Page 7 of Ashes to Ashes

Four

I pulledthe truck into the parking lot of the roadside motel. It was, as expected, a shabby row of boxes, each with one wide front window and a faded green door with a metal number nailed into it. The sign boasted weekly rates, which meant it was a home to people who had nothing else. A man, who looked as if he'd been living there a good long time, had made the effort to put a potted plant next to the door on room seven. He was probably not more than forty, according to the nest of brown hair on his head, but he was hunched over like a man of seventy as he shuffled to the ice machine with his bucket. He took the time to say hello as Denni and I walked down the corridor to roomten.

Briefly, Denni stopped to admire the eagle tattoo on his forearm, and it seemed the man was never going to let go of the smile her compliment had produced. I wasn't surprised by any of it. She'd already had the same effect onme.

I put the bag with the sodas, pretzels and condoms on the table. I had condoms . . . in a bag . . . that was now sitting inside a sketchy motel room . . . with a girl who I hardly knew but who I was sure I'd never, ever forget. None of it was me, and yet I was loving every part of it. It was a story that would make my dad clap me proudly on the back with a smile. He was always pointing out that I needed adventure in my life if I ever wanted to be a writer. That was his biggest mistake, he would constantly tell me before listing the few places he had been and all the ones he'd missed seeing. Like Redmond Cave and its flying mammals.

The sink in the bathroom turned on with a ghost-like moan and Denni's laugh echoed off it. "Wow, I think Casper is in the room with us." Seconds later, she poked her head out of the bathroom, her face pink and wet from washing. "I think I've still got cobwebs in my ears from that horrid outbuilding at the gas station." She disappeared back into the bathroom.

I pulled my phone out and put it on the nightstand. I yanked the stained bed cover back, trying my hardest to not touch it. The sheets and pillowcases looked surprisingly crisp and clean. I stared down at them and then my gaze lifted to the bathroom door. I should have been feeling a shit ton of guilt, but I wasn't. The only thing I was feeling guilty about was not feeling guilty.

And then, almost as if my uneasy thoughts could be read by Emma, miles away, my phone rang. I considered not answering it, but that never worked well withEmma.

I sat on the bed and picked up the phone. "Hey, Em." I kicked off my shoes and scooted back to sit against the plastic headboard.

"Hey, honey, I'm surprised you have such good reception up there in that cabin."

Shit. "Uh, yeah, I've just stopped off for a bite to eat, so I'm not at the cabinyet."

Denni heard me talking and popped her head out. She kissed her hand and pointed at the phone, mouthing the nameEmma.

I nodded.

Emma went on with a question that I missed completely because my attention had been diverted. Denni slipped back into the bathroom and closed thedoor.

"I'm sorry, Em, the reception isn't all that great, after all. What did yousay?"

"I was just making sure you'd be back by Sunday night. Dad expects us to attend the cocktail party he's throwing for his biggest clients."

"Oh, I'm going to be tired, Emma. I think I can sit this one out. You know how I hate those things."

"Lucas, how will you ever move up in the company if you don't put yourself out there more?" She went on with another string of lecture points, but I didn't hear a word. The bathroom door opened and Denni stepped out wearing only a tiny pair of pink panties and a lacy white bra. I nearly dropped the phone.

Denni sashayed over to the bag of soda and turned her back to me as she pulled out a drink. She blinked long lashes at me over her shoulder as she held up acan.

I shook my head and watched with full interest as she turned to the side and sipped the soda. The string of stars she had tattooed on her back and hip curled all the way across her flat belly. My cock was hard again and this time the erection wasn't going to disappear without some satisfaction.

"Luke!" Emma's scolding tone shot through the phone. "Did you hearme?"

"Uh, yeah, I mean no. Sorry, the reception is terrible."

"Well, I can hear you fine," she said back angrily.

Denni's slim hips swayed back and forth as she walked toward the bed. She stopped at the side of the bed, held up the box of condoms and licked her bottom lip as she gazed down atme.

There was a tiny diamond stud in her belly button where the circle of stars ended.

I could hear Emma's sharp tone through the phone, but my entire attention had been stolen by the sexy woman standing in front of me. Denni smiled just before she climbed on the bed and straddled me, placing a long, sleek thigh on each side of me and settling her pussy over my cock. She wriggled and a groan left my mouth.

"What?" Emma asked in such a harsh tone, it snapped my attention back to the conversation.

Without the slightest hesitation, Denni reached for the hem of my shirt. I had to pull the phone from my ear as she lifted it off over my head. She nodded with appreciation at my chest.

"Uh, Em, my food's here, and I know how you hate it when I chew and talk so—I'll call you later." I hung up before she could answer, a move that was going to get me a severe tongue lashing later. I didn't care. I couldn't take my eyes off Denni. My phone hit the floor instead of the nightstand.

Denni leaned down over me, the aroma of motel soap on her skin. "Was Emmamad?"

"Who?" I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me. Our mouths crashed together, and the urgency that had overtaken us in the truck returned. My hands slid down her back and beneath her panties.

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