Page 31 of Wild Ride

“That’s okay. Kind of used to it.” He stood and placed his hands in the pockets of his sweats which drew her attention to his hands.

In his pockets.

Near all that … action. Did the man have to be so virile and male?

She swallowed and shifted in her seat, as if that could stop the color rising in her cheeks. It was rather ridiculous the effect he had on her.

“You shouldn’t be used to it. People judging you. That’s not fair.”

Dex looked like he didn’t agree. “Anyway, just wanted to let you know. Feel free to ignore me when I start spouting crap again.”

She laughed, a little too loudly. “Oh, you’re fine. Not to worry.”

“Okay, then.” His lips curved as he headed out, all teeth and sparkle. Gah, that smile!

Once they were alone again, Kennedy turned to her, a big grin on her face.

“What’s that about?”

“Hmm?”

“Come on. You two were all cute around each other.”

Ashley shook her head. Was that cute? It had felt nothing but awkward on her side. It was so long that she no longer recognized cute.

“Here I am offering the services of unnamed single and divorced clients, when you have someone a lot closer to hand who’d do the trick.”

“Toby’s gay.” Kennedy was not referring to Toby.

“Ahem. I’m talking about a troubled professional hockey player who you’re spending a lot of time with.”

It was like the woman could read her mind. “Are you kidding? I’m his boss.” And why did her voice sound so squeaky?

Kennedy scoffed. “Hardly. You’re his supervisor during this particular short-term venture.” She added finger quotes around “supervisor” despite the fact it was not finger quotable. It was reality.

“And I’m supposed to report on whether he’s done a good job. To a judge. That’s a conflict of interest.”

Yet her blood had fizzed at the mention of it. Dex O’Malley interested her, which made no sense. He was not unlike her ex: feckless, charming, a complete ne’er-do-well. Except he obviously did something well enough to get media attention, and she wasn’t talking about his game on the ice.

“I’m not interested in someone like that.” At Kennedy’s frown, she added quickly. “Not that there’s anything wrong with him. I’m sure he’s a very nice, charming man underneath all that square-jawed handsomeness. It’s just—he gets around. And that’s a little too similar to my ex.”

“Right, but you’re not looking for anything serious. Just a little fun. Orgasms.”

“That’s what you said. I said I wanted conversation and foot rubs and tea.”

“Well, some of us have all that and hot sex in one muscled package.”

“So. Smug.” Ashley pointed over Kennedy’s shoulder. “The door’s behind you.”

“I’m trying to help you get laid, lady.”

“Yeah, but not with someone I’m working with. That’s not a good idea?”

Where did that question mark come from? It was as if her voice thought that upward lilt at the end of that sentence was appropriate.

Not appropriate. So not appropriate. None of this was appropriate.

Kennedy shrugged. “It’s not not a good idea.”

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