“Ohhhh,” I breathe. “You really like me.”
“And for the record, this is exclusive. If you so much as look at another woman—”
“I won’t,” I cut in.
“But if you do, I’ll—”
“Chop off my balls,” I finish for her.
Frankie gives a sharp nod. “Damn straight.”
“Well, if I catch a guy anywhere near what’s mine—”
“I’ll punch him in the throat.” She mimics the action to avoid any confusion.
Offense grunts out of me. “But his balls are safe?”
“Figured you’d do the honors of crushing those.”
“It’s a deal.” I grab her hand, threading our fingers together. “We’re doing this.”
“Afraid so, honey.”
I falter, letting my jaw unhinge. “Honey?”
Her shrug is completely unbothered. “I’m stuck with you, right? Might as well call it what it is.”
“Damn, that’s almost sweet.”
She plops a kiss on my cheek. “You’re welcome, honey.”
“Gotta admit, I don’t hate it.”
“That’s a first,” she laughs.
“Never hated you,” I grumble.
Her palm squeezes mine. “You have a weird way of showing it.”
“A man has to protect himself when attacked from all angles.” I glance at a lump along the seam of her leggings, willing to bet there’s a knife stored in a secret compartment.
“Seemed too good to be true.” Frankie hums thoughtfully and studies me for a moment. “I never thought I’d have this.”
My heart strums to a faster beat. “I didn’t plan on ever having it again.”
She gazes at me like her wheels are spinning over something heavy, but it’s not ready to be spoken aloud quite yet. “What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the chance?”
I grin at the choice of topic. “Ride a motorcycle.”
“No way!” Her loud blurt startles Tux, but he just curls himself into a tighter ball. “You’ve never been on a motorcycle?”
“Thought about buying one when I was younger. Once Ronnie was born, it didn’t seem practical.”
“Such a good dad,” she croons.
“Babies and bikes don’t mix.”
Frankie rolls her eyes. “Depends who you ask.”