Bayou Stix Series: Bayou Stix Limited Edition Box Set (17 page)

Squeezing my ass cheeks he looks at me honestly and mutters, “You’re on my mind anyway. Always. No persuasion needed. Now get your sexy ass in the car and drive away, because I don’t have the willpower to leave if you don’t get in the car.”

I nod. “I’ll see you tonight. Miss me today.” One more kiss and he pushes me into the car and shuts the door before walking backwards to his bike.

I watch him in the rearview mirror, unable to look away, as he straddles the bike, puts on his helmet, cranks the engine, and roars away.

I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding and back out of the drive.

Erik is behind the counter and there are at least twenty people in line when I walk into the shop. I give him a wave, stow my purse in my office, throw on a Java and Sweeties apron, and then race back out front to help him take care of the customers.

Things are steady for about an hour, and then they settle down and I’m able to head into the kitchen to get started mixing my cookies and icing my cakes. I’m in my own little world in the kitchen, humming and dancing around as I work and before I know it, it’s noon.

Erik walks into the kitchen with a coffee and a muffin for me and hops up on the island counter, while I finish icing the last cake and put it into the refrigerator.

He doesn’t speak, just watches me with a contemplative look on his face.

Finally, I finish and wash my hands before hopping onto the counter beside him and laying my head on his chest.

“So, you and Jude? What’s the deal, love? Are you like… back together?” he asks as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into his body.

I smile and look at him from under my lashes. “Yes, I think so.”

He frowns as he looks down at me and shakes his head before speaking. “You think so? Well shit… Either you are or you aren’t together, and if you aren’t… What– what I saw this morning and what I walked in on yesterday… Well if you aren’t… I’m kicking his ass, Lex!”

Laughing, I hug him tighter. “We are. We’re together. He bought a house, E. And he owns the beach where we used to hang out. He wants me. He wants to be with me. And… and I want to be with him.”

“Are you sure, Lex? What about before. What about…?”

I cut him off. “Before doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. It was a long time ago and all that matters is now. I don’t want before to tarnish
now.
I have to just be with him now. I love him, E. I’ve always loved him.”

Erik grabs my hands and kisses my head. “I know. I’m happy for you. I’m happy for both of you. Truly. But I’m also worried, Lex. The past doesn’t just go away. Have you talked about it?”

Shaking my head so hard my hair comes loose from the ponytail, I say, “No. No we haven’t. He brought it up last night, but I can’t… I just can’t. I… can’t…”

“Ok, don’t get upset. You’re so happy. I’m glad to see you like this. I’m glad to see you
alive
again. So, I’m changing the subject! What time are we leaving tonight?”

I look up, surprised. “Tonight? You’re gonna come?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, if I’m invited. I want to come. If you and Jude are back together, well maybe Jude and I can work on getting back to our friendship too. Besides, Bayou Stix fucking rocks!” He laughs with the last statement.

I laugh too. “I love you. You know that? I freaking love you! If we leave at four we should be good.”

“I know. I love you too. Now stop slacking and get your ass back to work. You have a lot to do and not a lot of time if you want to look all smexy for your man. You know you have to rock that bod and stake your claim from the skank groupies.”

Laughing, I say, “Smexy? Where do you come up with this shit, E? And no worries, I’m going to knock his socks off.” I wink.

He shakes his head before hopping down and lifting me off the counter; then he hugs me and kisses my hair.

He points to his head. “All that brilliance comes from right here, love. Right here.” He smiles his signature smile… the one that simply is not right for a gay man as sexy as him to shoot at a straight woman.

“You’re too much. Now get out of my kitchen!”

We both laugh as he walks out, tapping his finger against his bottom lip as if deep in thought.

Time to get back to work.

As I’m taking the last batch of cookies out of the oven and laying them on the rack to cool, my cell buzzes with a new text.

Wiping my hands, I grab it, expecting Bradi.

It’s Jude.

“Sexy Rock God

I miss you.

Hope you’re missing me.

My lips are lonely. Hurry up 6pm!”

I smile as I text back.

“Lexi

I miss you too.

Been busy today.

Just your lips?

Patience my good man.”

Seconds later, I get another text.

“Sexy Rock God

No, not just my lips.

Though my lips are what I’m focusing on surrounded by a bunch of sweaty guys!

I have no patience when it comes to you Lex

You’re my Kryptonite…”

My heart races and I gasp while reading it.

The door opens and Bradi strolls in. “Sooo, hooka. Word on the street is that you spent the night with a sexy mother fucking ‘rock star’!”

She stops as she sees my face. “What’s wrong, Lexi? Why the fuck do you look like your dog just got hit by a truck? Sweetie, what’s up?”

I swallow and look at her, holding out my phone. She leans over and reads it, then looks at me with a question on her face. “Ok, so what the hell does that mean? Kryptonite is bad right? Like that’s the shit that kills Superman?”

“It doesn’t kill him. It just weakens him.” I say, still trying to figure out what he means. I have to be reading more into it than what he’s saying. Right?

“O……k…… Well then I guess that means that you’re the key to him. Like if he doesn’t have you in his life or some shit, it weakens him. Like he needs you.” She claps, startling me. “Yes, that’s what he means, Lexi!” She grabs my hands and starts jumping up and down. “Holy shit. Girl, he still
loves
you!”

I shake my head and say, “No, he doesn’t. He just wants me. I think. He can’t love me… that’s crazy talk, right?!?!”

She stops and just stares at me and her mouth hangs open. “Holy shit!
You love him!
You still love him. Ok, now you have to spill. Tell me everything that’s happened since you punched him in the face! Tell… Me… Now!” Her face is animated and she’s clutching her chest. “Wait, no, text him back first, then tell me everything!
Everything
! I want details. Like
details,
bitch! Spill. Now!”

I laugh. “Ok, what do I say to him?”

“Shit, say, ‘I love you and I want to fuck you forever and have your sexy ‘rock star’ babies.’ Hell, I’m good with living vicariously through you. Just give me details!”

I roll my eyes at her. She’s nuts! But I love her. “Ok, I’m
not
saying that. But I’m going to text him back. Here goes.”

“Lexi

Well, save those lips (and the rest of you too) for me.

I can’t fight off a bunch of guys.

And I hope by ‘Kryptonite’ you mean that you want me and not that you think I’m going to kill you. ;)

Can’t wait to see you tonight.”

I hit send and put the phone on the island. I pretend to ignore Bradi, who is staring holes in my face, and tapping her foot like she’s in withdrawal.

“Ok, what would you like to know?” I’m attempting to keep my face straight and the shit eating grin off of my face.

She opens her eyes wide and screams, “What would I like to know? Um, how about everything! Is he still a demon in bed? Did he make you scream?” She wiggles her eyebrows. “How big is his dick? Did you make
him
scream? Spill girl! Give me the deets!”

I blush and start to fill her in. “We didn’t have sex. He wants to wait. Take things slow.”

She holds up her hand, cutting me off. “Hold up. What the fuck do you mean? He’s a
ROCK STAR
. He wants to wait? Um, what the fuck is that!?!? So you’re telling me no sex? You’re a fucking liar!”

Laughing, I explain. “No, really. No sex. Plenty of other things involving hands and you know… mouths. But no sex. Yes. Yes. Not telling you that. And pretty much.”

“Wait, I forgot my questions. Yes, what? And you’re not telling me how big his crotch rocket is? Really? Please. Pretty please? Now I have to know! I bet it’s huge!” She’s talking so fast, I can barely keep her questions straight.

“Yes, he’s… well he’s amazing. Yes, I might have screamed. He’s let’s just say… he’s blessed. And he enjoyed what I did too! Ok, there. I’m done talking about this. This is not right and it’s nuts!” My face is bright red.

“Ok, fair enough,” she holds up her hand, “but one more question…How long are you going to wait? Is he sticking around awhile?”

I let out the breath I’ve been holding to answer her. “I don’t know. But it better not be too much longer. I’m going to explode! He bought a house actually. He took me to see it last night. It’s amazing.”

“Oh wow. My best friend is dating a rock star. Fucking awesome! Oh, I forgot why I came in here. Erik filled me in on the fact that he walked into your room this morning to find a very naked you and a very naked Jude… ‘wrestling’,” she uses air quotes, “so I lost my train of thought! But… I remember now. What time are we heading out tonight?”

“Oh shit. I forgot to text you earlier. Jude has backstage passes for us. The four of us: me, you, Micah, and… Erik. We need to be there by about six.”

“Erik? Erik is coming with us? Backstage? He’s cool with that?”

I smile. “He is. He wants to try to get his friendship back with Jude too.”

“Well shit. It’s three now. I need to call Micah and go get ready. Meet you at your house at 5:30, ok? I need to go get sexy!”

“Ha! Like you need any help with that one, Bradi!”

She kisses my cheek and smiles. “Me?!?!
You’re
the one dating Jude Delecroix! Fucking awesome! You lucky bitch! Love you!” and she flees out of my kitchen.

I use the remaining hour to think about Jude and the fact that he never texted back. I guess he was busy.

I get the cookies packed up for delivery tomorrow and make sure the cakes are smooth and the icing has no bubbles. Everything looks perfect… much like my life seems to be right now.

At 3:50PM Erik pops in and asks if I’m ready to go. I smile and nod, taking his hand, and head on home to get ready for my rock star.

Jude

Things got crazy this afternoon.

Fucking
crazy
! Shit!

I never got a chance to text Lexi back.

But she should be here soon.

All will be ok once she gets here. It has to be.

Lexi

I
t’s 5:35PM and I’m ready and waiting for Bradi and Micah to get here. Erik is finishing up in his room, and I’m waiting alone in the living room… stressing about my appearance and wondering if I’m dressed hot enough to be a rock star’s girlfriend.

Am I Jude’s girlfriend?

My mind is going crazy as I’m checking myself out in the foyer mirror.

I’m so engrossed in critiquing my appearance, I don’t hear Erik open his door and walk into the hall, until he lets out a low whistle. “Holy shit, Lex! Jude is going to swallow his tongue or beat the shit out of any guy who looks at you tonight. And uh… that’s going to be a lot of guys!”

He’s raking his gaze from my toes to my head. He takes in my black studded peep-toe, five inch stilettos, then my bare legs that I’ve slathered with lotion, so they’re glistening. He stops his gaze at my thighs, where the very short skirt of my red mini dress stops about two inches below my crotch before continuing up, as it hugs my hips and toned stomach. The dress is ribbed and pushes up my breasts, much like a corset, creating ample cleavage above the neckline. My lips are the same red as my dress and my eyes are sultry and smoky. And I’ve put my hair up so only a few messy waves fall around my face and back.

I give a little twirl to show him that it also cups my ass. “Do you really think so, E?”