He cupped her cheek and held her gaze. Anger flared in his gut and spilled out into his chest. “Did he hurt you?”
She frowned and shook her head. “It’s you I’m worried about,” she whispered near his ear.
“Don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.” He pressed his lips to the shell of her ear and inhaled her scent.
She moaned and tried to push away. “You are making it hard to concentrate on dancing.”
“I was hard the second I saw you on that fucking stage.” He pulled back to look at her. “What has you so scared?” he asked quietly.
She sighed. “One of the strippers who quit a week ago was found dead, out by the docks.”
“Was it drugs?”
She leaned back and scowled.
He pulled her into his chest and held her tight. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean how it sounded.”
“Her throat was cut.”
His blood ran cold. He tightened his hold around her waist.
“Are you okay?”
“Shush.” She leaned closer and continued to move her body to the music. Slowly she trailed her hands over his body, making his body respond with such a vengeance it shook him.
“Put your hands over your head,” she murmured.
He frowned.
“Just do it.” She leaned back and ground down on his crotch.
He hissed as he sucked in a breath in pleasure. If she kept this up, he was going to ruin his jeans.
He raised his hands and placed them behind his head.
She leaned in closer. “Be careful about what you say.”
She held his gaze before sliding down his body. She stood and turned around, settling herself in his lap and spreading her legs. She laid her head on his shoulder and pressed her bottom into his lap.
“Why have you never given a lap dance before?” he whispered in her ear.
She looked into his eyes while moving her body slowly to the music.
“I’ve never wanted to be close to someone before.”
“Until now?” His heart lurched in his chest.
“Until now,” she admitted.
She grabbed his hands and dragged them down her breasts. His fingers itched to tug the lacy material away from her nipples and touch her, skin to skin. Slowly she guided her hands down her ribcage and across her smooth, flat stomach. She stopped when she reached the top of her G-string.
“I paid more so I can touch you, Catty.” His voice was ragged as he sucked in a breath. His body was on fire with no relief in sight.
“Let me turn around,” she moaned.
She stood and turned around and straddled him again. As she moved to the music, she slid her hand around to her back and unhooked her bra.
His body pulsed with lust.
Slowly she slid her bra off her shoulders. He reached for her. She leaned in to his touch, pressing her breasts into the palm of his hand.
“I want you,” he whispered.
“Not here. It’s too risky.” She dropped her head to his neck and nipped him.
He groaned. He plucked her tight nipples between his fingers until she was breathing heavily and sliding up and down his lap. He could feel the heat of her core, and he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
“Five minutes,” the older woman called out as she passed by the door.
“Fuck,” he cursed.
“Not this time, baby.” She smiled as she bent to kiss his neck.
“When I get you alone, you’re going to be naked for an incredibly long time. Don’t plan on getting any sleep for hours.” He cupped her head as he spoke.
“Sounds good to me.” She flicked her tongue across her lips.
“I want you to be careful when you leave tonight. I’ll wait for you outside.”
“No. You can’t. I’m sure they’ll have people watching to see if I am taking anyone to my place.”
“I’m not letting you walk home alone,” he whispered in her ear.
“Meet me at my place. I’ve got another hour yet before I can leave.”
“Fine.” He didn’t like it, nor was he going to let her walk home alone. He’d do what he did best. He’d keep to the shadows and watch her to make sure she was okay. She’d never know he was behind her.
***
“Something doesn’t feel right.” Granny sat up in her hotel room and glanced over at Haley. Her soon-to-be granddaughter-in-law was still sleeping peacefully in the next bed after a long day of shopping for a wedding and seeing the sights of New Orleans. They were supposed to leave in the morning, but the thought of departing right now didn’t sit right with her. Not after seeing Lucien.
She’d been surprised to run into him this morning and despite his attempts, she could sense he wasn’t telling her everything about what he was doing in the Crescent City.