Page 21 of Impulsive Saint
Tyler scrubbed a hand over his jaw, shaking his head at her logic. She was something else. One second she was talking about orgasms, which was enough to throw any man off his game, and the next she was getting all prissy and scolding him for thinking the worst of her.
Ashtyn Echols was an enigma and he couldn’t figure her out.
“What do you think?”
“Huh?” He glanced back up to find her standing there with her hands on her hips.
“You didn’t listen to a word I said. God, that’s annoying. Do you know how many men in my life ignore me when I talk? All of them. I thought you might be different, Tyler.”
He sighed and admitted the truth because if she was going to throw him off his game, he might as well throw her off hers too, “Sorry sweetheart, but you distracted me with all the talk about lack of orgasms. You can’t drop that in a conversation and then expect a man to forget it quite so fast.”
She rolled her eyes but instead of broaching that topic again she pointed to a little brick building across the road with chipped blue paint, “I think that’s a restaurant. If you want to fill up the bike, I’ll go place an order for us.”
He shook his head immediately, “Not a chance.”
“What? Why?”
“Ashtyn, in case you’ve forgotten, you’re sorta famous and after that little stunt yesterday, running out on your own wedding and leaving your groom at the altar, odds are good you’ve made the news. If we go in that restaurant, they’re likely to recognize you. They’ll take pictures and post it on social media and your family will know exactly where you are and likely call the authorities to come get you and haul you back home so your Senator Daddy can keep you locked away and protected from the media circus you created.”
Her perfect cupid’s bow mouth pulled down at the corners, “Oh… I didn’t think about that.”
“Yeah.”
He wasn’t really all that worried about someone recognizing her, but it was possible. After all, her father was a senator for the great state of Tennessee and Tyler had no doubt her runaway bride routine had made the news considering the jilted groom was the esteemed mayor. But they weren’t in Nashville anymore and the more miles they put between them and the city the less likely it would be that someone would notice Ashtyn as anything more than a pretty girl on a motorcycle.
He was more concerned with keeping her uncomfortable, which he knew was despicable but still a major part of his plan. The more uncomfortable he made her the more likely she would be to scrap this whole idea and tell him to take her home. She’d grown up with money and power so taking away all the perks of that lifestyle would undoubtedly leave her fantasy of a fun-filled road-trip shattered sooner or later. He just had to hope it was sooner rather than later.
“So we shouldn’t go into any restaurants?” She furrowed her brow and glanced around. “I guess I’ll run into the gas station and see what kind of food they have. Tell me what you want and I’ll get you something while you fill the bike up.”
Tyler was having a hard time believing his ears, “You want to eat gas station food?”
“You’re using the termwantvery loosely.” She was grinning again. “But if it’s my only option, yes. I’m starving and you just said I couldn’t go into any restaurants, so gas station food it is.”
“The princess can lower herself to eating overcooked hot dogs that’ve been under a heat lamp for hours?”
She surprised him again when she flipped him off and turned on her heel to head towards the store, “You know what. Get your own food.”
“Ashtyn.” He called just loud enough to get her attention. “Stop.”
She spun to face him and there was pink on her cheeks. Anger maybe? The man inside him that couldn’t help but be attracted to the beautiful girl wanted to know how much of her fair skin that heat covered. Did it creep down her neck? Over her breasts? Tyler shook his head as much to clear his inappropriate thoughts as to tell her not to walk away from him.
“You can’t go in the store either. I’ll go in and get us a few things. You said you needed to use the bathroom.” He pointed at a sign on the corner of the building, “Looks like it’s over there. Do your thing. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Ashtyn followed his gaze to the sign on the wall, a spray-painted arrow pointing around the side of the building, and wrinkled her nose. Tyler hid a grin as he stepped around her and headed into the store. He had zero doubts that outdoor bathroom situation was a nightmare of epic proportions. Bathrooms like that in little stores right off the highway, always were. He consoled himself that Ashtyn would be so grossed out she’d likely throw a fit to go home right there on the spot as he gathered up some food and drinks for them.
After he’d filled his arms with enough sugar, processed foods and junk to make Ashtyn think twice about eating any of what he offered her, he returned to the front of the store. The cashier was staring out the window, fascinated by something and completely ignored Tyler as he put his haul of hot dogs, sodas, water and chips on the counter. He followed the kid’s gaze and scowled.
So much for not drawing attention to them.
Ashtyn had one of her long legs kicked up on the ledge beside the gas pump and was tying her boot. She’d untangled her long, blonde hair from its braid and it twisted and twirled in the wind. It didn’t help that her ass was pointed in their direction, encased in those black pants that fit her like a second skin.
Tyler cleared his throat, loudly, and the kid almost jumped out of his shoes. His pimpled skin blotched red and he pulled his glasses off, as if he could pretend that he hadn’t been staring. He started ringing up Tyler’s purchases and only paused when he must have realized there was two of everything.
“Uh… is that…” The kid motioned out the window and gave a toothy grin, “Your girlfriend?”
“No.” Tyler snorted, tossing some cash down on the counter.
“Oh man, too bad. She’s a total hottie.”
