Page 67 of Son of a Preacher Man

Lifting the flap on the makeshift wall, they followed her inside. A long glass case, still covered in protective paper, fronted the open kitchen. It would flow seamlessly into the coffee bar once they were done. The gas fireplace, its mantel and surround made of old Chicago brick couldn’t have been any more perfect.

“They’re installing the new doors next week. The pastry case on the other side is coming out, so we can move the beverage station there. That way there’ll be a dedicated space for when we have acoustic sets, poetry readings, and such.”

“Wow, I can see it…stunning. Speaking of…” Linnea turned to her brother. “Do you want to tell her, or shall I?”

“Tell me what?”

Linnea was helping her with the grand re-opening. Chloe rocked out the updated logo—Katie was right, the pinkish-taupe SUGAR looked flawless—then she outdid herself, designing signage, business cards, flyers, and even their new shirts. Those Park Place girls got their hands in everything, not that she was complaining.

Slinging his arm around her shoulders, Kodiak reeled her in tight. “We talked to Bo.”

“Venery is going to play an acoustic set for you on opening day.” Bouncing on her heels, Linnea placed the baby in her arms.

“Here?”

Get. The. Fuck. Out.

“Surprise!”

“My queen.” Kodiak kissed her lips, then the top of Charlotte’s head. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”

Yeah, it sure is funny how life changes.

God, and to think, it all started with a bag of cookies.

“I love you.”

First Avenue was a jam-packed clusterfuck. Clamoring with festival goers from one end to the other, Kodiak ducked into the alley and entered through the back door. Cleaning up at the counter, Kelly didn’t see him behind her. He snuck in closer, and wrapping his arms around her front, kissed the tender skin beneath her ear.

“Ready to go?”

“I’m exhausted.” She sank back against his chest, then turned herself around. “But yeah, I’m ready.”

“Ninety minutes until showtime.” Holding her close, he kissed her forehead. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll take you to ride the Ferris wheel on the way.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah, c’mon.”

With dusk settling in, the June breeze tousling her hair, Kodiak wound his arm around her waist, and they walked toward the midway. Kelly wanted to personally thank Bo and the boys for agreeing to play at her grand re-opening, so he was taking her to see them before the show. Maybe they’d stay for a bit of the concert too.

“How long have you and Bo been friends anyway?”

“Oh, a decade at least.” His fingers skimming up and down her hip, Kodiak chuckled. “Met him up at Richardson, of all places, before he was famous.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He peered down to see pretty blue eyes looking up at him. “Venery was playing a gig at some dive off base, and we’ve been tight ever since.”

Kodiak remembered their first glance at that bar in Anchorage. Drawn to each other instantly, that feeling he had with Jonathan came over him again. Fifteen minutes later they were in a bathroom stall. Bo’s beautiful cock down his throat.

“Yeah, keep sucking me, baby. Just like that,” Bo crooned, rubbing his fresh buzz cut. “You gotta place we can go?”

“Yeah, I’ve got a room off base.”

“Good.” Bo filled his mouth with cum, then pulled Kodiak up from his knees to kiss him. “I want to fuck.”

“Yeah?”

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