Page 94 of Beat around the Bush
“Mold in the walls?” Beck wondered out loud.
I shook my head. “No, it can’t be that. I know that building like the back of my hand, and they haven’t been there recently enough to evaluate it like that.”
Callan took the beer Bailey had outstretched to him. “Maybe they’re just desperate for money,” Cal said.
I chewed on the inside of my lip, thinking. “Maybe. But then why cut the price so low?”
Oakley handed me a beer, sipping on her own before saying, “They probably just came to their senses and realized you deserve it.”
“Yeah, Len. Don’t think too far into it. Take it for what it is and sign the damn paperwork before they take back their offer,” Beck said.
Reed crossed his arms over his chest, settling back in his seat. “It’s what you want, isn’t it?”
I looked to Oakley, who was waiting for my answer. I’d told her on the way over, and she was ecstatic to hear the news. She knew I’d been wanting this for a long time, and it was finally happening. Tumbleweed Feed would finally officially be mine.
Setting my beer on the table beside me, I looped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to my side. “It is what I want.”
“Mom can take a look at the contract if you’re worried,” Cal offered.
I nodded once. “I’ll swing by the ranch tomorrow and see what she thinks.”
“And even if it’s not the deal you want to sign on, you can still negotiate,” Beck said.
“Either way, we’re really happy for you, Len,” Lettie piped in, sensing the stress I was under from the whole thing.
I smiled over at her. “Thanks, Lettie.”
She gave a smile, pressing into Bailey’s side as his hand idly rubbed up and down her waist from where his arm was wrapped around her.
I looked at Oakley, who was watching as everyone got lost in side conversations. “How was work today?”
Her eyes met mine over the rim of her beer as she took a sip, then set it on the table beside me. “It was good. Pretty busy because the sun was out. Jacey and I kept everything under control, though.”
I brushed a strand of hair off her forehead, the rest of the bar drowning out as all my focus was on her. “That’s good. I’m glad I’ll be there with you tomorrow.”
“Miss me?” she asked with a quirk of her lips.
Bringing my hand around the back of her head, I brought her closer so my lips grazed her ear. “I missed everything about you, Oak. Especially that little gasp you make when I fuck you.”
Her lips parted as a breath of air escaped her. With her body facing away from them, her hips hidden from view from everyone, my hand trailed between her legs, feeling her warmth seeping through her jeans.
“I bet you’re wet already, aren’t you?” I whispered in her ear.
She nodded, a small whimper passing her lips as my thumb pressed where her clit was hidden under the fabric.
I pulled my hand away, turning her around to sit her on my leg. My hands bracketed her hips as I brought my lips to the shell of her ear. “I guess you’ll have to be a good girl and wait until we get home.”
She pressed her lips together, giving a tight nod as her hips rocked slightly on my leg. My fingers dug into her hips, anchoring her in place. “That little move is going to get you in trouble, Oak.”
Her cheeks flushed, bringing out her freckles. She turned her head slightly and said, “Maybe I like trouble.”
And then we sat there until everyone was ready to go home.
That short drive to my house was the longest it’d ever been with the temptation to pull over and take Oakley right then and there. But she was in trouble, and I was going to deliver.
35
Oakley
