Page 33 of Driving Whiskey Wild
Crystal made many of her own clothes, as well as costumes for Gemma’s princess boutique. Finlay’s thoughts shifted to clothes, and the distraction took her nervousness down a notch.
“Ready?” Bullet asked.
“No.” She smiled and said, “But let’s do it anyway.”
Holding her hand tight, he motioned with his other hand and said, “Tink, lie down.”
Tinkerbell lowered herself to her belly again, her long paws stretched out before her. Her head was perched high, her tongue hanging out, like she couldn’t wait for them to come over. Tinkerbell had a broad head and body, a black face, and brown fur around her snout and down her chest, which made her look like she was wearing a dark mask. But lying there, with her ears twitching and front paws stretched out, she looked concerned, excited, and a little confused.
Join the party. I’ll be sweet if you will, Finlay thought nervously.
Bear crouched, one arm around Tinkerbell, and nodded at Bullet. Finlay loved the way they stuck together in everything. Even something as silly as helping his fearful girlfriend get to know his dog.
“Okay, babe. Go nice and slow.”
Her heart beat frantically as she stepped forward, clinging to Bullet’s hand. She offered her other hand to Tinkerbell, trembling as the pup stretched her neck toward her hand. It took all of Finlay’s focus not to pull back when Tinkerbell’s nose touched her hand and her tongue tickled over it. Nervous laughter fell from Finlay’s lips. Bullet stepped behind her, his big body like a wall of strength for her to borrow from.
“Kneel down, sweetheart,” he said in her ear.
She was suddenly engulfed by memories of their bodies tangled together last night and his hot breath on her neck. Her knees weakened, and kneeling wasn’t so difficult anymore. He went down with her, one arm around her back, the other reaching out to pet Tinkerbell. What was wrong with her that she was thinking about how close they’d been when five minutes ago she’d been scared out of her mind?
“That’s my girl,” he said coaxingly.
She wasn’t sure which of them he was talking to, but she had a feeling it was both, and it made her appreciate his big heart even more. Bullet knew only one way to love, and that was to love hard. Knowing he’d never put either one of them in danger eased the knots inside her.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered, breathing deeply. “Actually, I’m doing pretty well.”
Tinkerbell crept forward, still lying on her belly, her pleading eyes tugging at Finlay’s heartstrings as she weaseled between her and Bullet and nosed at Bullet’s belly. Bullet used his free hand to love her up, then pressed a kiss to the top of her snout.
“That’s my girl.”
Finlay reached over and petted her, too. Her fur was short but soft, and she felt solid, like Bullet. Tinkerbell lifted her face and Finlay pulled back.
“It’s okay. She just wants to kiss you,” Bullet assured her.
Finlay closed her eyes. Tinkerbell’s scratchy tongue licked up her cheek, making all of them laugh. She sank down to her butt beside Tinkerbell, the cold concrete prickling the backs of her thighs as Tinkerbell lay her big head on Finlay’s leg and sighed. Finlay petted her, growing more comfortable. When she stopped petting her, the pup whimpered and licked her leg.
They sat on the driveway for a long while, getting to know each other, Finlay and the dog who had become Bullet’s security blanket. Her love for the pup grew as she thought about how much Tinkerbell meant to Bullet, how much she helped him, and how much Bullet had helped her. Soon everyone was talking and laughing, and Tinkerbell was sitting pressed against Finlay’s side. And for the first time in years, she was okay around a dog.
The joy in Bullet’s eyes, the laughter he so rarely shared, and that sexy smile that she didn’t see often enough, was worth every second of the trepidation she’d experienced and the sleepless night she’d spent gathering the courage to drive out there and try to overcome her fears.
Finlay took a long look at the three big men sitting on the pavement like they didn’t mind at all. Bear’s arm was around Crystal, and they were both smiling as he stole kisses after every word she said. Bones and Bullet were reminiscing about when Bullet had first found Tinkerbell. The love between them was so rich and real, she felt buffered from the rest of the world and blessed to be welcomed into their world.
“Thank you all for helping me through this. I’m sure you had better things to do than play babysitter this morning.”
Bear pushed to his feet, bringing Crystal up beside him. “We’re heading out for a ride. How about we break that motorcycle cherry of yours next?”
“Bear!” Crystal elbowed him. “One major life event at a time.”
“Watch it, bro,” Bullet warned as the rest of them rose to their feet.
Bear shrugged. “Just trying to help.”
Tinkerbell leaned against Finlay’s side as they said their goodbyes and Bullet’s brothers and Crystal took off for their ride. Finlay couldn’t believe she’d actually gone through with overcoming a fear she’d lived with for more than a decade.
Bullet gathered her in his arms and said, “How’re you really holding up?”
As she soaked in the warmth of his embrace, she knew she might never have done it if it weren’t for him. “Surprisingly well. I can’t promise I won’t be fearful of other dogs, but at least this is a step in the right direction.”
“A huge step.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek and said, “I know how hard it is to face your fears, and I’m really proud of you.”
“Thank you. I knew Tink took after her papa with those dark eyes and that intimidating stance, but I didn’t realize she had your big heart, too.”
“Thanks, babe.” Worry washed over his features. “Were you afraid of me when you first saw me?”
“No. I just didn’t know what to make of you. You looked like a bully, all big and bad, and you spoke too roughly. I mean, come on. The first thing you ever said to me was offering me a ride on the Bullet train.” She laughed, and he silenced her with a kiss.
It didn’t surprise her that he didn’t try to refute it, or give her an explanation. Bullet made no excuses for who he was, and that was only one of the reasons she was so drawn to him.
“Think you can stay for a while? I have something I want to show you.”
“Is it anything like what you showed me last night?” she asked playfully.
A deep, seductive noise sounded in his throat as his lips came down over hers in a kiss so warm and wonderful, so perfect, she never wanted it to end. But Tinkerbell had other ideas, and nudged her big head between them, making them both laugh.
He took Finlay by the hand and led her toward the backyard with Tinkerbell trotting happily along beside them. More elaborate gardens came into view, with slate paths snaking between them. One path led to a small patio with a stone fireplace, and another weaved toward the far side of the yard, where a pond glistened in the late-morning sun. There were acres of greenspace as far as she could see, so picturesque she couldn’t look away.
“Can you stay long enough for a walk? Tink loves to walk around the pond.”
“My only plans for today have been accomplished. I’m yours for as long as you’d like.”
“Careful, lollipop. I might never let you go.”
“YOU THINK THAT’S some kind of threat?” Finlay bumped her hip against Bullet as they walked along his property, tossing a ball for Tinkerbell.
“Most women would think so.” He took the ball from Tinkerbell’s mouth and threw it across the yard. The pup bolted after it.
“Maybe if you said you were going to tie them up and chain them to a bed…”
“Christ, lollipop, you can’t walk around in that outfit and talk like that, or you might end up chained to my bed.”
She spun around, facing him with a radiant smile and sunlight glittering in her eyes. “I think getting to know your dog is enough of a challenge for one day.”
He hauled her against him. “Don’t worry, babe. I’m not into feeling trapped, and I’d never want you to feel that way, either.”
He lowered his lips to hers, and then Tink’s snout pushed between them. He reluctantly pulled back and took the ball from her mouth, tossing it away again—farther this time. “I think my girl’s jealous.”
“I would be too, if you had your lips on someone else.” She took his hand, and they continued to walk around the gardens. “How long have you lived here?”
“A few years. I stayed in the apartment above the auto shop for the first few months while I pulled my shit together. Quincy and Jed live there now, and Tru stayed there before them. It was too confining for me, and sleeping out on the balcony got old real fast. I spent a lot of time at the bar instead of going home. Then one day I was out for a ride and I saw this place. It was in foreclosure, and I got it for a song. There’s lots of room for my bikes. Room to breathe.”
She glanced up at the house.
“It’s not what you’re used to lollipop. That dollhouse you live in is mighty nice, but I’m a barebones kind of guy. Give me a mattress and some fresh air and I’m good.”
