Southern Shifters: Stick Shifter (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Moxie North Read Free Book Online

have dates for functions that I need to attend. I keep a few business associates that I know can go on short notice on a list.”
    “A list?” she mumbled, having scooped a bite of cheesy goodness in her mouth.
    Will chuckled. “Not like that. I’m on their short list too. It’s always beneficial for business to be seen at the right events. It’s a trade-off.”
    Delaney nodded; that seemed to make sense. She couldn’t help but imagine him with one of those giant old fashioned rolodexes that spun around full of cards with women dying to date him.
    “Illegitimate children?”
    It was Will’s turn to cough around a bite of food. He finished chewing, and his eyes told her she’d get payback for that one.
    “No, no children. Again, I haven’t found the right woman. I’d like three, though, two girls and a boy.”
    “Two girls, huh? You realize that would keep you outnumbered by women the rest of your life.”
    “If any son of mine can learn how to take care of his mom and sisters right, any woman in the future will be very well off when she meets him. I happen to like being surrounded by beautiful women. Life is infinitely more interesting when you have wives and daughters to take care of.” Will knew how he was raised and planned on raising any sons he had the same. The women in your life were meant to be taken care of. You supported them, encouraged them and did everything in your power to remove any obstacles to their happiness.
    “And what if you have three boys?”
    “Well then, their mother will be the most exhausted, but hopefully the happiest woman in the world.”
    Delaney couldn’t scoff at that answer. It was a good one. She’d always been the one to take care of things. Making sure the house was clean, food was in the fridge, and the bills were paid. Not that her dad abandoned her; he just was forgetful for a long time. As an adult, she knew he was so deep in his loss that he hadn’t been aware of his young daughter shouldering the responsibility. He was better now. He wasn’t totally checked out, but then Delaney had been doing it so long, it was easier to just keep doing it.
    Not knowing what to say to his last statement, she took another bite. As she chewed, Will handed her a plastic cup full of cold beer he’d poured from a large growler in an insulated bag.
    “Wow, that’s good,” she said, setting the cup beside her.
    Will took a drink himself. “It is good. I like micro-brews, not that I’d turn my nose up at a bottle of domestic.”
    “You seem like the champagne type to me,” she said, knowing she was probably right.
    “I can’t say I don’t drink my fair share. But I’m more of a vodka man actually. Sometimes a nice scotch to finish out a night, but I tend to stick to the clear liquors during business hours.”
    Delaney raised her eyebrow at him. She wasn’t sure what he meant by that.
    “Just in case I spill,” he said and gave her a wink.
    Shaking her head with laughter, she said, “I doubt very much you are a clumsy man.”
    “No? I could be.”
    “Nope, you could balance a glass on your head I bet. Never spill a drop.”
    “Hmm, I’ll have to try that.”
    Delaney gave him a smile. She took another bite thinking up another question since she had the feeling if she didn’t, he’d start asking about her.
    “So…when do you leave?”
    “Well, I was supposed to leave on Sunday. But I may extend my vacation a bit,” he said cryptically.
    “Oh yeah? Thinking of driving to the coast?”
    “Nope, might just stay around here for a little longer. The scenery has gotten very interesting recently,” he said, his eyes on her.

Chapter Nine
    D elaney swallowed past the lump of food that had gotten momentarily lodged in her throat. There was no way he meant what it sounded like.
    Looking at her food, she poked it with her fork a few times. “Family?”
    “Mom and dad live in Las Vegas, well outside of the city. We have a large home where two of my three sisters live.