“Because it’s Oakley.I'm not sure she’s ever had a crush on anyone.I don’t see why she’d pick you for her first crush.”She rolls her eyes like I'm ridiculous, making my grin widen.I love when she’s playful with me.It doesn’t happen often, she’s normally more serious.I treasure the moments I get with her like this.
“Are you saying there’s something wrong with me?Why aren’t I a good man to have a crush on?”I slip into the empty side of the booth and watch her carefully.
“A couple of reasons.For one, you’re the VP.I'm pretty sure Dad would murder you if you tried to date one of us.”
I'm sure he would.Every time Porter, Dixie’s dad, sees someone stare a little too long at his precious daughters, he pulls them aside and sets them straight.Nothing, and I do mean nothing, gets by Porter Reeves… except whatever trouble the triplets get into.I don’t know how they’re always able to fly under his radar.
“I never really understood his rule when it comes to the three of you.”I stroke my beard, fighting to hide my smile when her eyes follow the movement.“Shouldn’t he want you to end up with someone in the club?I mean we can take care of you.Some Wall Street type isn't going to protect you the way we can.”
“Second, you’re almost twice my age,” she continues, ignoring my comment.
“You’re twenty-two.I’m thirty-six.That’s not twice your age.”This time it’s my turn to roll my eyes at Dixie.
“I said almost.”
“I’d have to be forty-four to be twice your age.That’s eight more years.That’s not even close.”
“Oh, whatever.”
I lean across the table, closing the distance between us.I trail my index finger down her cheek, over her jaw, and down her neck.Dixie watches me carefully and stays perfectly still.
“Plus, isn't an age gap romance supposed to be what all women want?”I ask in a gravelly voice.
“I think all women just want to find the love of their life.The one man who will protect them and make them feel like they’re the most important woman in the world.”
“And what about you, Dixie?”
“What about me?”
“Have you found your man?”
“Have I found him?Yes.But it will never work out.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t think he’d put me before everything else in his life.”She grabs her beer and slips out of the booth before I can say anything else.
Who could she be talking about?I’ve never seen her with any men.She doesn’t hang out with anyone outside of her sisters and she spends most of her time at the club or one of the businesses we own.I can't imagine she’s been sneaking away undetected.
Porter keeps an eye on them.He always has our men watching out for the girls, but I'm not sure they realize it.We don’t make it obvious, but we always know where they are.
I know exactly how many dates Dixie’s gone on.How many guys tried to kiss her and how many tried for more.When she was in high school, Porter always made me follow her.He didn’t trust any of the little punks who asked her on dates and knew if Dixie found out she was followed, she’d flip out.
I'm the only guy who could do it without being seen.Dixie pays attention to her surroundings more than Roxy and Oakley so I was always her protector.
Porter saw how much Chopper liked Roxy, so he had the displeasure of being her protector.He loved the idea until he realized he’d have to watch her on dates with someone else.
I'm not really sure who was assigned to Oakley.Like Dixie said, I don’t remember her ever really having a crush on anyone.I'm not sure she even went on dates.She’s always liked the club life and never really showed interest in anyone outside of the club.
She’s a mystery and one I'm not sure I want to discover.I'm happy leaving her to herself.There’s only one woman I want to know more about and she just walked away from me.
Any man who isn't intelligent enough to put Dixie above everything else in their life is an idiot.She’s smart, talented, beautiful, and so much more.She’s not the type of girl you date or sleep around with.You wife her up and never leave her side because there will always be someone waiting for you to screw up.Waiting for their shot at an amazing life with her.
Dixie Reeves is the type of woman someone like me will never be good enough for.It doesn’t matter how hard I try or what I do, she’ll always be just out of my reach.
Chapter 3
Dixie
