Chapter Eleven
Julian
––––––––
I'd always played things by ear, but even for me, this was slightly insane.
I'd intended to bring Georgie here tonight so she could gain back some clients. When she pointed out that Kyle's car was outside, I figured we'd kill two birds with one stone—she’d get back more business, and that moron would know not to mess with her. I hadn't counted on the entire room getting the idea that Georgie and I were together.
So why was I encouraging it? Dancing with her was going to send a clear message. The truth was, I couldn't wait to hold her close again.
And that was my answer. That was why I was dancing with her. I needed an excuse to get closer.
I was holding her tight and glanced over my shoulder as I pulled her onto the dance floor. She was already moving to the beat.
"Your rhythm is incredible," I told her.
"This isn't quite my usual speed, but I like it. I'm not sure how to dance to it, though."
"I’ll lead you."
Her eyes widened, but she nodded, sucking in a breath. It was all the invitation I needed.
“Kyle is watching.”
I put a hand on her waist as I moved my hips. She immediately matched my rhythm. We were so damn close that it was impossible not to be aware of her curves pressing against me.
"You’re full of surprises, aren't you, Julian?" Her voice seemed a bit on edge.
I brought my mouth to her ear so it would look to everyone else—especially her moron of an ex—like we were flirting. "And I've got so many more."
Correction: I wasn't just pretending to flirt. I was full-on flirting.
I straightened up quickly, just in time to notice her lick her lower lip. It was working.
She grinned. "I can't believe he’s watching. Actually, a lot of people are."
Since we were the only ones on the dance floor, that was no surprise.
"Good."
"That doesn't bother you?"
"I'm dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room tonight," I whispered. “Let them watch.
The music became faster, and so did our moves. It was incredible how in sync we were. I couldn't help but think that we’d be the same way in bed. I’d explore her body until she begged, and then I’d give her more pleasure than she could imagine.
She was getting bolder, and I enjoyed it. She'd been so wild and free on that balcony, watching the parade. Here, she’d withdrawn ever since she saw Kyle’s car. But now she was starting to let loose.
Others joined us on the dance floor, but they weren’t nearly as good as we were. I twirled her around once and then a second time.
"Julian!"
I realized a second too late that she was about to lose her balance. She glanced down at her heels and half laughed, half shrieked as she tilted forward.
I stepped up next to her, catching her in time so she didn't spill onto the floor, but it was obvious to anyone watching that she'd been about to.
She giggled into my chest.
"Are you hurt?" I asked.
"My ankle aches a bit."
I helped her stand straight. "Can you put your weight on it?"
"Yes, but it's tender."
"Let's get off this dance floor."
I held my arm securely around her waist and led her out of the room and into a smaller one that was opposite from the entrance.
There were a few chairs here and high bar tables. I remembered from last year that it was where people fled for business talk. But it was empty right now, which was a sign that food was about to be served. It didn't matter. First, I needed to make sure Georgie was okay.
"Sit here," I instructed when we reached the nearest chair. After she sat down, I kneeled in front of her. "Which leg is the tender one?"
She held it up.
"I’m going to put my hand on your ankle and press gently. If it hurts, tell me, okay?"
"Sure!" Her voice sounded strange.
I glanced up at her. "You're already in pain?"
She shook her head vehemently. "No. Not at all."
I touched her ankle. Damn, her skin was so smooth. I wondered if it was like that all the way up. Then I started to press gently.
"It's not hurting, but it is a bit uncomfortable."
I looked up at her. "I can take you to have this checked out."
Her eyes bulged. "That’s unnecessary. It's really probably nothing."
"Let's stay here a few minutes so you can ice it." I’d noticed buckets with champagne bottles around the room. There had to be ice in them.
I stood up, heading to the nearest one, grabbing a napkin from one of the tables next to it. I filled it with ice, then returned to Georgie. She was looking at me with a huge smile and tilted her head.
"Julian, I could’ve gotten my own ice."
She hummed the second I pressed the napkin to her skin.
"Not when your ankle hurts, you won't. If it's indeed nothing, then the ice will make the pain go away. Otherwise, the ice won't do jack shit."
"How do you even know that?"
"Years ago, I took a first aid course. I sucked at it, but I do remember a few things."
“How come you took one? Never occurred to me to take one."
"Zachary wanted to do it, and I figured he could use someone with him, though it turned out he absolutely didn’t. My little brother was a pro at it. He truly loved learning all that stuff. I bailed, but he stuck it out until the end.”
"That's so cute that you took the course with your brother. Do you often do stuff with them?"
"All the time. Since I’m the oldest, I watched over them often. I used to give Mom grief about it, but I actually secretly enjoyed it."
"And you hang out with your family a lot these days too?"
"We get together as often as we can. There's always something happening at my parents’ and grandparents’ house."
"They live together?"
"Yes, in a huge mansion not far away from here, actually."
I was keeping a hand at the back of her ankle and the ice at the front where she was hurting. Almost involuntarily, I started to feather my hands over her leg. Seconds later, it turned to goose bumps.
Shit! This isn’t helping at all. I was already fantasizing about moving my hand under that red dress. In fact, I was fantasizing about getting rid of the dress altogether.
I swallowed hard, looking down at her skin. It was so damn smooth, so inviting.
The room went completely silent.
"They stopped the music," Georgie said.
"They’re probably serving food." I looked sideways through the cracked door. "Exactly, the waiters are—oh, for fuck’s sake. Kyle is coming this way."
She groaned. "I’m not in the mood for him anymore."
A self-serving thought crossed my mind. "I know a way to get rid of him without having to utter one word."
"Do share!"
"You trust me?"
She nodded. "Yes, of course."
"Good, because I'm about to kiss you again."
I sealed my mouth over hers, and she instantly parted her lips for me. I sucked her lower lip into my mouth first before giving her my tongue. She moaned, and it nearly brought me to my knees. The way she responded to me was out of this world. I kissed and kissed her without ever intending to stop. I simply couldn't. She tasted too good. The way she gave herself to me only made me need her more. I put a hand at her back, bringing her closer so I could explore her even deeper.
I felt her body vibrate against mine. I wanted to relieve her of that tension right here, right now. To take her somewhere no one could see or hear us and make this woman come. Several times.
She was so fucking exquisite. I'd never enjoyed a kiss as much as I did this one. I took my time, slowing the rhythm, turning it into a lazy exploration. She shuddered, sighing against my mouth.
"Here you two are. Oh, for fuck's sake."
I jumped backward. Xander was standing in the doorway. He glanced between the two of us with a raised brow.
"That would explain why Kyle Deveraux looked pissed."
“The ice!” Georgie was looking down at her feet.
"Oh shit. I dropped the ice," I said.
She immediately lifted herself from the chair. "Ouch!"
"Georgie, just sit," I instructed. She didn’t argue. I'd been so lost in the kiss that I'd completely forgotten about the ice. "Still need it on your ankle?"
"Yeah, it did seem to help." Her voice was uneven.
"You’re hurt?" Xander asked. "I thought something was off on the dance floor.”
"I don't think it's anything serious," Georgie told him, "but it's aching a bit. Should we go have dinner?" She looked at Xander. "Have they served it?"
"Yes, but I have another proposition. Why don't the three of us ditch this party?"
Usually I’d contradict my brother just for the fun of it, but there was merit to his words. When I glanced at Georgie, she was avoiding my gaze. Was she uncomfortable? No, she'd completely enjoyed the kiss.
"My brother is right, and you do need to keep this ankle iced."
"But what about chatting up people?"
“There’s going to be plenty of time at the next event. And I truly didn’t see anyone else from your list."
She frowned. "I figured maybe some of them had come later."
"Usually the guests arrive before the food is served." That came from Xander.
Georgie shrugged with a sigh. "Then I guess we can go. Though I’m not sure if I can put much weight on my ankle.”
“I’ll help you.” I took her hand as she rose and took a tentative step.
"It doesn't really hurt, but it's a bit uncomfortable."
"I can wait for you out by the entrance," Xander said. "You've got a coat?" he asked Georgie.
"Yes. It’s white with gold buttons.”
"I'll get it for you."
"Thanks, Xander.”
He pointed at me. “But I still demand an explanation for, well, everything."
"Of course you do," I said just as my brother left. Then I trained my gaze on Georgie. "Are you okay?"
"Sure. This is just so unexpected." She was laughing, but it wasn't wholehearted and fun. It was nervous.
"Georgie, what's wrong? Tell me."
"I guess this evening sort of spiraled out of control."
"Yeah, you could say that. But don't worry. We're winging it successfully." I grinned, and she returned it.
"You’re right. Now, is there any way out of here without crossing the entire ballroom?"
“No, so let’s give them something worth watching.” I wanted to support her properly, so I put my arm around her back. "I've got you. If you can’t continue, just let me know and we'll take a break or something, but I won't let you fall."
She glanced at me sideways. "I wasn't even worrying about that."
We walked at a normal pace through the ballroom. Everyone was too busy eating to pay attention to us except that fucker Deveraux.
"Kyle is watching us," I murmured.
"I’m so happy he saw the kiss."
I felt as if someone had punched me. Obviously, the kiss had been for show, but I’d enjoyed it. But by the sound of it, it was simply a means to an end for her. Which should have been fine. I’d suggested the whole damn ruse in the first place, after all. So why the fuck wasn't it sitting right with me?
I decided not to dissect it too much. It was very unlike me. The reason why I enjoyed life to the max was that I didn't sweat over the small things. Yet this didn't feel small at all. It felt monumental, and that was simply bizarre.
"My leg is much better. But I do want to change out of these heels before I break my neck."
"I'll get you home so you're comfortable," I assured her.
As promised, Xander was waiting with Georgie's coat outside the door. He held it for her, and she immediately slipped her arms inside it. Damn it, I’d wanted to do that.
Good grief, am I sixteen or what? Looking for an excuse to touch a woman. It was insane.
"Where did you park?" he asked me.
"Around the corner. Georgie, it's better if you stay here, and I’ll bring the car around," I said as we walked out to the yard slowly.
"Julian...," Xander warned.
"Ah, I still owe you that explanation," I said.
"That's right."
"Georgie, you need to know two things about my brother. He doesn't pull punches, and he doesn't mind putting people on the spot."
Xander looked at Georgie apologetically. "Sorry, Georgie. Nothing against you, but I don't like hearing secondhand information about my family. Usually we're very up-front with one another."
I sighed, figuring it was best to just get it out in the open. “The reason you don't know anything is that Georgie and I were simply pretending to be a couple."
Xander jerked his head back. "What's that even supposed to mean?"
"I used to date Kyle Deveraux," Georgie said quickly, and I realized she wanted to take the lead on this.
"That jackass? No way," Xander said, and now it was my turn to be shocked. My brother was a grump, but he was usually polite. Clearly, Kyle's reputation had made the rounds even outside the Quarter.
"Anyway, on Sazerac Day, he cornered me at Julian's bar. Your brother came up with this brilliant idea to help me get him off my back."
"The balcony thing makes more sense now," Xander muttered.
Georgie narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything. "Today, I came here with Julian because we assumed we'd run into some of the other clients who dropped Books & Beads. I actually got the Tableau family back tonight. But with Kyle, one thing led to another—”
“And now half of New Orleans high society thinks you two are together. Got it. Good luck with that." Xander chuckled.
I laughed, but Georgie asked, "What do you mean? Julian, is this going to be trouble for you?"
I shook my head. "Don't worry about it."
"Yes, do worry about it," Xander said, "because you know whose ears this will reach very soon."
"The family’s," I groaned.
"Yes. So if I were you, I’d call or drop by the house as quickly as possible. Not saying you should do that. But it's what I would do," Xander said. I could tell he was fighting laughter.
"Thanks for your input," I replied sardonically. "I'll think of something. Please keep Georgie company while I bring the car around."
"Sure. I can use the time to give you tips as well, Georgie."
I turned to him. "Tips about what?"
"You, obviously."
Georgie laughed. "It's fine, Julian. Don't worry. I think I can handle your brother."
The surprise on Xander's face was almost comical. She could definitely go toe to toe with him, and I hadn't met many people who could.
"I'll be right back," I assured her, touching her lower back. I lingered a beat too long, and Xander cocked a brow. I immediately dropped my hand, glaring at him.
Damn, I was jealous, leaving her here with my brother. But I’d have her all to myself for the rest of the evening.
And I couldn't wait.