Free Say You Love Her, An L.A. Love Story by Z.L. Arkadie Page B

booking more gigs around here.”
    “I remember Chuck Moon being an unrepentant ladies’ man.”
    “He still is,” Angelina says. “At least that’s what he wants everyone to think.”
    “Has he ever tried to sleep with you?”
    “A billion times!” she says, laughing. “But I’m more discriminating than to get down with him. Although I bet we can catch him if we leave now.” There’s an adventurous dare in her eyes.
    “Sure, as long as he doesn’t ask you to sleep with him for the billionth and one time.”
    “He will.” She winks. “But I’ll turn him down. He’s used to hearing ‘no’ from me.”
    We share a laugh, then I pay and we head out. We decide to walk since I found a good parking spot that more than likely will not be available later. It’s a small hike through the old and charming neighborhoods on our way to Decatur Street, but Angelina still lets me put my arm around her waist. Her bare skin is soft and warm against my hand. Neither one of us has mentioned what’s going on between us, but something has definitely happened.
    “I love how it feels in the French Quarter. I swear if New York falls into the ocean tomorrow, then this place will be my next stop.”
    “I could live here too,” I say.
      “Do you know what’s funny?”
    “What?”
    “Your house in Malibu doesn’t fit you.” She motions toward a white Queen Anne cottage with a colorful stained-glass window in the triangular gable. “That does.”
    “I like it,” I say.
    “I know. It’s you.”
    “Too bad it’s not for sale. A rich guy like me would throw his money around and buy it on the spot—all cash.”
    She laughs. “Oh, Charlie… What am I going to do with you.”
    “I can think of a few things.” I pull her hip against mine. I would pull her front side against mine, but my dick is hard.  
    “You are a bad boy.”  
    I snicker, but I do wonder if that’s what she really thinks of me. I’ve done some awful shit to women in my not too distant past. I’m pretty sure Monroe would second that. The way I fucked her and hit the road makes me a jerk—I get it.  
    “But it almost feels as though we’re in a different country,” she says.
    “Have you been to Savannah, Georgia?” I ask.
    “No. Never.”
    “Will you let me take you one day?”
    She glances shyly at my face, grinning. “Yes.” I ogle her tits as she reaches up to twist her hair into a knot. “Gosh, it’s hot.”
    “We can stop and get something to drink if you like.” I want her to be comfortable.
    “I’m fine now. It’s just that all of this damn hair overheats me sometimes. I can’t wait to cut it off.”  
    I examine her, picturing her with shorter hair. “I’d like to see that,” I say.  
    Angelina blushes. “Perhaps you will.”
    We reach Jazz Park. An ensemble band is playing on a stage in a wide-open patio with one-day-early weekend tourists eating and drinking as they enjoy what they think is a free concert.
    “Another thing I love about New Orleans,” Angelina says as she pulls me by the arm, leading me towards the stage. “It’s never hard to find what you’re looking for.”
    Chuck Moon still looks the same. He has red hair and freckles all over his face. Despite looking like Ronald McDonald, he’s a good-looking guy and charismatic enough to attract shitloads of chicks. Like me, he plays the guitar. Right now he’s playing the bass guitar. A big smile comes over his face when he sees Angelina, but it quickly morphs into a weaker one when he sees me. I guide her into me as we look on together. My dick had gone down, but with her this close it’s steadily rising. I wish I could control it more when I’m around her. Then she spins around and puts her tits against my chest and that does it. I’m as hard as a rock. Her breasts are soft and firm and asking for it. Shit, she takes a step back to gyrate her hips. Angelina is dancing in front of me. I can only stand here and study her hip action, but I am