Page 17 of Sweet Whiskey
My eyes widen. “Oh no. I’m good, really. Nothing like that, uh…happened.” I mean it kind of did, but it was welcomed. More like I begged for it, and more.
“Colt got her all wet and wanty. They had to take care of it and then had to clean up the mess after,” Marley offers bluntly.
“Oh my god,”I whisper under my breath as my entire face and neck flushes with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry,”I squeak out.
Tracy raises a single eyebrow. “Did he force you? Use his alpha dominance?”
I shake my head with wide eyes. “No, no. Nothing like that. It was just a random heat spike that he graciously helped me through.”
Marley snorts and Brielle pinches her own lips to keep from laughing. Even Tracy holds an amused smile. “I’m sure it’s no hardship on his part.” Then she snaps her fingers with a click of her tongue when Marley goes to make a comment. “Pack it in. I walked into that, but we have customers waiting. You good to go back?” The last part is directed at me.
“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”
She shrugs, probably having no idea of the amount of designation discrimination that Brielle and I have faced, but that’s not her problem and she accepts my thanks. Tracy reaches into her back pocket before pulling out a wad of cash. “The guys left this for you.”
I grab it with shaky hands, already knowing it’s going to be an outrageous tip. But the worst partis the disappointment I feel knowing they are gone. Brielle squeezes my arm as she passes, probably the only one who can understand the mixed feelings inside me at the moment.
CHAPTER 8
BROOKS
I fix my hair in the mirror of my truck and tuck in my shirt when I see the shine of auburn hair as she makes her way to the café.
My heart is racing in my ribs as I call out to her. “Kinsey, hey!”
She startles, turning to me with wide greenish eyes. Her hand flies to her face, and I can see the dark smudges of makeup under her eyes. I almost smile as her cheeks blush. “Brooks, hi. Good morning. You and Colt get up early.”
I chuckle. “Way of life round here, seems like so do you. Can I buy your coffee thismorning?”
She groans, touching the ponytail and looking down at her hoodie and sweats, then back at me. “How do you look so good for six o’clock?”
I force away the urge to puff out my chest in pride because she thinks I look good. My eyes drag the length of her, and I raise an eyebrow. “Between the two of us, you look like you rolled out of bed, and there’s nothing I want more than to join you instead of going to work.”
She tilts her head. “That was somehow insulting and charming at the same time.”
I scratch the back of my neck in confusion because I hadn’t meant to insult her at all. “I just mean you’re pretty.”
She smiles with a small giggle. “Thanks, Brooks. I’d love a coffee.”
Her hand slips into my elbow, and I lead her into the small café. Connie waves at us excitedly.
“You’re back! Yay!” she says to Kinsey.
Kinsey smiles back. “Yeah it was really good. And I mean that. I tried a lot of places in the city, and this is hands down the best.”
“Have you tried the coffee cake?” I ask, licking my lips.
Connie laughs. “Brooks would clear out the pastry section if we let him, but Colt said to limit him or else the horses will pay.”
Scoffing, I put a hand to my heart. “Ouch. You calling me fat?”
Connie scrunches her nose. “There isn’t an ounce of fat on you.”
I shake my head. “I’ll take my usual and whatever this lady wants,” I tell her, grinning at Kinsey.
Connie’s eyes widen, and her lips form into a small O as she takes our order. When we move over to the other counter, I lean down to whisper in Kinsey’s ear. “We’re about to be the talk of the town.”
She looks up at me in surprise. “We will?”
