He wanted to stay out of his head tonight, too, because he didn’t want to think about the revelations Badger had dropped on him earlier.
No, he wasn’t comfortable carrying the 9mm, but he was even less comfortable with Dewi carrying one in a purse, and the outfit he wanted her to wear tonight wasn’t conducive to carrying. The trade-off was well worth it.
And him carrying meant she would relax and not be as hyper-aware.
He also remembered advice Nami, Asia, and Gillian had all given him out in Idaho before the wedding: walk like you own not just the suit, but the whole damned building you’re in.
The appreciative glances he uncomfortably clocked from female patrons—and a couple of the male ones as well—when they’d walked in and were shown to their table apparently indicated the three ladies hadn’t been wrong in their advice.
He’d spent most of his life hiding, shrinking. Trying not to be noticed so he wouldn’t draw attention to himself from his step-brother or step-father. Later, from fellow students and then co-workers.
Obviously, there wasn’t anything wrong withhim. Call it a mate bond or whatever, Dewi had fallen for him the way he was, loved him, before she knew anything about his lineage.
And tonight her smile lit every beautiful inch of her face. Another reason Gillian had wanted pictures from tonight—pictures of Dewismiling.
Because until recently, they had almostnone. The best they’d been able to do while she was younger was to get her to stop scowling long enough to take something that didn’t resemble a mugshot.
Even once, when she was three, by Badger dangling a raw steak just out of frame. She hadn’t smiled but her eyes lit up and the photographer had called it close enough and snapped the pic.
While they were waiting for the check, Ken leaned in and crooked a finger at her so he could whisper in her ear.
“I’ll take care of this. I want you to go into the bathroom, and when we get back to the car I’d better not find panties on that gorgeous ass of yours.”
Sure, he could have said it to her silently through their mate bond, but where was the fun in that when he wanted to be a little naughty with his wife and completely shut her brain down?
Her cheeks adorably flushed, but she smiled. “I think I can do that.”
“Thank you, baby.” He kissed her and sat back, waiting with an eyebrow arched while she stood so he could waggle his fingers at her, indicating the direction of the restrooms.
He thought she had to stop herself from running, which amused thehellout of him.
The waiter brought the check as well a large paper shopping bag holding the to-go desserts Dewi had ordered. “Your six cheesecakes, sir. They said they were already sliced or they would have given you a whole one.”
“Thanks, no problem.”
He was ready to go when she returned, the pink a little deeper in her cheeks now. He stood, the key fob in hand when she walked up. “Ready?”
She nodded, and he took her hand to lead her out, holding the bag in the other. When they reached the car he turned her around and pressed her against the passenger door of his SUV so she could feel how hard he was already.
And so he could run a hand down her side, over her hips. “If I say ‘good girl’ tonight will that make you hotter or get me castrated?”
She giggled. “Tonight? It’ll get you blownandlaid.”
“Oooh, lucky me. Good girl, then, baby.” He slanted his lips over hers for a kiss before moving her so he could open the door and help her in.
He stowed the bag on the floor behind his seat and got in, starting it. Before she could fasten her seatbelt, he opened the glovebox and put his gun in there with hers. “Okay. Shirt off, baby. I want to have fun.”
She met his gaze as she removed the shirt and tossed it over the seat. He leaned in, skimming the hem of her dress up to her thighs so he could reach between them while kissing her.
Oooh, she was wet, all right. His fingers explored, circling her clit and dipping inside her, making her softly moan.
Then he made sure she was looking him in the eyes when he put his fingers to his lips and tasted, licking them clean. He glanced around, making sure they weren’t being watched, and pulled down the front of the dress enough to free her left breast. Lowering his head to it, he grazed his teeth over her nipple while his hand returned to between her thighs, two fingers easily sliding in all the way to the knuckles.
He knew if he wasn’t careful he could easily get carried away and lose himself in this beautifully simple pleasure, of bringing her pleasure.
In a perfect world, that’s all they’d have to worry about—taking care of each other and their children.
But this wasn’t a perfect world, and he wanted to cram as much perfection into small moments like this as he could.
