by Quinn, Taryn
“Yes.” She caught my hand and dragged me onto the couch with her. “Oh, it’s even comfortable.”
“As if I’d make it any other way.”
“True. But the coolness factor could easily trump comfort.”
“Not if you have to sit in it for two hours straight.” I pulled a remote out of my back pocket and aimed it at the tidy screen hidden in the ceiling. It slowly lowered and tipped slightly so we wouldn’t have to crane our necks to watch a movie.
She gripped my arm. “No way. You got the screen set up too?”
“I did. There was much swearing as Gideon and Tish figured out how to make it work.”
“It’s amazing.”
“Good. Now sit there and I’ll be right back.”
She shook her head. “All right.”
I crossed the room to the counter where Macy had two bottles of orange soda and the popcorn. She gave me a bowl that was approximately a quarter of the size we usually used for movie nights.
I frowned at her.
“I figure you’ll go into cardiac arrest if you have to wait for her to get through the big bowl,” she said under her breath.
“You are a genius.” I took out the ring box from my pocket and placed the simple oval solitaire in the bottom of the bowl.
“This, I know. Now I’m going to turn out the lights and lock up.” Macy held the popcorn back from me. “Do not contaminate my brand-new couch.”
“I’ll behave.” I had leather cleaner in my shop if we didn’t anyway.
She narrowed her eyes at me but handed me the popcorn and slapped me on the arm. “Good luck, idiot.”
“Thanks.” Nerves clawed up my throat as I filled the bowl with Ry’s favorite toffee and cheddar popcorn. I took the remainder of the bag, the bowl, and our drinks back to her.
“Macy didn’t want to come over?”
“We showed her the couch already.”
“Oh.” Ry frowned. “And you didn’t call me down too?”
I sat down next to her. “I wanted you to see it with just me. Not checking out Macy for her reaction.”
“Aww, look at you. All romantic and thoughtful. So sweet.” She took a sip of her soda, then leaned over to the other side of the seat. “Man, look at that. There are even cup holders on each side of the car. I can’t believe you did all this.”
She slid closer to me and I immediately wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “I told you I was going to make it special.”
“A car. I can’t even. Just...wow. You and Dare did this?”
“And Tish. She made a special frame for the couch. Should have heard her swearing as she figured out how couches are built. She was on Skype with some furniture dude for an hour, figuring it out.”
“All this for me?” Ry’s eyes filled again.
“I’d do anything for you, huntress. You know that.”
She blinked away the tears. “I know, but it’s all so amazing.”
“And I have ideas for more car couches to make that patio idea of yours even cooler.”
“Oh my God, like the drive-ins, only comfortable? An outdoor screen. Oh, it could be so cool!”
“Cool is the word of the night,” I said with a laugh. I set the popcorn bowl on her lap.
“What is this? Are we on a diet?” Her eyes narrowed at me.
“No way. I have a huge bag right here.” I lifted it off the table beside us.
“Then what’s with the little bowl?”
I shrugged. Man, this woman was way too suspicious. “Ask Macy. That’s the bowl she gave me.”
“Oh.” Rylee looked down. “Well, my lap is rapidly disappearing. Maybe she thought I’d knock it on the floor.” She tucked it between us and angled herself against my chest. “I’ll just have to be careful.”
Please don’t knock the bowl on the floor.
God, I could just picture her ring disappearing into some bat or pumpkin crowded corner and being forever lost.
I lowered my mouth to hers. “You’re perfect.”
“Flatterer. What are we watching?”
“I was thinking we should go for Halloween.”
“Oh, old school.” She dug into the popcorn and munched through a handful as I got the movie set to play. “This is incredible, Gage. Thank you so much for doing this for me. Well, for Macy too.”
“Mostly for you.” I kissed her again, coming away with the salty taste of her on my lips.
We settled in and I watched her hand more than the damn movie. Good thing I knew it backward and forward.
“You okay?”
“What?”
She rolled her eyes. “You keep staring at me.”
“Well, you are way more attractive than Michael.”
“Good answer. You’re still being weird.”
“Popcorn okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“You’re just not eating it as fast as you usually do.”
“First, I’ve got to have a smaller bowl and now I’m not eating it fast enough?” She tossed a kernel at me. “You looking for a fight, buddy?”
“God, no. Just making sure you’re comfy and happy.”
“Weirdo.”
I ate way more of the sweet and salty popcorn that I usually would have. While I enjoyed it, my gut was a damn mess.
The sound of her nails along the bottom of the bowl made me stiffen. Would she finally feel it?
“Looks like we need a refill. Happy now?”
I wanted to bite off my damn tongue. I tipped the bowl a little and she frowned. “If you get popcorn salt on this new couch, Macy will kick your ass. Me too.”
“Oh, for God’s sake.” I tangled my fingers with hers until the ring slid on the tip of her finger.
Her eyes went round as she slowly pulled her hand out of the bowl. “Gage.”
“I thought it would be funny and sweet to have you find the damn ring, but now I—”
She lurched at me, her hands cupping my face, the ring tight on her forefinger against my cheek as she kissed me. Her lips salty with her favorite popcorn and a few tears, she wound her arms around my neck and squeezed. “Oh my God.” She was looking over my shoulder at her hand. “I can’t believe you did this.” She slapped my shoulder. “It’s so gorgeous. Holy crap, gorgeous.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “So, that’s a good surprise.”
A shriek from the movie made both of us laugh. Michael was stalking some poor girl on the screen. I fumbled for the remote and hit pause, then slid down to the floor.
Ry covered her mouth with the hand she’d hooked the ring onto. It glittered off her forefinger as I grinned up at her. I gently pulled her hand down and slid it off. “Rylee Ford, we pretty much do everything backward in this relationship, but I promise I’ll keep you laughing and as happy as I can. I love you more than I thought was possible.” I gently cupped her belly. “This little girl or boy may have surprised both of us, but there’s nothing I would change.” I leaned forward to kiss her belly. “Because this little one gave me you. I didn’t even know how much I needed you until you were right in front of me.”
“Oh, Gage.” Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. “I love you too. So very much.”
“So, that’s a yes?”
“You didn’t ask yet.”
“Oh, right.” I laughed and blinked away the sting in my own eyes. “Rylee Ford, will you marry me?”
“Yes. A thousand times yes.”
I took her left hand and slid the ring on her finger, then crowded her on the couch and kissed away all her tears, just like I planned on doing for the rest of my life.
Hopefully, we would have more laughter than sorrow. We were off to a damn good start.
* * *
Thanks for reading Pit Stop: Baby! Every day, Vee makes Moose his coffee. Tonight, he’ll deliver the cream. One-Click BABY DADDY WANTED now.
My life changed when I posted an ad on Crescent Cove’s Facebook Wanted page.
I wasn’t looking for a used car, but what I
was looking for counted as a need too, right?
BABY DADDY WANTED
Single, personable woman seeking a man for the purposes of procreation. I wouldn’t mind if he looks like Chris Pratt, but that’s not required. No further interaction with the child is necessary, unless desired by father-to-be. Child will be created the old-fashioned way, assuming both parties agree. Contact V at goodtothelastdrop.
One-click BABY DADDY WANTED now.
* * *
WANT MORE FROM CRESCENT COVE?
Rockstar Baby
Daddy in Disguise
My Ex’s Baby
COMING UP IN CRESCENT COVE…
As Sheriff, I’m used to being in charge. But handling changing diapers and two a.m. feedings? Not so much. Luckily, my best friend Gina stepped up when someone left a baby on my doorstep. Now I can’t seem to remember we’re supposed to be just friends...
One-click Daddy Undercover now.
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BABY DADDY WANTED!
Baby Daddy Wanted
Veronica Dixon: BABY DADDY WANTED
Single, personable woman seeking a man for the purposes of procreation. I wouldn’t mind if he looks like Chris Pratt, but that’s not required. No further interaction with the child is necessary, unless desired by father-to-be. Child will be created the old-fashioned way, assuming both parties agree. Contact V at goodtothelastdrop.
I dropped my phone. It clattered against my coffee cup at the edge of my makeshift desk and splashed up to soak my work shirt and the sketch paper I was using. “Oh, crap.” I stood and stumbled back, knocking into the pail of cement behind me. I quickly yanked off my shirt, swiping at the sticky mess.
“Watch it, Moose.”
“Sorry.” I turned to steady the pail.
John Gideon, my best friend and pseudo-boss, shook his head with a half grin. “Finally stripping for Mrs. Gunderson?” Suddenly, he winced. “Oh, man. Macy’s thermos keeps coffee blistering hot, God bless her.”
“Emphasis on the blistering.”
“Go splash some water on it before it blisters for real.”
“Yeah. Fu—” I swallowed the swear words. This particular client didn’t like cussing. She had a comment or opinion on just about everything when it came to the Cove. Unfortunately, she was one of Gideon’s best clients. She contracted at least four big projects a year. Personally, I was pretty sure she just liked to have shirtless guys in her backyard—especially Lucky. Though most women hung around to get a look at Lucky, to be honest.
And he liked to be looked at.
I shook off my phone and wiped it against my cargo pants before sliding it in my pocket. “I’m going to go change my shirt. I’ve got one in the truck.”
Gideon nodded. “Go on inside first. We turned off the outside water, remember?”
“Yeah.” I didn’t want to go inside and have Mrs. Gunderson fuss over me. Or stare at me. I hissed as I wiped at the sugary coffee sticking to my chest hair. Macy at Brewed Awakening knew my weakness. Caramel toffee chocolate coffee. Tasted damn good in the cup, not so much on me.
I resisted the urge to pull out my phone again. I couldn’t have read that right. Everyone in Crescent Cove checked the town Facebook page. Lost dog, lost cat, even a lost guinea pig last week. Those, I understood. But Vee posting that?
No way.
Would you like to read more?
One-click BABY DADDY WANTED!
Crescent Cove World
What started out as a duet about twin brothers has now evolved into a small quaint town full of hot DILFs and baby mamas…P.S. watch out for the water.
The who’s who of Crescent Cove
Crescent Cove World Character Chart
Crescent Cove Reading Order
Crescent Cove Reading Order
Sometimes our worlds collide…
Rockstars & Babies Reading Order (no spoilers)
Rockstars you say…
Oblivion World Character Chart
More Holidays You Say…
Darcy Tucker hates Christmas. Ben Hartley, loves the holiday. Now they’re trapped together working on an important project, and he’s determined to make her holiday merry…and hot.
One-click HOLIDAY SPARKS now.
* * *
I hate Christmas. For years, I’ve avoided the holiday entirely. Until Kandy Kane enters my life—the same seductive mystery woman I danced with at a club last night. When she shows up at my company the next day as our Christmas party planner, she’s desperate for help with her little problem. My hot elf in striped tights needs a last-minute Santa. Making deals is my specialty. And tonight, my terms are…her.
One-click FILTHY SCROOGE now.
* * *
All we had was one seductive night, New Year’s Eve. No names. No phone numbers. No second chances. Then I accidentally ended up working as his nanny...and I just found out I’m pregnant.
One-click CEO DADDY now.
Also by Taryn Quinn
Have My Baby
Claim My Baby
Who’s The Daddy
Pit Stop: Baby
Baby Daddy Wanted
Rockstar Baby
Daddy in Disguise
My Ex’s Baby
Daddy Undercover
* * *
Crescent Cove Standalones
CEO Daddy
* * *
Crescent Cove Bites
Fireman Daddy
* * *
Get Your Crescent Cove Updates
* * *
Afternoon Delight
Deuces Wild
Wilder Rock
Find the rest of our books at
www.tarynquinn.com
Quinn and Elliott
Rockers Reading Order
Lost in Oblivion
Winchester Falls
Found in Oblivion
Hammered
Rock Revenge
Brooklyn Dawn
* * *
The Boss
Tapped Out
Love Required
Boys of Fall
About Taryn Quinn
USA Today bestselling author, Taryn Quinn, is the redheaded stepchild of bestselling authors Taryn Elliott & Cari Quinn. We've been writing together for a lifetime—wait, no it's really been only a handful of years, but we have a lot of fun. Sometimes we write stories that don't quite fit into our regular catalog.
Do you like shorter and dirtier reads?
* Ultra sexy—check.
* Quirky characters—check.
* Sweet–usually mixed in with the sexy...so, yeah—check.
* RomCom—check.
* Dark and twisted—check.
A little something for everyone.
So, c'mon in. Light some candles, pour a glass of wine...maybe even put on some sexy music.
For more information about us…
tarynquinn.com
[email protected]