Chapter 19 Allie
NINETEEN
ALLIE
TEQUILA
I knew the life I had now and the people in it. Was being close to Levi for one day worth the risk? The answer was a hard yes. At least at this particular moment in time.
I couldn’t resist. “You could freeze ice on her ass. Love that one.”
He looked down. “I think you are a very bright, very special person.”
While it was my favorite line from the movie, something about the way he said it caused a pause as we swayed to the soft music.
His eyes were a little darker now, and he was the same kerosene he was when I was eighteen.
He could steal my common sense away in an instant.
I had been to him what he was to me; together we were dangerous.
He instilled a deep fizz that soared through my body shining a spotlight on the weakness that remained after seven years.
He made me not me anymore. He made me strong. He was intoxicating.
His grin was absent when I pushed him into his chair, slid my dress up, and climbed into his lap. Our eyes locked for a moment like criminals returning to the scene of a crime, determined to feel the rush once again.
His arm snaked around my waist pulling me closer. I kissed his neck and a low groan escaped him as I sucked and licked my way to his lips. The kiss was light, then more urgent as his tongue slipped into my mouth and my body reacted involuntary as my hips pressed against him.
His hands went through my hair and he held my head while his lips traveled to my jaw, and those whiskers slid down my neck as tingles tumbled down my back.
“You feel so good,” he whispered.
He stood and, in a few steps, he held my back against the wall. His lips dominated mine, and I suddenly realized we might be christening the private dining room. His hands traveled and he took control of me as the sounds of the talking restaurant guests just outside the door filtered into the room.
“Good girl. Being quiet as I take over.”
My new panties disappeared and he whipped them in the air as I clung onto his shoulders and pressed my lips together as he did what he does with ease.
Was there anything that could stop this? That answer came quickly when I opened my eyes to see my new panties on fire. Yes, they had landed on the candle and were now ablaze along with the bread basket.
“Shit!”
Levi pushed me aside and yanked the red Christmas tree skirt from the ground and started to smother the flames.
“Oh it stinks now!” I whisper yelled as he continued. After a frantic moment the fire was out.
Levi’s eyes were saucers and laughter rolled out of me. “Holy crap!”
“Langey, I think the recipe for tonight would be one cup cluster, two cups fuck.”
I grabbed my undies and tree skirt, dipped them in the ice bucket near the table before putting them in the trashcan in the corner of the room.
I quickly took the bread basket and covered it with the one remaining napkin, set it on top of the burned area, and put my salad plate next to it so it was concealed.
Levi hopped over to the door, unlocked it, and we jumped back into our seats.
The waitress entered and her eyes narrowed. “Is everything—”
I cleared my throat. “I think we’re ready to order.”
* * *
He eyed my plate. “We’re in a bougie bistro in a ski resort town, and you’re dining on a grilled cheese.”
I held up my knife. “Yes, but it’s still super classy.” I sliced my delectable sandwich and popped a bite into my mouth. “See how I cut it up? Top shelf.”
He sliced his salmon. “You have to taste this.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I can’t.”
“Now why in the hell can’t you take a bite of this amazing fish?”
“I don’t like fish.”
“How do you know you don’t like it?” He teased.
“Because I just do, that’s how.” Why did my eating habits encourage others to force food on me?
“When did you have seafood last, and why did it harden you to the entire seafood dining experience?” He reached over and stole a fry.
“I don’t know.” I took another bite.
“Was it in this decade?”
“OMG, why are you stuck on this topic anyway?”
“I’m just trying to get to the root of the problem.”
“You’re the problem. I just don’t like fish.”
“When was the last time—”
“Fish sticks, okay?”
“Fish sticks?”
I dipped a fry into ketchup. “Yes, the last time I tired fish it was in stick form.”
He chuckled. “Are fish sticks really fish at all?”
“No clue, but they were mushy and disgusting.”
“You can’t swear off a whole world of ocean snacks based on a fish stick experience as a kid.”
“Sure I can.” I ate another fry. “I did.”
“Come on, you have to have a bite. It’s amazing.”
“Nope.”
“What can I do to persuade you?”
I spoke in a whisper. “Get off my back about aquatic eats, or I can guarantee you won’t be on my back later.”
“Wow.” His brow shot up.
“Topic transition. So, you live in Brazil?”
“Yeah, a few years now. After two failed attempts at college, Evan made himself the boss of me and got me through it. I worked construction and liked it a lot. But once I finished school I knew I needed to get out of the U.S.”
“Why?”
He looked down. “I was chasing ghosts and I needed to get away.”
My heart clunked; was I a ghost?
“I knew you’d be good academically once you applied yourself.”
“I don’t know how you saw that through what I was back then.”
“You were never bad.” It shot out before I could stop it. “I mean, you were a little wild and reckless, but you had all the tools you needed.”
He chuckled. “A little?”
My eyes rolled. “I’m sure somebody else concocted an experiment in chemistry that caught a desk on fire so they had to let us all out for the afternoon?”
“A little fire resulting in beautiful beach day in May? Hell yeah.” He sliced his fish. “That’s a talented student right there.”
“And the pool hopping?”
He nodded. “Midnight swimming with you on the rich side of town? Totally worth it.”
“I recall—”
“Don’t you even say it, Langley. It happened once.”
“Once is enough. You and me sprinting nearly naked through yards being chased by a police dog?”
He pointed at me. “Bottom line is we made it out of there in one piece, okay? Although Allie cupping her boobs while running was about the hottest thing ever. We were living on the wild side.”
As my laughter subsided I was well aware I was there again. Sure, no scantly dressed running with boobs in hand, but I was presently living on the wild side with the wild one. We made it out of there unscathed that night, but my brain shot a warning flare. Would I make it out this time?
The waitress appeared. “Can I get you both anything else?”
While I was two margaritas in and officially buzzing a little, I raised my hand. “Two shots of tequila.”
She nodded and exited as Levi sat back in his chair. The look in those beautiful eyes made me shiver. “Tequila?”
“Remember crawling out my window and onto the roof with a bottle?” I couldn’t look away from his eyes. “Still your favorite?”
He let out a breath. “I can drink anything, but haven’t had tequila in years.”
“Really? It was your drink.”
“Not anymore. Not for a long time now.”
“Huh. Why?”
His expression was thoughtful. “That drink is tied up in my memories.”
Our eyes locked for a long minute as my heart thumped.
I wanted to ask why he never came for me. Never called me. Never wrote a letter. His number no longer in service; he wanted me to never find him again.
I cleared my throat. “For me it’s the opposite.” My voice cracked as the liquor took over my sentence. “I don’t drink often, but when I do, it always has tequila in it. Every time. Same reason”
Why did I say that aloud?
He let out a long sigh before leaning on the table and taking my hand in his. He grazed my thumb with his finger.
The waitress appeared and set two shots in front of us but our gaze wasn’t broken. I spoke without looking away. “Bring us another, please.”
His head shook. “What’re you doing, Langley?”
I batted my eyelashes. “Making up for lost time.”