“We’re going out tonight, baby doll, and having fun, whether you like it or not,” I mutter, striding to our room.
“Go away,” she says as soon I walk inside.
“Get dressed.”
She tips up her chin. “I am dressed.”
“Not to go out, and I want to take you out.”
“June won’t be happy.”
I grunt. “Like I give a damn.”
“Fine.” Bliss crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at me behind her sexy glasses. “I’ll go out with you, and then you can check it off your box of things to do with Bliss before—” She smashes her lips together.
“Before what?”
“It doesn’t matter,” she says, marching to the closet.
About three minutes later, she leaves the closet and heads to the bathroom, wearing the shortest skirt I’ve ever seen on her. It barely covers her ass, not that I’m opposed to outfits like that and I had bought it for her, but I’ve kind of gotten used to being the only one to see my wife’s assets.
While she’s doing whatever it is women do, I change my clothes and wait for her by the door.
“I’m ready.”
“Damn, baby doll.” I walk up to her, taking in the heavy makeup on her eyes, the hair curling down her back, and the shoes—heels that I’d picked out for her. They make her legs seem miles long. There’s nothing I’d rather do than press her against the wall and wrap those legs around me. “You’re missing one thing.”
Black lashes flutter, green eyes, so seductive that I almost forget what I was about to do, gaze at me. “What’s that?”
I walk to the dresser, pluck her glasses from the top, and gesture for her to come closer. “Let’s put these on.”
“They don’t go with my outfit,” she protests, but she comes to me anyway.
“It’s dark in the club, and you won’t be able to see without them.” I slide them in place. “Much better.”
“But now I look like me,” she whispers.
“I know.” Taking her hand in mine, I tug lightly. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Bliss
The bar is crowded when we walk in, full of sweaty bodies and music.
Jackson leads me to a high table and sits down with me, motioning for the waitress. She brings him a beer and looks at me.
“Water.”
Jackson smiles. “If you want something a little stronger, like a soda, I don’t mind.”
I know he’s trying to be funny, but I’m not in the mood. My outfit is too short, too tight, and my shoes are killing me. I have so much mascara on my lashes that they actually feel heavy, and I’m afraid that by the end of the night I’ll look like a raccoon.
“When does June’s band perform?”
“No idea.” He shrugs, taking a pull of his beer. “Right now, I’m just going to enjoy being incognito with my sexy date.”
The waitress brings my water. She turns to Jackson and hands him a handful of pieces of paper. “From the women at the end of the bar. They’re your biggest fans.”
He dumps the papers on the table. “Please send them a round of drinks and tell them that they’re from my wife and me.”
The waitress twists her lips, and then nods. “Good call.”
“When does Downward Spiral play?” he asks.
“They’re up next.” She plunges into the crowd.
A familiar blonde slams into our table. “There you are. Thank God.”
“Where’s the fire?” Jackson set his beer down and grins. “June, I want to introduce you to my wife.”
“Nice to meet you,” she says without looking at me. For all intents and purposes, I don’t exist. She wedges herself between my chair and Jackson’s. “Our lead guitarist came down with the flu or something. Can you play?”
“With the band?”
Jackson looks so excited, like a little boy finally getting told yes after years of no. Which sounds stupid if I really think about it.
He turns to me. “Would you mind?
And I’m thinking it’s time to let him go. “Have fun.”
“Great.” June grabs Jackson’s arm, and they head backstage. I sit there, sipping my water and becoming more invisible by the second. It doesn’t matter if any other guy looks at me, or thinks I’m attractive, because they’re not Jackson.
“Is this seat taken?”
“Yes—Cameron!” I jump off the chair to give him a hug. “Sit down.”
Letting go of me, he takes a step back and smiles, his familiar brown eyes kind. “Where’s your old man?”
“Aren’t you older than he is?”