“You didn’t have to come,” I say softly, even if I’m grateful he did.
He leans in and kisses me, an innocent kiss that makes my entire body light up with desire. “I wanted to,” he answers, brushing his finger over my knuckles. “I'll see you at home tonight. I’m making meatballs.”
I laugh, “Seems like all you're trying to do is thicken me up.” His eyes peruse my figure, a gleam of desire in his blue eyes. We haven’t been physical with each other again, nothing more than a simple kiss now and then like the one just now. I want to so badly. I want to kiss him and touch him. To let him touch me in every way I know he wants to, but it’s been so good between us I’m afraid what a physical relationship right now might do.
“Baby, of course I am. This pregnancy has made all my fantasies come true. Your tits, that ass,” he says, softly smacking my ass. “Perfection.” I bite my lip to tame my arousal, but fuckdo I want him to touch me. He places another kiss on the top of my head. “I’ll be there, no matter what.”
I nod, unable to speak, and I don’t doubt his words. In three days, we’re going to find out the gender of our baby. Will she be my mini-me, or will he be the spitting image of his father? For the first time in a long time, I can’t wait to be surprised.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jase
The bar is closed tonight, yet here I am, clearing tables, setting up a spread of BBQ sliders, hot wings, and enough fries to feed an army—the Bishop army that is. On the bar top, I arrange a few crystal bourbon glasses from my personal collection, while six bottles of Lane & Co. Special Reserve Bourbon are lined up in a neat row beside them.
Tonight's tasting is special in particular because it’s the first time anyone outside of Lane & Co. is tasting this specific pour. Not to mention, the tasting is with the Bishop brothers, who are currently not my biggest fans. Then again, what’s new?
The front door to Stingers is yanked open, and one by one they file in, boots heavy on the wood floor as they strut toward me. Monty’s first, arms crossed like he’s already looking for reasons to be pissed off, his natural state. Beau follows, brooding as always, tossing me a curt nod while Theo trails in last, guitar case slung over his shoulder like it always is. The country music star, too big for this town, found some time in his busy schedule to drop in on my invitation, and I’ve got to say I’m touched.
“Didn’t realize we were getting the VIP treatment,” Nash mocks, eyeing the bottles, as he and Bailey head down from the apartment they share upstairs. Seeing them together is no longer shocking as I’ve come to truly understand that if anyone deserves to be happy, it’s my sister and I’m glad she found it with him.
Nash was my best friend for a reason. He’s a good guy, one of the best, actually. Now if only he could reciprocate the feelings with Monroe and me.
“Only the best for my future brothers-in-law,” I say cheerfully, knowing the effect that phrase will have on them, but I’m not above kissing ass tonight. The grunts and groans they all give prove my point.
First, they were pissed I’d slept with Monroe, then came the anger about getting her pregnant. So, I went and did the right thing, owning up to what we’d done and bringing her in to live with me, proving I’d take care of her. Now, they’re not fond of the thought of their baby sister spending the rest of her life by my side.
Temperamental bastards.
Tonight, the plan is to change their minds. “Figured if I’m putting this bourbon behind the shelf of my bar, and welcoming it into the Stingers Legacy, you should get the first taste. Family gets priority.”
They all give me a look at the use of the word family, but no one argues. Family is exactly what we are, in more ways than one, and it’s about time we all realize that. We were family long before Monroe and I or Nash and Bailey got together, and we’ll be a family long after despite the past feuding between our fathers.
“All right, gentlemen,” Lacey, the newly minted Bourbon Queen herself, says as she enters the room. She’s a sight to see, cool and confident in her red leather jacket and matchingcowboy boots I now know mean business. A little different from what she used to wear when I met her—which was nothing but flowy sundresses and her boots—she’s fit the part perfectly since deciding to continue her father’s legacy.
“We’ve got three tastings tonight,” she adds, grabbing one of the three bottles I set up on the tall table beside her. “This is our small-batch bourbon we’ve just started pouring. We’ll start light and work our way up.”
Gliding around the room like she owns it, she pours the first round, sliding glasses across the bar, while all the Bishop men, including Nash, stare in amusement at the woman they know nothing about. They briefly met her on New Year’s Eve, but other than Beau, I don’t believe they were ever introduced.
“Gentlemen,” I say as they lift their glasses, sniffing them like professionals. “This is Lacey Lane, of Lane & Co. Bourbon. I’ll be exclusively serving her Special Reserve Bourbon at Stingers Tavern starting next weekend, and I figured since she’s in town for the occasion, she could give us all a private tasting.”
Beau winces at the burn on the first sip while Nash grunts in approval, and Theo leans back with a mischievous grin.
“Smooth,” Theo says, his wide-toothed smile directed at Lacey, who grins in excitement. “I might have to write a song about it, Ms. Lane.”
His flirtatious tone isn’t missed, and Lacey’s cheeks flush in response. Beau clears his throat, rolling his eyes at his younger brother’s charm and uncomfortable with the way they lock eyes. “This’ll sell out quickly.”
Now it’s my turn to smile at the compliment. Lane & Co. is unlike any other bourbon I’ve ever had. It’s smooth and subtle, yet potent enough that it’ll have you seeing stars if you’re not careful. It’s a unique and rich blend of fruit and spice, higher proof than the single-barrel reserve but an excellent choice to sipon or add to a cocktail. Which will be perfect for our bartenders to mix.
“Not bad,” Nash admits, though his tone suggests he really enjoyed it. Lacey grins wide, moving along to pour the next bottle.
We move through the tasting with ease. The bourbon quickly loosened the guys up, especially when they asked for a second pour of their favorites. Our conversations shifted from the grand reveal we have planned to the current construction projects Monty’s working on, to Theo’s touring schedule that’s soon coming to a close. Nash is still being pretty tight-lipped about his extracurriculars, but he’s been picking up a few shifts at the bar for me when I’ve gone out of town or left early to have dinner at home with Monroe.
It might be good to bring him on board full time when the baby’s born since I plan to be at Monroe’s side through it all.
“You should definitely do your farewell stop at the Colton County Country Music Festival this June,” Bailey says, when Theo mentions the opportunity of headlining the festival. “It will be incredible, and we can even sign up to have a tent up for the bar, exclusively serving this delicious bourbon.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Lacey adds, intrigued and already becoming the savvy businesswoman I didn’t know she could be. “I can even design some exclusive bottles to raffle off, and with your autograph, Theo, I’m sure we could raise some good money for the bar, and Lane & Co. of course.”
