Wicked Flower

by Carlene Love Flores

  “So Thom? He’s the father?” Stefan asked her, sounding quite thoughtful. There wasn’t a drop of his playful sarcasm in the question. His warm, heavy hand stopped on her wrists, just like he’d done to her quivering lip a moment ago. “Stop that,” he said, the deep baritone vibrating, again undoing her but centering her as well.

  “Yeah. Yes, I mean. Yes he is. Definitely the father.”

  “And what does he think about that?”

  She stilled for a long couple of breaths. “I don’t know.” She looked at him like she was searching for something. “Care if I turn this around on you? You could actually be helpful to me.”

  Playful Stefan smirked. “Bring it on, sweetheart. Shoot.” He stretched in a way that undid all the careful ties she’d bound her desire with. They were too close and secluded. Everything about him was masculine from his cocky attitude to his strong whiskered jaw to that mouth-watering cinnamon flavor he gave off when he gave out his bossy demands. Not to mention the way he sat with his legs spread like his lap was made for seating women day and night. His arm rested up against the Buick’s roof, bent at the elbow, and muscles hinted at where the white sleeve bunched. She could have reached over and ran her fingers over his shirt-covered ribs. An inch of tanned skin near his waist poked from where his shirt hiked up from the stretch. The nighttime made it dark. She wanted to strain to see him better. Even if it was just that inch in the shadows. Why had she stopped him earlier? This was painful. Maybe it was for him too because he brought his arm back down and rotated his shoulder.

  She smiled but it wasn’t real and returned to serious in the next heartbeat. “What would you do if the girl you’d been dating for a few weeks before you deployed told you she was having your baby after you’d just declared you’d found your soul mate and were moving on?”

  His left brow rose, in true comic-book hero fashion, and he rubbed his lips together. Dani was so distracted by that simple deed that she barely heard his next words. “Can I think about that for a second and ask you something else first?” he said.

  “Sure.” She wanted to blow out all the air quadrupling in her lungs but practiced neat, even breaths all the while taking him in. The more they talked, the harder it became to call him arrogant and thoughtless. Friend didn’t seem that far a stretch to make.

  “This in no way is meant to sound judgy, but how did you get pregnant?” he asked, looking her over quite directly. Her body responded to those dark eyes. Her body would send her off a cliff if she didn’t get a handle on it. She ignored the warming and tingling and tensing, barely.

  His face told her he was being serious for once. Her face blanked and then she frowned with her brow, her eyes, her twisted lips. “Um, the normal way. Semen exchange.”

  “Oo, sexy talk. You can be very funny, and cute by the way, when you try.” He smiled and she nearly smiled back but held it in because something in his eyes when he looked at her like that and flirted the way he did promised things she now knew she couldn’t have. He swallowed and smiled again. Dani needed to look away but couldn’t. “I meant did you use protection and if not, why not?” he asked.

  She couldn’t believe she was having a birds and the bees conversation with Stefan Calderon, Mr. Sinfamous himself, according to Guitar Freak. And now she was embarrassed to admit how careless she’d been that one night with Thom.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Dani.” And then his voice buried her in its deepness. “I’ve wanted it bad like that before. Many times.”

  How could she not be self-conscious with him staring at her like that? She felt a ramble coming on.

  “He took me to the movies three times before he even kissed me. I felt safe with Thom, like he wasn’t just trying to get laid. On our fourth date, he came over and made me and your mom dinner. Then he told me he was deploying. He’s younger than me. He never said it, but I could tell he was worried about possibly not coming back. So that night I slept with him.” Dani’s hands clapped together and then she rubbed her palms in small circles. Stefan kept watch over her closely. “It was just one of those things where we thought about protection but it would have meant stopping and a trip to the store. It was stupid. But what’s done is done. It was my fault. I practically seduced him. I kept pushing, knowing he wouldn’t be able to stop.” She told Stefan the story, aware it was pretty dry and lacked passion.

  Stefan rubbed his hands together now, concentrating on the tops of his knuckles. He shifted in his seat and she reacted accordingly.

  “For the record, and you may not believe this, but if I had been in bed with you, I would have stopped and gone to the store for you.” All the joking left his voice.

  “For some reason, I believe you.”

  Although she didn’t want to entertain it, she couldn’t help but to wonder if Stefan was more motivated by being safe or getting sex. It had to be the first, right? Because the man could get any woman he wanted. “Stefan, can I ask you something else?”

  “If you insist,” his eyes twinkled when he grinned, the cocky flirt back by her side.

  “Why do you think I let what happened between us this morning get so far?” she asked, curious to know what he thought. Stefan had probably seen all there was to see in the world. Maybe he had an answer for something that left her baffled.

  He considered her for a long moment. “Honestly?”

  She nodded, readying herself for his harmless teasing that shouldn’t excite and unnerve her but did.

  “I think you were hurt and needed a friend.”

  It was not what she’d expected to come out of those beautiful full lips of his. “You’re being too kind. Which is weird because I think I like it better when you’re teasing.” She couldn’t allow herself to take too much from his words. She shouldn’t be this close, confined again, feeling the chaos his nearness brought to her nerves and flesh. She rubbed at the side of her neck.

  “Why? Because I’m right this time? Hey, there’s no shame in needing a hug when life kicks you in the balls. Or a quick, hot fuck at the Pump-n-Go.” His boyish grin shattered any modesty she might have faked at that. He said the craziest things to her yet she loved it.

  They shared a good chuckle after a couple seconds of holding it in.

  “You know, I was totally ready to give you a hard time about this whole needing a special friend theory, but…” She considered her words very carefully first, wondering if she truly believed them. Funny enough, even if it was the most unrealistic thought she’d had all day, she did. “I think you and I could be friends. Good friends.”

  This time when he grinned it turned softer at the edges. “I see some promise there. You could help me understand all those angsty shows the kids are so into nowadays and I could school you in all sorts of worldly adult interests.” The grin was once again wicked and so unfair.

  “Stefan, are you ever serious?”

  “Always.”

  But wait. Did he just look away from her? What did Stefan Calderon have to be nervous about?

  He didn’t need her upping his cool factor. But it was nice of him to pretend. They needed to keep talking because otherwise, her breath hitched at the other option.

  She tried to tease him back. “Okay, that ‘worldly adult interests’ sounded kind of creepy. I am most definitely an adult and you’re not that much older than me. Are you?” she asked.

  Did he just blush?

  No, this man was not a blusher.

  He’d probably gotten some sun from his fancy convertible. But was that a nervous twitch over his left eye? Checking out his face so much, she began to see how he wasn’t chiseled from stone, perfected to perfection. Stefan’s nose was just a little crooked near the top of the bridge which made him look tough and he had a little dent near his eyebrow, maybe from a chicken pox episode. When his mouth was relaxed like it was now rather than grinning, his top lip was fuller than most men. Dani bet he’d been teased about that in school just the same as she’d been. She tried to remember his school photo hanging on Mrs
. C’s wall and didn’t think his shoulders had quite the size they did now. Much smaller than his full grown man self, Dani wondered if he’d been picked on and if he’d fought? The more little quirks she discovered about him, the more human he became. She smiled for no apparent reason.

  “God, you’re gonna love this. When you were born, your mom brought you to the house to show you off. I, uh, I held you. I was knee deep into the sixth grade.”

  “Ten, eleven years then? That’s not so bad. You don’t look it. You definitely don’t act it. I was trying to figure it out today and I thought you were older, maybe in your forties.”

  “Try twelve. Not forty yet but not too far off, sweetheart.” He scratched his head. “How did you not recognize me this morning? Honestly? You really had no idea who I was?”

  She made a face like she was still just as clueless. “Well, I’m not really a fan. I mean, that’s not what I meant. Not that I don’t like your band’s music … I’m sure it’s really good. I’ve heard about your fans.” She’d heard some of Sin Pointe’s bigger hits on the radio over the years. “I just … I mostly listen to country. Your mom talks about you, but not the band stuff and the only pictures around her house are from when you were little. When I saw your name on your license, it wasn’t the whole ‘band’ thing that got me.” Her gaze dropped with her air quotes.

  “What? You have to tell me now, after that little look.”

  The band angle would be a cop out right now when the real shocker had been that she’d nearly hooked up with the man who paid her paycheck. Who called Gina Calderon mom. It would be blatant disrespect for Mrs. C. But she went with something she hoped he’d appreciate more. She’d been so attracted to him. Still was. Her heart raced a little as she remembered her fingers stroking his face. “Your beard. You look more like one of those rugged Alaskan mountain man calendar guys than a punk rocker.”

  Had she offended him? What was that eye roll about?

  “Sin Pointe isn’t punk rock.”

  “But you wear eyeliner and your drummer has a mohawk.” Things she’d learned just moments ago in that magazine.

  “And all that being true, does not make us punk.”

  She must not look like she believed him. At all.

  “Well, whatever. Hey, everything being what it is, I had a shitty day. I’m sure yours has been mixed. I feel a lot better and I really appreciate … this.” She held her hands up, realizing there was no gesture for the distraction he’d provided her. They fell awkwardly back into her lap, grazing her tiny baby bulge as she went. “You’ve been surprisingly easy to talk to on a day when I really did need a non-judgy friend.”

  “Ouch.” His face took on a hurt look but she couldn’t tell if he was sincere or just bluffing to get his way as he seemed so capable of doing.

  “What?” she asked, afraid she’d actually hurt his feelings.

  He rubbed at his chin and she watched his dark whiskers slide along his fingers. “Surprisingly easy to talk to,” he echoed. “You may as well add that I’ve got a great personality.”

  Dani felt the immediate need to explain. “Usually I’m not real big on surprises, case in point my being dumped this morning. And being easy to talk to is a good thing.” God, had no one ever told him that? She supposed in his rock star life, that was a big possibility. She felt very bad for him if that were the case.

  He rubbed her hand and she wished she hadn’t just been thinking about her attraction to him. But even when she was thinking of how nice it was to talk to Stefan, she was at the same time wishing they were wrapped around each other, no matter who he was.

  “So let me get this straight,” he began. “You woke up to Thom Clueless-Pants’ email, then there were those assholes in line who I nearly assaulted, by the way, and then there was me.”

  “And then there was you.”

  “Man, I’m really glad I didn’t fuck things up for myself. I was this close to joining those losers.”

  “Oh yeah, maybe it’s not too late. You were saying you had something to yell at me about? Don’t think I forgot about that.”

  Stefan’s jaw worked. His eyes flashed an intense dark before he blinked and they reverted back to the deep chocolate brown again. “Because you’re feeding my mom Indian food and she hates it.” For the first time, he took one quick glance down before pinning her again with the confidence and assuredness of a man used to getting what he wanted.

  She smiled then hiked up her eyebrows. “Yeah, I think I would have kicked your ass if you’d have come at me with that tonight.”

  “I’m sorry now for even thinking it. And uh, that’s not even the real issue I have with you, anyway.”

  “I didn’t realize you had an issue with me,” she said. “What’s the real issue, Stefan?”

  Chapter Ten

  This could either go really well, or really really bad. Stefan could only handle being locked in this car with her for so much longer. Her softness even smelled good to him. Whatever the fuck that smelled like.

  Shit, what was wrong with him?

  And there were only so many sitting positions he could switch between before she knew his mind wasn’t solely on talking. He shifted from his side and pushed his legs forward until his knees locked. Big mistake. Oh well. She should know what they were both up against. The way he was holding himself in check for her benefit. He wouldn’t put himself through this for just anyone. Why did he want her to come away from this knowing that?

  “The issue is that I need you back at Mom’s. Mom needs you back at Mom’s. And I need you to use that gorgeous brain of yours and take your money back. I’ve only been home a few hours and I can already see how hard you work.”

  She shook her head. Okay, he hadn’t insulted her with the not using her brains bit. But her pretty lips were drawn damn tight.

  “What?” he asked. “Take your paycheck. It’s yours; you’ve earned it. Don’t let my dumbass get in the way of that.” He looked down at her belly, something he couldn’t keep himself from doing. He’d watched Trista morph through the stages of pregnancy. So beautiful. Hell, he’d even seen Jaxon’s first wife, Vangie, soften from major bitch to motherly at times. But he’d never seen either of them the way he saw Dani right now. He’d never wanted to touch Tris or Vang. Never been drawn to their bodies this way. Good thing or he’d have had his ass kicked by Lucky and Jaxon. He’d seen the cousins fight each other and it wouldn’t be pretty. And those men loved each other. It was shit the way the world had played this out. Dani deserved better. No matter what kind of crap he might give her, he had an enormous amount of respect for her. The kid would have a good woman in its corner. “You need to be thinking about that little guy, right?”

  “Yes. But...”

  “But what? You know the one thing I see ruin people all the time is their pride.”

  All these things he was saying, they came from his heart. It was a place he didn’t normally speak from but this one, he couldn’t stop himself around her. As badly as he wanted to be close to her again, he found he wanted to be honest. Even if it didn’t get him what he wanted. And that shit was crazy. No one who knew him would believe it. He could barely make sense of it.

  “I know, you’re right.” She shook her head back and forth.

  “Tell me.” He wasn’t used to asking for so much and expecting so little in return. But for some reason, Stefan knew he’d be happy with a smile, the same as he’d be happy with a kiss. Of course, he’d be overjoyed if she gifted him her body. His mind flashed to the unoccupied house he owned not too far from here that Mom had said no to. It was furnished. They’d have their choice of beds, tubs, rugs by the fireplace. He’d picked out only the best. A quick stop by a store and he could even get food to cook her that dinner he’d offered.

  “The minute I take that money from you...” She shook her head and her face turned down.

  The instant she said it, he knew what she was referring to because he’d thought about that too and how it didn’t matter to him bu
t to her it was probably going to be a major sticking point.

  Them. Special friends. It would work for him but not for her.

  She wouldn’t sleep with him if he was paying her in any capacity. He wouldn’t lie, he wanted to sleep with her. But he also wanted to keep talking and teasing her. Kiss her again. Feed her. He shouldn’t want it this badly but her fire had him hooked like a fiending moth. Was he willing to give up over something as mundane as money? Money meant shit to him. Fuck no, if that was her reason, he wasn’t giving up. She’d thank him for his persistence, eventually. He wasn’t imagining their connection. It was strong enough to have his ass out in a parking lot talking and not doing. Man, what an amazing two weeks they could have.

  “I get it. Looks like there’s only one solution to this problem,” he said.

  “Really? What’s that?”

  God, her hopeful cheer making those words come out high and clear gave him the dangerous go ahead. Would he take it?

  Hell yeah he would.

  “You’re not gonna like me very much after I say this.”

  “You. Are. The. Worst. Tease.” She stalled on each word, driving him insane.

  “You like it and you know it.” Conversation was so easy with this woman. He couldn’t shut up around her. Could totally see himself talking to her in the middle of sex. Shouldn’t be thinking of her back at his Nashville suite. He tried to think of anything else but her standing in his shower and him soaping up her curves. Will’s goofy ass in the shower was quite a riot because he was a bath product whore and loved a certain peppermint soap, even though it was so strong you could barely breathe when the steam mixed in with the stuff. How many times had Will got that crap in his eyes? Will’s burning eye dance did the trick. Stefan backed safely away from wanting her at his suite in Nashville and got back in line with how hot it would be to have her here and now in Moonlight. “Man, I scare myself sometimes. This could actually work.”