Page 81 of Sugar and Skulls

I look at my dad with my mouth hanging open. “Dad,” I choke.

“Happy eighteenth, baby,” he whispers in my ear as he hugs me.

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble,” I tell him wiping my eyes.

Katie comes running up to us. “Happy birthday, Jesse!” she says excitedly, hopping all around us.

“Did someone feed you jumping beans for breakfast?” I ask, laughing.

“I’m just so excited!” She wraps her arms around me. “I’ve never been roller skating before,” she tells me.

“I bet you’re going to be a natural.” I bop her on the nose before turning to accept all the birthday wishes from our friends who have gathered around.

My gaze searches the group for two pairs of eyes. When I find them, I offer them the brightest smile I can muster. Raffe taps two fingers over his heart, giving me a sexy smile. My gaze slides to Dirk. His eyebrow is at an alarming angle. His tongue snakes out flicking his lip ring making my thighs clench on their own accord. God he makes me feel funny things.

Someone grabs me from behind hosting me clean off my feet. “Goddammit, Dan,” I yell, slapping at his tree trunk sized arms.

He chuckles in my ear. “Happy Birthday, doll.” Dan sets me back on my feet turning me to face him. “I have a surprise for you. Come find me when this is over, yeah?”

“Yeah, okay.” I smile and hug him tight.

I find my dad sitting with my guys. Raffe is the only one lacing up a pair of skates. I sit next to him and get busy with my own. “Not skating?” I ask Dirk.

He shakes his head no.

“Party pooper, come on,” I beg.

“I like my feet firmly on the ground. That’s why I have this guy to keep you company,” he drawls lazily, tossing a thumb out towards Raffe. He turns back to his conversation with my dad.

Raffe winks at me and whispers, “He doesn’t know how to have fun.”

As I finish with my laces I think about it. Dirk doesn’t know how to have fun. He is always serious, always business. He doesn’t even smile…he smirks but it’s not the same thing as a smile.

Raffe rises from his seat and pulls me up with him. “I’m going to knock your socks off with mad skills,” he tells me spinning in a circle.

Together we take off and hit the rink. After a few laps, my muscle memory takes over. Raffe and I help Katie and soon she is doing great on her own. Everyone is having a great time. This was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday. It’s great family fun.

My eyes wander to Dirk. Every time I glance at him he is watching Raffe and I with a look of longing on his face. After a while Raffe and I go our separate ways. I leave the rink and head over to Dirk. My dad and him both look up.

“Having fun, baby girl,” my dad asks.

I kiss him on the cheek. “The best. Thank you.”

My eyes slide to Dirk. “What size shoe do you wear?”

“I said no, Jesse.” He tries to intimidate me with his scary face.

“I will help you. Come on. It’s my birthday and I want this more than anything in the whole wide world.” I stick my bottom lip out for affect and bat my eyelashes.

My dad laughs. “Get your ass out there. My girl gets what she wants today. That’s an order.” He tips his beer towards Dirk.

Dirk gives me a look letting me know I will definitely be paying for this one. He tells me his size. I quickly grab him some skates from the counter and head back to him. Reluctantly he takes off his boots and lets me help him lace up the skates.

I stand and nod once. Proud of myself that he at least has them on his feet. “Okay, now take my hands.”

Hesitantly, he reaches for me and I pull him to his feet. The look on his face is priceless. He is used to be in control, and he is definitely not in control…the skates are.

Slowly we make our way to the rink.

---