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“Rams, baby, we have to stop.” He pulls out of the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. “I owe you dinner.”
“Meh,” I say, making him laugh. We’re both breathing heavily, our chests rising rapidly as we try to recover from the passion that ignites between us.
“As bad as I want to kiss you, I also want to feed you.” He gives me a quick, chaste kiss before stepping away from me. He points his finger at me. “You and your lips are addictive.”
This time it’s me who’s laughing. Deacon tilts his head to the side, a look I can’t decipher on his handsome face. “What?”
“I like the sound of your laugh filling my home.” He steps in close and kisses me one more time. “Now, I have to focus on dinner.” He winks, grabs the burgers from beside me on the island, and disappears outside to the patio.
I can’t take my eyes off him as he places the burgers on the grill once it’s heated up. That’s probably why I don’t hear Palmer.
“Earth to Ramsey.” She chuckles, waving her hand in front of my face.
“Oh. Sorry.” I blush. I’m busted, and we both know it. There is no way that I can get out of this one.
“Like what you see?” she teases.
“She better.” Deacon winks as he comes back inside with an empty plate in his hands. He strides over to the sink and rinses it before placing it in the dishwasher. He washes his hands and pulls another from the cabinet.
“Started without me, I see,” Palmer comments.
“You were supposed to call, and we were hungry,” Deacon tells her.
“Oh, I know.” Palmer leans against the island and bumps her shoulder into mine.
Deacon just smiles, grabbing the salt and pepper shakers and heading back outside. “You’re into him.” Palmer smiles.
“He’s a nice guy.” I stare down at the floor.
“He is. He’s also single. You’re single, so…” She lets the words just hang there.
“He’s your brother.”
“Right? We could be sisters.” She’s excited by the prospect. There is no mistaking that by the sound of her voice.
“He’s Orrin’s best friend.” Not that I need my cousin’s permission, but he and his brothers and my aunt and uncle saved me. I don’t want to do anything to disrespect them, but I feel as though there’s a string tied to me, and it’s locked around Deacon. It’s as if I’m tethered to him, and I’m okay with that. He reminds me a lot of my cousins and uncle—men who respect women and let them have a voice.
“I’m sure he would agree that Deac is a great guy,” Palmer counters.
“He’s ten years older than me.” The age difference doesn’t really bother me. When he’s kissing me, or even when we’re talking, the age difference isn’t there. He’s just Deacon.
“Age is just a number. Besides, ten years isn’t that bad. When he’s fifty and you’re forty, you can still get the senior discount. Win-win.” She cackles with laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Deacon asks, closing the patio door.
“Nothing.” I’m quick to send this conversation on a detour.
“I was just telling Ramsey here that age is just a number. For example, say the two of you got together. When you’re fifty, and she’s forty, she can benefit from your senior discount.” Palmer is smiling like a loon, proud of herself.
Me, I’m blushing. I can feel the heat in my cheeks. I don’t know what this is with Deacon. Sure, he asked me out on a date. Two dates if I’m getting technical. We’ve shared a few kisses, but that doesn’t mean he wants to date me.
“She’s right, babe.” Deacon grins. “Think of it as a perk.”
Palmer’s mouth drops open in shock.
“What’s wrong, little sister? Cat got your tongue?” Deacon goads. He takes it a step further, striding toward me and stopping next to me. “I’ll give you all my discounts, darlin’,” he purrs before placing his lips against my cheek. “The chips are in the pantry, and the fruit salad is on the counter. Palmer, make yourself useful and grab the condiments from the fridge. There is lettuce and tomato cut up as well.” He winks at me and walks back outside, shutting the patio door behind him.
“What. The. Hell. Was. That?” Palmer is vibrating with excitement.
“Nothing.”
“Oh, no you don’t, Ramsey Smithfield. That was not nothing. I need details, and I need them now.”
“It was nothing.”
“Fine, I’ll just ask Deacon. I can get it out of him. I’ve had years and years of practice getting my big brother to fold to my ways. Just ask Piper. She taught me everything she knows.” She smiles smugly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Before I can answer her, Deacon is stepping back into the kitchen with a plate of grilled burgers. They smell delicious and make my mouth water. His eyes find mine. “Hungry?”
