Custody agreements, and life in general, sucked sometimes, and Dare knew he needed to stop whining about what he didn’t have and learn to live with what he did.
“Enough,” he growled and headed out to the front so he could do what he did best—clean up messes.
By the time he was done for the day, his limbs were heavy, and he just wanted a cold beer and his bed. But since he had to wake up early for inventory in the morning, he said no to the beer and headed straight to bed.
As soon as he lay naked between his sheets, he thought of Kenzie and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. He hadn’t closed, so it wasn’t that late. Hopefully, if she were asleep, she wouldn’t hear the vibrations from her text, but he didn’t think she’d be in bed yet.
Dare: You awake?
His phone rang instead of a text back, and he answered right away. “Hey.”
“Hey, there. I’m just about to go to bed, and I wasn’t in the mood to text.” Her voice held that smooth-as-whiskey tone, and it went straight to his balls.
“I hate talking on the phone, but I think I hate texting more.”
“That sounds about right,” she said on a laugh. “How was your day?”
He told her about his time with his family, then his call with Nate, and work. When he mentioned Griz, she sighed, and he could see her shaking her head in his mind.
“That man makes amazing food, but I don’t know how you deal with him.”
“One day at a time, I guess. He’s not always that much of an ass.”
“That’s good to know.”
She told him about her day and some of the guests that had shown up throughout the afternoon. When she talked about upcoming renovations, he nodded along, putting in a few of his own observations since he knew the building so well. And all the while, he kept asking himself why they were talking like this.
If they weren’t serious, why were they talking about their days? Why did he need to hear her voice before he slept?
They should keep it casual…or stop altogether, yet Dare wasn’t sure he could do the latter.
Which was why he said, “Go out with me tomorrow.”
She paused. “What?”
“Go out on a date with me tomorrow.”
“We’re dating?”
“I have no idea, but I want to take you to dinner. What do you say?”
She was silent for so long, he was sure he’d fucked up. “Okay.”
He blinked. “Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Okay.”
He blew out a breath, oddly relieved. They talked for a few minutes more before hanging up, his eyes heavy. He knew they were both sending mixed signals, but at this point, he wasn’t sure he could stop.
There was just something about his innkeeper that made him keep going, mistake or not.
Chapter 11
Kenzie hadn’t stopped moving since she woke up that morning. It seemed like every guest needed to check out at the exact same time, and the next sets arrived soon after—all needing exact and very particular things.
Her feet ached, and her back throbbed, but damned if she was going to fail any of her guests. This was her job, and something she excelled at, if she did say so herself, even if she truly wanted some wine. Only forty more minutes, and then she could have all she wanted. Or at least a glass since she still had things to do to prep for her date with Dare.
A date.
How on earth had she ended up saying yes to a date with him? And why had he even asked in the first place?
Deep breaths, Kenzie. This was fine. Everything was fine.
It was just dinner. They’d had sex for freak’s sake. He’d tasted every inch of her body, so if he wanted to buy her dinner, why not? They’d already eaten meals together at the bar while he was working and with friends. This should be no different.
Except it was, and they both knew it. But seeing how neither of them was backing away, maybe they could do this. What this was, she didn’t know, but it wasn’t as if she ever truly had a clue what she was doing beyond work. Outside of organizing the inn, she felt like she was out of her depth.
She’d come to Whiskey to find a new life and community. She hadn’t come to find a best friend she immediately clicked with like Ainsley, or a family that seemed to want to take her under their wing as the Collinses did. She liked every single member of the family with fervor, even Tabby, who she hadn’t yet met but whom she had talked to on the phone more than once. And they’d clicked since the woman was apparently a planner and organization like Kenzie. Barbara had made sure the two could connect, and Kenzie was happy for it.
She definitely hadn’t come to Whiskey to find a man who she could fall for, and she was so scared that she had.
She’d already lost herself once before to a man, and she still hadn’t quite untangled herself from the ramifications of that relationship. And while Dare was nothing, nothing like David, she still wasn’t sure she could ever fully open up her heart again. Dare didn’t need a woman who couldn’t be completely his. He already had that with his ex and, frankly, his job. He didn’t need Kenzie while she was still figuring out who she was without the chains and shackles of a loveless, abusive marriage.
“Miss?”
She looked up at a middle-aged couple who had checked in an hour before and smiled. “Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Snow, how can I help you?”
Mr. Snow smiled. “We have reservations tomorrow night in the Whiskey Restaurant downstairs, but we don’t have plans tonight since we weren’t sure what time we’d be getting in due to traffic and all that.”
“Roger here tends to have a lead foot,” Mrs. Snow said with a laugh.
Roger just rolled his eyes, and Kenzie couldn’t help but smile at the love and affection the two of them had for one another. When she was younger, she’d told herself that was what she wanted. As she’d grown older and into her marriage with David, she realized that she’d never have that. Now, she wasn’t sure about anything anymore.
“I have a few places that might fit what you need, and since it’s only Thursday night, you most likely won’t need reservations.” She reached under her antique desk in the entryway and pulled out a few menus. “It’s also a bit early, of course, so whatever you choose, I can call ahead for you and put your name in.”
“Oh, really?” the other woman asked before browsing through the papers in front of her.
“It’s what I’m here for.” She went through each of the menus with the couple as neither of them knew what they were in the mood for. When they finally made their decision, the couple left to walk down Main Street while Kenzie called the restaurant and put in the couple’s name for later.
Of course, going through all the options for food in Whiskey only made her stomach rumble, and she was glad when she could end her shift for the day and head upstairs to get ready for her date with Dare. He was taking her to Marsha Brown’s, a Cajun place right off Main street known for its delicious food. She’d yet to go there for even lunch, but every time she walked by, she could scent the spices and her mouth watered. She honestly couldn’t wait to try out their menu.
Of course, she hoped her stomach would be able to handle the heavy food since it was still in knots over the idea of a date with Dare to begin with.
“Let’s do this,” she muttered to herself as she stood in front of her closet, figuring out what she was going to wear. Before she could choose, however, there was a knock on the door. She hoped it wasn’t Dare showing up forty-five minutes early. Not likely, but with that man, she never did know.
Ainsley stood in the hall when she opened the door, a grin on her face and two bottles of adult root beer in her hand. “I heard you were prepping for your date with Dare,” she said the word slowly and fluttered her eyelashes, making Kenzie laugh, “so I thought I’d show up to do the friend thing and help you pick out what to wear.” She wiggled her hand. “And I brought hard root beer because it won’t make you buzzed, and it’s yummy.”
Ke
nzie took a step back and let the other woman in, a grin on her face. “I love hard root beer and most other hard sodas. If it weren’t for the fact that I’m drinking two months’ worth of sugar in one bottle, I’d have them daily.”
Ainsley just winked and set the bottles on Kenzie’s counter. “It’s a special occasion. An actual date with Dare Collins.” She fanned herself. “Ooh la la.”
Kenzie just shook her head, a smile playing on her lips even as, inside, she was far too stressed to even think about joking.
“It’s just a date. Dinner. We’ve eaten together before.” Kenzie held up a red tunic and leggings combo, and Ainsley shook her head.
“You’ve done dinner where you sit at a bar and he works, or you eat with me or one of his brothers there. You’ve even eaten with Nate, but you’ve never been on a real date with Nate’s dad.”
Kenzie swallowed hard. That was true, and she’d even just told herself something along those lines. She was about to go on a real date with a single father who happened to make her knees shake. Once again, she had to ask herself how on earth this had happened.
Not knowing what else to say, she reached into her closet and pulled out the green dress she’d worn when she first met him. It was her favorite, and she knew the man liked her in it since she’d been aware of how he watched her legs. She might as well feel comfortable when she was on edge.
Ainsley grinned and held two thumbs up. “Perfect. Now, root beer and makeup and then I’ll leave.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The other woman just shrugged. “You’re in Whiskey now. You’ll never have to know.”
And that thought warmed Kenzie far more than she thought it could. She was in Whiskey, her new home. She had a new job, a new set of friends, and was going on a date with a new man. She wasn’t the same woman anymore. And maybe, just maybe, tonight was exactly what she needed.
Dare knocked on the door right on time, and she blew out a breath while running her hands over a non-existent wrinkle before opening the door. He stood there, his eyes going dark as he ran his gaze over her, and she licked her lips. He looked damn good in stone grey pants and a black, button-down shirt. The clothes were just fitted enough that she could see his muscles and that made her mouth water.
How on earth was this her life?
“You look…wow.” He looked her up and down, a delicious grin on his face. “That dress. Did you know I’ve had fantasies of you in this?”
She snorted. “Uh, not so much about the fantasies part, but I saw the way you looked at me in the bar that first night.”
“And you still gave me that dismissive look.”
She winced as she closed the door behind her. “I didn’t mean to look so bitchy. I had other things on my mind.”
He took her hand, and she swallowed hard. They were holding hands and walking down to their date. Once again, she had to question how this was her life now.
“Don’t call yourself bitchy. You were nothing of the sort. You were damn sexy. Are damn sexy.”
“You’re not too bad yourself,” she said on a laugh and leaned into his shoulder. She could do this, she thought. She could go out on a date with an attractive man and just enjoy herself for the evening. She didn’t have to think about what-ifs and what path she was taking. She could just be for the evening and let everything else fall where it may around her.
Tomorrow, she could stress out about everything else. Tonight, she would just be Kenzie. The Kenize on a date with Dare.
As they stood at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change and traffic to pass, Dare leaned into her and kissed the top of her head. It was such a casual gesture that she wasn’t sure he even realized he’d done it. And because she wasn’t sure what to do with whatever it meant, she told herself she’d live in the now like she’d promised herself for so long. That no matter what happened tonight, and after tonight, she wouldn’t let herself fall into the abyss of worry. She’d spent so many years worrying, it was time to just be. At least for an evening.
Marsha Brown’s was on the opposite side of the street as the inn, so it faced the river but wasn’t backed up against it for the view. Instead, huge trees surrounded the back so it looked mysterious and yet welcoming with its open doors and smiling hostesses. Kenzie was pretty sure the building had once been a church with its high ceilings and tower, but over time, it had transformed into a gorgeous restaurant with ornate carvings and a huge painting the size of two walls in the back. It was an experience for sure.
“So I need the shrimp?” she asked after the waiter brought their wine. “That’s what you said, right?”
“Anything here is pretty fantastic. If we come during lunch, the Po’ Boys are as big as my head.” He used his hands to gesture, and she laughed. “Seriously, though. They have some spicy things, and I know that’s not your favorite, but others are pretty delicious and savory rather than spicy.”
She frowned. “How did you know I don’t like spicy?”
He shrugged, his attention on his menu before he looked up and met her eyes. “Ainsley puts hot sauce on top of her oysters and makes sure not to let it splash anywhere near your half when you guys share an appetizer. I thought maybe you were allergic to vinegar or something, but you had it on your salad once, so I figured it was because of the heat level.”
He’d been far more observant than she’d thought, and she couldn’t help but warm at the idea that he watched her—not in a creepy way, of course, but in a way that meant he knew little things about her beyond how she felt in bed.
“I can’t do too spicy,” Kenzie finally said, pushing thoughts of what it could mean out of her head. He was a bartender and a former cop, after all. Being observant was in his nature.
“Then try the gumbo to start,” Dare said, gesturing with his menu. “They make it with chicken here, and I just about slide out of my seat from the flavors. They have two pots of it at all times, one spicy, one not, so you won’t have to worry.”
Her stomach rumbled at the thought of gumbo, and she licked her lips. “And now I’m starving.”
“Then I guess we came to the right place.”
She smiled, setting down her menu. “I guess we did.”
By the time they were stuffed on chicken gumbo, and pecan pie, Kenzie was warm and full and snuggling into Dare’s side as they made their way back to the inn. For as much as she told herself what she had with Dare couldn’t be serious, she was acting pretty serious right now, but she would ignore it and just think of the good food in her belly and what the two of them were about to do once they got up to her room.
“Did I tell you that you look damn sexy in that dress?” Dare asked. “Because, hell, Kenzie. The first time I saw you in it, I couldn’t breathe. Now? Now I just want to slide it up your hips and fuck you deep and hard while you’re wearing it.”
They were once again standing at the crosswalk, and he was whispering into her ear. It took all that was within her not to jump him right there. Instead, she stood just a bit straighter so she couldn’t tempt herself, and gently pressed her thighs together to try and ease the ache. Dare’s eyes narrowed at the action, and a pleased smirk slid over his face.
“Don’t,” she whispered fiercely. “Smug isn’t a good look on you.”
He leaned in again so no one would hear. “Then you’d better wipe it off my face. Preferably by sitting on it.”
She blinked up at him, his words taking a second to catch up with her brain, and as soon as they did, she threw her head back and laughed.
He mock-scowled at her before pulling her across the street when the light turned green. “I wasn’t kidding, Ms. Owens.”
“Oh, I know you weren’t,” she said, wiping a tear from her eye. “And I plan on doing just that in like ten minutes, but you’re still adorable.”
He snorted. “I’m not adorable. I’m ruggedly handsome and growly. Nate is adorable.”
She smiled at the thought of his son. “Yeah, Nate is adora
ble. Did he finish his project?” Dare’s son had been asked to draw his home and family for his pre-K class. She knew Dare had been worried about it, not because of Nate’s aptitude, but because Dare wasn’t sure where he fit in Nate’s idea of family. She didn’t know why she’d even asked tonight since they had been having such a nice time, and now she was afraid she’d ruined it, but there was no going back.
Dare smiled softly at her. “He got a perfect gold star like I knew he would. He ended up drawing two houses on one page and put himself in both next to each of us. Yeah, he drew Auggie, but the guy isn’t a bad stepfather, so I guess that’s okay.”
Kenzie was pretty sure her heart grew three sizes just like the Grinch at Dare’s answer. “He drew both?”
Dare squeezed her to his side as they walked into the bar and inn. “Yeah, he drew both. Nate’s pretty damn amazing.”
“Well, he takes after his father.” She winked as Dare just rolled his eyes. “I’m telling you the truth, you know. You might only get him one weekend a month, but you’re still in his life. He knows who you are and how much you’re trying. That counts for something.”
Dare nodded but didn’t say anything, and she knew she’d have to get off this track of conversation. After all, they weren’t serious, no matter how confusing her feelings may be at the moment.
She was saved from having to come up with a new direction in conversation as Claire came up to Dare, a pleasant smile on her face but panic in her eyes. Considering Kenzie was pretty sure she’d never seen Claire panic, ever, she knew something had to be going on that would need Dare’s attention.
“Can I talk to you a minute?” Claire asked Dare. “Sorry, Kenzie. I’d handle it on my own if I could.” And considering that up to this moment, Kenzie had thought Claire could deal with anything, that was saying something.
“No problem,” Kenzie said quickly. “I’ll go up and see how everyone is doing.” She looked at Dare. “Meet me at my place when you can?”
Whiskey Secrets Page 12