Because of Lila(28)

       
        

I glanced back to see Lila Kate studying the place as if she needed to memorize every detail. She was fine, so I turned my attention back to the bartender. She swung her hips as she walked back my way carrying the drinks. "I get off at two," she said as she slid them in front of me.

"I'll remember that," I replied and gave her a fifty. "I don't need change."

She looked over my shoulder. "The girl with you?"

"A friend," I replied.

"Well, your friend may need some help," the bartender told me. Snapping my attention off her nipples I could see through the thin fabric of her shirt, I looked around to find Lila Kate.

Two guys were saddled up beside her doing their pretty boy flirting. She seemed nervous but was smiling and talking to them. When her eyes swung over in my direction, I saw the uncertainty there, and I moved toward her.

This was going to be a long night. Maybe I should have ordered a double.





Lila Kate

"IT'S THE FUCKING clothes," Cruz muttered to me after he handed me my drink then slipped his arm around my waist and moved me away from the two guys who had been trying to convince me to come to some frat party they were having nearby.

"What is?" I asked confused.

"The guys. You dress like that, and you're gonna have guys swarming."

He sounded annoyed. After I had just watched him all but drool over the bartender who might as well have been wearing a bikini. Or heck, topless. I could see through her thin white shirt from where I was and she wasn't wearing a bra. I looked classy compared to her.

"There is nothing wrong with my clothes," I spat back at Cruz. Then took another drink of the delicious concoction he'd gotten me.

"Skirts too short and you're showing off your stomach."

I spun around and glared at him. "That waitress you were ogling is barely clothed. Her bottom is hanging out of her shorts! And you're saying I'm not dressed okay? But you enjoyed seeing her naked boobs through that top that is pointless."

He scowled. "You're not like her."

What the heck? "You are a pig!" I yelled then stormed past him into the street. I needed my distance because I was tempted to toss this red drink in his face.

"Lila!" he called out behind me. I kept stalking off. I had no idea where I was going, but I was going somewhere. "Lila, for Christ sake stop!"

I ignored him.

"You're being dramatic," he said and I thought about that. Maybe I was a touch sensitive. So I slowed down. This street was packed with people, and as exciting as it seemed it probably wasn't safe for me to get lost on. 

"All I am saying is you look . . ." he paused and rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. "You look like fucking Snow White has decided to go naughty. Okay? It's very fucking erotic to see someone who looks like you dressed in something like that. The waitress in there-a guy expects her to dress that way. She looks like a porn star. You look like a Disney Princess dressed up like a porn star, and that is exciting to a man. Don't ask me why. I can't explain it. We are all bastards, okay?"

I studied him letting his words sink in. Then I started to laugh. I couldn't help myself. It wasn't the drink because I'd barely drank any of it. The way he had just described me was hilarious.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked, his face frustrated and confused.

I caught my breath and then laughed some more. He watched me like I had lost my mind. When I could finally breathe enough to form a sentence, I said, "You just called me a Disney Princess porn star."

Cruz kept his frown at first, and then he slowly started to grin. "It was the best example I had."

I took a sip of my drink. "I don't look like Snow White."

"Yeah, Lila, you do. I once wondered if birds dressed you every morning. I was eight at the time, so it made sense back then."

I laughed again. I had to. He was right. The old Lila was very Snow White-like. She was proper, poised, polite. And boring. That was my past though.

"Okay, I agree. I was very Snow White-like but not anymore."

Cruz stopped smiling. "Yeah, I noticed."

"Let's try this again," I suggested. Then pointed at a bar across the street. "Let's try there," I suggested.

"No way in hell," he said as he took my elbow. "I'll pick the place."

"What was wrong with that place?"

"I'm not ready to take you into a topless bar."

Oh. "Okay, yeah. You better pick the place." I agreed.

"How's your drink?"

"Good. Sweet," I told him.

"Yeah. Never tried a hurricane. I don't like sweet," Cruz said then steered me into another bar with open doors and live music. This time it was more Cajun type music. "I need another drink. You're coming with me."