GRIT: A Spartan Riders Novel Read Online Free Page B

Mahone had never heard directed his way—likely because no one had the guts to say it to his face—otherwise, he wouldn’t have grown up to be so damn inconsiderate of others. How Ash had turned out to be such a sweetheart with a father like that was a mystery to her. But a glance at the small boy sitting behind him, watching their exchange with innocent, knowing eyes, caused her to put a lid on her temper. Huffing, Gabby replied, “We’ll discuss this another time, when little ears aren’t listening.”
    Something that resembled shock flashed in his eyes before it was quickly banked. With a nearly infinitesimal shake of his head, he replied curtly, “Sure.” Holding her stare for a moment longer, Blake’s pewter-colored eyes bored into her russet brown ones. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he snapped his visor down and took off.
    Once again, Gabby was left staring after him contemplating her next plan of action.
     
    ***
     
    “Miss Gabby says I’m smart.”
    “That’s because you are.” Shoveling a meatball into his mouth, Blake tried to block out the mental image of the woman. Unsuccessfully. She was like a witch, fucking with his head from the moment he laid eyes on her stuck-up ass. Every time he blinked, he was reminded of those toned legs, thick hips, sweet-as-sin rack, and thick, pin-straight hair that he’d like to wrap around his fist and use as a rein as he took her fine ass from behind.
    But most of all, he couldn’t get that perfect mouth out of his mind. Full, pale pink, Cupid’s bow lips that would look damn good wrapped around his cock.
    Yeah, he liked that idea. Fill her mouth so she couldn’t run it anymore, because every time those lips got to flapping and she busted his balls, it ruined the moment better than a bucket of ice water.
    The worst part of it was that Ash couldn’t shut up about her. If he didn’t know better, he’d think the kid was in love.
    Hell, with the way she’d shut down what could have been a full-blown argument, and all for the sake of Ash, he just might join him. In his world, not a lot of women operated the same way.
    “Do girls like smart?”
    “I hear it’s like catnip,” Blake told him, amused by Ash’s puzzled expression. “They love it,” he clarified. “Why do you ask?”
    Shrugging, Ash finished his dinner in silence.
    “You find a girl you like or somethin’?”
    A small, bashful smile cropped up, and Ash dipped his head, hiding his face.
    “She pretty?”
    A nod.
    “She like you back?”
    Shrug.
    “You gonna ask her to be your girl?”
    Shrug.
    “Cat got your tongue?”
    That earned him another smile. “I’m gonna marry her.”
    “Movin’ a little fast there don’t ya think, bud?”
    “How else am I gonna make her mine?”
    Blake’s lips parted but no words came out. He never expected his boy to grow up so damn fast. He figured when it came time to talk about girls and relationships, he’d just have to tell him to be safe and wrap it up. Here Ash was, though, thinking long-term. Heavy shit for a kindergartener.
    Maybe he’d been spending too much time with the guys. Those assholes could corrupt Mother Teresa given enough hours and alcohol.
    Scratching his stubbled jaw, he advised, “How about you take it slow. Get to know her a little first before you go all Beyoncé, okay?”
    Staring down at the floor thoughtfully, it took a moment for Ash to respond. “I’m gonna draw her a picture.”
    Blake blew out a relieved breath and reached over, patting him on the knee. “Good idea, bud. I’m sure she’ll like that.”
    “You should draw a picture for Miss Gabby too.”
    Surprised, Blake looked down at his son, noting the drops of spaghetti sauce splattered all over his cheeks and nose. “Now why would I do that?”
    “Because you like her. And she likes you too.”
    Who was this kid, freaking Sylvia Brown? “We’re just…” Friends wouldn’t be the right word for it. “She’s your teacher.” And… “And if anything,