“Bread pudding for me.” I chose the same. I’d rarely had any dessert I liked as much as their bread pudding soufflé topped with whiskey cream sauce. It was perfection. Even so, I enjoyed watching Henri savor his dessert as much as I enjoyed eating mine.
As Henri and Emilio discussed the merits of their rich chocolate confections, X turned his attention to me. “Tell me what you’ve learned about your pressing problem.”
“I’ve confirmed the connection we suspected. I’m more certain than ever that we’re on the right path. The men we’re in conflict with have aligned themselves with this weaker group, knowing they can use them. My guess would be that they plan to infiltrate and absorb them.”
“That would be disastrous for New Orleans.”
“I agree. We got another piece of intel that could be very useful. We believe one of the men we’re looking into was forced to do some dirty work for the stronger party. He isn’t happy with where things are going. He might be scared enough to turn on the rest of them.”
“You’re thinking about having someone approach him.” I nodded, and X continued, “I can’t be involved personally, but I can send a few members of my team.”
I smiled, seeing where he was going. “And Niall would be willing to play the part?”
“Giorgio would say he plays the part most of the time.”
I laughed. Niall was a former FBI agent, and from what I’d learned about him, he was damn good at looking the part of the cold impersonal federal agent, but he was fully on the other side of the law now.
“I can lend you Giorgio too. His skills are always useful.”
Giorgio was a sniper, but Xavier was wise not to use that word in a restaurant such as this.
We continued to discuss the plan in vague terms. Niall would feel out Clark Landry and see if he could turn him. If so, we’d have them plan the weapons drop and then we’d grab everyone at once.
I noticed both Emilio and Henri were listening now. Emilio knew everything about what X did. I intended to keep Henri with me until this ended so he wouldn’t have a chance to cause any trouble for me or himself, and we’d been circumspect enough that he had few details.
When we’d talked as much as was prudent in public, X said, “We can firm up some details later, but I’ll plan to send assistance in the next few days.”
“Excellent.” I wanted to move as fast as we could. My father was pushing me, and my tension level wouldn’t go down until the situation was resolved. At least I had Henri for stress relief.
As we departed the restaurant, Henri seemed much happier than he had when we’d arrived. He was relaxed, leaning against me as I put my arm around his waist. He and Emilio had exchanged contact information and agreed to keep in touch. That would be good for him. I got the feeling Emilio had also had a rough start in life. Maybe he could help Henri get on a new track.
We said goodbye, and Emilio and X headed back to their hotel. A car waited for me and Henri. It was going to be all I could do not to strip him down and take him in the back seat before we made it home.
I’d told him I would tease him and draw things out until he was desperate, but after waiting all day, I wanted his ass right that second. I wanted to drive inside him, feel him clench around me, and keep fucking him until pain shifted to pleasure and he was writhing beneath me, begging for more. No way in hell was I going to be able to wait much longer, but I would go slow enough that he would enjoy every minute of it, even if that took superhuman control.
As soon as we were in the house, I pulled him to me. When my lips met his, he opened immediately, body going slack as he surrendered to me. I had no doubt he would have fallen if I hadn’t held on to him tightly. I slid my lips along his jaw and down his neck, nibbling and sucking at his sensitive skin.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” I said as I pulled away.
“I… I don’t think I am.”
I chuckled as I pulled his shirt open so I could kiss his collarbone. “What do you want?”
“Isn’t this about what you want?”
“I need to hear you say it.”
“You. I want you.”
“That’s good because no one else can touch you.” Ever. Did I really mean that, or was it just the heat of the moment? It could be temporary insanity, but the thought of another man’s hands on him made me want to rip someone’s head off.
“What do you want me to do to you?” I asked, needing him to confess more.
“Whatever you want. Anything.”
I wrapped my hands around his upper arms and squeezed tightly enough that he looked up in shock. “I asked you a question, and I expect a real answer.”
“I… I don’t know.”
I shook my head. “That’s not the answer I’m looking for.”
“Then tell me what to say, and I’ll say it.”
Jesus, knowing he’d submit to me like that, knowing how much power I held over him made me hard as steel. “I know you would, cher. You’ll do anything I tell you to, won’t you?” He nodded, eyes glazed, pupils blown. “I adore that about you, but that’s not what I asked.”
“Fuck me. I want you to fuck me.” His hand drifted down and squeezed my cock through my suit pants. “I want this inside me. I want to know what it’s like.”
My pulse pounded in my ears, and I didn’t think I’d ever been as hard as I was. “Your ass is mine, and I’m going to make you love it.” I slid my hands down his back and squeezed both his cheeks, pulling him hard against me and
