Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
“ Do not be in a hurry, the right man will come at last. ”
~Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
W ho would have guessed Elle Davidson would be excited to go to the VFW? Wrapping up her workday early, she had enough time to change, freshen up, and get to the VFW by seven. With Clayton and Pete debuting as a one-night-only team, she wanted to be there for every second of it. Pulling on her favorite pair of skinny dark blue jeans and a flowy red tank, she felt sexy but not too sexy. She was going to the VFW to watch her uncle play darts, after all. The jeans screamed “Take me off!” while the top more subtly suggested “Take me to dinner first.” Although, she doubted she’d make Clayton take her to dinner before helping her out of these jeans.
After clasping on her starfish pendant and tugging a brush through her long hair, she grabbed a cardigan and headed out. The VFW parking lot was almost filled. Elle had to park around back, away from the main entrance.
“Hey, Laney!” Elle waved, walking over to the bar as she entered the VFW.
“Hey, Eleanor… Elle.” Laney said.
Guess that’s sticking .
“Do you know if Pete and Janet have ordered anything yet?” Elle asked.
“Nope, but I know they’re here. I saw Janet come in about ten minutes ago.”
“Great. Can I order a pitcher of Genny Lite, and an order of mild and an order of hot wings?” Elle paused, her face drawn into a hopeful expression. “Do you have Ketel One yet?”
“Still a VFW.” Laney rolled her eyes, filling a pitcher.
“A girl can dream. Vodka soda with whatever moonshine you have.” Elle took the handle of the pitcher as Laney pushed it toward her.
“I’ll bring the wings over when they’re out.” Laney smiled, handing Elle her drink.
“How much, Laney?”
"It's on him," she gestured to someone behind Elle.
Elle spun to find her favorite gray eyes looking at her. An unabashed grin accentuated Clayton’s strong jaw line.
“Hey, Laney.” He tipped his head toward Laney without breaking eye contact with Elle. “Elle.”
“Clayton.” Heat inched up her neck to her cheeks.It had been twelve hours since she last saw him, and they had texted on and off most of the day. Yet, her body reacted as if it had been days. The thump, thump of her heart drowned out the raucous laughter of the men at the corner of the bar.
“You look…” His darkening eyes raked over her. “…nice.” His lips said nice, but his stare said something else entirely.
“Thanks.” She licked her lips, staring at his mouth.
“I thought you’d like some help…” His voice was buttery as he bent close to her ear, his arm reaching around her to the bar. The warmth of his breath planted a phantom kiss below her ear as he spoke. “…with carrying all this.” Clayton’s tone was flirtatious as he straightened, holding the pitcher of beer.
Elle gulped her drink, her throat suddenly dry.
“Nobody is in the banquet room if you two need to be alone,” Laney snarked from behind Elle.
Elle laughed nervously, turning. “Oh Laney, you’re funny.”
“Suuuuree. I’ll bring those wings out in a bit. Have fun, you two.” Laney moved down to the large group of men at the end of the bar.
“You need to stop that.” Elle hissed with a laugh, pointing at Clayton.
“Stop what?” His eyes smoldered.
“That!” She motioned to his eyes.
“Well, you need to stop that.” He wagged his finger at her.
“What?”
“Being you. It’s utterly irresistible.” He winked, placing his hand on her lower back, guiding her away from the bar.
“I’m serious.” She warned, the crimson of her cheeks no doubt matching the color of her top.
“Me too.” He smiled, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Don’t worry. I’ll be good, starting now.”
“Thank you.” She bit her lower lip. “If you’re good now, you can be naughty later.”
“Noted.” he murmured, the pads of his fingers massaging her lower back.
“Elle!”Pete greeted, hugging her as they arrived at their table.
“Look at you in jeans!” Janet fawned, turning her around to inspect. “Who knew you had a nice little booty.”
“Janet!” Elle swatted away Janet’s hands.
“Pete, we’re still good with Walk the Dog as our name, right?”Clayton shifted talk away from Elle’s butt.
In the thrall of her hormones since seeing Clayton tonight, Elle hadn’t looked closely at what both men were wearing. Pete wore a black T-shirt with large white block lettering spelling out GrandPAW over a white silhouette of a lab. Clayton’s white T-shirt featured a sleeping Fitz, of course, with the words Pug Daddy hovering above the image.
Team Walk the Dog played in one of the first matches. They played Let It Wine, comprised of Noah and Todd. Team Walk the Dog won that match.
The night proceeded with match after match filled with good natured ribbing. When the guys weren’t playing, they joined Elle and Janet at the table, munching on wings and sipping their beer.
“Elle, beer?” Todd asked, as he appeared with a fresh pitcher for the table.
“Sorry, I don’t like beer,” she scrunched her nose.
Todd placed his hand on his heart and let out an exaggerated gasp, “She says to the brewmaster!”
Talk turned to Noah and Todd’s soon-to-open brewery. The new place, located just off Main Street around the corner from the Village Rose, would open in May once renovations were finished.
“I bet I can change your mind on beer.” Todd winked at Elle before motioning to Noah. “We should do a tasting.”
“Yes! At my house. What are you all doing tomorrow night?” Noah said.
“Pete and I have a date. He’s taking me to the drive-in.” Janet grinned.
“To neck?” Elle teased.
“ Maybe .”
“Gross. Why did I say that?” Elle groaned.
“Elle, you free?” Todd asked, his eyes expectant.
“I’m supposed to meet up with Carmen.”
“Just bring her.”
“Umm…alright.” Elle said.
“Clayton, you in?”
Clayton shrugged and Elle nodded. Guess they were going to a beer tasting.
“I’ll make a cheeseboard,”Elle offered.
“Hey whiners, you’re up!” someone shouted from the darts area.
“Let’s go.” Todd tugged Noah away.
“I love Todd for him.” Elle sighed gleefully, motioning to Noah, now in a headlock by Todd.
“He’s the only person who flusters Noah.” Clayton said, sipping from Elle’s drink like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Oh, you need a fresh drink. Want something?” He scrunched his nose.
“Better make it an iced tea. I’m driving.”
“I’ll grab it.” He squeezed her shoulder.
Elle’s gaze lingered on his back as he retreated. Or rather on how his jeans hung on his hips until snapping fingers flashed in front of her.
“What’s going on there?” Aunt Janet probed.
“He’s getting me an iced tea,” Elle said coyly.
“Is that a euphemism?”
“Janet!” Distract her . “Hey, I have news. I have to fly to Boston on Wednesday for a work thing. I need to buy a dress. Do you want to go shopping on Monday? I’m taking the day off. My assistant found an adorable boutique in Williamsville that I’d like to check out. We could do lunch after.”
“Hell yes!” Janet squealed.
They finalized details as the last match of the night began. The Charles Brothers, who had won every Thursday for the last six years, stood against Team Walk the Dog. The air thick as everyone inched closer to the dart boards.
Clayton stepped to the line holding his yellow dart. Tiny beads of sweat dotted Pete’s brow, undermining his confident stare. Elle gave Clayton a reassuring thumbs up as he lined up his shot.
Everyone held their breath as Clayton lifted his arm and let his dart fly.
“Bull’s-eye!” Noah yelled, jumping in the air to chest bump Todd.
Everyone cheered, Pete swung Clayton in the air like a rag doll.
Janet bellowed at Pete to put Doc down before he hurt his back. “You’re almost 50!” she jeered.
Placing Clayton down, Pete ran over to his wife, scooping her up for a big sloppy kiss.
Elle watched Clayton, who shook hands with the other team.
As Clayton turned to walk away from the Charles Brothers, he stopped and locked eyes with her. Grinning from ten feet away the sea of congratulating spectators faded away.
Jump! Elle’s heart sucker punched her logic and took control. Without thinking, she ran toward Clayton and leapt into his waiting arms. Clayton dipped his head and kissed her hard. In that moment everything and everyone else dissolved. It was just them.
“I knew it!” Janet’s shrill voice jolted Elle back to reality.
Elle wiggled free of Clayton’s arms and faced her aunt. Clayton threaded his arms around her waist. Janet’s features toggled between “I knew it” and gushing. Pete stood, arms crossed, with an expression that Elle couldn’t read.
“Him?”Pete gestured to Clayton but kept his stare on Elle.
“Yes.” Elle leaned against Clayton for support.
Pete’s blue eyes flicked between them.
“Son…” Pete cleared his throat, placing a firm hand on Clayton’s shoulder. “…The family will be having dinner Monday to welcome Tobey and Jerome back home. I hope you can be there.”
“Of course.”
“Great. I can show you my gun collection.” Pete’s stare featured a slightly menacing glint. “Alright kiddo, we’re heading home. I love you.” He kissed Elle’s forehead and she pushed into his chest, his arms tugging her close.
“He’s a good man. Just like you.”
“To me, nobody will ever be good enough. Although, I know he’ll come close.”Pete whispered back, clenching her tight. “Make sure she gets home safely.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh man, I thought Coach was going to kick your ass.”Todd chuckled, once Pete and Janet were out of earshot.
“Nah.” Noah waved Todd off. “Elle will protect him.”
Later, hands clasped, they walked to her rental. The dark parking lot was nearly deserted. The only illumination a single flood light hanging on the side of the VFW several feet away from her parked car.
As Clayton traced her lips with his soft fingers, he said, “Did Braedon get your travel booked?”
“Yeah. I fly out of Buffalo at seven a.m. Wednesday and fly back Thursday early.”
“Is the dinner something you’d take a date to?” he asked, his fingers slipping into the loops of her jeans.
“If it was back in L.A., I’d probably drag Willa or Viet.”
“So, dates are allowed?”
“Yes.” Her voice was thready as the pads of his fingers dragged up her torso over the thin fabric of her top.
“Do you want a date?”
Her body was heating from his touch and questions. “It’s in Boston.”
“Do you want a date?” he repeated, his fingers moving torturously slow up her throat.
“I’m only gone for twenty-four hours.”
“Do you want a date?” His fingers inched up her face to her hairline, combing through her smooth strands.
“It’s too much to ask.”
“Answer my question.”
“Clayton.” she sighed.
“Ask for what you want.” he said, eyes determined.
Something tight filled her chest. To just ask for what she wanted was huge for her. Asking left her vulnerable to being crushed by a “no”. If she didn’t ask, she couldn’t be crushed by his response. This man stood in front of her demanding for her to ask, to say what she wanted.
“Will you fly to Boston with me for a day to wear something pink at a boring fundraiser with me?” Her voice cracked a little.
“Of course.”
“But it’s such an imposition?—”
He stopped her with a kiss.
Lifting his head, he cupped her face. “Nothing’s an imposition when you care about someone. And I care about you Elle, very much.”
Her smile trembled as much as the butterflies in her belly.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” Clayton asked.
“Well, as you are a dead man walking, I should.”
“I think I know what I’d like for my last meal.” He nipped at her bottom lip.
“We should probably get home then.”
Clayton kissed her slowly, his hands moving to her waist.
“Yes.” he murmured, dragging his mouth to her throat. “I thought your yoga pants were killing me, but these jeans are annihilating my self-control. I fought pulling you into the banquet room all night.”
“And what would happen in that room?”
“I’d start here.” He kissed below her ear. “Then here.” He licked her throat.
He dropped his hands to grip Elle’s butt and lifted her. She wrapped her thighs around his hips. A small moan escaped as Clayton ground against her. The friction of the denim layers between them heated her core like a pan of water just starting to boil.
“Seriously, if you two need a room I can unlock the door for you.” Laney’s mocking voice shattered their lust-filled bubble.
Clayton released Elle’s legs, allowing her to slide to her feet while remaining pressed against her either to keep her shielded or to hide his erection. Elle buried her blazing face in his neck. Had she just gotten caught making out in the VFW parking lot? Sure did.
“Thanks. I think we’ll head home.” Clayton cleared his throat.
“Good night…Sleep tight,” she taunted suggestively as she walked away.
Elle burst out in horrified laughter, grabbing at her stomach. “If she tells anyone and my uncle finds out…”
“All the more reason for us to hurry home. I’ve got a final meal to devour.”