Boudreaux 01 Easy Love (12 page)

“I have not.”

“What would feel good everywhere?” he asks, distracting me.

“Your fingers.”

This makes him pause. He blinks rapidly, and if I’m not mistaken, all three of him blush.

“You’re blushing after what you said to me on the sidewalk?”

“I’m certainly not blushing,” he replies. “And, yes, I do believe my fingers would feel good everywhere.”

“I have no doubt,” I reply, and reach up to push his dark hair off his forehead. “You are pretty.”

“You already said that.”

“It’s true.”
 

“I think our sprouts are here,” he replies and kisses my hand before leaning away.
 

“Well, hello, Joe.” I smile up at the sexy waiter as he sets my food before me.
 

“Hello there,” he replies with a grin.

“You’re handsome,” I inform him. “May I please have another lemon drop?”

“You’re flirting with the waiter?” Eli asks with a laugh.

“He brings me delicious drinks,” I reply seriously and turn to Joe. “I would flirt with my date, but he took my drink away. That means no flirts for him.”

“I would be happy to bring you a water,” Joe replies and sets his hand on my shoulder. “And then another lemon drop after you get some food in you.”

“You have strong hands, Joe.” Eli growls next to me, but I ignore him. “Are you sure I can’t have just one little teeny tiny drink now?”

I bat my eyelashes, but Joe just laughs.
Laughs!
Maybe my flirter is broken.

“I’ll be right back with that water.”

“My flirter is broken.”

“No, it’s doing just fine,” Eli replies and holds a Brussels sprout up on the end of his fork for me to eat. “Try this.”

“It’s a bloody Brussels sprout.”

His eyes flare at the word
bloody
, and suddenly I’m thinking about his lips against mine telling me to say fuck.

“Fuck,” I whisper, watching his lips. He swears under his breath, then leans in to whisper in my ear.
 

“Eat, Kate. Please. You’re killing me here.”

“I am?” I smile widely, ridiculously proud of myself.

“Yes.” He takes my hand in his and guides it under the table to his lap. “See?”

“Wow,” I whisper, letting my hand roam over the bulge in his pants. “This is impressive.”

“Thank you.” He laughs and takes a drink of water, and when I squeeze my hand, just a little, he chokes on it. “Kate.”

“I mean, you won’t have any problem getting this in.”

“Stop.” He tugs my hand away, kisses my palm, and lays my hand back on the table. “The bartender gave you some strong drinks.”

He offers me the Brussels sprout again, and I open my mouth, obliging him.
 

“It’s good,” I say, surprised.

“Told you.”

“You’re good at food.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

I eat two more of the delicious vegetables. “I do.”

“Here’s your water, miss.” Joe smiles down at me with those super blue eyes, and I sigh, just a little.

“It’s too bad you didn’t give in to my flirting, Joe. You’re almost as delicious as these Brussels sprouts.”

“Kate.” I glance at Eli, who is pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.
 

“What?”

“So, liquor makes you come on to men, then? Is it true that tequila makes your clothes fall off?”

“No, tequila makes me throw up. Vodka makes my clothes fall off.” I grin and sip my water. “You might want to take notes.”

“No need. I don’t think I’ll ever forget anything about you.”

“Oh.” I sigh and lick my lips. “You say really great things.”

“Only the truth.”

I want to say more, but I clench my lips together, determined to not give too much away in my drunken stupor. Thankfully, Joe returns with our entrees, and Eli and I both dig in, enjoying the sounds of the diners around us, the night birds, and crickets. My cheeks feel warm from the alcohol, but the fuzzy haze is clearing from my head a bit with the food. Eli finally places the rest of the lemon drop he confiscated in front of me to finish with a grin.

“I’ve learned something about you tonight,
cher
.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“You have a three drink limit,” he replies with a laugh. “And, from now on, I’m asking for the oldest, ugliest waiter on staff.”

“I probably wouldn’t have dumped you for Joe,” I inform him with a grin. “Although, the man is pretty hot. And has strong hands. And brings me drinks.”

“Are those your requirements?” Eli asks.

“Some of them.”

“What are the rest?”

“What are your requirements?” I ask, rather than answer him.

“As of about a week ago, I only have one requirement. That she be
you.
”

I blink at him, unsure that those words actually came out of his mouth.

“You’re charming.”

He shrugs one shoulder, watching me closely. “Call it what you want.”

Eli settles the check and then holds his hand out for mine, pulling me to my feet. He leans in and kisses the corner of my mouth sweetly, then whispers in my ear, “You’re all I want, Kate.”

My nipples tighten, and the expensive lacy panties I’m wearing under my black maxi skirt are soaked as he leads me back to the sidewalk and toward our homes. I slip my hand in his and link our fingers, loving the way his big hand feels in mine. I lean back just a bit and take a quick look at his tight butt in his khaki slacks. He’s wearing a white button-down with the sleeves rolls up on his forearms, showing off the sinewy muscles that flex and move under his skin.

“You okay?”
 

“Yep, I was just checking out your butt.”

He shakes his head and laughs. “And?”

“It’s there.”

“Is that all?”

“And it’s impressive.”

He moves my hand to his other hand and cups my ass in the palm of his hand, gives it a pat, then takes my hand back in his. “Likewise, dawlin’.”

“My loft feels really far away right now.”

“It’s right there,” he says, and points to the building just a half of a block away.

“Really far.”

But, before I know it, we’re climbing the stairs to my door, and when we reach the top, Eli spins me, pins me to the door, and kisses me like a man starving. I grip his hair in my hands, loving the way the soft strands feel between my fingers, and press my belly against his pelvis. He’s hard and thick, and I need to get him naked.
 

He pushes his hand under the hem of my top and glides his magical hand up to cup my breast over the lace of my bra.

“God, I fucking love your lingerie choices,” he mutters, and drags his lips down my jawline to my neck, nibbling as he goes, sending shivers all over my body.

“I have a thing for pretty underwear.”

“Thank Christ.” His other hand cups my ass and he boosts me up high on his thigh. I shamelessly rub myself on his thigh, needing to get closer. God, he’s just hard,
everywhere.

“Come inside,” I murmur and kiss his cheek when he rests his temple on my forehead, then turns his face and kisses me lightly on the lips. His thumb brushes my nipple again, making me gasp and press harder on his thigh, but he pulls away, breathing hard, and swallows thickly.
 

“I can’t.”

“What?” My eyes snap up to his. He’s panting, and just as turned on as I am.

“Kate—”

“No, it’s okay.” I look down, disappointment singing through my veins, but he tilts my head up and kisses me sweetly.

“I’m not turning you down, and trust me when I say, I’m going to have you in every way there is to have you, but you’ve had too much to drink, and I’m not convinced that you trust me all the way yet. We’re getting there,
cher
.”

“I trust you. I trust you to give me a few of the best orgasms of my life.”

“Killing me,” he whispers, before planting his lips on my forehead and taking a deep breath.

“It’s this door.” I pull the hem of my shirt down and try to gain my balance. “I think you have an aversion to this door. Should I buy a new one? Is it the color you don’t like?”

He laughs and cages me between his hands. “I don’t want to fuck this up before we really get started, Kate.”

“And then you say things like that that make me swoon and my panties all wet.”

“Are your panties wet, Kate?”

“My panties have been wet for a week, Eli.”

“Good.” He kisses me softly, ending it on a growl. “Please tell me you can get yourself to bed.”

“I can’t get myself to bed.” I grin and bat my eyelashes. “You might have to help me.”

“Why do I think you’re not as impaired as I originally thought?”

“I’m fine.” I clear my throat and rest my hand on his rock-hard chest. “I’ll get myself to bed.”

He nods and steps away. “I’ll see you Friday.”

“Friday.”

Chapter Eight

It’s early and I’m dragging, getting ready for work, when there’s a loud knock on my door. I check the clock and frown, wondering who in the world would be here at six in the morning.

Did Eli come home early?

My heart starts to beat frantically as I dash to the door.

“Oh, Declan.”

He flashes a smile, and then laughs. “Gee, don’t look so excited to see me, superstar.”

“Of course I’m happy to see you.” I step back and invite him in. “But
why
am I seeing you at this time of day? You’re typically going to bed right about now.”

“Yeah, well, I haven’t been to bed yet.” He smiles again, making me roll my eyes.

“You’re a man-whore.”

“The ladies like a man who knows his way around a musical instrument.” He shrugs as though it’s no big deal and yawns widely. “I’ve come to take you to breakfast.”

“I have to be at work in two hours,” I remind him.

“Plenty of time for breakfast,” he insists.
 

“Let me finish my hair.” I wave for him to follow me to the bathroom, where he leans his broad shoulder against the doorjamb and watches me with humor-filled hazel eyes.
 

Eyes just like his older brother’s. I haven’t heard one word from Eli in four days. No flirty texts or phone calls. I know he’s away for work, and he’s probably busy, but I can’t help but be a little disappointed.

I miss the sexy charmer.
 

“Did you have a gig last night?” I ask and pull my flat iron through my hair.

“Yeah, at a new place. The owner is trying to get me to commit full time, but I like bouncing around.”

“
Bouncing
being the operative word,” I reply, and smile brightly at him in the mirror.
 

“There wasn’t a lot of bouncing happening last night, actually.”

“I don’t want to know.” I put the finishing touches on my hair, smooth gloss over my lips, and turn to Declan. “I’m ready.”

“Good, I’m starving.” He takes my hand in his and leads me out of the loft and down the street.

“So, who was the lucky lady this time?” I ask, as we stroll hand in hand into the heart of the Quarter.

“Clarice,” he replies, and a slow grin spreads over his lips. “She’s a dancer.”

“Oh, God. Clarice?
Seriously?
” I giggle and lean my forehead on his strong bicep, then glance up into his handsome, frowning face. “Does she hear the lambs screaming?”

“Stop it right now. You know that movie scared the hell out of me.”

I laugh loudly and shake my head. This is too good to pass up.

“Did you drink chianti?”

“Kate—”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” I try to school my features, but it’s no use. I dissolve into laughter again.

“I’m never going to be able to see her again after this,” he complains. “Do you know how flexible dancers are?”

“Does she also have a moth collection?”

He glares at me as he holds the door to the restaurant open for me, making me laugh all the louder. We’re seated quickly, not many people are out at this time of day, and I chuckle all the way to the table.

“Damn it. She was fun.”

“Oh, come on. You had to know it was doomed from the beginning with a name like Clarice. You had nightmares about that movie for months. The only thing that would have made it worse is if you swung for the other team and went for someone named Hannibal.”

“You got mean,” he replies, glaring at me over his menu.
 

“You know I love you,” I reply, and blow him a kiss. “I forgot how much fun it is to rile you up.”

The waitress arrives and takes our order. When she leaves, I lean back in my chair and study my friend. “You look tired.”