Whiskey Sharp_Unraveled

by Lauren Dane

  “You’re being very agreeable.”

  Maybe laughed as she popped a slice of apple into her mouth. “Last night was important. I needed to know. Do you understand what I mean?” she asked.

  “You needed to know why they treat you the way they do.” The only thing keeping his stream of curses inside was the knowledge that she deserved to have this be about her feelings, not his.

  “It should scare me.” She paused, shook her head and started again. “It used to scare me that you saw right to my heart. Yes. I needed to know. And what I found out was that they pretty much never liked me and saw me as a waste of energy and the reason for a lot of bad things in their lives. They never stopped not liking me and aren’t going to act like they don’t anymore. That’s it in a nutshell.”

  She ate awhile, nibbling on her bacon as she stared off into the middle distance. Rain pattered against the window.

  “And now I know. Which hurts less than I’m relieved. I’ll talk to Seth about what I need to do for the order. I don’t know what Rachel will do. And that has to be up to her. But I have to make choices for me too.”

  He let go of the tension that’d been gathering as he’d anticipated some pushback from her. “I’m so relieved to hear you say all this. I admit I was concerned.”

  One of her brows arched up. “Are you saying you think I’m difficult?”

  “Yes. That’s what I’m saying.”

  She snickered and tossed a balled-up napkin at his head. “You put me first.”

  He cocked his head. “I’m sorry?”

  She stretched out to kiss his forehead quickly. “I said it wrong. Thank you for putting me first.”

  “That’s what it means to me to love you. Do you see? I want your happiness and your safety. I want your well-being. Of course I put you first. You do the same.”

  “I come with so much bullshit. I’m sorry about that. But I’m glad it doesn’t seem to matter to you. You see me and you understand me and it means a lot. Everything.”

  He snorted. “I see you and I see the brilliant heart of a warrior queen. Intelligent and sexy. Creative. Fierce and loyal to a fault. You’re everything. Together, we’re exactly what we’re supposed to be.” He looked up from his toast, met her gaze. Appreciated the smile. “As for the bullshit? You’ve met my family. You know them well and you still say these things.”

  “Okay then. Just so you know up front and don’t come back later and say you didn’t have any idea what my parents were like.”

  “I’ll do my best. I think we should ride the ferry today. I checked the schedule. We can go to Bainbridge, have something to eat and come home whenever we’d like.”

  “Don’t you have work in several hours? I have the day off, but you don’t.”

  He noticed she didn’t shoot the idea down.

  “I know the boss.” He shrugged. “I want to be with you today when I can touch you whenever I’d like. At work you frown at that.”

  She put the tray aside, climbing into his lap. “You know very well we’ve had carnal relations at Whiskey Sharp on more than one occasion. I just don’t make out with you between clients.”

  He nuzzled her neck. “Oh yes you do.”

  Her giggle filled him with joy. “Well, okay but that’s not in the middle of the shop! That’s in your office. Or the supply room.”

  “Will you play with me today? I want to spend time with you.”

  “How could I refuse such an offer? I’d love to do that.”

  “My mother is coming to visit in late March. She wants to meet you in person and spend time here. I was thinking we could FaceTime, that way she could meet you that way first.”

  “Oh. Well.” She blushed, looking down into her mug a moment before she spoke again. “All right. I promise to bring her a present though.”

  He laughed, taking her hand to kiss her knuckles. “You’re very smart. Things between us may not always be easy, but I am ever in your corner. Do you hear me?” He shifted to his knees in front of her, holding her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. “Do you?”

  Maybe thought about it—once she got over her panic about his mother visiting and a video call that is. “Yes. I do. And the same goes for me. I will throw bread at anyone’s head who comes for you and bravely eat all the food you make. Also, I love you a whole lot. A fuckton, if you will. So thanks. For getting my back and for always making me come.”

  He remained on his knees, just looking at her with such intensity she got a little flutter below the waist.

  “Are you eye fucking me, Alexsei Petrov?” she asked him.

  “I’m not sure what that is, but if it means I want to sex you up, yes. But first, let’s finish talking and don’t give me that face. Didn’t I pleasure you last night when you said you didn’t want to talk?”

  “A hardship I’m sure.”

  He snorted and then tried to nod solemnly.

  He sat back on his heels, still looking ripply and gorgeous. “Just be sure you realize this whole situation is now a we thing. I’m here and I am on no one’s side but yours. Get me? I love your sister and I support protecting her too. I understand she’s suffered a lot and I hate that your father is trying to manipulate her. So I’m at her back as well. But, not at your expense. You need to understand that. I am your number one fan, Maybe, and I will not tolerate any bullshit from your family.”

  “It sounds like you have a crush on me, Alexsei,” she told him sadly.

  “I know. I think it might be incurable. Because I love you. And I want to be with you. For the long haul. Even if I smoke weed on your porch and we tempt your sister astray with our villainous ways.”

  Laughing, she threw her arms around him, not minding that she’d just spilled coffee on the bedding. “I love you too, Lyosha. I’m sorry in advance for all the stuff I’m going to put you through.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because I’ll put you through your paces too.”

  She held out a fist, pinkie out. “Pinkie swear.”

  “What is that?”

  She rolled her eyes, showing him how to grip her pinkie with his.

  “The pinkies make it super solemn. Also, if you mess me over, your dick will fall off. I guess I should have told you before we did that, huh?”

  Laughing, he took her down to the mattress and led her astray with all his villainous sex moves.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from GIVING CHASE by Lauren Dane.

  The Chase boys. Ridiculously hot and notoriously single.

  Don’t miss the Chase Brothers series from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Dane!

  GIVING CHASE

  (Chase Brothers, book one)

  When landscaper Kyle Chase takes notice of Maggie Wright, all of Petal, Georgia wonders what the quiet schoolteacher is hiding underneath her tight bun and boring blouses. Kyle wants Maggie in his life—and in his bed—and he doesn’t mind getting down and dirty to prove it.

  The Chase is On: One small town. Four hot brothers. And enough heat to burn up anyone who dares to get close.

  Don’t miss the next books:

  TAKING CHASE (Chase Brothers, book two)

  CHASED (Chase Brothers, book three)

  MAKING CHASE (Chase Brothers, book four)

  Grab your copies now!

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  Giving Chase

  by Lauren Dane

  Chapter One

  Friday night in Petal. Half the town—that is, those citizens sixty and under—were gathered inside The Pumphouse seeking refuge from th
e rain and enjoying three-dollar pitchers of beer and burgers. The crowd noise was so loud, whatever song playing on the jukebox was indistinguishable. Still, Maggie, Dee and Liv sat at their usual table—the one by the window—so they could watch the goings-on. They’d sat there, every Friday night, for the last four years. It should have seemed mundane, boring, but it was the time when each of the friends got to reconnect after a long week and it was a bright spot instead.

  But the usually happy Maggie sighed into her beer before taking the last drink and setting her empty glass down on the table.

  “So, I finally broke up with Sam. It’s definitely over.”

  With an inelegant snort, Liv tried to catch the server’s eye to order another pitcher. “Maggie, honey, it’s been over for at least a month now. You just haven’t been willing to admit it to yourself. And heaven knows our manners were too good to break it to you.” It was Maggie’s turn to snort at that.

  Stifling a grin, Liv continued. “Anyway, he’s an ass. He’s been an ass since the fifth grade. You’re too good for him.”

  “Way too good for him. He needs a momma, not a girlfriend.” Dee’s nose wrinkled in disgust.

  “Well, the problem is this town is just too damned small! Who’ve I got to choose from? And let’s keep it men between twenty-two and fifty who aren’t married, living with his mother or gay.” Maggie handed a five over to Patrick for the beer and began to pour out for everyone. “Keep the change, sugar.” She winked, getting a cheeky grin in return before he turned and headed back through the crowd to the bar.

  “It really is a shame he’s gay. He looks as good going as he does coming.” Dee’s voice trailed off as she watched him disappear into the crowd.

  “Yeah, a shame for our team.” Liv sighed. “But you know, you’re failing to mention the hottest real estate in town. How about one of the Chase brothers?”

  Maggie snorted. Yeah right. Those boys were mouthwateringly handsome. Tall, broad, boy-next-door gorgeous. The women of Petal had been lusting after them since preschool.

  “Sure, why not! But no. I’d rather have Brad Pitt, he’s about as available, although I suppose I’d have to fight Angelina for him.” Maggie rolled her eyes. “Liv, everyone wants those boys. Even if a girl like me could catch their attention—I have no desire to be a notch on someone’s bedpost. Maybe I just need to lower my standards. Roger Petrie has been asking me out for years. Maybe I should say yes. After all, he has a job, lives in his own home and has all of his teeth.”

  Liv and Dee burst out laughing. “Yeah but he’s creepy! I mean, he’s got like, what, fifty cats and a goat living in his house?”

  “On the other hand,” Liv said, breathless from laughing, “an animal lover can’t be all that bad.”

  “Question is, how much of a lover is he? I mean, he sleeps with the goat!” Maggie’s words dissolved into laughter.

  “Eww! Time to change the subject. You don’t need to lower your standards, Margaret Elizabeth Wright! There are plenty of decent men in Petal. You just have to be patient.” Sweet as she was, Dee didn’t know she said it in that way women do when they have a boyfriend.

  “And what do you mean, a girl like you? Are you suggesting that those Chase boys are too good for you? Because you are dead wrong. My God, Maggie, you’re beautiful! It pisses me off that you can’t see it. I blame your mother.” Liv shook her head as she looked at her oldest friend.

  Petite and blessed with fine, almost delicate features, Maggie had a head of gorgeous strawberry blonde hair. She usually wore it in a tight knot at the back of her head but when she let it free, it hung past her waist. Tortoiseshell glasses often hid the big amber-brown eyes fringed with long lashes. Hell, Maggie was pretty when she looked like a buttoned-up schoolteacher. But Liv knew Maggie had a knockout figure lurking under those clothes and itched to cut and style the hair, get rid of the glasses and show a bit of skin.

  “Liv, those Chase boys are out of my league. Men that handsome and, well—manly—don’t notice high school history teachers.” And she had to admit that they were all so powerfully vital and masculine that it intimidated her.

  “Speak of the devils...” Liv nodded her head and the three turned to watch the Chase brothers stroll into the bar. In fact, every single woman—and even the not-so-single ones—noticed the four impossibly handsome brothers.

  “My, my, my. Those boys sure are fine.” Maggie’s gut tightened at the sight.

  “Yepper.” Liv fanned her face with a napkin.

  “Mm-hmm.” Dee nodded.

  Once they’d disappeared into the back where the pool tables were, the women turned back to their conversation.

  “Go on, Dee, tell us about Arthur. We know you want to.” Every Friday night Dee did a weekly “Arthur is so wonderful” update.

  Arthur Jones was Dee’s boyfriend. One of the good guys. They were planning a wedding for Valentine’s Day.

  “He planted a magnolia tree in the backyard earlier this week and put in an arbor with yellow climbing roses. Three of them because you know, we’ve been together three years. He’s so sweet.”

  Smiling through the sudden lump in her throat, Maggie stood and patted Dee’s shoulder. “Yeah, he is.” She stood up. “I’ll be back. I have to make a pit stop.”

  It didn’t used to bother her so much that she didn’t have someone. Dating around was fine. Fun even. But lately, Maggie had begun to want the kind of love and connection that Dee had with Arthur. She wanted someone to make breakfast for. Someone to plant flowers with and take long walks hand in hand at the lake with. She now knew she was missing something and she wanted it.

  On her way back from the ladies’ room, she heard Patrick call out that their order of chili cheese fries was done. With a wave to thank him, she moved to grab them and save him a trip. Three steps from the kitchen window area someone slammed into her. Knocked sideways, the platter of gooey fries flipped over, dropping with a splat on the side of her blouse and down the leg of her pants.

  “Hey! Watch where you’re going!”

  Maggie spun around, astounded at the tone. “Me? Did you just bark at me? You’re the one who bumped into me! You made me drop this food all over my clothes and the floor. Last time I checked, it’s the person walking backward’s job to watch out.” Looking up, and then up some more, she came to the insanely gorgeous face of none other than Shane Chase.

  “You were in the middle of the aisle,” he growled at her, arms crossed over his chest.

  “It’s the walkway, dumbass! It’s called that because it’s where people walk.” Unable to stop herself, she used a very slow voice and her heart sped a bit as his jaw clenched at her tone. And then her inner bitch wanted to snicker. Instead she couldn’t resist. “Facing forward, I might add.” This guy took the cake! A little bit of good looks turned him into a self-righteous jerk.

  Narrowing his eyes, he leaned into her personal space to intimidate her. But she refused to step back. She did work with teenagers every day after all. And the man was acting like a big baby. “Did you just call the sheriff a dumbass?”

  “No, I called you a dumbass. The dumbass who wasn’t watching where he was going and slammed into me and then yelled at me, the dumbass who has no manners—I’m calling that guy a dumbass. That you happen to be a cop is not relevant. Although one might expect a cop to actually act with civility and basic manners!” She huffed. But the impact was not as impressive as she’d hoped given that he was nearly a foot taller than she was. And all that distracting hard muscle and really nice smell. Why did a jerk like him have to smell so good she wanted to lean in and take a bite? It’d serve him right if she did. Shaking her head to dislodge the question about what he may taste like, the fog cleared a bit and she found her mad again.

  “She’s got you there, Shane.” Kyle Chase approached, smiling at her apologetically. “Are you all right? That cheese stuff is pretty hot. Did you ge
t burned?” He handed her some napkins but she just looked down at herself. If she tried to wipe it with the napkins the gooey mess would just get worse.

  At least one of them had manners. He probably tasted good too. Stifling a smile she unclenched her fists and stepped back. “Thanks. It just stung a bit but my pants took the brunt. But I’ve got to go and get out of these clothes.” Swinging her head to glare at Shane, she noted he was still glowering, only this time at his brother. “And you! I have sixteen-year-old boys in my class who have more manners. Take a civility training class or something.” She harrumphed and spun around to stalk back to their table.

  “Oh my God! What was that all about?” Liv handed Maggie her purse and raincoat.

  “That moron Shane Chase slammed his gargantuan body into me and made me spill chili cheese fries all over myself! And then had the nerve to yell at me like it was my fault! Dumbass! I have to go. I’ll talk to you two later.” She tossed some money on the table.

  “Now who’s the dumbass? We’re coming with you. I have plenty of takeout menus at home. Let’s go.” Liv got up and Dee followed.

  The three women headed out together into the evening, grousing about Shane Chase and his abominable manners.

  * * *

  “Well, that was really special, Shane. You were awful to that little woman. Happy now? Or do we need to go and search out some old ladies we can knock over or steal some candy from toddlers?” Kyle egged his brother on as they played pool in the back of the bar.

  “She called me a dumbass!”

  Kyle smirked when Shane missed the shot.

  “That’s because you are one. You rammed into her, made her spill food all over herself and then instead of apologizing, you yelled at her. You’re lucky all she did was call you a dumbass. She had quite the vicious gleam in her eye.” Kyle lined up his shot and missed.

  “She’s cute for someone so small. I don’t think I ever noticed that spark behind those glasses and those stuffy shirts. I’ve seen her around town but who is she?”