Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (54 page)

He chuckles and says, “Blue cut it for me. She did awesome, huh?”

They all agree and stare at me. It’s very unnerving.

Jessie finishes up and gets back in the truck and we head out, waving to the still staring girls who are also tapping away furiously on their phones. He doesn’t say anything and neither do I. Finally he asks, “Was that ok?”

I look at him with a question on my face. “Was what ok?”

“My girlfriend. You are, right? Is it ok that I told them that? Because right now, I’m sure those pictures are being tweeted all over the world.” He’s not looking at me. He’s gripping the steering wheel and staring straight ahead.

Leaning over, I kiss the corner of his mouth. “I’d say it’s ok. If we’re going to be living together, I guess I’ll be your girlfriend.” I laugh. “Besides, you’re the one with the reputation to uphold.”

Growling at me, he smirks. “Yeah, well… Lexi called me a reformed manwhore.”

I bust out laughing, “Bradi called you a whore too.”

“Damn, that’s not nice.” He chuckles, before suddenly looking uneasy. “I think I told you once my dick wasn’t your business. Do you remember that?”

Swallowing, I decide to just be honest. “Yeah… I remember that. I remember everything you’ve ever said to me.” I smirk. “But for the record, you’re dick is
very much
my business now.”

Chuckling he says, “Yeah, I’d say so.” He looks over at me. “You know I wanted to pull you into my room and throw you against the wall that night?!”

My brow rises in surprise and my head tips to the side. “I doubt that. Skank Barbie had just left in a huff.”

“Skank Barbie?” He guffaws. “Woman, you are too much. But she did, yes. She was pretty pissed at me.”

“I heard. I believe ‘asswipe’ was the term she used.” I snicker and have to cover my mouth.

His cheeks darken under his scruff. I want to run my tongue over it. “Uh huh, yeah, well I did kick her out of my room…”

I laugh at his embarrassment. “Funny, that seems to be a habit of yours. You kicked me out too. But then you
followed
me across state lines after getting your ass kicked.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Rub it in.” He’s rubbing circles on the top of my hand and I can’t seem to catch my breath. “I did not get my ass kicked though. I gave as good as I got.” We stop in front of a building. I hadn’t even been paying attention to where we were going; I was so focused on our conversation. Putting the truck in park, he turns to me. “Blue. I am so sorry about that. I flipped out and I reacted badly. From day one, you’ve always gotten under my skin, and I always seem to do the wrong things with you. I’m sorry. You-You’re the only woman I’ve ever come after… Ever.”

Smiling, I lean in as my heart swells. I capture his mouth in a sweet kiss and whisper against his lips, “I know that, Jessie.” Rubbing my nose against his, I say, “You are so forgiven.”

He smiles and brushes his lips against mine softly before he sweeps his tongue in and claims my mouth as his own.

Breaking the kiss, he lays his forehead against mine and stares at me with something I hope is what I think it is in his eyes. We have a silent conversation. He smiles, takes my hand, and pulls me across the seat and out of his door. We head towards the house hand in hand.

Jessie

W
alking up the small cobblestone path to the front door, Blue and I take in the townhouse. It’s just as magnificent in person as it was online. It’s in the French Quarter, but off of the high traffic streets. Bourbon Street is four blocks away. It’s two stories and has a brown wrought iron balcony off of the rooms on the second floor that faces the street. There’s a small porch and a vine covered gate to the side that leads to the back and the courtyard. It’s painted a sage green with white trim around the columns, windows, and front door. The front door is the same rich brown as the balcony. I see Blue’s eyes light up as she takes it in. There are no trees because we’re in the Quarter, but I can see a few small ones over the top of the gate leading into the courtyard.

We knock on the front door and are immediately greeted by a bubbly older woman in a light pink suit. She gestures us in and we look through the house. It’s fully furnished and magnificent. Four rooms on the bottom, including a living room, formal dining room, open kitchen, and a sun room that opens onto the courtyard. There’s also a half bathroom. The top floor has two bedrooms and a sitting area with two bathrooms. I love it!

As we walk through the house, the real estate agent is chattering on about this and that, but I’m not listening. I’m watching Blue’s face. Every room makes her smile and I can tell when she really likes something, because she unconsciously squeezes my hand. Finally, we head into the courtyard.

I grin as we walk through the vine covered brick archway and hit the private garden. It’s amazing. Blue gasps and catches her breath as she takes in the beauty. The entire courtyard is cobblestone but there are crepe myrtles and a few fruit trees in the yard. There are flowerbeds all around the perimeter and in the center of the yard surrounded by benches is a magnificent lion fountain.

Looking at her, I see the wonder in her eyes. “Do you like it, Blue?”

Her hands clasp her chest and she takes a deep breath and looks around again before meeting my eyes. “Oh, Jessie. This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! The house is amazing, but this… oh my God, this is breathtaking. I love it. But it’s your house. Do
you
like it?”

Taking a hold of her hands, I lean in to kiss her. This courtyard is so romantic; I can’t curtail the feelings inside of me. “No, Blue. It’s
our
house. It will be our house. So, should we buy it?” She doesn’t speak and the agent noticing our bent heads and quiet conversation walks a bit away to give us some privacy. Pulling her with me, I sit her on one of the benches beside me and look around. “Blue? Are you ok?”

She looks at me and smiles. “Oh yes,
we
should definitely buy this house! Like right now.” Wrapping her arms around my neck and fisting my hair, she slants her mouth to mine. My knees get weak. Thank God I’m sitting down. Leaning back after breaking the kiss, she says, “Jessie… I love you.”

I get lightheaded and lose my sight for a second.

What did she just say? Did Blue say she LOVED me? Does she mean that? Or is the excitement of the house getting to her? Fuck… what if she does love me? Hell yes!

My silence makes her nervous, so she rushes on. “It’s ok, Jessie. I’m sorry I said it like that. It’s very soon. Well, not really, since I’ve been in love with you forever, but too soon to tell you. Let’s forget I said anything, ok?” She’s grabbing her own hands and tangling her fingers. “Shit! Shit, I need to shut up now.”

My pulse is racing and I grab her hands. “Shut up, woman.” Her eyes widen at my tone and I see the panic rushing over her face. Kissing her nose, I hold my hand up to stop her from rambling anymore. “I mean it, stop!” I just look at her. I can feel her hands shaking and her desperate attempt to pull them away. I pull back and hold them tighter. “You love me?”

She sighs, but then looks right at me. “Yes. I’ve probably loved you since I first saw you, Jessie. I’m sorry…” She tries to pull her hands away, but I hold them tight. “I didn’t mean to say it, but I did mean it. I do mean it. I need to learn impulse control. I… I’m…”

Kissing her shuts her up. Looking right into her eyes, I say what I’ve been feeling and been too scared to confess. “Blue, shut up. Let me talk.” She frowns but stays silent. “I knew as soon as I touched you in the elevator that something was different with you. I’ve felt things for you for years, but I didn’t know what it was. And we were always at each other’s throats. You make me feel shit I’ve never felt before. I asked you to move in with me. I’m going to buy this house with
you…
for
us
… I might be slow, but I’m not stupid, woman. I love you, too!”

Her gorgeous blue eyes fill with shock and tears and she grabs my face and almost knocks me off of the bench as she launches herself at me. “You love me?
You
love
me?!
Are you sure?”

Laughing, I wipe her tears and kiss her again. Then getting serious again, I state firmly, “Yes, I love you. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. But now, how about we buy this house so we can get rid of the agent?!”

She smiles so brightly the sun dims. “Of course. That is a brilliant idea!”

Blue

Jessie loves me. We bought a house. Jessie LOVES me. We’re going out tonight to see his friend play after spending the whole afternoon signing paperwork. This is so fast, but it feels so right. I am so happy. Nothing can rain on my parade right now. Now, I need to get ready for our date. Jessie Adams is ALL mine. Life is good.

I walk out into the living room of the place Alec rented for the weekend to find Jessie texting Jude.

He stops when he hears me and looks up. I’m wearing skin-tight teal skinny jeans with black booties and a black scooped neck top. I’ve done my eyes up in a vibrant teal eye shadow and left the rest of my face neutral with pink lip gloss on my mouth. My hair is sexily styled and I have on shoulder length silver dangly earrings.

I can tell he appreciates the view as he blinks and takes in my appearance with his mouth slack. What a way to make a woman feel sexy. He twirls his finger to have me turn around. I do.

He groans. “You are too sexy for your own good. Dear God, please don’t let another man touch you tonight, or I’ll go to jail.”

Chuckling, I saunter over to him. Jessie makes me feel so sexy. I’m not nearly as self-conscious of my curves when he looks at me like he’s looking at me now. Wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning my head back, I whisper, “No one else gets to touch.” I love that even with me wearing heels, he’s still a tiny bit taller than me. His hands snake under the hem of my shirt and he stops with startled eyes as he feels the boning on my waist. He attempts to pull my shirt up to see what I have waiting for him later tonight. Shaking my finger at him, I chuckle. “No. You have to wait until later to unwrap your present. I spent too much time to look like this to stay in.” Laughing, I untangle myself from his arms. He’s trying to grab me and pull me back. “No, what are you wearing, I need to see
now.
What
is
that?”

Patting his cheek, I reply “A corset.” His eyes bug out and his mouth drops open as I turn on my heel and call over my shoulder as I walk to the door, “You coming? We’re going to be late.”

His eyes are on my ass the entire time, though his mouth is still agape. I can’t wait to see if Bradi is right about my purchase. I’m pretty pleased with his response without even seeing it on me.
Right on Bradi.

Muttering under his breath as he adjusts the bulge in his jeans, “She’s trying to make me insane. I swear I’m going to kill someone tonight if they even look too long. Damn woman is making me nuts!” He grabs his keys and slips his leather jacket over his shirt.

Giggling in delight, I walk out the door.

Jessie

A
s Blue and I walk through the doors of The Rusty Nail, my eyes cut through the smoke and low lights and I see Rich is already on stage. I’ve been promising him to catch a show, but until now, it hasn’t been possible. She takes a look around the bar, taking everything in. I love the atmosphere of the bars in New Orleans. I love the town of New Orleans. I love how at any given time a celebrity can be sitting by a local at the bar or tapping their feet to the band on the stage and everyone is just hanging out.