Live For You (Boys of the South ~ Book 1) Page 13

  I’ve decided to merge Violet Lynn with Violet Rae or just plain Rae.

  Whatever or whoever I am, I still love dressing up, but I also love my short hair. I love my nose piercing. Even if Nashville comes calling again, I’m not too sure I’ll be ditching the things I love.

  And I, for damn, sure won’t be ditching the people I love.

  I make my way to the living room where Cole is waiting. When I arrive his profile is to me and I inwardly sigh at the sight.

  He’s wearing a plaid shirt that stretches just right across his broad shoulders and a pair of dark jeans that hang low on his hips. There are leather wraps on each wrist and his ear gauges are a size larger than usual.

  I’m positive I’ll spontaneously combust when he actually turns and gives me the full frontal.

  “Ready?”

  He turns and my knees go weak. “Oh yeah,” he says, his low voice washing over me. Heat burns though me. Brows raised, his dark eyes slowly roam my body, giving me not a once, not a twice but a four times over. “I’m so kicking someone’s ass tonight.”

  I sashay over to the table in the hallway and bend over to pick up my purse, flashing him in the process. “I thought you were a bartender?”

  “No. Not just no, but hell no, Rae.” His heavy steps make the hardwood floors creak. “Go put on some panties.”

  Turning to face him, I sweetly say, “I will if you will.” Earlier in the evening I’d sneaked a peak at him getting dressed. He’s all commando tonight.

  His full lips thin, then his gaze drops to my chest. “You are wearing a bra, aren’t you?”

  I smile in answer.

  “Rae, please don’t tell me you’re not wearing a bra.”

  “Okay.” I dab a bit of lipstick on my bottom lip and snap my purse closed. “I won’t tell you.”

  “Violet Rae Givens.” He actually growls my entire name.

  Tapping my wrist, I say, “Tick tock, Mr. Bartender. Can’t be late for helping people getting their drink on.”

  ***

  When we get to The Double Deuce, Cole takes me in through the back. We go down a long hallway, passing a kitchen, some dressing rooms, a couple of bathrooms and an office.

  He steers me to the end of the bar, the one closest to the wall and the cash register. “Sit right here, where you belong…with your high heels on,” he sings to me.

  The musicality of his voice throws me. So does his song choice. “Lady Gaga?” I ask, wondering if he’d somehow sneaked a few shots as soon as we got here.

  “It’s on the jukebox.” He braces his hands on either side of me, forcing my legs wide so he can get right in the middle. Cold air rushes up my skirt. “Dammit, Rae. I thought you actually put some on.”

  I bat my lashes at him. “I promise to sit very lady-like the entire night.”

  “You’d better,” he mutters, then leans closer. “Anyone gives you shit, you yell for me. Not a lady-like yell either. A rebel yell that’ll bring down the roof.”

  I tilt my head to one side. “What kind of place have you brought me to, Mr. Morgan?”

  “I’m serious, Rae.”

  “I know you are.” I kiss him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  “What can I get you to drink?” he asks.

  “Well, since I’m not twenty-one, I’ll go with a plain ole coke.” I’m also not in a place where they’d serve me, no matter my age, because of who and what I am.

  “Good call, because I’d hate to kick that sweet ass of yours out for trying to get me in trouble.” He’s not joking.

  I blink at him. “You’d really kick me out?”

  He rolls his shoulders. “Look, if I serve underage customers, the bar gets fined thousands of dollars. I don’t have thousands of dollars. I’d also like to keep my ass out of jail more than it’s in it.”

  “In jail? W-what?” I sputter.

  A smile kicks up the corners of his mouth, wicked as all get out. He winks. “Didn’t you know, baby? I’m a real bad boy around here.”

  My mouth drops open. He kisses my forehead and gently pushes my jaw up. Then he walks away, all swagger and reminding of the time he’d dropped his towel and given me a glimpse of what was underneath.

  Only I hadn’t realized what was underneath came with handcuffs.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cole

  I can’t keep the smile off my face. I’m pretty sure I look like a dumbass, taking drink orders from customers at the bar and from my waitresses with a perpetual grin.

  I shrug, then grab a bottle of Jagermeister and flip it behind my back, catching it with one hand and pouring shots like I’m in a movie. Checking to see if Rae notices—she does—I do it two more times. She takes my picture with her phone and then claps.

  Damn, I need her in my bar every night. Not that I want her sitting in a corner waiting on me. She doesn’t belong in a corner, hiding away from the world. I know she belongs on stage, singing her heart out while playing guitar. That day by the creek proved it.

  But right now, in this bar, I feel safer with her there. I’m less likely to get in a fight for some jerk hitting on her.

  Madison waves at me as she walks in.

  Automatically, I wave back, then check out Rae’s response. She’s busy messing with her phone.

  Guilt claws at my gut, but I’ve done nothing wrong. I haven’t been with Madison, not since the afternoon Rae brought over cake to apologize. I have no plans to be with Madison while I’m with Rae. I don’t function like that. I’ve seen what a man cheating does to a woman. Hell, I used to live with it.

  “Hi, cutie,” she says with a smile.

  But I haven’t bothered telling Madison that our arrangement is over. “Hi, yourself. What can I get you?”

  Her green eyes look me over. “You, after closing, at my place. Or we could go back in your office. Never done it in there before.”

  That’s because I don’t have sex in my office. I try to keep things professional. On the pool tables in the back…whole other set of standards. Like none at all. “Uh, listen, I’m not sure how to say this without sounding like a total—”

  “Ohmygod! You’ve met someone,” she squeals, then reaches across the bar top to kiss me right on the mouth. I turn my head at the last second so her kiss lands on my cheek instead. She pulls back, tucking a piece of red hair behind her ear. “That’s awesome news, Cole. I’m so happy for you.”

  I’m glad she’s so happy for me, but a little disappointment at not getting any of this anymore would have been nice. “Thanks.” I glance over at Rae. She’s watching, but her face is hard to read. Hopefully, she thinks this is something bartenders deal with on the job. I shoot her an apologetic smile.

  She grins back.

  Relief kicks the ass of all the guilt that had made itself home inside of me.

  “Is that her?” Madison does a little jumpy clap. “She’s gorgeous. I’m going to say hi.”

  I make a noise that sounds like something between a grunt and a moose dying. Before I can stop Madison, three of The Double Deuce’s waitresses belly up to the bar with drink orders. All at the same time, of course.

  Helpless, I mix drinks, pop off bottle tops and watch Madison talk a mile a minute. Rae smiles, and I exhale. Again.

  “I know that girl from somewhere,” Beau says as he sits on an empty barstool.

  He probably does know Rae, in her Violet Lynn persona. Hell, they’ve probably been at the same parties. Country music and NASCAR go together like peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

  “Yeah. That’s Madison Langtree. She graduated with us,” I say to distract him.

  “Not Madison. The blonde. Not exactly surprised you didn’t notice her,” he says as I hand him a beer. “She’s not your type, but she is mine.”

  “Your type is every woman who isn’t Paisley,” I snap. “As long as they don’t have brown hair and green eyes, you’re all on board.”

  Beau cuts his eyes at me. “Then it’s a damn good thing she’s blond and blue
-eyed. Pink hair and nose ring’s hot, too. Think I’ll go introduce myself and buy her a drink. Figure out where we’ve met before.”

  “No.”

  Beau freezes. “Excuse me?”

  “She came here with someone,” I say.

  “Don’t see him anywhere, and I’ve been watching her for a while now.” He starts in Rae’s direction again.

  “She’s with me.” I want to laugh at the surprised expression on his face.

  “And she’s sitting with Madison, the girl you currently hook-up with?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Not a good idea,” he says, stating the obvious. “Some people tend to frown on that sort of thing while they’re in a relationship.”

  I shake my head. “I stopped hooking up with Madison as soon as I decided to pursue Rae.”

  “Pursue Rae?” He grins. “You got it bad.”

  I shrug and pass Jane a bottle of tequila for the poker game a few of the regulars set up in the back. It’s a Tuesday night tradition for them. “I might have it bad if those two keep talking.”

  “I’d help you out, but we’ve got guy rules to follow. The most sacred is don’t mess with the females fellow bros have slept with.”

  Beau was the one to come up with that rule. Shocking to anyone who thought they knew him.

  “You know, because of the inevitable comparisons of how damn good I am in bed…in relation to the rest of y’all,” Beau says with a smirk.

  And because of shit like that comes out of his mouth. “Go screw yourself, Montgomery.”

  “Don’t need to. I got them lined up,” he says. And sure enough, two really hot women stop him as he’s on his way to his usual table.

  Guess they’ll all be getting lucky tonight. Tried that once, with Madison of all people. Figured out real quick that I prefer to concentrate on one woman at a time.

  Madison points at herself, then Rae and then me.

  Oh shit.

  *** *** ***

  Violet

  “A what?” I’m pretty sure I’ve misunderstood Cole’s friend.

  “A three-way. You know: me, you and him. Sex.”

  Apparently, I hadn’t misunderstood her at all. “Yeah…not really good with sharing.”

  Her eyes go wide. “Oh. Oh! He doesn’t have to have sex with me, too. You and I could be the ones—”

  “That’s really nice of you to be so considerate but I’m not attracted to women.” Madison’s face falls, like I’ve just insulted her. “But if I were, you’d totally be my type.”

  Her smile returns, brighter than before, and I let out a breath. “You’re so sweet. I’m glad Cole’s with you.” Then she leans in, completely serious and straight-faced. “But if you don’t treat him right…you’ll have me to deal with. Understand?”

  I nod. She leans back and sticks out her hand. I take it and we shake like we’ve just conducted a business transaction. “Guess I’ll be going now. No more smexy times with Cole.” She pouts and it’s all I can do to not question her about smexy times with my boyfriend. “Maybe it’s time I call Taylor back.”

  The she’s off, leaving a cloud of sweet-smelling perfume behind.

  “You okay?” Cole asks, suddenly appearing by my side. Worry is evident in his blue eyes. No guilt though.

  “Your friend Madison said we could have a three-way.”

  “Oh shit.” His jaw works. “Rae, I’m not into three—”

  I hold up a hand. “All I want to know is one thing: Have you cheated on me…I mean technically we weren’t exclusive until last night, but I can’t handle—” I smash my lips together to stop the incoherent rambling.

  “No. I haven’t been with anyone but you, since our first picnic by the creek.”

  My eyes close, hiding the tears of relief. A firm no. No excuses. No answers that turn into “I can’t believe you just insulted me” which really meant I did cheat on you but I’m too much of a coward to man-up and admit it. “Oh-kay.”

  “Baby, are you crying?” Without waiting for an answer, he pulls me close, my nose smashing into his hard body. “I’m so sorry.”

  “For being a good boyfriend?” I let out a shaky breath.

  “For not telling you about Madison sooner.”

  “It was in the past, before me. Besides, gentlemen don’t tell.” I manage to look up at him, even with his arms holding me flush against his body. “Even bad boy gentleman.”

  “Sweet. I’m like Iron Man, but without the billions.”

  “Guys,” I huff, but inside I’m melting into a puddle. “Is there anyone else I need to know about before they come over and talk to me about…I don’t know—joining a swinger’s club?”

  He laughs. “Nah. Just my buddy, Beau Montgomery, thought he knew you and wanted to buy you a drink to confirm it. I put an end to that real quick.”

  Oh crap. “He does know me,” I say and Cole looks around, like he’s expecting trouble. “He used to date my best friend, Callie Hughes.”

  I don’t even have to tell him what to do next. He hauls me to my feet and grabs my hand, leading me to the back. On the way out, we run into his brother, Parker, and do a quick meet and greet, then Cole asks Jane to take over for the night, assuring her he’ll be in his office if they need him.

  He pulls me inside his office, shutting the door behind him. Then he takes me in his arms again. “What now?”

  I laugh nervously and pull away, pacing the room. “I have no idea. I thought you were the guy with the plan.”

  “This is new to me. I’m going on instinct.”

  “And movie plots?”

  He shrugs and grins, my heart turning over for him, despite the panic currently controlling my body.

  Finally, I sit on the couch that’s along the longest wall and look around the room. There’s a window on the opposite wall, but the blinds are closed tight. A large desk has been placed in front of it, papers neatly filed in hanging tray on one side and an ancient computer on the other.

  Cole runs a hand through his black hair, making it stick out in odd places. I want to smooth it down. “Yeah, the computer came with the bar.”

  “What about the one you have at home?” I wince at the reminder.

  He looks away, his cheeks flushing. “Crystal destroyed it.”

  First thing tomorrow, I’m buying him a new one. I won’t take no for an answer. “Tell me about The Double Deuce. I meant to ask you on the way over here, but kept forgetting because you kept putting your hands in places.” Good thing he had to stop often enough to shift or he would have discovered my lack of panties before we’d gotten here and turned around.

  His gaze snaps to mine, all heated blue fire, with none of the embarrassment that I’m positive had been shining in them only moments earlier. “You seemed to like my hands in places.”

  Now I’m the one to blush. “I did.”

  He grins, wicked and sexy, then sits on the edge of the desk. “You wouldn’t know by looking at it, but The Double D used to be the place for up and coming country music acts.”

  Yet Cole doesn’t allow it to be played here. Something wasn’t adding up. And that nickname. “Double D? Seriously Cole?”

  “Hold up.” He flips up his hands, as if warding me off. “I didn’t name it. That was all my Uncle Max’s idea.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” I lean back on the sofa, crossing my legs one on top of the other as I stretch out. Cole watches me the entire time, especially when my skirt rides up higher on my thighs. Heat pools in my belly and I can feel my heart beat between my thighs. “So what happened?”

  “Nashville forgot about us, my Uncle Max got knifed in a bar fight, he died and it all went downhill from there. We’re barely getting by.”

  “I’m so sorry, Cole.” I sit up, swinging my legs over the side and moving towards him. He pulls me between his legs, his hands settling on my hips.

  “It’s not your fault, sweetheart.”

  I let my forehead drop to his chest. “What can I do to help?’

  �
�Think of way for The Double Deuce to get back to its glory days. Hell, I’m so desperate I’d settle for a country music act.”

  The only way Nashville would ever forget about someone is if they did the one sending the acts wrong. “Who used to send the bands?” Maybe that unknown person is no longer a powerhouse.

  “I’d rather not say who he is.”

  “Why? Do I know him or something?” Who could I possibly know that has connections here? My mind races. I come up with nothing.

  “Maybe…Everett Morgan’s the one who used to send them.”

  “My producer Everett Morgan?” Morgan. Same last name as Cole. I gasp. “Is he related to you, like your dad’s brother or a cousin?”

  “Something like that.” Face tight, he sets me to one side and stands. “I’m going back on the floor. Text me if you need me.”

  I’ve done something wrong, but I don’t have a clue what. “Don’t shut me out,” I cry.

  He exhales, then looks at a point over my shoulder. I want to kiss the lines of worry that appear around his eyes, making his one bruised eye look even worse. He’s too young to have so much on him. “I’m not.” But his clenched jaw says otherwise.

  “Then why the sudden need to leave?” Tears being to fall, but he still won’t look at me. I’m not crying to get his attention though. I’m hurt. I’m guilty of the same thing. I’m asking him to share all aspects of his life without giving hardly anything in turn.

  “Because the woman I’m dating works for the person I hate the most. I’ll get Parker to take you home when he leaves tonight.” With those final words, he stalks to the door, yanks it open and slams it behind him.

  Chapter Twenty

  Cole

  After texting Rae to make sure she got home okay and helping Jane close up, I light a cigarette and pull the card Baldy slipped me out of my wallet.

  Tonight I can’t shake the rage. I don’t want to shake it. I want to let it all out. Grimacing, I punch the address into my phone and then head to my Jeep. I squall tires out of the oyster shell covered parking lot.