“I had to leave him at home.”
“Your home is with me now,” Hendrix said. “And so is his. Let’s go get the little fur-rat, shall we?”
I let him lead me toward the door, then stopped. “Give me a second? I need to go tell my parents I won’t be meeting them for brunch.”
“You want me to come with you, baby doll?” Hendrix squeezed my hand, offering a silent show of support.
“No. I have a feeling they won’t really be a big part of our lives after this.” There was no way I’d subject him to the cold shoulder my parents were sure to give him. “I’ll be right back.”
With Hendrix watching from the doorway, I headed toward the table where my parents waited. It didn’t take long for me to tell them I wouldn’t be joining them for brunch. They were too worried about making a scene to say anything in front of their friends at the club, but the look in my father’s eyes promised there would be hell to pay later.
Lucky for me, later would never come. I’d be on my way out of town with my fiancé and immune to any ultimatums he thought he could issue.
A few minutes later, I linked my arm with the man I loved, and we walked out of the club where I’d spent too many Sunday mornings to count.
“I hope you have a car,” I said. “I’m pretty sure mine is going to get repossessed by my dad’s company soon.”
A vintage Ford truck idled at the curb. It looked as out of place as a pig in a thoroughbred race. “Your chariot awaits.”
“Where did you get this?” I let him help me into the cab and settled on the wide bench seat.
“Belongs to one of my brothers. He lives outside of Dallas and let me borrow it when I called him this morning.”
“I can’t wait to meet your family. I’ve always wanted a brother or sister. Being an only child can be so lonely.”
“Careful what you wish for. I’ve got dozens of brothers and a foster mother who’s sweeter than the strawberries she picks right off the vines. They’re all going to love you.”
“I hope so. I just left my family, my job, and my apartment for you.” The seriousness of my decision threatened to drag me down.
Hendrix wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me into the center of the wide bench, right next to him. “Baby, you and me are just meant to be. Tell me you didn’t feel it the second we saw each other.”
I couldn’t. He was right. Our love didn’t make sense, but often the best things in life didn’t.
“Oh my gosh. I’m going to get to close out the tour in L.A. with you, aren’t I? That means I have time to teach you all the lyrics to all the songs so you can sing them with me during the concert, right?”
Hendrix tightened his grip on my shoulders and laughed. “You let me teach you all the lyrics to my Jimi Hendrix collection, and you’ve got yourself a deal.”
“Let’s kiss on it.”
He pulled the truck over to the side of the road and cupped the back of my head with his huge hand. “Baby, I thought you’d never ask.”
EPILOGUE
HENDRIX
Ithought love would make me weak, but instead it made me stronger. Having Daisy in my life made me wake up each day with a purpose. It was impossible to be anything but happy with her by my side. I’d been worried about the age gap, but she made me feel young. That’s how I felt as I stood next to her at the grand opening of Pampered Pooches and Pets. My hand rested on her growing belly while our friends and family filled the retail space.
“You did it, sweetheart.” I leaned down and pressed a kiss to the spot behind her ear that drove her wild.
“We did it.” She turned and smiled up at me. “And if you keep that up, you’re going to have to close down the party early and take me home.”
I chuckled. She was due in less than two months. The last trimester of her pregnancy had her hormones spiking and she couldn’t seem to get enough time with me under the covers… or in the storage room… or in the front seat of the truck. That one was getting challenging since she wasn’t nearly as flexible as she’d been before I knocked her up.
“Do we need to look for something in the back room together?” I slipped my hand down to cup her tight round ass.
“Don’t tempt me. If Mama Mae wasn’t due to show up any minute, I’d already have your pants around your ankles and be riding your cock into oblivion.”
“Such a dirty mouth on you, baby doll.” And I loved every fucking word. I’d been right about Daisy being a wildcat in bed. Once we figured out what she liked, she was insatiable. I considered our sex life to be my cardio training.
