CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
My boots trudge through the slush as I stomp toward the entrance of Slick City. I actually laughed when Ronnie called to tell me the news. Those poor souls don’t know who they’re dealing with. But then I realized just how serious this is.
Leave it to Francesca Keller to get corralled by security for intimidating a child. I’ve got to give her credit. Even I didn’t think she could pull off such an offense.
When I wrench open the door, a wall of noise smacks me in the face. This slide park was built in a repurposed warehouse and uncontrolled energy bounces from floor to ceiling. I let out a low whistle. Well, damn. It’s no wonder she lost her shit.
A young guy smiles at me from behind the greeter’s desk. “Welcome to—”
“Where is she?” My icy tone strongly suggests he doesn’t fuck with me.
He visibly shrinks back. “The woman who caused a scene?”
“That’s the one,” I rumble.
Ronnie is still whizzing around with her friends. One of their parents volunteered to keep an eye on her while I handle this problem.
The employee gestures to a far corner. “They have her blocked—”
I storm off before he can finish blabbering on. Those standing in my path wisely remove themselves. My pulse drums in my ears with each furious step. It’s too damn bright in here.
Two uniformed men are standing guard near an open room. That must be the place. I shoulder past them and slam the door behind me.
At the boom of my arrival, Frankie whirls to face me. Her wince has the decency to appear sincere. “I can explain.”
I cross my arms. “You sure as shit better.”
She drags her sharp, black talons through her hair. “That kid had it coming.”
“He’s a kid.” This situation calls for emphasis on that word.
“Still should know better,” she mutters. “If I yanked on a girl’s pigtail and called her ugly, I would’ve gotten my bare ass whipped with the belt. Probably would’ve given me the buckled part too.”
My frustration slams to a halt, swerving in a different direction. “What did he do?”
“I just told you.” Frankie studies my stupefied expression. “You didn’t know?”
I shake my head dumbly. “Figured he looked at you wrong or bumped into you on accident.”
“Oh, fuck off. I’m not that unhinged.”
My dry scoff claims otherwise. “You called him a baby after he peed his pants, which he only did because you scared the piss out of him.”
“Hey,” she snaps. “Jimmy got what he deserved. Nobody bullies my girl and gets away with it.”
“Wait,” I growl. “Jimmy Carlson?”
“How the fuck should I know?”
“He’s a little shit.”
She throws her hands up. “That’s what I said!”
I’m stalking across the room in the next second. Whatever’s burning in my stare has Frankie backing up until she’s flat against the wall. There’s no escape as I cage her upturned jaw in my palms, allowing me to crash our lips together.
An explosion of warmth rushes through me. It’s like basking in the sunshine after spending years buried in the cold of winter. My groan is desperate, bordering on a plea. An equally relieved sound spills from her before she breaks free.
“What’s happening?” she breathes across my mouth.
“Fuck,” I groan. “I’ve been thinking about kissing you senseless since you first mouthed off to me. It’s my new favorite way to shut you up.”
“Why didn’t you do it sooner?”
“I prefer to keep my balls attached.” And then I dive back in.
Frankie gasps, granting me deeper access.
My tongue glides along hers in a sensual caress.
She tastes like cinnamon and reckless abandon.
It’s addictive, much like her soft mewls.
Another guttural noise rips from me as I push against her, needing to get closer.
She fists my shirt and hooks a leg around my hip as if there’s still space to eliminate. Our shared hunger burns hot between us.
Time lapses while we explore this new contact. It’s more intimate than just sex. We’re delving into emotional territory where two halves become a whole. I forget where we are. All I feel is Frankie’s desire stroking mine.
But then she pulls away again. “Why are you kissing me?”
“Want to.” I lean in, but she stops me.
“But I did something bad.”
My forehead rests on hers. “Nah, you followed your gut and defended Ronnie.”
Her eyelids are still hooded with seduction. “Would you have done the same?”
“Maybe in a slightly less volatile manner.”
A throat clears loudly and Frankie peers over my shoulder. “The guards are watching.”
“Good. Let ‘em see what they’ll never have.” But the frantic urge to maul her has been satisfied. For now. “Wanna get out of here?”
“Yes, please.”
“Hmmm, so polite. Getting locked up at a kid’s play place has humbled you.”
She shudders. “I’m never coming back.”
“Glad you feel that way,” I chuckle. “You’re banned from the premises, menace.”
“You should’ve seen her, Daddy.” Ronnie punches at the air with short jabs. “Frannie came to my rescue. She’s a real superhero.”
Frankie cringes. “Depends who you ask, kiddo. Jimmy’s mom wants to see me behind bars.”
My little girl scrunches her face. “Like in jail?”
“Exactly,” the redhead mutters.
Ronnie gasps. “You can’t go to jail!”
“She won’t,” I rush to say. “So long as she doesn’t go near Jimmy or his mother.”
“If I ever see that kid’s pasty mug again, it’ll be too soon.” Frankie lifts her glass of iced tea.
I raise mine to clink against hers. “Cheers to that.”
After fleeing the scene of the crime, we found our way to The Paddock. It’s no Inn Kahoots, but the casual vibe and half price appetizers reignited Frankie’s spark. She’s sprawled in her chair like a regular local. I wonder if she knows about the mechanical bull. Only time will tell.
Ronnie sighs to a tune that concerns me. “You two love each other.”
Frankie chokes on her drink. “No, no. Definitely not.”
“Yes-huh! Brenna’s mom saw Daddy kiss you at Slick City.” She makes sloppy sound effects in case the message isn’t received. “That means you’re gonna get married.”
My chest gets tight as a suffocating pressure sinks in. At the same time, a stroke of satisfaction boosts my ego. It’s an odd combination.
Rather than read into it, I glance at Frankie. There’s a wildfire spreading across her face. She flaps her mouth open and closed uselessly. All that reclaimed bravado falters from a few simple statements.
“It didn’t mean anything,” she finally stammers.
I ignore the strike to my pride. “Mhmm, just showing my gratitude after she defended you.”
My daughter narrows her eyes. “You never kiss people.”
“Not that you know about,” I mutter.
The redhead’s brows fling halfway up her forehead. “Wouldn’t have pegged you for a kissing king, stud.”
“Jealous?”
She scoffs. “In your dreams.”
“How’s it going over here?” Our server appears out of thin air like a magician.
Ronnie waves at the familiar face. “Guess what?”
Christa taps a pen to her lips. “Am I allowed to say chicken butt or is that cancelled?”
That gets a giggle from my little girl. “You’re silly.”
“Phew, still got it.”
“This is our first date as a family!” My little girl looks happier than a pig rolling in spring mud.
I scrub a palm over my mouth to hide a grin. Christa has been working here since I can remember and is extremely well connected in town. This news is going to spread faster than if I posted it on the message board myself.
“Awww,” the server coos. “That’s so special. I didn’t know your daddy was dating your nanny.”
Ronnie bobs her head. “Frannie hid on New Year’s Eve and Daddy had to find her and I think they’ve been kissing lots. That means they’re getting married, right? It’s what happens in the movies.”
Christa slides a look my way and whatever she finds has her smiling wide. “Uh-huh, I think love is in the air.”
My daughter inhales deeply. “Oh, I smell it! Frannie and Daddy are in love.” She tugs on the redhead’s jacket sleeve, which knocks her from the stupor she’s caught in. “Are you gonna be my mommy now?”
Frankie’s gulp is audible. She looks seconds away from either bolting or ordering a shot of tequila. “Ummm…”
Christa rolls her lips between her teeth. “I’m gonna bring you an order of mini tacos on the house to celebrate.”
“Those are my favorite!” Ronnie shouts. “This is the best day ever.”
“And the meat raffle hasn’t even started yet,” Christa says before wandering off.
Before we get the chance to recover, a dark cloud looms over our table. An upward glance reveals the three assholes whose ill intentions tried to drag Frankie down at the auction.
My mood sours with a scowl. “I suggest you take several steps back before I make you.”
“Not here for you, Benson.” The man talking is probably in his mid-forties, but a tough road has aged him well beyond that. “If you insist on gettin’ in our way, we’ll do more than mess with your business.”
I stand to tower over the lot of them. “Explain.”
“We both know that’s not necessary.”
“Those were all you?”
Dennis is going to lose his shit when he finds out someone was targeting us on purpose. The vandalism and petty theft add up to a giant pain in the ass.
The one clearly in charge smirks. “Small inconveniences for our entertainment. You’d know if we actually wanted your attention. Isn’t that right, Francesca?”
“Can’t catch a break today.” Frankie’s meek lapse in appearance is long gone, replaced by her signature death glare. “Buzz off, buddies. You’ve got the wrong girl.”
“That ain’t true. You just haven’t come ‘round to the idea yet, but I reckon you will.”
“If that’s supposed to be a threat, just spit it out.” She fakes a yawn.
“We’ve got a job for you,” the leader says.
“Not interested.”
“You’ll want to hear what I’ve got to say.”
“Frannie said no,” my daughter yells loud enough to hush every other voice in this establishment. “No means no! Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness.”
“All right, little lady. Didn’t mean to get on your bad side.” The man chuckles and tips his hat. “Been a pleasure. We’ll be seeing you, Frankie.”
They casually stride to the exit as if nobody will bother to chase them. The urge to follow has me stalking forward. Three against one aren’t the worst odds I’ve had.
“Hey.” A yank on my arm draws my attention back to what matters. Frankie nudges my empty chair. “Forget about them.”
I grumble about a triple knockout, but drop my ass on the seat. “Where did they come from?”
“Who knows and who cares. They’re all talk.”
“Not entirely.” A swig of iced tea makes me wish for something stronger.
“Random instances have been happening on our properties over the last several months. A manufacturing error at one of our feed suppliers, scheduling mix-ups, trailer tires have gone missing, minor vandalizing at a few properties. Nothing too serious, but enough to notice.”
Frankie shrugs. “Call the cops.”
“I’d rather find their hideout and level it to the ground.”
A recognizable spark flickers in her gaze and she leans toward me. “It’s sexy when you talk bad boy to me.”
That pulls a grin from the depths of my fading upset. “Go on a date with me.”
Ronnie gasps, that word triggering her to rejoin our conversation. “Yes! Frannie really wants to do that.”
But Frankie rolls her eyes. “Pass.”
“C’mon, menace. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the chance?”
The question gives her pause. “Sturgis would be cool.”
A grunt escapes me at her mention of the famous motorcycle rally. “I’ll keep that in mind as August approaches. How about in the meantime?”
She sighs as if I’m hassling her. “I dunno. It’s the middle of winter.”
“You could visit an ice castle!” Ronnie’s suggestion bursts out of her.
“We could visit an ice castle,” Frankie repeats with feigned enthusiasm.
“I think we can find something more to your liking.”
Her low hum isn’t impressed. “Best of luck, stud.”
“I gotta go potty!” Ronnie suddenly bounces in her chair like she’s been holding it for hours.
Frankie is about to get up and take her, but then Christa swoops in from seemingly nowhere.
“I’m headed that way, cutie. Your daddy and future mommy can have a moment alone.” She winks at us before escorting Ronnie to the bathroom.
The redhead watches them go, confusion creasing her brow.
I use that to my advantage. My boot hooks the nearest leg of her chair and pulls, allowing me to catch her off guard.
The momentum delivers Frankie into my clutches and I don’t hesitate to fuse our lips together.
She’s stiff in my arms for a second, but melts as my tongue traces the seam of her mouth.
My grin is a stamp of approval against her willingness to display affection.
I groan as our mutual desire rekindles. Frankie’s lashes flutter shut when I deepen the kiss. With her distracted, I lift the cowboy hat off my head and drop it onto hers. The public claim spreads a round of hoots and hollers across The Paddock.
I’m the one to pull away, relishing the dazed gleam in her eyes. “Still didn’t mean anything, little menace?”
Frankie’s heavy-lidded stare openly admires me. “Uhhh…”
My chuckle is louder than the shocked whispers swarming around the scene we just made. “Your lies taste sweet, but your surrender is my drug of choice. I’m shamelessly addicted.”