Page 50 of Wild Ride

Dex spoke again to Ashley, those deep blue eyes graver than she’d have thought possible. “Only if you’re sure it’s okay.” Before Vera could divest him of the bouquet, he deposited it in Ashley’s hands. Their fingers brushed and there was that thrill again.

“Of course it’s okay. You’re very welcome. Hope you like lasagna, meddling, and probing questions about your personal life.”

So this wasn’t awkward at all.

Earlier this afternoon, he’d walked out of the shelter into the street, dazed as fuck after that kiss. It had scrambled his brain and lowered his defenses. When he ran into Vera, smoking while scrolling on her phone, he assumed she was a fan.

“Dex O’Malley, what are you doing here? Are you getting a puppy?”

He’d planned to be polite—sign an autograph, mumble about his injury, move on his merry way—when she said, “My sister runs this place, y’know.”

That was when he saw it, the similar twinkle in those apple-green eyes, though Ashley’s were more vibrant, except when they smoked over during a particularly amazing kiss. Christ, just the feel of her in his arms …

Three minutes later he had an invitation to dinner and instructions to come by at seven. In truth, he wanted to see her again. His next shift was in two days and had suddenly seemed too far away. This opportunity to witness Ashley in her natural habitat combined with an invitation to do so from her sister was too good to pass up.

He’d known it would blindside her.

He wanted to blindside her. Because Ashley looked like the kind of woman who needed a little excitement, and here was Dex O’Malley appointing himself as the bringer of fun to the staid life of a single mom.

Yep, he was a Class A jerk.

And now the jerk was nervous. He never got nervous around women, but Ashley had that effect. Again, he was struck by her authenticity. She had a life, a family, a wealth of experience, and Dex had nothing but a bad reputation and a cheeky smile that seemed to be faltering by the second.

Of course she didn’t want him here. She had not looked pleased to see him, like he was a mistake that had followed her home. Would this feeling ever not suck?

But he was here now, and he needed to make the best of it. Maybe he could show her that he wasn’t such a bad bet after all. Vera certainly didn’t mind his presence. She had a predatory gleam in her eye and had floated her fingers up his arm when she gripped his wrist, urging him to stay.

The other sister was sour-faced and disapproving. He was used to that reaction, usually from a foster mother, general manager, or police officer.

But then he looked at Willa who gave him a toothy grin, like he was the best person ever, and he felt that maybe this was the place to be.

“Do you like lasagna?” Willa asked, and he got the feeling this was the first of many questions he’d have to field tonight.

“Sure do, Sparkle.”

That lit her up like a firework.

“So, Dex,” Vera said. “Beer or wine?”

“Water, if you have it.”

“Good idea. Keep the defenses in place.”

“Vera.” Ashley shook her head, as if to say, not in front of the children.

He liked Vera.

Maeve’s brow rumpled, so no headway there. Yet.

“Sit, Dex,” Vera said. “Tell us how you’re enjoying volunteering at the shelter.”

He eyed Ashley who stood at the counter with a spatula as she divided up the lasagna into giant slabs. She was still wearing jeans, the ones that did amazing things for her ass, but had changed into a more loose-fitting top than before. It fell off her creamy-skinned shoulder, revealing a blue bra strap. As baggy as the top was, it couldn’t quite hide those curves.

“It’s great. The people are nice, the dogs are fun, the kittens cute.” The manager is an amazing kisser …

“Are you a cat or a dog person?” Willa asked.

“I like both. Probably more of a dog person. You?”

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