Shameless(66)
He leans over and kisses me. “You should have charged them more for your services.”
I laugh and play with the buttons on his Henley. “No way. I’m a hopeless romantic, and those two were definitely in love. Even after they had Izzy.” It’s how I want to be some day with my husband.
Glancing up, I see Brady’s dark green eyes searching mine.
He clears his throat. “In case I haven’t told you lately, I’m really grateful for everything you do around here.”
I reach up and push my hand into his thick, black hair. “Staring at you these last several weeks has been a real hardship. I’m not sure how I’ve survived.”
He laughs and snakes his hand into my shirt, and I hold back a giggle because I’m pretty sure he’s trying to tickle me. But then his rough fingers stroke the side of my breast, and my breathing quickens.
As he brushes his lips against mine, he rasps, “Remember what I said earlier about being too tired to have sex?”
“But can you handle sustainable f*cking?” I blush when I say the words, but I don’t look away.
His eyes darken. “We should probably test that theory. You know, for the sake of science.”
“As long as it’s for scientific research,” I whisper as I pull him down to me, “challenge accepted.”
43
Brady
I’m not sure what I was expecting today at the farmers’ fair. Maybe something akin to a garage sale where people stop by to nose around half-heartedly in your belongings before they head off to do what they’d really planned for the day.
But that’s not what’s happening here. Because the whole town has shown up.
A line of cars is parked up and down our driveway, all the way from the house to the main road over the hill. People meander from table to table, sampling food from The Lone Star Station and other snacks the neighboring farms have set out. Kat invited a local band from Austin to play today, and their country covers of holiday songs are making this feel like a county fair, especially since Mr. Mac strung holiday lights around the stands.
I rub the stubble on my chin, realizing I’d damn near forgotten it’s almost Christmas. The Scrooge in me is tallying up how much larger our electrical bill is going to be with all of those holiday lights, but it’s hard to be thinking about finances when everyone is so cheery.
Rubbing my eyes, I try to wake up while I balance Izzy on my hip. It’s been a long week, and as much as I love tattooing, I’m glad I have a break this weekend to hang out with the girls.
I can’t help but smile as Kat corrals a half dozen kids to pet Stella and Stanley, who hop around excitedly.
She’s been running back and forth between the animals and our table where she has all of our products set up. Even with dozens of people everywhere, my eyes follow Kat.
“She’s one of a kind, isn’t she?”
I turn to find Mrs. Mac.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ve known that girl since she was seven. Hardest little worker I’ve ever seen. Never complains. Always smiling.”
“I never would’ve been able to handle things without her help.”
“Katherine is the kind of woman who puts her whole heart and soul into whatever she does. Just look at your table over there.”
I know what it looks like, but I turn anyway. About a dozen farms in the area have little stands with products and produce, but our table is the busiest. Kat’s sold most of the lotions and soaps she’d made, and that’s saying something as the table was overflowing this morning.
“She’s been busting her ass to prep everything.” Pride surges in my chest.
Mrs. Mac motions toward her. “Did you know she sent press releases to every newspaper in South Texas? She got our event in those weekend calendars in the San Antonio and Austin papers. The smarty pants advertised it as a Christmas event, so that probably doubled our attendance.” She chuckles. “We thought we were just putting up a few little fruit stands.”
I’m not surprised Katherine went all out, but I wonder why she never mentioned all of the publicity she’s done.
“She didn’t even tell you about that, did she?” Mrs. Mac doesn’t wait for me to answer. “No, of course not. Because that’s her way. She just does what needs to be done.”
My attention drifts back to Kat, who is standing behind our stand, talking to customers. Her hair is braided and hangs down her shoulder. Her flannel red shirt fits snug to her slender body, hugging all of her curves in a way that makes my mouth water.
Those bright eyes cut across to mine, and Kat shoots me one of those smiles I feel all the way down to my boots.
Mrs. Mac clears her throat, and I remember we’re in the middle of a conversation. I return my attention to her, and she gives me a wink.
“You’ll never do better than Katherine Duran. And even though her father is gonna give you hell, just remember that she is one hundred percent worth it.”
My mouth drops open. I don’t know what to say. Telling her this isn’t permanent enough to meet her father feels like the biggest dickhead thing to bring up. Never mind that the idea of not being with Kat is damn near soul-crushing.
Mrs. Mac pats my shoulder like she knows the extent of my confusion. “Son, you’re a good man. Worlds better than that fiancé of hers. Don’t let her get away.”