“Why not? His mother was such a sweetheart.”
Ash comes back to the kitchen, holding his car keys. “Now that’s out of the way, we should get going soon if you two want to leave town this afternoon.”
“Let them finish their breakfast, and then we’re ready.”
* * *
After Spade has packed his bag, changed his clothes, and checked out of his room, we walk toward the rental truck in the same hotel parking lot where we met only yesterday. The truck we’re using is the typical silver-colored pick-up you see around here. Nothing fancy, but still comfy for longer trips.
“Let me get your door for you.” My travel buddy stops me before I can get behind the wheel.
“You don’t have to, but thank you.”
He snorts before reaching for the door. “My mom and sisters would be mad if I didn’t at least offer.”
“I see it now. You’re a Mama’s boy, right?”
“Definitely.”
“No wonder I like your mom, and we haven’t even talked yet. That phone call between her and Sally this morning was super cute, though. Too bad you missed most of it.”
“I heard every single word, thanks to those two talking loudly. But yeah, as the only boy out of five kids, I was meant to be my mom’s favorite.”
“You’re too sweet for this world. Nobody else would admit that like you just did.”
“I disagree, but thanks. Nothing wrong with loving your mom.”
“You’re lucky to have her.”
“I know,” he tells me, closing the door after checking that I’m entirely inside.
I adjust my seat as I’m nowhere near the same height as Spade, and put my seatbelt on as Spade gets in from the other side. I start the truck, but before I get a word out, loud audio fills the space.
“Have you been a good girl, or do you need a spanking to teach you a lesson?”
My eyes are wide as saucers as I glance in Spade’s direction. He’s hastily touching his phone screen, his cheeks redder with every passing second.
“Spank me well, Daddy. I’ve been bad, so bad.”
Unable to control my laughter, I start giggling and snorting as what I assume is a smutty audiobook keeps playing before Spade turns it off. You could cut the tension in the quiet truck with a knife.
“Well, that was interesting,” I tell him between my giggles, breaking the awkward moment.
He looks my way before covering his eyes with his giant palms. “I can’t believe that just happened.”
“Is that, um, your current listen?”
“Yeah, I listened to that audiobook yesterday on my way to town from the airport.”
I see; he enjoys smutty books. Interesting. “It wasn’t what I expected from you, but if you like that, why not?”
“Do you actually mean that or are you saying it to make me feel better?
There’s an edge in his voice that I haven’t heard before. I grab his hand to soothe him. “I do mean it. I sometimes read and listen to romance books with Sal too. It’s a fun way to relax and forget about the world around you for a moment.”
A small smile forms on Spade’s face, his dimples appearing behind his beard. He circles his thumb over my palm. “I’m glad you weren’t too weirded out that I enjoy romance books, especially the smutty ones.”
“Why would I be?”
