Page 36 of Israel

Chapter 15

Israel figured he hadn’t done too badly with the wooing today. Ashley had liked the jackalope exhibit, and the museum. He’d maybe gotten a little too intense at the end, but he hadn’t been prepared for the effect Terin’s painting would have on him after meeting his own mate.

He was going to have to start finding other presents for Ashley besides stuffed animals, though. They took up a lot of room in her bunk. But every time he saw Ashley holding her musical jackalope and smiling, it made him feel happy too.

Anything to make her look like that. Instead of brittle and overworked and unhappy.

When they got to the front desk of their hotel, Israel found that Harrison had already checked him and Ashley into adjoining rooms with a connecting door. He’d also left Israel a message that he’d personally delivered his and Ashley’s luggage and done the security check, and posted someone outside Ashley’s room until she and Israel got there.

He was glad Harrison hadn’t let up on security. That was the danger in a situation like this. Nothing would happen for a few days, or a week, and everyone would get sloppy.

But Harrison wasn’t taking any chances—it was Mike Watson on Ashley’s door. Israel thanked the security chief and let him go before taking Ashley’s room key and opening the door. It was his responsibility to clear the room before she went in, regardless of what anyone else had done. Still, he didn’t want to do it in front of Watson, as if he thought the guy was incompetent.

At least Ashley wasn’t as impatient as usual at what she considered to be unnecessary caution. She was winding up her jackalope and listening to him caterwaul outdated cowboy songs, and giggling.

He loved the sound of her laughing.

He cleared both their rooms, including the closets and bathrooms. He got back just in time to see Ashley struggling with the zipper to one of the million little bags and cases she seemed to have with her. “Here, let me try,” he said, walking over.

“No, I’ve got it.” She jerked on the zipper and the whole bag popped open. Scarves and makeup and hair thingies exploded everywhere.

“Dammit,” she muttered. Israel started gathering things up. “Leave it,” she said sharply. “I can do it.”

“I don’t mind—” He picked up a pink scarf just as she reached for it, and something long and bulbous slid out onto the bed. Israel stared at it. “Holy shit,” he said, picking it up and turning it over. “You really do have a vibrator.”

“Give me that.” Ashley was beet red. “Fucking fucktards, do you not even know the meaning of the word privacy?”

Israel couldn’t hide his grin. She looked so cute when she was embarrassed. And it kept her from noticing the boner that sprang up as soon as he’d pictured her with the vibrator.

There was a knock at the door. “Ms. Silver? Ashley?”

The voice was vaguely familiar to Israel, but Ashley obviously recognized it. “Oh, fuck. Roger,” she said.

“I’ll get it,” Israel said, heading for the door.

Ashley gathered up scarves and things and bundled them over onto the nightstand, shoving the vibrator to the bottom of the pile. Israel unsuccessfully tried to smother his snort of laughter, and she flashed him the finger.

Israel opened the door to find one of the stagehands, a stocky redhead who looked about sixteen, carrying two huge bouquets and a teddy bear.

He was taken aback when he saw Israel. “Oh. Uh. Delivery for Ms. Silver.” He peered past Israel, obviously trying to get a glimpse of Ashley. “No lilacs, I promise. Should I bring them in?”

“I’ll take them.” Israel relieved him of the flowers and the animal. The kid was obviously disappointed he wasn’t Ashley. Israel gave him the evil eye. “You can go now.”

“Don’t be silly, Israel,” Ashley said from behind him. “Roger, how’s your mother?”

Israel reluctantly stepped aside to let the kid in.

Roger gave Israel a nervous glance, but then relaxed in the face of Ashley’s smile. “She’s much better, thanks, Ms. Silver. The rehab hospital really helped. I’m—we’re really grateful for everything you did for her. She’s home now, with my aunt.”

“That’s wonderful,” Ashley said. “Thank you for bringing my flowers. You know you didn’t have to.”

He blushed practically the same shade as his hair. “It’s my pleasure, ma’am.” He stumbled out of the room, looking back over his shoulder at Ashley the whole time.

As soon as the door shut behind him, Israel asked, “What the hell was that about?” And why hadn’t anyone told him Ashley had a personal relationship with one of the crew?

Ashley was about to answer when there was another knock on the door. He muttered a curse and opened it to find Alicia.

“Oh, hi,” she said, looking Israel up and down. When he didn’t move, she put her hands on her hips and said, “Please, Dad, can Ashley come out and play? Or is she grounded?”