Unconventional

Scott didn’t sleep well that night, and his crew could tell.

“Hey, Scotty, what’s up your ass today?” Moe asked as he greased up some engine parts.

Scott sat back in his chair. “Had a visitor last night,” he said. He took another sip of his coffee, as the guys waited for him to continue. “Diana has a daughter.”

All the men stopped working and turned to look at him with wide eyes.

“Are you fucking serious?” Eric asked.

Scott nodded. “Yeah. Gonna be staying at the house for a while…”

The men were silent for a few minutes, trying to absorb the news. Then, Eric asked, “She didn’t tell you? Didn’t tell you that she was coming? Did she even ask if she could stay in YOUR house?”

“Nope, not a word,” Scott said.

“Dude, you know I love ya and commend you for what you’re doing, especially at first, but when is enough going to be enough? Kick her out!” Moe pleaded.

Scott looked at the man who had served with him in the corps and who he loved more than a brother. “I know… but it doesn’t feel like the right time…”

“HOW, Scott? Think back to everything over the last year! I…,” Moe said.

“There’s just something about Ashley. I can’t just kick her out,” he said, rubbing his knee again.

“Who’s Ashley?” Eric asked, dreading the answer.

“Diana’s daughter. She hadn’t seen or talked to Diana in ten years. I just think that she deserves some time to reconnect, and if I can make that happen, then so be it,” Scott explained.

“Ever the boy scout! How old is Ashley? Just be careful, Scotty, so that you don’t get hurt,” Eric warned him.

Scott nodded. “She’s twenty-five, and I will be careful. Alright, everyone, get your asses back to work!”

The men chuckled and resumed working. Scott went to his office to make more orders and return some phone calls. He turned to see Moe standing in the doorway with a knowing smile on his face.

“So, Ashley… Just something about her, huh?” he asked.

“You gonna bust my ass, Moe? Yeah, something about her.” Scott groaned.

“What does she look like?”

“Really?” Scott scoffed.

Moe shrugged. “I’m just saying.”

“Saying what exactly? You know me, bro!” Scott was exasperated.

“Oh, I do know you. That’s the point. I know you’ve been miserable for a while. You need a connection with someone, and just so you know, a light twinkles in your eye every time you say her name,” Moe countered.

Scott rolled his eyes.

“I just never pegged you for a kink guy.” Moe shrugged.

“WHAT are you talking about?” Scott asked, “A kink guy??”

“You want Ashley to call you ‘Daddy’ when you do her? Is that it?” Moe chuckled.

“You’re an ass, Moe! God, just let it go! I will be fine. I promise!” Scott said, brushing him off.

Moe grinned and walked back to the bike he had been standing in front of; it was ready to be painted.

He didn’t see the way Scott adjusted his jeans under the desk at the thought of the beautiful woman in his guest room, sleeping with her red hair spilling around her as she hugged the pillow.

He mumbled to himself about how ridiculous it was to think that he had “daddy kink” fantasies.

***

Ashley hadn’t slept this well in weeks. She was tired of cheap motel beds, and a real mattress was just what she needed.

She woke at about 9:30 am and went out to the kitchen to find the coffee still hot in the machine and a note from Scott.

“Make yourself at home. Creamer is in the fridge if you need it. I usually get home at about six or so. Maybe we can go for dinner tonight to get to know each other? Here’s my number if you need anything—Scott.”

She smiled as she saw his scribbled signature. Then she poured herself a cup of coffee and stirred in some sugar.

After returning to her room with the note, she climbed into the shower, relishing the hot water as it ran down her body. Ashley loved hot showers, and this one was perfect to work the traveling kinks out of her body.

She got out, put on some clothes, and dried her hair. Then, she started on some much-needed laundry work.

With her earbuds on her, she set up her computer on the dining room table and uploaded some shots from a few days ago in Utah.

She found a banana on the counter and started processing the shots. In a good groove between her work and the laundry, she was oblivious to the world around her.

Ashley didn’t realize how much time had passed, and she screamed and jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“I think it’s time for decaf!!” Diana laughed, grabbing her sides, “That was hysterical!”

“Yeah, thanks, Diana,” Ashley grumbled, then sat back down. “How was work? Where are you working now?”

Diana launched into a story about the club she was working at and all the cool people she had met. Ashley thought it wasn’t a great choice and knew that she wouldn’t be able to resist the temptations that came with working there.

She would have to ask Scott about that at dinner and what he thought. Ashley listened to Diana’s talk and was surprised that she hardly mentioned Scott.

“So, how did you and Scott meet?” Ashley asked.

“Oh, at the rec center about eighteen months ago. But you don’t want that story. Let me tell you about this time…” She launched into another story about the club.

Ashley was used to Diana dominating the conversation, and she just let her go until Diana saw the clock and jumped.

“Shit! I have to get ready for work!” exclaimed Diana, running to her room.

With a sigh, Ashley went back to work until Diana ran out the front door, yelling that she would see her the next day.

Ashley was finishing her laundry and organizing her clothes when she heard a deep voice ask how her day was. She gulped as she looked up to see the owner of the voice standing in the doorway.

He looked even better than she remembered. He was wearing faded black jeans that fit him perfectly and a light gray long-sleeve Henley that stretched across his broad chest.

He took his knit cap off, leaving his hair messy again; shoved it in his back pocket; and smiled at her.

Ashley felt that smile warm her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She shyly smiled back at him as she put the last of her shirts in the dresser drawer.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me using the dresser?” she asked.

“Absolutely! No one else is, and living out of a suitcase is not fun,” he added.

“Thanks, Scott…” she smiled again, blushing slightly.

“How about grabbing some dinner? I haven’t gone grocery shopping yet this week,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Sure! I’ll put my shoes on and be ready in a second.”

Nodding, Scott went out to the living room to wait.