“Whenever you want.”
And wasn’t that the fucking truth?
As Cade choked on his beer, Asher tried for a little cleanup. He wasn’t sure he and Duchess were having the same conversation since he was the one writing all the subtext. But he was loving the hell out of the way her eyes lit up at his comment, and the curve of her lips as she gave him that sensual smile.
“Everything good here?” Mav frowned.
“Solidly so.” Duchess beamed up at him. “Blondie here is going to escort me to the hotel and help me get settled.”
“Is he?” Mav looked back and forth between him and Duchess.
Asher collected the cards and reshuffled the deck, trying to look professional. Though he had to admit, his thoughts of helping Duchess get settled in were far from professional, unless your profession was porn. But damn, there was something about that woman that called to everything masculine in him. Something about her that had him wanting to preen and posture and get to know her better in every carnal sense of the words.
And that made him a complete asshole, didn’t it?
But whatever. This was his MO. Women flocked to him and he took his pick. He’d show them a good time, and then they’d move on, better for their fling, while he’d go back to business as usual, better for having blown off a little steam. It was the cycle of his life, one he was quite used to, and quite good at.
“Absolutely.” Asher smiled. “It would be my pleasure.”
“It’s settled then.” Duchess beamed. “I’ll just wait for you outside then while you wrap up here.”
“I won’t be long,” he assured her.
She gave him another smile before sauntering out of the bar with her friends. And damn, her back view was gorgeous too.
“Well,” Cade chuckled as they left. “I didn’t see that one coming. Congratulations, Ash.” He rested a palm on Asher’s shoulder. “And welcome to the club.”
“What?” Asher shrugged him off. “What club?”
“Seriously? Have you seen yourself today?” Cade shook his head with a wry smile. “She’s already got you wrapped, but don’t worry. It’s a good thing.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Cade? How many beers have you had?”
Not that beer had much of an effect on most shifters. Hell, if it had, he’d be drunk off his ass with the amount he’d consumed today.
“That woman you’re about to escort.” Cade held Asher’s biceps, turning him so they were face to face. “You treat her well, do you hear me?”
Asher frowned.
“I always do. And I don’t get why the fuck you’re acting so weird. You know I treat all of them with respect, give them what they want. It’s always mutually beneficial. You know I don’t do non-consent, and the fact that you’re implying—”
“I’m not saying anything about that.” Cade shook his head. “Listen, Ash, I’ve never seen you look at a woman the way you were checking out that Duchess chick.”
“She’s not a chick.”
Cade released him, holding up his hands in a placating way.
“See? This is what I’m talking about. Just be careful, okay? Be kind. To both of you.”
“I’m always careful.” He had to be.
“You know what I mean.”
“Sure, sure.” Asher nodded, even though he wasn’t quite so sure. In fact, he had no fucking clue what Cade was on about. Hell, there was a time when they’d both go in together for the fun, but that had long passed.
“If you need anything, let me know, okay?”
Asher laughed at that one.
