Alluring Temptation (Bayou Stix #3) (8 page)

He’s grinding his teeth, but with that last comment, he spits out, “Now wait just a damned minute. The hell you will just sleep with people!”

That pisses me off. I raise my voice again. “You shut up! I didn’t say I would just sleep with people! I’m not like that! I know that Liam
is
like that! How do I know? Because just two days ago, I walked into his room and saw him having his dick sucked by yet another whore he’d just met five minutes before!” His face goes white at my language and tone. “
YES!
Again. So, no I have no desire to add my name to his repertoire! Give me some credit, Dade! I have self-respect!”

He whispers, “You saw him? Again? I’m going to kill him! Why were you in his room, Clove?” His voice is strangled.

Rolling my eyes, I answer him. “Because I heard banging and groaning and thought he was alone. I went to make sure he was ok and walked in on it.”

Dade scrubs his hand down his face and groans, “Dammit, Liam!”

Just then there’s another knock at the door and a wheelchair is brought into the room by an orderly. He smiles at us. “If you’re ready to go, Miss Rodrigue, we can head out.” He turns to Dade, “Where are you parked?”

Dade grumbles that he’s in the garage. I tell the cute young man I can walk and I don’t need the wheelchair, but he says it’s hospital policy, and he has to wheel me out. Rolling my eyes again, I plop into the chair as Dade walks in front of us down the hall and catches the elevator before it closes.

Within ten minutes, I’m all loaded into the car and we’re heading for home. We don’t really talk on the drive.

As we pull into the yard, a fire red sports car is in the driveway, blocking the garage. Dade starts cussing under his breath.

Oh, shocker. Liam has another slut here. I’m not even out of the house a full day and yet another in the revolving door of skanks is here. Yeah, you don’t want or need any of that Clove!

Dade grabs my overnight bag that Bradi brought to the hospital yesterday and walks around to open my door and help me out. Slapping his hand away, I snap at him. “I’m fine. I can get out of the damn car all by myself!”

He snaps back, “Stop being a brat! You just got out of the hospital, so shut the hell up, and take my hand before I take you over my knee!”

I can’t help it. It’s so ridiculous that I laugh. “Take me over your knee? Seriously, big brother?!” I am cracking up.

He shrugs sheepishly. “Well, probably not. But stop being a brat! Brat!”

Laughing, I loop my arm through his and head towards the house. He hands me his keys and I open the door, listening before I walk in. All is quiet. I guess the sluts are still asleep.

Dade walks past me and up the stairs. “I’m going to drop these in your room on my way to the shower.” I nod. “Don’t try to do too much while I’m up there, ok? I’ll come whip up something when I’m done. I’ll only be about ten minutes. Why don’t you go sit down and put your feet up.”

Glaring at him, I place my hands on my hips. “Don’t treat me like an invalid, Dade. I’m fine. What do you think I’m going to do? Rearrange the house?” Shooing him up the stairs, I say, “Go, I’ll go make some coffee for you, tea for me, and whip up some eggs. They’re fast.”

Shaking his head, he mumbles while he climbs the stairs, “Why do I bother arguing with her?”

I call back, “I don’t know. Why do you?!”

I hear him chuckle as I head into the kitchen.

I’m just putting the last of the fresh fruit in the bowl as he walks into the kitchen. Setting a plate in front of him, I turn and pour him a cup of coffee before taking it to him. His face has a look of wonder on it. “What?” I ask.

He looks at me and then at the plate, then back at me. “Clove, you said eggs.”

I look at the plate in confusion. “That is eggs.”

Looking at me incredulously, he exclaims, “That is not eggs, Clove. That is art. God, you’re so gifted.”

I look again. I see the egg white, fresh chives, portabello mushroom, and brie omelet along with a fresh fruit salad. It looks like eggs to me, but my heart warms at the compliment. “Thank you.” That reminds me. “Oh shit! I had an appointment with James Black yesterday!”

Dade looks up with narrowed eyes. “James Black? The movie star James Black?! An appointment for what?”

As I’m about to answer him, we hear from the doorway, “Oh, I love James Black. That coffee smells divine.” And a disheveled woman walks into the kitchen wearing a t-shirt that has to belong to Liam.

I look at Dade and say as loudly as I can, “Point made! No thank you!”

He laughs and the brunette’s head swivels around at me. I ignore her and look around her to Dade. “As a personal chef while he’s filming. Bradi set it up. I need to call them and explain what happened.” Then, looking at the brunette, I say rudely, “The coffee and food are divine. However, since you don’t live here and I do, maybe you should get dressed and remove your car from in front of my garage. May I recommend Java and Sweeties for coffee?” I walk past her, “It’s right up the street.” As I hit the door, a solid wall appears and it’s shirtless. Looking at Liam and dismissing him, I walk past him, making sure not to touch him. My heart is racing as I climb the stairs to my room.

Liam

T
he sound of chatter wakes me from my slumber. As I awaken, I comprehend what I’m hearing. Sounds from the kitchen and the smell of eggs and coffee permeate my room. I turn to look at the space next to me and pray that Chelsee has already gone home. Make-up stains are on the pillow and as I sit up, I see her red lace panties and her shoes on the floor.

Shit! She’s still here. Why is she still here? She’s never stayed over before. Shit. Shit. Shit. Clove and Dade are home. And Chelsee is not wearing her clothes, and is somewhere in the house. Shit! This is not good.

Throwing on my sweatpants from the night before, I forgo a shirt as I head to the kitchen and toward the sound of conversation. As I get closer, I can make out the words.

Clove is going to cook for the Hollywood playboy, James Black!? Is Bradi fucking insane?! She can’t do that. He’ll chew her up and spit her out. Dade won’t let her do that. He won’t let her work for James. No, she can’t work for James Black!

Why do you care, Liam?

I hear Chelsee speak, “Oh, I love James Black. That coffee smells divine.”

Then, I hear Clove’s irate response. “Point made! No, thank you!

The coffee and food are divine. However since you don’t live here and I do, maybe you should get dressed and remove your car from in front of my garage. May I recommend Java and Sweeties for coffee? It’s right up the street!”

Holy crap. She just called Chelsee out without calling her out.

She sounds really perturbed. Why is that I wonder?

Shit! I didn’t think she’d be home from the hospital so soon. Shit!

Clove sees me in the doorway and my gaze takes her in. She’s looks so much better. And she’s just beautiful in the early morning sun.
What the fuck is wrong with you, Liam? She looks like Clove.
She doesn’t seem fazed by me though. She looks right through me and makes it a point not to touch me as she walks by. I turn my head and watch her walk down the hall and up the stairs. I keep watching until she disappears from my sight.

When I finally turn back around, Dade and Chelsee are both watching me.

Chelsee is watching me with a scowl on her face. She looks frightful. Her hair is a tangled mess and her make-up is smeared. I can’t help but compare her to Clove’s early morning, fresh faced beauty. Chelsee is sadly lacking. She’s also wearing my shirt and it’s not leaving anything to the imagination.

I look away from her and see Dade is also glowering at me.
What the hell? I didn’t do anything. Oh shit, does he know I kissed Clove? She wouldn’t have told him that. Right?!

I am looking at Dade, but I talk to Chelsee. “I think it’s time for you to go, Chels.”

She makes a screeching sound. “What? Are you serious? Who the hell was that bitch? I know she did not just insult me!”

Dade looks away from me and glares at her. “That
bitch
was my sister!” Chelsee shrinks back from the rage on his face. “And I do believe she did insult you. How rude of her when you waltz into my kitchen looking like a used up prostitute, and invite yourself into a private conversation. You have two minutes to get dressed and get the hell out of my house.”

She looks at me with disbelief and anger. “Are you going to let him talk to me like that?”

I gesture to Dade. “It’s his house and I don’t even know why you’re still here to be honest, Chelsee.”

She screeches, “
Well I never!
Fuck you. That was the last booty call you’re getting from me. I was doing you a favor! There are plenty of numbers in my phone! You just got yourself deleted, you asshole.”

She stomps down the hall, still shrieking. I look at Dade and shake my head. “Just don’t.”

He glares and says, “Classy, Liam. Real classy.” Then he points at me. “You! Sit!”

That tone is not good. Shit, he does know!

I pour a cup of coffee and am just about to sit down when the front door slams. I wince. Tires squeal right after. As I turn back around, Dade is just looking at me. Should I talk first or should I wait for him to start?

He just continues to glare at me.

I take a sip of coffee and I wait.

He sighs. “Really, Liam?”

Really what? What are we talking about? Does he know I kissed Clove? Are we talking about Chelsee? Shit, I don’t know. What do I say? I don’t want to piss him off more by saying the wrong thing.

I do what I do best. I smirk at him and say, “What?”

“Cut that shit out. You know what? Why do you keep doing this? Clove walked in on you again two days ago and then again just now,” he waves in the direction Chelsee just left, “yet another one is leaving as soon as we get home. Dude, you know I don’t care, but seriously? My damn sister lives here!”

Oh, thank God! He doesn’t know about Clove. Just her finding me yet again with another one. And then of course Chelsee had to walk out looking like a total slut this morning. Shit!

I shrug. “Sorry, man. I’ve had a rough couple of weeks and then the past two days weren’t exactly awesome around here.” I glare back. “I needed to let off some tension and Chelsee provided some relief.”

He looks away. He’s staring out the window watching the squirrels run around under the Live Oak trees. He sighs deeply. “Look, I know I left you high and dry. I know Clove is a lot to deal with and for some insane reason, my mild mannered, sweet sister turns into a shrew around you.” He cuts me with a look.
What the hell?!
I squirm. “But I should have told you about the baby. We should have told all of you. That was my bad. I was trying to protect her.”

I sigh and take a sip of my coffee as I look at him over the rim of my cup.

Damn this coffee is good. Why doesn’t coffee taste this good when I make it?

Focus, Liam!

“She hates me. I don’t know why she hates me. But she does. And when she starts snapping at me, well, I snap back. But, yes!” I point at him. “You should have told me! You leave me in charge of the person who means the most to you in the world.
Who is knocked up by a complete fucking loser, you asshole!
And you leave that important fact out! Damn, man! That’s the kind of shit a dude needs to know!”

“What does it matter to you if Clove is pregnant, Liam?” He sits back in the chair and crosses his arms as he waits.

Shit! Dammit! Way to play it cool, Liam!

I sit back and meet his gaze. “It doesn’t!”

He keeps staring at me. I hate when he does that shit! He’s so insightful and can read people like a book.

He taps his chin and says, “I’m going to say this one time. I don’t care what happened while I was gone.” I open my mouth in shock, but he waves his hand cutting me off before I can speak. “Stop. Don’t insult me by lying. Both of you are trying to hide something and that’s fine. She’s an adult and you’re an adult. But, she’s my baby sister and you are my friend. If it comes down to it, I will always pick my sister, so don’t make it come down to it. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Um, what IS he saying? Is he giving me permission? What the fuck? Do I WANT permission?

I have no idea what he’s talking about.

“Dude, I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” I shrug as I look away. I rub the back of my neck to try to work some of the tension out. “Nothing happened, I swear.” I look back and he’s still staring at me, calling my bluff. “Ok, there was a small kiss, but it just happened and well, I don’t see it happening again… so, no worries.”

His brows disappear under his hair. “A kiss? You kissed my sister?”

Shit! Why the hell did you tell him that, Liam?

He’s going to fuck up my face. Dammit!

I meet his gaze again and stiffen my back. “Yes, I did. I didn’t set out to do it. It just happened… and she kissed me back. Then…” Damn this is difficult. “Then she ran away and right after that was when she was hospitalized.”