Lauren Canan – One Night With The Texan (страница 2)

“Oh, you won’t,” Mac answered with a wink. “If you’re chicken, I’ll go first. I’ve got to get some of those beads.”

“You do know you can buy them in the local stores?”

“Yes, but where’s the fun in that?”

With her hips gyrating to the heavy beat reverberating off the walls, the blonde teasingly danced her way out to the balcony edge and began to unfasten her shirt, button by button. The crowd below began to clap and yell even louder.

If you blinked, you missed it. But apparently it was enough because men quickly threw strings of various colored beads up to her. Tallie watched in disbelief as Ginger did the same thing. Then both her friends looked at her.

Tallie shook her head. “I’m gonna pass. This just isn’t my thing. And frankly, I’m surprised at the two of you doing something this...bizarre.”

“Do you mean to tell me you’re going out in the world—about to start your new career with a Ph.D. in your pocket—and you’re going to let this amazing memory slip by?” Ginger had to yell to be heard over the crowd and the music. She giggled and downed the rest of her drink.

Tipsy. They were both tipsy and headed to full blown smashed.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” she laughed. No way would she ever be so intoxicated she would shake her boobs in front of a hundred people from a second-story balcony. What had gotten into her studious, straight-laced friends? She could understand blowing off steam after all the hard work they’d done to get their degrees, but still. “Come on. There has to be someplace we haven’t been yet.” She led the others down the stairs back to the street. “I feel like dancing.”

“I could do some dancing,” Ginger agreed. “Give me a sultry, sexy tune anytime. Here—” Ginger looped several strands of beads over Tallie’s head “—you gotta have some finery if you want to be asked to dance.”

“She’s right,” Mac added as she draped more strands of beads around Tallie’s neck. “Now it looks like we’re all daring and ready to get down.”

Get down? Tallie could only imagine.

“Anybody have a suggestion? I’m guessing this being a Friday night, the better pubs and lounges are full,” Ginger sighed.

“I saw lines of people waiting to get in a couple of places on our way back here,” Mac added. “But there has to be someplace we can go.”

“Wait, wait. I heard some people talking at the bistro about a place on the outskirts of the Quarter they thought was good. The Gator Trap Bar and Grill. It’s on Bourbon Street down toward St. Ann. I want to try a drink they mentioned called the Horny Crock.” Ginger giggled. “Or the Swamp Itch.”

“That sounds bad,” the other two chimed in.

“I didn’t name them. But I could sure drink one. Or two!”

After agreeing on the next destination, they refreshed their drinks at a street vendor and headed down Bourbon.

If there was a bar in New Orleans moodier and more atmospheric than the Gator Trap, Tallie couldn’t imagine what it must be like. The place was dark. There were candles on each table and lights heralding the yuletide season that had ended five months ago still hung over the large mirror behind the bar. They provided the only light. The soulful sax, trumpet, piano and bass coming from the quartet in the back of the room pulled you in.

While Ginger and Mac headed for the ladies’ room Tallie slipped onto a seat at the bar.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked as he removed two dirty glasses from in front of her and wiped the countertop. Tallie gave her order.

“Make that two,” said a man to her right as he tossed some bills on the counter. “I couldn’t say I’ve experienced New Orleans without sampling a Swamp Itch.”

Laughing, Tallie swung around, her eyes growing wide as she recognized the mysterious man she’d been seeing at various places most of the evening. His golden eyes were gleaming with humor as he acknowledged her. “We seem to have a lot in common.”

“You mean like the aquarium?” The first time she’d seen him was as she was leaving the aquarium.

“And the artists on Jackson Square.”

“Yes. Some were brilliant, didn’t you think? We didn’t make it to the paddle boats or the zoo,” she said. “Did we?” She wondered if he had gone there.

“No, we didn’t. We’ll have to save those for next time.”

His voice was deep and crusty and well over the line to absolutely sexy. As their drinks were placed before them, he offered a toast. “Here’s to new experiences.”

“To new experiences.” Tallie grinned. This entire evening had definitely been that and more. She’d gone to school here but had never let herself get drawn into the nightlife. Money was tight and she’d taken her studies seriously. Archeology wasn’t just a degree for her. It was a passion.

Ginger had been right in her speculation that the drinks would be good here. Between the warm, humid air filling the room and the man’s close presence, Tallie all but guzzled the entire glass.

“Two more,” the man said, holding up some money. He laid it on the counter and looked back at Tallie. “Dance with me.”

It wasn’t a question. But when he took her hand in his much larger one she didn’t protest. He led her to the small dance floor, placed her hands on his shoulders and held her close with both arms around her. As expected, he was all hard muscle and iron strength. She was five seven, but the top of her head barely reached his collarbone. Rather than talk, he seemed content to hold her close and move to the soulful music. It worked for her.

She caught a glimpse of Ginger and Mac as they passed by. Both grinned and winked, giving her a thumbs-up. After three songs her mystery man led her back to the bar where their freshened drinks awaited. Like before, she wasted no time emptying her glass.

When the bartender approached, the man ordered for both of them. In French. “You’ll like this drink. It’s a specialty of the house.”

And it was delicious.

“So, do you live here?” she asked, mesmerized by the way his Adam’s apple moved when he swallowed his drink. Was there anything not sexy about this guy?

“No. I live...in various places. No one place I’d call home.”

“Oh,” she replied. “That’s sad.”

“Sad? You think it’s sad to live all over the world?”

“I think its fine to travel on occasion, but you need a home base. At least, I would. A special place you long to return to. Somewhere you can kick off your shoes, turn off the phone, sleep in your own bed and know you’re...well...home.” Tallie patted his arm. “But don’t worry. You’ll get through the hard times and find a home. I guarantee it.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” He pursed his lips as though he found her remark funny.

She finished her drink and he ordered two more. “Where is it you call home?”

“Texas. Far northeast. That’s where I grew up, where my family lives. I’ve been going to school at Tulane. In the morning I head home.”

The band kicked off another song just as the bartender set the two new beverages on the counter. The sexy stranger watched in obvious amusement while she took a sip. “This is really, really good.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, standing. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

The tune was slow, moody and the perfect tempo. He once again enclosed her in his powerful arms and she rested her head against his shoulder and swayed to the music. She could smell his essence, feel the heat of his body. His hands moved up and down her back, easing her still closer. Then he cupped her face, brushing her hair back over her shoulders. She couldn’t see much in the dim light, but what she saw was mesmerizing. His amber eyes seemed to glow, but it was his lips that beckoned her. What must it be like to kiss him?

Before the thought could leave her mind he lowered his head and his lips covered hers, warm, gentle, enticing.

Tallie was struck by the soft pliability of his mouth, which was a complete contrast to the hard-muscled body that pressed against her. But the kiss was so brief she wondered if she’d imagined it. He watched her as though looking for any sign she didn’t want to be kissed. She smiled, conveying a silent approval. Apparently satisfied, he again bent his head toward her. “You are so beautiful.” His breath was warm against her ear, sending shivers racing across her skin. He returned to her mouth and drew his tongue across her lips, enticing them to open. Without conscious thought, she complied. His tongue swept inside her mouth, deep and decisive. He tasted of a dark spice, with a hint of the drink they’d been enjoying, along with his own unique all-male flavor, and she couldn’t get enough.

She gently suckled his tongue and he moaned, filling her mouth, going deep, as though he needed to taste all she had to offer. Tallie had never been kissed like this, with such expertise, such blatant sexuality. It was so far removed from the stilted good-night kisses she’d experienced in the past, and she knew now that she’d never really been kissed. Too soon, his lips left hers as he licked and kissed across her jaw to her earlobe. Then, as if he had no choice, his mouth returned to hers and she was once again sinking in a dizzying storm of emotions as his lips, his scent, the feel of his skin and the power of his body, consumed all rational thought.