Blackjack informs me the Everything Nice Crew has arrived. When I ask if their foxy leader is with them, he nods. As much as I want to run outside and force Ginger to pay attention to me, I play shit cool.

My guys know I’m jonesing for the blonde, and apparently, my unquenchable horniness is a sign of weakness. They can’t understand why I don’t fuck another blonde from behind and pretend she’s Ginger. That’s how the assholes think, and I probably thought the same way until she walked through the doors of the Rusty Cage.

My patience evaporates once Sheriff Green arrives with his rat-faced followers in tow. I assume they had a warrant for someone and decided to grab the poor bastard at work. My guys are safe since there’s a guy at the station who gives us a heads-up whenever Green gets a hard-on for the club.

Green doesn’t look to have a warrant in his hand when he talks to Ginger. Based on their stances, he’s trying to intimidate her, and she’s trying to mess with him. When he looks back at his guys as if for help, I get the sense Ginger’s winning their pissing match. Even with her back to me, I feel her smiling. The chick has the biggest set of balls I’ve ever seen, and she does love to show them off.

I feel Glitch standing behind me. He’s cracking his knuckles in the way he does when ready to punch someone.

“Be cool,” I mutter, not needing the sheriff to focus his rat eyes on the club.

Whatever Ginger says to Green, he decides the conversation isn’t going his way, so he backs away and likely makes one last threat. I know the drill because he occasionally pulls the same shit with me.

I leave Glitch to crack his knuckles, so I can join Ginger at the sidewalk. Glancing toward the townhomes, I catch sight of what I suspect is a rifle pointing at the leaving cops. I don’t know why I find a sniper taking out Green so hilarious, but I’m laughing by the time I reach Ginger.

“What’s so funny?” she asks, growing tense at the sight of me.

“Problem with Hat and his boys?”

“No, he just wanted to see if we were single and ready to mingle.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I played it coy. Never know when we might need the boys in blue.”

Smiling at her bullshit lie, I step closer. “My kids appreciated the leftovers from last night’s dinner.”

Her arrogant expression falters the smallest bit before Ginger takes a deep breath to regain her tough exterior.

“Sorry about leaving suddenly. Shit came up.”

“Yeah, I figure you overbooked your night and had to get somewhere else real quick.”

“You figured correctly.”

“I usually do.”

“I had fun until I had to leave,” she says, aiming for casual and sounding uncertain instead.

“I know. You were swooning hard for me. It was flattering.”

Lips twisted with irritation, she mutters, “I’m sure it was.”

“You should swoon for me again.”

“Sure, but this time maybe you can be the one who shares the personal shit while I nod sympathetically.”

“On one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You ride bitch on our date, so I won’t worry about you running off so unexpectedly.”

“Why wouldn’t I still run off?” she asks, giving me a naughty grin.

“True, you could steal my Harley.”

“Could and would.”

“Think you could handle so much power between your legs?”

Ginger steps closer and stares deeply into my eyes. “Yes, Oz, I think I can handle your dick.”

“Whatever do you mean?” I ask and let out a raucous laugh.

Ginger smiles at my amusement, and I spot the tension ease from her shoulders. Reaching out, I run my fingers along the braid hanging down her chest.

“I like touching you,” I say, having never cared enough to filter myself.

“I’m glad, and I really like you, Oz. Like my heart beats faster when I see you, so don’t take what I’m about to say personally, okay?”

“What?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.

“Get back to work.”

Laughing, I gently tug at her braid. “Yes, ma’am.”

“It’s important that my crew moves in as soon as possible. Duffy is getting antsy at the B&B, and the place is filled with breakable shit.”

Thinking of the kid I’ve only gotten a glimpse of, I know she’s got some issues. Duffy is around my kids’ ages, and no way would Alani and Makoa like to live in a fancy, knickknack-filled house.

“Once you get settled in the new place, you oughta throw a party with barbecue and games, so I can bring my kids over to meet Duffy.”

“She doesn’t like parties.”

“Fine, just invite me and my kids and then feed us.”

Ginger laughs, and another layer of tension fades from her body. This woman riles me up in the best way, but I worry she’ll never let me close enough for my taste. I can fuck her in every way imaginable, and Ginger will still find ways to remain a stranger.

“Don’t be sad, Oz,” she says and pats my cheek. “Use the unhappiness in here,” she continues while touching my chest, “to fuel your work in there,” she finishes and points to the townhome.

“How come you have another crew working on your townhome?”

“The luck of the draw,” she lies and spins around to join Clove in the parking lot.

Watching Ginger walk away, I mentally will her to look at me and smile. Not even a big sloppy smile, just something small to hold me over until our next date when I plan to kiss her into becoming my sex slave.

Just one tiny fucking smile...

Ginger reaches the parking lot before giving into my mental powers. She turns to look at me over her shoulder, frowns at me still watching her, and then reveals a hint of a smile. Yeah, that’ll do it.