by Casey Peeler
As the windows begin to fog up, I see headlights coming down the drive. Pausing, he looks me in the eyes. “Wanna stop?” he asks.
“Fuck no,” I say with a smile.
Chapter 11
Colby
Sunday morning, I wake up holding the most beautiful woman walking on this earth. She looks up to me and smiles. In this moment, I know that she’s the one. I never doubted from the moment we went all in, but the innocence of this moment makes me realize how much I truly love her and will do anything to protect her and make her feel special each and every day.
As she kisses my lips gently, I pull her on top of me. She kisses me once more and as I try to deepen the kiss, she pulls back.
“Not so fast, we’ve got shit to do today!” Laughing, I kiss her once more and slide on my clothes before we go back to the store to finish getting the salon ready for tomorrow.
Arriving at the store, I help her touch up the paint and then install the shampoo bowl, dryer, and she works on the welcome desk. She’s got a vision for this rustic look and it suits this place.
As the afternoon dwindles, we clean up and take a step back. It’s hard to believe that two days ago this place was a back room to my hardware store, but today it’s the beginning of a future.
Walking up to me, she wraps her arms around my waist and I look down to her. “What you thinking?” she questions.
“How amazing this place looks.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” Leaning up, she kisses my cheek and I turn to her.
“What do you say we break it in right?” I say and she bites that lip and squeals as I carry her over to the small loveseat at the entrance.
*****
Dixie
Monday morning, I wake up with a smile on my face for more than one reason. Today is the grand opening of Beyond the Door Salon. Walking in the door, I cut on the lights and take a moment to soak it all up. From the perfect welcome desk to the aluminum wall. The perfect little touches on the shelves and the smell of fresh linen filing the air.
Walking around, I cut on the Bluetooth speaker, blushing thinking about the wall that we had to touch up, and that’s when I notice a small little plaque. I did not put this here. Bending down, my hands touch the piece of aluminum that matches the back wall. Colby and Dixie established 2017. A tear fills my eye as I feel him. Turning, I see Colby propped up against the door to the store.
“I know you said this place isn’t permanent, but no matter who owns this building or where you take this salon, a piece of us will always remain.”
Standing, I walk toward him. “Colby Drake, that’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Bending down, he leans in and kisses me sweetly. “This is where it all started and I want us to look at that when we're Aunt Tootie’s age and remember.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kiss him once more as the door dings and my first customer walks in the door.
“Hey, Beckett!” I say and motion him to the chair.
“Dude, really? You're her first customer?”
He laughs, “Gotta keep it short. You know this shit gets out of control.”
“Good point,” Colby says and then closes the door to go back to work.
He takes a seat and we make small talk while I cut his hair, when the door opens. Looking at the clock, I know that I’m not expecting anyone for another hour. Seeing Lettie, I smile and tell Dallas hey.
“How’s my favorite customer?” I ask Lettie.
“Fabulous! We’re leaving for the beach this afternoon.”
“Awesome,” I say as Lettie walks around and takes it all in. Motioning Beckett toward the shampoo bowl, I go and grab Lettie a sucker for the road then go to finish Beckett up.
Taking the towel, I place it on Beckett’s head as he sits up in the chair. Walking back to the chair, I start to dry it and he tells me not to worry about it as he starts to slide on his Ridge Fire Department cap.
“Hold up. I gotta make sure this shit's straight.” He laughs and once he’s good to go, he hands me a twenty and tells me to keep the change.
Taking a seat on the couch, I take a moment to soak up my first customer, my favorite two customers stopping by to check out the new place, and that’s when my heart skips a beat.
Colby walks in with a cup of coffee and a smile. “How does it feel?” he questions.
Looking at him, I tell him the truth. “Like home.”
An exclusive look into Jeremiah (Drake Brothers #2)
Chapter 1
Jeremiah
With the sound of the small metal bell clanging against the glass door, I glance up from underneath the Chevy Impala I’m changing the oil in. Looking to it, I do a double-take as a blonde with long, flowing hair like an ocean walks in and smiles my direction. Her jeans are painted on, with a tight-fitting black tank top and curves that would make every man’s dick hard. She doesn’t say a word; instead, she walks toward Mr. Mayes’ office and closes the door. What the fuck is going on? Who the hell does she think she is and why is she in that office?
As soon as the last few drops have escaped, I place the oil plug back in place and change out the filter before lowering it from the lift. Once its four wheels hit the concrete, I take off the cap and fill it with the golden liquid. Taking the dip stick, I check it once more and turn the engine to make sure all the lights are off. Killing the engine, I glance over my shoulder to Davis.
“I’m gonna go see who the fuck that was walkin’ in Mr. Mayes’ office,” I say to him as I wipe my hands on the rag and toss it on the work table. Standing outside his office door, I see the same blonde sitting behind his dusty desk with a look of disgust on her face. Quickly, I knock on the door. She pauses and looks up. Without waiting for a reply, I turn the knob and walk in.
“Ma’am, is there something I can help ya with?” I question, trying my best to be polite.
She looks at me, rolls her eyes, and basically tells me to fuck off without opening her mouth, and all that has me wanting to do is turn her over my damn knee and spank her nice little ass.
“Excuse me?” she says with an abundance of attitude.
“I said can I help you? Mr. Mayes isn’t here, so maybe I can help you with what you need.”
She begins to laugh and it pisses me off.
“No fuckin’ shit, Sherlock! He’s in the hospital and I’m here to take care of things until he’s able to return.” What the hell did she say? I’ve been here since I was sixteen years old and he’s been priming me to take over the day he calls it quits. He’s left me in charge and I’ll be damned if a little girl comes in here acting all high and mighty wanting to take over.
“Ma’am,” I say cautiously once more, knowing I really want to cuss this bitch out. “I’m in charge while he’s out. What can I help you with?”
“Like hell you are, Jeremiah.” The way she says my name makes me pause. How the hell does she know my name?
“Why’s this the first I’ve heard of it? I just saw him yesterday.”
“Hell if I know, but whatever. Look, I’m here to handle the books, but I don’t mind helping out on the floor.”
“On the floor? What the hell does a pretty girl like you know about that?”
The look on her face goes blank as she slides back out of the worn green leather chair. She places her hands on the desk and looks me directly in the eyes as my legs press up against the old worn couch.
“I know plenty. Now, question my ass again about what I do and don’t know about this shop and I’ll show you who’s fuckin’ boss. Got that?”
Standing there, I look at her, speechless. I’ve heard of feisty women. I vaguely remember a woman with a mouth that got her slapped around as a kid, but I also remember a mom who took us in, didn’t take shit from anyone, but had the kindest heart. Something about her makes me want to climb over that desk and kiss the hell out of her until she screams my damn name, then it hits me.
“Landry?” I question.
&
nbsp; “Damn right, it’s me.”
Landry
The moment that office door opens, I try my best to refrain from letting my mouth drop to the floor as I look at the hottest thing I’ve seen since sliced bread. It’s Jeremiah Drake, the youngest Drake brother. He’s tall, dark, handsome, and a grease monkey. It’s like music to my ears.
Growing up, I learned how to do anything and everything in this shop. I remember Jeremiah as I kid, but he never noticed me. I was a girl that was a few years younger, off limits, and a tomboy. Who am I kidding? No guy around here paid any attention to me so I focused on what I loved most—Paw and cars. My summers were spent in this shop, his old barn and out at the creek.
“You going back to work or you gonna gawk all fuckin’ day?” I ask.
The way he cuts his eyes toward me makes my damn panties want to drop. “I’m goin’ back to work. Look, I’m not sure what the deal is, but I was told I was in charge. I don’t mind you hanging around and looking pretty, but this place is no place for a girl.”
Without thinking twice, I begin to laugh at his comment. He might think that I can’t handle myself on the floor, but I learned from the best and I refuse to let the best down.
For more of Jeremiah and Landry’s story, go here: http://amzn.to/2xZy06d
Discover the entire Drake Brothers Series
Everett (Drake Brothers #1)
Jeremiah (Drake Brother #2)
Colby (Drake Brothers #3)
Beckett (Drake Brothers #4)
About the Author
Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.
Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.
When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.
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