Haven

by J D Worth

  “Because I wanted to.”

  Mace grins. “You bet your sweet ass you did. You’re finally being honest ’bout who you are and what you want.” He lifts the bottle of whiskey and slowly pours me a drink. I watch as he dips his finger into the shot and stirs the amber liquid around. He lifts his finger and drags the dripping tip over the seam of my lips. I part my lips so I can catch the wayward drops. He steadies my chin with his thumb. “Audrey, what do you really want outta life? What’s the one thing you can’t live without?”

  A heaviness settles over me as I gaze at him. Flecks of brown and hazel flicker in his eyes as he stares at my lips, moving to my starry eyes. Mace runs his tongue along his bottom lip. Recalling his tongue lapping my sex not that long ago, my throat bobs. His pupils blow wide open. My belly does a slow dive. My heart thumps a quicker beat. Desire throbs between my legs. I want him, and he knows this fact.

  I straighten my slouching posture and pour another shot down my throat. I let my eyes wander over his defined body as the lights bounce off his muscular arms. I can’t get his “business” that he has with Anton out of my head. “You do actually work security both here and the resort. Do you have any other interesting side jobs in Northport?”

  His eye sharpens as he straightens his posture. “Those security side jobs are an easy side income, so I can’t pass them by.”

  A small smile surfaces. Perhaps my mind is overeating, and he’s simply handling a security issue for Anton. Mace does seem to be a fixer behind the scenes on Bell Peninsula. “But you had the wedding off, correct?” He nods. “So, you were crashing the wedding.”

  A broad smile sweeps across his face. “Cal and I wanted to meet you since we both worked with Miss Charlotte. I couldn’t resist running into you again after that first night, so I showed up a little early.”

  “You gave me an awfully hard time.”

  “Four years passed since the Asters took over your rearing. I wanted to know how much Charlotte was left in you.”

  I drop my eyes to the bar. “What’s your consensus?”

  “Miss Charlotte would be overjoyed to see the woman you’ve become.”

  I swipe tears from each eye. “I owe you an apology, Mace. Somehow, you’re always able to see how crappy my life is, which makes me vulnerable and guarded. I was also rude to you at the diner and all those other times when you were merely looking out for me. Not even looking for a fling with me.” I rub my neck, but Mace doesn’t respond to my drunk rambling.

  A long silence passes. Mace tilts his head, saying, “Let’s hit the after party, Princess.” When I stand up, I sway into him. “You on a slant again?” I think one of my eyes gives him a sluggish wink. “Well, hop on then.” We trek through the bar and into the backroom. I cling to Mace’s back, enjoying how steady his heart beats while mine hops around like a bunny on crack.

  Violet squeals and pulls me off from Mace. The older banquet room is large with lots of people standing around talking. A huge black leather sectional rests in the middle and a table by the door overflows with food and bottles of booze. Mace whispers something in Payton’s ear, and she pats his chest with her hand. He scoops Violet up in a hug before joining Trent and his bandmates chilling on the sectional. Trent chats with a beautiful redhead draped next to him while Cal and Jax trade shots with the band.

  “Hey, let’s grab some snacks, okay?” Payton suggests, nailing a bag of chips to my chest. I think Mace told her to take care of me, and she’s following his request again. Fucking sexy alpha Neanderthal, but the chips are great. I toss more into my mouth.

  “Oh, my gawd, these are amazing.” I shove another handful down my throat.

  Violet snickers as she asks, “Were you two just hooking up?”

  “You mean here at the club?” I snatch another bag of chips before they go extinct.

  “Jax and I have lots of times here. Again tonight after our tequila shots.” Violet winks.

  Payton gives me the same knowing look as before. “Violet likes to ride herself a cowboy!”

  “Darn tootin’ right!” Violet’s eyebrows rise in delight. “Look at the fine man, I want to straddle him now.” Violet drools over Jax as he radiates a naughty smile. Payton and I share a hearty laugh.

  “No. I think the earlier agreement I have with Mace is still in effect.” I motion to the redhead who’s flirting with Mace while Payton fixates on them.

  “What agreement?” Violet asks, focusing her attention back on us.

  “Earlier when we got carried away, I froze up. I scared him off. Mace wants more. I’m not staying. So that can’t happen between us, or something. I’m drunk, so I’m not sure what Mace wants, or what I’m talking about. Obviously, I don’t have the correct prospective.” I snort to myself. “Mr. Dark and Brooding is actually filled with fucking rainbows. He told me I needed hope and fairy dust. You know Doc and Snow White never hookup?” I motion towards the flirtatious redhead almost in Mace’s lap. “Doc was too busy hunting red foxes.” Payton stares in wonder. My heart sags as the situation becomes clear. Mace and the redhead are more than familiar with one another.

  “Damn, I thought Mace would pull his head out of his ass after those sinfully hot body shots. Even drag you back here, but guess not.” Payton sounds mournful.

  “Does he go after the band’s groupies?” I motion to Trent, Mace, and the mysterious redhead as they do a shot together while laughing. The redhead shifts her full attention to Mace. “Perhaps she’s more his taste, and this is how he’s letting me know.”

  Payton laughs. “No, he thinks groupies are too clingy.”

  Violet says, “This is the first time we’ve been around someone Mace had an interest in. He keeps things separate. We’ve never met anyone he’s had a relationship with.”

  “A relationship?”

  “Baby Girl, don’t worry about the sex thing. That’ll happen when you’re ready.” Payton plays it off, saying, “Let’s hope before you leave.” She gives Violet a conspiring look.

  I ask, “How about you and Cal?”

  “We aren’t hooking up like Violet and Jax everywhere. I’m not ready for the kind of commitment he wants, and I’ve made my intentions clear.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “I want something more casual. That’s why I was with Trent before.” She looks over at him. “Who can really take Trent serious? We hung out, and he was fun. You gotta admit he’s pretty to look at and has the hard body to back up that naughty mouth. Everyone knows he’s into fucking kinky shit that I love.” She winks.

  “I wish Colt were here.” Violet giggles. Payton wraps her arms around Violet as they park their heads together, and gaze my way.

  “Damn, Violet, you’re right.”

  “Yup, Audrey is the definition of Colt’s perfect woman.”

  Payton covers her snorting laugh. Violet swats her. Payton relays, “Colt is a younger version of Mace, and they’re close. He’s even better looking than Trent, funnier, and crazy sexy. Mace would have a rival. Colt would drop at your feet to worship you. Colt’s the ideal boyfriend type who is all about the romance. He’s on the opposite spectrum of Trent and his band flings. Melody was a hanger-on, groupie type.”

  “Does Mace only have casual flings?”

  Payton says, “Like I said, Audrey, his hookups aren’t ever paraded in front of us. To be honest, we wouldn’t know. Even the guys don’t repeat his exploits. Mace protects his privacy.”

  “Then what’s Mace doing with that redhead? She looks like she’s offering him a free tire rotation.” I think my nostrils flare. I’m not the jealous type, which means my emotions are malfunctioning. That’s what I get for not dealing with them after my mother passed.

  Mace rasps in the redhead’s ear. She keeps laughing, moving her hand up and down his thick leg. My mind does a nosedive. I plead with my eyes to Payton for help. She erupts into a fit of giggles. The redhead’s meandering hand is still on his leg. Instead of removing her hand, he brings her c
loser, rasping into her ear again.

  “Payback,” she says. “You’ll see.”

  “Is Mace trying to make me jealous?” I stomp my foot. “Doc is never going to get laid now!”

  Payton shakes her head in amusement. “Mace doesn’t play games, but I do. Colt isn’t here, so time to meet Gavin. He may not worship at your feet, but he’ll suck your toes. I should know. We got a little drunk together one night with Trent.” She leads me over to the where the lead singer is leaning against the backside of the sectional with a drink in his hand. Five vapid women are vying for Gavin’s affections. I squint, realizing they would be prettier if they weren’t acting so desperate. Payton steps up in a possessive manner and slides her arm around him, giving the desperate groupies a warning glare.

  “Hey, woman, ’bout time you showed up,” Gavin says, kissing her on the cheek.

  “Scat!” Payton lifts her lips in disgust. The groupies take the hint to leave.

  Violet goes in for a hug by yanking Gavin up from his leaning position on the sectional. “Sweet Violet, you make my heart sing every time you join us on stage.” His eyes twinkle at her.

  “Just doing my duty.” Violet chuckles. “You know Jax always tosses me up on the stage to keep me safe when there’s a fight because I’m so tiny.”

  Gavin grins. “That backup singer offer still stands.”

  Payton whispers in his ear, and his smile reaches wide across his face. He returns the sentiment, and her head falls back in laughter. She turns her attention to me and loops an arm through mine.

  “Gavin, this here is Audrey. She’s a real good friend from New York, but we don’t hold that against her none,” Payton says in a sultry tone, turning up the charm as he smiles at us. Looks as if he’s not immune to her beauty either. I’ve noticed how every man in this room has checked her out at least twice.

  “This is the woman who won the body shot competition tonight?” Gavin gives me an appreciative smile as his eyes rove my winning Sunset tank and stops at my tattoo.

  “My Baby Girl sure did.” Payton smiles with pride, kissing my cheek. “Make her feel welcome while we refill. Whatcha drinking, Gavin?”

  “Whiskey,” Gavin says, his smooth voice lingers like a song.

  “Audrey’s preference is from Tennessee as well.” Payton winks at me. My mouth drops at her blatant setup.

  A slow, charming smile spreads across his gorgeous face. “Is that so? I know a thing or two ’bout Tennessee being from there myself,” Gavin says in a lazy Southern drawl. Violet and Payton send us coy finger waves, leaving the two of us in the private corner behind the sectional. “Audrey, did you enjoy the show?”

  “Very much. This is my first time at a rock concert.” Taking in the smiling faces on the couch in front of us, I motion. “I know Trent already.”

  “Yeah, we’ve heard a few things ’bout you.” His eyes drop to my chest, referring to Trent’s hundred-dollar tip.

  “I don’t fool around when it comes to my Jack!” I say with a dismissive swipe of my hand. Gavin cracks a laugh, running his hand along his chin.

  “Can’t blame you none.”

  I hold my finger, asking for a moment while I bend over the back of the couch to reach Trent’s ear. “I told you to watch your damn mouth concerning my father’s wedding reception. That includes me, you jackass.” Trent pales, glancing at Gavin. I snatch the bottle of Jack Daniels from him, spying another in Mace’s lap. I twist towards Gavin. “Much better! Hey, by chance have you ever toured the Jack Daniels distillery? I should add that to my summer bucket list of fun.”

  “Sure have. Did you know the distillery is located in a dry county?” Gavin ducks a smile while sipping on the last of his whiskey.

  “Now, that is pure evil. Those poor residents have to look at the distillery every day, yet legally can’t have any. I’d move if I were them.” I snicker at my ludicrous statement. I scan Gavin’s body while he’s mouthing something to Trent. I refill Gavin’s whiskey. Trent twists towards us while flinging his empty cup out, begging for a refill. I decline by rolling my eyes at him. He winks at me and throws the empty cup at Gavin who’s laughing.

  “Ford!” The room erupts as the popular bouncer joins the party. He beams a wide smile and high fives the many hands springing up around him. Gavin motions for him to join us. They bump their shoulders, exchanging a man hug.

  “And we meet again,” Ford says, taking my hand into his large soft one and gently holding it.

  “I heard you attend LSU.” I hand him the bottle, and he takes a small sip before handing it back.

  “I play ball.” Ford winks at me.

  Tilting my head, I ask, “What do you study?”

  He snorts a laugh. “I play ball,” he relays slowly as if I didn’t hear him right the first time.

  I reply. “Yes, but you’re in college, so you must have a major.” Gavin snickers into his cup.

  Ford swings his head back to Gavin, asking, “Is she for real?”

  I reply, “Umm, yes. Education is important to me. I’ll be majoring in business this fall at Harvard.”

  Gavin tips his head towards me, and says, “Ford, meet Mace’s woman, Audrey.”

  With a slight blush tinting my cheeks, I dart my eyes to Gavin. He’s wearing a T-shirt and well-worn jeans. He also has a few tattoos on his arms and ruffled hair, similar to how Mace wears his. “Gavin, you look like the typical NYU college student, and perhaps someone not in a band?”

  Ford slaps Gavin on the shoulder. “Not a football star or even a lead singer can impress this beauty. So Mace, huh?”

  “I’m slowly catching up to what you may call ‘hookup’ culture. Women fall into your beds because you play ball and sing in a band?” Most of the women here are salivating over Gavin, Ford, and Mace. I flick my eyes over to Mace, wondering how many women have fallen into his bed. Does that include the redhead tonight? I need a poison apple. ASAP!

  “Pretty much,” Ford shares. “I’m majoring in mathematics. Hopefully, I’ll teach algebra to high schoolers after my football career ends. I’m enjoying the perks of ruining my body for a chance at the big time. My family is sorta depending on me, you know?”

  “Teaching is a respectable profession. Hey, would you have a spare apple?” I giggle and shake my head at myself. “Whiskey, right?” I lift the bottle up.

  Gavin wipes off a smirk. “I’m an English major here at North U. I’ll probably be teaching alongside Ford someday. Till then, I’m trying to make the band work. I write most of the song lyrics. Then we develop the sound together as a band.”

  “That last song was beautiful, moving. More like poetry.” I muse. “The South has produced many wonderful authors and poets. I rather enjoy Langston Hughes’ works myself. I also adored Fannie Flag’s classic Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The South also had a strong influence on the blues movement. Really, Blues music is pure poetry set to deep soulful music. Don’t get me started on the Southern rock movement that still rocks today,” I ramble. We’re silent for a few long beats. I flash both men an awkward smile. “To be honest, the South is so far out of my league. In New York, I run in an established social circle. Women there only fall into men’s beds because they have money. So, yeah…”

  The two guys stare at me as if I gave both whiplash with my little rant.

  I offer them a shy smile. “The show was lovely, thank you, Gavin. Ford, a pleasure. Make sure you both invest your money in a properly managed diversified stock portfolio when you make it to the pros or find fame in the music industry. If you don’t blow your money on material objects, you’ll be set for life. You can reach me in New York in a few years. I’ll be a managing broker at Aster Holdings and Trust and would love to oversee your portfolios. I promise to cater my trading algorithms to achieve healthy portfolio year-over-year growth.” I peek over to the couch, watching how heated Mace and the redhead have become. I swallow down my disappointment when I don’t see Violet and P
ayton anywhere.

  Gavin chuckles as he glances over to Mace. “Mace has met his match.”

  Ford joins him with a deep laugh. “No fuckin’ shit.”

  I gape at the air while they talk about Mace and the devastatingly sexy redhead. I drop my eyes low as I return my attention to Gavin and Ford. “I’d love to stay and chat all night, but I need to find my friends.”

  Ford snags my bottle and takes a sip, passing the JD to Gavin who does the same. Ford asks, “Are you really into algorithms and stuff? I stumble past calculus.”

  My eyes light up. “Ooh, algorithms. The possibilities are endless.”

  Ford says, “Umm, yeah, super fun.” Gavin chuckles and hands him back the whiskey. He downs a long pull as he rolls his eyes. “Have you ever seen that movie Good Will Hunting?”

  “No.”