wine, I stick to carbonated water.
He’s holding a linen envelope from the stack of mail he sorted before we sat down. “The Cattleman’s Masque is this weekend.”
“What’s that?” Taking another bite, I snuggle deeper into his overstuffed leather couch.
While he finished cooking, I changed into one of his sweatshirts and a pair of boxer shorts and thick socks. I’m surrounded by fresh linen, citrus, and yummy Deacon scent.
“It’s this big, annual fundraiser every year at the Palace Casino.” He takes out an elegantly engraved invitation with script writing, tissue, and double envelopes.
“The Palace?” I scoot up higher on the couch, taking it from him and reading the formal invitation. “I don’t know how to gamble.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s just a bunch of people with too much money standing around gossiping.” He takes a bite of dinner. “They’ll gamble and raise all the money.”
“What for?”
He shrugs, setting his bowl aside and takes a sip of wine. “One year it was Keeping Texas Wild… I think they stole that from Austin’s stay weird campaign. Another year it was to protect the Mustangs or their habitat—”
“Oh! I love that one!” Sitting higher, I think about Spirit. “What’s this year’s?”
“Does it say on the invitation?”
Turning the paper in my hand, “I don’t see anything.”
“Winnie would know.” He reaches for me, pulling me onto his lap. “I told her I was bringing a date this year.”
He smiles up at me, and I put my hands on his neck, leaning down to kiss his soft lips. “Who were you planning to ask?”
“I had this one girl in mind.” He kisses my neck, and I close my eyes, loving the feel of him strong in my arms. Loving the heat he stirs in me with his mouth. “She’s really pretty. She’s actually my wife… In a way.”
Leaning back, my stomach squeezes when I catch his mischievous blue eyes. “I thought you were a single guy.”
“No way.” He kisses me again. “I’m married to the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen.”
“You don’t say.”
Scooping his hands under my butt, he stands in one fluid movement, carrying me to his bedroom. “I do say.” He tosses me on the bed, and I laugh as I barely bounce on the firm mattress. “What’s the word, beautiful? Go with me as my date to this snooty function where all of my aunt’s friends will be there showing off?”
“Wait… All of Winnie’s friends will be there?” My stomach twists, and I feel scared and a little anxious. “Are you sure—”
“I’m positive.” He leans across the bed, resting his fists on the mattress on either side of me. “I’m going to show you off—and who knows, I might have solved your family’s problem by then, too.”
“What will I wear?”
With a quick kiss, he straightens. “I’ll give you my card and you can get whatever you want from Nieman’s. Ask one of the clerks to help you. It’s formal, so go all out.”
“I… don’t know…” My voice trails off as he pulls off his tee, revealing his bare, lined torso. I fall back against the pillows, admiring the sight of my gorgeous future husband… current husband?
“Don’t know what? Don’t know if you’ll go? You’re going.”
Clearing my throat, I collect my thoughts. “I’ve never had a clerk help me. It sounds expensive. I don’t know about spending your money—”
“You’re my wife.” His dark brow lowers, and he leans down to pull of his jeans. “I want you to have a beautiful dress and go with me to this damn party. It’ll be the first year I enjoy it.”
He straightens, facing me in nothing but boxer briefs, and my breath disappears. “Okay…”
“You know, when you look at me that way, I can only think of one thing I want to do to you.”
Little wings flutter inside my stomach, and I slide lower in the bed. “What’s that?”
“Here.” He climbs over me, strong arms on either side of my head as he lowers his body over mine. “Let me show you.”
Standing in front of Winnie’s portrait, so many thoughts swirl in my head. I had planned to tell Deacon about the baby after dinner last night. It’s why I went to his apartment building… Also, because I was worried about Mateo.
Then he started talking about the masquerade this weekend and dresses and formalwear. It’s a celebration, and I imagined getting home after, everything quiet as I tell him the happy news, and us celebrating. Maybe with sparkling grape juice and a card, something memorable.
Then he started undressing, and