Ashton Scott

Her eyes widen before narrowing at me. “What’s the catch?”

“For God’s sake, Aly, I’m not a fu—” I catch myself before swearing in front of the kids. “I’m not a monster. There’s no catch.”

“You have been pretty assholey for the last few months, Ashton. I hope you know that.”

“What does assholey mean?” Sadie asks.

Alessandra turns her attention to her daughter. “It means he’s been really cranky and treating people badly. But you can’t use that word. It’s an adult only word.”

Sadie takes that in and nods. “So it’s a daddy word?”

I smirk. Malcolm has a tendency to use many words that Alessandra would prefer he avoid. It’s a constant source of irritation for them.

Alessandra glares at me again for a moment. “I shouldn’t have said it, darling. Your uncle inspires me sometimes.”

I wink at Sadie as she smiles up at me. Wanting to change the subject, I say, “Who wants to come over and hang out with Jack this weekend?”

Both Sadie and Bradley’s eyes light up. They adore Jack. “Me, me!” they both exclaim with delight.

Looking at Alessandra, I ask, “Can I have them for a few hours one day?”

A smile twitches on her face. “You seriously think I’d say no to that?”

“Well, assholey runs in the family, so you do have your moments,” I deadpan and fight the urge to give her more hell when she rolls her eyes again. But Alessandra has her limits and I try never to reach them.

“Okay, it’s a date. I’ll let you know which day once Jack gets settled,” I say as I stand.

“Thanks for today,” Alessandra says, her voice softer. Her gratitude is clear. My sister doesn’t ask me for much, so when she does, I know she really needs me.

I bend and place a kiss on each of the kids' heads. Nodding at Alessandra, I say, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Try not to commit bodily harm on your husband tonight.” Then, I turn to Bradley. “Great game today, mate. We can kick a ball around on the weekend. Jack will be up for that, too.” The huge smile he gives me is all I need to know I’d clear every Thursday for the rest of my life for him if need be.

I head out to my car and am welcomed by the sight of those toned legs that I’m beginning to think would look spectacular under me.

Lorelei’s reaching into her car for something, and when she leans back out and straightens, I’m standing next to her. “Shit, Ashton, way to shave a few years off a woman’s life,” she says.

“I won’t tell you what you do to a man’s life expectancy,” I murmur. I can imagine she’s inflicted hurt to many men’s hearts in her lifetime.

My words seem to confuse her and lines wrinkle her forehead as she frowns. “I don’t know what you mean by that.”

I lean in so our faces are close. “It means that you’d only have to give a man a skerrick of attention, let alone treat him to that sharp tongue of yours, and he’d be in danger of deadly damage.”

Her sudden intake of breath is the only sound I hear. The effect I have on her is intoxicating.

“I have to go, but it was good seeing you again,” she mumbles.

“Really? I wouldn’t have thought you’d want to see me again after Monday.”

“Well, I was using my manners.” Her no-bullshit approach impresses the hell out of me.

“Manners are always a good way to go.”

Her lips quirk. “It would seem you don’t always practice what you preach.”

“That is true, but I do like to practice things until I get them right.”

Her shoulders loosen and she shifts on her feet as if she’s settled in her spot. As if she’s suddenly invested in this conversation. “I agree—practice makes perfect.”

“Maybe you could help me with that?”