Angelina [Orchidea: Love on the Bayou 5] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) (6 page)

“What?” they each replied almost at the same time.

Jacque widened his eyes. “That’s what I got pissed off about. Jerry said he would escort her to make her feel safe.”

“Asshole,” Lucifer whispered.

“I then asked her where the band was playing and said I might go. She said she wasn’t certain that she was going and that’s when she asked me if I was like my brothers.”

“She’s angry at us. We’ve been blowing her off for the better part of a year because we couldn’t make the commitment and we weren’t all on board,” Tye said.

“Well, I think we’re all on board now,” Lucifer said.

“I hate to say this, but by her attitude, it may be too late,” Jacque said.

They all looked ready to hit something.

* * * *

“Ellena, it’s not a big deal. I’m going with a bunch of people to listen to a band play,” Angelina said as she prepared to leave Aubert’s to head home to shower and change.

Ellena and Illeanna leaned against the counter. Gustave was standing there waiting to take Illeanna home and Roy was there, ready to drive Ellena back to her house.

“I’m actually surprised that you even want to go out. You’ve been acting funny, and Angelique said you were still having difficulty sleeping at night.”

Angelina grabbed her bag and car keys.

“We’re just worried about you,” Illeanna added.

Angelina felt a bit uncomfortable with Roy and Gustave there listening and now knowing that she was afraid at night.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that.”

“Do what?” Ellena asked.

“Talk about my personal business in front of Roy and Gustave. I know they’re your men and all, but I take care of myself. I’m getting through this situation my way. Elle and Vera think that going out in a crowd will help me.”

“I don’t agree, especially when it comes to those two,” Ellena stated.

Angelina was shocked.

“What? Now suddenly my friends aren’t good enough and maybe they are at fault for what happened to me?” Angelina raised her voice.

“That’s not what your sister is saying.” Roy spoke up and Angelina looked at him.

“Angelina, just be careful and call us anytime if you feel like something is wrong or if you need one of us to come get you. We don’t care what time it is,” Illeanna offered as Roy wrapped his arms around her waist and stared at Angelina. Angelina looked at Gustave and Ellena.

“Be aware of what’s going on around you and stay with your friends,” Gustave said then smiled.

“I will. God, you’re going to be like this until I have a steady boyfriend aren’t you?”

“Don’t go looking for one tonight,” Illeanna teased.

“Don’t worry, I’m not.”

Angelina gave them all hugs good-bye and then headed for home.

* * * *

Angelina got out of the car along with Vera and Elle. Her two friends were decked out in leggings and very revealing tops. Angelina shook her head at them during the car ride over as they expressed wanting to hook up tonight. Angelina was glad she decided to drive. It would mean no alcoholic beverages and a clear head to get through her anxiety about being out like this again.

“Listen, if we meet some hot guys, don’t worry about us. You take off. We’ll get a ride,” Vera said with confidence.

“You’d better watch your ass, Vera, and you, too, Elle. Be smart. Besides, I think your brother Jerry is going to be here,” Angelina told her as she locked her car doors. She was wearing a pair of hip-hugger jeans in a dark teal, a matching two-tone top with a teal camisole, lace along the trim, and a black overlay sheer blouse with beading. Her jewelry was simple, the way she liked it, and she was sporting high-heeled ankle boots.

Elle grabbed Angelina’s arm.

“You look extra hot tonight in those skinny jeans. You have a great ass, Angelina. It must be all those kickboxing classes and solo lessons you take with Jerry. Does he compliment your ass?” Vera teased.

“Vera!” Angelina pushed her away, and they all laughed.

“Face it, Angelina, my brother has had the hots for you for years.”

“This is a completely uncomfortable conversation. There’s nothing going on between us.”

“That’s because you can’t get your mind off of the Bouchet men, even after you threw yourself at one of them and got no reaction.”

“Vera, that’s not nice,” Elle said, and Angelina gave Vera a dirty look. She wondered why she was getting so pissy with her. But that was Vera. The girl was filled with attitude.

They could hear the music playing from outside. Angelina knew it was going to be loud inside, and as they entered, it was jam packed.

“We got some nice prospects here tonight, ladies,” Vera yelled behind her. Elle was in the middle and Angelina behind her as they made their way toward the back.

Elle spotted Jerry. “There’s Jerry and the guys from the gym.”

Angelina saw them, and as they approached, she caught sight of Jacque and Ryder standing by the corner of the bar. Both men looked at her, and Ryder waved. She waved back and turned away as Jacque’s eyes widened, and then he squinted as if he were angry that she was there. Perhaps he asked his brothers about what happened to her at Dominate. She didn’t care anyway as Jerry pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek. She felt the palm of his hand trail along her backside very quickly. Then he kept it on her waist.

“You look gorgeous,” he told her, and she thanked him then said hello to the other guys. They were all staring at her and her friends, checking them out. She felt her chest tighten and a panicky feeling came over her. She followed Vera and Elle to the bar, but they walked closer to a group of guys they all knew from school. The guys waved hello, but Angelina felt on edge as she turned away from them.

She wasn’t sure what came over her, but then the band started playing a loud song.

People pushed forward to move closer and as she stepped back she felt someone take her hand. She turned quickly, prepared to strike, but then heard Jacque’s voice next to her ear and his body close behind her.

“Aren’t you going to say hello?” he asked her. She tilted her head and gave him the once-over. The man was awfully sexy. He wore a pair of dark jeans with a black belt, black boots, and a tight-fitting black shirt that showed off his big muscles and tattoos. He maneuvered her between himself and Ryder.

“Hi, Jacque, Ryder,” she said and Ryder gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Here, take this seat and I’ll stand,” he told her.

“That’s okay. I’m good for now.”

“Can we get you a drink?” Ryder asked and winked at her.

She gave him a look.

“I’ll take a club soda with lemon, wiseass.” He chuckled then ordered her the drink at the bar.

She was very close to Jacque. He seemed to be taking a protective position next to her, or maybe she was just naïve and hopeful. She had that funny sensation in her belly that warned her she was attracted to the man, but who wouldn’t be?

“Not drinking tonight?” he whispered next to her ear.

She turned toward him. “I’m the designated driver.” They both looked toward Elle and Vera who were sipping on some sort of mixed drinks with umbrellas in them.

“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.