Free Alluring Temptation (Bayou Stix #3) by Skye Turner Page B

your trip, Dade?”
    He chuckles. “It was nice. Just what I needed, though I hate that all this happened while I was gone.”
    Blue looks at me. “How are you, Liam? Missed your face.”
    Jessie rolls his eyes and points at me then at Blue, “Mine!”
    Swooping my arms out, I grab Blue and pull her onto my lap as she walks towards the table. Her coffee sloshes over the rim and spills. She squeals and laughs. Jessie glares at me and grits out, “Get my fiancée off of your lap, Pretty Boy.”
    I blow him a kiss. “What’s the matter, scared she’ll realize she picked the wrong man?!”
    Dade laughs and Blue squirms. She’s so beautiful, but we are just great friends. It’s awesome to push Jessie’s buttons though.
    Jessie glares at me. “Hell no. You can’t handle my wildcat. Besides, she’s marrying me .”
    Blue gazes at Jessie with love. “Yes, I am. Stop acting like idiots, you two.” She pats my arms. “Let me up. I don’t think we need any more bruises on either of your faces.”
    Dade guffaws and I smirk as Jessie scowls. I let Blue go though. She leans down and rubs my face. “You need to shave.” Then she turns to Dade, “Is Clove upstairs?”
    He nods. “Yeah, she whipped this breakfast up, told off Liam’s slut-of-the-day, and headed upstairs.”
    Blue starts laughing and I feel my face get hot. Really, fucker? Way to throw me under the bus!
    Jessie cracks up. “Slut-of-the-day. That is awesome!” He high fives Dade.
    Blue rolls her eyes and mutters, “Really. I swear you guys act like fifteen year olds sometimes.” Then she pins me with her gaze. I shift uncomfortably. “Really, Liam? She saw you with another one?”
    I smirk. “In my defense, I was home alone last night and Chelsee has never stayed over before.”
    Jessie whistles and says, “Model Chelsee?”
    I nod and Blue glares at him. “What do you know about ‘model Chelsee’?”
    He laughs, “Nothing, woman. I have never touched her, which is saying something since I think every male over eighteen in Southern Louisiana has tapped that.” He points at me. “Including your boy over there.”
    When he says it like that, ugh… No wonder Clove didn’t want to contaminate her perfect skin by touching me. I need to take a shower. Like now. A scalding hot one.
    She glares at me. “Really, Liam? You’re better than that, Hun.”
    This sucks. My friends are all ganging up on me. I need to take a trip today.
    Just as Blue says, “I’m heading upstairs to see Clove. Bradi is actually going to meet us here in a bit and we’re going to hang out with her today doing girl stuff.” I stand up and say, “I’m heading to Lafayette for the day. I’ll be back sometime tonight. Going to shower.”
    I have a funny feeling in my chest and I need to make the trip today. I need some advice.
    A few more comments are exchanged and I close myself in my room and wash off what’s left of Chelsee. I also strip my bed and throw the sheets in the laundry room on my way out the door. So why do I still feel so dirty?!

Chapter Eight
    Clove

    I ’m singing along to the songs of the eighties on Spotify as I straighten up my bed and change my clothes. I love the eighties. It’s my favorite decade. The music makes me happy and if an eighties movie is on, I’m watching it. As I belt out Pat Benatar and dance around my room, there’s a knock at my door.
    What? Who is that?
    Grabbing the remote, I turn my Bose down and call out, “Yeah?”
    I hear through the door, “It’s Blue. Can I come in? You dressed?”
    Racing across the floor, I open the door. “Of course. Come in.”
    She comes in and grabs me, pulling me into a hug. Pulling back, still hugging me, she glares at me. “Really, Clove? How could you not tell us?”
    Smiling sadly, I answer her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
    She shakes her head and her short hair flares out. With her dark hair, blue highlights, and piercing blue eyes, she’s gorgeous. I always feel