by Lucy Smoke
My blush deepened. The next time I saw Lizzie, I was going to dunk her ass in a vat of hot, steaming cow crap.
“Sweetheart.” I stiffened in Bellamy’s arms, but before I could tuck my chin, Bellamy’s fingers found it and turned me towards his face. “You’re not going to lose us,” he said. His rich brown eyes bore into my soul, making me feel warm and safe. I wanted to believe him—I really did. I knew my concerns and feelings were illogical. That didn’t mean I still didn’t feel them, though.
“I know…”
“Do you?” Marv asked, leaning in. Bellamy released my face so I could turn and look at him.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m just…I’m sorry. I know I’m being dumb.”
Marv shot forward and pressed a quick kiss to my mouth. I blinked as he backed away just as quickly. “You’re not being dumb,” he said.
Bellamy found my chin again, turned my face and gave me a kiss as well. “I agree,” he said.
As soon as he released me, Grayson took over—moving forward and pressing his mouth against mine and even going so far as to dart his tongue inside for a quick lick. I jumped in surprise, but he released me too fast for me to reciprocate. Texas was next—moving over to lean between me and the others and press a chaste kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“You worry too much, Spider-Monkey,” he chastised.
Finally, Knix leaned over all of their heads even as he used his two hands to push Grayson and Marv out of the way and pressed a hard kiss to my mouth. I closed my eyes and sank into the last kiss, relishing in it, absorbing it as though it could give me strength. In a way, it did.
When he pulled away and I opened my eyes, I found him smiling softly at me while Grayson and Marv moved back into their places in front of me, grumbling, and shooting him killing glares. Just a month ago, they had been at each other’s throats, but now it was as though they had been friends forever. I shook my head.
“Look at that,” Texas commented. “We all kissed you—in full view of the others, I might add—and the world didn’t explode.”
“I’m not worried about you guys!” I said quickly, the heat in my face doubling once more at Texas’ comment. “I’m worried about Teddi. About…what might happen if she doesn’t go away.”
“We stick together,” Marv said. “All of us.”
“That’s the plan, Little Bit,” Knix agreed. “Are you in or out?”
I looked up at him and then at the rest of them. I guess there was no helping it. My worries weren’t going to go away until we dealt with the beast.
“Come on, Harlow,” Grayson said. “It’s now or never. You gotta choose.”
My heart slammed into my throat. The last time I had made a choice like that, I had chosen the guys. Grayson wasn’t a part of that then, but he was now.
“I’m in,” I said, earning happy smiles from the lot of them. I didn’t regret the choice I’d made then and I certainly wasn’t going to regret it now.
Chapter 14
Even amidst the damp chill of autumn, the sun managed to peek out from behind the clouds as Texas and I drove towards the downtown Charleston market. The buildings passed as we headed over the Charleston-Mount Pleasant Bridge, the morning sun rising as joggers ran past puffing their breaths as music pounded in their ears. Texas reached over the front seat console and found my hand with his. Though I didn't look at him, I let his fingers twine through mine, closed my eyes and released a breath.
Though I had managed to get back to sleep the night before, I was still a bit tired.
"Princess," he chastised. I ducked my head and pressed the top of my hairline against the window, avoiding his gaze as I stared over the marshes. "Spider-Monkey?" I grumbled a non-response. "Harlow,” he said firmly.
Finally, I turned and looked at him. "What are you worried about?" he asked. "This is supposed to be a day off, a date. Just you and me. No Teddi. Nothing else."
I shrugged and leaned the back of my head against the headrest of the SUV's front passenger seat. "I know you want me to just stop thinking about it, but that's a lot easier said than done," I replied.
"The guys are working on it," Texas assured me. "We contacted the PI who followed us and Marv is taking care of it. For today, just do me one favor."
I looked at him, outlining the side of his face with my eyes as he kept his head forward for the drive. "What's that?" I asked.
"Just focus on me," he replied. "Try to smile. This is my first real date with you, I hope you realize." Texas' head turned and he grinned at me. "I'm kinda hoping to make a long-lasting impression on you."
Texas' grin was infectious and even through my concern and the remnants of my nightmare the night before still lingered in the back of my mind, I felt myself smiling back. "You’ve already made a long-lasting impression on me, Texas,” I said. “But okay, I’ll try—for you.”
His smile widened and he nodded decisively. "Good, then. I think we're here."
I blinked and looked towards the road. I hadn't even noticed when he'd gotten off the interstate, but he was right. The roads were just as crowded as they always were. People in straw hats and light sweaters milling about on the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Tourists taking pictures in front of iron gates that closed off antiquated homes that spoke of centuries past.
"Where do you want to go first?" I asked as Texas found a parking spot and pulled in.
"I thought the market place might make for a good start," he replied as he killed the SUV's engine and unbuckled his seatbelt. “That’s why we’re here anyway.”
I unbuckled my seatbelt as well, reaching for the door.
"Harlow," he said, stopping me.
I turned back and for a moment, all I saw were twin dark orbs coming at me as Texas leaned close and pressed his mouth to mine. My eyes slid closed all on their own and I relaxed into the kiss, kissing him back with just as much fervor as he was showing me.
My heart hammered against my chest as his hands came up to cup the back of my head. He held me to him as his lips slid over mine with an innocence that belied the way his tongue intruded. I shuddered as his tongue touched mine, but I didn't shy away. I wanted it. I wanted him. Texas kissed me like I was precious to him and I wanted to kiss him the same way. I wanted to kiss him in a way that showed him how much he meant to me, how he was never less than the others, how I cared for him—loved him—just as much.
His fingers against my scalp made my head tingle as I reached up and clutched his loose t-shirt in my fist. The fabric slid between my fingers as I latched on. I gasped against his mouth when he pulled back slightly. No. I wasn't ready to let go yet. I wasn't ready to stop. I followed his mouth over the console of the SUV, half-climbing over the gear shift as I kept my lips pressed to his. He made a sound of surprise, but when he realized I wasn't done, he renewed his kissing with enthusiasm.
"Harlow..." My name whispered on his breath made my stomach tighten. I moaned, the sound a quiet, rough noise in the interior of the car and he renewed his efforts, pressing his lips back against mine and devouring my senses as he rocked me back, his hands on my spine—between the fabric of my clothes and the steering wheel.
By the time we finally did pull away—more for the fact that I needed to breathe rather than any notion of wanting to stop—we were both panting hard. My chest rose and fell and Texas' eyes went to it almost immediately before he looked away as a blush rose to his cheeks.
"Ready to go?" he asked, releasing me as he reached for the door handle. He didn't let me reply as he got out. I watched him walk around to my side of the car with a brief moment of lust-fueled confusion before I realized what he was doing and promptly rushed to get back over to my side of the car. Texas reached my door, grasping the handle and popping it open just in time. I took his offered hand and jumped out, letting the door close behind me as I adjusted my clothing.
This time, as we moved towards the street, I reached for his hand and took it in mine. He seemed a little surprised, but more than happy as h
e held it in his and squeezed. We set off for the Charleston market and I promised myself that I would truly try to do as he asked today. I would put Teddi from my mind and focus on him.
"Hey look! Ice cream!" Texas tugged me in the direction of an upscale, name-brand ice cream shop and from then on, for the next few hours, it was as though he'd turned into a buzzing bee—flitting from one store to the next. From one shop stall to the next, pulling me along with him. I was caught up in the whirlwind that was Texas. We passed people—adults and children alike—sitting on cornerstones, wrapping straw into roses. We ate ice cream. We held hands. We listened to street musicians, and we flipped through different shops, through posters and books and fabrics of all kinds.
"See, I told you today would be fun," Texas said as he grinned while I sifted through a stall of handmade clothes.
"I never said it wouldn't be," I replied coolly, even though I tried to hide my responding grin while I leaned forward and pressed my face between the hanging fabrics as though I were looking at a design very closely.
I blinked when a bright blue and pink dress caught my eyes. I grabbed the top hanger that held it and pulled it out. The thing was long, all the way down to the tops of my toes and even still an inch remained against the ground as I held it up to my chest. Blue, the color of sapphires glimmered as the silky fabric fluttered in the autumn wind that blew through the outdoor marketplace.
"That's pretty," Texas said as he moved closer to inspect the dress.
At the end, little petals of pink flowers had been sewn to look as though they were falling in a circle around the length of the dress. It was magnificent, is what it was. "I think it's a multiwear thing," I said, noting the looseness of the top section. The strands that would hold the dress up could be twisted to make it off the shoulder, two straps, one, or even strapless. I considered the possibilities as I held it out.
Texas' eyes sparkled as he looked at me. "This would be the perfect thing for you to wear at the masquerade," he said.
I frowned. "Do you think so?" I asked hesitantly. “You don’t think it’s too simple?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s perfect,” he insisted.
“I don’t know…” It was really pretty, but…
"Why don't you try it on?" he asked.
I looked around at where we stood with a worn carpet over stone flooring and the rickety old wood roof that only kept the weather out from the top, not from the open sides before I looked back at him and lifted a brow. "And just where would I do that?" I asked dryly.
"At home," he said, snatching the thing out of my hand and heading over to the lady sitting by with a little handheld cash register on a TV tray in front of her.
I gaped after him for a moment before I rushed ahead. "What are you doing?!" I hissed.
"I'm buying it," he said as he handed a couple of twenties over to the lady who had already rung him up. She handed him a receipt. Texas smiled smugly at me as he took the bag she handed him. He gently folded the soft fabric into it before retaking my hand and dragging me along behind him as he exited the stall. "Now we just need to find you a mask!"
I shook my head. “What if it doesn’t fit?” I asked.
“Then we’ll bring it back, but it’s multiwear,” he pointed out. “I highly doubt it won’t fit.”
I didn’t have a response for that. I still felt awkward about him—or really any of them—buying me stuff, but he seemed happier for it. I just let it be as we continued on our date, looking through various other shops until we decided to buckle down and really find what we needed.
We found a mask that matched the dress in a similar blue at a stall on the other end of the market, and I laughed as Texas tried on several more that they had in stock—even one that mimicked a jester. The top part jingled as he put the mask over his face and shook his head. I snatched it away from him and tossed it back on the pile when people began to sneak snide glances our way even as I chuckled at his silly behavior.
"What next?" I asked, pulling him away from the store with a bag full of masks for both of us and the other guys. I was grateful that I had found masks for each of them, and I couldn't wait to see them on their faces. Plus, I knew I'd recognize the masks that I picked out rather than any they might get on their own.
As we exited the outdoor Charleston market’s overhang and stepped out onto the street, a raindrop hit my cheek and slid down to my jaw. I looked up. Though earlier the sun had been shining and the clouds had seemed fairly soft, now, they were a heavy gray, filtering overhead with a distant rumble of thunder.
“Damn, I thought we’d have more time,” Texas said. “It wasn’t supposed to rain until tonight.”
“I guess we should just head back to the car then,” I replied.
He nodded and together, we dashed across the street, holding hands and heading back the same way we’d come. About halfway to the SUV, though, the sky opened up and the fat droplets that had been splattering us every once in a while began to pour down in rapid succession.
We picked up the pace and began to race along the sidewalk as people pulled out umbrellas and stepped into doorways to avoid the downpour. By the time we finally came up to the SUV, both of us were soaked. Texas pressed a button to unlock the doors and then took the bags and stuffed them in the back.
After we finally managed to get out of the rain and into the front seats of the car, we both sat there for a moment, panting as we calmed down. Then, as a unit, we turned to each other and burst out laughing. My eyes squeezed closed as I laughed. I put a hand to my stomach, doubling over as the laughter shuddered through me. I had to stop or else I felt like it would make me puke up all the ice cream I’d eaten.
“That was—” Texas choked off, unable to continue as laughter wracked his body.
“Your clothes,” I said, giggling as I opened my eyes and pointed.
Texas looked down and then chuckled. “Useless,” he said shaking his head. His off white shirt was completely see-through, molding to his body. Reaching down he snagged the end of his shirt and tugged it up over his head. I couldn’t laugh anymore then. The feeling dried up along with all of the saliva in my mouth as I watched his lean muscles come into view.
“I’m sure there’s another shirt back here somewhere,” Texas said as he bent over and tried to rummage around in the backseat with one hand. When he sighed and came back, empty handed, I nearly swallowed my tongue. “I guess not.” He sighed. I couldn’t keep myself from staring at his chest and tapered waist. The small, barely there, shadow of a happy trail leading down into the waistband of his jeans. “This sucks,” he continued. “I wanted to take you to lunch. But I doubt anyone will let me in. I guess we’ll just head back to the house.”
I sat back and grabbed my seatbelt for something to do. Anything to draw my eyes away from his chest and the thoughts invading my mind. “Harlow? Is that okay with you?”
“Huh?” I squeaked as I buckled myself in. “Oh, yeah, that’s great. Just fine.”
I squeezed my hands into fists in my lap as he started the car and cranked the heat. I didn’t know how I was going to spend the next thirty minutes with a half naked Texas in the car, but damn it, I would try. Even if every pervading thought told me to crawl across the console and continue what we started earlier.
Chapter 15
By the time Texas and I got home, the rain had tapered off somewhat. But both of us were still soaked, our soggy clothes hanging on us as we entered the foyer. Texas stripped down to his boxers, his t-shirt and jeans in hand as I blushed and turned away.
“Wait here, I’ll go grab some towels,” he said quickly.
I nodded and tried to avoid staring. Several minutes later, he came back with a pair of sweatpants riding low on his wiry hips—still sans shirt. Was he trying to drive me crazy?
“It doesn’t seem like anyone’s home,” Texas said as he handed me the towel. As I took it, our hands brushed.
“Thanks,” I managed to choke out.
“Yea
h…” Texas’ voice had dropped an octave or two. Still, I refused to look up at him as I dried the dripping ends of my hair. “Um…why don’t I go get you some clothes to put on? You don’t wanna drip all the way through the house.”
Before I could unglue my tongue from the roof of my mouth to say that I thought it would be fine, he was already gone. I sighed and turned away from the foyer, shivering as the air from an above vent blasted down over me. Though the air was somewhat warm, my skin was so chilled that it raised goosebumps along my arms. I looked down at the towel in my hand. It was actually fairly big—one of those beach towels that could swallow you up.
Peeking back over my shoulder to make sure Texas wasn’t coming back, I decided to just strip down as well and wrap myself up. Setting the towel on the ground at my feet, I undid my jeans and wiggled out of them, the thick fabric clung to my skin making me curse quietly as I struggled to pull it off. I reached for the hem of my shirt, tugging it up and over my head and then I tossed it in a pile along with my jeans before reaching for the towel. I wrapped the soft terry cloth fabric around my frame, squirming as my bra’s underwire dug into my side.
Kicking the wet soggy clothes to the side I peeked around the corner. Where was Texas? I shivered again and winced when that damn underwire poked me again. I sighed and twisted, letting the towel slip as I reached for the hooks in the back. I undid them and awkwardly attempted to pull the bra straps down my arms as I struggled to hold up the towel around my front.
The sound of a sharp inhale and soft dry clothes hitting the floor alerted me to Texas’ return. I whirled around, clutching the towel to my breasts as both straps finally slid down my arms, making holding the towel up rather uncomfortable and difficult. Both of us froze, our eyes clashing—his heated as mine dropped, moving to that damn happy trail again as I bit down on my lower lip.
“Harlow.” He sounded choked, as though he were fighting with himself.
