Page 35 of Surrender to Love

“You want this on the counter?” Deuce’s deep voice booms, interrupting us.

“We will continue this later,” Shuga whispers before tapping my arm.

“Yes we will because you definitely should go,” I mumble back before turning to Deuce. “Yes, here on the counter is fine, and thank you for getting that for me.”

“You good,” he mumbles.

After placing my crockpot on the counter, Deuce steps back to the small table and retackles his plate. While I have a million questions for Shuga, Deuce is clearly planted until he’s done eating and I need to get this stew to Shiro. I step toward her and speak lowly.

“We can talk about the event later.”

“Yeah, I’ll call you. I think I’m going to need you and Reya’s help if she’s up to it,” she says and I nod. “But please don’t say anything to Shiro.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” I assure her, then grin. I can only imagine how Shiro, and hell, even his brothers, will react to Shuga going on any kind of date. They are so protective of her. This is going to be interesting.

“Good.” She smiles then pulls me in for an embrace.

“Thanks again for sharing your recipe with me and teaching me how to make this. I would have never figured it out on my own.”

“Yes, you would’ve. It’s not that hard,” she says and I purse my lips.

It’s hard as hell.

“Well, let me get ready to go. I’m sure his breakfast has worn off and he’s about ready for lunch.”

“Thank you,” she says.

“For what?” I genuinely question because why is she thanking me.

“For loving my son enough to do this. This is all I want for them. First Quintus, now Shiro,” she says and I immediately notice how she doesn’t mention Ace and Sade.

I don’t care what Shiro says, there’s something up with Sade. For some reason, Shuga doesn’t really care for her. Whenever Sade is around, things are cordial but that’s it. Their interactions aren’t like this, warm and loving.

“I love him and he loves this stew. I had to learn how to cook it.”

“And I love that. Let’s get this into this crockpot,” she says.

“I got it.”

“Well, I’ll package up the rice.”

“I got that too. I brought a container for it. It’s in this bag.” I point toward the thermal bag I placed on the end of the island when I first arrived. “I’ve got it; you’ve really done enough. Besides, his plate looks clean and he still looks hungry,” I half tease.

“His ass is always hungry,” she says with a titter before walking over to Deuce.

I transfer the stew and pack the rice into the container, sealing it before placing it into the bag then into a box I brought for transporting everything. Right as I start to lift the crockpot, Deuce rushes over and grabs it from me. He places it into the box then carries my things to my car. After saying goodbye to Shuga, I head to the shop.

Bako Repairs is only about twenty minutes from Shuga’s. When I arrive, I spot Shiro in the second bay working on a small SUV so I pull in behind it. He sees me when he closes the hood of the vehicle. While wiping his hands on a towel, he strolls over, looking sexy as hell, even in these oily coveralls. His sexy, lazy but confident ass walk sends a chill down my damn spine that circles around and slaps my damn clit.

“You missed me that much,” his deep tenor utters after he opens my door.

“I sure did,” I respond.

Once I’m out, he closes my door and backs me against it. Then he commandeers my space and places one hand on top of my ride.

“Then kiss me like you really miss yo’ nigga,” he says and my head is up and lips ready before the last word falls off his. With a tinge of aggression, a lot of want, and much love, his lips capture mine and he kisses me as if we are not in front of his employees and any customers who can see us through the large glass windows. When his hands grip my ass and I moan into his mouth, I quickly break our kiss. “Why’d you do that?”

“Because you were ten seconds from having me trying to take this off,” I admit while touching his coveralls.