when he lifted his lips and gave her a wink, her legs buckled a little.
She realized everything about Rafe was lethal to her senses.
It was a good thing her grandpa was home or they’d never make it out of the house tonight.
“Hey, Jimmy.” Rafe went over to shake her grandfather’s hand.
“How’s it going, Rafe?”
“Pretty good.”
“Thanks for trimming that tree out back today. I’d get it myself, but I think my ladder days are behind me.”
Rafe grinned. “I was happy to take care of it for you. I had some trimming to do out back at our house anyway. Anytime you need something like that done, just call me.”
Her grandpa shot her a look, then smiled at Rafe. “Much appreciated, thanks.”
“Are you ready to go?” Carmen asked, deciding not to reopen that conversation.
Rafe nodded, then looked over at her grandfather. “Yeah. You all set here, Jimmy?”
“I am. Got my TV going. Then I’ll take myself to bed when I get tired.”
“Are you sure you can handle that by yourself, Grandpa?”
“Kal’s home tonight, Jimmy,” Rafe said. “If you need some assistance getting in bed I know he’d be happy to help you out. Want me to text him?”
Her grandfather shook his head. “Pretty sure I’ve got this. But I’ll let Kal know if I need him. Thanks.”
Carmen leaned over and kissed her grandfather’s cheek. “You call or text me if you need anything.”
He patted her cheek. “And you can stop worrying about me. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“Love you, too. Go have some fun. Drink. Dance. Have some sex in the car.”
“Grandpa!”
Rafe laughed. “Night, Jimmy.”
Her grandfather had already returned to watching TV, so he waved them off.
They got into the truck, and Rafe took off.
“I’m really sorry about him. He’s . . . I don’t know what’s going on with him. I think he wants me to get knocked up. He desperately wants grandkids.”
Rafe made a turn onto the highway. “I mean, I’d be happy to do my part in practicing making babies, but I don’t think I’m ready to actually have any today. Sorry.”
She quirked a smile. “The practice part suits me just fine, too. I’m not ready yet, either.”
“Then we’re in sync.”
She was happy he hadn’t flipped out over her grandpa’s “making babies” suggestion. “We are definitely in sync.”
He reached over and slid his hand along her thigh. “Then maybe we’ll try out having sex in the truck later.”
“Only if you keep the motor running and the air-conditioning on.”
He laughed. “You’re making my dick hard just thinking about it.”
“Good. Keep that thought going.”
He took the exit and stopped at the light. “You know, we don’t have to go to the bar tonight. I know a nice secluded spot.”
“Not a chance. I’m hungry, bud, so feeding me is a priority.”
The light turned green, and he made the left turn. “Dammit.”
Her lips quirked.
“So, whose restaurant is it?” she asked.
“Tommy Rodriguez. His family has owned it for two generations. Great fish house.”
“Awesome.”
They pulled into the full parking lot. Tommy’s Fish House was lit up with a nice, welcoming sign. The building was a large one-story with an A-frame roof. It was painted bright white with blue accents. And even standing outside, she could hear the raucous sounds of people laughing.
A good sign, in Carmen’s opinion. A crowded, loud restaurant meant good food.
Rafe held the door open for her, and she walked inside. A blast of icy cold air hit her, refreshing her instantly.
A pretty blond hostess stood right inside.
“Can I help—oh, hi, Rafe.”
“Hey, Soleil. Tommy knows we’re coming. He said he’d have a table in the back for the group.”
Soleil nodded. “We’re just clearing out a large party. It’ll be about twenty minutes if that’s okay?”
“Sure. We’ll be at the bar.”
“I’ll let Tommy know you’re here.”
“Thanks.”
He put his hand at the small of Carmen’s back, leading her off toward the left where the bar was located. They managed to find a small table in the back.
“I’ll get us something to drink. What would you like?”
“How about a pinot grigio?”
“Okay. Be right back.”
He walked to the bar and she took the time to appreciate the ambience of the place. It was comfortable, the kind of restaurant you could bring your kids to, but also modern and fun and raucous, so easily a date-night restaurant as well.
A couple approached Rafe at the bar and he shook hands with both of them. She recognized Miguel and Adrienne as EMTs who frequented the ER. Then another guy joined them.
Rafe brought them over to