Page 94 of Crazy Thing

“I like it,” I say softly. “But…” I remove the hat from my head, and reach for the price tag.

Before I can read the cost, Darius snatches the hat from me and passes it to the vendor, along with his black card. “We’ll take it.”

“Darius!” I hiss. “I don’t need yet another ha—”

He shuts me up with a sweet, slow kiss. “You want it, it’s yours. Period.”

My belly flutters at how sweet and attentive he’s being.

“Now, say thank you.”

I roll my eyes. “Thank you. Jerk.”

Darius laughs. His lips return to the tip of my nose.

So this is what I’ve been missing out on? All these years when I was perfectly content to be on my own, I could have hadthisinstead?

I try to downplay the butterflies in my belly. Especially when the hatmaker raises his eyebrows at me, his cheeks heavy with a wide grin.

I give my head a wag as if I can shake my blush away. I return my attention to Darius. “What do you mean we’ll be busy later on this week?”

“You and I will be flying to Chicago,” he says, his arms still wrapped around me as we wait for the merchant to finish packaging my new hat.

“Chicago?” I question.

“If all goes well with Laurier, I’ll need to visit the newreal estate locations he’s proposing. Plus, now that we reached a trade agreement with the Mountaineers today, I’m meeting with my hockey team co-owners to discuss our next move. In all honesty, it’s the kind of discussion that could be handled over a simple conference call. But it seems those billionaires just like an excuse to bring out their private helicopters now and then—”

“Wait, wait, wait. Let’s backtrack a second.” I interrupt him. “You reached a trade agreement for the new hockey player today?”

He nods.

I give my head a shake. “That’samazing,” I breathe out, unable to hide the fact that I’m impressed. I throw my arms around him, giving him a heartfelt hug. “Congratulations, Darius.”

He lets out a surprised chuckle. “Um, thanks. You do realize that I close business transactions like this all the time?”

“So what?” I retort. “It’s a talent. Don’t take your accomplishment for granted. I know that was a tough negotiation. You’re allowed to celebrate your achievement.”

He seems to mull it over in his head for a minute. “You’re right.” He squeezes me tighter. “I do take it for granted. And you know what? It’s nice having someone in my corner for once, cheering me on.”

I do a little wiggle and a cutesy dance routine. “Glad to be your cheerleader.”

“Hottest cheerleaderever.” Darius laughs, his lips covering mine.

Deepening the kiss, he pulls me under his spell with his talented lips and his sensual little groans. It isn’t until we hear whistles and cheers and applause nearby that we ease apart.

I glance over my shoulder, mortified to find that vendors and shoppers alike are staring at Darius and me. The worst part is when I make eye contact with a grinning Aunt Rainbow from where she’s sweeping up behind her counter. She’s beaming the brightest.Oh god.

“We’re causing a scene,” I mumble, raking my fingers through my hair to get it in order.

Darius flashes me a dazed smile. “Hey, I don’t care who’s watching. As long as your lips are on mine, you won’t hear me complaining.”

“I can see that.” I gently wipe my glittery lip balm off of his mouth.

The hatmaker hands me a shopping bag before returning the credit card to Darius. With his palm at the small of my back, he guides me to my aunt’s produce stand.

“My gorgeous moonbeam.” My aunt comes out from behind her table, arms outstretched.

“Hi Aunt Rainbow. You look amazing.” I take in her handmade jewelry and her gorgeous multi-color dress.

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