“All I want is for someone to be deserving of Sutton. She hasn’t exactly had an easy track record with men.”
“I want to be someone that is worthy of her. I’ve only known her a little while, but I hope I can be that person for her.”
Jameson sticks out his hand. “I hope so too. Because if you hurt her, I will end you.”
I take his hand. “I have no doubt that you will.”
This time, a smile slides onto his face. “Good. Because she likes you, and I’d hate to be the one to crush her little heart.”
“I will protect her with everything that I am.”
“I know you will.”
“I take it this is a good thing?” Sutton comes up next to Jameson. Hope blooms in her bright hazel eyes.
“Oh, get in here.” Jameson wraps the two of us in a hug, but my gaze stays on Sutton. On the beautiful woman standing between us. “I give you my permission to date him.”
“Really?” Sutton looks up at him.
“He seems like a good man. But I will kill him if he hurts you.”
“Which I won’t,” I correct him.
Sutton wiggles out of Jameson’s arms and wraps hers around me. I breathe a sigh of relief at getting her like this. Even the thought of her being taken away from me was a thought I couldn’t bear.
“Does this mean I still get to take you out Saturday?”
Sutton rests her chin on my chest and looks up at me. “You better, Derek. Because I am ready for a grown-up date with pancakes and no kids.”
I drop a quick peck on her lips, mindful of the audience around us.
“I can’t fucking wait.”
Chapter Nine
DEREK
“Bowling?” Sutton asks, tying the red-and-blue borrowed shoes. They clash horribly with the jeans and black sleeveless shirt with sunflowers on it, but damn, is she ever gorgeous.
“Hell yeah.” A wide grin splits my face. “Who doesn’t love bowling? I bring Troy all the time.”
Sutton approaches me on our lane toward the end of the alley. It’s crowded tonight, almost every lane reserved. Balls are speeding down the lanes before they crash into the pins.
Lifting the pint glass in hand, I take a long pull as Sutton comes to a stop in front of me. Her eyes drift down my chest to my arms. Did I wear this fitted, short-sleeve button-up because it shows off my biceps? Maybe. I notice how much Sutton loves them. I’m not above letting her ogle me.
“I can only imagine how cute Troy is at bowling.”
“He’s getting good. Doesn’t need my help anymore.”
“Will you help me?” Sutton wraps one arm around my waist and pulls the icy glass from my hand and takes her own sip.
Fuck. Me.
I lick my own lips as I lean down to taste her lips. It’s fleeting.Nothing heated or what I truly want it to be. Her mouth is cool from the hoppy beer.
“Mmm.”
“Like it?” I pull back, her eyes closed and a happy look on her face.
