Chapter 27
We eventually go shower, taking our time, exploring each other's bodies a little more, before getting out and getting dressed.
“That was really fun,”
Aaron says, pulling on his jeans. “We have to do that more often.”
I look over to study him, noticing the cheshire grin on his face. I narrow my eyes, shaking my head as I pull my clean shirt on.
“Don’t get used to it baby…we know you love it when Daddy’s in charge,”
I say walking over to him, placing a quick kiss on his lips.
He’s still smiling when I step back, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him smile this much or looked this happy. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve ever witnessed it. It brings joy and peace to my heart, never wanting this to end. Only one thing or shall I say someone is missing, Cea.
“I need to go check on Cea,”
I say, nervous for his reaction.
Aaron laces his fingers with mine, giving me a sincere smile.
“Baby, I told you it’s fine. I have feelings for her too and whatever this is, I’m one hundred percent all in.”
I eye him warily, looking for any sign of a lie.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I swear. Now go get her,”
he says, pushing me toward the door.
I let out a laugh as I head out the room.
I get to the guest bedroom, knocking once. I wait a moment, but she never answers.
“Hey Cea, baby? Can we talk?”
I ask, knocking once more. Still nothing. Dread fills my body. Surely she can’t still be that pissed? I mean I thought it was a cute as fuck tattoo.
I give up on knocking, twisting the knob. It instantly opens to an empty room. Her purse and phone are nowhere in sight. Surely not. I try to rationalize my thoughts, before full on panic sets in. I rush to the living room, still not catching any sight of her. I peek out of the front window looking for my vehicle. Sure enough, it’s missing.
“Mother Fucker!”
Aarons runs into the room, worry etched in every line of his face.
“What is it?”
I give him my death stare, anger radiating under my skin.
“She’s fucking gone,” I growl.
“What do you mean she’s gone? Gone where?”
“She’s fucking gone. My vehicle is gone.”
“Where could she be?”
I pull out my phone, bringing up the tracking app I have installed on all our phones.
“Please do not tell me you have a tracker on her?”
Aaron asks in disbelief.
I give him my most innocent smile. “If it helps…I have one on you too.”
His mouth drops open in pure shock.
I look at the app, zooming in on her location. Wouldn’t you know she’s at her damn bar. I roll my eyes, internally yelling. Breathe in. Breathe out. Everything’s going to be ok.
“Does no one ever fucking listen?” I snap.
Aaron chuckles. “Like you ever have?”
“Actually yes. When it’s fucking important, I do in fact listen.”
Aaron shakes his head, clearly thinking this situation is amusing. He grabs my shoulder, giving it a shake.
“Come on, let’s go get our girl,”
he says, heading out the door.
My ears perk up at that. Our girl? Hell yeah, I love the sound of that.
I could hear the grunts and moans coming from Aaron’s room. I paced mine for a good ten minutes, before I huffed in annoyance then began rummaging through the bag Blaze so graciously retrieved and packed for me, digging around for something cute to wear. I settled on a black lace bodysuit, black skinny jeans, and my long black leathered boots, heels tall enough to make a narrow-minded man intimidated.
A part of me wonders why he would pack this certain bodysuit to begin with, although I’m sure he just wanted to see me in it, probably with nothing else on. Unfortunately for him, I’m not wearing this for him. I’m wearing it for me and tonight I plan to put it to good use, having myself a good ass time. I snatch my gold hoops off then rushing through my makeup. My lipstick is a dark brown color, my eyeliner sharp enough to stab someone, and my lashes longer with the coat of mascara.
I snatch my phone up, dialing the one person I know I can always count on. The phone rings once, twice, finally being picked up. A deep smooth voice breaks through.
“Cea’s Place,”
Daren says.
“Hey Dar, how’s the place looking tonight?”
There’s a beat of silence before he speaks again, music blaring in the background from tonight's band, I’m sure.
“Yeah C, it’s packed. Jen came in to offer a helping hand.”
“So, you don’t need me to come in and help or anything?”
“Nope, we’re good. I’m really glad you’re getting a break. You deserve one.”
My heart squeezes with fondness with how much I love my foster brother.
“Well in that case. Have my drink ready in ten. Tonight, I’m letting loose,” I say.
I hear the begging of my name leaving Daren’s mouth, but I hit the end call button before the rest can come through.
A simmer of jealousy sits in my stomach when I hear the guys get louder. I’m glad they made up, but I really wish I could’ve been involved. I’m also still extremely pissed off at Blaze. But I’ll let Aaron have his moment, he needs it.
I walk into the bar, the place crowded with bodies. Half the people surround the bar, trying to get their drink orders, while the other half are in the center of the dance floor listening to the band Daren has been trying to get booked for months. ‘Sweet Sinners’ is in big, bold, red letters on the front of the drum set. The vocals of the male singing are so smooth and hypnotizing, I find myself already swaying to the music.
I peer at the stage, my eyes lingering on the lead singer. He looks almost as tall as Blaze. His wavy brown hair goes past his shoulders, a beard resting on his face. His body is as built as he is tall, arms covered in tattoos. The fleeting thought of taking him home tonight clouds my mind, but only two men have me craving their touch at night lately.
Our eyes meet as he bolts out another chord, I can’t stop the form of a smirk appearing on my face. I turn my attention away, heading for the bar straight for Daren, squeezing into a seat next to Mr. Harold. Grazing his shoulder with mine, I speak up to get his attention.
“Hey old timer, haven’t seen you in a while,” I tease.
Daren’s ears perk up and his gaze snaps to me before he starts pouring me a double shot of whiskey. Mr. Harold turns his head my way, a wide grin aimed right at me.
“Darling, where have you been? I’ve missed seeing that beautiful face,”
he says, throwing an arm around me to give me a quick squeeze.
“Our girl is taking a well-deserved mini vacation.”
Daren winks as he sets my drink in front of me.
“Good!”
Mr. Harold says, taking a swig of his beer. “Her sassy ass deserves to be treated like a queen.”
Laughter bursts out of me. “Harold…cheers to that!”
Our glass and bottle clink and I down half the whiskey, barely feeling the burn as it slides down the back of my throat.
I see Jen at the end of the bar. She looks cute in her low-cut blue shirt, jean booty shorts riding low on her hips. She has her hair in two separate buns on top of her head and her makeup is done in a smokey look.
“Hey Jen,”
I shout, trying to get her attention.
“Hey babe.”
She smiles back, coming to our place at the bar.
“Can you pour Three Wise Men shots and a beer for me?”
I ask, giving her my best set of puppy dog eyes.
“Hold the fuck up…why the hell do you need three of those deathly things?”
Daren asks, his face blanching at the thought of having to drink one.
“For you, Harold, and me,”
I say, cheezin’ at Harold who lets out a low chuckle, taking another sip of his beer.
“Oh hell no,”
Daren argues. “I’m working.”
“Like that has ever stopped you before. Come on…one shot…for me,”
I plead with him.
I can see when he relents, a sigh escaping him.
“Fine. Only one!”
I squeal with excitement, grabbing the shots from Jen and handing one to both of the guys.
“What are we toasting to?” I ask.
“Here's to the booty we hope to find, whether it's money or ass, I don’t mind.”
Harold raises his shot.
Daren and I burst out laughing, Harold already downing his shot. We follow suit, the taste causing my face to scrunch up while Daren gags across from me.
Daren gets back to work and I sit conversing with Harold when the cover of “Cherry Pie”
by Warrant starts playing. The alcohol thrums through me like a continuous river. The melody of the music has me leaving my seat, heading toward the dance floor to the small custom-built stage.
The music flows all around me, and I get lost in it. My hips move, my hair swinging all around me, my hands running all over my body. I can hear Daren shout ‘Get it girl’ from the bar causing me to smile and keep movin.’
I go to turn my body in a circle when a hard chest presses against my back, their hands roving around to hold me by the waist.
I can feel the heat of their breath on my neck when they bend down to whisper in my ear. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“You’ve been a very bad girl, Cea,”
he growls.