“Try me, Alexa, just once. You’ll give up both of your men in a heartbeat. And yes, quitting again. Every time I turn around, Veryl’s wagging a finger in my face.” She slapped the new patch on to her ass and settled back in her seat.
My heart sped with an anxious beat. I’d heard her come on many times before, but she’d referred to both Shaz and Arys as my men.
“They are not both my men,” I said tersely.
The guy in the next lane revved his engine, and I recognized the truck with the girl from the parking lot. Not wanting to encourage him, I eased off and allowed him to race ahead. “And why do you put it on your ass? Does it absorb into your bloodstream any better?”
“Which one of them isn’t your man? Hmmm?” She winked a cat eye at me when I glanced her way. “No, it’s just a good place to keep it out of sight.”
I sighed. Technically, neither of them was mine but figuratively? I had to acknowledge the territorial claim I felt over each of them. I suck. I knew Shaz felt that Arys didn’t deserve any piece of me, but I felt that I didn’t deserve Shaz. He deserved so much more than what I could give him, but as long as he wanted me, I had no intention of cutting him loose.
I followed Golf Course Road through town towards Raoul’s neighborhood. I wanted to check out some of the alleys and side streets. Hopefully, we wouldn’t pass his Jaguar anywhere.
“If I were you,” Jez began, as she reclined her seat, “I’d enjoy it. Two fine looking creatures that want to ravage you, how can you go wrong?”
“One of those creatures is a self-absorbed vampire and the other is someone sensitive and sweet that I don’t want to hurt. This can blow up in my face, Jez. Stop thinking with your…” I realized what I’d been about to say and censored myself with a chuckle. She laughed, a musical sound like the tinkling of wind chimes. “What I meant is that the physical and especially metaphysical fun can lead to some real emotional distress. It already has.”
“Well, you have a very strong energy. Honestly, I’m surprised that you don’t have more power hungry wannabe lovers as it is.”
As Jez spoke, her eyes lit on me with a weight that I could feel. She studied me intensely for a long, drawn out moment, and I saw her lick her full red lips. I didn’t truly think Jez was into me. We’re friends first and foremost. The flirty “try me once and never go back” was a running joke she had with many of her straight lady friends. However, did I think she might be attracted to me as a power source? I did now.
“Well, one is more than enough. At least with Shaz, there’s a real foundation.” I huffed impatiently at the guy in front of me. Could he possibly turn any slower?
“I like him. He seems like a good guy. And Lord knows, you could use one.” She picked at one of her perfectly manicured nails, oblivious to the frown I wore.
Unsure if I should feel insulted or not, I said nothing. I scanned the streets and sidewalks, scrutinizing everyone we passed.
“So, where are we headed?” Her cell phone vibrated loudly, and she flipped it open to read a text message before punching buttons in response.
“Cruising the streets near Raoul’s then heading to Lucy’s. I know she’s been in there even if I haven’t seen her myself.” A thought struck me, and I added, “There’s another area, too, adjacent to my neighborhood. That’s where she watched Shaz and I run this morning.”
We cruised every street but Raoul’s. For that one, I parked down an alley, and Jez took a quick stroll around the block. When I asked if Raoul’s Jag was in the driveway, she said no. The kitchen light had been on, but she’d seen no one.
Just after eleven, we pulled up at Lucy’s Lounge. The place was already pretty packed.
“Is this place ever dead?”
Jez eyed the small group of ladies in the parking lot. An eyeful of short skirts and cle**age enhancing tops had her ogling like a kid in a candy store. We weren’t even inside yet.
“Aren’t you seeing someone?” I raised a quizzical eyebrow.
“I see a lot of people. There’s no ring on this finger.” She wiggled the fingers of her left hand too close to my face, and I slapped it away. “I’m not dead, Alexa. I’m always open to meeting that one lady that just knocks my socks off.”
“Just one huh?” My wry smile wasn’t lost on her, and I chuckled at her exasperation.
“Who are you to talk about having just one?”
“Ouch. Nice, Jez.”
Inside, the aggravating sounds of a recent Top 40 hit made me long for Jez’s heavy metal. The joint was packed with humans. It was strange to see the bar without Shaz. Most of the staff recognized me and nodded. A few of the local Weres were usually there, but I didn’t feel their energy anywhere.