Chapter 29
29
I am in music heaven.
Frank Sinatra warbles from the laptop, his fantastic voice filling the apartment. I tap a beat on the counter as we listen to his concert at the Avalon.
You couldn’t wipe the grin off my face if you tried. I shake my head in admiration once more. “I can’t believe you found this. In a day. I’ve been looking for years.”
Sloane shakes her hips. “When you got it, you got it.”
“You’re clearly the most amazing person who ever lived. And I owe Basil a huge thank you. Now that he found Sinatra, he’s no longer Plant.”
“I told you you’d like him. He’s a total music hound. I called him this morning and asked him to track it down for you. He found it in five hours, and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg.”
“A finger though?”
“I sacrificed a pinky for it. Worth it, though, for your reaction.”
I loop an arm around her waist and drop a kiss onto her lips as the Chairman of the Board sings “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” “Fitting tune. Also, you didn’t have to.”
She smiles, and it’s radiant. She’s so damn pleased with herself for making me happy. And hell, she should be. I’ve been hunting for the CD for ages. “No, I didn’t have to. I wanted to,” she says.
Then she kisses me, and I close my eyes, letting the world fade away as the music and the woman become all there is.
When the song ends, my mission begins.
* * *
The sound she makes as she takes the first bite of pasta primavera is carnal.
She rolls her eyes and moans around the fork.
Lucky fork.
“This is incredible,” she declares when she finishes the bite of olive oil–drizzled artichoke. “You do know how to order.”
“World class skills at restaurant picking. I got ’em,” I say then take a bite of my chicken dish. We’re at the marble counter in my kitchen, parked on leather stools.
She dives in for another bite, humming as she chews. Her dark-red top slopes down her shoulder. My attention snaps to a lacy pink strap. I file it away, though, knowing I’ll be spending time removing her clothes soon enough.
After another bite, she sets down the fork and stares at me expectantly. “So what’s the story with the pasta?”
“It has special silver dust in it that’s known to induce spontaneous orgasms.”
“In that case, I’ll have multiples.” She laughs as she takes another forkful. “Seriously though. This pasta is to die for.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
She smirks. “And will I be burning it off?”
I reach for a glass of wine, meeting her gaze. “I guess we’ll have to find out.”
She takes a sip of the Pinot Grigio, then licks her lips. “Tastes like peaches.”
I kiss the corner of her lips, murmuring, “Good thing I like the taste of peaches."
She downs her drink, her eyes twinkling as she whispers, “Me too.”
We finish, and she stares at me quizzically, gesturing to the meal. “The dinner. Is it really aphrodisiac food? I guess I think of oysters and chocolate-covered strawberries when it comes to aphrodisiacs.”
I take the plates and carry them to the sink, then grab our glasses and head to the couch, motioning for her to join me on a slate-gray cushion.
She moves in next to me, and I hand her the wine. “Want to know?”
“I do. I really do.”
“It’s not supposed to be an aphrodisiac meal. I’m not trying to make you come with pasta.”
She snaps her fingers, aw-shucks style. “But that would be quite a feat.”
“If pasta is the key to coming, you can find me at Olive Garden for the rest of my days.” I take a drink of the wine. “You want to know why I picked this food?”
“Because it’s my favorite?”
I nod. “Brains and beauty. Yes, it’s really that simple.”
“But you know I’m a sure thing tonight. You don’t need to buy me a fancy meal to get in my pants,” she whispers conspiratorially.
“I don’t?” I feign surprise.
Laughing, she indulges in a sip then sets down the wine. “Seriously though. The meal was amazing. Thank you.”
“Good. The last thing I want on your mind in the heat of the moment is how long till you can grab a slice of pizza or a ham sandwich.” I shudder. “I mean, I’m good. But I don’t want to have to compete with a ham sandwich.”
“Or with New York’s best cheese pie, for that matter. Let’s be honest—if I have to choose between Famous Ray’s and sex, that’s a tough call.”
I scoff. “Please. Choose the pizza. Every time.” I set down my wineglass and take a moment to enjoy the view. Blonde hair, swept up. Skinny jeans. A top that keeps giving me the most tantalizing peek at her lingerie.
And those lips.
Dear God, those bee-stung lips.
She licks them, looking a little nervous. “Hi,” she whispers.
“Hi.”
“Thanks for inviting me over tonight.”
“Thanks for coming.”
She smiles. “I thought about it most of the day. Even when . . . maybe even especially when . . .”
She doesn’t need to fill in the blanks. I know exactly what she means. “Was that weird for you? When your dad called us in?”
“A little. I felt a tiny bit . . . naughty.”
“Same here.”
She inches closer. “But I’m still here. It didn’t deter me.”
“Didn’t deter me either.” I swallow roughly. “With you, I’m not sure anything can.”
She nibbles on her lips. “It’s the same for me.”
It’s as if someone turned the thermostat to high. I’m burning up already, on fire for this woman. She scoots closer, threads a hand through my hair, scraping her nails across my scalp, delivering a jolt of lust straight to my groin. “Love that,” I tell her.
Her eyes light up, blazing with desire as if I’ve said exactly the right thing. “Yeah?”
“You did it the other night, and it gets me going.”
She hums, then does it again, dragging her nails through my hair. “I like turning you on.”
“Then this ought to work out quite well for both of us.”
She drops her mouth to my jaw, kissing me, making me groan. Climbing onto my lap, she straddles me. “So I’m dying to know,” she murmurs, “what’s the next course?”
I kiss the corner of her lips and tell her a little of what I have planned.
Her eyes sparkle with excitement. “I’m ready.”
I run a finger under her bra strap. “Then I’m going to need to see the pink lingerie you’re wearing. That strap has been driving me crazy all night. Why don’t you get up and strip for me?”
She slides off me, ready and eager. And I’m pleased as hell that she’s taking the lead right now.