Mia chews her burger, her gaze scanning the compound. “This party needs some music.”
“There’s an old CD player and discs in the shed.”
Mia hands me her half-eaten burger, then turns as she heads towards the shed over the coarse grass. I watch her hips sashay from side to side. The woman is mine. She has been since that night so long ago. Maybe even a little longer.
“Are those burgers meant to be black?”
I blink as I glance at the burgers and quickly toss the raw side over. “They’re charcoaled. They’ll taste better for it.” I smile as I look at Leon.
Leon chuckles as he keeps his gaze on the shed. Mia is on her way back and waves her findings. “I think I’ll take over the cooking.”
“I don’t know about that. Firebird is on her way over.” TJ chuckles as he joins us. “As I’m the only one who knows how to cook. I’ll take over.”
“I found the music.” Mia’s breath is light as she joins me, and I take the player and discs from her.
“Yeah. you did. Now to set it up.” It’s not long before music fills the air. The quiet game of baseball is still in play. More bikers and club women have joined the impromptu barbeque and I slip my arm around Mia’s waist. “Wanna dance.”
She turns her body into mine and her hand finds mine at her waist. “I thought you never were going to ask.”
The music playing may not be ideal for smooching, but I hold Mia close. Her scent of lilies teases my senses and I know it’ll be a long time before I forget the aroma. Mia doesn’t fight me as she slips her arms around my neck and nuzzles my flesh. The tip of her tongue does crazy things to my skin and I pull her closer. The evidence of my arousal hard to hide, even behind the denim of my jeans.
“Alex.”
“Um.”
“Do you ever wish you could stop time?”
I slip my fingers beneath her top. Her flesh warm to my touch. “Stop it. Maybe.” I glance at the sky. It is clear. “If the sun stays out.”
“We don’t need the sun.”
“No.”
Mia’s head rubs against my neck. The party is well underway. Normally I would stay. Drink. Then find someone to fuck for the night. Tonight, I’m happy to have Mia in my arms and I guide her away from the crowd. There’s a bench by the river and I take her there. Settling her on my knee, passing her one of the beers I pulled out of the water bucket. As she swallows the beer, I watch her throat and my cock twitches. I stroke the flesh of her thigh as she snuggles into me and close my eyes. The air has turned cooler, and the sun is starting to sink. The noise of the party fades and a contented sigh escapes me.
“Are you happy, Alex?”
“I think I’m contented, Mia. I have a good woman on my lap. I’m surround by people who love me and who I love. And I enjoy my life. What about you?”
“I think for tonight, I’m going to dream all is well. That there are no bogeyman hiding in the bayou.”
“I can go with that. Now be the good woman I said you are and kiss me.”
Mia’s lips are sweet when she touches my mouth and as I slip my tongue into the honeyed cavern, I taste the beer she’s just finished.
Chapter 28
Mia: Demon’s Liar compound Noir Valley
Alex’s warmth seeps through me as I watch Demon’s Lair sail down the Mississippi. Its lights bright in the growing darkness. Night after night, I have sailed in her. Never noticing how beautiful she is as she glides through the dark waters of the Mississippi. The bench is far enough away from the party that the roars of the baseball game, which continues in the growing dusk light, doesn’t spoil the silence Alex and I have fallen into and I snuggle deeper into his body. The fingers stroking my thigh leaves my flesh burning and a smile plays on my lips. Alex doesn’t do cuddles. Hell, he’s only just started holding my hand in public. Before that, he would walk beside me. Shit, used to roll out of bed after we had sex. If, if the bed was wider, I’m sure he would roll to the edge to sleep. Now he curls into me, surrounding my back as he holds my hand in his sleep. For the last two nights, I’ve laid awake, contented just to have him hold me.
“You’re quiet. What are you planning?” Alex asked.
The low timber of his voice vibrates against the back of my neck. As cool as the night has turned, heat floods me. “Nothing. I’m simply enjoying this.” I wave my arm into the air.
“You are.” Alex turns his head, and I follow his gaze. The small game of baseball has grown into a rowdy battle of the sexes. Music plays in the background and although TJ has abandoned the barbeque pit, flames still flick and someone brought more burgers and bread rolls, and people are helping themselves. Alex slips his fingers around mine and gives me a nudge. “Let’s go for a walk.”
I smile as I glance around the compound. There’s not much space for a long walk, but I tighten my hold on his as I nod. “Where to?”
“You see those trees over there.” I glance where Alex is pointing to and nod. “There.”
As we slip from the party, no-one notices us disappearing. When we reach the outskirts of the copse, an owl hoots, I jump, Alex sniggers and I glare at him. “Careful, Mia. We don’t want any unnecessary heroics.”
“I am being careful.”
