Forever Baby (16 page)

I process everything Nadia is saying. Andres is irresistible, so of course, he has girls throwing themselves at him. He’s a guy.
Can I blame him for taking advantage of his good fortune?
Plus, that was before me. I shouldn’t let it bother me. I can’t judge him on his past.

Then, I realize that the source of my annoyance with this conversation is fear.
Why me? Am I different than those girls? Is he going to get bored with me and move on?
Emotionally, I’m already in so deep that it scares me.

I sit up. “Why me?”

Nadia peers at me with kind but questioning eyes, and I can tell she doesn’t understand my question.

I continue, “I don’t understand. I don’t feel like I’m a quick fling or a fuck-buddy when I’m with him. It feels real. I don’t want to be like the other girls. Do you think I’m different?”

“Yes, Livi! Of course you’re different,” she says with complete confidence. “He isn’t the same with you. He seems happy.”

“But why me? Why is he better with me?”

“I don’t know, but he obviously likes you a lot. You must be doing something right.” She winks at me, and then she comes over and grabs my hand. “Don’t let this worry you. Just go with it. You two seem so happy together. Don’t question everything or worry about things you can’t control, like his past. Simply be happy, and see where it takes you.”

My urge for a nap evaporates when I hear the first strum of the guitar. My face lights up.

“Do you want to go watch them practice?” Nadia asks.

Do I ever.
“Yes!”

I sit on the end of the couch with my knees pulled up to my chest. I lay my head on my knees as I watch the guys practice. They are really very talented but none more so than Andres. He is a double threat with his ability to play guitar and sing. His voice is smooth as silk and raspy as sin, and it has the power to melt my soul. It’s truly enchanting and so freaking sexy. Their music has a rock edge with an alternative and mainstream sound. It is very Matchbox Twenty meets One Republic in Spanish.

I lean back into the comfy couch, allowing my head to sink into the cushion, as I feel the vibrations of the music.

Full lips are on mine.

“Wake up, baby.”

Opening my eyes, I see Andres leaning over me.

I stretch my arms above my head. “Hey.” I yawn, still sleepy from my nap.

Andres chuckles and kisses me on the forehead. “Are you hungry?”

The house smells of freshly made cuisine. Maria must have been here.

After a delicious chicken and rice dish, Andres leaves, promising to return soon to pick me up. He has to go home to get ready for the evening.

Following Andres’s departure, Nadia bounces over to me with excitement. “Now, get all sexified because we’re going out, and you are in for a special treat tonight!”

I laugh at her contagious exuberance. “What does that mean?”

She holds her hands together, steepling them in front of her face, as she grins widely. “The guys are going to play tonight! Eeek! So fun! You’re going to love watching them. They are so great on stage!”

“Oh my God! That is awesome. What should I wear?”

“Anything you want. Make sure you exude hotness though. It’ll give Andres something to think about when he’s up there.”

I am giddy as I get ready. I desperately want to text Cara, so I can tell her about my night out and get her opinion on the look I should go for, but I know she is at work. I channel my inner-Cara as I pick my outfit.
What would Cara wear? Ha. She’d love that.
I can’t wait until she is here to share this experience with me.

I can’t even imagine the reaction my body will have when I watch the guys on stage. Seeing them play in the living room is overwhelming. I envision Andres on stage, singing, with his voice amplified by the microphone and his body showcased by the lighting.
Yum.
Yeah, I’m in over my head, way deep. I’m drowning in an overpowering hunger for this man, and I don’t want a life vest.

I opt to wear black shorts—emphasis on
short
—a fitted silver corset top, and black heels. I apply a little more eye shadow than normal, giving my eyes a dark, smoky appearance. Instead of my girlie light pink lip gloss, I decide to wear a darker shade, which makes my lips appear quite full. I straighten my hair and let it fall, silky and sleek, down my back.

I walk out to the living room when Andres and Carlos come through the door. They are talking and laughing, and then Andres stops mid-sentence when he sees me. His eyes widen, followed by a devilish grin. He walks over, cups my face, and gives me a quick kiss.

“Damn, Livi, you are smokin’ hot. How am I supposed to concentrate when I know you look like this?” His stare darkens with desire as he scans my entire body. “Your legs are amazing. God, you are so beautiful.” He pulls me into a long kiss.

A cough echoes from behind Andres.

Carlos says, “Jesus, you two, get a fucking room. Come on, man, we have to go.”

Andres releases his mouth away from mine, and I stand with my eyes closed for a second, still tasting him. He then grabs my hand and kisses it softly, and we head for the door.

Carlos yells upstairs, “Nadia, we’re leaving your ass if you’re not down here in ten seconds!”

I hear Nadia before I see her.

“Shut up, Carlos. I’m coming! What crawled up your ass and died?” Nadia walks down the stairs. She looks incredible in a short black dress and heels.

The boys are playing at Demo. I watch them set up their equipment. I can’t wait to see them perform. I want to laugh every time I hear their band name. Apparently, they officially formed their band shortly after Andres’s mother died. He didn’t have any real investment in the name of their band at that time, and the others couldn’t agree on one. So, they referred to their band as such until the name stuck somewhere along the line.

Nadia and I are sitting at a table close to the stage.

I take a sip of my water. “Why aren’t you dating anyone?” I ask.

“I don’t know. I’ve dated people in the past. There’s no one interesting right now.”

“When was the last time you were in a serious relationship?”

She laughs. “Well, since you asked…believe it or not, I got out of a year-long relationship with Hugo a few months ago.”

“Hugo? Really?” I’m surprised because they seem so comfortable together now. “I can see why you dated him. He’s totally adorable and a complete charmer.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, that was the problem. He was as bad as Andres, always having girls around him, constantly flirting. He says he was faithful to me, but I really don’t believe him. I couldn’t go through that emotional roller coaster anymore. We started as friends, and we are able to be friends now, so that’s good.”

I ignore her comment about Andres. “Yeah, it is. It would be totally awkward if it were weird between you two since the guys are always together.” I catch Andres looking my way.

His grin melts me, and my lips curve up, returning his appreciation.

Nadia smirks at me. “Gosh, girl, you’ve got it bad. You two are like lovesick puppies. It is sickeningly sweet.”

“I know. I am pretty pathetic, aren’t I?” I laugh.

“So, how about you?” she asks. “When was your last big relationship?”

I turn away from Andres. “Actually, I haven’t been in a real relationship since high school. I’ve dated guys here and there but never for very long. Most of the time, I hang with Cara and Nolan.”

“There’s never been anything serious between you and Nolan?” she asks.

“No. Andres keeps asking the same thing, but no, I swear, we’ve always been just friends.”

“I might not be spot-on at reading people, but the way that he is with you, it seems like there’s more there.”

I chuckle. “No, there isn’t. Nolan is a constant flirt. He’s like that with every girl.”

“Okay…if you say so.”

The drums start, followed by the guitars, and my heart is beating out of my chest in anticipation for Andres to start singing. He leans into the microphone, and the sound of his voice fills the bar. I am in awe. His voice is clear, sexy, hauntingly beautiful, and simply astounding. I grin like a giddy schoolgirl as I watch him sing.

The small dance floor in front of the stage quickly fills with bodies, and I notice that most of them are female, scantily dressed in clothing that barely covers the parts of their bodies that really shouldn’t be flashed in public. My anger and jealousy rise as I wonder how many of them Andres has slept with.
Do I even want to know?
Sighing, I try to push the thought away and enjoy the music.

Julio is playing the drums. Hugo and Carlos are playing guitars, and Andres is singing. They play a lot of classic rock covers and some of their own stuff. They’re incredible at both. I sing along to the popular cover songs with lyrics and rhythms that are familiar and comforting, but the songs sound new as if I am listening to them for the first time through Andres’s voice. Each of their original songs draws me in as well. I can imagine hearing them on the radio since their songs have catchy beats and melodies. They have pure Top 100 sex appeal with an edge.

With my arm extended, leaning into Nadia, I take some selfies of us with my cell phone. I take a thirty-second clip of Andres singing and send it along with the pictures of Nadia and me to Cara. She works the late dinner shift at the restaurant on Tuesday evenings, so I know she must be getting ready for work about now.

Her response comes a minute later.

Cara: Holy fuck, Liv! You look gorgeous. *Swoon* I can’t believe you are dating a hot rock god! Totally jealous! Getting ready to go prepare some ranch cups and prep some salads. Want to trade?

Me: You will be here soon enough! Miss you! You do make the best ranch!

Cara: LOL. Can’t wait for this week to be over! Love you!

Me: I can’t wait until Friday either! Talk to you later. xo

Nadia pulls me onto the dance floor. After a couple of songs, unfamiliar hands wrap around my hips. Turning, I see a cute brunet guy smiling at me. I greet him politely and tell him that I can’t dance with him. As he protests, I notice Andres’s attention is locked on us, and he seems livid. I regard him reassuringly and continue to explain to the zealous guy that I’m not interested. Eventually, he leaves me, and I can see Andres relax. His eyes return to their normal size, and his body loosens up. I can physically see the tension leaving his body.

Geez, lighten up, hot stuff.

I blow him a kiss, and his lips twist up into a smoldering smirk.

After the set, Andres quickly makes his way off the stage. The female population eagerly molests him as he makes his way through the crowd. Upon reaching me, he wraps his arms tightly around my middle, picking me up, so we’re face-to-face. He plunges his tongue into my mouth in an all-consuming kiss. Our kiss is intense, urgent, and unyieldingly desperate.

“Ugh!” he groans. “I need you, Livi—now. Let’s go back to my place,” he pleads into my ear. He lightly bites my earlobe.

“Andres, I can’t. It’s a Monday, and it’s already late. I have school tomorrow.”

He puts me down, and I run my fingers through his hair. He starts nibbling and sucking on my neck. I am wet with desire.

“Please,” he says.

The longing in his voice tears at my heart.

“Please, Liv, I need you.”

“Okay,” I whisper. “But I need to be back home tonight.”

“Or you can stay at my place, and I will take you to school tomorrow.” He grabs my hand and heads straight for the exit, not waiting for my response.

I twist around and wave to Nadia and the guys. They’re chuckling as they wave back. Carlos shakes his head with a knowing smirk plastered on his face before Andres pulls me out the door.

Let them have the club. I have Andres.