I shook my head and slid it back. “Won’t do to get pulled over with beer on my breath.”
She pulled a Red Bull from the cooler, and held it aloft. I chuckled. “Sorry, but no thanks. I have one of those, I won’t sleep at all.”
I heard footsteps behind me, and knew Craddick was doing his job.
“Perhaps that’s my aim, G-Rock.”
I clenched my teeth and shook my head. “My girlfriend wouldn’t care much for that either.”
She put the Red Bull back. “That’s strange. Heard you don’t have a girlfriend.”
I grinned. “Things change.”
I sensed someone to my right and saw Craddick leaning into the bar on his forearms. “New girlfriend?”
“Suppose you could say that. We’ve known each other a long time.”
Pruitt sauntered up to the bar with my check in hand. “Had a good night tonight, Sullivan. See how that works when you don’t play old-school hip-hop?”
I bit back my retort that I hadn’t seen the first person over the age of thirty-five on the floor, and lifted my chin.
“Maybe you can pull that off again tonight.”
“Not on for you tonight.”
His head tilted. “Ah, that’s right. One of your competitors under-bid you.”
I smiled. “You gonna be in on Monday during the day? I had something I wanted to run by you?”
He nodded. “I will. Call my assistant, she’ll let you know when I’m free.”
His attitude made me rethink investing in his business. But I could not let Cassie or her father take a fall for his bullshit.
Cassie
I WOKE UP FOR NO REASON at a quarter after five on Saturday morning. When I caught sight of my clock, I grabbed my phone and texted Gabe.
Are you home?
I watched the dots jump up and down in that wave-like pattern.
Just got in my truck. WTH are you doing up?
I chuckled and sent a shrugging emoji.
Sometimes, I just can’t sleep in. You could come here, if you want?
The dots did their special dance, but stopped. I wondered what on earth he had to hesitate about, but I went to the bathroom in order to not over-think it.
When I came back out, I saw Gabe’s text.
I’ll be there, but to quote you, no funny business. I’m *wiped*.
My brows furrowed for a moment, but then I smiled. At least he would be coming here to sleep, and that made me happy.
It hit me he probably hadn’t had anything to eat. I hustled to the kitchen and checked to see if I had any bacon. There was a half a package. I skipped the oven-bake method and grabbed some paper towels so I could microwave it instead.
While I flipped the bacon slices over on the plate mid-way through the cook time, a key scraped in the lock and I jolted. Fear coursed through me for a moment before I realized it was undoubtedly Gabe using my key. A moment later, he walked through the door, carrying a duffel bag.
My eyes met his. “You go to work with a change of clothes at the ready, Gabe?”
“No, darlin’. Can’t leave my gear in the truck. Had to take it up to my place, and since I was already there, I grabbed my shit.”
He spied the bacon and he closed his eyes as his stomach rumbled. “You and the bacon, Daughtry.”
I grinned. “Sorry, not sorry, Sullivan.”
“Give me a kiss, Cassandra.”
After I popped the plate back in the microwave, I wrapped my arms around his neck and he took control of the kiss. But no way would I complain about that.
When he broke our lip-lock, his eyes were warm. “You really makin’ breakfast this early?”
I shook my head. “I figured you’re probably hungry, and there’s never a bad time for bacon.”
His lips tipped up. “You sure you don’t talk to Cecilia more frequently? She thinks bacon’s a super-food. Like a superhero of food.”
I laughed. “Can’t say she’s wrong, now can you?”
He slid his nose along mine, and whispered, “Nope.”
“Do you want eggs with the bacon? Or would you rather dinner-type food?”
He looked up for a moment, then back to me. “Honey, I ate dinner before I hit the club. So, you got eggs, that’s fine. But, I need a shower.”
My lips pressed together and I slid my eyes to the side.
He chuckled. “I like that you think you can join me, but I wasn’t joking. I am dead on my feet, baby.”
“Okay, okay. Mi casa is su casa. I’ll scramble some eggs when you get done.”
His chin dipped. “Scramble the eggs now. I take pretty quick showers, Cassie.”
He left, and I grabbed the eggs, but still took my time scrambling them. There was nothing worse than cold eggs, and I didn’t believe him about the length of his showers.
While the skillet warmed up, I put two pieces of bread in the toaster. Since I knew he wanted to go to sleep, I skipped coffee and poured two glasses of orange juice. At the fridge I grabbed butter and strawberry jelly. The door swung shut, and Gabe wrapped his arms around me from behind making me jump.
“Geez! You scared me to death!”
“Told you I took quick showers, baby,” he murmured in my ear.
“Well, this is the first time you’ve showered here without me, so I didn’t believe you.”
He chuckled. “Fair enough.”
I turned and noticed he was only wearing his boxer briefs. His chest had so much definition, I wanted to trace the ridge between his pecs with my tongue, but I remembered he was tired and hungry. Putting the butter and jelly in his hands, I said, “Here. Put these on the table. I’ll get food out in a moment.”
“I can help more than that, Cassie.”
I winked. “Yeah, but I’m determined to feed my baby-daddy.” His face fell and his eyes widened and I couldn’t help but laugh. “I was joking, Sullivan!”
“Fuck,” he whispered.
“Thought you weren’t worried. You aren’t, are you?”
He paused. “Not really. But, I didn’t expect you to joke about it. That’s all.”
I quickly
