by K E Osborn
“Let me watch your back for you. You just enjoy NOLA, have a good time… let me be your bodyguard. I have nothing else to do while I’m here.”
“You’d really do that? For me?” She lets out a relieved huff.
“Yeah. I don’t know how long I’m gonna be here for, but while I’m here, you can stay, too. Then when it’s time for me to head back to Houston, you and Savanah can come to the club with me if the threat isn’t contained in that time.”
Jovie cranes her neck to the side. “Come and stay… like, at your clubhouse?”
“It’s not as seedy as it sounds. We have plenty of women there. Not just the club girls. But partners of my other members, sisters, we even have a baby.”
“Wow!”
“So, you see, motorcycle clubs aren’t everything the news makes them out to be.”
“I honestly can’t believe you’d put yourself on the line to protect me when you have no idea who these men are.”
I shrug. “Do you know who they are? Who they really are?”
“Yes.”
“And do you care how I stop them if the need arises?”
She hesitates for the briefest second, then shakes her head. “No. They want to hurt me.”
“Then, if they’re coming after you, I will stop them. No matter what.”
She reaches out, grabbing my hand and squeezes. “Thank you. Honestly, this is probably the most generous thing a stranger has done for me… ever.”
I don’t reply because, honestly, I’m not even sure why I’m doing this for her. I’m in deep enough shit of my own to be worrying about Jovie’s depth level. But there’s something about her. Her vulnerability, but there’s also that glimpse of fire in her, making me want to protect her. I haven’t felt the need to protect someone since Em, and I have to admit this feeling is equal parts terrifying as it is exhilarating.
Sitting back, Jovie glances around looking at all the revelers in the bar while I sip on my drink thinking about just how different she is to Em.
Comparison is never good, but for some reason, I can’t help myself.
Em was sweet.
Gentle.
Calm.
Jovie has a storm around her. She’s like a tornado, and I see myself getting swept up in her gale-force winds. I just can’t tell if it’s a good thing, or an epic disaster waiting to happen.
I need to keep my head in this, as I have my own wave to ride right now. So, I better not get too caught up in her wake.
Sitting back, Jovie downs the red alcoholic beverage like there’s no tomorrow. She’s bopping along to the music as Savanah and Rush barrel back over to us. “I’m having the best time. Are you okay over here?”
Jovie glances at me. “Yeah, I think I am.”
Rush chuckles. “You think? Kevlar, man, you need to up your game.”
Rolling my eyes, Jovie waves her hand through the air dismissively.
I scoff. “My game is fine.”
“You really believe that?” Jovie mocks.
I jerk my head back.
Does she want me to flirt with her?
“Oooh, trouble in paradise. You want another drink, babe?” Savanah asks, winking at Jovie.
Jovie’s entire body relaxes. “God, yes!”
Rush gives me a head bob, then he and Savanah make their way over to the bar.
Jovie slowly turns back to face me, and I raise my brow. “You want me to up my game? You feared me a few minutes ago.”
She snorts out a laugh. “I thought you were here to kill me a few minutes ago, and before that, I thought you were cute.”
I curl my lip into a smile. “Cute? Cute! I’m fucking manly.”
Jovie giggles, the sound makes my cock surprisingly stir.
“I suppose.”
“You suppose? Pfft, and you say I need to up my flirting game,” I tease.
She bites down on her bottom lip. “Is that what we’re doing here? Flirting?”
My chest tightens as a flash of Em’s face blasts into my memory like an arctic blast. Suddenly, a cold sweat rolls over me, and I clear my throat trying to calm my nerves. “Excuse me for a second, I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”
Her cheeky expression falls as she nods. I stand and walk toward the restroom as Savanah and Rush walk back over to Jovie with her drink—at least she’ll have company. Making my way inside the restroom, I move to the basin, turning on the cold water and splash my face.
“What are you doing, Liam?” I murmur to myself.
“You talking to me, man?” the guy next to me asks as he washes his hands.
I scrub my face, letting out a huff. “Nah, just losing my shit.”
He slowly backs out of the restroom leaving me in my own personal hell.
I peer up into the mirror.
I’m not the man I was three years ago—the husband to Emma—but I still feel like I am. She’s with me every fucking where I go. Why do I feel like even thinking about flirting with Jovie is cheating on Em? How can you cheat on a dead woman? That shit’s not even logical.
Splashing my face once more with the cold water, I scrub my cheeks trying to rid the images of Em from my mind. I should be here—be present—not continue to live in the past.
So why does Em’s memory come up at the least inopportune times?
Someone enters the restroom, I turn, and Rush is strolling in. He eyes me up and down, letting out a small laugh. “Jesus, anyone would think you’re a virgin with the way you’re acting right now. Jovie’s not going to kill you, man. She’s hot. What’s the damn problem?” He slaps my back as I wipe the water from my face.
“The problem is I’m married.”
Rush’s eyes widen, and he purses his lips. “Yeah, that’s a mood kill.”
“My wife died.”
Rush furrows his brows, appearing confused. “Like what? Just now?”
I’m not sure why, but his ignorance lightens the mood. “No, three years ago. It wasn’t quick. It was painful, and I was there holding her hand as she passed.”
He exhales, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “You haven’t been with another woman since?”
I shrug. “I haven’t dated or even fucking flirted. No one has taken my attention. I never thought it was an option for me.”
“A one-woman man for life, huh? That’s gonna be a very lonely existence for you, Kevlar. Look, the way I see it, Jovie is obviously attracted to you. She’s clearly piqued your interest. This doesn’t have to be a wedding proposal, just a get-to-know-her. Don’t take everything so fucking seriously… you’re in New Orleans, the city of second chances.”
“You’re right. I’m getting far too fucking ahead of myself.”
“Exactly, just chill the fuck out. Enjoy the night. I plan to.” He chuckles.
“Yeah, I bet you do.”
Rush waggles his brows. “Savanah’s hot. Plus, she’s a cool chick, aaannd I have an NDA back in my hotel room.”
I burst out laughing. “You’ll make her sign an NDA to spend a night with you? Who are you, Christian Grey?”
“Nah, man, and I’m a little shocked you know who Christian Grey is, but if Savanah goes yelling from the rooftops about our night together… it’s gonna be a problem, especially because I ditched my security team.”
“I get it. Just covering your ass.”
He slaps my back. “Now, get out there and stop overthinking. Enjoy Jovie’s company.”
Rush wraps his arm around my shoulders, dragging me with him as we head back to our table. The girls are sitting laughing and drinking as we approach.
Savanah’s the first to spot us. “I thought you two were making out in there, you were gone so long.”
“I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you, Sav?” Rush teases.
Her eyes shift up as if she’s thinking. “Actually, yes… you two would make some seriously smoldering gay porn.”
I scowl as Jovie shoves Savanah in the arm playfully. “St… op, you can’t say stuff lik
e that.”
“No… I can see it,” Rush teases, winking at me, then he puts his shades back on to cover his face.
I roll my eyes slumping back onto the seat next to Jovie. She weakly smiles at me mouthing, ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m good,’ I mouth back to her as she sucks on the straw of her hurricane. Considering Savanah only just brought it back for her, the thing is almost empty already. I’m surprised Jovie isn’t blind drunk by now.
Rush leans down grabbing Savanah’s hand and hoists her up. “C’mon, m’lady, the dance floor waits for no one. I have one night of freedom… I don’t want to waste a second of it.”
“Well then rock star, stop your jabbering, and let’s go!” Savanah slaps his ass, and they take off back inside while I chuckle.
“They’re gonna be messy by the end of the night.”
Jovie turns to face me. “You’re not drinking anymore?” She slurps as she sucks up the last remnants of her hurricane.
“Someone needs to keep their head straight.” I grin.
She shrugs, picking up my half-empty drink. “More for me.”
I relax back in my chair, observing the way Jovie’s supple pink lips wrap around the straw. Fuck, they’re tempting. My cock thinks so too, as he begins to harden, watching the way her lips wrap around the plastic, so pert and full.
How would they look wrapped around my cock?
Averting my eyes from her lips, I try to keep my shit under control. My head is all over the fucking place tonight. One minute I’m mourning Em, and the next I’m lusting over Jovie. Maybe it’s the alcohol. Those hurricanes are stronger than you think, and Jovie is a quarter into her third.
She turns dramatically to face me, wobbling a little as she does.
Here we go.
It’s finally hitting her.
She points at me like she means business. “You know what, sunshine—”
“Sunshine?”
“You…” she pauses, her eyes glassing over as she stares at me blankly.
I lean forward. “Jovie?”
She bursts into a fit of giggles. “I forgot… man, is New Orleans spinning?”
Shit.
I scan inside to try and see where Savanah is, but I can’t find her anywhere.
Looks like I’m dealing with this.
“Okay, how about we head in to get some water, yeah?”
“Pffft, water is for fishties, fish-es, fifties… oh wow, my lips are numb,” she gushes like that’s supposed to be really impressive.
It’s not.
I stand, lifting her with me. She’s wobbling but bursts into a fit of laughter as I wrap my arm around her.
“Oh, are we going somewhere?”
I smirk. “Yes. To get you some water, remember?”
Jovie waves her hand through the air, and it lands on my face, her fingers gently caressing my cheek as we walk. Even though she’s drunk, her soothing touch is kind of nice to feel. I walk her inside, keeping an eye out for Rush and Savanah, but they’re nowhere to be seen. Jovie’s legs start to buckle beneath me, and I need to use more of my strength to hold her up.
“I don’t feel so good,” she whimpers.
“Fucking hell. Okay, c’mon.” I pull her with me toward the exit.
The cooler night air hits us as we walk out onto Bourbon Street, but it’s alive and buzzing with people everywhere. I walk Jovie out onto the street and lean her up against the side of the next building. Her eyes are rolling around in her head. I pull her hair back from her face as I look her over. Even drunk as a skunk, she’s gorgeous. I understand why she’s let herself go like this—she’s on the run, and I know what that feels like. Even though she’s trying to keep herself together, her very foundations are cracking, and maybe me taking off the way I did was the final notch on the Richter scale for her.
“Just breathe,” I tell her as her head flops about.
“Kevlar…”
“Yeah?”
Her eyes scan up and meet with me. They are filled with so much sadness. “I’m scared.” She sniffs like she’s holding back tears.
I bring my hand up, caressing her cheek. “I’m going to look after you, I promise.”
Her bottom lip trembles. “What if they k-kill you?”
“Not gonna happen.”
“How do you know?”
I smirk wide. “Because I’m cute.”
She bursts into a fit of giggles. “No, you’re fucking manly,” she grunts out, mocking my low voice. “Thanks for making me laugh.”
“You’re welcome. Now, I need to find you some water.”
She scrunches up her face. “I don’t think my stomach can handle another thing in—” Suddenly, she hunches over to the side, violently heaving onto the sidewalk. I grimace, holding her hair back from her face. She doesn’t need that red hurricane getting in her beautiful blonde locks. Passersby snicker and cheer as I rub her back.
It’s like it never ends.
I’m no stranger to vomit, having two kids makes me immune to this kind of stuff, though I have to admit, I don’t want to leave Jovie alone tonight. Not with her mood and certainly not with the amount of alcohol she’s consumed, even though most of it is on the side of Bourbon Street right now.
“That’s it. Let it all out,” I tell her as she pants for breath.
She’s a damn hot mess.
And I can’t help but smile.
The guys back at home would be laughing their asses off at this. I just wish I were able to tell them about it. I have no clue what’s happening with the Baron and his vendetta against me, or why he even has one. I need to stay put. Keep my head down and stay out of trouble.
Jovie finally comes up for air, her hand swiping along the back of her mouth as she straightens up. Her watering eyes meet mine, and she frowns. “I’m so sorry.”
“You think a little puke is gonna ruin my night?”
“You must think I’m a lost cause.” She clears her throat as I wrap my arm around her.
I pull her to me, then start the walk back to the hotel. “Just the opposite. I think you’re a bright light in all this fucking darkness.”
“Man, I really need that water now.” She lets out a small laugh.
“Okay, we’ll find some. Do you have a phone? We should tell Savanah where I’m taking you.”
She pulls out a cell that appears eerily like my burner. “Where are you taking me?”
“The Marriott.”
She widens her eyes. “Are you joking?”
“No, that’s where I’m staying.”
Jovie exhales. “Us, too.”
“We were destined to meet.”
“I like that. I’m directionally challenged. How far away are we?”
“We’re halfway there.”
Jovie smiles wide, then bursts out into song. “Woah, livin’ on a prayer…” she continues to sing as I chuckle to myself the whole way back to the hotel.
It seems like we’ve found ourselves a theme song.
JOVIE
My head is so fucking heavy I can hardly function as my eyes remain closed.
I know I’m in New Orleans.
I know I went out with Savanah last night.
I know I met a guy named Kevlar.
But other than that, it’s mostly a blur.
My entire body aches, my stomach is growling with hunger as I let out a small hungover moan. My hand shifts on the bed, but I tense as I feel warm skin. My eyes fly open in shock as every muscle in me tenses. I still my hand as I peep at the chest I’m lying on. A tattoo of a blue diamond with a black crown on top and two red roses on either side sits proudly on his chest. Glorious black wings spread out either side of the roses and the words Carpe Diem in script above them. There’s more black and gray edging up his neck and heading down his arms, but I’m too fucking scared to look at what it is right now. I even notice a piercing in his left nipple. I bite down on my bottom lip trying to gauge if I’m sore from a night of hardcore sex I have no memory o
f.
But I don’t sense anything out of the ordinary.
Taking a deep breath, I grimace, then slowly lift my head to see who I’m sleeping on. Relief washes over me when Kevlar’s face comes into view. He’s fast asleep, and in the light of day and without my drinking goggles on, I have to say, he’s even more gorgeous if that’s possible. He appears so relaxed. So calm. Like whatever worries he had last night aren’t plaguing him right now.
I don’t want to disturb him, but I really need to use the bathroom. So, I slowly edge out from his grip and slide out of bed. The sheet falls away from him, revealing his Adonis six-pack, and I let out a small gasp.
Holy hell.
My clit throbs, but I have to ignore it as I glimpse down, realizing I’m wearing only my panties and what must be one of his shirts. I have no clue how I got into these clothes, but thinking about it will give me anxiety. Right now, I need the bathroom. So, I turn, heading that way. As I walk in, a pink toothbrush in its packaging with a fresh tube of toothpaste lay on the counter.
Is that for me?
Honestly, at this point, I don’t care.
My mouth is like a llama’s residing in there, one with a long coat that’s molting.
I get to work brushing my teeth, probably longer than necessary, then I relieve myself. As I sit there, I try to remember what happened last night.
There was drinking.
There was flirting with Kevlar.
There was singing Bon Jovi as we walked back to the hotel.
I twirl my finger through my hair as I try to recover my thoughts. A section of my hair is a little stiff, so I bring it to my face assessing it, and the memory hits me full force.
I puked—all over Bourbon Street.
“Oh my God!”
I rest my head in my hands in embarrassment as I shake my head from side to side. “Jovie, you’re a complete mess.”
Suddenly, the ringtone for my cell chimes. My head jerks up, and I quickly finish, wash my hands, then open the door to Kevlar answering the call, “Morning, Savanah… no she’s okay. She’s in the bathroom.”
I could let embarrassment overwhelm me, but what would that accomplish? Nothing. So I walk out into the bedroom and straight over to Kevlar. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing only boxer briefs—he’s in all his glorious magnificence. My entire body ignites as his eyes wander up my legs. I place my palm out for the cell. “She’s right here, I’ll hand the cell over.”
