Page 10 of Blade's Return
Bear tosses his cue down and grins at us. “Want another round?”
Olivia slides off the rail and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I can’t—I need to get home. I have a busy day tomorrow.”
I cock my head. “It’s Saturday. What are you doing?”
She shrugs. “Saturday is my cleaning day. I’ve got a ton of laundry, sweeping, and dusting to do.”
My mouth twitches. “I think you’re just saying that. Probably to keep me from asking you out to dinner tomorrow.”
She meets my look, eyes steady. “Well, you could ask, but I already have plans for dinner.”
A small crack of jealousy twists through me like a dull stone. I frown, unable to stop the words forming from leaving my mouth. “Who are you going out with?” I try to smooth out my tone to hide my irritation and possessiveness. By the way Bear is smiling at me, I know that I’ve failed epically.
“Saturdays are my cleaning day and then I go out and grab Dad’s favorite takeout and we watch movies,” she says, like it’s the most natural thing in the world for a woman in her prime to choose to spend a Saturday night with her dad.
“What’s his favorite food?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“Chinese,” she says.
Ayita interjects from the corner. “I thought you didn’t like Chinese.”
Olivia chuckles, with a shrug. “I don’t. I pretend to eat.” She laughs again—the sound small and real. “Our Saturdays are Dad’s highlight of the week and that makes me happy.”
“I’ll bring the food,” I respond.
She gives me a look as if I’d said something bold and ridiculous. “What?”
“I’ll bring the food to your house Saturday evening.”
“I don’t remember inviting you, Blade.” Her voice is teasing, but careful.
“I know you’re shy, so I did it for you. You’re welcome.” The grin in my voice is half cocky, half soft.
Ayita and Bear have wandered off, probably to make out. They’ve both had their fair share of whiskey tonight. Olivia had only one beer and didn’t drink part of it. I figure it’s because she’s driving. Something about that I like a lot. I drink, but not a lot. I like being in control. Our old man used to lay drunk—on the rare times he’d visit. Usually, he said hello with his fists and goodbye the same way. I didn’t have to witness it much because Bear got old enough to put a stop to it, but I saw the scars on our mother and the anger in Bear’s eyes every single time he was mentioned. I never wanted to be like the man, so I’m very restrained when it comes to drinking.
I clear my head so I can just concentrate on my woman. I see the moment she realizes we’re alone. Now, it’s her and me. Exactly how I want it.
“Where did they go?” Olivia asks, scanning the opening to the kitchen, her cute little ankle boots dangling from her fingers. She lost those somewhere after dinner and before pool.
“I honestly don’t care,” I admit. “I’ve been wanting you alone all damn night.”
“Blade, I honestly do have to go,” she says. I’d like to think she’s disappointed, but I can’t be sure.
“I’ll let you go, but I want your cell number so that I can call and make sure you get home safely.”
Her mouth quirks. “Is that the only reason?”
“Not at-fucking-all,” I grin.
“We’re a bad idea, Blade. We’re too different.”
“Livy—”
“And on that note, I’m not sure you should come over tomorrow. Dad?—”
“Some of the best ideas are bad ones, Usdi.”
“Blade …”
