BOOTLEG LOVE

13

Evangeline sat in the country club with her family and Quincy. They were talking about politics and the upcoming vote, but Evangeline just stared out the window, lost in thought. It had been a week since she had seen Payton. He had made no attempt to contact her, and she had done the same. She had hurt his feelings, and at first, she thought the distance to be best. She adored Payton, but she knew they were from two different worlds, and she was not meant to be with a man like Payton.

            So why did it hurt so much to have lost him again?

Evangeline looked over at Quincy and the smile on his face as he conversed pleasantly with her parents and brothers. This man was really going places. He was a good match. The kind of man a girl like her ought to marry. So why couldn’t she stop thinking of another man?

She had gone out with Quincy every day this week and twice in the evenings attending fundraisers at his side. She would stand just off to the side on stage while Quincy was at the podium, giving a rousing speech about the evils of the drink and how he intended to clean up the city for good God-fearing people. It really got the audience riled up. The people really believed in him, and Evangeline was positive he would be elected.

Then last night, as she stood at his side during a rally with her parents and brothers standing in the wings, Quincy did something that had caught Evangeline completely off guard.

In front of all the voters, he dropped to one knee and presented her with an engagement ring. His proposal had totally blindsided Evangeline. They had been seeing each other for two weeks. Sure, it had been nice. She felt completely comfortable with Quincy things were easy, and he was a wonderful man, but he hadn’t so much as kissed her yet, and here he was asking her to spend her life with him.

Evangeline stood in front of the whole city with Quincy on his knee, her family in the wings whispering to her telling her to accept. Telling her she would never find a better man. Evangeline looked around at all the expecting faces looking at her waiting for her answer. If she said no, she would humiliate Quincy and might even hurt his election. The people would hate her. There was so much pressure to accept. Giving in to peer pressure, she said yes. Quincy slid the ring on her finger and rose to his feet, and for the first time, he took her in his arms and kissed her lips.

It was a chaste kiss given where they were, but it was also devoid of all feeling, and Evangeline frowned. Kissing Quincy had been nothing like kissing Payton. When her lips touched Payton’s, it was like a raging inferno blew up inside her. Her whole body came to life, and she felt crazed with desire. Was this her future? To live a passionless marriage with a man, she was only mildly interested in it. But he was a good man and a good match. This was what she was supposed to do. So why couldn’t she stop thinking about Payton?

After lunch, Quincy took Evangeline aside to say goodbye; he had to go to work. He took her in his arms and tried to kiss her, but Evangeline resisted telling him they should save it until their wedding night. So instead, he kissed her cheek and left. As she walked alongside her parents, her brother bought a paper from the newsboy on the corner. “Look, Evangeline, your engagement made the front page.” He said, turning the newspaper so she could see the picture of her and Quincy with the big, bold headline.

A terrible feeling washed over her, and Evangeline knew she had to see Payton one more time. This news surely would have upset him, and she needed a chance to explain herself. She would sneak off to his house and hopefully catch him before he went out for the night.

She excused herself from her family and hailed a cab. It took her across town to Payton’s place. She got out and paid the driver. Then she knocked on the door and waited, but no one answered. His car wasn’t in the driveway either. She must have missed him. Getting back in the cab, Evangeline asked if he knew of anyplace a girl could get a drink and watch a jazz show. She was sure the club in the coffeehouse had been closed down. The driver was reluctant at first and then said he knew of one spot down by the waterfront. It was new, and if it were one of Payton’s clubs, he would no doubt be there for the initial start-up.

The drive over only took twenty minutes. They pulled up out front of the same restaurant Quincy took her to on their first date. She paid the driver and then walked up to the door where there was a man in a suit smoking a cigar guarding the door. He was no doubt stationed there to keep an eye out for cops. He looked her over, tipped his hat to her, and then pushed open the door for her letting her in.

Evangeline moved through the club. Every table was taken, and a jazz band was keeping the dancefloor packed near the front of the room. She looked around, asking people if they knew where Payton Kingston was. A waitress pointed over to a horseshoe booth where Evangeline spotted the man she was looking for. The booth was packed with Payton, his two brothers, and the women they were entertaining themselves with for the night.

Payton was seated in the middle, dressed in a dark grey suit. His collar was left open. Atop his head, a grey fedora tilted to the right, on the table before him a drink and in his hand a cigar. He looked every bit the wicked bad boy Quincy made him out to be. On his face, a slick mischievous smile. Seated next to him with her body pressed against his and her arm draped casually over his shoulder, cooing in his ear the woman that had been singing at the other club. She rocked and bobbed in her seat to the beat of the music.

Evangeline made her way over, and as she reached the table, Wanda whispered in Payton’s ear and then playfully nibbled on his lobe, no doubt trying to seduce him. Evangeline stood at the table and cleared her throat to gain the attention of those at the table. They all looked up at her, and she could tell they were all drunk.

“Woo-wee, aren’t you a fine piece.” Colton grinned and then slapped Evangeline on the ass, and everyone at the table laughed, even Payton.

“Easy Colton,” Payton slurred, “she is an engaged woman. Future Mrs. Tight-ass standing here.” He said, and Wanda snickered as she reached for her drink.

“Does the hubby-to-be know his fiancée is cruising the speakeasy?” Trenton asked. “Looking for a little excitement before settling for the anal-retentive Detective?”

“If you are looking for a little excitement, baby,” Colton slurred as he stood up and pressed his body fully against hers, rocking his manhood against her bottom, “I got something that will give you a thrill.” He purred in her ear.

“Don’t touch me.” She seethed, pushing him away.

They all laughed, and Colton dropped down into his seat. “Rejected.” Trenton teased.

“Payton, can we talk?” Evangeline asked.

“What for?” He asked. “I don’t think we have anything to say to each other. You made it perfectly clear where I stood in your life the last time we saw each other.”

“Please.”

“She is hot for your body, bro.” Trenton snickered.

“Is that what it is?” Payton asked as he stood. “You need a little attention? The Detective not doing it for you? He not f*****g you, right?” He laughed as he walked around her, leaning in, so his lips brushed her neck and ear. “You here because you need one of those rough, hard, can’t stand the next morning kind of f***s?” He then grabbed a fistful of her hair as his other hand slid around her waist and pulled her back against him. “Want me to pull your hair? Bend you over the table and make you scream my name?” He snarled, rocking hard against her bottom while his mouth hovered over her ear.

“You are drunk.” She said, trying to keep the arousal out of her tone.

“Damn right, I’m drunk.” He snarled with anger and sat back down in his booth. Wanda shifted onto her knees behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and braced her chin on his left shoulder. “I’m going to drink until we close this place down, and then I’m going to go home with Wanda and get my c**k sucked.”

She was pretty sure he was only saying these mean things to hurt her because she had hurt him the last time they had been together. “Payton, this isn’t you,” Evangeline said, refusing to be driven off by his cruel words.

“You don’t f*****g know me.” He barked at her. “I’m not the same stupid kid I was back in Ottwell. I’m a man now, and you don’t know a God damn thing about me.”

Evangeline planted both hands on the table and leaned, overlooking him dead in the eye, refusing to take his abuse. “I know that you are not cruel.” She said, snatching up the drink he was reaching for. She shot it back and then put the empty glass back on the table. “I get you are angry. I’m sorry about everything that happened, but this is not you. I know the boy I knew is still in there somewhere hiding behind this mask of indifference you have put on. Stop hiding behind this front and just talk to me. Say what I know you want to say. Go on, get it out; it will make you feel better.”

Suddenly Payton shot to his feet and slammed his fist on the table, shaking it and rattling all the glasses. “Why should I?” He growled as he advanced on her, and she backed up. “You want me to say it killed me when you sent me away. You want me to say I’m ok with you marrying that f*****g cop? You have known that asshole for two weeks, and you have known me all your life. But he, you will marry. I thought I have loved you all my life, but then again, I’m just a criminal, right? Good enough to f**k, but you would never take my name.”

The altercation had drawn the attention of the whole club. The music had stopped, and no one spoke. Everyone watching the scene unfolded. The room had gone so quiet as Evangeline stared up at Payton with utter shock. She didn’t know how to respond to what he had said. His strong front broke down, and she could see how he was fighting back the tears, trying not to fall apart in front of the whole club.

She had never expected Payton to tell her he loved her or that he wanted to marry her. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she would hear those words come from his mouth. That was when she realized she loved him too. She couldn’t marry another. Payton might not have been a smart match, but she couldn’t deny her heart.

Evangeline stepped forward and slid her hands over his chest. She leaned in to kiss his lips, but Payton’s hands came up and caught hers holding her at bay. He pulled back. “No, don’t. I can’t keep doing this… I just can’t.” He said, pushing past her, storming toward the door leaving the club.

Evangeline rushed out the door and spotted him heading for his car. She ran across the parking lot and threw herself against the driver’s door preventing Payton from opening the door and getting in. He looked down at her, and she pressed herself up against him wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She planted her lips on his and slipped her tongue into his mouth.

It only took a moment before Payton was kissing her back. He fisted his hands in her hair, and Evangeline took him by the lapels of his jacket and turned until she forced him back against the car. Her fingers were quickly working the buttons of his shirt free and pulling the tails from his pants. She ran her hands over his chest, and abs then grabbed hold of him through his pants.

“Oh, God.” He groaned with pleasure. She quickly turned his belt loose and yanked his zipper down. She dropped to her knees and pulled his pants and shorts down just enough to free his erection. Wrapping her hand around the base firmly, she took him in her mouth and sucked hard as she slid him in and out of her warm mouth. “Christ!” He groaned, one hand on the car and the other in her hair. She licked and sucked while her hand stroked the base. She looked up at him and saw him watching her, his face twisted with pleasure.

Payton reached down and pulled Evangeline to her feet. He turned and forced her against the car door face first and tugged her skirt up. He tore away her underwear. His hand still gripping her hair, he used his body to pin her to the vehicle. He kicked her feet, making her open her legs.

Evangeline cried out with pleasure when he forced himself deep inside her from behind. He took her hard and fast, keeping her pinned helplessly against the car. His mouth kissed and nibbled at her neck and ear, tugging on her hair to expose her neck to his mouth.

“Is this what you want?” He growled in her ear.

“Yes.” She whimpered.

“You want me inside you?”

“Yes. God, yes.” She was so close. She could feel the climax building.

“You need me to f**k you?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Payton, I’m so close.”

“You want to c*m?”

“Yes.”

He nuzzled his nose against her neck, then grazed his lips over her ear. “Then beg for it.”

“Oh, God.”

Payton pulled her hair harder and growled in her ear. “Beg, or I will stop.”

“Don’t stop!” She panicked as she rocked back against him. “Please, Payton, don’t stop. f**k me, please.” He drove deep, and Evangeline found her release. She dropped her forehead against the roof of the car and moaned loudly as her whole body shook.

“Christ, yes.” Payton groaned as he reached his own climax.

As the moment melted away and common sense returned, Payton stepped back and fixed his pants. Evangeline lowered her skirt and turned around to face him. Her back against the car, using it to keep her on her feet.

They were both quiet, and Payton wouldn’t look at her. She could see the regret in his expression. “So, is this the norm from now on? You marry Hamilton and come to me when the hubby ain’t f*****g you, right? You at his side on the campaign trail and with me when you need to get screwed?” His tone was angry again.

Evangeline stood up fully and took his face between her hands. He tried to pull away, but she forced him to look at her. “I’m not going to marry Quincy.” She told him.

His gaze lifted to meet hers, and she could see hope in his eyes. “Really?”

“No, but I will take your name if the offer was genuine.”

A smile returned to his face. “Yeah, of course, it is. I have always loved you.”

“I have always loved you.”

“You are ok marrying a criminal?”

“I guess I’m a bootlegger now.”

He laughed and took her in his arms, hugging her tight. He kissed the side of her head. “Let’s go home.”

***

Evangeline had spent the night with Payton, and in the morning, they drove out to Ottwell, where Payton’s family was. They seemed shocked when Payton walked in with Evangeline, and his father was about to blow his top when Payton confessed they were getting hitched. Tempest squealed with delight and threw her arms around Evangeline, hugging her tight and welcoming her to the family.

“Are you crazy?” Remington snapped. “She is engaged to Hamilton.” He reminded them.

“She is marrying me,” Payton said firmly.

“And you think Hamilton isn’t going to lose his damn mind when he finds out you took his girl? If we thought he was a pain in our ass before, he is going to be a f*****g nightmare from now on.”

Evangeline stepped forward. “Mr. Kingston, I know this is sudden, and you have no reason to trust me, but I love your son. I always have. I will devote my life to him and to this family.”

Remington looked at Evangeline and then Payton, and he sighed heavily. He then smiled. “Welcome to the family.”

Colton shook Payton’s hand and then offered Evangeline an awkward hug. Now that he was sober, he was feeling a little sheepish for his behaviour the night before at the club. “Welcome to the family.” He said, hugging her and then taking a step back. “And sorry about last night. If I knew you were going to marry my brother, I would have been behaved better.”

Evangeline laughed. “It is forgiven. We will just pretend it didn’t happen.”

“I would appreciate that.”

“What happened?” Tempest asked. She then glared at her son. “You better not have been a cad.”

“You have to forgive him.” Evangeline came to Colton’s defence. “He clearly can’t hold his liquor.” All the guys laughed, and Tempest cracked a smile.

That afternoon they went down to the chapel, and the priest married them in front of Payton’s family. When the priest pronounced them man and wife, the Kingstons threw rice at them both and clapped.

They all drove into the city and had dinner, then danced the night away at one of Payton’s clubs. After which, they went home and made love until the sun came up.

They lay in bed, tangled in each other. Evangeline’s head on Payton’s shoulder. She was thinking about her family. How was she going to tell them she had run off and married Payton? “You know we have to tell them at some point.” Payton sighed as he held her. “We can’t hide from your folks forever.”

“I know. We will tell them tomorrow.” She said, kissing him softly. “Tonight is just about us.”

***

            Evangeline walked through the door of her family home a little after three in the afternoon. She walked into the parlour to find her family and Quincy sitting around drinking tea. “Oh God, Evangeline, where have you been?” Her mother demanded as she came to her feet. “You went out for a walk and were gone for three days. I thought you were dead somewhere.”

Quincy stood up and came over to her. “We were so worried I had the whole department looking for you.”

“I’m sorry to make you worry. I’m fine. I just had some things to work out.” She apologized.

“I’m just happy you are safe,” Quincy said, taking her in his arms and trying to kiss her. Evangeline placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away. “What’s wrong?”

“Everyone, I have to tell you… I got married.”

Quincy took a step back, a stunned look on his face. “You did what?”

“I got married yesterday.”

“You got married?” Muriel asked, surprised. “But, you were engaged to Quincy.”

“I know, and I’m sorry, Quincy. I never meant to hurt you, but… I couldn’t deny my heart.”

“Who the hell did you marry?” Quincy demanded.

“Me,” Payton said from the doorway. The whole room looked over, and everyone recognized him immediately.

“Him!” Quincy snapped as he pointed at Payton. “You married him? How do you even know him?”

Payton came up behind Evangeline and wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her neck. Flaunting the fact that he had taken Quincy’s would-be bride. “We used to play doctor as kids.”

“Evangeline, have you lost your senses?” Muriel snapped. “You married the rift raft. You have literally thrown your life away.”

“This man is a criminal.” Quincy snarled.

“You can’t prove that.” Payton shot back.

Quincy stepped up to Payton, who released Evangeline, and the two men were now toe to toe, their shoulders squared and both ready to come out swinging. “If you think for a moment that I’m going to let this slide, you are sorely mistaken. If you think I was nipping at your heels before, you ain’t seen nothing. I’m not going to rest until I see you and your whole despicable family behind bars.”

“Face it, copper; you lost, the better man won.” Payton goaded him.

“You are going to pay for this,” Quincy warned and then stormed out.

Evangeline looked at her parents. “Mom… Dad…”

Muriel walked right up to Evangeline and slapped her across the face as hard as she could. “Get out of my house.” She seethed. “You are dead to me.”

“Hey!” Payton barked, making Muriel jump and step back in retreat as he advanced on her. “Listen here, you old bat; if you ever lay a hand on my wife again, I will forget you are a woman and knock you the f**k out.”

“Get away from my wife.” Snapped Ulysses. Getting between his wife and Payton. “Leave, both of you, before I call the police.”

Payton turned around and took Evangeline by the hand, dragging her to the door. “Let’s go, Evangeline. We don’t need this bullshit.”

 He took Evangeline out to his car, and on the drive home, she was very quiet. She was thinking about how her family had disowned her. Her family had never been ideal, but she loved them, and it hurt that they wanted nothing more to do with her.

“Are you alright, Evangeline?” Payton asked as they pulled into the drive of what was now their home.

“I’m fine.” She whispered.

He took her hand in his. “You don’t regret this, do you?”

She looked into his worried eyes, and she smiled, laying her hand to his face. “No, I love you. I don’t even want to picture what life would be like without you.”

Payton leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you are happy.”

“I already am.”