Page 62 of Piece Of Me

“It’s okay,” she replied, rubbing a spot on her scalp.

He rummaged through the basket looking for the detangle shit his mother had bought him.

“It’s the purple one, Daddy,” Ryan said seriously, watching them both.

He grabbed it, sprayed more than needed, and had her curls untangled in to time. He repeated the routine with Ryan, and then Angel volunteered to braid them while he grabbed a shower for himself. He didn’t take long, and less than thirty minutes later his crew was ready to go. He loaded the girls into the truck and once Angel was buckled in, they headed for the Triple B.

Taz spied Scarlett on the porch as soon as he pulled up. By the time he got the girls out of their car seats she’d wandered over. The sight of her had him thinking of things he probably shouldn’t be thinking of, not when this was their official coming out so to speak. But man, it was hard not to think about getting her naked when she looked like the most delicious thing he’d ever seen.

Scarlett was dressed simply in white shorts that showed off her tan, and a pale yellow T-shirt. Her feet were shoved into white flip flops, and her toes were painted pink, while her hair was loose, the waves shiny with barely a hint of purple left on the ends.

“I hope you don’t mind that Angel is joining us.”

The girls squealed when they saw Scarlett and laughing, she gave them each a kiss before smiling at Angel. “Not at all. Everyone is in the backyard.” She pointed toward the gate on the far side of the house.

Angel grabbed the girls’ hands. “Let’s go find Nora.”

The twins danced alongside her as they made their way toward the gate, their high, young voices musical as they chattered excitedly.

“Come here,” Taz growled, pulling Scarlett close so he could get a taste to tide him over. She wrapped her arms around him, and he kissed her. His hands roamed hungrily as he deepened the kiss. Tongues danced, bodies pressed close, and it didn’t take long for his desire to become evident. Shit, he was ready to go which was unfortunate considering they had a lot of folks waiting on them. He pulled away, breathing hard.

“We keep this up and I’ll have to take you upstairs before we make it to the backyard.” Taz kissed her forehead. “I don’t think your brothers would take kindly to that.”

She grabbed his hand. “We’re really doing this.” Her cheeks were flush, her lips swollen from his, and her eyes shone.

It was a look that would be burned to this brain for the rest of his life.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

“You keep saying things like that Pullman, and I just might take you up to my bedroom before the barbecue and I don’t think it’s my brothers you’d have to worry about.” She leaned close and whispered, “Rosie is inside with Hank, and she’s like a mama bear when it comes to us Bridgestones.”

“Well, I don’t want to get on Rosie’s bad side.” Scarlett led him toward the backyard and as he closed the gate behind them, he knew there was no going back. For the first time in his life, he was more than fine with it. In fact, he was looking forward to getting to know the family in a more intimate way.

The next few hours sped by, and it was nearly time for the eats to be served when he wandered over to Millie Sue, who’d taken refuge from the sun on a chair under the shade of a large oak tree.

“Grab me one of those cold drinks, will you?” she asked as he approached. Taz changed course and picked out a grape juice from a nearby bucket.

“I’m never doing this again,” she muttered, after taking a good long drink.

“You don’t like barbecues?”

She made a face. “I’m never growing a baby again.” She groaned and stretched out her feet. “Look at them. My ankles are so swollen they’ve up and disappeared. I look like a Flintstone.”

“You do not.”

“You’re lying.”

“I am.”

“I’m fine with that.” Millie Sue sighed. “Promise to keep it up until the baby is born.”

“Will do.”

“Four weeks seems like forever at this point.” Millie Sue made a face and moved a bit until she sighed and sank back onto the chair. “That’s better.” She angled her head and glanced up. “What’s going on with Martha and Manley?”

Taz spied his mother across the yard, deep in conversation with the elder Bridgestone. “They’ve been keeping company.”

“Tell me about it. Cal was up at the cabin yesterday and caught them in?—”

---