Читать книгу Murphy's Law - Lori Foster - Страница 9

Idiot, idiot, idiot. Quinton had been hot on her heels before, but now he looked ready to stand up and beat his chest in a primitive claiming. His reaction wouldn’t matter—if she didn’t want him just as much.

But she did.

She’d never survive this.

Through several minutes of silence, she all but squirmed in her seat. Quinton kept scrutinizing her, as if seeing her through new eyes. Or maybe he’d never seen a virgin before. From what she could tell, they were in short supply, especially in her age group.

She felt…naked. She felt defensive. But she didn’t want to be the first to crack.

The waitress brought their food and departed with a friendly but curious smile. Quinton dug in. After several bites, he nodded. “You’re right. It’s delicious.”

Her breakfast could have been unseasoned oatmeal for all that she tasted.

He took his gaze off her long enough to glance around the interior of the diner. “Very quaint atmosphere.” His green eyes were bright with an unspoken dare. “I like the old black-and-white photos of the area.”

Ashley laid down her fork and put her hands together.

“I’ve never eaten in a place like this.” He opened a small packet of apple butter and spread it on his toast. “I like it that you can introduce me to…new things.”

His inexhaustible good humor wore her down. “Okay, I can’t take it.”

“Yes, you can.” He washed down the last of his toast with a drink of coffee.

Her hands were shaking! Her hands never shook, except maybe with exhaustion, but that didn’t apply right now. No, she shook because she was totally out of her element.

“I mean it, Quinton.” She looked up—and got caught in his mesmerizing gaze. “You’re going to have to stay away from me.”

He didn’t smile. “The hell I will.”

Strange how her heartbeat started racing at his refusal. “Look, Quinton, I’m not what you expected. You said so yourself.”

“You’re who I want. That’s all that matters.”

How in the world could he want a twenty-seven-year-old virgin? A virgin who antagonized almost everyone to avoid relationships, a virgin from the wrong side of the tracks. A virgin who, until meeting Quinton, had intended to stay a virgin. “You’re nuts.”

“That’d be your fault. I was perfectly sane before meeting you. An overdose of unrequited desire is what’s pushing me toward the loony bin.” He turned his wrist to see his watch, then laid his napkin on his empty plate. “When will you have some free time again?”

So she could show him new things? She lifted her chin. “I don’t know that I will.”

He groaned as if in pain, then half laughed. “All right, let’s add another notch toward insanity.”

“Quinton…” she warned.

“We can play it your way. But the day after the wedding, all bets are off.”

“Fine, whatever.” What was she saying? Her stomach knotted even as her heart started racing again. “But you agreed to mind your manners till then, and I’m holding you to it.” She needed some time to get used to the idea of opening herself to anyone other than her best friend, May.

“I’m a man of my word. Your little disclosure won’t change that.” He looked at her mouth. “Let’s talk about something else.”

Thank God. She needed to get his mind—and her own—on safer ground. “Like?”

“How is it you’ve never had sex?”

Well hell, his mind hadn’t traveled far at all. “I’ve come close.” Even to her own ears, she sounded aggressive.

“How close?”

Not very. She shrugged. “The typical, I guess.” Oh, how lame. She picked up her coffee cup and started to sip.

“Has any man given you a climax?”

The cup nearly fell out of her hands. She quickly thunked it down to the counter. “You want a blow-by-blow report? Well, forget it. I’m not going to sit here in a restaurant and spell things out for you. Get your jollies somewhere else.”

“If you want privacy for this discussion, we could sit in my car.”

“Hell, no.” In private the topic would take on new proportions, she didn’t doubt.

His smile appeared again. “All right. Don’t get in a snit.”

Ashley narrowed her eyes. “Are you mocking me?”

This time he actually chuckled aloud. “I’m trying to understand you and the choices you’ve made. That’s all.”

“It wasn’t exactly a choice. More like something that just happened and I decided I didn’t care enough to change the situation.”

He gave her a chastising look. “Men are easy, honey. A glance, a smile—and they’re ready. Especially for someone as attractive as you. You’re definitely a virgin by choice. I just want to know why.”

“You want the nitty-gritty, huh? Fine.” She wasn’t the type who opened up easily, but with Quinton, she wanted to. “It’s tough to get laid when I’ve never even had a boyfriend.”

His surprise lasted one heartbeat. “Another deliberate choice, I’m sure.”

“Actually, it wasn’t. You see, my family was poor. Not poor as in, new shoes were hard to come by. Poor as in, we relied on the church and neighbors for clothes and food. Mom and Dad could have worked, but they didn’t. And whenever they did get money, they blew it on things that in no way changed our circumstances.”

“They couldn’t find jobs?”

Ashley toyed with her coffee cup. She hadn’t seen her folks in ages. Sadly, she didn’t miss them at all. “They could’ve if they’d wanted them, but they enjoyed their leisure time too much. I mean, what’s better than sitting on the couch all day with a cold beer, a cigarette, and the soaps?” She laughed, remembering how, even as a little kid, she’d known they weren’t good people. “Dad had been a truck driver, but after he got laid off, he spent all his time bitching about the company instead of looking for new work. He wanted everyone to feel sorry for him.”

“How long was he off work?”

“From the time I was ten until I skipped out at seventeen. After that I don’t know. I haven’t been back.”

“You left your home at seventeen?”

“Yeah. I was a real crusader, out to prove something. I’ve forgotten what.” But she didn’t want to talk about that. The memories sucked big-time, and rehashing them wouldn’t change a thing. “Trust me, leaving was the best decision I ever made.”

He grew very solemn. “Then home must have been pretty tough.”

She mustered a heavy dose of sarcasm. “Mostly it was an embarrassment. I had a self-proclaimed ‘stay at home’ mom, who was determined that I’d be different. I wasn’t allowed to do…anything—but that was mostly because anything I might have done would have required her involvement. Our house was a dump. Our yard was a jungle, housing a bad septic system that could be seen and smelled for blocks. It seemed everyone who looked at me did so with pity.”

“Jesus.” He reached for her hand, but she didn’t want sympathy any more now than she had as a child.

She slid into the corner of the booth and affected a casual slouch. “Yeah, well obviously if I’d had any friends, which I didn’t, I wouldn’t have brought them home with me. I didn’t like being at my house, so subjecting anyone else to it was out of the question.”

“You had no friends at all?”

She didn’t tell him that other kids had ridiculed her. “They didn’t want me around, and I didn’t want to be around them.”

“I’m sorry.”

Through a haze of remembered humiliation and learned aggression, she saw the compassion in Quinton’s eyes. It made her stomach churn. She considered making a run for it, but that felt too cowardly.

Instead, she resorted to more sarcasm. Staring him straight in his sexy green eyes, totally deadpan, she said, “And then my dog died.”

So much horror filled his gaze that she half laughed and took pity on him. “Ah, buck up, Buttercup. I was just funnin’ you.”

“Funning me?”

“I didn’t have a dog, Quinton. In fact, I’ve never had any pet. One kid was more trouble than my parents wanted. No way in hell would they have put up with an animal too.”

Irritation overrode his earlier emotions. “It’s hardly a joking matter.”

“You were getting all sappy on me. I thought you were about to cry.”

He grumbled under his breath, which only made her chuckle again. “It wasn’t all that bad, seriously. I made friends with May, and when you meet her, you’ll see that one friend like May is worth a million others.”

“A friend is not the same as family.”

But in this case it was. She shook her head, not about to share that thought aloud. “If you knew my family, you’d know that May is much, much better.”

He still appeared disgruntled with her, but he let it go to say, “I look forward to making her acquaintance.”

“So.” She spread her arms out, then let her hands drop onto the table. “You wanted to know why I hadn’t gotten involved with anyone. Now I’ve told you. End of story.”

While thinking through what she had told him, he toyed with his coffee cup. “That had to have been eight or nine years ago.”

“Ten. I’m twenty-seven now.”

His gaze swept up to capture hers. “A long time to hang on to your virginity.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me that in all that time, not a single guy has interested you?”

“I’ve had a date here and there over the years. But other things took precedence.”

“Like?”

Survival. She shook her head, not about to share that with him. “I keep telling you, I’ve been too busy—”

“So there you are.”

At the sound of that cantankerous voice, Ashley jerked around and found Denny Zip looming over her.

She groaned. “Great. Just freaking great.” As an ex-military man, ex-fighter and trainer, and overall bossy forty-seven-year-old hard-ass, Denny made a most impressive sight with impeccable timing. His appearance kept her from saying something maudlin that would make her feel foolish.

Tall, muscular, and with an air of complete control, Denny turned heads in the diner. He wore a snug tan T-shirt and brown trousers. Through his thinning brown hair, a mean tattoo showed.

But for Ashley he was a pussycat. A pseudo father, big brother, and knight in shining armor all rolled into one. His best friend, Jude, was marrying her best friend, May. She supposed that accounted for Denny’s weird loyalty and mile-wide protective streak toward her.

But then Denny’s protectiveness went beyond her. Despite the rough exterior, he was a genuinely nice guy who wanted to take care of anyone smaller, weaker, younger, or older than he was. Ashley adored him, but she’d never told him so. He enjoyed their antagonistic banter too much for her to steal his fun.

“Excuse me?” Quinton rose out of his seat, his tone courteous but his expression suspicious, bordering on hostile.

Ashley didn’t know if he intended to challenge Denny, which would be a mistake, or introduce himself.

Denny defused the motive, whatever it might be, by waving Quinton back down. “Save it, boy. It’s too early for a pissing contest.” And then to her, “Scoot over, girl. I have a bone to pick with you.”

Scrambling fast so he didn’t end up on her lap, Ashley said, “Gee, Denny, why don’t you join us?”

“I intend to.” He took her coffee cup and drained it, then, with covetous intent, stared toward her mostly full plate. “You going to eat that?”

She shoved it toward him. “Help yourself.”

“Thanks. I’m starving but haven’t had time to eat.”

Quinton cleared his throat, reminding Ashley that money wasn’t the only thing she lacked. Social niceties had never been her forte, either.

“Now where have my manners gone?” she asked.

Around a bite of cold eggs, Denny snorted. “Like you ever had any?” He tipped an imaginary hat toward Quinton. “I’m Denny, a good friend, so don’t let her tell you otherwise.”

Sweetly, Ashley said, “Now, Denny, what else would I ever call you?”

His robust laugh showed off a silver tooth before he gave his attention back to a befuddled Quinton. “She calls me a lot of things, but I know she doesn’t mean any of them. It’s her way of showing affection.”

“So you two are…affectionate?”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “What are you doing here, Denny?”

Pointing at Ashley with the fork, he frowned. “When you didn’t show up at your apartment, I started to worry.” To Quinton he added, “Believe me, I can worry with the best of the old biddies. Luckily, I know the places Ash frequents, and her yellow Civic is easy to spot.”

An affronted breath stuck in Ashley’s throat. “I knew I was being followed.”

Denny’s interest in the food disappeared, and his teasing fell silent beneath thick menace. Expression volatile, he laid the fork beside the plate and swiveled to face her. “Someone’s been following you?”

Damn, she had a big mouth. “You,” Ashley reminded him with hope.

“No.” Food forgotten, he swiped the paper napkin over his mouth and shoved the plate out of his way. “I was at your apartment this morning because it’s possible Elton Pascal was spotted in the area.”

Oh shit. Elton Pascal. Her skin crawled with the possibilities of that bomb-crazed maniac on the loose. “I figured that nutcase was long gone.”

Quinton asked, “Who is this?”

They both ignored him. “I figured he was, too. With the Feds onto him, as well as state and local officials, a smart fellow would’ve hightailed it outta town. But we already know Elton’s not the brightest bulb around.”

Quinton looked between them. “Who’s Elton?”

“God.” Ashley dropped her forehead into her hands. “May must be frantic.”

“May is safe in Jude’s house, which is where you should be if you weren’t such a stubborn cuss. Besides, she was mostly fretting about you. I promised to make sure you’re okay. But I never followed you. By the time I got the news, you were already gone from work.”

Elton Pascal. Ashley closed her eyes for only a second, then snapped them open again. “It’s nothing, Denny.”

“Bullshit.” Denny’s graying brows bunched down over shrewd eyes. “You said you were followed.”

“Only because I thought you were following me. I didn’t actually see anyone.”

Tired of having his presence discounted, Quinton lost his temper. “I have no idea who this Elton Pascal person is, but Ashley was a little jumpy when she got to work last night, and she told me then that she felt like someone had been tailing her.”

Of all the nerve! The last thing she needed was someone to fuel Denny’s mothering instinct. “Stay out of this, Quinton.”

His glare plainly said not on your life. “By the time I got here this morning, Ashley was already inside. As you said, her Civic is easy to spot. I started in, but I noticed a car across the street just watching the diner. It was an ancient Buick, white but covered in rust and dirt. When I started to approach, it pulled away.”

With each word Quinton spoke, Denny seemed to get bigger. Ashley figured it was the bulging of muscle that gave that impression.

The fury built in his scarred visage. “Why didn’t you call me?”

Alarmed at the outburst, Quinton again started to stand. Ashley shook her head at him. Denny didn’t scare her, but the rest of the folks in the diner were getting nervous.

“Calm down, King Kong. You’re making the natives restless.”

Denny peered around, scowling at one and all, until his gaze landed on Quinton. With a roll of his eyes—but in a quieter voice—he said, “I respect the intent, son, but she doesn’t need protection from me.” Then to Ashley, his tone moderated, “You damn well should have called me right away.”

“Don’t come in here bossing me around, Denny. You might be known for bullying fighters into shape, but I’m not that easy. And don’t you dare go upsetting May with any of this. This is her time, and God knows she deserves it. If someone is following me, which I doubt, there’d be absolutely no reason to assume it’s Elton. He doesn’t even know me so—”

Suddenly Quinton snapped to attention. “I knew I recognized you. You’re Denny Zip, DZ, the legendary trainer of the SBC.”

The smoke settled around Denny, and he actually preened. “That’s right. You’re familiar with the sport?”

“What red-blooded man isn’t?”

Denny went from ignoring Quinton to admiring him. “When you approached that car, what did you plan to do if he hadn’t driven away?”

He shrugged. “Whatever I had to. Something about it didn’t feel right, and with Ashley inside, I wasn’t going to take chances.”

New respect brought a smile to Denny’s face. “You’ll do.”

Quinton gave a droll, “Thank you.”

Ashley stared at the ceiling. She had a feeling that with Denny’s stamp of approval, Quinton would be in her life whether she wanted him there or not.

Crossing his arms on the table and leaning in, Denny said, “Hey, do you realize you’re dating—”

“We’re not dating,” Ashley clarified. Not yet, anyway. “We’re only sharing one breakfast.”

“The future sister-in-law to Jude Jamison?”

“Damn it, Denny.” She had really wanted to keep that to herself for a while longer. As a movie star and celebrated cage fighter, Jude’s name was well known.

“No shit.” Quinton blinked at Ashley. “That’s the wedding we’re going to tomorrow?”

Ashley twisted her mouth in disgust. Men. In so many ways they were all the same. They shared an admiration for cars, boobs, and brutal sports. “Jude’s marrying my friend May, but May and I…” She tripped over the words, then finally spit them out. “We aren’t sisters, so I won’t be Jude’s sister-in-law.”

Denny blustered a moment, his expression odd. “Yeah, well…” With palpable discomfort, he insisted, “You’re just like sisters, anyway.”

What they had was better than a blood bond, and that was what mattered most. Ashley nodded. “You’ve got me there.”

Quinton again glanced at his watch. “I’m sorry, but I’ll need to get going soon or I’ll be late.” He, too, leaned in to speak privately. “Can you quickly explain to me what’s going on? Who’s Elton Pascal and why would he bother Ashley?”

Denny gave a furtive glance around before divulging the details. “You know Jude was accused of murdering that young starlet?”

“I read about it, yes, but he was acquitted some time ago.”

“Damn right he was, because Jude would never hurt a woman.” Just talking about the accusation had Denny bristling with fury all over again. “Elton Pascal is the murderous bastard who killed both her and Jude’s driver at the same time. The sick fuck has an affinity for homemade bombs.”

Ashley reached for Denny’s hand and gave it a squeeze. He could not be dispassionate when it came to this topic.

Denny calmed, saying in a more controlled tone, “Elton hates Jude and anyone who knows Jude. He had some of his goons work over May’s brother, Tim, who I reckon you’ll meet at the wedding.”

“Lucky you,” Ashley said.

Denny slanted her a look. “Tim’s working on changing, girl, so cut him some slack.”

Not likely. She didn’t tell Denny that the last few times she’d seen Tim, he’d come on to her, and it really creeped her out. He was such a weasel. But again, for May, she tolerated him.

“Anyway,” Denny continued, “Elton had thought to use Tim to get to Jude, but his plans backfired. They caught one of Elton’s henchmen, who spilled his guts on Elton’s involvement in the bombing, and now the cops from Hollywood, where it happened, the local police, and the ATF all want him for questioning.”

“This is unbelievable,” Quinton muttered, watching Ashley with growing concern.

“They should have had Elton by now, but he’s disappeared, and it seems no one can find him. Until he’s behind bars, our little hedgehog here needs to show more caution.”

Ashley tried to slug Denny in the shoulder, but with hardly any movement at all, he dodged the blow and she ended up sprawled over his lap.

“Easy, now.” Grinning like a loon, he dragged her upright again. “Was it the hedgehog remark?”

Mortified, she shrugged off his hands, smoothed her hair out of her face, and reseated herself. “Listen up, Gramps—”

He laughed, then pulled her into a bear hug that squeezed all the breath out of her lungs. In the next second, with Ashley still snuggled up to his side, his gaze pinned Quinton to the spot. “Ashley recognized Elton having dinner here in town. She called Jude, and like dominoes, it all fell apart for him.”

“So I know how to use a phone,” Ashley murmured. “You might as well call me Superwoman.”

Quinton still watched her, now with purpose as well as amazement.

Denny put his elbows on the table and leaned in. “So. What’s up between you two?”

It needed only this. “Back off, Denny.” Again she took her own seat.

“I’m just lookin’ out for you. For all you know, Elton could have hired him.”

Such an active imagination. “Since he’s as rich as Elton, that’s not likely.”

“Really?” Denny sized up Quinton in a long perusal. “What business are you in?”

“Consulting.”

“On what?”

“Everything. I show businesses how to make more money by cutting out unnecessary expenses, maximizing for efficient human capital composition, and at the same time providing better benefits to employees.”

Denny blinked. “Helluva mouthful.”

“I’ve rehearsed it.” Quinton’s lazy smile showed loads of confidence. “Basically it means that my employees help clients to determine problem areas through employee interviews, computer analysis and projection, competitor comparisons, market research, and historical trend research.”

“And you own this business?”

“With my uncle, but I’m the CEO and major stockholder. We have a couple hundred employees and multiple locations.” With satisfaction, he added, “And I’m not working for Elton.”

Denny’s fingers tapped on the tabletop. “I might do a background check anyway.”

Ashley groaned.

Quinton merely stared him down. “I might do the same.” His eyes narrowed in what Ashley now recognized as determination. “For a mere friend, you’re awfully involved in her welfare.”

Denny’s jaw tightened. “Now don’t go speculating on things, boy. I won’t like it.”

“And I don’t like being threatened.”

Both men rose from their seats, but damn it, Ashley didn’t want Quinton mauled before she could enjoy him.

She elbowed Denny in the ribs. “Don’t even think it.” He was so involved in his intimidation tactics that she caught him off guard and he stumbled.

“Brat,” Denny complained, rubbing where her pointed elbow had landed.

“Bully,” she countered right back.

Quinton looked from one to the other before coming to some private conclusion. “All right, children, play nice.”

Denny huffed at him, but Quinton extended his hand as an olive branch. “I like Ashley,” he admitted, and even though she’d already heard it, Ashley’s heart fluttered. “I’ve asked her out but she keeps turning me down.”

Denny took his hand. “Yep, that’s our Ashley. Stubborn to the bone.”

“I finally managed to finagle an invitation to the wedding as her escort, but I had no idea it was Jude Jamison’s wedding. I’ll understand if the security is tight and you’d rather no strangers be there.”

Odd, how the idea that he might not accompany her deflated Ashley. She didn’t want to go alone. “Denny,” she said with cool insistence, “tell him that it’s fine.”

Denny grudgingly did just that. “If she vouches for you, then I’m sure you’re okay. Ashley’s no dummy. Just pigheaded and prickly and strong enough to carry around a mighty big chip on her shoulder.”

“I noticed.” Quinton turned to her while digging a business card out of his pocket. “Here’s my number. Call anytime, okay?”

“I’ll be busy.”

He gave a sigh of annoyance. “Come on, Ash, you’ve worn that line out. How busy can one woman be?”

Denny opened his mouth, but Ashley slapped her hand over it. “Busy enough, okay?”

Quinton quirked a brow. “More secrets, huh?”

Denny, with his mouth still covered, managed a shrug.

Left-handed, Ashley tucked the card away in her back pocket. “Don’t push your luck, Murphy.”

Openly pleased with the exchange, Denny pried her hand away and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll see that she gets home safely.”

Ashley’s jaw dropped. He had to be kidding. She’d be on a busy road, headed to her busy apartment complex. No way would Elton try something out in the open. “I don’t need—”

“Thank you.” Quinton returned her feral expression with one of his own. “I agreed to your terms, now agree to mine.”

Relationships sure were troublesome. She waved a hand at him. “Let’s hear it.”

“Promise you’ll call me if anything even remotely suspicious happens or if anything spooks you.”

Denny took exception to that. “She can call me.”

In a magnanimous concession, Quinton nodded. “If you can’t reach me, by all means, call Denny.”

“Or Jude,” Denny added.

“Call someone—but me first. Promise me, Ashley.”

Denny started to object, and Ashley put the back of her hand to her forehead. “First no men, now two are fighting over me. How dramatic.”

Quinton leaned across the table, caught her shoulders, and pulled her up. Ashley thought he was about to curl her toes again, but he only put an affectionate peck on her forehead. “Promise?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll put you on speed dial.”

“Thank you.” He kissed her once more. “Be very careful, and we’ll talk soon.”

With that, he left.

Slowly, Ashley sank back in her seat. “I need some ice water.”

“All that growling give you a dry throat?”

“No. I think I have a fever.”

Denny eyed her while switching over to Quinton’s side of the booth. “So you like your new beau, huh?”

“He’s not a beau.”

“I think he’d tell it differently.” Denny signaled the waitress in a request for coffee.

She hustled over, her smile too bright, her eyes dreamy. After she’d produced another cup and filled it, Denny thanked her with more affection than necessary, and she floated away on a sigh.

Another woman smitten. Amazing. Denny made the whole woman/man game look so easy. If only she didn’t struggle so badly with it. “For an ornery old codger, you sure rack up the babes.”

“It’s my charm.”

“It’s something, all right.” Ashley considered him, then asked, “So what about Zara?”

“What about her?”

“You still seeing her?”

“Here and there. She won’t be at the wedding, if you’re worried about Quinton running into her.”

That made her laugh. “After seeing her with you, I haven’t given it another thought. I figured you’d ruined her for all other men.”

“I’m sure you’re right.”

Grinning, Ashley glanced at the clock on the wall. “I wonder where he’s going so early.”

“Who? Quinton?”

“He’s dressed all casual when he usually wears suits, and it’s too early for him to be going to the office.”

“Want me to find out?” When she just stared at him, Denny said, “Well, I can, you know.”

“Don’t even think about actually checking up on him.” Her order didn’t faze Denny one bit. “I mean it, old man. He’s driving me nuts, but—”

“He’s bothering you?” And then in a growl, “Maybe I don’t like him after all.”

“Oh God, don’t start cracking your knuckles. It’s not like that.” Quinton was a handful all on his own. She didn’t need to juggle Denny now, too.

“Then how is it?”

“You’ve got gonads. Put it together.”

“Ah.” Denny’s ears actually lifted, he smiled so big. “He’s bothering you that way. I get it.”

In that moment Denny seemed like a damn fine confidante. She didn’t have anyone else to talk to except May, and May had an upcoming wedding to deal with. She was euphoric, and Ashley didn’t want to bring her down with her petty concerns. “If you stop grinning like the village idiot, I’d like to get your thoughts on this mess.”

“Mess?”

“Exactly.” She propped her head in both hands. “Before meeting Quinton, I liked my life just fine.”

“No, you didn’t. You just accepted it.”

Because she’d never envisioned anything different. “Maybe.”

“So what’s the problem? Quinton putting a kink in the works?”

“In a big way. Since meeting him, I feel half sick most of the time. I can’t get him off my mind, which means I’m falling behind at work, and I can’t study worth a damn, and—”

Very matter-of-factly, Denny said, “Hey, if you’re feeling froggy, leap. It’ll solve your problems, and then some.”

Such a down-to-earth way of looking at all things sexual boggled her mind. “You think sex is a regular cure-all, huh?”

He saluted her with the coffee cup. “I guarantee it’ll cure what ails you.”

“Maybe, but it’s not that simple.”

“Seems simple enough to me. You’re a grown, intelligent, independent woman.”

“Well, hallelujah, you’ve finally admitted it.”

“And he seems like a responsible guy.” Denny shrugged. “Go for it.”

“It’ll complicate things.”

“Baloney.” He rubbed his jaw, scrutinizing her. “You’re not an inhibited girl. You obviously want the man. I’m surprised you haven’t used him up already.”

“Do I look like a hoochie or something?”

He ignored that to ask, “What’s really going on here, Ashley? Why all the hesitation?”

“We’re as different as night and day.”

“Since you’re like the Tasmanian devil in neon, no one is like you. You might as well get used to it and not let it stand in the way of some fun.”

Ashley wrinkled her nose at him. “That’s not what I mean, smart-ass. He’s filthy rich. Socially affluent. And so damned cultured.”

“Ah. He scares you.”

“Get outta here.” Actually, it was her reaction to him that left her frightened.

Denny’s gaze, filled with understanding, settled on her face. “You know, you don’t have to be a hard case all the time. Everyone is entitled to be a chickenshit every now and then.”

“Including you?”

“Sure.” He fashioned a lofty look. “I’m secure enough to admit to my weaknesses.”

Clutching her chest in melodrama, Ashley gasped. “You have weaknesses, Denny? Say it isn’t so.”

“I do.” He nodded toward her. “And you’re one of them.”

Her heart expanded. She wasn’t used to anyone being so open in his feelings. “If that’s your excuse for bossing me around, you can forget it.”

He flashed his silver-toothed grin. “As to differences, look at May and Jude. She didn’t let a little thing like Jude being a wealthy, well-known fighter and movie star get in her way.”

May had never let the opinions of others get in her way of being Ashley’s friend, either. But in so many ways, May was stronger. “I’m not looking to marry the man, Denny.”

“Start at step one and go from there.”

Step one. She wrinkled her nose. “The thing is…I told him to keep his hands to himself until after the wedding.”

One bushy brow lifted. “He’ll need his hands to make you happy, girl.”

Ashley shook her head at him. “God, Denny, you are so…”

“Earthy?”

“I was going to say full of it.” She softened that insult with a smile but quickly grew serious again. “I’ve never talked about this stuff with anyone before.”

“I’m honored.” He reached for her hands and held them in his meaty fists. “I mean that. You’re too much of a loner.”

“Let’s not turn this into a chick-flick moment, okay?”

He shook his head at her. “I know your daddy wasn’t there for you when you needed him. Your mom, either. May has told me some things—”

“May’s a snitch.” But May had already spoken to Ashley about it, warning her that she’d shared some of their childhood with Denny and Jude. She didn’t begrudge May that openness with her new family, but it still embarrassed her to think of anyone having intimate details of her very failed childhood.

“May loves you, and she figured if I understood you, I might not strangle you.”

“As if.” It was an odd feeling, but Ashley knew Denny cared for her. With no ulterior motives. Without coercion. And without pity. He had no blood tie to her, but he treated her more like a daughter than the people who’d raised her ever had. “Thanks, Denny. Really. I appreciate the advice.”

“But?”

“I’ve been on my own an awfully long time.” Not since she’d left home had she worried about making time for anyone other than May.

“Hey, even ballbusters have to take a day off every once in a while.” His crooked smile encouraged her. “I’d like to see you happy, so go for it.”

“But what if I do this, if I…let him in, and then he makes me unhappy?”

Denny mouth curled in a wicked grin—and he cracked his knuckles.