Sassy Ever After: Kiss My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Serena Pettus

  With Lilly all snug in her car seat, she set off to try and get her errands done as fast as possible.

  The first two stops went fairly quickly, especially since she’d placed her order ahead of time. Now it was time for the dreaded grocery run. Ashe didn’t think there was a woman alive who actually enjoyed going food shopping.

  Toting Lilly’s car seat inside, she secured it to the shopping cart, watching as her daughter’s eyes darted around taking everything in.

  Every now and then another shopper would stop to compliment on her cuteness, but what struck Ashe as odd was how some of them seemed to sniff. It was almost like they could smell something, but nobody commented on it.

  Thinking perhaps Lilly had messed her diaper, Ashe gave her a quick check, but came up with nothing. With the baby all clear, she wracked her brain trying to recall if she’d remembered to put her deodorant on before leaving the house.

  A glance up and down the aisle confirmed that she was the only one in it, so she quickly snuck a whiff of her pit, relieved to detect the powder-fresh scent.

  She was just lowering her arm when possibly the hottest guy she’d ever laid eyes on passed the row. He was walking slow enough for her to get a good look, and Ashe took full advantage. She may be a single mom, but it wasn’t like she couldn’t enjoy the view.

  Olive skin, jet black hair, and a tall, toned body encased in some worn jeans and a black t-shirt stretched over broad shoulders? Yes, please! She thought with a sigh.

  It wasn’t like a guy like that would swoon over a single mom anyway, especially with her abundant curves, but a girl could dream, right?

  She was looking over the label on a can of baby formula when she heard running footsteps. Turning, Ashe was caught off-guard when a wiry little guy latched onto her purse strap and yanked as he continued to run.

  Her shoulder burned as her arm was wrenched backward, her feet tangling as she spun, sending her crashing to the ground. Her back it the cart, jostling Lilly and causing a startled cry to erupt from her.

  “Stop you bastard!” she screamed, though he was already rounding the end of the aisle. “Just freaking great,” she muttered, beginning to stand.

  She was kneeling when a pair of strong arms lifted her to her feet. Peeking over her shoulder, she saw Benson, the local honey supplier, gazing at her with concern.

  “Are you okay? Did he hurt either of you?” he asked, his eyes shifting to Lilly, who was still crying.

  “We’ll be fine, but he got my purse,” she grumbled, fumbling to unbuckle her daughter with shaking hands.

  “Here, let me help. My friend went after him.”

  Benson made quick work of the straps and Ashe pulled Lilly to her chest, bouncing and cooing in an effort to calm her down. “Thank you,” she said, smiling at the giant of a man. He was probably close to seven foot tall!

  She’d seen him around town and he always had a smile and a kind word for everybody. His sheer size would be intimidating if not for the way he presented himself.

  “You’re very welcome,” he replied, looking past her. “Ah, it looks like Luke got your purse back.”

  Turning, Ashe nearly swallowed her tongue. She couldn’t help but stare into the most mesmerizing set of ice-blue eyes she’d ever seen.

  It was the guy from before, and now he was striding toward her with a confident swagger. It gave him a predatory quality that just did it for her. There was no doubt about it, the guy was smokin’…and Ashe was still staring.

  He cleared his throat, holding her bag out to her as he approached. “Here you go, ma’am. Are you okay?”

  “Thank you so much! We’re fine, just a little shaken up.” Reaching for her purse, Ashe’s arm protested the movement. No doubt she’d be feeling sore for a few days.

  He must have picked up on it, because instead of handing it to her, he placed it in her cart. Lilly was cuddled into her shoulder, probably peeking at the large man standing behind her, judging by the soft whispers.

  “Aren’t you a brave girl?” she heard Benson say. There was just something about babies that turned everyone into softies. She was smiling as Lilly gurgled back at him, until purse-boy sniffed in her direction.

  Still very much on edge from the whole ordeal, her mouth overrode her current gratitude and snapped, “What the hell is everyone sniffing at? I don’t stink and Lilly’s butt is clean, so what gives?”

  Clearly she’d startled the poor guy with her outburst if his step back was any indication, but really, a girl could only take so much.

  “I’m sorry,” he replied. “It’s nothing bad at all, I promise. Actually you smell really good. I apologize for being rude.” He took a tentative step forward, extending his hand. “I’m Luke, by the way.”

  “Ashelynn, and this is Lilly. I’m sorry I snapped, but I swear just about everyone I’ve seen today has sniffed at us. It’s weird as hell.”

  A chuckled from behind had her turning, only to realize that Lilly had ahold of Benson’s finger.

  “She’s got a strong grip for such a small girl. Her daddy will have his hands full when this little heartbreaker gets older too.”

  Benson’s comments, while sweet, still managed to hit on a subject Ashe was trying to come to terms with.

  “I don’t know where her dad is. I know who he is—I’m not that kind of girl—we just lost touch.”

  “I’m sorry,” he immediately offered, exchanging a glance with his friend.

  “Why? It’s not your fault. It just is what it is.” All she could do was shrug it off. She sure as hell didn’t want pity from these two men. “Thank you again for helping us, and for getting my purse back.”

  “How’s your arm? It seemed like it hurt for you to raise your arm when I tried to hand that back to you,” Luke asked, pointing to her bag in the cart.

  “It was on my shoulder when he snatched it, so I got wrenched pretty good. It’ll be fine, just a little tender,” Ashe replied with a blush. Both men seemed very sweet.

  Benson stepped around to Ashe’s side, causing Lilly to squirm to see him still. “How about we help you to your car then? Are you almost set?”

  “Um, you really don’t have to bother. I just need a few cold items and I’ll be good to go.”

  “Let us give you a hand,” Luke insisted. “I’d hate to wonder if the two of you got out of here okay.”

  Seeing as her arm was really starting to ache, Ashe relented and thanked them for the help. Not to mention she was still shaken enough to be nervous about loading her car in the parking lot alone.

  Once she’d finished loading up with meats, frozen foods and other cold items, Benson pushed the cart to checkout where Luke proceeded to unload it, then place the bags back in when they’d been rung up.

  After she paid, they pushed her things out, allowing her to continue to hold Lilly, which was doing wonders for calming her nerves.

  “So where are you parked?” Benson asked.

  “I’m the silver SUV over there.” Ashe pointed off to the right, though she ended up distracted by the police cruiser with a very angry man in the backseat. “That’s the guy, isn’t it?” she asked, feeling a shiver run down her spine.

  “Yeah. Luke caught him, but a clerk had already called the law to report a suspicious man in the store,” Benson replied.

  Luke nodded. “They caught everything on the surveillance footage, but they’ll still want to get a statement from you, I’m sure.”

  “That won’t be a problem,” Ashe assured. “If a little paperwork is all they need to keep him from doing that to someone else, then I’ll be there.”

  They arrived at her vehicle and both men gawked when she unlocked the back. Admittedly, it was pretty full.

  “How the hell were you planning to unload all of this?” Luke asked. “Do you have help at home?”

  “Carefully,” she laughed. “I’ll have to be very careful. Don’t worry, I’m tougher than I look.”

  “I don’t doubt it, but it’s your shoulder that h
as me worried,” Benson pointed out. “Would you be okay with us following you back and unloading for you?”

  Ashe was definitely tempted. The bags of fertilizer were sure to give her trouble, but did she want to have two virtual strangers follow her to her house outside of town? With no nearby neighbors, she could be setting herself up for danger.

  “Benson, is that you?”

  Ashe turned in time to see one of the deputies strolling over, the other remaining by the car.

  “Hey Calvin. How are things going?”

  “Good, good. Especially now that your friend finally caught that little prick,” he said, jerking his thumb in the direction of the police car, before extending his hand to Luke. “You can really run, man.”

  “Thanks,” Luke said, giving Calvin’s hand a quick shake before he started placing bags into the SUV.

  “We’ve been after that jackal for weeks. He’s a slippery one, but we’re pretty sure he was the only one in the area. No loyalty amongst thieves, you know?”

  Jackal? What an odd thing to call him, she thought. Ashe didn’t miss the look that passed between the three men before a light bulb seemed to go off for Calvin.

  “I’m so sorry, I’m being very rude here. I’m deputy Calvin. You must be the young lady he tried to rob. At least you had Speedy over here to run him down and get your belongings back.” He extended his hand, offering her a card. “If you could swing by the station for a statement, that would be great.”

  “I’m Ashe. I’ll be happy to help any way I can. Would tomorrow be okay? I don’t live in town and I’d really like to just get home right now.”

  “That’s perfectly fine. Just ask for me when you do stop by and we’ll get through as quickly as possible,” he assured her, wiggling his fingers at a very drowsy Lilly.

  “Thanks.” She heard the back hatch of her SUV close and realized they’d already loaded everything up. “I really appreciate your help guys.”

  Luke looked back through the window at the large amount of merchandise inside. “I wish you’d agree to let us help you unload this. You don’t need to hurt yourself, especially with a little one to take care of.”

  Damn it, he was right. Well, how bad could they be if the deputy was so friendly with them? “I really am glad that you two came along when you did, and I guess you’re not raving psychos or pervs if you’re friends with a cop.” And there went her damn mouth again. “Okay, that may have come out wrong.”

  To her dismay, all three men were laughing. Hell, at least they’re not offended.

  Benson was the first to recover. “Sweetheart, my mother would beat my head to mush if I ever disrespected a woman.”

  “Mine too,” Luke agreed. “Besides, I like a woman with a little spunk,” he winked.

  Was he flirting?

  “Well, I have sass and ass in spades,” she retorted.

  “Not a thing wrong with that.”

  If she wasn’t mistaken, the way he was looking over her curves left her thinking he liked what he saw. And her body was certainly reacting to him as well, if only she could figure out what it was about him that affected her this way. Sure, he was hot, but it was like some part of her deep down wanted to be closer to him.

  Benson cleared his throat and Ashe felt her cheeks heat. “How about we get going? I’d hate for your groceries to start thawing.”

  “Absolutely. I’m just outside of town, if you want to follow?”

  “Lead the way. We’ll be right behind you,” Benson promised.

  Ashe carefully strapped a sleeping Lilly into her car seat before lifting it from the cart and setting it back into the base. With any luck she’d continue to nap long enough for Ashe to at least get her food put away.

  Pulling out of the parking lot, she noticed two things. First off, Benson drove a huge truck. Second, they’d left the store with nothing. That begged the question, what were they doing there?

  Reaching into her purse, she palmed the small can of pepper spray tucked inside an inner pocket. She had a feeling everything would be fine, but with her daughter to think about too, she had to be careful with who she trusted.

  Turning onto the long driveway to her house, Ashe slowed down so as not to wake Lilly with all the turns through the trees, thankful that her parents had paved it instead of leaving it as a dirt path.

  She pulled up to the front porch, frowning when she noticed the front door was cracked open. “What the hell?” She was sure she’d shut it when she’d left earlier.

  The guys hadn’t come up the driveway yet, but Ashe wasn’t one to rely on anyone. She took her pepper spray and hopped out of the SUV, closing the door as quietly as possible, and locking Lilly inside.

  She crept up the porch steps, careful to stay close to the railing to avoid the creaky board halfway up. Sure enough, the doorframe was damaged, so her home had been broken into.

  Heart in her throat, she nudged the door with her foot and peered inside. Things seemed to be relatively untouched from what she was able to see.

  Maybe they got spooked and took off when I pulled in, she thought. After all, she had no way of knowing when exactly the break-in occurred.

  A tentative step inside confirmed nothing was out of place for as far as she could see. Going through the kitchen, she saw the back door was still closed and locked, and all the windows were intact too.

  “Looks like I’ll be giving the cops two statements today,” she groused.

  With a sigh, she headed back to the front door only to stop cold at the foot of the stairs when a low chattering hiss came from above. The air froze in her lungs as she stared up at the biggest badger she’d ever seen.

  How it got inside didn’t really matter at that point, because the only exit available to it was right behind her, wide open and waiting. Unfortunately, that meant she was in the way.

  Horrified, she watched as it prowled down the stairs, its beady eyes focused on her, rooting her to the spot. She’d seen badgers before, but the markings on this one were different. Instead of the black stripes, which were usually over the eyes and head, this one had a silvery-white mantle that extended down its back, while the rest of it was solid black.

  All badgers were known to be rather vicious, but not necessarily very large. The one stalking towards her was at least two feet wide and four feet long. A monster among its kind for sure!

  Making sure her finger was on the trigger, she raised the pepper spray and aimed for the dark eyes trained on her. The hiss she got in response raised the tiny hairs on her arms and had her heart racing.

  “Where the hell did you come from? There aren’t any nuclear plants around to mutate the wildlife, but you sure are one ugly bastard.” Ashe was mainly talking to herself, but her words seemed to enrage the furry demon. For such a stocky thing, it practically flew down the steps. All she could do was spray and hope she hit it.

  Stepping quickly to the side, Ashe tried to avoid being too close as it bolted for the outdoors, but at the last minute, it twisted and struck. Its paws had claws that were longer than its damn teeth, and it raked them down her calf before scrambling out the door, hissing and chattering the whole way.

  “Son of a bitch!” she screamed, dropping to the floor. Her leg felt like someone had lit it on fire. The scratches were deep, and already bleeding freely, the blood making her feel woozy.

  Refusing to pass out, she averted her eyes from the injury, her maternal instincts kicking in. Sure, her rational mind knew the badger couldn’t get to Lilly in the car, but rational thought wasn’t really in play at the moment.

  There was still no sign of the guys, but she didn’t have time to worry about them now. Her sock and shoe were already blood-soaked, and she needed to fetch Lilly and doctor her leg as quickly as possible.

  Gritting her teeth, she struggled to her feet, stumbling out onto the porch. She tried to block out the pain radiating down her leg as she scanned the area for any signs of movement.

  If the badger came back she’d be in serious tr
ouble. A glance down had a wave of dizziness slamming into her. Blood was steadily oozing from her wounds, and while she was usually okay with the sight of blood, seeing her own was a completely different story.

  Averting her eyes, Ashe pulled her keys from her pocket and unlocked the doors. She was glad to see that Lilly was awake, but not fussing, because she would have been hard pressed to get her inside without waking her up.

  She was fumbling with the release for the car seat base when she saw Benson and Luke coming up the drive. There was no telling why they weren’t in the truck, but with sweat dotting her brow and her body beginning to shake, Ashe knew she was only moments from passing out for sure.

  Giving up on the base, she grabbed onto the door as everything began to tilt. Lilly’s face scrunched up as she let loose a wail, but the sound was so muffled to Ashe’s ringing ears she barely heard it as she felt herself sinking to the ground.

  Chapter Six

  Luke

  He still couldn’t believe it. Not only had he found Ashelynn, but she was his. Oh, she didn’t know it yet—and he’d have to approach things carefully—but she was his mate, and he intended to claim her.

  They were following her back to her house when Benson finally broke the silence. “So how do you plan to break the news about Matt?”

  Luke sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I have no idea. Things are getting complicated.”

  “How? She’s here, you managed to catch her mugger, and we’re going to her place now. Hell, you could get everything started today, then work up to the whole shifter thing in a day or two.”

  “We’ll have to discuss more than that,” Luke replied, turning to face his friend. “She’s my mate.”

  “Seriously?” Benson couldn’t have looked more stunned if Luke had punched him in the face.