Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (93 page)

My mouth drops open again. “Oh.” I shrug as he peeks at me again. “Yes, well life happens. Everyone makes choices that backfire or we all ignore the signs and stay someplace because we are scared of failure. I made some stupid choices, yes. But, had I not made those choices and been through that shit, then I might not be here now.” I squeeze his hand. “I like being here, now.”

He brings my hand to his mouth again and brushes his lips across my knuckles. My heart melts and I sigh out loud.

He asks, “What’s that sigh for?”

Turning in the seat, I angle my body towards him and take in the beauty of his face. He surprises me. I smile, “You.”

He seems confused as he asks, “You’re sighing over me? Is that a bad thing?”

Chuckling, I rub his fingers with mine. I can’t get over how big his hands are and how small mine seem next to them. I trace the calluses on them. His hands are hard and manly, but he strokes his guitar strings so lovingly. Mine are soft and delicate, but I have to use extreme pressure sometimes with I’m cooking.

I answer him. “No, not a bad thing. You just surprise me. You were such an ass for so long and now you’re sweet. You are still you, but with me, it’s just… you’re different than I thought you’d be.” He frowns and I continue. “Not in a bad way. I like Bayou Stix Liam. On stage. In real life, to me, he was a complete asshole. Now, you’re still Liam, but you are just different. And I like you very, very much.”

He smirks. “You like me, huh?”

My face burns up.
No, I more than like you. I love you. I’m passionately in love with you. But as far as you need to know, I like you. I don’t want to scare you off. I want to keep you.

I mutter, “Yeah, I like you. Duh. I don’t usually get naked with people I don’t like.”

His eyes flash and he pins me with a glare before looking back at the road. “You don’t get naked with anyone whose name isn’t Liam Christianson!”

What the hell? I was totally kidding, but he sounds like he’d really lose his shit if I did that.

Leaning over, I kiss his cheek and he visibly relaxes. “No worries. I’m not interested in anyone other than you. Period.”

He smiles at me and says, “Good. Why don’t you rest, we’ll be there in about twenty minutes.”

Nodding, I lay my head back on the seat. I could use a little rest.

Liam

W
ell that was intense. I can’t believe that panic that flooded through me when Clove said that she only got naked with people she liked. I don’t want anyone other than me seeing her naked. Like ever again. I was so jealous. I couldn’t control it. I literally saw red for a minute. If she ever does realize that she can do so much better than me and leaves, I don’t think I can handle it. I want her. I want the baby. It’s mine. It’s not mine, but it feels like it’s mine. I want it to be mine. If she wants it to be, she can say it’s mine. They’re both mine. I love them both. They’re mine.

Stop it, Liam. Calm down. She’s not going anywhere. You sound like a psycho stalker!

I purposely baited her though. I wanted her to admit she loves me. I need her to say it to me. Dade says she does and I think that he may be right, but I would really like for her to say it.

I’m not Liam the rock star to her. Hell, she doesn’t like Bayou Stix Liam. She just said so. He’s an asshole. I don’t want to be Bayou Stix Liam anymore. With Clove these past few weeks, I have been the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve been me and I really like the me I am when I’m with her. I’m a man John and Paw can be proud of…

Glancing over, I see Clove has fallen asleep. She’s been so busy with getting everything ready to go on the website that she’s been working really late hours. Bradi and Blue both got a tongue lashing from me about not letting her work too hard and making her take it easy. I read online that being pregnant is physically and emotionally exhausting for a woman. I want her to take care of herself.

She’s so beautiful. Her mouth is slightly open and she’s breathing deeply. She was always beautiful, but her long hair mixed with her pregnancy just really makes her look like a beautiful woman now. Her skin also has a little glow. I’d like to take credit for that, but I read that pregnancy does that, too. I’ve been reading a lot.

Her hands are also crossed over her stomach. She does that all the time. I don’t know if she even realizes it, but I love it. I love that she’s so protective of the little one. I do it, too. I can’t go to sleep now if Clove isn’t in my bed. If she’s not in my arms and my hands aren’t on her stomach, I feel lost and can’t sleep. It’s a good thing she’s practically moved into my room.

We start touring again in about three weeks. I still need to ask her to come with me. I know that Jessie is going to ask Blue. I need Clove with me. I’ll worry too much if she’s not.

Jeez, when did I become such a damn girl and start worrying about everything?

When you took your head out of your ass and realized that you loved Clove, you douche. I have someone, no, two someone’s, to worry about now. I have to be the best I can be.

I’ve spent the last twenty minutes talking to myself in the truck as Clove sleeps. As I make my turn onto the street, I softly talk to Clove to try to wake her. “Clove.” She mumbles. “Clove, come on, Princess. Time to wake up. We’re almost here.”

Her eye open and she looks at me sleepily. I want to pull the truck over and consume her. She smiles and says, “Sorry, I guess I fell asleep, huh?”

Chuckling, I nod. “Yeah, you did. Not one minute after you closed your eyes.”

She stretches and her breasts and stomach are pressed tightly against the little top she’s wearing. Forcing myself to look away, I smirk at how easily distracted I am by this woman.

She doesn’t catch my observation and looks around at the surroundings. The Oak trees and old houses catch her attention. “Oh, this is beautiful. It reminds me of Dade’s house.”

I laugh. See we are on the same page. “Me too. Paw lives in his family’s home. It’s restored, but everything is pretty original or as close to the original as it can be. I love the house.”

Angling my head, I nod towards the house. She turns to look in that direction. She gasps. “Oh, wow. It’s beautiful, Liam. It looks like a house in a movie.” She claps in glee.

I look at it and try to imagine how she’s seeing it for the first time. It’s stately. It’s old, built in 1879, but is in perfect condition. The exterior is white with large ornate carved columns and the gardens are perfectly landscaped with azalea bushes, camellias, crepe myrtles, and oak trees. There are also several magnolia trees that are over 100 years old, so they are full and lush. Nothing is blooming yet, so she can’t see the gardens in their glory, but I’ll just have to bring her back once spring arrives. The house is really a picture then.

I park the truck and walk around to help Clove out. She chuckles as I open her door and gesture for her to take my arm.

“What’s so funny?” I ask.

She leans up and kisses my chin. It’s the highest she can reach without standing on her tip toes or unless I bend down. Her dark brown eyes are twinkling as she says, “You’re funny. My chivalrous knight.”

My eyes crinkle, too and I throw my head back and laugh. “Hey even rakes can be chivalrous if the right maiden comes along.” Then leaning down, I kiss her quickly and whisper in her ear, “And you, my dear, are exactly the right maiden.”

Her eyes dilate with her desire. Grinning, I straighten back up just as the door opens and an amused voice calls out, “You just going to keep the pretty girl in the driveway, boug. Or are you going to let her come in?”

Laughing, I turn around and walk Clove to the door. She has a look of apprehension on her face as we approach. I call out to Paw, “I was kind of thinking about it. I don’t want to lose my girl to you, you old coot.”

Paw chuckles and looks Clove over. Once we get to the door, he takes her hands. “Let me look at you, Cha.” She smiles at him and I can see him melt. “You’re a pretty thing. Liam didn’t do you any justice.” Turning into the house, he leaves me on the porch as he walks into the house, charming Clove the whole way. Her musical laughter wafts down the hall.

Shaking my head, I follow along behind them and stop into the kitchen where Verna is setting out some sandwiches and making tea and coffee. She gestures to the tray that’s already loaded and says, “Take that out to the back. It’s a pretty day and we’re going to enjoy the sunshine.”

Walking over, I hug her and kiss her cheek. “Yes, ma’am. Paw stole my girl.”

She chuckles and harrumphs. “He’ll give her back. I’m glad you brought her here today. We’ve been wanting to meet her and he’s been missing you.”

I stay there hugging her and she pats my arms. Stepping back, I look at her and smile. Her face lights up. “You’re happy.”

Taken aback, I nod and say, “Yes. I’m very happy. She’s amazing.”

Verna nods and points to the tray. “She must be. Now take that out to them. I’ll follow with the coffee once it’s done. I’ll only be a few minutes behind you.”

Laughing, I tell her I’ll be back to get the tray and she shoos me out of the kitchen.

I take the steps down into the back yard and just look at the scene before me. Paw is walking Clove through the gardens and pointing at this and that. They walk over to Maw’s roses. He had them dug up and replanted here once he sold the house in Baton Rouge. He wanted a piece of her to continue to live on. And damned if every spring and summer those pink roses don’t come back bigger and more beautiful than the year before.

Clove reaches down to smell one and Paw produces some clippers from his pants pocket and cuts the stem for her.

Crossing my arms, I watch the pleasure spread across her face as she smells the flower.

Damn, Liam. You better step up your game, or Paw really is going to steal your girl.

I should give her flowers.

She must realize I’m standing at the table because she turns to me with a smile and gestures at her flower and a couple of minutes later, she’s leading Paw back this way. We sit on the outdoor furniture and look around at the beautiful day for a bit.

Standing up, I excuse myself and head back into the house to help Verna with the tray. I don’t want her carrying the heavy thing and walking down the steps. As I get to the top, I see her watching us all through the screen door. She chuckles as she sees me and wipes a stray tear from her eye.

Immediately, I’m alarmed. “Verna, what’s wrong?”

She cackles and pats my face. “Nothing is wrong, boug. I’m just happy to see you happy. She’s beautiful. She has a special way about her.”

Turning to look back at the backyard, I have to agree. She’s perfect.

Smiling again, I take the tray and offer her my elbow to help her get down the steps. “Come on. You need to distract him before he falls in love with her.”

Verna mutters so quietly I almost don’t hear it, “Finally.”

I puzzle over this as we make our way to Paw and Clove.

Clove hops up and apologizes for not helping with the tray and coffee. Verna waves her apology away and asks her if she’d mind pouring the tea and coffee. The French press is full and there’s a kettle of hot water and some tea bags.

Clove pours coffee for Paw and me and then takes out a tea bag. As she sees the label, she looks at me in surprise. I shrug and wink. I mouth, “I pay attention.”

She smiles and her face lights up.

Everyone talks for a bit and then we eat the sandwiches Verna has made. Once we’re done, I help Verna take everything back to the kitchen. She tells Clove to stay and keep Paw company while we clean up. I make her sit down at the table and pick up the leftovers and place all the dishes in the dishwasher after rinsing them.

Verna doesn’t talk, she just watches me. Soon enough, I’m done and she raises her brows at me and pats the seat across from her at the table. I sit down.

“You love that girl.”

I’m taken aback.
What? How does she know that?

She laughs in delight at my face. “It’s as plain as day on your face, Liam. I have known you for your whole life and I’ve never seen you like this. She’s good for you. You know I love you and I’ve been proud of you, but this is the first time I’ve seen you really care about someone more than yourself in a romantic way. It warms my heart. You look at that girl with love in your eyes. I’m proud of you, boug.”

I get a little choked up as I mull over her words. I have not been the greatest guy in relationships. Hell, I haven’t had any relationships other than friendship, but this… Clove means something. I love her.

Nodding, I say, “Yeah, she’s the one.”

She chuckles and squeezes my hand. “Good. Does she know that?”

Shaking my head, I say, “No. We haven’t talked about it.”

She clucks her tongue at me and looks deep into my eyes. “You haven’t told her you love her?”

Shaking my head again, I sigh. “No, I don’t know if she’s ready for all of that.”

She cackles and it makes me jump. “Oh, she’s ready. That girl loves you, too.” She stands up and holds out her hand. “Now, let’s go wrangle your Gaienne away from Gordon.”