Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 97(@200wpm)___ 78(@250wpm)___ 65(@300wpm)
Abi never lifted her head as she gave an almost silent answer. “Yeah. Coconut water with watermelon.”
To Dev’s irritation, Abi had fully adopted Cash’s vegan habits. She’d most likely done it to aggravate Dev. The man was a carnivore to his core. But between Cash and Abi, they were slowly making headway with Mae. If the majority of the house was on a healthy diet, then Dev would have no choice but to follow. At least it worked that way in his head. Dev’s unpredictability left most things in question.
Cash took the steps between the kitchen table to the refrigerator, getting Abi a new drink and pulling out a Bud Light for Dev.
“Hey, Mae,” Dev said in the booming way he spoke. Since Mae’s last birthday, she was about fifty-fifty on whether Dev was to pick her up or bend down to give his greeting as a peck on the cheek. Tonight, she launched herself at him, jumping up. Dev swept out his arms, easily catching her.
“Hey, Daddy. I started my Christmas list today. You need to teach me how to ride a bike,” Mae said, absently pushing the wisps of hair off her face to see better. They’d been talking about Mae learning to ride for a while now, but she’d rejected every single opportunity to go outside and try. Tonight, she changed her tune. “Mama told me I need to ask you for a Frog Bike for Christmas. They’re four hundred dollars,” she stated proudly, then paused, looking over her shoulder to Abi. “Right?”
“Yes,” Abi answered without looking up, intuitively knowing Mae was talking to her. “And it’s too much money for a first bike. I told you that.”
Mae popped her head back around to Dev, giving a shake. Her long ponytail swished back and forth. “It’s not too much money, because it’s pink, and I can ride it in the dirt.”
“You don’t like dirt,” Abi countered with her face still down, pen moving as Cash put the new drink in front of her. “And you’re growing fast now. That bike won’t fit you next year.”
“Don’t listen to her, Daddy,” Mae said, bringing her hands to Dev’s ears, covering each one while moving his face to where they stared at each other, only inches apart.
“Can I say hello to the rest of my family?” Dev asked Mae. For about a second, she contemplated the request, then nodded happily. The smile continued as she placed a quick peck on his cheek.
“I’m glad you're home, Daddy. Do your artwork in my room tonight until I fall asleep.” Her legs went straight, ready to be put back on the floor.
Dev’s gaze searched the large kitchen until he found Cash. His guy eased any lingering tension from the busy day. Dev had an uncanny knack of leaving work at work. When home, he gave his full attention to his family. Crazy still gravitated to Dev. The tattoo parlor had grown too big, too fast. Dev could barely keep up and had hired an additional artist to help Trace with the overflow clients. The girls had Dev chasing after them all the time. He strived to be a good parent. He attended every school meeting. Made promises to the PTA and volunteered to be the parent set designer for a school play Abi was taking part in.
They’d also begun the process to have more children. It was fast, probably too soon in their less-than-a-year-old relationship, but that was how Dev handled life: full throttle.
As if that weren’t enough, Dev had added a joint venture with Keyes to his already full plate.
Cash tried to help Dev’s heavy load, but his efforts usually fell short. Every time he took a task off Dev’s list, another promptly replaced it. But at this moment, with the easing in the fine lines around Dev’s eyes and the sincere smile he gave, Cash better saw how he helped his mister. Their bond was deep and mutual. A sweet devotion to the other. Cash loved his biker beyond reason. From this minute until they left in the morning, Dev belonged to him, and he belonged to Dev.
A reformed outlaw biker made the best forever mate.
“Here,” Cash said, meeting Dev in the middle of the kitchen, handing over the can of beer before tilting for his kiss.
Their lips lingered like they always did.
“Two little lovebirds sittin’ in a tree…” Mae started a tune her mother had taught her to sing anytime he and Dev did anything remotely intimate. Tena, Dev’s ex, and the girls’ mom was back in Dallas full time, on her own. She was doing a good job at managing her responsibilities, only aggravating in these situations.
“Can you believe how annoyin’ Mae is?” Dev whispered loudly, giving the exact reaction his little one wanted. She beamed with pride while climbing back into the seat.