Murphy's Law. Lori Foster

a down-to-earth way of looking at all things sexual boggled her mind. “You think sex is a regular cure-all, huh?”

      He saluted her with the coffee cup. “I guarantee it’ll cure what ails you.”

      “Maybe, but it’s not that simple.”

      “Seems simple enough to me. You’re a grown, intelligent, independent woman.”

      “Well, hallelujah, you’ve finally admitted it.”

      “And he seems like a responsible guy.” Denny shrugged. “Go for it.”

      “It’ll complicate things.”

      “Baloney.” He rubbed his jaw, scrutinizing her. “You’re not an inhibited girl. You obviously want the man. I’m surprised you haven’t used him up already.”

      “Do I look like a hoochie or something?”

      He ignored that to ask, “What’s really going on here, Ashley? Why all the hesitation?”

      “We’re as different as night and day.”

      “Since you’re like the Tasmanian devil in neon, no one is like you. You might as well get used to it and not let it stand in the way of some fun.”

      Ashley wrinkled her nose at him. “That’s not what I mean, smart-ass. He’s filthy rich. Socially affluent. And so damned cultured.”

      “Ah. He scares you.”

      “Get outta here.” Actually, it was her reaction to him that left her frightened.

      Denny’s gaze, filled with understanding, settled on her face. “You know, you don’t have to be a hard case all the time. Everyone is entitled to be a chickenshit every now and then.”

      “Including you?”

      “Sure.” He fashioned a lofty look. “I’m secure enough to admit to my weaknesses.”

      Clutching her chest in melodrama, Ashley gasped. “You have weaknesses, Denny? Say it isn’t so.”

      “I do.” He nodded toward her. “And you’re one of them.”

      Her heart expanded. She wasn’t used to anyone being so open in his feelings. “If that’s your excuse for bossing me around, you can forget it.”

      He flashed his silver-toothed grin. “As to differences, look at May and Jude. She didn’t let a little thing like Jude being a wealthy, well-known fighter and movie star get in her way.”

      May had never let the opinions of others get in her way of being Ashley’s friend, either. But in so many ways, May was stronger. “I’m not looking to marry the man, Denny.”

      “Start at step one and go from there.”

      Step one. She wrinkled her nose. “The thing is…I told him to keep his hands to himself until after the wedding.”

      One bushy brow lifted. “He’ll need his hands to make you happy, girl.”

      Ashley shook her head at him. “God, Denny, you are so…”

      “Earthy?”

      “I was going to say full of it.” She softened that insult with a smile but quickly grew serious again. “I’ve never talked about this stuff with anyone before.”

      “I’m honored.” He reached for her hands and held them in his meaty fists. “I mean that. You’re too much of a loner.”

      “Let’s not turn this into a chick-flick moment, okay?”

      He shook his head at her. “I know your daddy wasn’t there for you when you needed him. Your mom, either. May has told me some things—”

      “May’s a snitch.” But May had already spoken to Ashley about it, warning her that she’d shared some of their childhood with Denny and Jude. She didn’t begrudge May that openness with her new family, but it still embarrassed her to think of anyone having intimate details of her very failed childhood.

      “May loves you, and she figured if I understood you, I might not strangle you.”

      “As if.” It was an odd feeling, but Ashley knew Denny cared for her. With no ulterior motives. Without coercion. And without pity. He had no blood tie to her, but he treated her more like a daughter than the people who’d raised her ever had. “Thanks, Denny. Really. I appreciate the advice.”

      “But?”

      “I’ve been on my own an awfully long time.” Not since she’d left home had she worried about making time for anyone other than May.

      “Hey, even ballbusters have to take a day off every once in a while.” His crooked smile encouraged her. “I’d like to see you happy, so go for it.”

      “But what if I do this, if I…let him in, and then he makes me unhappy?”

      Denny mouth curled in a wicked grin—and he cracked his knuckles.