CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
I prop my elbow on the bar, leaning forward to get the best view. “Nice ass, trouble.”
“This old thing?” Drake smacks his denim-clad butt. “It’s yours.”
“Mhmm, come to mama.” My tongue glides across my bottom lip to collect drool.
“Keep ogling me like that and you’ll never get your cocktail.”
“Ditch the tail. You can quench my thirst.” I pop my mouth for emphasis.
He glances at me over his shoulder. Ice rattles in the shaker as he vigorously mixes the contents of my mystery beverage. “What’s gotten into you?”
The warm fuzzies in my belly are served with a sigh of blissful contentment. “Happiness.”
“My penis?”
“That too,” I laugh.
“Irresistible combo.”
My brows bounce. “Quite addictive.”
Drake turns and grabs a mason jar. I watch as he slicks sugar on the rim before setting it on the counter. His steady hand pours in a yellow concoction until the liquid almost spills over. A striped straw and lemon are the final touches.
“How fancy,” I croon.
He lowers onto his forearms, putting us at eye level. “Only the best for you.”
My mouth waters but I resist for a moment longer. “I’ve heard about similar specialty drinks from Grace and Callie. Is this mine?”
“Beautiful Sunflower.” Drake gestures to the pretty blend he created. “Just like you.”
“I feel like this makes me an official cock den groupie.” A giggly snort escapes me when he rolls his eyes.
“Taste it.” His low demand tickles my desire and I squirm while reaching for the jar.
“Oh!” A burst of crisp flavor bathes my tongue. It’s tart but sweet, which fits the inspiration. I eagerly treat myself to another sip. “Super delicious.”
Drake’s gaze is fastened on me biting the straw. “Worthy of touching your lips?”
I nod and pucker purposefully for my next suckle. “Might be the best thing I’ve put in my mouth.”
He scowls. “Now you’re exaggerating.”
“You’re one to talk.” I wink.
There’s no argument from the pro. “I suppose it’s appropriate. We’re celebrating.”
“That’s the spirit.” I pause but can’t connect the dots. “Wait, the first day of kindergarten gets me a yummy for the tummy that’s uniquely handcrafted by none other than Drake Granger?”
The man responsible blinks at me. “How much booze did I put in there?”
“Plenty, but you’ll have to try harder to get me tipsy.” I blow him a kiss.
“That wasn’t part of the plan, but the evening is young.” His gaze scans the thin crowd, which leads him to where Kenzie and Charlie are playing with Sydney in the game area. “Maybe we can get Harper to babysit.”
“What am I doing for you, boss?” The blonde’s ears must’ve been burning.
“A great job tending this bar.” He knocks on the wood.
She crosses her arms. “You want something.”
“Maybe like thirty minutes of private, uninterrupted adult time in the office.” Drake glances at me. A naughty smirk reveals his dimples. “An hour would be better.”
“Ewww, no. I recognize that smile. Please don’t do unmentionable stuff to yourself again. My vision hasn’t fully recovered from the last time.” She slaps a palm over her eyes as if suddenly traumatized.
I choke on my recent swallow. “What happened?”
Drake hangs his head. “I was doing inventory.”
“Nobody is buying that bucket of bologna,” she jests. “Besides, I’m already on child duty while you two get inked.”
“Thanks again for doing that,” I tell her.
“No problem. It’s a breeze now that there’s a designated kid section. I should be thanking you for convincing him to add a space for them.”
“Totally his idea.” Which has my heart skipping several beats.
Drake shrugs, a rare blush staining his cheeks. “I thought they’d appreciate it.”
“Us more than them,” Harper states. Her gaze catches on a couple who need a refill. “Don’t talk about me while I’m gone.”
“We’re not actually sneaking off, right?” Although the heat rushing through my veins demands relief.
My boyfriend regains his confident composure. “No, but we’re celebrating.”
“Ah, right. The twins went to school. Major milestone. Kenzie calls the school bus a banana limo, which is adorable and deserves a toast.” I raise my jar and clink against his nonexistent beverage.
“Not that,” he chuckles.
“Then what’s the occasion? It’s not Saturday.”
“Doesn’t have to be. Every moment we’re together deserves to be cherished.”
“Oh, my,” I breathe.
“And there’s this.” He pushes his phone across the counter.
The screen displays an article. My eyes bulge after reading the bold headline. “Is this real?”
Drake’s smug expression is answer enough. “News broke this morning.”
“Sutherland Homes filed for bankruptcy,” I repeat. “How did this happen?”
“I took care of it.”
My lashes sweep upward to study his prideful stance. “Bodily harm?”
“Nope.”
“Physical violence?”
“Not even a scratch.”
“This is legit?” I wave his phone.
He nods. “You’ll never have to worry about them again.”
A hot sting blurs my sight but I see him standing in front of me like an invincible pillar of strength. Affection spreads through me in a comforting wave. I rise off my stool and scramble onto the counter. Drake grabs my arms, refusing to let me fall. His encouragement will always catch me.
My palms clasp his neck and use the grip to pull him toward me. “I love you.”
“Love you,” he mumbles into the kiss.
“Grosssssss,” Charlie cries. “Rake is getting Mommy’s germs.”
Kenzie pretends to vomit, which could earn her a spot on Broadway. “Nooooo, Pinkie Pie! You’re giving Mommy cooties. That’s disgusting.”
Sydney stares at the twins as if ten years separates her from them rather than two. “They’re just kissing.”
“Yeah, Mac and Cheese.” Drake gives me a chaste peck before I return to my seat. “Don’t yuck my yum.”
The twins exchange a blank stare. Charlie’s nose wrinkles when he refocuses on the man who was recently attached to my mouth. “I don’t like yucky yum. Too slobbery. Bleh.”
“More for me,” he responds. “Your mom’s slobber is my favorite.”
I nudge him. “Hush.”
Kenzie has her fists parked on her hips. “You’re gonna get a baby in your belly.”
My wince scolds her lacking knowledge of the birds and the bees. “That’s not how it works.”
“Yes-huh,” she demands. “Pinkie Pie is gonna give you his seed when you do the kissing. You plant his seed in your tummy and drink lotsa water until the baby grows.”
I make the mistake of taking a sip during her explanation. Beautiful Sunflower spews over the floor as I register the words. “No, bunny. Just… no.”
“Maybe we should put in more effort,” Drake mumbles.
My lips roll between my teeth to trap a laugh. “Stop it.”
Charlie’s expression is full of wonder. “Wow.”
“What’s that face for, boo?” I don’t mention the awe in his voice.
“You’ve got a garden in there.” He points at my torso.
My arm slides across my midsection as if that will make him forget the subject. “Nope, just food. No seeds or plants or gardens.”
“Just wait until I become a farmer,” Drake mumbles under his breath.
My cheeks burst into flames. “Oh. My. Gosh. You’re in so much—”
“We’re hungry,” Charlie whines.
“My tummy is mad.” Kenzie squishes her stomach as if it’s complaining.
“Can I please have a snack?” Sydney bats her eyelashes. This girl gets it.
“Don’t let Garrett feed them,” Harper yells from the opposite side of the room.
I giggle at the reminder of rainbow peen candy, along with my upgraded version. “Definitely not. They need something more substantial.”
“I’ve got just the thing.” Drake taps on the register to send an order to the kitchen staff. “Shouldn’t take long, VIPs.”
“Let’s keep shooting each other!” Charlie whips around, taking aim at the two girls.
Before I can interject, Kenzie points at her leg. “I’m gonna finger blast myself.”
“Me too!” My little boy repeats his sister’s actions.
Sydney huffs. “But I don’t wanna blast myself.”
“We’ll do it together as a team,” Kenzie offers and yanks on her arm.
Drake whistles as the kids race off to their play space. “That’s a shocker.”
“I can’t believe you.” But there’s no upset in my tone. On the contrary, I’m once again melting into mush over how good he is with them. “My children are thoroughly distracted by the craft corner you arranged for them. Could you be more perfect?”
“Probably.”
“You’re right.” I tap my lips. “Something is missing.”
He clutches at his chest. “Ouch.”
“Maybe this will help.” I fetch the wrapped package in my purse.
Drake rubs his palms together. “You got me a present?”
“Consider it mutually beneficial.”
His eyes heat. “Is this like the goodies in your drawer?”
“Gosh, no. This is appropriate for public.”
He rips open the paper. A dramatic ooooooh streams from him as he reveals the orange fabric. The shirt is tugged over his head before he notices what’s written on the front.
“Fits great.” He yanks on the hem to see the bold script. “I’ll do whatever the cowgirl says.”
“We match.” I unbutton my western shirt to reveal mine.
“The cowgirl,” he reads.
“Your one and only.”
“Damn straight.” Drake claps and gestures at me. He succeeds in gathering everyone’s attention. “Hey, guess what? She totally gets me!”
“We know,” Harper replies while exiting the kitchen. “Get that tattoo done and make it permanent.”
My boyfriend glances at the clock. “Still good to go at seven?”
“Absolutely. I’m looking forward to it.”
Harper pauses beside me and drops off a basket of mini tacos. “What’re you getting again?”
I’m momentarily distracted by one of my favorite foods. “Um, a tattoo.”
“Obviously,” she scoffs. “But what’s the design?”
“Oh!” I thump my forehead. “A sunflower with a horseshoe blended into the petals.”
“And what in the middle?” Drake prods.
The aroma of fried goodness is going straight to my brain. “A baseball.”
Harper exhales a groan. “You two are the cutest. I better be invited to the wedding.”
The taco in my fingers pauses halfway to my mouth. “Umm…?”
But she’s already walking away to serve the kids. A chorus of joy erupts when they discover what Drake ordered. I couldn’t agree more as I crunch down on a savory bite. This is another win for the troublemaker.
“Mini tacos!” Charlie whoops, pumping a fist into the air. “You’re the bestest, Rake.”
“Right back at you, Cheese.” He waves as if my son isn’t already fawning over him. “Same goes for you, Mac.”
My daughter is too busy munching on a taco, which I realize is poor phrasing far too late. Luckily, nobody can hear my thoughts. She gives Drake a thumbs-up and rubs her belly in glee.
“When did Roosters get these things?” Sydney holds one up like it’s a foreign object.
“I asked for them,” Charlie beams. “Put it in your mouth and swallow.”
A sharp edge of the shell gets stuck in my throat, or maybe it’s just my son’s provocative advice. Drake vaults over the bar and begins patting my back. The obstruction clears after another thwack.
“Good grief,” I croak.
“Careful how much you shove in there at once. Go slow, beauty.” His concern is betrayed by a dry chuckle.
“It’s been too long.” My hungry grasp already has another plucked from the basket. “I’ve missed you, mini tacos.”
Drake’s laughter booms louder. “That’s what I told yours this morning.”
“And she thanks you for the cream filling.”
His inhale morphs into a cough. “Damn, that’s rough.”
“Sure was,” I croon.
He hooks an arm around me, hauling me flush against him. “Hey, beauty?”
My chin rests on his sternum as I admire him. “Yes, trouble?”
His hands gather mine. “I have a very important question to ask you.”
Between the tender timbre of his voice and the fact he’s stroking my left ring finger, assumptions rush to the surface.
“Will you,” he pauses to gulp and my answer prepares itself on the tip of my tongue. “Dance with me?”
“Yes!” I blurt. Then I blink. “Oh, what?”
But Drake is already taking the lead on this foul play. His wolfish grin greets my parted lips before he spins me. Our arms fold when he brings my back to his front, skipping us forward. We’re quickly facing each other again while gliding into formation.
I recognize the style immediately. “You know how to two-step?”
“Taught myself when we first started dating.”
“Of course you did,” I laugh. “Good grief. How is this my life?”
Drake twirls me again before we stride ahead. “You fell in love with me.”
My heart sings to the beat of riding off into the sunset. “Best. Decision. Ever.”