Craving Rose (The Aces' Sons 5)

“Why not?” Kara asked.

“Because they know your dad would kick your ass if you did something like that,” Rose said easily. “I’ll see you guys later.”

I waved as Kara called out her goodbye.

Rose drove away as I opened the garage door and ushered Kara toward the Mustang.

“So,” she said. “You and Rose?”

“Me and Rose,” I confirmed, opening her door.

“I like it.”

I chuckled as I closed her in and rounded the hood.

“She’s fun,” Kara said as I climbed in the car. “And she’s really cool.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“She doesn’t care what anyone thinks,” she said, watching me as I maneuvered us out of the garage. “You know? She just does her own thing, and that makes her even cooler.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

“I can’t believe she’s with you,” Kara said, her surprise a shot right to the gut.

“Hey,” I complained. “I’m cool.”

“You’re like the least cool person I know,” Kara murmured, closing her eyes as she relaxed into the seat.

I wanted to argue, but what could I say? Of course I was the least cool person Kara knew—I was her dad. I didn’t let her do all the fun shit she wanted, and I made her go to bed on time. I glanced at her and smiled.

I was pretty sure that Rose and I were equally matched.

Chapter 7

Rose

“I am the champion!” Kara crowed, doing a little dance in her seat.

“I should have never taught you how to play,” I replied, gathering the cards from the table.

“Sore loser,” she said with a grin.

“Poor winner,” I shot back, sticking my tongue out.

“You have a concussion,” Mack called as he came into the room, wiping his hands on a rag. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I am,” Kara argued. “We’re just playing a game.”

“And I can see by the look on your face that you feel like shit,” he said, shaking his head. “Go in and lay down for a while, yeah?”

“Fine,” Kara grumbled. “See you later, Rose.”

We watched her walk through the main room and disappear through the archway that led to the guys’ rooms. “I’m sorry. I just thought I’d keep her company for a while.”

“Nothin’ to be sorry for,” he said in surprise. “She woulda been bored outta her mind without you here. Clubhouse is pretty quiet during the week.”

“I didn’t even notice that her head was bothering her.”

“You haven’t been lookin’ at her face every day for the last twelve years,” he said easily. “She’s alright. The rest’ll probably help, though.”

“Yeah. I better head home, anyway,” I said, grabbing the card game as I stood. “Will you give this to Kara? Maybe she can find someone else to beat later.”

“Sure,” he replied.

It had been two days since the last time we’d touched, but neither of us made an attempt to change that. I hadn’t exactly been spreading the news that we were, what, dating? I guessed that was as good of a label as anything. No one knew we were dating, and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to broadcast it yet.

The club was really tight knit, and the men gossiped almost as much as the women. I was kind of enjoying flying under the radar for once.

“You wanna come over for dinner tonight?” he asked as he walked me outside. “I’m grilling.”

“You’re always grilling,” I teased.

“Gotta take advantage of the nice weather while we have it,” he replied. “Plus, it’s the only way I can make somethin’ decent.”

“I’m a good cook,” I boasted as we reached my Jeep. “Like, seriously good.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yep.” I nodded. “I have no idea how it happened. My mom says it’s in my genes. My great gram was crazy good, too.”

“I look forward to getting a taste,” he said, his lips curving up at the edges.

My skin warmed. “Everything you say sounds dirty.”

“That time I was tryin’,” he said with a laugh as he stepped backward. “Stop by around six.”

“I’ll be there.”

As I drove away, I let out a huge breath. Jesus, I’d nearly jumped him standing out in front of the garage where anyone could see us. I had no idea how we’d keep our relationship to ourselves. I had a feeling that anyone that saw us together would notice the chemistry between us in less than two seconds. It was impossible to ignore.

On that thought, I pulled out my phone and called Lily.

“Thank you,” she answered with a sigh. “I needed to take a break.”

“You work too hard.”

“Yeah, yeah, tell that to my clients. Whatcha doin’?”

“I’m headed to your house,” I replied.

“Then it looks like I’m on lunch,” she said happily.

“Don’t forget to clock out,” I teased.

“See you soon,” she said before hanging up on me.

It only took a few minutes to get to Lily and Leo’s house. Just like the rest of the kids, they hadn’t strayed too far from their parents. Only Lily’s older sister Cecilia had cut the apron strings and moved all the way to California. Some of us had wandered a bit, but we’d eventually found our way back to the ten-mile radius surrounding the clubhouse.