Page 20 of Headed for Home

Cassidy watches me from over the edge of her glass. “You’ve been in Knox Creek since leaving the league?”

A phantom ache screams from my elbow at the reminder. “Yep, pitching is a young man’s game. Garrett proposed the bar concept and I couldn’t refuse. Here we are, four years later.”

She nods slowly. “Uh-huh, makes sense. You’re a star athlete, extremely attractive, and own the most popular place in town. How are you still single?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to find me.”

Her eyes roll twice for good measure. “What a line.”

“A straight shot to your heart.”

“Very smooth,” she praises.

I prop an elbow on the table and raise my flattened palm. Cassidy doesn’t hesitate to press her hand against mine. Weintertwine our fingers together, as if the link is expected and comes naturally. I like that. A lot.

The years apart have enriched us. I’ve honed my appetite and diet to fit a specific flavor palate. She’s refined, more supple. Complex and layered. Eager for my touch. Exactly what I’ve been craving.

This is more than a public display of affection.

Cassidy rolls her lips between her teeth. “I have so many questions, but most can wait.”

I stay quiet for her to elaborate, but she just drinks her champagne. “Which one can’t?”

Emerald desire smolders from her gaze when she asks, “Did you put sex on the menu?”

Glee tickles my bold suggestion as I watch several emotions play across Drake’s features. Initial disbelief puckers his forehead before the wrinkles smooth and his jaw unhinges to hang slack. Heat paints his cheeks an endearing shade of pink. His hand tenses in mine. That combination plus too much excitement opens and closes his mouth on a soundless loop. The sweetest reward is confirmation that I’ve knocked this confident man off-kilter.

Drake clears his throat, but it does little to remove the frog stuck there. “Come again?”

My heart kicks to a giddy rhythm. “If all goes well.”

His dumbfounded expression hasn’t lifted. If anything, another round of shock stuns him. I wait patiently. This is more entertaining than Billy and Gruff getting the herd riled up.

“You want to have sex? With me? Now?” He stabs the table to punctuate each point that requires clarity.

“That’s the idea.” I giggle like the carefree version of myself that I’d forgotten existed. I turned him down last week but my willpower is no match for his charm. “If you’re still interested…”

Drake launches from his seat. The loud screech of metal on concrete rouses notice from those nearby. Any attempt at being discreet flies out the window, especially when the chair topples over from the abrupt movement. He doesn’t pause at the noise, just rushes to get me standing and at his level. I wobble on weak knees like a newborn foal. Laughter spews from me hard enough to blur my vision.

It’s a challenge to remain upright while he spins us in a slow circle. “Where are we going?”

“Not sure yet.” His gaze is unblinking and crazed as he searches the bar. A thought must occur to him, and he tugs me toward a closed door on the opposite wall.

“Wait,” I laugh. “What about the champagne?”

His determined stride plans to leave the bubbles behind but he decides to double back for the booze. I grab the sunflowers while we’re at it. Once we’re in motion again, a revived round of applause and wolf whistles come from his friends. My face bursts into flames from the attention. I duck my chin and watch our hurried steps. There’s no doubt they know where we’re headed and why.

Drake guides me into a small office and shuts the chaos out behind us. The room is plain and has minimal furnishings, but the leather couch will do the trick in a pinch. That’s where he leads us.

Before making myself comfortable, I set the flowers on the solo end table. My plan to take a seat is derailed by the imposing force of a man in this space with me. He guzzles a swig of champagne straight from the bottle and swoops down to kiss me. My lips part for him automatically. I moan into our sharedexhale. The tart flavor lingers on his tongue as he swipes inside my mouth.

A dizzy spell that has nothing to do with the alcohol content makes the room spin. This guy is too much, but I can’t get enough. I lower myself onto the sofa to avoid an ungraceful tumble. Drake follows me down, only breaking our kiss to tip the bottle back for another drink. I notice he doesn’t swallow before our lips are reunited.

Liquor dribbles into my mouth from his and I sip from him eagerly. None escapes, caught between our desperation for each other. The smooth taste compliments his feverish desire for me. Our tongues glide together, exchanging what remains of the bubbly refreshment.

Drake pulls away until only his ragged breathing teases me. “More?”

I’m already nodding. “Please.”

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