Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (9 page)

I’m sitting here, shell-shocked. I don’t know what to say anymore. I’m starting to freak out about what just happened.

I’m looking from Erik to Jude unable to form a coherent sentence just waiting for the other shoe to drop, or for one of them to start swinging.

Erik looks intently at Jude, like he’s looking inside his head, and Jude lets him. After a second, his posture drops and he no longer looks like he’s going to kill him. I see the tension flow out of Jude too and, while still watching Erik, he grabs my hand and entwines my fingers with his.

I see Erik take in the gesture and he shakes his head. He looks back at Jude and says, “Yeah?”

Jude gives him a small smile and nods his head in agreement. “Yeah.”

Erik shrugs his shoulders, shakes his head in exasperation, throws up his hands, and then gives me a small smile as he turns back towards the shop. He mutters over his shoulder, “Well, ok then. Make sure it stays that way.”

I’m so confused. I have no idea what just happened. What I do know is that I was just intimate with Jude and it was fantastic. Our bodies were still perfectly in tune, and now he’s holding my hand and caressing my knuckles.

The way he’s acting says he cares. So because I’m me and this is Jude and I have no willpower when it comes to this man, I just squeeze back, press a kiss to his back, and go with it.

Time to take a chance…

Jude

WOW. Just wow. That was amazing! I did not intend for that to happen, but no way in hell am I sorry that it did. She’s still so responsive to me… like we never parted. Lexi is the yin to my yang and I’ll be damned if she’s leaving me again. After that. No way, no how. She. Is. Mine.

I watch Erik walk out the door and feel Lexi squeeze my hand and press a sweet kiss to my back.

I turn around and face her. She looks content, but unsure. I want to erase the uncertainty. I lean in slowly so as not to spook her and press a gentle kiss to her lips. She seems surprised, but her lips soften and relax as I slowly trace the seam of her lips, asking permission to enter her mouth. She sighs softly and her tongue tentatively brushes against mine.

I keep holding her hand and tracing circles across the top as I slowly but thoroughly explore her mouth with my lips and tongue, tasting every inch of her mint flavor. After the fervor of what just happened, I want to show her some tenderness. And this brings back so many memories of our time before.

After quite awhile, I lean back, let out a breath, and kiss her mouth gently one more time.

She looks at me with deliberation and asks softly, “What was that for?”

I rub my nose against hers slowly and reply, “Because, I wanted to.”

She gives a satisfied sigh and rests her head on my chest, right near my heart. It speeds up with her in such close proximity to the organ, that little does she know, she still owns.

“How were the cakes? They weren’t ruined, were they? I’m sorry for distracting you.”

She lifts her head, looks at me introspectively, and touches my face. “No they’re ok. Minor damage, but nothing that can’t be fixed.”

I wonder to myself if we’re still talking about cake.

I lift her back up, sit her on the edge of the counter, and stand between her legs with her hand still on my face. “I have rehearsal tonight for the concert tomorrow, but would you like to come along and maybe have dinner after?”

I can’t seem to stop touching her. I don’t want to. Her touch soothes the beast in my soul that has run rampant since she left me eight years ago.

Smiling that beautiful smile that was always reserved for me she says, “Let me check with Erik and make sure he’s ok with closing. As long as no one calls in tonight, I should be able to. Are you sure you want me there?”

I turn my head and lay a kiss in the center of her palm. “Yes. I want you there.”

“Ok then.”

Lexi

H
e wants me at his concert rehearsal. And he’s being so sweet. So romantic. So like MY Jude. Please God, please don’t let me trust him again with my heart and have him shatter it… Again. I won’t survive it. But to be honest, I’m not sure anyone can survive Jude Delecroix twice in one lifetime anyway.

Jude picks up his hat and aviators and puts them back on, before walking backwards toward the kitchen door. He’s looking at me the entire time, saying he’ll call me later to make sure I’m coming. If I don’t call to tell him otherwise, he’ll pick me up at five.

Right as he reaches the door, he walks back into the room, pushes his aviators up, and picks up my cell phone from the island. Pulling me towards him, he rubs his nose against mine. As I’m staring into his eyes, he snaps a photo of the two of us to put with the contact information he’s just entered. He saves it, kisses me one more time, and walks out the door. Whistling.

What just happened?

He’s acting so much like the old Jude, my Jude; it’s hard to remind myself that the past eight years have even taken place. It’s hard to remember he’s a womanizing rock star.

I take a moment to regroup and look at the photo he just snapped, before washing my hands and cleaning our mess. Then I walk into the shop. Erik gives me a smile as he pulls me against his side. “Well… that was certainly… interesting. So love, tell me, what’s up? Or rather I know what was
up.
You have a gorgeous glow and I’m certain that everyone within a ten mile radius is aware that you just got lucky. Very, very lucky.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me and smirks. “Please tell me you disinfected the counter.”

I blush bright crimson and playfully shove him. “Geez, Erik,
shut up
!”

He lets out a deep belly laugh and kisses my head again. “You know I’m teasing you. And while I am worried about you because I love you, I know you’re a big girl and that shit” he points to the kitchen, “was bound to happen with the two of you sooner or later. I’m just surprised it was the night after you punched him in the face and split his lip. By the way,
that
was fucking awesome!”

“Yeah well, I didn’t wake up expecting
that
this morning!”

“I know you didn’t, love. I know. But you really do have a glow about you. Even though it pains me to admit it, so did he. And that was pretty ballsy to get in my face like that when I was ready to beat him to a pulp. I’m impressed! Standing up to me when he knows I can break him was pretty effective. He still cares about you, you know.” He’s tracing soothing circles on my shoulder as he talks into my hair.

“I think I know. I can hope. I was so scared one of you was going to start swinging. I would have hated that. In all the years you were friends, even after… you know… you two never came to blows. It would have devastated me if it’d happened because of me.”

“Lex, just promise me something. I know I’m not your bodyguard, your brother, or boyfriend, but promise me you’ll be careful. Please? I meant what I said last night. I can’t handle watching you if you lose Jude again.
You
can’t handle losing Jude again. Be happy. Figure it out, but please promise me you’ll be careful.”

I sigh because I know he’s right, but I also know it’s too late. I’m already so completely enraptured with Jude that if he leaves me, I’m going to break. And this time… this time I won’t recover.

Erik is watching me the entire time and can read me like a book. He knows exactly what just went through my head. “Ok then. Just be careful.” He sighs too. “So, what did you come out here to talk to me about?”

I look at him from under my lashes as my cheeks darken and I bite my lip. It’s a nervous habit and one I wish I could break. “Jude asked me to go to rehearsal with him tonight and then out to dinner. I told him I’d have to make sure you were ok with closing, we were fully staffed, and that I’d let him know.”

“You want to go?”

“Yeah, I do. I haven’t seen him rehearse since, well, before. And dinner would be nice. But only if it’s ok with you. I’m not going to just abandon you because he’s back in town for a few days.”

“Yeah… about that. Apparently, he’s in town for more than a few days. But, Lex, if you want to go, then go. I’m not going to tell you no. I’ll be fine here. Thursday nights are usually quiet, so we’ll be fine. I can close up.”

I frown a little as I realize what he just said. “What do you mean he’s not just here for a few days?”

“Well, Alec, the guy from last night,” he blushes, “is a realtor and he’s actually been working with Jude to find a place here. A place to buy.”

“Like to live? Here?” I’m biting my lip so hard now, it’s a wonder I still have skin left.

“According to Alec, yes. He wants to tour, but he wants to build a recording studio and record all of their albums here, in Baton Rouge. He’s ready to be home some of the time is what he’s told Alec.”

Whoa. That’s a lot to process. “Ok then. Well anyway, if you’re sure it’s ok, I’m going to go tonight. Maybe he’ll mention his plans to move back to me then.”

The next few hours pass quickly since we’re busy. I have to refill the bakery display rack several times and a large order from the Capitol comes in for this weekend’s session.

At 4:30PM, my phone buzzes with a text.

“Sexy Rock God

Am I picking you up?

Do I need to buy you more panties?”

I read the text and laugh as my cheeks heat. I think for a second before I reply.

“Lex

Yes, if you still want to, you’re picking me up.

Ready when you are.

‘Sexy Rock God’, really? Ego much?

And yes, you owe me a pair of panties. Those were my favorite pair!”

I wipe down the tables as I hum along to The Civil Wars playing over the speakers and wait for Jude to get here.

A few minutes later, another text comes through.

“Sexy Rock God

Be there in 10.

Hope you’re ok with the bike.

Yes ‘Sexy Rock God’. Don’t believe me? Just ask your BFF.

I’ll bring you a present. Can’t have you messing up my leather seat. ;)”

I laugh again and see Erik watching me with a slight smile on his face. I blow him a kiss. He pretend catches it and tucks it to his heart before winking at me and taking the next order.

I send one more reply.

“Lex

Bradi is insane. I listen to nothing she says.

I like presents.

And just think of it as ‘conditioning your seat’ ;)”

I wait for a reply, but nothing comes.

Eight minutes later, I see Jude’s bike pull up and I run to my office to grab my purse and blow Erik another kiss as I’m walking out the door. “I’ll text you later. See you at home.”

“Have fun, love. Be safe!”

I greet Jude at his bike and he looks so sexy straddling it, I grab his shirt and plant a hard, fast kiss on his lips, slipping my tongue in his mouth to brush against his for just a second, before slinging my leg over the bike, wrapping my arms around his waist, and holding on tight.

He turns to smile, as he hands me a helmet, revs the engine, and grabs my exposed thigh before calling, “You ready for the ride, baby?” He takes off fast.

All I can do is hang on.