CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Friday, April 20th
Bryce closed the door to his apartment and went through his mental checklist to make sure he’d completed everything. The sheets were clean; he had an extra toothbrush, plenty of food, and a big box of condoms. If tonight was the night, he was ready, willing, and able.
As he crossed the courtyard, he thought about all the making out they’d been doing and knew he was more than ready for the next step. And if he wasn’t mistaken, Daphne might be too because when he’d gotten home yesterday, she had welcomed him home with a lot of lovin’.
They had their hands and mouths all over one another’s bodies and, if it hadn’t been for Saleh coming home, they might not have stopped. Which is why, after their date tonight, they were going to his place.
Just in case.
“Please, Lord in Heaven, let it be tonight,” he mumbled as he stepped up to Daphne’s door. Knocking twice, he stepped back and flattened out his hair.
When it swung open and Selah smirked at him, he knew she was thinking about what she walked in on. “Hey, Selah, how are you?”
“Good enough.”
“Is Daphne ready?”
Stepping back, she swept her arm up. “Come in and see for yourself.”
He gave her a small nod as he passed and walked into the apartment and lost his freaking breath. “Damn, Daphne, you are showin’ no mercy.”
“Is that a good thing?”
Lifting her hands, he twirled her around and admired the shit out of her long tan legs that were encased in a pair of cowboy boots. “Not sure because I’m bound to be in more than one man’s face tonight when they glance in your direction.”
“Are you even for real?” Selah asked as she snorted.
“Afraid so,” he replied as he leaned down and kissed Daphne’s cheek. When she gave him a smile, he felt it all the way to his toes.
“Where are you taking her tonight, Captain America?”
“Moonshine Flats in downtown. They have decent food, great music, and any kind of whiskey you could want.”
Lifting her bag off the chair, Selah looked between them and then headed for the door. “Have fun and try not to go too crazy.”
“Try our best,” he called back. Once the door was shut, Daphne leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “What was that for?”
“Nothing in particular, I’m just looking forward to dancing with my very good-looking boyfriend.”
“Is that right?”
Licking her lips, she gave him a slow once-over. “I like a man in Wranglers and boots, and you are wearing both beautifully.” She stepped around him and crossed her arms. “My goodness, you make those jeans poetry.”
Not able to take a second more of her teasing, he grabbed her, hauled her against him, and gave her a kiss that would leave no doubt about his desire. Her eyes widened, and he knew they were bound to be tangled together before the evening was over.
Sweet and hot, her tongue entwined with his and he ran his hands through her silky strands, tugging her close. She kissed him back and was every inch the willing participant, which allowed his dominant nature to relax.
Her fingers gripped his shoulders, and he felt her nails digging into his skin. Each thrust of his tongue in her mouth mimicked what he really wanted to do, and his cock hardened even more.
Knowing if he didn’t pull back now, he might not until he had her naked and panting beneath him, he released her mouth slowly. Dragging in a lungful of air, he rested his head against hers. “We either need to get out of here now or go over to my place and set ourselves free.”
“Dancing first, your place after,” she replied with a ragged breath.
Lifting his head, his face split into a grin. “Yeah?”
“I can’t pretend that I don’t want you in a hundred ways and I think it’s time to see if you live up to my fantasies.”
“You have fantasies about me?”
“Bryce, have you looked in the mirror lately? There’s not a woman alive that wouldn’t have at least five after meeting you once.”
“That is not even close to the truth, but I suppose it doesn’t matter because the one I care about seems to want me.”
“That I do, but first I’d like some bar-b-que and some dancing.”
“Come on then, little mama, because I plan on showing you a good time. It’s my girl’s night out and we’re going to do whatever you want.”
She kissed his cheek and then stepped back. “I’m going to fix my lipstick and then I’ll be ready to go.”
Watching her twirl around and sashay to the bathroom made him happier than he’d probably ever been. She wore a pretty dress that showed off her curves and, running his hand over his jaw, he let out a chuckle. “Damn woman is the best thing in the world.”
He walked over to the small table where they’d eaten their meals and collapsed into a chair. There was a stack of drawings and he picked them up and started looking through them. The first two were of a large elephant with a baby standing next to it, and the rest were of two elephants with their trunks entwined. Each of them was signed and he saw Selah’s signature on each one. Maybe this was something she was doing for a client. If the client was obsessed with elephants.
Daphne?
Was she thinking of getting inked?
He looked at the sketches again and then studied the elephants that they’d won at the arcade and saw where the inspiration had come from. Before he could think about it further, Daphne came out and sat next to him. “Ready?”
“Yes!”
He held up the drawings and smiled. “Is your sister designing a tattoo for you?”
“She wants me to get inked and knew if she came up with something that had to do with elephants, I might be more likely to agree.”
“What is it about these creatures that resonates with you?”
“Would you like the real answer or the polite one?”
He tilted his head and waited. “What do you think?”
“Real.”
“Spill, darlin’.”
“Elephants are the most deep-thinking loving souls. They feel hope, love, thoughtfulness, pain, and loss exactly like humans. Parents adore and take care of their children for life. Literally, they love like we do and that’s always fascinated me. Not only because it’s mind-boggling but because the two people who made my sister and me never managed it. Elephants love their children…why couldn’t our parents love us?”
Seeing her pain slid a hot knife of anger through his gut and he knew when he met them, he was going to be hard-pressed to remain civil.
How could they not love and protect their children?
It was a concept he couldn’t begin to fathom because he felt incredibly protective of Daphne after only a matter of weeks, and couldn’t imagine how nuts he was going to be in a couple of months. Not to mention the kids they’d eventually have. “There is no good answer other than that they were never meant to be parents.”
“Yeah, that’s the answer I’ve always come to as well.”
“I can’t imagine not waking up every morning wanting to fight for you and protect you. You’ve become the fire in my heart and the intention in all my steps.”
Her eyes filled with tears and he leaned forward and wiped the one that started to roll down her cheek. “Didn’t say it to make you sad; I just said what’s in my heart.”
Sitting back, she cleared her throat and nodded. “I know. Now quit saying sweet things to me otherwise the waterworks will really start. I want to go have some great food and then dance.”
Standing, he held out his hand. “Come on then.”
When her hand slipped into his, he knew there wasn’t going to be a day when she wasn’t the reason his heart beat.
No way at all.
***
Daphne lifted her drink and tapped it against Bryce’s. “Never knew I liked a Kentucky Mule.” She put her lips over the straw and watched Bryce’s eyes narrow. “What?”
“Nothin’.”
“Liar.”
“Just trying not to be jealous of that straw.”
She threw her head back and let out a laugh. “Damn, the rust is officially knocked off that charm of yours and you’re finally running on all cylinders.”
He took her hand across the picnic table and pulled her close and gave her a kiss that let everyone know how their evening was going to end. Which didn’t bother her a bit because she was pretty much head over heels. Pulling him closer, she really let go.
“Glad you’re enjoying my torture,” he mumbled as he released her mouth.
“Oh, Bryce, I haven’t even gotten started. Wait till we get home and I get my mouth on you.”
He looked around the room wildly. “Where the hell is the waitress? We need the bill, so we can get out of here.”
“No.”
His head spun around and his mouth hung open. “What?”
“You promised me dancing, and I’m not going to miss out on it.”
Sitting back, he crossed his arms and adopted a relaxed posture. “I see what’s happening and I want you to know I can more than handle whatever you plan on putting me through.”
“I’m building the anticipation and flirting with you, so when we do finally fall on one another in a pile of uncontrolled lust, we’ll really appreciate it.”
“I feel pretty appreciative right now, but if we’re flirtin’ and buildin’, then know it goes both ways.”
“Okay.” Seeing his smug and confident smile made her wonder if perhaps she had overplayed her hand. “Dessert?”
“What?”
“Would you like some dessert? You did a fine job on your dinner and certainly have earned it.”
“No, thanks, I’m good.”
He lifted his arm and checked his watch. “We have about a half an hour before the band starts. Do you want to play some corn hole or go over to the bar and grab a seat?”
“Well…”
“Corn hole it is.” The waitress came over and he asked for another round and the check. “Have you played much corn hole before?”
What was he up to?
Clearly, he didn’t care if she had or hadn’t and no one went from hungry lion to relaxed gazelle in a matter of minutes. This was some sort of strategy to throw her off balance and darn if it wasn’t working. “I’ve played here and there.”
“Well, I look forward to seeing what you’ve got.”
“Yes, indeed, I feel the same way.”
Letting out a snort, he handed the waitress his card when she brought the bill. “You want to see my ass when I bend over and throw the beanbag.”
“Nothing wrong in appreciating what the good Lord has given you.”
“I feel the same way honey, believe me.”
Daphne bent over and felt Bryce hold her waist as he snugged himself nice and close to her behind. “Do you have another tip for me?”
“Yeah, I was just thinking if you extended your arm more when you throw, you might have better results.”
“Is that right?”
He ran his hand along her waist and then let it settle right next to the swell of her breast. The place was packed, and she knew no one was paying them any attention, so she pushed her behind back and heard him groan. “Like this?”
“Yeah, why not?”
Bryce had large hands and his fingers brushed over her tight nipples as he slowly moved them toward her arm. “Show me.” Knowing her words had a million meanings, she enjoyed when he growled in her ear.
“This is our last game and then we’re hightailing it over to the bar and listening to about a half-dozen songs. After that, we’re heading home, so I can show you what happens when I’ve been teased for too long.”
She threw the bag and then turned in his arms and held his face in her hands. “I can hardly wait.” Seeing him bow his head and laugh gave her more joy than she could ever remember experiencing.
There hadn’t been too much of it in her life since her grams had passed and usually, she didn’t miss it. But now that it was bursting in her body, she wanted to hold on and see how long it would last. “Bryce, you’re about the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“I just got started, so hold on tight ‘cause we’re only getting better from here.”
The noise of the crowd disappeared as he sealed his promise with a kiss. “Spin me around the dance floor a couple of times and then we can get out of here.”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
Taking her hand, he led her through the crowd and she noticed that people almost stepped out of his way as he moved forward. Maybe he was giving them his combatant glare, or they just recognized he wasn’t a man to be messed with.
Either way, it made their walk to the bar an easy one. Marveling at the contrast he possessed, she wondered who was going to show up when they ended up in bed.
The mighty warrior or the sweet geeky, know-it-all.
Either one was fine with her because she loved them both equally.