Chapter 23 Taylor #2
roasted asparagus, baked beans, and honey corn bread. The remainder of the meal was spent catching up.
Imani started whining.
“I think it’s time to put her to bed,” Kamryn said, taking her out of the chair.
“It’s about time for us to go anyway.” Austin drained the rest of his drink.
They left the table, and Taylor carried her and Austin’s plates to the kitchen, where Tariq refused her offer to help.
“You two don’t have a lot of time together, so take advantage of every moment, sis.” He hugged her.
“Thanks, Tariq.”
He followed her out to where Austin was giving Imani the last few kisses before handing her off to Tariq.
“Any plans for tonight?” Kamryn asked.
“Yep.” Austin swept Taylor into his arms, eliciting a startled gasp from her. “I’m going home and taking my wife to bed.”
Kamryn pumped her fist in the air. “Yes, brotha. That’s what I’m talking about. Mama Yvonne keeps asking about more grandchildren,
so maybe you two will be next.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said.
“Taylor, I’ll call you a couple of days after Austin leaves. You’re going to need some recovery time.” She gave Taylor an exaggerated wink.
Taylor just laughed. Between Austin and Kamryn, she didn’t know who was worse. Both were outrageous. They said their goodbyes, and Austin carried her to the car. “You know you can put me down.”
“I could, but I don’t wanna. I love having you in my arms.”
She rested her head against his shoulder. “And I love being here.”
They slept in on Saturday, then decided to go back to the bar and grill where they’d had their first date. Austin wanted to
play another round of pool.
“You do know the result is going to be the same,” Taylor said sweetly as they set the table.
“Nah, girl. Not this time. And I’ll even let you go first.” He bowed dramatically.
“You can be as chivalrous as you want, but I’m still going to wipe the floor with you.”
Austin folded his arms. “You’re talking a lot of smack tonight. How about we raise the stakes?”
She angled her head. “As in make a bet?”
He nodded, and a slow smile crept up his face.
The look set off warning bells in her head and had her speculating on whether it would be as easy to beat him this time. But
she had no intention of backing down. Taylor shrugged. “Works for me, but it still won’t change the outcome.”
“Then show me whatcha got.”
“If I win, you have to get up onstage and sing a love song to me.” It happened to be karaoke night at the bar.
He bent close to her ear and said, “And if I win, I get a private dance from you tonight.”
“Is that all?”
“Naked.”
She blinked. “What?”
“You heard me. You in front of me. Dancing naked. You in or not?”
Taylor needed a moment to think. She didn’t have a problem dancing for him; she’d done it several times, albeit they were
fun and silly dances. This was an entirely different scenario. She’d never been one to parade around naked, not even in front
of him, even though they were married. His low chuckle broke into her thoughts.
“Problems?”
“No. I’m in.” She had no chance of losing—or at least she hoped.
Taylor lost. Badly.
Austin rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait to get home. The music is already playing in my head. Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and nearly dragged her to the exit.
“Wait. We can’t even do a two out of three?”
He paused. “Nope. That wasn’t the deal. So are you walking to the car, or am I carrying you again?”
She wanted to knock the smug smile off his face. “Ugh, I can’t stand you right now.”
“Aw, baby, you know you love me.”
“That doesn’t mean I like you at the moment,” Taylor grumbled, trying to keep the scowl on her face. It was hard because she could never resist his
smile.
“Sooo . . . walking or not?” Austin reached for her.
She slapped his hands away and strutted past him, trying to hide her smile. “Don’t touch me.”
“When I get you home, I’m going to do a lot more than just touch you.” He caught up to her at the car and pinned her against the door. “I’m going to touch, taste, lick—”
“Just get in the car.” The low rumble of his voice vibrated through her. Although she was pretending to be upset, nothing
could be further from the truth. She wanted—no, craved—his touch and everything else.
Things are definitely going to get interesting.
Austin made it home in record time. “We should just shower first, then you don’t even need to bother with putting on clothes.”
He started stripping the moment they got inside.
“You sure are demanding.”
“Did you pick out your song yet?” he asked, tossing his USMC tee on the chair in the bedroom. His hands went to his belt buckle.
“Oh, so you’re just going to ignore me?” Taylor asked with amusement, her eyes riveted to his sculpted body.
He discarded his last piece of clothing. “Ignoring you is the furthest thing from my mind, sweetheart. Need help getting out
of your clothes?”
She shook her head and chuckled. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”
“As soon as you get undressed, I’ll show you what to do with me. On second thought”—he closed the distance between them—“I’ll
help.”
He did everything he mentioned earlier, and Taylor had to wonder if she’d actually get that dance in tonight. Losing might not have been so bad after all.