“You’ve brought me to New Orleans for waffles,” said Mia.
“Not just any waffles. The best waffles this side of the Mississippi.”
“Shit, Alex. I make the best waffles in the whole of the Mississippi.”
My stomach protests at Mia’s claim. “I don’t know who told you that particular lie.”
Mia chuckles as she walks into the small family run café, finding an empty table near the rear which overlooks the street. I order the house special to share and coffee. Mia shakes her head as she glances out of the window. Her laughter reaching out to me. It’s a long time since I felt this free. Mia brings the inner child out in me and I want to play. I also want to keep her safe from the world. But I have realized, keeping Mia isolated on the riverboat isn’t the way. She enjoys her freedom, and she enjoys life.
“No one. Hank’s always asking for more,” Mia said.
“I think he just says that to please you. Or to shut you up.”
Mia turns to me and my cock twitches. Her eyes sparkle and my stomach dips. She is my one weakness and I don’t want her life touched by the likes of Delaney. “Hank would never lie to me. He’s an officer of the law. Remember.”
“I’m not likely to forget.” Mia’s hands rests on the table and I reach out, slipping my fingers around it. Her flesh is warm, and I kiss the palm. “Especially as he keeps stopping me to do a bike check.”
“Your bike looks fine to me.”
“It is. He’s just keeping an eye on me, that’s all.”
Under the table, Mia has managed to slip off a boot, and her foot slides up the back of my calf. Thick denim is my only protection from her touch. “Why?”
Shit, how can the woman look innocent when she’s seducing me in public. I cough to clear my thoughts.
“To make sure Jono and I don’t cause trouble.”
“Are you sure that’s the reason?” The waitress approaches our table, setting the waffles and coffee down. Mia’s foot reaches closer to the top of my thigh. Her toes glide over my wakening shaft and I grab her foot. As my thumbs strokes the arch of her foot, she trembles beneath my touch.
“Be careful, Mia.” I glance around the small waffle house. The other diners are busy with their own lives and gossip. “Remember you owe me.”
“I’m not the one who was insistent on leaving the cabin.”
“There’s a motel not far.”
“And there’s a perfectly good bed back at the riverboat.”
“Eat your waffle.”
Mia’s chuckle is easy to listen to and I glance at my watch to check what free time we have. It’s a two-hour road ride back to Noir Valley. The trip to New Orleans is an indulgence I couldn’t resist taking. However, The River Demons and Cole have a race to ride tonight and it wouldn’t do to be late. Especially as I’m the one racing Cole. But before we return to life on the riverboat, there’s one more place I want to visit with Mia.
“Do you miss it?”
I turn to Mia. Her gaze steady, her eyes full of questions.
“Miss it.”
She turns to look around her. The streets are busy. It’s tourist season. In a few weeks, the carnival will hit the city and there won’t be standing room. The first time I watched the carnival, Jo-Leigh had been with me. It was the first time I asked her to marry me. Shit, it had taken several proposals before she caved in and said yes. “No.” It was an honest answer. “I like to come for a visit. But I’m always eager to return to Noir Valley.”
“Because of Jo-Leigh.”
I shake my head. “If Jo-Leigh hadn’t died. I would have stayed in New Orleans. Shit, I would have either opened my own practice by now or be working hard to be a senior partner. What about you? You returned to Noir Valley after college.”
Mia slips her hand into mine and I gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m a small-town girl. Anyway, aren’t you glad I returned?”
Hazel eyes sparkle with laughter and I pull her into my arms. Her scent of lilies teases my senses. Mia has me and I have no desire to let her go. “The jury’s still out on that one.”
“Afternoon Alex.”
My breath freezes in my throat and when Mia scowls up at me, I realize my grip has tightened around her wrist. In seven years, this is the second time Delaney has spoken to me directly. Keeping hold of Mia’s hand, I release her from our hug.
“Delaney.”
His brown gaze sweeps over Mia as a smile plays on his lips, which my fist yearns to make disappear. “And this must be the delightful Mia.” Delaney holds his hand out to her, but she ignores it as she steps closer to me. “Jonathan has spoken of you.” Although he knows Mia is with me. I watch as he strips her with his gaze. The lick of his tongue over his over plump lip pulls at my guts. “He said you were pretty. But you’re more than that aren’t you.” He turns to me. His eyes bland. “Is she as delightful in bed as Jo-Leigh was?” He snorts and my stomach twists. Bile rises in my throat. “That woman could go for hours. No wonder you never wanted to share her.” His gaze flickers back to Mia. “Maybe this time you’ll play different. I wouldn’t say no to a threesome.”
The mist rises as the bile swarms in my stomach and my fist rises. My smile deepens as I watch with pleasure as Delaney staggers, gripping on to the railing then landing on the ground. With a kick to his stomach. I grab Mia’s hand.
