Page 68 of Jag

We watched our brother as he ran his hands from River’s ankle, up her leg until he reached the garter she wore around her thigh. He popped the band but left it where it was and ran his hands back down her leg. Boos erupted, and Jag turned toward the group and smirked, then turned back, placed his lips at River’s ankle and proceeded to kiss and nibble his way up her leg.

“I’m going inside until this is over. One investigation in a man’s career is plenty,” Sheriff Lance mumbled as he moved past Flirt and me. We waited until he was out of earshot to laugh.

“Hope to hell he isn’t packing. Things could get out of hand.” I shook my head at Flirt’s statement.

“Jag’s safe. Will likes him. And I don’t think the investigation bothered him as much as the fact the ex-son-in-law still breathes. That pisses him off more,” I said as hoots and hollers filled the air and grew louder as River blushed and covered her face with her hands.

“Yeah, and it wouldn’t look good to kill his grandbaby’s daddy.”

“There is that,” I answered just as Jag’s mouth reached the garter on River’s thigh. He used his teeth to grab hold of it, then worked it down River’s leg until he had it off. After, he pulled her hands from her face and kissed her forehead before he stood.

“Sometimes I don’t give my dad enough credit,” I said, and Flirt looked at me and furrowed his brows.

“For what?” Just as Flirt asked, Jag used his pointer finger from each hand and launched the garter slingshot style into the air.

“Reminding me that traditions are important to keep.” I chuckled as my brothers shoved each other around.

“What the hell are you talking about, Coast?”

“That the two sides of me are full of superstitions and traditions.” The garter began to fall, and I stepped forward, raised my arm and used my hand to snatch it out of the air. When I pulled back and stood with the garter in my hand, Flirt shook his head.

I looked around until I spotted Mac where she stood with the other women and clapped as Jag lifted River up and carried her off. Flirt and I were silent as we watched the couple stop where Flyboy stood with Poppy in his arms. The baby girl’s giggles when Jag leaned in and kissed over her small face had me smiling.

“How soon you think before Flyboy is calling Shakes or one of the other women to help with Pop?” Flirt asked while we continued to watch the interaction between Jag and his daughter before he led River toward the houses. They were spending the night on the compound, then leaving in the morning for a few days away.

“The dads handled us as kids. I think Flyboy can take care of one little girl,” I said while I focused my eyes back on the woman who had held my attention for months.

“True. Now let’s get back to you realizing both sides of your bloodline are known to follow various traditions. From my perspective, it sounds to me like you finally found your balls, brother,” Flirt said and slapped my back.

“Never lost them. But I did remember patience was never my strong point.” Flirt’s laughter followed me as I started closing the distance between myself and what I wanted.

Mac.