Dropping onto the soft pink sofa, Nicole flipped through the pages of liquors. “What do you want?”
“I don’t care. You decide.” Sitting beside her, he leaned back and surveyed the dramatic stage set of a room that reminded him a little of a Bollywood version of Versailles.
“Have you ever had absinthe?”
“That’s pretty strong, tiger. Pick something else.”
“How strong?”
“One hundred thirty-six proof. Seriously, it’ll put you on your ass.”
“I’ll just have a little.”
He gave her a look from under his lashes. “Can I talk you out of it? You won’t remember a thing.”
“How do you know?”
“Someone told me, I guess.”
“Liar. So you were with a woman who passed out on you?”
He uttered a small, low growl. “Don’t pick a fight.”
“I want absinthe.”
“You got it.” Coming to his feet, he walked to the phone and on his return, said, “You heard me. You can try it the old-fashioned way and then with champagne. Death in the Afternoon tastes better.”
“I’m not allowed to ask you how you know that, I suppose.”
“Not a problem. I like it better.” He flicked his finger at the booklet. “See if you want a personal performance of some kind in here. Ganz tells me his girlfriend likes the two men and one woman sex act.”
“Right here?” She waved her arm. “Like up close?”
“So I hear.”
“Do you want to see it?”
“Not really. You’re the only one I want to see. But it’s up to you. New experience and all that shit.”
“I’m trying not to be pissed, really, but—”
“Hey, hey,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. “All that’s a million years ago, okay? You’re my sunshine. You make me happy. I’m not fighting about one fucking thing tonight. Your call on everything.”
She glanced up and grinned. “Everything?”
“Well, I might have one request.” Lifting her onto his lap, he kissed her lightly. “And that never changes.”
“Good. It better not.”
“Not while there’s still breath in my body, pussycat.”
Twenty minutes later, after two drinks of absinthe, one with sugar and water, one with champagne, they were undressed, lounging on the bed, and at least one of them was well on her way to feeling good. “Okay, I feel adventuresome. Give me two men and one woman.”
Rafe leaned over and touched her cheek gently. “This isn’t audience participation, pussycat. You understand that, right?” Which wasn’t necessarily true, but no one touched Nicole but him.
She giggled. “Let me reword that. Give me the performance. And while we’re waiting for them, give me another Death in the Afternoon. I like that Hemingway named it. It makes it more celebrated and, like, historic.”
“You still should pace yourself, tiger. Just saying.”
“Pshaw.” She giggled. “I love that word. Pshaw, shpaw, oh hell, you know what I mean. Don’t frown at me, just a little drinky, okay? But call for the people first.”
He didn’t roll his eyes, but he thought about it. Like he thought about taking her home before she passed out. On the other hand, he could carry her out whenever and she was having fun. So he was having fun.
He made the call, made the drink—very weak—and listened to her tell him how much fun she was having in a real sex club for the first time in her life. And enjoyed her kisses and smiles and chattiness more than he ever thought possible. He heard about her and Fiona’s friendship, which was just the very best; he heard about her sisters and brothers, one of whom was named Rafe. He almost asked her why she hadn’t mentioned it before, but then she started talking about how much she liked surfing, how he had to come out to California and surf with her someday.
Until the knock on the door stopped her.
“Oh, God, oh, God—are they here? Where do I look? Can I look right at them, I mean directly at, well—”
“You can look anywhere you like,” he said, climbing from the bed, nude and unconcerned. “Tell them what you want if you wish.”
“Like what?” She pointed. “Are you going like that?”
“I think they’ve seen naked people before.”
“Jesus.” She pulled the sheet up to her chin.
He laughed. “Would you like an introduction? Would that help?”
“God no! Quick, give me another drink before you open the door.”
He had his hand on the latch and turned. “I think you’ve had enough. This liquor is potent.”