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I am suddenly conflicted between my head and my cock.

“What do I get out of that deal?” Chewing on the inside of my cheek keeps me from showing too much amusement watching her squirm.

Her short nail taps on the end of her nose, then follows the curve to the top of her full mouth.

My humor fades as I watch her pinch her pouty bottom lip as her gaze rifles through me.

“How about…I let you take me to my birthday party?” A smirk flirts with her cheek.

She’s trying to be serious, and the struggle is adorable.

“Depends. Is it a bunch of your friends in pajamas having a pillow fight? Now that would be an event I’d love to participate in.” I give her my most charming wink.

Her smile spreads with a hint of mischief. “I never knew you’d want to romp with Dixon. He’ll be there.”

Well, shit. Heat drifts up my throat, and I clear it to try and cover. “Well, color me intrigued.”

She erupts into giggles watching my face. “It’s my big two-one. Char’s taking me to Hilltop to celebrate, so of course Dixon is going. I think they’re attached atthe hip.”

“She’s pregnant with twins. I’m pretty sure they figured out how to do that part.” I’m not sure why, but I’m enjoying laying on the innuendos.

Maybe because I know she’s forbidden fruit.

But when she looses a throaty laugh, and her palm smacks my crossed leg lightly, it makes me want to see just how far I can push her.

To blur that line.

“Did you know I’m the one that taught Paisley to call him ‘Daddy Dixon’?” Her words are choppy between snickers. “I wish I could have seen the look on his face the first time.”

She glances down, perhaps noticing that she’s still letting her fingertips drift over the wrinkle in the jeans at my knee, because she steps back, resting her palm on the desk again.

The ghost of her touch still lingers.

“It seems he wanted to live up to the name.” I never saw Dix as a father figure. He was always too serious, career driven.

I imagine that changed when he met Char.

It’s strange to see him that way.

What would that be like, wanting to change everything for a woman? I’ve never had that gumption.

Maybe I never met the right one.

“I guess so.” She falls quiet, and her eyes drift to the dirty window letting in weak rays of sun. “My dad wants meto meet someone and start a family.” Her voice is hushed, then she shakes her head. “Not yet. I gotta learn how to run this place first.”

What would she look like with a wedding ring and a baby on her hip?

Fuck, that’s a danger zone.

That life is for a better man than me. I like my job too much. I get to travel when and where I want.

Free and clear.

No strings.

When she turns back to me, there’s a fire in her focus. “So, do we have a deal? I’ll even buy you a beer.” Her palm extends and she tilts her chin, waiting for me.

I’d get to see her tipsy, and hang out with Dixon for a few hours?