Cade’s voice was low, calm. “It’s just me. You okay?”
Asher turned to his friend, staunchly ignoring the look of concern Cade was rocking.
“I’m fine.” He bit back his annoyance, fighting the urge to seek Duchess out in the crowd again. “Just scoping the scene.”
Cade chuckled. “Picking your playmate for the night? You’ve certainly got a range to choose from. Though, I’d be careful. Tough to tell who’s with who in this lot.”
Yeah, like he needed to be reminded of that. He’d witnessed it firsthand, fuck-him-very-much.
“Um, Mr. Ford?”
Asher turned to his new patron. It was the little blonde with that bald and bearded biker. Baldie had her tucked up under his arm like he didn’t want her walking by herself, and Asher had to admit there was something adorable about the way they fit together.
“How can I help you?” He smiled, picking up a deck of cards.
“I just wanted to say thank you for setting us up at the Osprey Inn tonight. We were supposed to go to Wolf Creek after dinner, but I’m really glad we get to stay here.”
“Happy to be of service, miss.” Asher gave her a winning smile, which earned him a scowl from her escort.
“Relax,” Asher chuckled at Baldie. “She’s perfectly safe here. Look,” he motioned to Cade, who was still in uniform. “I can even have Deputy Hansen escort her to the inn if it makes you feel better.”
Baldie just grunted, but some of the others with him laughed as Cade chuckled and Asher got busy shuffling and dealing the cards.
He pulled good ones for this crew too, appreciating the way their president had handled things with him, telling it straight, looking out for the women. Apparently, they’d had a long drive from the venue in Arizona today, and Mav had been concerned about a few of his newer riders and fairer members.
Making arrangements for them to stay in town tonight hadn’t just come from a place of goodwill for Asher. It was good for Pine Haven’s coffers, and it was his job to keep them filled. Instead of just whatever they’d spent at the bar on dinner and drinks tonight, the Chaos Riders MC would help another family-owned business by staying in their inn. And then they’d need breakfast in the morning, probably hit up the coffee shop before heading out, maybe even visit a few shops on their way. All in all, it was good for the town.
And it also meant a certain brunette would be staying tonight rather than simply passing through.
Asher wondered again for the millionth time if she and Mav were romantically involved. While she’d laughed and talked with Mav and the others in the motorcycle club, Asher hadn’t seen much in the way of PDA from her. Mav worrying over her eating and helping Duchess into her jacket was the closest thing, but that didn’t necessarily mean the two of them were together…
“You know,” A frisson of sensual awareness shot through Asher at those words and he glanced up from his cards to see Duchess smiling at him. Damn, she was beautiful. “I’d be happy to take Deputy Handsome up on the escort.”
God, that voice, silky and warm with a slight accent. Soothing and sensual, like a Mediterranean sunset. As her words sank in, though, Asher frowned.
“It’s Hansen. And he’s taken.”
And what the fuck?
She came all the way over to flirt with his best friend?
Asher drew her a card, trying to get a handle on his ire.
“Oooh, Queen of Diamonds.” She leaned in, lowering her voice as she logged the card on her tally sheet. “My favorite.”
That shouldn’t turn him on, it really shouldn’t. But damn, there was something about the way she spoke, the subtext in even the simplest of comments spoke directly to his cock. Oh, he had to have this woman. He couldn’t explain why exactly, but she was compelling as fuck and he needed to claim her.
“Diamonds suit you.” He smiled, pushing his fantasies of adorning her with them aside. “I like that one in particular.” He motioned to her pumpkin diamond ring.
“Oh, this?” She wiggled her fingers, letting the gemstones catch the light. “I do love this one. Orange and gold are my favorite colors, like the sun, only wearable.”
Well, that explained the yellow diamond on her other hand.
“I have to say, though, I’m becoming quite a fan of green.” She smiled, giving him a wink. “You know, if Deputy Handsome is off the table, I’m wondering if you’re available?”
“Oh, I’m the second choice, huh?”
“No, darling.” She laughed throatily. “You’re the only choice. What time do you get off?”
