“Here you go, gorgeous,” Ryder said then handed her the soda.
They listened to the band playing and she leaned back against the bar between Jacque and Ryder. A few minutes into it and she felt Jacque’s hand on her waist. He was so tall, that even sitting on the stool, his face was nearly even with her shoulders.
“Are you okay? You seem tense.”
She took a deep breath and released it. She turned toward him. His face was inches from her shoulder, and he held her gaze. “I guess just cautious.”
He smiled at her. “Cautious is good.”
When Ryder got up to go talk to some people he knew, Angelina took the seat next to Jacque. He pulled it closer, and as she crossed her legs, they began to talk about the band, the boxing and gym and about her friends. She was enjoying the conversation, but the music and crowd was so loud, she found herself moving closer to Jacque to hear what he was saying. When he placed his hand on her knee, she nearly gasped at the arousal she felt from such a simple touch. He seemed to be affected as well as they locked gazes. She hadn’t expected him to make a move, but he did, showing off his experience or perhaps expertise in seduction. She fell for it as he reached under her hair, to the base of her neck and guided her closer to him. She felt his warm breath against her neck and ear, and his thick, hard thigh hit hers.
“Not sure if I told you, but you look beautiful tonight, very mature and classy.” His lips touched her cheek, and she didn’t know what to do.
“It’s so loud in here isn’t it? How the hell can you two even have a conversation?” Ryder asked as he rejoined them along with Jerry.
She pulled back, but now Jerry was leaning down next to her ear.
* * * *
Jacque was on fire and hadn’t expected this reaction to Angelina tonight. She was so different than her friends Elle and Vera. They looked ready to party and hook up for the night, and Angelina looked like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. She had natural beauty but also charisma. Only a fool wouldn’t notice her when she entered the room. He immediately saw her when she arrived. He also noticed how reserved and shy she appeared. It wasn’t her usual outgoing self. As he watched the guys greet her and others check out her ass, he had to rein in his anger and jealousy. She didn’t really know him, and from what his brothers told him, she was pissed off at their lack of reciprocating affection. He had no trouble letting her know that he liked her and wanted to get to know her better. She didn’t pull away from his touch, so he would take it slow, but he would be leaving with her, even if it were to just follow her home to make sure she got there safely.
He took a sip of beer and watched as Jerry took advantage of the loud music and spoke next to Angelina’s ear. She was laughing at something Jerry was telling her, and Ryder was joining in the conversation, too.
Ryder placed his hand on Angelina’s knee as he moved closer to her, and Jacque wasn’t caring that they were old friends of his. Ryder and him went way back and were buddies in school and in the Marines, but this shit wasn’t happening.
As if Angelina felt uncomfortable about the contact, she slid off the stool and looked at Ryder.
“Why don’t you sit now? I need to use the ladies’ room.”
She looked at Jacque and he winked at her. She blushed and he knew all was good, but he kept an eye on her as she made her way through the crowd and to the hallway where the bathrooms were.
“She’s amazing isn’t she?” Ryder asked Jacque.
Jacque took a sip from his beer.
“Hi, have we met before?” Vera asked as she pressed her body up against Jacque’s.
Ryder rolled his eyes and Jerry laughed.
“I’m Vera,” she slurred, and Jacque smiled.
“Jacque,” he said and she winked at him then looked at Jerry and Ryder.
“Where have you been hiding your friend Jacque?” she asked then took another sip of her drink.
Jacque noticed the guy behind her checking out her ass as he stepped closer. She had been talking to the guy since she arrived and he wondered why she was now talking to him. Was it coincidental that as soon as Angelina left Vera made a move? He had his suspicions.
“Nice to meet you, Vera. You’re friends with Angelina right?” he asked and she smiled then looked his body over. She placed her hand on his knee then caressed it up toward his crotch. Jacque grabbed her hand and pushed it off of him.
“Hey.”
“Not interested,” he told her and she gave him the evil eye as Ryder and Jerry chuckled.
The guy behind Vera wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. He licked her ear then her neck and Vera smiled at Jacque. “Eat your heart out.” She told him then turned into the guy’s embrace and started making out with him.
“She’s a piece of work,” Ryder told Jacque, and Jacque once again wondered how Angelina could be friends with a woman like her. He looked back toward the hallway and waited to see Angelina.
* * * *
Angelina looked at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed and her nipples hard. She felt so aroused and attracted to Jacque it was insane. She fought with herself on giving in to that attraction. Hadn’t Tye and Mike flirted with her before then completely stopped? What about Terrance? She was all over him, and he wouldn’t even cop a feel.
She felt frustrated. She needed to stop thinking about the Bouchet men. But how could she when Jacque was there and he was flirting and touching her. Was he attracted to her or was he here for other reasons?
The thought made her stomach burn.
Son of a bitch, I’m so stupid. He isn’t here because he likes me. He’s here because his brothers and my family were worried. He’s acting like a bodyguard. Fuck.
She felt the tears reach her eyes, and then the anger took over. His little plan wasn’t going to work. If he wanted to play games, then games she would play.
As she exited the bathroom, she noticed Elle talking with some guy. She couldn’t see the guy’s face, but then by the back door she noticed another guy, Asian, she thought from where she was but wasn’t certain. Elle was deep in conversation, and the guy had his arm wrapped around her waist. She headed back toward the bar, and on her way had to dodge some guy who thought he could dance with her.
“Let go, buddy. Not in the dancing mood.”
“I can change that for you,” he told her. She twisted out of his grasp just as Jacque approached.
The guy looked up at six-foot-three Jacque and put his palms up in the air and retreated.
Tilting her head all the way back, she gave Jacque the evil eye.
“I had that covered.”
“Yeah, it looked that way.” She walked ahead of him and felt his hand on her waist, guiding her back toward Ryder and Jerry. They were talking to two women.
Angelina went to stand to the side, but Jacque sat on the stool, turned her around to face the crowd, and wrapped his arm around her waist. He held her against him, and damn it, she liked the way it felt. So much for her argument back in the bathroom.
She tried to act as if his touch did nothing to her, but as the night went on, the music continued, and the crowds became too much, she found herself leaning back against him.
He moved his arm so that it was completely around her midsection with his hand resting on her hip. He pushed her hair gently from her face and neck, and she thought he was going to tell her something.
Instead, she felt his lips, soft and warm. She tightened up a moment and tried to focus on all the people who weren’t paying them any attention at all. She could hear Jerry and Ryder trying to sweet-talk the two women, but then she felt Jacque’s lips against her neck and shoulder.
He squeezed her tighter and she leaned back completely against his chest. He moved the arm that was wrapped around her midsection, and she felt the palm of that hand caress under the camisole and across her belly. His fingers stopped over her belly piercing, and he wiggled the small dangling jewelry.
“You’re a very sexy wom
an, Angelina, and you smell really nice, too.” She felt his tongue and then his lips again, and the goose bumps traveled along her skin. She felt defenseless against his tactics, and suddenly that pissed her off.
She abruptly turned around in his arms and placed her hands on his shoulders as he held her securely in place and stared down into her eyes.
“What game are you playing, Bouchet?” she asked with attitude. His eyes sparkled but he looked hungry and determined. She felt the palm of his hand move down to the middle of her lower back and to the upper part of her ass. He applied pressure, making her press harder against his chest. She was now between his long, hard, splayed-out legs and so close she could smell his cologne and feel the connection between them.
“No games, Lina, just enjoying getting to know you.” She swallowed hard at his tone, his dark eyes, and the little nickname he gave her. As if he had that right. He was something else and she wasn’t easy.
“I don’t believe you.”
His eyes widened and she felt that bit of concern not only that she may have insulted him, but also an indication that Jacque Bouchet was not used to being spoken back to or accused of lying.
“I don’t lie, sweetheart.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Because I’m a Bouchet?” he asked, and she was shocked at his response. But she was filled with attitude and distrust. She didn’t want to get hurt.
“Exactly. You know, I’m an adult and I don’t appreciate your brothers and my family arranging for you to be here as a bodyguard. I can take care of myself, and after the incident, I’m certainly more cautious.”
He shook his head. “What the hell are you talking about? My brothers and your family didn’t ask me to come here to be your bodyguard.” She felt his palm roam over her ass then back up to her lower back. She gasped and he smiled.
“I like the way you feel in my arms. I’m attracted to you and you to me. I don’t know what my brothers did to piss you off, but they care for you, too.”
She shook her head. “No they don’t,” she began to say, but he cupped the back of her head with his hand and moved his mouth against her ear.
“They do. We all do, Lina.” He kissed her cheek. As she absorbed his words and the feel of his mouth against her, he adjusted his position on the stool, drawing her even closer. She didn’t care about anything but his touch.
“Hey, Angelina, have you seen Elle?” Jerry asked, interrupting them. Jacque looked annoyed, and Angelina felt embarrassed.
“Uhm, I saw her down the hallway before. She was talking to some guy.”
Jerry looked upset.
“What’s wrong?”
“I went to go use the bathroom and some girl was asking if this purse belonged to anyone.” He showed her the purple bag, and Angelina immediately recognized it as Elle’s.
“That’s Elle’s,” she said and stood up straight. Jacque stood up, too.
“Let’s look for her. We’ll split up and meet right here by the bar,” Jacque said as Ryder and a few of the guys joined them. Angelina was about to go off on her own but Jacque held her hand tightly in his.
“You’re with me now,” he stated firmly, and she felt the chills from his declaration. Sure, he was probably just saying she was to stay with him, but her heart hoped for more. She also noticed the seriousness in his eyes and concern. Her belly ached. Please let Elle be safe.
They searched the whole bar and even out on the sidewalk and deck.
“I don’t see Vera either,” Angelina stated.
“I wouldn’t worry about her,” Jacque stated with attitude. Angelina pulled her hand from his grip.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He looked annoyed, and she felt immature for trying to start an argument with him because he obviously didn’t like Vera.
“Hey, she had her tongue down some guy’s throat.”
Angelina swallowed hard.
“She’s missing, too, now.”
“Not necessarily. She was looking to hook up and she probably did.”
“And you know this how?” she challenged as he grabbed her hand and pulled her against his side. Her head was tilted all the way back as she looked up at him.
“Because, she tried to get her claws in on me and I turned her down flat. She didn’t like that and went for the guy behind her. They walked outside, groping one another like two lovesick teenagers twenty minutes ago.”
He pulled her along and back toward the bar to where Ryder, Jerry, and the guys were. Angelina couldn’t help the jealous and angry feelings she had. Vera saw Angelina with Jacque most of the time, so why would she try to hit on him?
“Hey, isn’t that the guy Vera was with?” Angelina asked as she pointed down the hallway. He was talking with some other woman.
Jerry grabbed ahold of him.
“Where’s Vera?”
“Yo, man, I don’t know a Vera.”
“Listen, asshole, you had your tongue down her mouth at the bar about twenty minutes ago,” Jacque said, and again Angelina felt annoyed.
“Okay, that crazy chic. She left with some Asian guy.”
“Hey, there’s Elle,” Jerry yelled and they turned to look.
Elle appeared annoyed as she walked through the front entrance and toward them.
“Where the hell were you?” Jerry asked her as he shook her by her arms.
“Jerry, what the hell?” she replied.
“Elle, we were worried. I found your purse.”
“Oh, great. Thanks. That asshole took it from me and started running with it. He thought it was funny. I think he was high or something.” She took the purse and looked inside.
“Amazingly nothing is missing,” Elle said, and Angelina felt Jacque’s arm around her waist holding her. Elle noticed and gave Angelina a wink.
“Looks like I missed a bunch. You go, girl.”
“Where’s Vera?” Angelina asked even though she was annoyed with her.
“Oh, we don’t have to worry about her. She hooked up with some guy. She told me she didn’t need a ride.”
“What guy?” Ryder asked.
“I don’t know. I think he was Asian or something. I didn’t get a good look, but he drove a Porsche. A black one.”
Angelina shook her head and the others accepted the story.
“I think we’re going to head out. I’ll give you a ride home, Elle,” Jerry said.
“I guess so. This bar is lame anyway. Nothing but a bunch of jerks around.”
She kissed Angelina good-bye, and then the guys kissed Angelina on the cheek and shook Jacque’s hand.
“You’ll be okay, Angelina?” Jerry asked.
“I got her. I’m following her home.”
Angelina swallowed hard. Jacque was being so bossy, and he sounded authoritative. He seemed a lot like his brother Tye.
The entire ride home Angelina was worried about what would happen next. She would glance up into her rearview mirror and see the headlights of Jacque’s BMW behind her. When they finally arrived at her place, she decided that enough was enough. As nice as it was to hang out with Jacque, she needed to distance herself from all Bouchets. They confused her.
As she got out of the car, Jacque was there to close her door. She locked it and they walked up to the front door.
“Well, thanks for following me home. I appreciate it.” She reached for the knob of the door to place the key inside when Jacque covered her hand. She swallowed hard.
“Look at me, Lina.” His voice sounded so deep and sexy. She could smell his cologne and she so badly wanted to feel the sensation of being in his arms again.
She got her wish as he turned her toward him, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her against his chest.
“I have to know,” he whispered.
He covered her mouth, kissing her deeply as he pressed his body against hers. She was wedged up against the door, and in a matter of a few strokes of his tongue and caresses from his hands they were all ove
r one another. Groping, touching, exploring their bodies, he cupped her breast and she felt the slight discomfort from the damn bruising along her breast and ribs.
Their lips parted, both were breathing heavy.
“Did I hurt you?”
She stared up at him and shook her head. She was speechless.
“Why did you pull away so suddenly?”
“The damn bruises. I’m sorry.”
“Oh shit, I forgot. They’re still sore?” he asked and gently brushed his thumb along her ribs and right below her breast. Her pussy tightened, and she felt it leak from his touch.
“Oh God, Jacque, you need to go.” She turned to open the door and enter and he followed.
She walked in and turned on the living room light.
“Nice place.”
“It was Ellena’s and mine.”
“Was?”
“She stays over the Rues’ house more often than not.”
“Is that where she is tonight?” He moved closer to her. He took her hand.
“Don’t look so scared. I’m not going to bite. Why don’t we sit and talk for a bit. It’s early.”
They sat down next to one another on the couch. The conversation started with Auberts and then with him being in the Marines and then a fighter. He also helped to run Dominate. Before long, they were making out, kissing and gently touching one another, and then Jacque moved her lower onto the couch. He was staring into her eyes with one hand cupping the back of her head, while his other hand lay on her belly under her camisole.
“I like talking with you, Lina. You’re very mature.” She felt that tinge of annoyance. Why were the Bouchet men so hung up on her age anyway?
“You sound surprised. You know, I’m pretty independent. I don’t have a curfew. I cook my own meals, own a restaurant, and pay my own rent, too. Pretty impressive, huh?” she asked with attitude and began to lift upward, but Jacque pressed his palm flatter against her belly, keeping her in place.
“I know you own your own restaurant. I’m quite impressed with your independence.” He moved his body up a little more as his fingers grazed along her blouse and cami. He pushed it up, revealing more of her skin and her belly ring.
Angelina [Orchidea: Love on the Bayou 5] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 5