“Got a late start. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good. Max was excited you were planning to be here.”
A smile tilts the corner of my mouth. “Only Max?”
“Just Max.” She tries not to laugh, biting down on her bottom lip. “No one else.”
“Damn. Probably should have stayed home then.”
“Not a chance.”
Joey looks around, and when it’s safe, presses up to give me a fleeting kiss.
“Worth it just for that.” I smile down at her.
I wish I could pull her into my arms and deepen the kiss. Spend a lazy few minutes with her in here without the threat of being caught by someone.
I didn’t think it would be like this when we first got together. I was naïve to think it could be one and done. That time is long gone. Every time I’m with Joey, it’s better than the last.
And it’s not just the sex, even though it’s incredible. I just love being around this woman.
I loveher.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way and had these feelings for another person. It’s highly inconvenient that I feel this way about my best friend’s daughter. She’s twenty years younger than I am. I can already hear what people would say.
You need to find someone your age.
It doesn’t matter. The heart wants what the heart wants.
“I should probably take the burgers out,” I say, not wanting to leave her.
“I should get these out too.” She lifts the tray.
I grab the patties from the fridge and follow her outside. I shouldn’t be ogling that perfect ass of hers, but I am.
“Took you long enough,” Greg says.
I flip him off. “Next time I’ll let you get them.”
“Is that any way to repay the chef?”
“See if I save you anything at our next poker night.” I shake my head.
“That would require you to make it,” Dennis says.
Astute fucker.
“Sorry some of us have busy jobs that require us to work odd hours,” I say.
“Who knew the ranch business could be so hard.” Greg laughs. “Joey seems to be working hard out there too.”
“From what I see of her. Our paths don’t cross that often.”
“Well, she’s always speaking very highly of the ranch and everything Kade has done out there.”
I nod in agreement. “He deserves all the credit. That place was going to hell in a handbasket with Verne at the end there.”
“I was out there for the celebration,” Greg says, flipping the patties. “It really looks great.”
