with you. He flat out turned you down. Yeah, after his fingers had been inside you.
He hadn’t even kissed me. Because that was personal. I was simply a warm body, and he was drunk and horny.
Anger and humiliation colored my cheeks at the idea he was flirting and going after my sister while fooling around with me. And didn’t he still have a girlfriend? And let’s not forget, Angie would be screwing him right now if it weren’t for me.
A loud bang hit my door, jolting my attention to it. “Kase, I have to go.”
“Is that Smith? Let me talk to him. Shit, I am so ready for you guys to be here. I need to put my hands on that man again. Maybe we can have sex in a truck for old times’ sake.”
“What?” Ice poured down my throat, filling my stomach with acid.
“Yeah. Right before graduation. We went at it in his truck… It was so wild and intense.” She sighed. “I still fantasize about that night. Best sex of my life.”
Words clogged my esophagus, my chest twisting. I had always wondered, but there was a difference between speculating and knowing. Truth punched my gut, bending me over.
“I’ve got to go.”
“Wait—”
“Bye.” I hung up, grappling for air. I rolled my fingers until my knuckles turned white.
It doesn’t matter who he fucked—past, present, or future. You don’t care. There is nothing between you. Taking a few breaths, I rolled back my shoulders and answered the door.
Now as we strolled down the dark lamplit streets, our violent moods mirrored each other.
“This way.” His hand touched my lower back, but he yanked back like my skin had burned him. Clearing his throat, he nodded at a place down the street, the lane bustling with people and laughter.
Jazz poured from the building out onto the streets, beckoning you to come in. The rich smells of spices and scrumptious food from restaurants and street vendors hung in the air, alluring you closer. New Orleans was made for the sins of the dark. The air tingled at my skin, brushing and blowing sinful ideas into my ear.
“Though the tourists have found this place, it’s still one of the best.” Smith motioned to the sign. The Spotted Cat Music Club, with a silhouette of a cat playing the saxophone hanging over the walkway. The yellow, Creole-style townhouse with green trim and shutters drew in a large crowd on this hot June night.
The live music instantly crawled into my body, spilling into my bloodstream like a drug, making my body feel alive. Not fighting it, I started to wiggle to the amazing sounds of the bass and sax. The sensual sounds throbbed my body, forcing a hint of a grin on my face as we slipped through the throng of people to the bar.
The man’s voice was soulful, eerie, and sexy, which left an ache in your heart as well as between your legs.
“What do you want?” Smith leaned down so I could hear him over the loud atmosphere; his mouth brushed my ear, desire shivering down my limbs.
“Beer?” I shrugged a shoulder, hating he could cause that reaction from me.
He slept with my sister.
Didn’t matter. It was years ago and only added to the list of reasons why he and I shouldn’t even touch the line, let alone cross it.
“Think you and I need something stronger than that.” His body was tense, a scowl still on his face. “Trust me?”
“Not really.”
He snorted. Ignoring me, he got up to the bar, giving the guy our order. The guy nodded, pulling out different liquors before handing the two drinks to Smith. Slapping down cash, he clutched the drinks, turning to me.
“Here.” He handed me one, taking the one that looked like bourbon.
“What’s this?”
“It’s called a Catnip,” he replied. “Try it.”
He held up his glass to mine. “Fuck the world.”
“Cheers to that.” I tipped back my cocktail, the drink sliding down my throat like milk. Rich, deep with earthy tones, it instantly calmed me.
“What is in this?”
“Catnip.”
“What?” I blinked at him. “Funny.”
“Not kidding.” He chuckled darkly. “It actually relaxes humans. And the absinthe and brandy make you feel even better.”
I peered at it for a moment before shrugging and downing more. Sick of being fearful and safe, I could sense a fire flaming inside me, ready to burn with life. I mean, even my “by the numbers” sister let go and had “wild” sex with Smith in his truck.
Why was I staying in the lines?
The thought of them