“Uh-huh.” Damn, a girl like that shouldn’t be allowed to look at a man that way. My jeans weren’t going to be my friend for long.

“You care to share?”

“Not right now.” She smiled and took a seat next to Owen. I stifled the growl I felt rising in my throat. To make matters worse, Hailey jumped into the empty seat next to her before I got the chance. That girl was looking for trouble. I shot her a dirty look. Jess let out a giggle. She was perched on Jared’s lap. He looked very pleased with the arrangement.

The table was also occupied by a few guys I knew from Society events. One of them immediately jumped out of his seat and offered it to me.

“That won’t be necessary. I’m sure Allie and I can share.” I looked right at her. If she was going to eye f**k me, I was going to do it right back.

“You wish.”

“Why? You afraid you might actually like it?” I taunted. I was getting frustrated. She obviously wanted me too. Why was she being so difficult?

She shivered, and I loved that I had that effect on her. “Not a chance.”

She stormed off inside. I gave her a few seconds head start before following her. She didn’t notice. Instead, she got distracted by the music. I watched her body move to the beat, completely oblivious to anyone or anything around her. My body rebelled at the thought of her so unprotected. Where was this coming from? She was just a girl.

I ordered her another Oasis and waited until I saw her set aside her empty glass at the bar before approaching again. I leaned against the bar, waiting for her to notice. “I told you you’d like it here.”

She turned to look up at me. “I admit it’s pretty cool. Who is this, by the way?”

“Oh, it’s the Rebirth Brass Band. Heard of them?”

“I don’t think so, but that isn’t surprising. I’m not exactly up on the New Orleans music scene. Anyway, what was that all about back there?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why do people act like you walk on water or something?”

“How do you know I don’t?” I handed her the drink. She accepted it with a nod and took a long slow sip. My eyes went to her lips, so ready to know what they felt like. I was tired of waiting.

“Don’t what?”

“Walk on water.”

“Wow, you are even cockier than I thought.”

I laughed. She really said what was on her mind.

“All right, I can’t walk on water, but I can do other things very, very well.” And I was ready to show her exactly what I meant.

“Oh yeah?” She licked her lip, and I knew she was thinking the same thoughts as me.

“Let me show you.” I leaned in and brushed my lips against hers gently, just long enough for her to think I wasn’t going to take it further. Without warning, I picked it up, crushing my lips into hers. She responded, and I wrapped her up in my arms, devouring the sweet taste of her mouth as her hands twisted in my hair. Every inch of me was on fire, begging for more. There was something special about her, and one kiss was definitely not going to be enough.

I heard someone clear their throat, bringing me back to where we were. I reluctantly broke the kiss. “Still going to pretend you aren’t interested, Allison?”

She gazed up at me with this dazed expression. I laughed. “I told you to call me Allie.”

“You said everyone calls you Allie. I’m not everyone.” She wasn’t going to be able to keep me at bay. Any chance of staying away from me was over the second my lips touched hers.

“Are you always this frustrating?”

“Depends on who you ask.”

She groaned before setting aside her partially full glass. I followed her back out onto the patio. I was still on a high from the kiss and just trying to come up with the best way to ask her home. She wanted to, but I had the feeling she was still going to resist.

I sat watching her for hours. She seemed so comfortable hanging out with my friends, and she especially seemed to be hitting it off with Hailey. I liked that. Why? Why did I care if a girl I slept with was friends with my roommate’s little sister? Because I wanted her to stick around. The thought hit me like a strike of lightning. Forget a few nights, I wanted this girl longer.

I zoned out most of their conversation, trying to keep my mind off the kiss and the growing bulge in my pants, by discussing college sports with Jared. Eventually, I got pulled back into their conversation. Somehow the topic of action movies had come up.

“Okay, so who would win in a fight, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Stephen Segal, Bruce Lee, or Jackie Chan?” Owen asked.

“Easy, Jean-Claude. I mean he’s hot and bad ass. Can you get any better?” Allie answered animatedly.

“Wait, so I’m not the only 18-year-old Jean-Claude fan? Nice!” Hailey gave her a high five.

“That’s who you find hot?” I smirked. “But anyway, Owen, you left out Chuck Norris.”

“Please, no. Someone stop Levi from starting in on Chuck Norris. There are only so many of those jokes I can take.” Hailey hit the table with her hand and spilled several of the drinks. For some reason, the girls thought this was funny, and they started cracking up. Allie had a great smile and an even better laugh.

“Wow, is it really 2:30?” She squinted at the face of her watch. She blinked a few times before pulling out a small bottle from her purse and putting in some eye drops. She must have had contacts. I couldn’t relate. I had perfect vision.

“Did you guys drive?” Hailey asked.

“No, we took the streetcar.” Allie yawned.

“Why don’t you guys come back to our place? It’s really late anyhow,” Jared suggested.

“That sounds like a great idea.” Jess ran her hand down Jared’s leg.

Allie didn’t hide her distaste at the idea. I tried not to let that irk me. “I’m sure it does, Jess.”

“I’d have to agree.” I smiled. She had to be messing with me. There was no way she wanted to go home.

“I’d invite you guys to crash at my house, but my parents will flip if they see that I’ve been drinking. I’m going to stay over at their place anyway,” Hailey explained.

“You still live at home?” Allie seemed surprised.

“Yeah. I just graduated from high school.”

“Oh, duh. You said you were eighteen. Okay, I’ll stay at their place then.” For some reason, knowing that Hailey was coming made the prospect more appealing to Allie. I’d have to remember to thank Hailey later.