simplify?
Talking about her family earlier had made her a little homesick. She
called a cousin while Ash took care of business out on the back porch.
Ash returned bearing bowls of homemade chocolate crisp topped
with vanilla ice cream. She squealed when he handed her the bowl,
and he smiled down at her, joining her on the couch.
Juliana noticed as he sat watching the movie with her that he
laughed in all the appropriate places, but he was distracted and
seemed troubled.
He made no move to hold her or play around, caught up in his
own thoughts. The movie ended, and he turned to her. At least the
smile on his face for her was genuine. He groaned when his phone
vibrated yet again.
“Ash, is everything all right? Did something happen at the ranch?”
she asked as he lifted her into his lap, careful of her wrist and stitches.
“An unexpected visitor showed up looking for me, that’s all.” He
looked at her as if torn.
“Do you need to go? You’ve been quiet and distracted since your
phone call.”
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Heather Rainier
He sat there quietly for a few seconds, looked into her eyes, and
kissed her. The look on his face told her she was in for a
disappointment.
“I should, darlin’. This is probably not something I can deal with
over the phone, and I feel bad for leaving others to handle it. Would
you mind?”
Juliana could tell he didn’t look happy about it. Neither was he
forthcoming with much information. “Of course not, Ash. I’m
disappointed, but I definitely understand. Thank you for taking care of
me this weekend.” She kissed him, and his moustache tickled her
upper lip, causing a delightful shiver to race up her spine.
He smiled at her and squeezed her. “Why don’t you go get
changed, and then I’ll tuck you in for the night?” He helped her rise
from his lap and patted her ass.
A few minutes later, she slipped from her bathroom, dressed in
her satin and lace nightgown, and he sighed in appreciation. Even
though he didn’t have to, he gently lifted her and carried her to her
bed. Juliana laid her head against his shoulder, loving the feel of his
muscular arms around her. He careful placed her in the turned down
bed and helped her snuggle up under the covers.
“Ash, is there something you need to tell me about, or that I
should be worried about?” She searched his eyes in the dim light but