BOOTLEG LOVE

8

Evangeline followed Payton into the small house. She stepped aside to allow Payton to close and lock the door. He then pulled the drapes closed and lit the oil lamp on the table. It was a little behind the times. Most people had electricity, but not Payton. He grew up without it and apparently decided he could live without it.

            He returned the lamp to the table and walked over to the stove, where he quickly started a fire. She assumed for light since it wasn’t all that cold, but then again, perhaps it was to combat the rain which had started on the drive over. It was coming down rather hard, and they had both gotten soaked running to the house from the car.

            Evangeline pushed her wet hair out of her eyes. She was soaked. She removed her coat, and Payton took it from her and hung it up on the hook behind the door to dry. He then shook like a dog, his wet hair falling in his dark eyes. He peeled off his suit jacket and hung it over the chair at the table. Payton brushed his hair out of his eyes.

            “It is really coming down out there now.” He said, removing his cufflinks and placing them on the table. She then watched as he unbuttoned his vest.

            Was he just going to undress in front of her? She should object, but it didn’t seem rational since they use to go down to the swimming hole as children, and she had seen him stripped down to his shorts and her in her bloomers. But they had been kids back then, and he certainly did not look the same anymore. He was tall and muscled even beneath his clothes; she could tell his body was shapely and hard. Nothing at all like that of her brothers or any other man she knew.

            Payton removed his vest and draped it over his coat. “That’s better.” He said, rolling up his sleeves and looking at her. “Let me get you something to dry off with.” He offered, disappearing into another room and reappearing with a towel. He stood in front of her and chuckled as he wiped her face with the towel in his hand. “You look a wreck.” He teased, dragging the fabric down her neck and pausing at the scooped neckline of her dress. His gaze lowered for a moment, and then he looked her in the eye. Payton lifted the towel and tussled her wet hair with it. “You look like a drowned rat.”

            Evangeline laughed and snatched the towel from his hands. “You are one to talk your hair is an absolute mess.”

            “We ought to get you out of that wet dress.” He said, his gaze holding hers. She didn’t know what to say. “I have a nightshirt you can wear while your dress dries.” Oh yes, of course, that’s what he meant. She felt foolish for thinking he meant anything else. She watched as Payton went into the next room. She stood in the doorway while he opened the drawers of his dresser and fished for the nightshirt. Taking out a plain white cotton shirt, he turned and tossed it at her. “It may be a little big, but it will do the trick.”

            “Thank you.”

            “I will leave you to it.” He said and moved to step past her as he exited the room. The doorway was narrow, and his body brushed up against hers, and he paused. Their eyes met, and for a moment, there was a strained silence between them. He looked at her and her at him, and then he cleared his throat awkwardly. “I will wait in the other room.” And he pushed past her.

            Evangeline closed the door and sighed. What was she doing? Why was his closeness affecting her so?

            She awkwardly reached for the zipper of her dress but couldn’t quite reach it. She tried a few more times but then decided this was considerably more difficult without the maid’s help. She looked at the door, wondering if it would be wicked of her to ask Payton to unzip her dress for her. Surely, he wouldn’t mind. They were so close. What would it hurt?

            Evangeline removed her boots and her stockings. She then walked over to the door and opened it up. Payton was sitting on the couch, and he rose when he heard the door open. “I am having trouble with my dress.” She informed him and turned around. “Would you mind terribly to unzip me?”

            Payton hesitated a moment and then crossed the floor. His nimble fingers reached up and took hold of the zipper. Slowly he lowered the zipper, and she thought she heard him sigh, but she wasn’t sure. Then she felt his hands hover over her back, and then he backed away. Evangeline looked back over her shoulder and saw an unmistakable heat in his eyes. She wasn’t sure what it meant, but it made her body tingle.

            “I need a drink.” He said softly. “Do you want one?”

            “Sure, just let me change.”

            Evangeline went back into the room and closed the door. She slipped out of her dress and pulled off her camisole. She then removed the bra that bound her breast so constricting. She laid her clothes out over the dresser to dry and then took the long nightshirt Payton had given her and slipped it on over her head. It was terribly baggy on her. Too wide and too long, it made her look like a child in her father’s wardrobe, but it did hide everything that needed hiding.

            Opening the bedroom door, Evangeline looked out into the main room of the house. The room basked in the soft glow of the fire from the stove. Payton had left the door of the stove open to allow the light to fill the room. She came out into the room, feeling a little exposed in her state of undress. Payton stood in the kitchen, his back to her as he poured their drinks.

            “This is a sweet fortified beery wine. I tell you, Trenton is a genius when it comes to making alcohol.” He said, turning around and holding out a glass to her. When he looked at her, his eyes darkened, and his lips parted, but no words came out. It was brief; almost instantly, he regained his composure and walked over, placing the glass in her hand. “I think you will like it.” Then he walked around the couch and took a seat on the floor beside the stove.

            He sat with one leg bent, his elbow resting on his knee, his glass in his hand. He was very relaxed as he stared into the flickering flame. Evangeline came and sat herself down next to him, her feet tucked beneath her bottom. She adjusted the long shirt for modesty, and then with both hands, she held her glass to her lips. The wine really was good. Full-bodied and sweet.

            “This is really quite good.”

            “I know. One day when this ridiculous prohibition is ended, we are going to buy us a brewery, mass-produce, and slap a label on this stuff and sell it legally.” Then he laughed at himself. “We’d be proper businessmen instead of making backroom deals and hiding in the shadows.”

            “You really think they will one day revoke prohibition?” She asked, watching him closely to judge his response.

            “They will have to. One day the people are going to protest this injustice, this stupid law and the powers that be will be forced to legalize liquor. Prohibition will never work. I mean, just look at how ineffective it has been thus far.” He said, sipping his wine.

            He was right; it did seem rather pointless. People drank anyway in cellars and back alleys. The cops seemed powerless to prevent it. Maybe the laws should be revoked. Evangeline took a sip of her wine and looked over at Payton. She couldn’t help but notice he, too, was wet. His trousers were damp, and the fabric was clinging to his powerful legs. His white shirt was damp only where the coat had not protected him.

            “You should change too.” She said. “Before you catch your death of cold.”

            “I’m fine.” He said, rejecting the idea.

            She wasn’t going to take no for an answer. She didn’t keep him out of jail just to die from some cold because he was too stubborn to get out of rain-soaked clothes. “Change, or I will change you myself.” She threatened.

            Payton laughed and lifted one dark brow mockingly. “You think you can force me? I’m almost twice your size.”

            “I can take you. I have taken you before.”

            “We were kids… besides, I let you win.” He said, taking another sip.

            “Sure, you did.” She snickered. “You just can’t admit you got whooped by a girl.”

            “Oh, you are going to whoop me, are you?” He teased and drained his glass in one shot. “You want to wrestle, let’s go.”

            Evangeline put down her glass and shoved Payton with all her might knocking him onto his back and crawled on top of him. Her hands on his shoulders, she tried her best to pin him to the floor. Her legs were straddling his narrow hips. “Got you.”

            “You think so?” Payton took her by the waist and flipped her over on her back, and rolled on top of Evangeline, settling between her thighs. His massive body trapped her against the floor. His hands took her wrists and pinned them to the floor above her head. She couldn’t move. He had effectively restrained her and so easily. It wasn’t fair; he had gotten too big. In their youth, she could hold her own, but now she was helpless.

            She struggled a little, but he just laughed at her, then their eyes met, and she went limp, and he went quiet. There was a heat in his eyes she was unfamiliar with, a raging storm that set her body aquiver. Evangeline realized the compromising situation she now found herself in. The inappropriate way she laid beneath him, he settled between her legs. It was wrong, but his body stretched out over hers was more intoxicating than the wine they had been drinking.

            The way he was looking at her now only increased the intense tingling feeling growing at the apex between her legs. She could feel something hard growing against her. Her gaze held his, and then as if some greater power was drawing them together, Payton lowered his head, and his mouth captured hers in an unsure, timid kiss. It lasted only a second, and then his mouth hovered an inch above her own as if trying to judge her reaction.

            When she didn’t push him away, he kissed her again. It wasn’t the chaste brotherly kisses he usually gave her. No, this time, his kiss was skilled and needful. She felt his tongue slip between her lips and dance over her tongue, demanding a response. Evangeline returned his kiss with an unskilled passion of her own, wanting more of the euphoria it invoked within her.

            Payton released her wrists, his hand sliding down her arms and down over her sides. Her arms lowered, wrapping around Payton’s shoulders. Her hands flat against the wide span of his back. His body felt heavenly braced above hers. She wanted to feel his skin against her own.

            Evangeline placed her hands on his chest and began to fumble with the buttons of his shirt. Payton wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her up as he sat back on his knees, pulling Evangeline into his lap. She managed to unbutton the last button. She pushed the shirt open wide and ran her hands over his belly and up to his chiselled chest. Sliding over his shoulders, she pushed the fabric of the shirt down his arms and sighed at the sight of his magnificent body.

            His mouth found hers once more, drawing a sensuous kiss from her. She was lost in the moment when a knock on the door intruded on their privacy. It took another knock before Payton’s lips lifted from hers, and he looked over at the door.

            “Police.” They heard a voice call from the other side.

            “Bloody hell.” He snarled and lifted Evangeline from his lap, placing her on the floor. Payton came to his feet, and the officer knocked again. “I’m coming.” He yelled as he made his way to the door. Reaching the door, he pulled back the drape next to the door and cringed. “Figures.” He muttered and then gestured for Evangeline to move so she could not be seen from the door. Without question, she moved behind the door and peeked out through the drapes. Her heart skipped a beat; it was Quincy. She closed the drape and remained silent. There was another loud knock, and then Payton opened the door with a wide smile. “Detective Hamilton, what brings you around at this ungodly hour?” He asked, leaning on the door to block Quincy’s view.

            “A raid,” Quincy said outright. “One of your jazz clubs in Greenwood.”

            Payton had a feigned look of confusion. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m in shipping, not nightclubs.”

            “Oh, really, and what do you ship?”

            Payton shrugged his powerful shoulders. “Whatever needs shipping? We cater to a variety of clients. Farmers usually.”

            “We both know that is nothing but bullshit. You are a bootlegger. You know it, and I know it.”

            “I know nothing of the sort. You must have me confused with someone else.” Evangeline tried not to smile; he was such a liar. When had he gotten so good at lying?

            “Where were you tonight?” Quincy demanded.

            “Right here.”

            “All night?”

            “All night.”

            “Alone?”

            Payton glanced down for a moment as if considering his answer. “No, I have a guest.” He confessed.

            “And he can vouch for your whereabouts?”

            “She can vouch for my whereabouts.” He stressed.

            Quincy went quiet for a moment before he spoke. “Is she still here?”

            “Yes.”

            “I would like to speak to her.”

            “Do you have a warrant?” Payton asked, his easy smile now gone.

            “You know I don’t.”

            “Then, I would kindly ask you to leave; you are ruining my night.” He said and tried to shut the door, but Quincy put out his arm and prevented Payton from shutting him out. “Why won’t you let me talk to her? If she is really in there.”

            “Come back with a warrant, and I will let you talk to her. Otherwise, I refuse to subject her to your irrational and unfounded personal vendetta against me and my kin.”

            “Damn right, it is personal. I take crime in my city very personally.” Quincy hissed.

            “You need to get yourself a girl.” Payton then pushed Quincy back and slammed the door, instantly slipping the lock in place. He then leaned against the door and smiled at Evangeline. “Now, where were we?”

            “I think you should take me home.” She had quite enough excitement for one night. She didn’t think pushing her luck was wise.

            “Oh, I don’t think that is a good idea.” He said, coming to stand in front of her. His dark eyes were gazing down at her.

            “Why not?” She asked, unsure why he was refusing to take her home.

            “Peek outside.” He said, moving the drapes slightly for her to see the car parked out front. Quincy had not left; he was sitting out front waiting for someone to come out. “Now, if you want him to know you are in here with me, I will happily take you home, but I suggest staying and waiting him out. He is bound to head home at some point.”

            Evangeline frowned; he was right; she didn’t want Quincy to know she was in this house. Not with Payton, especially alone and at this hour. She could never explain their relationship. She didn’t even understand it herself. As children, it was so easy, and now there was something strange and new hanging between them. Unspoken but as obvious as the elephant in the room.

            Even now, there was a hunger in his dark eyes that made her shudder. It was a pleasant shudder that started at her core and spread like fire throughout the rest of her body. His closeness radiated a warmth that engulfed her. He stood there, his shirt open, his body exposed to her view. The memory of how it felt beneath her fingers made her sigh. She wanted so badly to touch him again. To have his lips on hers.

            She had never felt this way with any other man. What was it about Payton that was so… irresistible? So animalistic? “We should go to bed.”

            Her eyes widened at the brazen suggestion. “Excuse me?”

            “It is late.” He explained. “We should turn in, and I will take you home in the morning.” Evangeline could feel her cheeks flush red with embarrassment. She had completely misunderstood. Of course, he meant they should sleep. “You may take my bed, and I will sleep out here.”

            Evangeline looked around at the meagre surroundings. It was a hardwood floor and one small couch that didn’t look the least bit comfortable enough to sleep on, nor would it accommodate his size. “Sleep on what?”

            “The floor.”

            She felt terrible for putting him out of his own bed. “I couldn’t sleep knowing you were out here so uncomfortable.”

            “There is only one bed. Where else would I sleep?”

            Evangeline thought about the bed. From what she had seen of it, she was sure it could accommodate two people. Suddenly she wondered how many women had been in that bed. Why did that bother her?

            “We could sleep together.” She suggested watching his reaction closely. Payton’s mouth opened to speak, but no words came out, and he shut his mouth without saying a thing. He was considering it. “After all, it wouldn’t be the first time.” She was reminded of how many times the two of them fell asleep by the creek after hours of splashing in the water. The ground was hard, and Evangeline would often cuddle up to him and doze off while his mother sat under a tree knitting. She had always encouraged them to play together; perhaps she knew how lonely the two of them would have been without one another, and though she worked for Evangeline’s family as a maid, she had also often acted as a nanny while Evangeline was small.

            She could see the memory in his dark eyes, but she sensed he was not sure. “We are not children anymore, Evangeline; if someone finds out you were in bed with me, it could harm your reputation.”

            “Who is going to know if we do not tell anyone?” She said with a smile.