Page 48 of The Beautiful Mess

Keegan searched his expression for several seconds before he smiled. “Don’t get rid of them now. Who knows when the mood will strike us?”

“Like back there,” Kerry said, hooking his thumb toward Saucy’s. “I thought you were going to deep-throat your finger.”

“I wanted to,” Keegan admitted. “Turning you on drives me crazy too.” He reached over and stroked a finger over Kerry’s forearm. “Maybe we should just go back to your place and save these date options for another night.”

Kerry was damned tempted, but he shook his head. “This is your appreciation night.” Kerry cut him off with a kiss before Keegan could express that sex was the best kind of appreciation. “Let’s go have some fun and digest our food a little. Then I’ll worship every inch of your body right down to your adorable toes.”

Keegan inhaled slowly and snagged the right card. “Axe throwing,” he said.

Kerry pumped his fist and turned the truck on. “This is going to be a blast.”

“I’ve never been before, but it sounds fun,” Keegan said. “What’s the other one?”

Kerry opened the console enough to toss it inside. “Wine and a guided painting class at the art center.”

“You’d do that for me?” Keegan asked.

“As long as you don’t show anyone my painting. I don’t have an artistic bone in my body.”

“Doubt it,” Keegan said, “But your secret will be safe with me.” And Kerry knew it would. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink wine. Do you even like it?” The question seemed fair considering the alternative date option, but something about Keegan’s tone and his expression led Kerry to believe it was more significant than mere curiosity.

“I like wine okay, but I prefer beer.”

Keegan nodded, then looked out his window. Kerry had been ready to pull out of his parking spot, but something seemed off. It felt like Keegan was wrestling something around in his mind, and that seemed more important than checking off the next box on his dating agenda. Kerry reached over the console and took Keegan’s hand.

“What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours?” He knew Keegan enjoyed an occasional glass of wine and thought he enjoyed art. “Did I mess up somehow?”

Keegan turned and looked at him with wide eyes. “God, no. This night has been perfect so far. I couldn’t ask for a better first date.” His lips curved into the sly smile Kerry adored. “And I don’t even have to wonder if I’m going to get lucky.”

“I’m a sure bet,” Kerry agreed. “So, where’d your mind go just now?”

“Well, it seems the world is conspiring to throw us together as often as possible.” Keegan told him about the Spring Fling vineyard event in May and their invitation to attend to get a feel for the atmosphere. “Cash suggested I take you with me since he will be out of town.”

“And you didn’t want to invite me?” Kerry teased. “Afraid I’ll embarrass you?”

Keegan’s eyes widened. “What? No? I just wasn’t sure if it was something you’d enjoy.”

“But then you learned I put the wine and painting on the table. Where’d your thoughts go from there?” Kerry asked.

“I wanted to be sure you weren’t doing the art and wine thingy just for my benefit,” Keegan said. “This can’t be a one-way street where we always do what I like. I want to experience the things you love, even if it’s something I might not choose on my own. I’ll get joy from seeing you happy.”

“How can either of us know if we like something if we don’t try it?” Kerry challenged. “Truth is, I don’t know how to feel about a vineyard event until I attend one. I’d be honored to attend with you, if that’s what you want.” Kerry considered the situation a little longer before adding, “And I don’t want you inviting me to things because someone else says you should. I won’t be upset if you’d rather take Sven or someone else from the ranch.”

Keegan shook his head. “I would love for you to go with me.”

“It’s a date.” Inspiration struck, and Kerry added, “In fact, why don’t we make a weekend out of it? I’ll find a hotel or bed-and-breakfast nearby.”

“That sounds perfect.” Keegan inhaled a shaky breath. “But if you change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

“The event is a month away,” Keegan said.

And Kerry understood the source of his turmoil. He didn’t want to set his hopes too high and have them crash and burn. “I am so freaking into you, Kee. I will spend every day between now and then proving just how much I want you.”

The tenderness in Keegan’s expression made Kerry’s heart flutter. He claimed a quick kiss before setting off for part two of their date. There were only a few cars in the parking lot when they arrived, but it was the middle of the week, and Lumberjack’s Axe and Ale was new. The rustic, Western-themed decor was pretty standard in their part of the world, and the owners leaned into it without going too far. Country music drifted through hidden speakers, and a full-service bar took up one side of the building. Kerry questioned the wisdom of combining alcohol and sharp weapons, but what did he know?

A woman named Karen greeted them at the checkout counter with a friendly smile and chipper voice that declared she alone was going to take back the name for all the good Karens in the world. She put a ton of personality into her presentation of the rules of axe throwing. Basically, they didn’t want their patrons to throw those axes all willy-nilly. Again, Kerry wondered why they’d introduce alcohol onto the premises because that would never go sideways. Karen slid a waiver across the counter for them to sign after her presentation. “Follow me, guys,” she said.

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