Be My Baby

by ANDREA SMITH

  We were sipping our first round when a couple of girls came up to Danny. They were both probably in their late twenties. They were made up to look like 'club girls' as Gina had often referred to those ladies that frequented the clubs on a regular basis 'trolling for meat' as she so eloquently had put it.

  "Danny," the taller blond girl whined, immediately running her fingers through his hair and leaning into him.

  "Why haven't you called me in a couple of weeks, babe?"

  "Sorry Leanne," he said, "I've been really busy."

  "Oh, I guess I can see that," she retorted giving me the once over still clinging to him.

  "No," he explained, "Busy at work. This is my friend Tylar. She works with me at the stables."

  I was so glad that he hadn't gone into detail about me being the daughter of the owner.

  "Haven't seen you around before," she commented continuing to look me up and down. "Are you from around here?"

  "No," I replied, "I'm from Atlanta most recently."

  "Uh huh," she replied unimpressed.

  "It's nice to meet you Leanne," I said offering her my hand.

  "Yeah you too Tylar," she replied shaking my hand.

  "This is my friend Georgia."

  I turned my attention to Georgia who was really cuter than Leanne. She seemed a bit more refined even though she was made up every bit as much as Leanne.

  "Hi Georgia," I said smiling, shaking her hand.

  "Hi Tylar," she replied, "I hope you like it here in Baton Rouge. I'm originally from Augusta, Georgia. I knew that it takes some getting used to."

  "Thanks," I replied, smiling. "I actually spent most of my life living around Louisville, Kentucky."

  "Really?" she asked her eyes widening. "That's where my sister lives. She's married and her husband was transferred there with GE. I visit there occasionally. It's a great city."

  "Well listen to you two," Leanne commented, "It's like your BFF's already. Danny let's dance and let these two catch up?"

  Leanne grabbed Danny's arm and they were off to the dance floor. Kelly sat down on the bar stool that Danny had just vacated. She acted embarrassed by her friend Leanne's behavior.

  "Do you want a drink Georgia? I'm buying," I offered. I could see that she was forever in the shadow of her friend Leanne. I couldn't figure out why.

  "Ok thanks, I'd like an 'Adios Mother Fucker."

  "Really?" I asked amused.

  "Yeah," she laughed, "It's actually cheaper for me. All I need is two of those and I'm good to go."

  Georgia was fun to talk to. It appeared that Leanne was going to dominate Danny for the evening.

  We were each on our second drink when a third drink was placed in front of us. The bartender indicated it was from the two guys at the end of the bar. Both of us looked down and saw the two of them smiling and waving at us. They were both darling. Georgia looked over at me.

  "Should we invite them to come and sit with us?"

  "Oh Georgia," I replied, "That is totally up to you but I have to tell you that I am not on the market."

  "You're not," she asked her brow furrowed in confusion. "But if you're not with Danny, I mean -"

  "Look," I said, "It is really complicated. I’m married with a baby girl. My husband and I are separated after I caught him making out with one of his colleagues."

  "No," she said horrified, "Really?"

  "I'm afraid so. I'm staying with my dad down here. My baby girl is with me. I lost my other baby when I was seven months along. I'm just trying to heal."

  "I totally sympathize with your situation Tylar," she said sincerely. "We'll just ignore these guys."

  "No, no," I said, "Look invite them over. I can hold my own. Just because I have issues is no reason for an opportunity to slip by you."

  "Really?" she asked.

  "Yes really," I replied.

  Georgia smiled over at the two guys and waved them over. There weren't any empty bar stools but they seemed satisfied standing behind us. They must have discussed who wanted who when they ordered the drinks for us because each of them took their place behind our bar stools.

  I took another drink of my drink and that old quote from a classic rock song reverberated in my head. Something about when you can't be with the one that you love then love the one you're with. I was game.

  The guys introduced themselves as Leonard and Vincent. It appeared that Vincent was mine. He was tall with a semi-muscular build. As it turned out, he was a junior at LSU and was a starter on their football team.

  (Oh My God - a college jock!)

  "How old are you Vincent?" I asked.

  "I will be twenty-two next April," he answered.

  (Hmm . . . younger than me. Did that make me officially a 'cougar' where Vincent was concerned?) . As it turned out, his friend Leonard worked at LSU and was twenty-five. Just two years younger than Georgia. I guess we were both 'cougars' tonight.

  We sipped our drinks totally engaged in our conversations with these two LSU guys. Even though I was not a native of Baton Rouge, I knew about the LSU Tigers. Trey watched college and pro football so I was familiar with the league. They were quite beloved, not just in Baton Rouge, but in the far south as well.

  "What position do you play?" I asked him.

  "I'm a defensive back," he replied.

  I wasn't quite sure what that involved so I faked it.

  "Really? That is so awesome," I replied. "I mean you put yourself right out there with all of the risk of that opposing offense."

  "Yeah. You get that don't you?" he said beaming.

  "We're playing 'Bama at home next weekend. I would love it if you were there. I can get tickets for you and your friend here," he offered, "I mean if you would like to see a live game."

  "Oh my God, I would love it," I squealed delighted.

  (Where the hell was all of this coming from? I didn't know squat about football. My expertise with the game was seeing it on the flat screen while walking past the living room while Trey was watching it. Or occasionally in the bedroom after sex and before I drifted off to sleep. That was it.)

  "But I'd have to check with Georgia," I lied, "I'm not sure whether she works her normal shift next weekend."

  "Well let me know Tylar," he said smiling at me. "I'd love for you to be there cheering me on in the stands."

  The guys bought us a couple of more drinks and then we were out on the dance floor having a blast. We finally took a break to go to the 'ladies' room.

  "Oh my God," Georgia giggled, "I am having such a good time!"

  "I am too," I laughed. "My guy is a football jock for LSU."

  "No shit," she said very impressed.

  "My guy is the athletic director for male sports at LSU. How fucking awesome is that?"

  "He is?" I asked, "That is totally awesome."

  We were giggling like a couple of teenagers in high school.

  "So," I said, putting fresh lipstick on and brushing my hair out, "What are the plans for you and Leonard this evening?"

  "What?" she asked looking over at me. "I don't really do that kind of thing. That's more along Leanne's line. It's not me. But hey, I don't judge. If you and Vincent want to slip out to get cozy that's fine."

  I was horrified with myself. Why had I presumed that Georgia was some easy lay when I knew in fact that I wasn't and she seemed so very much like me? I had offended her I could tell.

  "Hey Georgia, I'm a little drunk and quite frankly, out of my element with the whole singles world because I never really experienced it. I am sorry if I offended you. I wasn't trying to make it sound like you are easy. You see, I don't have a point of reference on any of this. I'm totally out of my comfort zone. All I know is that I am having fun but I am not about to get physical with Vincent."

  "Well me either with Leonard. We'll just stick together then."

  "Sounds like a plan to me," I giggled.

  We went back out and found Danny and Leanne at the bar where our new 'guys' were still standing waiting for
us.

  "There they are," Leonard announced as we got closer.

  Just then the band started back up with their last set of the evening.

  (Holy Shit! What time was it? I found the clock on the wall and saw that it was 12:30. The bar closed at 1:00 AM.)

  The song they started was one very familiar to me. It was the same song that the band had done at the club the night of my 21st birthday. It was the one my OMD called, 'If You Leave.' It totally reminded me of Trey.

  "Come on," Vincent said, taking my hand, "I want to dance with the prettiest girl in this club tonight."

  He led me onto the dance floor and we danced to the song. I was surprised at how agile he was on the dance floor. He was a football player but yet he was graceful on the dance floor. I had read somewhere that some football players actually took ballet and jazz dance lessons so that they could be very agile and flexible at their sport.

  I melted into his strong arms feeling safe and secure with my football player. He had been the perfect southern gentleman all evening. I hadn't shared my life story with him even though he had asked me about my life and interests. We were less than a year apart in age but yet I felt like I had lived far beyond his years. He was studying law at LSU - how totally bizarre was that?

  The song finished and I looked for Georgia. She was over at the bar writing her number down for Leonard. I walked over to where she was; Vincent had his hand on the small of my back as we returned to the bar.

  I looked around for Danny. He was nowhere to be found. Neither was Leanne.

  "Where's Danny?" I asked Georgia.

  "Oh he and Leanne just left."

  "Well that's just freaking great," I said. "How in the hell am I supposed to get home?"

  "I know," she said. "Leanne told me to take her car to get myself home and then forgot to give me her keys. Leonard is giving me a ride home. I'm sure that he will drop you as well, Tylar."

  "There is no problem here," Vincent said, taking my arm. "I will see that Tylar gets home safe and sound."

  Georgia looked at me concerned. She wanted to make sure that I was good with that. I was furious with Danny. He was going to get the better part of my wrath when I saw his sorry ass next. I supposed that it made no difference whether Leonard took me home or Vincent.

  "Vincent if you are sure that it is no trouble. It's not that far from here."

  "It's no problem Tylar," he answered sweetly, helping me on with my jacket. "I would be happy to see you home."

  He grabbed his LSU jacket shrugging it on. He placed his hand on my elbow and guided me through the still crowded club.

  "My car is right over there," he nodded. He drove a newer model Jeep.

  Vincent opened the passenger side door helping me up into his jeep. I wanted to kick myself in the ass for ending up in this situation. I truly hoped that I didn't end up in a ditch somewhere along the way home with my throat slit. I should have phoned my dad to send a car but I was afraid that would seem too pretentious. What the hell would he think any way when he drove up the drive to my father's estate to drop me off? That had pretentious written all over it.

  I just wanted to be an anonymous chick right now. I didn't want to be anyone's daughter; I didn't want to be anyone's wife. I simply wanted to be Tylar Sinclair of Baton Rouge.

  I gave him directions to the house along the winding county roads. He asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I worked with horses, which was true. He seemed fascinated by it, asking me questions about dressage and the thoroughbreds I had mentioned.

  He let out a low whistle when we pulled up into the long curving driveway of my father's estate.

  "Wow," he said, "Very impressive."

  "The bunkhouse for the hands is around back I directed him."

  (Still not a lie!)

  He pulled up in the parking area next to the stables as I instructed.

  "Thanks for the lift home Vincent," I said cordially. "It was really nice meeting you."

  "Tylar," he said hesitantly, "I don't want to be too forward but would it be okay for me to give you a call sometime? I really enjoyed this evening."

  "Oh Vincent," I replied, "I had a great time too. My life is a little complicated right now. It's hard to explain."

  "I understand," he sighed. "Can't blame a guy for trying I guess."

  He pulled a pen and a pocket notebook out of his glove box and scribbled something on the paper.

  "Here," he said, "This is my cell number. If you ever want to talk or maybe grab something to eat one evening will you please give me a call? I'd really like to see you again."

  "Sure," I said smiling taking the piece of paper from him and stuffing it into my purse. He opened his door to get out so that he could help me from the jeep. As I turned and jumped out, his arms caught me in an embrace.

  He hugged me gently stroking my hair. He didn't try anything further.

  "Good night Tylar," he said softly. "I'll watch to make sure that you get in alright."

  I turned from him and went inside the stables, climbing the steps to the upstairs loft on the side where Danny's apartment was. I expected Danny would not be back anytime soon since he had gone off with skanky Leanne.

  I sat there for several minutes in order to give Vincent time to drive away. I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the country. It was quiet and pleasant. It gave a person the opportunity to think and to reflect. It was a very healing atmosphere.

  Right now it was Trey that filled my mind. Part of me wanted him in my bed tonight. I wanted him to make love to me as if the past several weeks had not happened. I closed my eyes remembering his touch and his kisses. Then the memory of him kissing Amber was there in crystal clear imagery. His arms wrapped around her; his lips on hers; his tongue in her mouth. His dick getting hard for her.

  I needed to get away from that memory. I jumped up and

  started down the hallway towards the stairs when I heard the door to the stables open.

  (Holy Shit! Did Vincent come back to see if I would succumb to his advances?)

  I quietly seated myself in the corner of the hallway in the loft and curled up as tightly as I could out of sight.

  I buried my head into my knees. I was actually afraid though I didn't know why. I heard footsteps on the wooden staircase.

  (Should I scream and hope for the best? Am I simply too paranoid?)

  The footsteps stopped as whomever it was reached the hallway. I was balled up in the corner as small as I could possibly get.

  "Tylar?"

  (Oh thank God - it was Danny.)

  "Tylar for God's sake are you all right?"

  He was at my side in a second, scooping me up into his strong arms with a look of total panic on his face. This was not the usual impassive and complacent Danny.

  He held me tightly as he kicked open the door to his loft apartment taking me inside. He settled me on his sofa and quickly turned a lamp on so that he could look at me to see why I would have balled myself up in a corner like a frightened animal. How could I possibly explain that to him?

  "Sweetie," he breathed with a sigh of relief, "Did someone hurt you?"

  "Yes," I said my voice quivering; the image of Trey and Amber was still vivid to me, "But not tonight."

  He was gently stroking my hair back off of my face.

  "I don't understand," he said softly. "Are you okay or not?"

  "Not," I replied, the tears flooding out of my eyes.

  He pulled me onto his lap smoothing my hair back and talking to me gently. He was trying to figure out what had happened. He asked me whose ass he needed to kick. There was no way that I could explain what had happened to me or how I was feeling. I didn't understand it myself.

  "Why did you leave me there without a ride home?"

  "I just gave Leanne a ride home. I went back to the bar but you were gone."

  "I thought you left with Leanne."

  "Leanne and I are not together Tylar. She asked for a ride home because she was too drunk. I dropped
her off, went back by the bar and didn't see you so I came home," he replied softly, brushing a soft kiss against my cheek.

  "Do you think for one moment that I would have anything to do with a chick like that?"

  "I don't know how guys think Danny," I answered truthfully. "That is why I'm just so totally clueless."

  "Aww sweetie - you're not clueless. You're a sweet, sweet innocent and it's totally sexy."

  "It is?" I asked in my clueless tone.

  "It is," he said, kissing my lips softly.

  I liked his touch. It was warm and sensitive and dangerous. That was a new feeling to me and I liked it. I raised my face to his and found his lips with mine. We kissed warmly and passionately. It was different than with Trey but not at all un-pleasurable. On the contrary, it was new territory for me.

  Danny pulled me to him and our kiss grew in passion and in longing. He lifted me from his couch and carried me into his bedroom. He switched the light switch on that illuminated his bedside lamp. His room was neat and orderly. Everything was clean and in its place.

  (What the fuck am I doing?)

  I said nothing as Danny gently placed me on his bed. His blue eyes were smoldering as he slowly and methodically undressed himself in front of me. He was muscular and sexy. He was wearing only his boxers as he reclined on the bed next to me and gently pulled my sweater up over my head.

  (I need to leave. I totally need to jump up and run like hell out of here!)

  But I didn't leave. I stayed. I let Danny undress me slowly and provocatively. He murmured softly to me how beautiful and sexy I was; he kissed my lips, my neck and lowered his mouth to my breasts suckling them gently, his tongue tracing circular patterns around the nipples.

  (God this felt so good. . .)

  His lips lowered still as his expert hands had managed to remove my jeans. He hooked his thumbs into my silk thong pulling it down and away from me. His lips traced a pattern downward from my navel ring to my sex. He made sweet sensual love to me down there. I shivered with excitement as his tongue expertly worked magic.

  I felt him rise up pulling his boxers off.

  "Danny," I said, my voice husky, "Do you have a condom?"