Page 37 of Driving Whiskey Wild
“Christ, lollipop.” He hauled her into his arms and kissed her. “Where have you been all my life?”
Chapter Fifteen
MONDAY EVENING WHISKEY Bro’s wasn’t nearly as busy as it was some nights, but the twelve dozen buffalo wings Finlay had brought with her were gone in minutes. The appliances had been delivered, and Crow had nearly finished the renovations. He’d be back tomorrow to complete the job. It was a little after eight o’clock, and Finlay was going over applications for cooks and dishwashers with Dixie while fending off requests for more wings and cookies from customers. She was glad to know her new recipe for Whiskey Wings had gone over well, but after waking up in Bullet’s arms, and their visit with Sarah earlier in the day, she was having trouble concentrating on much else.
“Why are you so distracted today?” Dixie asked.
“I’m not,” Finlay lied, stealing a glance at Bullet, who was busy talking to Jed behind the bar. “I’m totally focused on dishwashers and cooks.” And your delicious brother.
Bullet had been tied up with customers since she’d arrived, and even though she was pretty sure Dixie would be happy for the two of them, she was nervous about telling her they were now a couple. When Finlay had admitted that she’d agreed to go out with Bullet the last time they were together, Dixie had seemed shocked, and Finlay hadn’t been able to read if it was a good or bad shock. Although Dixie would have had to be blind to have missed Finlay’s not-so-furtive glances tonight or Bullet’s overt leers.
“Uh-huh. That’s why you just put salt in your iced tea.” Dixie pointed to the saltshaker in Finlay’s hand.
“Oh, geez.” She pushed the glass away, thinking about how she’d been startled awake at five in the morning by the feel of Tinkerbell’s scratchy tongue on her cheek. She didn’t even remember falling asleep. The last thing she remembered was lying on a blanket in Bullet’s arms, stargazing. They’d talked well into the night, between hungry kisses and passionate gropes, and Finlay had been surprised to learn that Bullet didn’t have many dreams, other than to one day have a little princess like Kennedy and a little dude like Lincoln of his own. He loved working with his family at the bar and didn’t want much else other than time to ride his motorcycle. As they’d talked, she’d realized her dreams weren’t of any great magnitude either. She’d moved back to the harbor, hoping to put down roots, get her catering company off the ground again, and be happy. She’d found her happiness, and he happened to be looking at her right that second.
“Does this have something to do with what’s going on between you and Bullet?”
“Um…partially,” she admitted. She felt like she and Bullet had spent a month away together on a mini vacation, getting to know—and falling head over heels with—each other. They were so in sync, over breakfast they’d both suggested they visit Sarah, which they’d done together after Finlay had gone home to shower and change. Later, she and Bullet had brainstormed ways to help raise money for Sarah’s family’s medical bills, but short of a bake sale, they’d come up empty. Finlay hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it ever since.
“Are you okay with me and Bullet seeing each other?” she finally asked.
Dixie laughed and tossed her long red hair over her shoulder. “Okay with it? Are you kidding? I wasn’t so sure when you told me you’d agreed to go out with him the other day because, you know, you guys seem so different. Really, though, I was only worried that he might be too rough for you. But I was with Crystal and Bear last night, and they said Bullet was like a completely different guy yesterday morning when you stopped by. And today?” She glanced up at the bar, where Bullet was now talking with Jed and Crow. “The man looks like he’s been struck by Cupid’s arrow. I think he needed you in his life.”
Finlay let out a loud sigh. “Thank goodness. I was hoping you would be okay with it, but I was worried. You know, you guys are all so close, and I know I’m different from the type of person most people would expect to be with Bullet.” She looked down at her flowery dress, remembering the heat in Bullet’s eye when he’d seen her in it this morning. She pushed that image away so she wouldn’t blush and said, “Dixie, he’s an amazing guy. I mean, truly, just the most loving, kindhearted, bravest man I know. I could go on and on about him. I still can’t believe all that he’s been through. And yes, he’s possessive,” she said with a smile, “but that’s part of his charm. He—”
Dixie grabbed Finlay’s hands, silencing her. “Fin, I’m happy for you guys, but if you keep talking about him, you’ll end up saying something sisters don’t need to hear.”
Finlay covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head. “No, I promise. I won’t go there.” When she lowered her hand, Bullet was stalking across the bar toward her with that almost smile that made her heart race.
“I’m so happy you see him the way we all do,” Dixie said. “Do you know that one of my biggest fears was that Bullet would never let a woman into his life? I literally have had nightmares about him harassing every guy I date forever.” She lowered her voice as he neared and said, “Don’t take this wrong, but this is awesome. If he’s busy with you, he won’t be bothering me.”
“Dix.” Bullet nodded to his sister. “You gonna be long? It’s just you and Jed tonight.”
“Not long,” Dixie assured him. “We’ve already chosen several applicants to interview. We’re just wrapping things up. I’ve got it, B. Don’t worry.”
He turned all his attention to Finlay with that laser focus he did so well, placing one hand on the table, the other on her chair, boxing her in with his body.
She didn’t think it was possible for her pulse to go any faster, but she was proven wrong when he lowered his face beside hers. His warm breath seeped into her skin as he said, “I’m heading out back to the clubhouse to meet with the guys. You okay in here?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“You going to be around tonight?” he asked, gazing into her eyes.
Yes! Come see me! She nodded.
“Mind if I come by?”
“I was hoping you would.”
He made a possessive show of lifting her to her feet and kissing her goodbye, and she was pretty sure he’d obliterated any chance she had of thinking clearly.
“Geez, Bullet,” Dixie said. “I think everyone in here knows she’s yours now.”
He came away with a greedy smile. “See you soon, lollipop.”
He gave her a softer, sweeter kiss, and then another, and a quick pat on her ass, before heading out of the bar.
“Lollipop?” Dixie arched a brow as she lowered herself to the chair. “Boy, you two are as gone as Crystal and Bear.”
Finlay took a gulp of her iced tea and nearly gagged on the salt. She spewed it back into the glass. That cleared the lust from my head. “Blech! Sorry. My mind has been on a hundred things lately.”
Dixie handed her a napkin. “More than the big, bearded distraction that just walked out? Is something else going on?”
“Yes. Although he’s the biggest distraction of all. You saw how I turned to mush when he kissed me. I feel like I’m eighteen, not a woman approaching thirty.”
“You’ve just discovered the Whiskey magic,” Dixie said with a wave of her hand. “It’s a blessing and a curse, really. We can drop people to their knees with a single kiss. Trouble is, I can’t find anyone I want to drop to his knees.”
“I’m sure we can find you a very willing partner. Crow was all eyes on you today, and that guy you were dancing with at Whispers? The doctor? Oh my gosh, Dixie, that guy has serious moves.”
“Yeah. Jon Butterscotch touts himself as fifty shades of sweetness. My brothers would cut his pecker off if we ever even tried to hook up.”
“Yikes. I could talk to Bullet, I mean, if you like Jon.”
Dixie shook her head. “No thanks. I think I’ll be dating outside of Peaceful Harbor. It’s safer for everyone that way. But tell me what else is going on with you. You said you’ve had a million things on your mind. Is it your catering business?”
“No. I’ve tabled most of that while I get you guys settled. I’m catering a baby shower next weekend, but that’s it until after your kitchen staff is hired and your menus are in place. I’m just worried about Sarah Beckley. Do you know about her family? The accident?”
“Yes. It’s so sad. And thank God Bullet was there to help.”
“I know. But don’t call him a hero or he’ll bite your head off.”
“Yeah, he’s a little touchy about that word. He thinks everyone in the world is as brave as he is.” Dixie shook her head. “The truth is, all my brothers are brave, but Bullet? He takes bravery to a new level. My mom said when we were teenagers he’d troll the streets looking for people causing trouble so he could stop them. Like it was his job or something. And before he enlisted, there was some trouble with a gang about fifty miles from here, and he took off and was gone for four days. He came back bloody and worn out. My father was so angry. Bullet looked him in the eye and said, ‘Your friends won’t be seein’ any more trouble from them, Pop.’ He walked upstairs and slept for two days straight. He never said another word about it.”
