Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (83 page)

Dade asks, “So, what’s the word, Casanova?”

Cruz raises his brow in question and his light eyes are twinkling. I ignore them both as I grab a water and continue whistling as I head to my own room to change for my date.

I have a date… An actual date… With Clove.

I didn’t see this course of action a few days ago.

I wait in the foyer as she gets ready and I whistle while I wait. A few minutes later, she’s heading down the stairwell, and as she reaches me, I help her with her coat and we head out the door.

I can totally rock this dating thing.

Clove

I
’m on a date with Liam. This doesn’t even seem real. It seems like five minutes ago we were fighting and now we’re on a date. He asked me what I wanted to eat and once I said I was craving Mexican, he takes me to Coyote Blues. I’ve never been here before, but the green sauce is amazing. I must try to replicate this at home. I think I could drink this stuff.

He’s watching me savor my bite. It embarrasses me. “Stop. Stop watching me like that. You’re making me nervous, Liam.”

He laughs. “Why are you nervous?”

Thankfully, we are in a back room of the restaurant. It’s supposed to be for parties, I think? As soon as we arrived, some teenagers started squealing and drew a ton of attention to us. Liam apologized to the surprised manager for the spectacle and after signing a ton of stuff, we were ushered into this room. It’s quiet. Too quiet. And he’s staring at me. I’m on a date with the man of my dreams, who’s too beautiful for words and is also a whore, and he wants to know why I’m nervous?!

I chuckle in uneasiness. “Why do you think?”

He shrugs and says, “I don’t know. Why?”

I stare at him in disbelief. “Seriously?!” I laugh again as I nervously play with the silverware. “Because… you’re you and I’m here with you. We’re out together, Liam. This is a date.”

His eyes crinkle and I can see his ill-disguised mirth. “I know. I just wanted you to say it.”

Rolling my eyes, I throw a chip at him. “You’re a jerk.”

He catches it and bites into it with a crunch. He winks and the smirk comes out as he chews. When he’s done, he licks his lips and I can’t help but watch the movement of his tongue. He winks again and says, “I know.”

My face flushes again. Damn, I swear it stays red around him.

He sits back and crosses his arms over his chest as he looks at me. It once again makes my blood sing and I start to tingle. All he’s doing is looking at me and I’m acting like an idiot.
Good lord, stop it, Clove! You’re acting like a sixteen year old virgin on a date with the captain of the football team.

He smiles. Really smiles, not the trademark smirk. All the breath leaves my lungs. Damn, I wish I could thank his Momma. I realize he’s never spoken of his parents. It intrigues me.

He’s been watching me. He asks, “What are you thinking? Your face is like a book. Did you know that? You can’t hide your emotions and thoughts at all. So, what are you thinking about right now?”

I smile shyly. “You.”

His brows raise and he chuckles. “Am I naked?”

I choke on my water. “What? Oh my God, Liam.” I feel my temperature rise again. “No. I’m not thinking about you naked.” I smirk at him as he takes a sip of his drink. “At least, not right now.”

He chokes and looks at me in shock. I continue to laugh as he catches his breath. He says, “Well played, Miss Rodrigue!”

Still chuckling I decide to ask what’s on my mind. “I was thinking about the fact that you’re gorgeous and I was wondering where you get it from. I mean, I’ve never heard anything about your family.”

He tenses. Then he lets out a deep breath and looks at me. “That’s because I don’t talk about it.”

I instantly feel chagrinned. Frowning in embarrassment, I mutter, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to pry.”

His face softens. “No, you misunderstand. I wasn’t telling you that I’m not going to tell you. I’m telling you that I don’t talk about it. I’ll tell you if you want to know.”

Looking at him from under my lashes and licking my lips, I nod. “I’d like to know a little more about you… if that’s ok?”

He grimaces, but nods at me. “What do you want to know?”

“Tell me whatever you want me to know.” I shrug and pick up another chip to have something to do with my hands. “Whatever you’re ok with sharing. I’m not going to pressure you. I don’t push people for information.”

He looks at me sharply. “You should.”

“What? I should what?” I’m puzzled.

He smiles at me and leans forward. He props his elbows on the tabletop and rests his chin on his hands as he looks at me. “You’re so sweet. People take advantage of that. It pisses me off that people have taken advantage of you. Even me.” He frowns. “What I mean is that you should ask questions. You should know the people you let into your life.”

I grin smugly. “You mean like you? I know plenty about you. Just not the personal stuff.”

He grins back and leans over to tweak my nose. Somehow that juvenile action has my stomach in knots and I have to clench my thighs to stop the throbbing a little higher. “Yeah, I can’t believe you’re here with me after all you know about me.” He laughs without humor. “I’ve been a grade-A-asshole towards you, for sure. Yet, you’re here.” He smiles again. “I’m glad.”

Our server arrives with our food and asks if we need anything else. We tell him we’re fine and he leaves us alone again. We eat in silence for a few minutes. The food is really delicious.

Once Liam has practically cleaned his plate, he sits back and watches me eat. My eyes scrunch up in ire. He smirks at me again. “You don’t like me to watch you eat, do you?”

“Of course not. Who likes to be watched while they’re eating?! Food can be on my face, I might chew with my mouth open, or get food stuck in my teeth.” My snappy response makes him laugh.

“Well, when you live under a microscope, you kind of get used to it. Sorry, I’ll try not to make you uncomfortable. Though I do like making you blush.” He winks again. “It’s sexy.”

I choke on my food and glare at him. He laughs harder.

I can’t take another bite. I’m stuffed, but that was so good. Pushing my plate away, I mutter, “You’re a freak. I’m pretty sure the women you’ve been with don’t blush.”

He frowns and looks at me intently before he answered in earnest, “No, they don’t. They are usually throwing themselves at me or are very aggressive. I don’t have to make a move or pursue them. It’s easy and takes no work on my part.”

It’s my turn to frown. I don’t want to know all the ways I don’t measure up to the long line of Liam conquests!

He continues, “It’s also boring as hell.” He looks at me and smiles. “I wouldn’t even consider having dinner with or taking a single one of them on a real date. I’ve never wanted to date anyone before. But I do want to date you. I’m glad you’re here, Clove. The reason you’re here is because you’re not like them. You’re so much better.”

I feel like I’m about to cry. That was quite possibly the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. Pushing my chair back quickly, I get up and walk over to him. His face registers his surprise at my action.

“Are you leaving?” He asks.

He goes to stand up. I put a hand on his shoulder holding him in place. He frowns at me. He’s uncertain of what’s going on and I love that. Leaning down, I whisper, “Nope. Not leaving.” And then I kiss him.

I kiss
him.
He’s shocked, but he gets over it quickly and before I understand the logistics of it, I’m sitting on his lap. He moves his head slightly and takes over the kiss. His hands are like steel bands around my waist and my arms snake around his neck as I angle my head to give him better access.

Our lips are softly moving against each other. Back and forth before our tongues advance and retreat. It’s a magical dance and my head is swimming with the wondrous sensations.

Who knew that kissing Liam would be an out-of-body experience?!

The sound of someone clearing their throat breaks the trance and a very embarrassed server says, “I’m so sorry,” as we look up at him.

I smile up at the server. My body feels like its floating. Thank God, Liam is holding onto me, otherwise I fear I’d be at the ceiling.

Liam clears his throat, too. I try to get up, but his arms tighten around me, so I stay put. He smiles at the young man and answers his question about needing anything else.

He leaves again with the money to cover the check and a very generous tip, I try to once again leave Liam’s lap. He’s not having it. He shakes his head, “No. You stay put. You feel nice there.”

My face once again burns. This causes him to chuckle and he leans up to kiss me once more.

Sighing in contentment, he asks if I’d like to go someplace else.

“Are you not ready for this date to end, Mr. Christianson?” I slyly tease him.

He smirks and says, “I have a beautiful woman in my lap and still owe her some conversation, so if you are open to it, I’d like to take you someplace.”

I smile and nod. He stands up with me in his arms like I weigh nothing. Then setting me on my feet, he walks around to grab my jacket and helps me into it. For someone who’s never dated, he’s pretty good at this.

As he offers his arm, he nods to the doorway, where a little audience is gathered. I didn’t even notice them I was so wrapped up in Liam. “You ready to face that? I’m sorry. It happens pretty much everywhere I go. I wasn’t thinking about that when I brought you here. We can try to go places with more privacy from now on… if you’d like.”

Can you handle the public eye, Clove? If you are going to date Liam, you are going to have to get used to this. It’s part of his life style. It’s very weird and I know that people are going to look at me and judge me, but I think if I want to get the guy, I have to take the ridiculous shit that comes with it. Ok, yes, I can do this. But what happens when I’m hugely pregnant? Shit…

It’s ok. I’ll think about that later. Not going to let it ruin our perfect date.

Looking at Liam, I smile and nod. “It’s ok. Those are the people who listen to your music. I can handle it.”

He looks at me introspectively and leans in to place a hard, firm kiss on my mouth. I gasp in shock and whisper, “What are you doing? They all just saw that.”

He winks. “I know. Why do you think I did it? If I’m going to be seen with you, I want a hot photo trending on Twitter!”

Twitter? My face is going to be linked with his on Twitter? Oh my God… Oh well, here goes nothing. He chose to do that because he wanted to. If he can make a statement like that, then I’m damn sure going to smile my best smile and show these people that I am the one by his side.

I’ve got this… I hope.

We walk out and people start grabbing onto him. They are thrusting pens and phones at him and asking him to sign whatever they can get their hands on. He signs with one hand and keeps the other around my waist as we make our way to the exit.

Once outside, I let out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.
Holy crap.

He looks down at me with concern. “You ok? No one hit you or anything, did they?”

Looking up at the face I’ve dreamt about for as long as I can remember, I realize he just made a major statement with his actions in there, one that had to be really terrifying for him. I smile. “No, no one hit me. I’m fine.” I add nervously, “Thank you.”

His forehead creases in confusion. “Thank you? For what?”

I chuckle as I link my arm through his and we walk the few feet to his truck. He opens the door and helps me into the cab. Then he stops and just stands between my legs. With me on the seat and him standing by the truck, our heads are the same level.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I lean my forehead against his. I finally answer him. “For holding onto me in there. I don’t know if you know, but you just sent out a message to everyone who saw that. They are going to ask questions. You just opened yourself up to a shit storm. Your fans are not going to like it.”

He smirks. “My fans will get over it.”

I raise my brows. It sounds like he means that.

He leans in and runs his teeth over my jawline. I melt into the seat as my body goes lax. I feel him smile, though I can’t see him. “You’re very responsive.”

Leaning back I smile into his eyes. “I am. Maybe one day, you’ll see just how responsive I am.” Then I stick my tongue out at him.

“Can I change my mind about the no sex thing?” He groans.

Grabbing his face I plant a steamy kiss on his mouth. His hands fist on my hips. I smile against his mouth and mutter, “Nope. Good things come to those who wait.”

He chuckles and straightens his jeans as he steps away from the cab of the truck. “Don’t give me blue balls.”

I throw my head back and laugh out loud in delight. “I’ll try not to, but you know you do have two hands.”

His eyes flash with his surprise. As he shuts the door to the truck and walks around to his side, I hear him mutter, “Damn, she’s cheeky. I love it.”

He gets in and starts the truck and we head out into the Baton Rouge night. It looks like we’re heading towards the river.