Truly, Madly, Whiskey(64)

“No. I work here whenever Jewel needs me, and I do photo editing for my sister, Cici. She’s a photographer. One day I’ll figure out what I want to be when I grow up.”

Gemma and Crystal told her about the costumes they were making for the boutique.

“I would love to get in on the ground floor of something like that,” Tegan said. “When you’re ready to hire, let me know.”

They talked as she finished pinning Gemma’s dress, and afterward, they exchanged phone numbers. Crystal picked out taupe open-toed slingbacks to go with her dress, and Dixie chose a pair of ankle boots, while Gemma went with jeweled white pumps.

“Crystal.” Dixie held up a piece of copper and blue jewelry. “Have you ever worn an anklet bangle? It’s totally you. They have a whole basket of them.”

“I have ankle cuffs and bracelets.” She took the pretty ankle jewelry and slipped it on. A thin rope of copper wound around her lower leg like a snake. Intricate swirls sprouted from the main branch of copper, and a hummingbird rested just above her ankle.

“Is there one with a bear?” Crystal asked.

The girls dug through the basket, and Crystal almost squealed when she found one with a bear standing on its hind legs. “Could this be more perfect?”

“He does like to show his dominance,” Dixie said.

Crystal knew that was true, but he was also careful with her, and handed over control when he knew she needed it.

They paid for their purchases and piled back into Gemma’s car, stopping at the bakery on their way home because Dixie needed a sugar fix. They peered into the glass displays, salivating at scrumptious éclairs, doughnuts, cakes, and cookies, while Cassie, the bakery owner, and her assistant, Anna, helped other customers.

“I liked Tegan,” Crystal said. “I think she’d fit in well with us.”

“Me too,” Gemma agreed. “Let’s see how the two costumes I’ve finished go over. We can put them on our website and wear them in the shop, letting people know we’re taking orders.”

“You should take orders for the ones you haven’t made yet, too. Just put together sketches,” Dixie suggested. “People want what’s in limited supply.”

“She’s got a point,” Crystal said.

Dixie tapped the glass with her fingernail. “Which of these is the best substitute for sex?”

Thinking about her night on the porch with Bear, she said, “Anything cream filled.”

“She has a point,” Gemma said. “It’s all about the cream.”

Cassie flashed a smile and planted her hands on her hips. Her light brown hair was piled on the top of her head in a messy bun, and she had streaks of white powder on her shorts. “Are we ready for the tasting this weekend?”

“Absolutely!” Gemma said. “I’m so excited to see what you’ve come up with.”

“It’ll be delish.” Cassie crooked her finger. “Come with me. I made something for a bachelorette party, and I know you’ll love them. I have extras.”

“Sounds enticing,” Crystal said as they followed her to the kitchen.

Cassie grabbed a tray from a counter and carried it over. “Penis pops!”

“Ohmygosh,” Gemma said.

“That is exactly what I need,” Dixie said.

“Hard up, huh, Dix?” Cassie frowned.

“You could say that,” Dixie said. “I think I need to take a ride into another town or something.”

“That would go over real well,” Gemma said. “Date a biker from another club and you’ll get him killed and end up like Rapunzel locked in a castle.”

“No bikers,” Dixie said with a determined look in her eyes. “I think I need to expand my horizons.”

“Can we get back to these please? Is that cake?” Crystal looked over the puffy penis shapes with sticks poking out of the bottom.

“Of course,” Cassie said proudly. “Watch.” She put on a plastic glove and pushed on the spongy cake, and white cream came out the tip.

Giggles erupted from the group, and the taste of Bear filled Crystal’s mouth. Butterflies took flight in her stomach, growing stronger with every passing minute as her special night with Bear neared. Three more days seemed like a lifetime and an instant at once.





Chapter Fifteen





BEAR CLIMBED THE steps to Crystal’s apartment Friday night, anxious to disappear into her and lock the rest of the world out for a while. He didn’t want to think about his impending meeting with Jace and how he was probably going to have to turn down the opportunity in order to help his family with the expansion of the bar. When he reached Crystal’s floor, he stood outside, rubbing the tension from the back of his neck. He’d need a hell of a lot more than that to get rid of the weight of his family resting there.

Crystal answered the door wearing a sexy sleeveless black leather shirt that dipped in at the waist and flared over her hips, and a skimpy black skirt. Her feet were bare, and she looked sinful and adorable, making Bear’s heart tug in ten different directions.

“You’re early,” she said happily, fisting her hands in his shirt and dragging him into the apartment. He f*cking loved that show of possession.

“I couldn’t wait to see you. You look beautiful.”