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 like 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.