“Can’t say I’ve had that effect on a woman before,” says a deep male voice.
My eyelids spring open and follow a path from his low riding jeans, over a thin trail of hair that runs down the center of a defined ‘V’, tanned sculptured abs, bulging pecs, before landing on his equally handsome face.
“Like what you see, Red?”
I clear my throat. “Red?”
“The color of the dress you were wearing last night, right?”
“Oh, you were at the club?” Carla works fast. We got an Uber within minutes of the kissing fiasco. I don’t know how she found the time to pick this guy up. Kudos to her, though.
“I was, the name’s Grayson.” He holds out his hand to me, and I reluctantly take it.
“Emma,” I say, forcing out a smile. “Is Carla awake?”
“I doubt it. I wore her out, I think. She kicked me out so she could get some sleep. First time a woman’s ever kicked me out of her bed.” He shakes his head in disbelief. It doesn’t surprise me in the least, I know Carla. She loves her sleep more than anything and always discards her men once she’s had her fill. She won’t share her bed with anyone, not even me.
“Kitty won’t start, so I was going to borrow her car.”
“Kitty?” There’s a ridiculous grin on that gorgeous face of his, and in my current mood, I have the urge to slap it right off. “Well, I’d love to help you out with your… umm… Kitty, Red, but no can do I’m afraid. The bro code and all that, but I could call Ashton, I’m sure he’d love to work your Kitty over.”
My eyes narrow, and his smile grows. Ugh! “Kitty is my car. Get your mind out of the gutter.”
He throws back his head and laughs as he does the buttons up on his dress shirt. “I’m just messing with you. Want me to take a look at it?”
I shrug. Do I? I didn’t miss the fact that he mentioned Ashton. Ashton Barclay, I presume. The man who was so implanted in my brain last night I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned the entire night. Out of all the guys at the club, Carla had to bring home one of his friends. Even worse, he probably witnessed me shamelessly dry humping his friend’s leg like a dog on heat.
I clear my throat, feeling my cheeks flame. “Umm… sure, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Grayson gently closes Carla’s door, careful not to wake her, before draping his arm over my shoulder. “Come show me this Kitty of yours.”
Rolling my eyes, we walk toward the stairs.
I hand him the keys once I’ve unlocked the door. “You have Hello Kitty car seat covers? How old are you, Red? Ten?”
“Twenty-six actually. They were a gift… a gift from your screw-buddy, Carla. Maybe I should be more concerned that you even know who Hello Kitty is.”
“Very funny. And for your information, I have a pesky little sister.”
He slides the key into the ignition giving it a few tries, and like me, he gets a brief whirring sound, but it doesn’t kick over. He pops the hood and exits the car.
“I think your battery’s dead. Do you have a flashlight?” I pull out my phone, coming to stand beside him. “I don’t have any jumper cables in my car.”
“Me either,” I say. “I’ll just borrow Carla’s car.”
“Where are you heading?”
“The animal shelter at Hermosa Beach.”
“Do you work there?”
“No, I volunteer in my spare time.”
“This early?”
“I’m scheduled for the early shift today. I go in, feed the animals, and clean their enclosures before we open.”
“That’s big of you, Red. Very admirable. The more I get to know you, the more I like you.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
“Although I’ll admit you went down a few notches with those Hello Kitty seat covers.” He gives me a strange look when I laugh. “You should smile more often. You have a pretty smile.”
After locking my car, he hands back the keys. “I’m heading that way, you want a ride?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to put you out.”
“It’s no trouble. No trouble at all. I live at Hermosa Beach, so it’s on my way.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Okay, I’d appreciate it.”
I’m not one to get in a car with a stranger, but for some reason, I feel like I’m in safe hands. Call it woman’s intuition or possibly insanity, but I’m quietly confident I won’t end up on the back of a milk carton tomorrow.
He turns to cross the street, so I follow him. “This is me…” he points, “… here.”
My eye widen as they glaze over the sleek silver sports car. “This is your car?”
“It is. It’s a Saleen S7, she’s my baby.”
“Nice. Does she have a name?”
“Unlike Kitty, no.”
“Ha ha,” I say when he chuckles. He follows me around the passenger side, and I’m shocked when the door opens upward instead of outward like most cars. “Impressive.” My eyes are everywhere once I’m seated inside. It smells new, and the curved leather seats are surprisingly comfortable. I’ve never been in a car so luxurious.
“So, what’s your story, Red?” he asks, pulling away from the curb.
“Story?”
“Yeah. I know you look after unwanted animals in your spare time, but what else do you do?”
I shrug. “I’m a child psychologist by day. I work with children who have eating disorders.”
“Wow,” he says, nodding his head in approval. “Another admiral trait.”
“Did you grow up in Cali?”
“Nope.”
His eyes dart to me when I don’t elaborate. I don’t feel comfortable talking about myself.
“I like you, Red. I think you’re just what Ash needs in his life.”
“Hardly,” I scoff. “No offense, but your friend is an insufferable ass.”
Grayson throws back his head and laughs. He has a nice laugh, it’s deep and robust. It makes me smile. “Don’t let his hard exterior fool you. Underneath all that arrogance is a wounded puppy.”
“Wounded puppy? What do you mean?”
“It’s not my story to tell, pretty girl. But he’s been through a tough time, a really tough time, so take it easy on him. We’ve been best friends most of our lives, and I can honestly say I’ve never met a more stand-up, loyal, lovable guy.”
“Are we talking about the same Ashton?”
“The one and only.”
I turn my head to gaze out the window as I ponder Grayson’s words. I find myself wondering what happened in his life to leave him wounded. Was it a girl? Or something else, maybe? It saddens me to hear he’s been through tough times because I’ve lived with them myself. I know all too well how circumstances in your life can change you.
We travel in silence for a while before Grayson finally speaks again. “You know he likes you, Red, and I think you like him, too.”
“Who?” I ask, playing dumb. Does he like me? Has he spoken about me to his friend? Why does that thought make me feel all mushy inside?