Her expression was more amused and less annoyed, which he appreciated, as he was risking his balls standing so close.

“I watched you race, which was very sexy. I hung out with my friends and had burgers and half a beer. So yes, I’m cool to drive. I’m going home, where I plan to get into my pajamas and catch up on my DVR. Call me when you can.”

He was pretty sure that were their situations reversed, he’d be far less understanding. He kissed her quickly. “This isn’t like Mick. He’s usually ridiculously protective and mannerly. I don’t know what’s going on with him, but I’m going to talk to him right now.”

She raised her brow but didn’t say anything.

He opened her door. “I admire your restraint right now. I also need to tell you how hot it was when you flipped Mick off and told him to eat a bag of dicks. You’re a little bit crazy, aren’t you?”

“Young and crazy. Asa, you’re going to have such a good time with me.”

He snorted a laugh and hugged her to him, kissing her forehead. “I already do have a good time with you.” He remembered why she’d stepped away to start with. “Oh hey, is your mom okay?”

“Yes, she wanted to make lunch plans. Thank you for asking.”

“I’m going to kiss you. I’m giving you warning so you won’t maim me when I get that close.”

“Take your chances, Asa.”

He slid a palm around the back of her neck and held her close as he kissed her. She sighed into him, relaxing.

“You’re lucky you’re so good with your mouth.” She kissed him once more and then got into the car.

He closed the door and tapped on her roof before stepping back and watching her drive away, well aware of just how lucky he was.

And then he headed back to where Mick was.

“Just what the fuck is your problem?” Asa asked Mick as he approached where Mick stood with Duke, away from the main tent. Things had died down and people were back to drinking, so at least that much happened.

“How old is that girl?” Mick asked.

“I believe the term for females over eighteen is ‘woman.’ She’s twenty-five.”

“You’re how old? Forty-five?”

Asa flipped him off. “Thirty-seven.”

Mick rolled his eyes. “She’s too young for you. She’s your midlife crisis and you’re her sugar daddy.”

“Sugar daddy?” Asa barked a surprised laugh. “Is that what this is about? She’s got more money than I do. She’s a Colman. As in Colman Enterprises? She has her own business, which is successful. She’s not too young for me, and I’m not having a midlife crisis.”

“Anything younger than a decade is officially too young. I have socks older than her.”

“No, you don’t. You’re so full of shit.” Duke shook his head. “She doesn’t need a sugar daddy. She’s got talent. Real talent, and all the connections she needs on her own. Her family is more steeped in car culture than we ever will be.”

Asa shoved Mick toward where the Oldsmobile was. “See that paint job? That’s her. All her. Triple metallic. Perfect. She doesn’t need me for this. She’s got it on her own.”

Mick prowled around the car, peering closely at it until he came to a stop at Asa’s side again.

“I’m impressed by anyone with that sort of skill. But she’s so young, Asa. Innocent. I bet she has freckles and polishes apples she takes to the teacher.”

“And so what if she does? She’s a big girl. She knows how to say no, and that’s all it would take.” Not even that. He was in tune with her. Listened to her responses so he could avoid a situation where she’d have to say no in the first place.

“Take my word for it, Penelope Jean isn’t doing anything she doesn’t want to do. I’ve come to know her over the last months. You owe her an apology and some chocolate.” Duke shrugged. “Also, she didn’t polish an apple for you. I seem to recall you got the finger and an admonition to eat a bag of dicks. She brings me cinnamon candy popcorn because it’s my favorite.”

Asa laughed. “PJ is capable of handling herself, but in this case, you’re my friend and she shouldn’t have to. I won’t let you hurt her, Mick. She’s important to me.”

Mick leaned against a light post.

“Is this chick even your type? I’ve never seen you with a woman like her.”

Duke spoke this time. “Interestingly enough, she seemed to be your type. Don’t think you looking at her ass was a secret. Something you want to tell us?”

Mick blushed hard enough that Asa could see it even in the dim light.

“I’ve never hid that I like women too. She just reminded me of someone for a moment. That’s all. She’s pretty, no lie. Great body. She’s just not your usual. Young. I jumped to conclusions and got protective and weird.”

Mick slid a palm over his head. That sound, the scratch of skin on the stubble of the scalp their friend shaved regularly, was so normal, something Asa had heard during every situation imaginable.

This was Asa, Duke, and Mick. Like it had been for years.

“Jesus. I bet she’s going to make me pay. She seems the type,” Mick said.

Young and crazy, she’d teased him. Asa’d had his share of crazy women, and she really wasn’t in that category. Which was a very good thing. But she had enough of that energy, enough sass and sense of self that she embodied the things he dug about those sorts of intense people without the restraining-order parts.