by Jax Hart
“Didn’t take you long to become a California Girl.”
“No, it didn’t.”
We spent the past few days in San Francisco. Duke had to wrap up some club stuff. He took me to wine country, bought himself a new toy, and made love to me every night. The fire still burns hotter than before. The more sex we have, the more we need.
My head falls on his shoulder as he drives north. One arm comes around me and I feel his lips in my hair. “My angel. I love you so much. Forever.”
“Love you too,” I murmur falling asleep.
“Shanna. Wake up baby girl we’re here.”
Confused I think I’m still lost in the fog of sleep.
He parked in a lot I’ve walked through a million times. The building looks the same but newer. But the sign doesn’t say Stan’s.
Above the log cabin styled bar glowing in red are the words The Sassy Wench Tavern & Grill.
My hands jerk the handle of the door open. I jump down from the cab with my mouth hanging open. String lights hang from eave to eave. Twinkle lights wink at me from four cherry trees in bloom, lining the cobblestone path to the front door.
It’s beautiful, too beautiful for words.
“Duke? What did you do?”
“Come on.” He takes my hand leading me inside.
“Surprise!”
My feet stick in shock as I see the beloved faces crowding the room. Tina, Federico, Pops, Meat, and all my regulars.
Tears stream down my face when I look up seeing the two huge pictures hanging on the wall. It’s the ones he saved from the fire, blown up and framed.
Welcome home Shanna! Happy Birthday, Meat! Reads two banners hanging above the bar.
“It’s stunning Duke.”
“Just wait until you see the supply closet. I had it replicated baby. I never had any runs up north for the club. It was this place. I had to make sure it came out perfect.”
“It did.”
He grabs a bottle of champagne and pours two glasses.
Taking my hand, he leads me up to the stage and gets down on one knee taking a black velvet box from his pocket.
“Shanna Flynn, I’ve wanted to get to know you since the second I saw your pretty face the first time I walked in here. Your banging body didn’t hurt, either.”
I slap his arm.
“It wasn’t long before I loved you. How could I not? You have more grit, determination, and loyalty than anyone I know. Will you marry me, be my angel, my queen, my everything?”
“Yes!”
He opens the box. A solitaire ruby glows—as if he captured our love and placed it inside the stone.
“It’s on fire,” I breathe as he slips it on my ring finger.
“Just like us,” he whispers back before kissing me urgently.
“I just have one question though.”
“What’s that sugar?”
“… the Sassy wench?”
“Meat picked it. We’re co-owners. Guess it was his dream to run the bar as much as it was yours to get out.”
“Well, I’m all in now.”
“Me too sugar. Me too.”
Hand in hand, we walk over to the crowd of well-wishers. Happy tears flowing freely down my face. Last year, I’d rather die than cry in front of anyone, especially in this bar. But Duke taught me that it’s okay to feel love and let it show.
“You happy girl?”
“I can’t even… Meat. How did you do it?” They built the bar exactly how I imagined. I always wanted to re-model it one day, just like this—down to the burgundy leather bar stools and funky light fixtures.
“Pops. He guessed the password on your laptop. We found all your notes with the buy links. Plus, you never logged out of your Pinterest account.”
“I love you, Roger.”
“Love you too baby girl.”
“Hey, Pops.”
“Baby girl,” he rasps taking off his mask for a second.
“Pops?”
“He has a new speech therapist. She’s amazing. The move to Ashland’s been good for him.”
Pops does look good. His face is no longer pale; his hair is clipped, his beard trimmed.
“Oh Pops.” My finger traces the letters on the back of the leather jacket he’s wearing. I haven’t seen it in years.
“For life.” Duke toasts, handing out a round of drinks.
“For life.” We all agree.
Two years later…
Twilight’s my new favorite time of day. The baby smells of powder as I kiss his damp head fresh outta the bath.
Shanna takes him from my arms and rocks him in the chair by the window. Her soft voice sings him the same song every night, something about a bird flying high.
She’s still full of grit; motherhood has turned her into a fiercer lioness than she was before. Nothing’s gonna hurt our child.
The sun’s last rays turn the sky pink, blending with the ocean off the coast of Malibu. It’s peaceful out here by the sea. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves is the best gift I could give my son… well besides his angel of a mother.
“Ready to make baby number two?”
“I’ve been ready,” she responds pulling her top lower. I watch my son suckle her breast. I’m jealous. Her milk is sweeter than her nectar. But I only take the drops I squeeze out with my hands. “How much longer you gonna breastfeed for?”
“Six more months.”
I groan, banging my head into the wall.
“Don’t worry babe. I’m gonna start pumping for him. I know I need to take care of daddy too.”
“Damn straight.”
I take Connor from her arms and smack her ass.
“Go get naked. I’ll put him down.”
I hold my son tight, bringing him to the window. “See that star up there? That’s the wishing star. It brought me your momma. Someday it’ll bring you another angel. I’ll always be up there, with Pops, your other grandpa Masters… looking down on ya. But don’t worry, I plan on sticking down here for a long time yet. Your mom and I… we weren’t raised right. We’re both gonna make damn sure you are.”
Connor coos at me and I place his binky in. Not long after, he closes his tiny eyes.
“Love you. My boy,” I whisper kissing his soft head and laying him down in a crib with sheets that probably have a higher thread count than the damn Ritz-Carlton. Above his crib hangs a mobile where five red origami Phoenix’s spin.
Shanna spoils the hell outta him. But I can’t blame her. She’s being the mom to him that she never had. I’m damn proud of my wife, grateful every damn day I wake up, that life isn’t a dream.
Picking up the monitor, I softly walk out and down the hall to where my love waits.
She’s naked on the bed, on all fours. Her hair spills down her back, to the fullness of her ass. She smiles at me wickedly over one shoulder, crooking a finger at me. “I don’t need any foreplay tonight.” Her hand reaches down touching herself, while cupping a breast with the other. My Shanna’s still as sexy as ever and not afraid to own it.
“You are in charge tonight, Mrs. Masters. Tell me what you want.”
“You right now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Unbuckling my belt, my pants drop to the floor, freeing me to make her every wish come true.
Hey babes,
I hope you loved Duke and Shanna’s story. Stalk me to find out what I’m working on next. Actually, don’t stalk me ‘cause that shit actually happened and I’m writing about it.
Add that one to your TBR. Trust me. You’re gonna want to read it.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38922156-jax-hart-s-vixen
Other works:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0717439M1
Okay, fine. Stalk me, baby:
https://www.facebook.com/Author-Jax-Hart-134284260437072/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/178998542648825/
ew Adult & Contemporary Romance)