Page 95 of Wild Ride

“Sure I do. Everyone does because he’s always in trouble. And why is he so friendly with my daughter? This man is reckless and shameless and not the kind of person I want in my daughter’s life.”

A red mist clouded Ashley’s vision. “He’s been nothing but kind to Willa and an absolute gentleman to me. We’re just spending time together.”

“And with my daughter!”

“She’s met him a few times. She hasn’t been corrupted nor will she be. You haven’t been around much so she’s just enjoying the attention of a friendly adult who actually likes talking to her.”

His eyes went wide. “Are you saying I don’t spend enough time with my daughter? Or enjoy talking to her? You know how much work there is with the baby.”

Yes, Greg, I do. I remember it well.

“I’m saying that Willa is sensitive and she picks up on attitudes, especially yours. When you bail on spending time with her or barely listen to her when she’s telling you about her day, then of course she’s going to think that.” Ashley lowered her voice. “And now this butterfly thing. You promised and you’re not even able to come through because your attention is with your new family. I get it, Lottie’s important. The baby is important. But you have other responsibilities.”

“And you think this manwhore hockey player can do a better job? That’s your problem, Ash. Always assuming the grass is greener. Nothing’s ever good enough and now you’ve got the attention of this guy who sleeps with anything. Of course you’re going to go gaga and put up with any crumbs he can offer.” He moved to walk away then spun back for another assault. “Is this because I told you I wasn’t attracted to you anymore? Your revenge is to let a scumbag like that into your bed?”

She pointed a finger in his face. “Don’t you dare call him names. He’s ten times the man you are, both in and out of the bedroom. And sure the orgasms are great but that’s not why I like spending time with him. He makes me feel good. He makes me feel special. In fact, he makes me feel, period, something I haven’t experienced in a very long time. Instead of wasting my time on someone with the emotional complexity of a boiled potato—that would be you—I’m actually enjoying myself. Because Dex does that for me. He’s kind, generous, and intuitive.”

“Everything alright here?”

Dex stood at the door, his brow lined with concern. Moving forward, he came alongside Ashley, taking up an almost protective stance.

Remembering the reason he was volunteering at the shelter in the first place, Ashley quickly spoke to put him at ease. The last thing they needed was for Dex to employ the five-fingered solution.

“Fine. Greg was just leaving. I’ll explain to our daughter that she can’t attend the butterfly event, okay?”

Greg scowled. “I told you it was unavoidable. Besides, it’s no different than a daytime visit. I can take her to see them anytime.”

“I’ll be sure to let her know.”

Still in a dark mood, Greg sent one more dagger of a look Dex’s way then turned on his heel and left.

Dex took her in his arms and pulled her close. “You okay?”

“Yeah, fine. There goes my ex. A stand-up guy.”

“What’s the butterfly thing?”

“It’s an overnight event at the Nature Museum. Greg was supposed to get Willa a spot with a kids’ group associated through his work, but now it’s off apparently.” Her daughter was going to be crushed. “Listen, I’m sorry you had to witness that drama. Definitely not what you signed on for.”

“You kidding? I love the drama! You’re looking at the biggest scenery-chewer in the history of hockey. Well, apart from Petrov.” He pressed a gently kiss to her forehead. “Did you mean what you said? About me being kind and all that?”

“Yes, I did. How much did you hear?”

“Enough. So I make you feel good, and not just in the bedroom?”

Ashley sighed. “Have I told you that your tendency to eavesdrop is really annoying?”

“It’s only annoying when I hear things that paint me in a poor light. For the first time, I actually heard good stuff about me. Ten times the man both in and out of the bedroom? Kind, generous, intuitive? And the best thing of all—how good I make you feel? Damn, those are awesome things to overhear. I should eavesdrop more often!”

Feeling slightly soothed, she peered up at him and all his impossible handsomeness. Greg’s words, spiteful as they were, lingered like a burr under her saddle, but in Dex’s arms, it didn’t hurt as much.

“I don’t care for his opinion.” It was a lie but better to put it out there as a manifest wish.

“Well, I don’t care for it either, especially the scumbag label or the idea that you might have jumped into bed with me as some sort of revenge plot. That’s crazy, isn’t it?”

The thread of doubt in his voice was unmistakable, and she was quick to do her best to banish it. “Yes, it is. I’ll be the first to admit that seeing Greg’s face when you put your arm around me was priceless, but I don’t make dating decisions to show my ex what he’s missing.”

He grinned. “Dating, huh?”

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