And I tried real hard not to think about him, but it took a day just to get the sting out of my ass. I never had a man spank me before, but I gotta say, I liked the display of dominance, and it felt oddly intimate. Jax stirred something new and exciting inside of me. I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted to feel his firm hands all over my body, igniting my flesh with his vigorous control. I’d never admit it, but I didn’t want him to stop hitting my ass. In fact, I wanted him to do it harder.
I imagined it last night in bed, the roughness of his hands taking my body with that same possessiveness. Like when I watched him fight, I want that savage part of him unleashed on me. My hand had wandered between my legs last night. I needed release, but I didn’t take it. And it wasn’t because he told me not to, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I held back because the next time I come, it will be with Jax Declan. I just don’t know how long I can hold out, and I hate waiting around for him to call. It’s so not me to wait on any guy.
“Rayna,” I say after taking a sip of my wine. Damn, I’m getting shitfaced. “Have you seen Slate yet?”
“No,” she holds her glass close to her chest, “but I’m not looking for him. So if I do see him then so be it.”
“But you’re supposed to break that Declan brother.” Lurlene sets the bottle on the table and sits down.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it done. I’ll break his heart. Slate Declan will take one look at me, realize what he’s lost, and instant heartbreak. Breaking my Declan brother, easy peasy. What about you?” Rayan looks up at Lurlene.
“I’m on task.” Lurlene grins. “I met the philandering Zeke Declan.”
“I thought I saw you talking to him at the bar.” Rayna waves a finger at her.
“I was, but I’m taking my time. I like to study my subjects so I can determine the best curriculum. But that Zeke Declan, he’s a real smooth one.”
“I got faith in ya,” I say, sipping on my wine.
Lurlene’s eyebrow lifts. “And what about you, any progress, yet? Has Jax called?”
“No.” I take another sip of the wine, getting that queasy feeling in my belly from the alcohol, the kind that a few aspirin in the morning can’t fix.
“Well, that’s it,” Rayna slaps her hands together. “Let’s go.” She stands up and places a hand on the table to stop from falling.
“Where to,” I ask, knowing deep in my woozy gut that I shouldn’t be asking.
“Off to find Jax Declan,” she points straight ahead, “to get you laid,” her finger shifts to me. “Tonight one of us is going to break a Declan brother, and tag, bitch, you’re it.”
“No way.” I shake my head, but the alcohol coaxes my hormones to go against my momentarily lost sober judgment.
“Oh, come on, now. You want him, Emmie. You’ve always wanted him.” Rayna leans down in front of me, body swaying with her finger still wavering at me. “Now, get your ass up and go get him.” She stands up. “And you’re driving, Mom.” She points at Lurlene. “I counted, too. And you only had two glasses of wine.”
“I’ve never driven a golf cart before,” Lurlene says.
“Yeah, and you’ve never fucked a guy before, but you’re taking on the best fuck in the Bayou. I got confidence in ya. Come on.” Rayna grabs my arm and pulls me up from the chair. “Come on,” she giggles, tugging me, “you know you wanna do this.”
Ten minutes later, and one near spillover of the golf cart when Lurlene hit a boulder, we make it to JZS’s. Rayna comes stumbling back out of the bar, out of breath, and wavering. “Melody says there’s an apartment in the back, and they all live there.” She gets in the cart. “Lurlene, to the back of the building.” She gestures with a wave of her hand.
“I don’t know about this.” I squeeze my hands together.
“Don’t start second-guessing yourself now.” Rayna grabs the bar on the cart as Lurlene spins off.
Unlike the front with all the lights and cars, it’s quiet and dark. Only a light shines above the front door, a beacon to my bravery. It’s daring me to go get what I want. The golf cart comes to a halt and my palms moisten. I wipe them off on my jeans, thinking some of the alcohol might be seeping out of me. I’m nervous about showing up unannounced at Jax’s place.
“Now,” Rayna turns to me, “when you get in there, you give my girl a kiss for me.”
“Your girl?” Lurlene’s face scrunches up.
“Lady,” Rayna glances at her, “my dog. I had to leave her with Slate when I moved.”