Love Me ~ Like That (6 page)

I load the dishwasher and clean up the mess from lunch. By the time I do the rest of the house cleaning and finish a couple of loads of laundry, I feel dirty again and I’m tired. No one tells you taking care of two little old people is so much work. Since both Papa and Granny are napping, I go for that luxurious bath I’ve been dreaming about.

With my e-reader and a glass of tea to sip on, I head off to my bathroom. Nothing is more relaxing than reading a good steamy book in a hot steamy tub. Sometimes I gets a little too hot when I read a juicy sex scene and I’ve got to take care of business. I can’t help myself. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

I shave all my necessary parts quickly in the shower, wash my hair then relax in the tub, letting the hot water relieve my sore muscles. With Luke Bryan on my iPod, a good story to read, and a glass of sweet tea sitting beside me, I’m in heaven. I fire up my reader. I can’t wait to see what this hot country boy is up to next!

My phone dings with a text from Lizzie.

Lizzie: What did you and “A Joke” do last night?

Well, she’s not getting the truth on that. She will end up giving me another lecture about how he is just using me so I type back.

Me: Nothing much. In the tub. I’ll text when I’m out.

I lay here and let the hot water relax all of my muscles while the book relaxes my mind. Sometimes, I really want to try these things I read, but I don’t think Hendrix will do anything that sounds country like reverse cowgirl, no matter how pleasurable it may be. He really isn’t into kink. His idea of super kinky is car sex. I suggested a few things when we first slept together and he was appalled when I wanted to use a vibrator. I thought all guys were into the kinky shit. He does really like head. He really loves when I slob his nob, but I’m not really a fan. Blow jobs are something I do for him, because he enjoys them so much. That’s just nasty—so thick and salty. How have I gone twenty-one years and not swallowed? Easy. I spit into a napkin afterward. While I’m doing the deed for Hendrix, all I can really think about is still being in position and choking when he comes. I panic that I’ll die right there in that situation and they won’t be able to get my mouth closed for my funeral. Morbid, I know. But that’s my one hang up. Everybody has at least one hang up.

My mind wanders from my reading. I wonder where Hendrix will take me tonight. I still get butterflies when we go out. I never know where we are going or if I have on the right clothes. I love when he picks out what he wants me to wear. My anxiety eases when he says, “Wear the navy dress tonight,” or “Wear that skirt and top.”

Dressing for a man is fun and sensual. I follow the same ritual every time I get ready to go out with Hendrix. It’s all part of the “Impeccable Bailey Plan.” I layer on the lotion and powder then spritz the perfume followed by pulling my hair up so my neck looks elegant. Next is selecting the right lingerie to go underneath. Hendrix says there isn’t anything sexier than a garter belt and thigh high stockings. They are uncomfortable, and the heat makes me avoid wearing them. I like to keep things simple for the most part, a thong and lacy bra. Plus the color sets the mood for the night. Normally, pastels put me in a romantic mood, but when I want to let out my inner kink goddess to play, I go for something racier like red and barely there! Tonight, I choose pink. If Hendrix were to add candlelight, rose petals, and silk sheets, I would be complete putty in his hands. How do you tell your boyfriend you want him to do that stuff for you? You can hint, leave clues, and mention stuff, but I think the romance gene is missing in some guys.

My phone dings again with another incoming text, pulling me from my wayward thoughts. I carefully lay down my e-reader and pick up my phone. Aww, it’s Hendrix!

Hendrix: Hey, Sweetheart, how’s your day?

Me: Babe! It’s great now that I’m talking with you!

Hendrix: Aww, I hate to do this to you then.

Is he cancelling?

Me: What?

Hendrix: I have a function I have to attend with my parents. I won’t be able to make our date.

I haven’t met his parents, but I’d be willing to if it means I can be with him.

Me: I can go with you as your date!

Hendrix: I’m so sorry. They are making me take an old family friend.

What?
I type fast and furious.

Me: Babe, you’re a grown man. They can’t make you take someone else.

Hendrix: Bay, you don’t understand. This function means a lot for my future and they want me to be seen with this woman. Believe me, it won’t mean a thing. I might be able to swing by your place but it would be really late.

Me: I guess, I just don’t understand why you have to take someone else. That makes me feel like you don’t think I’m good enough or something.

Bailey, he just said his parents are making him take this woman.

Hendrix: Love you, Sweetheart.

Me: Yeah, you too, babe.

Well, that is really disappointing. It’s more than disappointing. It downright hurts. Being replaced by another woman is the absolute worst thing. Will I ever measure up to his parents’ standards? They haven’t even met me yet so they’re being unfair by judging me already. I’ve tried so hard to be exactly what Hendrix wants, but I’m not sure if I will ever be good enough.

I’d wanted to go out dancing with Hendrix, but I’m not going to let this get me down. Instead, tonight will be ladies’ night! It’s on now! I call Lizzie. A little persuasion will be required to convince her to go to a country bar with me, but she will give in! Lizzie doesn’t share my love of country music. She thinks it’s too whiney. She jokes around with me saying that if their woman ain’t leaving them then their dog is. Then she starts in with the songs about trucks. That girl just ain’t got good sense. Doesn’t she know how hot all these country singers are?

Man, today was another grueling day. Hot as hell. With the extra physical labor, my energy is zapped, but I need to get away from working on the house for a while, away from all of the demands of just being me. I want to cut loose and be someone else for a few hours, find a warm body to hold and release a little built up frustration. A hook-up isn’t a bad thing, as long as you both know the game beforehand so no one gets hurt. I can’t stand to see a woman get hurt over a man doing her wrong, I vow to never be a man like that. When I’m with a woman, I’m loyal to a fault. She knows she’s the only one for me. We may not be in love, but I won’t be with anyone else. I’ve seen enough and been through too much to ever cheat. If we aren’t serious, then we both agree about that too. Some women have a hard time believing how much time I spend making sure we are on the same page, but treating women with respect is important, end of story. I’ve watched my mom go through hell, and be hospitalized for depression over my dad cheating on her. I could never do that to a woman. I never want to put anyone through what my mom has been through.

As I head out, I hear my mom call from the kitchen.

“Cash, before you leave will you run this peach cobbler over to the Jacksons’ with this thank you note for the jelly?”

That was some good jelly, we had some this morning. “Sure mom, let me get my hat.” I have a thing about my cowboy hat when I go out. I don’t go out without it. I’m not a cowboy or anything. I just like my hat. “Did you make us some, too?”

“Do you ever think about anything other than food?” She swats my bottom and tells me to get across the street.

If she only knew what has been going through my mind today, she wouldn’t be sending me to the Jacksons’. I wonder if I’ll get another peek at their granddaughter.

I knock on the Jacksons’ door figuring a few seconds will pass before one of them can answer. The door creaks open a tad then opens all the way. I almost drop the cobbler.

“Hey, you must be Cash. Come on in.”

I apparently misjudged the Jacksons’ granddaughter. She turns and walks to the kitchen shaking her ass a little. This isn’t a little girl at all. This is a fine ass woman. I follow her, but not too close because I want a good view. She has on jean shorts which have those shiny things that draw all my attention to her ass, but I don’t need any help with that as my eyes are there already. And damn, those boots she’s wearing wakes “Johnny” up.

Bailey turns and catches me eyeing her ass. She snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Cash?”

“Uh, yeah, I’m Cash. You’re Bailey?”

She smiles.

I swear it lights up the whole freaking room. I try to get control and quit making a fool of myself. “It’s really nice to meet you. Uh, here is a cobbler. We wanted to thank y’all for the jelly.” I’m going to shut up now, I feel at a loss for words.

“Oh gee, I’m sorry. Did she pawn one of those dreadful jars of jelly off on you?” She laughs.

Behind me, I hear someone else coming through the door.

“Bailey, you were right. He does have the body of…”

Bailey is shooting daggers at the girl behind me.

What? Go ahead and finish.
I turn to see a blonde dressed similar to Bailey. She is cute as a button, but doesn’t have nearly the same sex appeal as Bailey.

“Excuse me,” the blonde says, “where are my manners? I’m Lizzie, Bailey’s best friend slash sister. From the description I got, you’re Cash.”

This girl has a little smirk, and mischief in her eyes. I bet she likes to get Bailey’s feathers all ruffled. These two together would be a lot to contend with. Heaven help anyone who tries. I wonder what all was said about me, but I feel a little more confident now.

“Are you ready, Lizzie?” Bailey asks.

“Yeah. Where are Granny and Papa? I wanted to go say “hi” real quick. Who is coming over to stay with them tonight anyway?” Lizzie asks, rocking back and forth on her heels.

I’m just standing here, looking stupid I’m sure. I would really like to get to know them, but I’m at a loss for words. I’ve never had a problem with small talk before.

“Mom is coming over until they go to bed. I just pray Papa has a good night until I make it back home.” Bailey does her mouth in this little half smile while raising her eyebrows.

She is completely adorable. “If you just need someone who can come over if something happens,” I say, “Mom is going to be home all night and she would be glad to be on call.”

They both look at me wide-eyed. Bailey glances at Lizzie with her eyebrows raised and Lizzie shrugs, then nods.

Did they just have a whole conversation? They are good.

“Are you sure she wouldn’t mind just being on standby?” Bailey asks. “I’ll leave my number for her to call if there happens to be any problems.”

I just want to pick her up and wrap her around myself. “It won’t be any problem, I assure you. That’s what neighbors do, look out for each other.” I would like to look out a little more for this girl. I wonder how old they are. Up close, I can tell she is a little older than I thought, but not by much. I don’t want to come right out and ask them. “So what are you two beautiful ladies up to tonight?” Maybe I can get some clues by asking the right questions. Who am I kidding? She is still going to be too young to fool around with.

Lizzie pipes up, “We’re going to get our dance on!”

She does a couple of sexy moves, popping out her hips. These two need an escort wherever they’re going. “Oh, where is there to dance around here?” I ask.

“We go over to Florence. Whichever country place is hopping the most is where we stay,” Bailey says.

“Are you meeting a group or going by yourselves?” I want to keep her talking, in hopes that she might invite me to join them.

“It’s ladies’ night! No guys allowed.” Lizzie leaves in search of her grandparents.

I guess that’s my answer. Not invited.

Bailey hands me a couple pieces of paper and a pen. “My cell number is on the fridge. If you give me your home number, I’ll give it to Granny. It makes me feel better having someone close by.”

I scribble down our home number. “Here you go. I’ll let you ladies go get to your dancing. Is there anywhere around here to meet people?” I ask Bailey as I hand her the number.

She scoffs, “No, there isn’t anything to do around here but cow tipping and barn parties. Both you would rather be dead than caught doing.”