Page 16 of Tempting Bad

  I nodded. “I’m fully aware that you’re a spoiled brat. I thought this might be a nice change of pace for you. I have money, Bambi, my bar does very well.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “Spoiled brat?”

  “I call it like I see it.” I lay on the bed and placed my arms behind my head. She was an entertaining show to watch.

  “I wanted that bed.”

  I smiled, showing my teeth. “And you just proved my point.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine. We’ll just have to share it.” She plopped down and lay beside me, both of us staring at the ceiling.

  “You don’t snore do you?”

  I laughed. “Not that I know of.” I made sure to pack extra-strength sleeping pills. Most of the time they worked and I didn’t have nightmares. I silently prayed that this was the case for this trip.

  “Are you a bed hog?”

  “Nope, but I do sleep naked.”

  “Then we have that in common.”

  I grinned.

  “I don’t like to cuddle either. It makes me hot.”

  “It’s a good thing I hadn’t planned on touching you.”

  She peeked up at me. “At all?”

  “I’m touching you right now,” he answered.

  “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

  The whole trip was nothing like how I imagined it would go, from the coach seats, to the cab ride, to the smallest room known to man.

  “What did you have in mind?” he suggested.

  I could do one of three things in this scenario.

  One… I could seduce him and I knew I’d win.

  Two… I could say the magic word and it would be go time.

  Or.

  Three… I could kiss him.

  What I did, surprised me more than anything. I got off the bed.

  I didn’t want it to be forced or planned.

  I didn’t want to pretend.

  I didn’t want to put on a show.

  I didn’t want to be a VIP.

  Not with him…

  What the fuck is wrong with me?

  I knew he was just as caught off guard as I was, but he was too much of a nice guy to call me out on it.

  “Are you ready? I think you should change.”

  I looked down at my outfit. I was wearing a black pencil skirt with a red crop top and red soles. “What’s wrong with my outfit?”

  “Absolutely nothing, you look fucking gorgeous. I’m just saying maybe you would like to wear something more comfortable.”

  “This is comfortable. This is what I wear,” I clarified.

  He put his hands up in the air in a surrendering gesture. “By all means.”

  We walked for hours and talked about nothing in particular. He told me about his family and his sisters. He had several nieces and nephews and every time he mentioned one of them, his face would light up. It was endearing to watch. He talked about his mom and how she was his best friend. It was probably one of the sweetest things that I had ever heard before.

  When it came to talking about Ethan, he didn’t just light up, he glowed. You could see it from a mile away. I had never seen anything like it before. His mannerisms, his gestures, and even his smiles were like witnessing something exclusive and extraordinary for the first time.

  It was then that I realized I hadn’t had a real conversation with somebody in such a long time. I couldn’t remember the last time I really talked to someone, the way he talked to me. It was like he wanted me to know everything about him, like he wanted to share his life with me and I didn’t understand why.

  I had been with hundreds, maybe thousands of people and we always talked. Madam was adamant about us being treated like treasured jewels before any sexual thing would happen. We were always taken out to dinner or to a show, a party, it didn’t matter. Something had to happen before the exchange of money could occur. It was her way of having us feel like more than just a VIP.

  At times I felt like I was the only girl in the world. I loved that feeling. But talking to Devon and truly getting to know another human being, made me realize that I hadn’t had real conversation with someone in ten years. I lived a life of pleasure where all I had to do was say the word and it was mine. Handed to me on silver platter with a bright red bow.

  I watched the way his lips moved.

  I watched the way he smiled.

  I watched the way he opened every door for me.

  And I especially watched the way he looked at me, pulling the hair away from my face. No one had ever done that.

  I wanted to engrain it in my memory. To take a piece of him home with me. The way he affected my mind and my heart was petrifying, but it was so real.

  The emotion…

  I could touch it.

  I could feel it.

  I could taste it.

  It was all around me and I wanted to bask in it. I wanted to savor it like it was the last thing I would ever do. I always thought of myself as a free spirit and in that moment I had never felt so free.

  I knew it was only a matter of time until he started asking questions about me; about my life. A huge, huge part of me wanted to tell him.

  But I didn’t.

  I changed the subject, exactly how I always did.

  “I’m hungry,” I stated, objecting once again to the endless questions about who I was and where I came from.

  I could tell by the look on his face that he was disappointed, but didn’t stress it. We walked past a food stand on the side of the road, and he nodded toward it.

  “Alright, Mr., I have done everything you wanted to do. But I am not eating food off a truck.”

  He laughed. “Oh, come on, live a little.”

  “Do you have any idea how much I would have to work out to kill all those calories? And I didn’t bring my running shoes.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “Please tell me you’re joking? You can’t weigh more than 105, maybe 110 wet.”

  “I’m not going to tell you how much I weigh, Devon, and I’m also not going to eat that. Let’s go down to Bourbon Street and have a nice dinner.”

  “No.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. You’re going to eat a hamburger with extra cheese and all of the condiments. We’re going to order the greasiest fries and maybe even a chocolate milkshake. And you’re going to fucking love it,” he added in a serious tone.

  I shrugged, shaking my head no. “I’m not eating that.”

  “You asked for it.”

  “Wha—”

  He leaned forward, picked me up by my waist like I was a ragdoll and threw me over his shoulder. My ass was right in his face and he held the back of my knees to keep me locked in place.

  “What are you doing? Put me down!” I shouted, pressing my hands on his back to look up.

  He turned to the food cart and I spun around. “We’re going to take two burgers with extra cheese and all the condiments, and I’m going to need some of your greasiest fries,” he emphasized. “If you need to make another batch to make them extra greasy, please feel free, we can wait. And I’ll also take that extra large chocolate shake with two straws.” He turned again so I could see the guys face laughing behind the counter. “This little girl is watching her calories,” he added, smacking my ass before turning back around to face him.

  “This is ridiculous, put me down.”

  “Are you going to eat?”

  “No!”

  “Okay… we’ll be right back,” he said to the guy and started speed walking as I held on for dear life.

  “Devon, where are we going? This isn’t funny! Put me down!”

  “Are you going to eat?”

  “No!” I repeated, yelling. I pushed up higher on his back to look around him and he was jogging toward a lake.

  “What are you doing?” I nervously asked, already knowing the answer.

  “We’re going in the lake,” he simply stated.

  “Are you insane? You’re going to get us arr

ested.”

  “Are you going to eat?”

  “No!” I shouted louder.

  “Okay…” He walked faster; he was being serious.

  “Oh my God! I am wearing a twelve thousand dollar outfit and six thousand dollar shoes and my clutch cost almost six grand! I will kill you! Put. Me. Down.”

  “Are you going to eat?”

  “I’m NOT fucking eating that food!”

  And the bastard did it; he walked into the lake with his sandals and all. I climbed up his torso like a cat terrified of water. He gripped onto my waist and I held on tighter, knowing it didn’t matter because he was stronger than me.

  “Here’s your last chance… I won’t ask again. Are. You. Going. To. Eat?” he asked, highlighting every word.

  I screamed out in frustration.

  “Is that a yes? Three… two…”

  “YES! YES! I will eat the fucking food.”

  I didn’t have to see his face to know that he was smiling.

  Asshole.

  He walked back to the stand not putting me down, paid for our food and walked back toward the lake. Then he sat me down onto the ground and I prayed I wouldn’t get grass stains. He sat next to me and I wouldn’t look at him. He handed me my burger and took a bite of his, while placing the fries and shake in between us.

  I could see the grease dripping off all the food.

  “Eat or you’re going in the lake.”

  I sighed, rolled my eyes and reluctantly took a bite of my burger. I took a few bites and moaned.

  He grinned.

  “I haven’t had a burger in years.”

  “No shit.”

  I took another bite, barely finishing my first one.

  “Eat some fries.”

  I didn’t have to be told twice. I ate everything and drank half the milk shake. I was so full; I lay on the grass and didn’t even care about my clothes.

  He followed suit. “See that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  I laughed. “I can’t believe I ate all of that, my trainer is going to kill me.”

  He chuckled and we laid there in silence, watching the sunset over the lake.

  He reached over and grabbed my hand.

  And I let him.

  We got back to the hotel room fairly late. We spent the next few hours just enjoying each other’s company. We rode the carriage ride for I don’t know how long, but it took us everywhere. We had both been to the city before, but it was different this time around and I knew I wasn’t just speaking for myself.

  I took a shower first, since she said it would take her longer. I didn’t object… I grew up with all women, I was fully aware of how long it took for them to get ready; especially when it came to bathroom time. I put on a pair of gym shorts with no shirt and lay on the bed channel surfing. I heard the bathroom door unlock and Brooke came out in the smallest towel I had ever seen, with her wet blonde hair cascading all around her face.

  I tried not to gawk, but fuck me… I couldn’t help it.

  “I forgot to grab my nightie,” she said, grinning at me.

  Liar.

  “I thought you slept naked?” I challenged.

  “I thought you did, too,” she mimicked, walking over to her luggage that was on top of the other queen-sized bed. She opened it and pulled out a silk cream nightie, which I just knew would be see-through.

  She peeked over her shoulder at me. “Do you mind closing your eyes while I change? The bathroom is really small and hot, I don’t want to pass out in there.”

  I laughed. “Close my eyes? Really?”

  She smiled. “I mean, you’re a nice guy.”

  I shook my head and closed my eyes, trying to control my hyper-extended friend, my cock. Who always had a mind of his own.

  “You can open.”

  I did. She was drying off her hair looking at me, and just as I predicted, her nightie was completely fucking see-through. I don’t even know why she bothered putting anything on. And just like that… my dick came alive and waved hello.

  She giggled and it was the sweetest sound I had ever heard.

  “You’re not such a nice guy after all, are you?”

  “He has a mind of his own.”

  “It’s quite an impressive mind.” She wiggled her eyebrows, throwing her towel on the other bed. “Scoot over.”

  I did and she lay right beside me with the sides of our bodies touching.

  “Oh! I love Family Guy.”

  I may have just fallen in love with her.

  We watched Family Guy for the next hour and laughed our asses off. I had never met another woman who loved this politically incorrect show as much as I did. My sisters couldn’t stand it.

  I looked over and her eyes were closing, so I shut off the TV.

  “Why did you do that?” she groggily asked.

  “You’re falling asleep.”

  “No I’m not.”

  “Your eyes beg to differ.”

  “Mmmm…”

  After lying there for a while my eyes started getting heavy.

  “Devon…” she whispered.

  “Yeah.”

  “I had the best time today. I don’t remember the last time I had as much fun, as I did today.”

  I smiled. “I had a lot of fun, too.”

  She was quiet again and I thought she had fallen asleep.

  “Devon…”

  “Hmmm…”

  “Thanks for being such a nice guy.”

  Before I could question what I was doing, I turned with her back still to me and pulled her close to me.

  And she let me.

  We slept like that all night.

  It wasn’t until the morning that I realized I had forgotten to take my sleeping pills.

  I slept through the entire night without a nightmare.

  That hadn’t happened in years.

  I woke up alone.

  “Devon?” I called out to no avail. I grabbed my cell phone off the nightstand and it read nine thirty. “Where did he go?” I asked aloud just as the door was opening.

  “Good morning,” he announced. He was holding two bags in one hand, and a tray with two coffees in the other. He also had a bag of food under his arm.

  “Morning,” I replied.

  “I didn’t know how you take your coffee, but there’s cream and sugar in the bag. I hope beignets are all right for breakfast.”

  “Oh… so now I get to decide what I’m eating?” I teased.

  “I thought I would be a nice guy and make you feel like you had an option.” He placed the bag of food on the bed and handed me my coffee.

  I opened the bag for the cream and Splenda. I took a bite of the beignet and he wiped the sugary flour off my lips with his thumb. It made my heart race. “What’s in the other bags?” I questioned, nodding toward them and trying to ignore how the simple gesture made me feel.

  “A surprise.”

  “Oh, God…”

  “That’s how you react to surprises? I thought girls loved being surprised.”

  “Not this girl. Let me see,” I said, grabbing for the bag.

  “Patience isn’t one of your virtues, is it?”

  “Hardly.” I pulled out a pair of shorts and a tank top from one bag and white and pink Nike sneakers from the other. I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “What?” he asked with his hands up in the air. “They’re designer.”

  I sighed, there was no point arguing with him. “Whatever.”

  “Oh, come on, they’re pink and white. The whole outfit matches, I made sure to tell the saleswoman that it needed to match.”

  “How did you know my sizes?”

  “Your luggage.”

  “Ah… you really are a detective, aren’t you?”

  He smiled. “Only on Saturdays.”

  I took a quick shower and so did he and we made our way down to Bourbon Street. I would never admit this to him, but part of me knew I didn’t have to. He already knew and that’s more than likely why he bought the clothe

s and shoes. They were extremely comfortable and my feet needed a break from walking around everywhere in my heels.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I didn’t dress like I had somewhere important to go or someone to impress. If Madam saw me right now… she would shit herself.

  He shoved my shoulder with his. “Whatcha thinking about over there?”

  “Not much.”

  “I find that hard to believe. When you’re deep in thought, you bite at your cheek.”

  “No I don’t.”

  Do I?

  “Okay, I made that up,” he sarcastically responded.

  We spent the day dicking around and looking at several different historical sites. We were coming up to one of those fortuneteller places. “Let’s go inside.”

  His face frowned. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

  “Oh, come on, live a little,” I mocked his same words back at him.

  He reluctantly nodded. “Lead the way.”

  The door chimed when we walked inside and the place looked like it had been there for hundreds of years. There were rocks, crystals, bottles, and rows and rows of things I couldn’t even describe.

  “Welcome,” a voice said from behind us, making us both turn.

  “Hello,” I greeted.

  “What brings you in today?”

  “Oh… we’re just messing around,” I answered.

  “Would you like to have your fortune read?”

  “Ummm… sure, why not.”

  What’s the worst that could happen?

  “Follow me.”

  We did, she led us to a back room that had beads hanging from the trim, as a door. There was a table with a red tablecloth and two chairs on one side and one on the other.

  “Please have a seat.”

  We all took our seats.

  “Who’s first?”

  “Me,” I said.

  “Are you guys married?”

  I laughed. “No.”

  “Lovers?”

  “Just friends,” Devon replied and it hurt my feelings to have him refer to me as his friend. It was absurd that I would feel that way, but there it was. When I looked up at the fortuneteller, she knew it. It was the strangest thing that had ever happened to me.

  “Could I see your palm?”

  I had a bad feeling about this. I didn’t want to be fucking around with shit I didn’t understand. Brooke placed her hand on the table and the fortuneteller traced the lines on her palm with her index finger.