“Totally.”
“Okay, ready?” Kristen turns off the kitchen lights, and the whole room turns orange from the glowing tower of icing.
“Happy birthday to you,” Kristen starts and then I join. “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Kira. Happy birthday to you!”
Kira takes a deep breath and then blows as hard as she can, hitting each and every lit candle until they are snuffed out.
I flick the kitchen light back on.
“I hope you made a big, fat wish.” Kristen puts her arm around Kira’s shoulder and gives her an adoring kiss.
“I did.” Kira looks straight at me and smiles. The girl is really cute as a button.
Kristen picks out all the candles.
“Okay, I have to go get ready,” Kira announces.
“Wait, what?” Kristen pauses with a handful of birthday candles.
“Yeah, I’m going out. I’m meeting Meghan and Tristan at Lora’s house. We’re going drinking.”
“Ah . . .,” Kristen tries to stall. “What about cake?”
“I’ll eat it for breakfast. You two enjoy.” Kira kisses her mother on the cheek and then does the same to me before fluttering right out of the room.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to for her to be twenty-one yet.” Kristen looks at me adorably worried.
I slide along the white kitchen island until I can reach her. Placing my hands on her hips, I pull her against me and press a reassuring kiss on her lips. “She’ll be fine. Worst part about having kids. They grow up.”
“So true,” Kristen pouts cutely. She’s freakin’ makin’ me melt.
“Wasn’t there some famous guy who said let them eat cake?” I swipe some frosting from the side of the cake and hold my finger up to her lips.
Kristen smiles sweetly, and I know my distraction tactics are working. She licks the frosting off my finger, and every nerve ending in my body lights up. It’s definitely her effect.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” I steal some frosting for myself. This sugary shit ain’t bad.
“For . . . everything. For being here. For Dex.” She rolls her eyes. “For just being you.”
“Well, I’m glad you like me.”
“What’s not to like?”
I scoff. “I can give you a list.”
“You’ve got a lot more to offer than you think.”
“I’m an ex-con who loves to gamble, owns a garage, and is an MC president. Stellar resume.” I throw up the okay sign.
“Oh, that’s not how I see you at all.” Kristen bats her long, thick eyelashes. “I see a strong man who’s confident, funny, and sexy as fuck. Who doesn’t take shit from anyone and fights for the people he loves.”
“I do fight for the people I love.” I give her that.
“Also, underneath that that rugged, tattooed exterior” — she leans in close and whispers seductively in my ear — “is a big softy.”
“I’m only a big softy when it comes to you.” I slide my hands down her back and squeeze her ass. Kristen squeaks. It’s cute as all hell. “I’ve never been with a woman like you. You’ve ruined me for life.”
