Jessica stiffened and attempted to pull back from his relaxed grip. Her efforts failed.
He continued moving her on the dance floor, paying absolutely no attention to the fact that she was trying to get away.
“I need to get back to my hotel.”
“I’ll take you,” he said, looking down and giving her a smoky look that spoke volumes.
She knew exactly what he was thinking. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”
He arched one brow, looking amused. “Who said anythin’ bout sleepin’, chere?”
The iciness from moments before melted in a puddle at her feet. He flustered her with such ease, it was disturbing. She tried to cover it with a sarcastic tone. “You know what I mean.”
“Maybe I don’. You tryin’ to gi’ me a hint? I tell you what, I don’ see dem so good. Maybe you need to be a liddle more direct. If you don’ wan’ to sleep, what do you wan’ to do?”
“Not what you’re thinking,” she said, frowning.
“How do you know what I’m thinkin?”
“I can tell by--by....”
He grinned. “I’ll make it easy for you, chere. You can have me if you wan’ me.
How bout dat?”
Jessica harrumphed under her breath. “Thanks,” she muttered. “You could just hit me over the head and make it easier all the way around. Let me go, and I’ll turn around so you can do it.”
He chuckled, one hand roaming around her back and creeping too close to her ass for her comfort level. His eyes gleamed with wicked mirth. “And here I thought you an ange. You really diabolique, petite. You like things a liddle rough, no?”
He was being deliberately obtuse, probably all in an attempt so he could continue feeling her up. “I’m suddenly exhausted,” she said wryly, trying to loosen herself from his hold.
He finally relented and released her, looking disappointed. “Ah, too bad. You sure you won’ let me take you to d’hotel?”
Jessica held up her hand, stopping him. “No, thanks. I’m used to taking care of myself.” She was the only person she could rely on. It wasn’t safe for a woman to put faith in a man these days. They didn’t protect, they didn’t take care of--all they did was use until a woman had nothing else to give, and then they threw them away for the next sucker. She was better off being single.
Jessica beat a hasty retreat back to her hotel, leaving Gabriel in the dust before he could use any more of that lethal charm on her.
One thing she knew now: Cajun accent + dimples + good looks = loss of brain function. She felt like a cat hooked on catnip, and there was no way this pussy was going to play and rub all over that.
Chapter Three
Jessica had just looked at her watch. She thought for one stunned moment of confusion, and embarrassment, that she had walked into the wall. Then two hands gripped her biceps, steadying her as she drew back.
A faint smiled curled Gabriel’s lips. “But, cherie, we hardly know one anodur.”
“What?” His accent confused her for several moments, but even when her brain finally interpreted the unfamiliar pronunciation, she was still all at sea.
“Las’ night you didn’ even wan’ t’kiss me, now you rush into my arms?”
Jessica sputtered indignantly and looked up at his eyes. “I did no such thing!”
“So, you forget your reward already?”
“What are you talking about--wait. My reward. You’re really full of yourself. It was your reward for rescuing my necklace.”
One dark brow arched beguilingly. “So what do you give me for savin’ you from a fall,” he murmured, leaning too close.
Jessica pulled back so sharply she almost fell, and it was exactly the opening he was looking for. His bare arms wrapped around her, the hair sprinkled skin abrasive against the portions of her back bared by the strappy sundress. Did the man never wear a shirt? She couldn’t think straight with all that potent male flesh exposed to her view and the skin of her palms.
Her fingertips tingled as his muscles played beneath them, moving as he trapped her. He tightened his hold, pulling her close, closer. Jessica flattened her palms on his chest, ignoring the fluttering in her stomach touching his bare flesh aroused, and pushed away. It did nothing to stop him. “Gabriel, we can’t do this here in the middle of the hotel.”
“Perhaps we cou’ go up to your room?” he whispered, brushing his lips against the delicate shell of her ear, his warm breath ruffling her insides with delighted shivers.
“I don’t think so.” She gasped as his tongue thrust, wet and hot, in her ear, sending goosebumps chasing over her skin. He withdrew it, then tugged her earlobe with his teeth before swiping a wet path behind her ear.
“Mmm. You taste good. I cou’ eat you right here, chere.”
“Please don’t.”
“You don’ soun’ sure. You soun’ like maybe you think yes.”
With an effort, Jessica reined in her careening libido. “I think I said no, Gabriel. You
’re embarrassing me.”
He pulled back and studied her with mirth in his eyes and a lazy grin. “I hardly got started. Ah dis color is a blush? It looks sweet on you, chere. Such a preddy face, why you hide from me?”
Jessica’s face flamed even more at that remark. She was gratified when, reluctantly, he released her. She resisted the urge to wipe her kiss dampened skin, cooling in the climate controlled air. He grinned at her as if he knew exactly what she wanted to do.
Jessica glared back, then her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t just happen by, did you?”
He looked wounded. “You don’ trust me, chere?”
“I don’t know you,” she said indignantly. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because I am your champion. And I have decided to sacrifice my day and pu’
myself at your disposal. I will show you Nawlins.”
“That’s so thoughtful of you. But I have a tour guide. I believe I can find my way around.” She brushed past him and strode from the hotel. He fell into step beside her, not looking the least perturbed by her determined efforts to brush him off.
“We shou’ go for coffee, and luncheon at the Bayou Cafe. And then you mus’ tell me what sites most pique your interest.”
Jessica stopped and stared at him. The truth was, she really didn’t know her way around New Orleans, and it had occurred to her before that knowing a local would help her in her quest. She couldn’t really afford to hire a tour guide--not if she wanted to continue having a hotel room or things to eat. “All right. I’ll have lunch with you. But I warn you, if you try anything, you’ll draw back a nub.”
He smiled that toe curling grin again and made a sweeping gesture with his arm.
“After you, cherie.”
She stopped in her tracks and gave him a once over. “Wait a minute. Are you going like that?” Never in her life had she seen a restaurant that would allow patrons to go in half naked.
“Sometin’ wrong? You don’ like what I’m wearin? I’m hurt, cherie.”
“Well ... uh ... there’s just so much of you ... exposed.” Jessica blushed as she realized she was staring at his crotch. Not that it was exposed. She probably wouldn’t still be standing if it had been. She was sure the sight of that would make her faint.
“No’ exposed enough for what I’d like to do,” he said, full of promise.
“And what would that be?” she asked and immediately regretted it.
He grinned. “Gimme some time, I show you.”
