Velvet Fire - Ashby Crime Family Romance

“Maze,” he said in that husky growl of his.

“Virgil. Calvin.” There, that was nice and icy, right?

“Can we talk?” Gruff now, and serious, his question bordered on a command and damn him, my body responded but I held back.

“Why bother? You’ll just have to run off for…something.” That sounded bitchy enough. Even though he didn’t owe me anything and acting like he did made me feel like a clingy girlfriend.

“That was uncalled for, and I’m sorry, but clearly you don’t have time for anything but sex and that’s fine with me, but not like this. So thanks but no thanks.”

The air was tense for a few seconds, and then Virgil smiled and hell yeah, it was beautiful sight that transformed his serious scowl into something magnificent. Too bad he was still a cocky bastard.

“Slide over,” he said and started to sit before I could ask him if English was his first language. “Thanks. Nice to see you again. Bonnie, right?”

Shocked and uncomfortable around men she didn’t know, Bonnie nodded. “Yep. You too.” She looked over at Calvin and blushed furiously before looking down at her soda.

“Did you, uh, want to…” Bonnie’s words trailed off and she motioned to the extra seat beside her.

Calvin’s grin kicked up on one side, and I was sure that was amusement written all over his face. The cocky Ashby brothers were probably used to making women tongue-tied.

“I wouldn’t say no. It’s good to see you again, Bonnie. Maisie.”

I snorted at his charm as the feeling came over me that this wasn’t an accidental meeting. Bonnie had warned me off Virgil so I knew it wasn’t her ,but the moment four drinks—not two—arrived, I knew exactly who to blame.

“Thanks. Secret agent man.”

Colby, to his credit, only shrugged and flashed a too charming smile. I respected that he didn’t deny or it pretend his loyalty was anywhere but with the Ashby family.

“Your order will be up shortly. You guys want anything?”

“Appetizer platter and a small bowl of shepherd’s pie,” Calvin said easily. “Thanks.”

“Don’t be mad,” Virgil whispered in my ear and it took all the self-control I possessed not to shiver at the feel of his warm breath on my neck, or the way his masculine scent wrapped around me.

“I’m not mad. We had a good time together.”

“Didn’t think you wanted more than a good time.” His tone was teasing and challenging.

“I don’t.” At least I didn’t think so. “But your time is way too limited to be anything other than a quick fuck and I do want more than that.”

His gaze never left mine, staring so hard like he could see all the gears churning in my head. I hoped like hell he couldn’t because my mind was a muddle of thoughts. Desire and frustration. Anger and uncertainty.

“How much more?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Conversation. Maybe a meal or two. Not a quickie in the alley because you have business to deal with.”

Virgil nodded and leaned in close, a seductive smile curving his lips into a heated grin.

“Come to my place tomorrow. I’ll put some steaks on the grill and mix up a few drinks. Bring a bikini…or not.”

I couldn’t deny that I was intrigued. Interested as hell. And desperate for another ride on his delicious cock. I should say no but like Aunt Jana said, I was young and unattached, and one more chance didn’t mean anything. Did it? The answer came quickly. Hell no.

“What time?”

The smile that lit up Virgil’s face was all the confirmation I needed that I made the right decision.

“Is noon too early?”

“It might not be early enough, but I’ll be there.”

He cast a glance across the table where Bonnie was glaring at Calvin’s smiling face, but the blush on her cheeks gave away her true feelings.

“Bring your friend if you want.”

I loved Bonnie like a sister, but I didn’t want anyone to cockblock me and Virgil.

“Good idea,” Calvin said with a smile. “Maybe a little bit of water will loosen her up.”

So much for that.

“Tomorrow at noon, then.”

Chapter Nineteen

Virgil

The sky was blue and the sun was shining bright but the best part of the day already was Maisie in her little red bikini that had made my fingers itch all day to touch miles of smooth skin. To hear her purr like a sexy little kitten. But that was later. For now, I was entertaining her and her friend Bonnie, along with Cal, who hadn’t stopped drooling over the virginal redhead since they arrived an hour ago.

“Virgil, you’ve outdone yourself,” Maisie said, flashing a mischievous smile at me across the table. “Best meat I ever had.”

Calvin choked on his beer, grinning to himself at her compliment.

Bonnie nodded. “Very juicy and full of flavor,” she added shyly. “Why is grilling a skill that men seem to master without much effort?”

“Speak for yourself,” Maisie shot back with a grin. “I grew up in Texas where grilling steak is a skill you learn before you get your driver’s license.”