The Redemption(35)

“Ms. Floros,” the valet says, tapping me on the shoulder. “Your car’s here.”

I turn and take the keys while tipping the valet. “Thank you.” Without another word, I begin to leave, but I’m startled and spun around, then pinned against my car by Dex’s firm body.

“Don’t leave,” he whispers just a breath away. “Stay.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not f*cking her anymore and the only reason that I’m not is you.”

“That’s not charming.”

“I’m not trying to be charming. I’m trying to be truthful. She knows I like you. You’re a threat to her.”

“I’m not gonna get into some catfight over you.”

“You don’t have to. We can ditch them or join them and I’ll set her straight. Whatever you want, I’ll do. Just stay with me.” Our locked stares soften into gazes as our defenses come down, and he whispers, “Please stay.”

His vulnerability is a turn on, so several heavy heartbeats later, I lay my conditions down for him. “Fine. I’ll stay, but I want you to set her straight. She made me feel like I should be ashamed.”

“She doesn’t matter to me.” He takes my hand in his. “Only you do.” Leaning forward he kisses me, taking my breath away along with any doubts I had about us.

And with that, I give my keys back to the valet and we walk inside holding hands. He leads me back to the table, but we remain standing. Looking directly at her, he says, “We’re not gonna do this anymore.”

“I’m sorry, darling,” Firenza replies, batting her eyelashes. “Do what?”

The table falls silent and he says, “Fuck. I’m not interested in anyone but Rochelle.”

Her face falls when he says it so bluntly, and she starts reaching for anything to keep her in his good graces. “But she’s like a groupie, going through the band.”

“Shut your mouth,” he demands, hitting his hand down on the table. “You know nothing about her. The only reason I’m even bothering to tell you that you and I are over is that I respect her enough to do it.” He starts walking with me behind him, his grip wrapped tightly around my hand. “We’re leaving. The crowd sucks tonight.”

This time at the valet, he tips and takes the keys from the attendant. “I’ll drive.” I slip into the passenger seat and he waits to leave until I’m buckled in. The tension is high in the car, but not sexually like I prefer. He’s mad and I’m not sure what to say, so I stay quiet.

By the route he’s driving, he’s taking me to his house. I hope his mood lightens when we get there. Before we enter his community, he says, “I want you to stay the night with me.”

“I don’t have a sitter for the night.”

He doesn’t say anything else the rest of the ride.

When we walk in, it’s dark inside, but the pool lights are lit, drawing my eye to the backyard. “It’s a beautiful night. We should go for a swim,” I suggest, drawn to the blue lagoon.

When I look back to him, his eyebrow is raised and a devious grin lies across his face. “You don’t have your suit.”

“I can go in my underwear.”

“Or go naked.”

“Yes, or go naked but I’m thinking my bra and panties will be safer.”

He unlocks the doors and opens them wide. “Safe from what?” he asks, following me outside. After kicking off his shoes, he unbuttons his shirt, exposing his sexy abs.

When the shirt is tossed to a nearby chair, I reply, “Safe, safe, safe. What were we talking about again?”

“You were saying how keeping your undies on would be safer.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.” A new skull and roses tattoo resides on his shoulder and I look at the style of it, reading the words under it—solum bonum decessura. I don’t know what it means. I’m distracted again as he undoes each button on his jeans, making me inhale an uneven breath. Safer. I’m not sure if he’s gonna be safe from my sexual attacks when he’s that hot. His words make me look up when he asks, “You gonna get undressed or what?”

“I’m enjoying the show too much. I might just watch you instead.”

“Shirt off, woman.”

“All right. All right. Fine.” I pull my top off and place it neatly on a chaise. Turning my back, I check him out over my shoulder.

He’s at the bar and music starts playing though I don’t see any speakers. Nirvana’s “In Bloom.” “I never knew you liked grunge so much. Jane’s Addiction, now Nirvana.”

“Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots though it’s debatable about their grunginess. Bands of that time like Red Hot Chili Peppers have kick ass drummers. Rock is great but I like the rhythms that straddle the hardcore rock and the grunge era.” He pulls bottles of liquor onto the countertop. I pop open the top button of my jeans as he pours two shots of tequila. With his jeans hanging low on his hips and wide open in the front, I feel my self-control slipping away as he comes toward me. “You never did get a drink at the bar.”

“Salud,” I say, taking the shot and downing it. “No lime?”

“No.” His reply is direct, then his tongue drags up the corner of his mouth and I stare. My heart starts thudding in my chest as I move closer to him. He asks, “We should swim, right? It’s safer that way.”