Page 2 of Hunt You Down

I yelped, suddenly jerked forward by André’s tight grip on my hand. His free arm wrapped around my waist and in one swift movement, he had his hand in my back pocket. He freed my wallet. Before I could snatch it back, he flipped it open, holding it under the light to read my driver’s license. I cringed, worried about my appearance in the picture.

“David,” he said in that hypnotizing voice. “You’re a Georgia boy, and a Gemini.” He closed the wallet and handed it back. “I love Geminis. You ever been here before?”

I shook my head, entirely captivated by the man. My heart raced, and I wondered why he hadn’t pulled away from my clammy hand. I instinctively took a step backward, trying to think of the best way to dash back to the hotel.

André let go of me and held his hands up in surrender. “Whoa,” he said, softening his voice like I was a baby deer he didn’t want to startle. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I can be a bit much and need to remember that not everyone likes that. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” My voice could only be described as a squeak.

His gaze raked over my body, seeming to think about his next move. “You hungry?”

My stomach rumbled as if to answer for me. I could only manage a slight nod.

“Can I buy you dinner? I know a great place nearby.”

As caught up as I was in those hypnotizing eyes, I hesitated. It felt like an eternity passed before I could choke out an answer. “Okay.”

I was completely entranced by this man. André wove through the crowds with my hand in his, cutting through the sea of bodies like they parted just for him. It wasn’t long before he hauled me onto the sidewalk, opening the door of a restaurant. With his grip tight on my hand, he guided me to walk ahead of him. I’d never smelled such mouth-watering food before.

We paused inside the front door, and I jolted when André grabbed me by the hips. At my stiffening, he loosened his grip—but didn’t drop his hands. I realized then that I didn’t mind it so much. “Would you let me order for you?” he whispered in my ear. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

Taking in my surroundings, I slowly nodded, unsure of what possessed me to do so. He gave me a smile that weakened my knees, but his hands kept me upright as he guided me into a rounded corner booth. People greeted him along the way, giving me a welcoming grin. A few older women pulled us in for a hug. The same music from outside filtered through the speakers, though not nearly as loud. Pleasant-sounding trumpets complimented the hum of conversation. The place was decorated in vibrant jewel tones, the walls and tables covered in rich greens, purples, and golds.

André slid into the booth next to me, stretching a long arm over the back of it. The waitress—an older Black woman—came around the corner, shouting something to someone in the back. When she noticed André, the menus in her hand flew to the side. “Andy, baby!” she exclaimed in a thick Caribbean accent, hauling André in for a tight hug. “How are ya, darlin’?”

“Hi, Mama!” The hug continued as he talked in her ear. “I have a friend with me tonight. I need you to be on your best behavior and take care of him. Can you do that?”

The woman gave André a playful smack on the chest. “Boy, when have I ever not taken care of your friends? It’s your behavior he should be concerned about!”

Seeing as he wasn’t going to make any introductions, she turned to me. “My name’s Elizabeth, darlin’, but everybody ‘round here just calls me Mama.”

“David,” I muttered timidly, shaking her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

André’s arm dropped around my shoulders. “David’s visiting from Georgia.”

Mama promised to “set me up,” and the two of them slipped into a language I’d never heard before. Something akin to French, the words rolled off André’s tongue in a way that made me pay attention like I did understand. Mama walked away, returning quickly with a drink for each of us. Thirsty, I reached for mine, only to sputter on the first sip. Damn, it was strong—but good.

So I kept drinking. A smooth, warm burn slid down my throat and surged through my veins. With half the drink gone, my head began to swim.

That time, when André’s hand fell to my waist, I leaned into the touch.

What on Earth was coming over me? Walking off with a strange man in an unfamiliar city was totally unlike me. Yet here I was, completely trusting this man to order my dinner and bring me drinks and—man, it was refreshing. I didn’t know what he had planned for the night, but I was excited to find out.

“What the hell is this drink?” I asked, draining the rest of it.

“Mint julep.”

“What’s in it?”

“Well, it’s mostly bourbon,” André said with a chuckle, using his finger to swipe away a rogue drop of liquid on the corner of my mouth. “A little mint, some juice, and most importantly…” He paused, tenderly brushing a lock of my hair behind my ear—and sending a shiver down my spine. “A lil’ bit o’ that Cajun magic.”

Chapter Two

God damn, this man.

André punctuated his sentence with a brush of his lips across my ear, which sent a jolt of pleasure through my body and straight to my dick.

“You want another?” he asked, gesturing to my empty glass.