Page 29 of Under the Mistletoe

“I need to talk to you about something.”

That got his attention.

He stood up, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to face me. “This about club business?”

“No, sir.”

His expression didn’t change, but his brow lifted just enough to let me know I had about five seconds to spit it out. “I want to take Beck out on a date.”

“You asking or telling?”

“Both.”

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, and his expression was completely unreadable. “So, you put her swing together, helped her out with Ava when she got sick, then took care of Beck when she was sick, and while you were at it, you went and put up her Christmas tree. And now, you want to take her on a date?”

“Yes, sir. I do.”

Finally, his lips twitched into what could only be described as a knowing smirk. “Well, I’d say it’s about damn time.”

“You think so, huh?”

“I do.” His smirk grew into a full-blown grin. “I watched you dance around her for most of her junior and senior year of high school. I expected you to come to me back then.”

“I would have, but the whole age thing....”

“I get it. I would’ve done the same.”

“I wish you’d told me about everything. If I’d known...”

“I know, son, but it wasn’t my story to tell.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “So… you’re good with me starting something up with her?”

“As long as you do right by her.” His eyes narrowed. “You screw up, and you’ll answer to me. And trust me, brother, you don’t want that.”

“Understood.”

Big gave me a hard clap on the shoulder, the kind that almost knocked me off balance. “Good. Now go take her out and make it worth her time. She deserves it.”

“Yes, sir.”

We spoke for a moment longer, and then I headed out to my truck. I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself as I thought about my conversation with Big. He might’ve been a brick wallof intimidation, but underneath it all, he was just a father who wanted the best for his daughter. And I planned to be just that.

Feeling a bit anxious, I gave myself a quick once over before getting in the truck. I had on my cut with a button-up and jeans and a pair of newer boots that weren’t scuffed all to hell. I didn’t usually go to the trouble of dressing up for women, but Beck wasn’t a hang around or some chick I’d met at a bar. She meant something to me, and I wanted our first date to be something she’d remember.

I’d waited a long time for this.

We both had, so I’d made reservations at a nice spot in the city. Something a little fancier than my norm, but I wanted to make our night special. And I couldn’t deny that I was looking forward to seeing her all dolled up. It was a thought that had me pressing my foot against the accelerator and racing through the outskirts of town.

When I got to her house, I parked and wasted no time heading up to her front porch. I knocked, and it felt like an eternity before I heard her shout, “Coming!”

Seconds later, the door opened, and the sight of her took my breath. Her long, brown hair was curled and down around her shoulders, and she was wearing a pair of black jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places and an oversized white sweater that brought out the brown in her eyes. She looked incredible. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I let my eyes drift over her as I said, “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Her beautiful, pouty lips slowly curved into a sexy smile as her dark brown eyes met with mine. “You look good, too. Really good.”

“Glad you think so,” I chuckled. “You ready?”

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