Craving Rose (The Aces' Sons 5)

She was beautiful and fun as hell. I knew we’d have a good time together. That didn’t worry me. What worried me was the decision I’d eventually have to make if we had a little too much fun, got a little too close, and I had to cut her loose.

Hell, maybe I was overthinking things. It was shaping up to be a beautiful day, and when I got to Trix’s, the kids were already outside. They’d built a ramp in the front yard and were taking turns jumping it on a couple of dirt bikes. I smiled as I watched Kara double check her helmet and tug on her borrowed gloves.

Stopping far enough away that they didn’t notice me, I watched as Kara took the jump, landing beautifully on the other side.

“I got higher than both of you!” she yelled, pointing at Curtis and Draco. “Ha!”

“No, you didn’t,” Curtis argued.

“Yeah, she did,” Draco said with a laugh. “It’s because you weigh less than us,” he told Kara, reaching forward to gently help her with her helmet.

My entire body tightened as I watched how carefully he pulled her hair from the buckle, but relaxed again when I realized Kara was oblivious.

“It’s because I’m better and you know it,” she said easily, grinning. “Pay up.”

“This is bullshit,” Curtis mumbled as he put a crumpled bill in her hand.

“Language, C!” Trix scolded from where she was sitting on the front porch. I hadn’t even noticed she was there. “Kara, your pop’s here.”

“Dad,” Kara said, turning toward me. “Did you see me? Nailed it!”

“Yeah, ya did,” I replied, walking toward the group.

“I need a dirt bike,” she said as she peeled off her gloves and handed them to Charlie.

“We’ll see,” I replied noncommittally.

“Just a pit bike,” she continued, pushing her hair out of her face. “I don’t need anything big.”

“We’ll talk about it later.”

“Aw, man,” she complained, the faintest hint of a whine in her voice.

“You can come ride ours whenever you want,” Draco said, smiling at Kara until he got a look at my face. “I—uh, I mean, if your dad’s cool with it.”

Trix laughed, and I looked up to see her watching us from the edge of the porch.

“Want a cup of coffee?” she asked as I walked toward her.

“Wouldn’t turn it down.”

I followed her into the house as the bike started up behind us.

“I wouldn’t worry too much about that,” Trix said, motioning toward the front of the house. “Draco’s just like his Grandpa Casper—he’d cut off his arm before he hurt her.”

“That’s not helping,” I grumbled.

“Now, Curtis,” she said, drawing his name out. “He’s the one I’d worry about. The kid’s got girls calling the house already, and he talks to every single one. Boy’s going to give me gray hair.”

“They’re too young for all that shit,” I said as she handed me a cup of coffee.

“Time’s passing quick, man. It won’t be long.”

“Bullshit,” I shot back, making her laugh.

We walked back onto the porch and sat down in a couple of chairs, where we could see the kids riding. Draco was currently the one with the helmet, and he was listening intently to whatever his twin was saying, nodding his head and smiling.

“I don’t know how you do it with two of them,” I said, glancing at Trix. “I can barely get Kara to school on time.”

“Boys are easier,” she said with a wave of her hand. “And I’ve got help.”

I nodded.

“I don’t know how you do it. Cam’s good at taking over when I’m at my limit. I can’t imagine doing it alone.”

“You just do it,” I said quietly, watching my girl jump up and down while she cheered for Draco. “When there’s no other option, you just do.”

“Yeah,” she replied. “I guess so.”

“She’s pretty easy,” I said, relaxing into the chair. “When she’s not whining about something she wants or doesn’t want, or both.”

Trix laughed. “Sounds about right. I wouldn’t want to go back to that age. The angst. The drama. Yuck. It’s only going to get worse.”

“I wish I could keep her a little girl,” I said ruefully.

“No chance of that.”

“Guess not.” I watched as Kara and Charlie did some weird handshake and whooped.

“Though,” Trix said thoughtfully, “maybe you’ve got some time.”

I chuckled.

“You ever think of finding someone?” she asked nonchalantly.

“You, too?” I complained, making her smile. “My mother asks the same thing all the damn time.”

“Well,” she said, smiling, “you’re a good guy, you have a good job, you don’t look like an ogre—”

“Thanks.”

“It’s not like you couldn’t get someone.”

“I’m good.”

“I could hook you up—”

“No, thanks,” I said quickly, cutting her off.

“You already have someone,” she said accusingly, leaning forward in her chair. “Who?”

“I’m free as a bird,” I replied, lifting my hands in surrender.

“I don’t believe you,” she muttered, turning toward the driveway.

I cursed inwardly as I followed her gaze, watching Rose’s Jeep creeping toward the house. Something in my face or body language must have given me away, because Trix started laughing.