Whiskey and Lace(18)

"You and Eva should come visit us Upstate soon, we would love to have you," my mother addressed Carter solely.

"We would love to come." Carter slid his arm around my waist. I would never be able to fight my mother’s questions off now. If she had any doubt Carter was more than just a friend she certainly didn't now, Carter had made sure of that.

She leaned it to give me a tight squeeze and whispered in my ear, "He is wonderful, Eva." There she was all moony over Carter Morgan again. I rolled my eyes and pulled away to give my dad a hug.

"Take care of yourself, Eva." My dad patted my back. Carter hailed them a cab and they were off to the train station to head home.

I started walking back towards the office on 57th Street without saying a word to Carter. He walked silently beside me for a few steps before catching my arm and twirling me around to face him.

"No hello kiss?" Carter placed a peck on my lips and ran his fingers to the back of my neck.

I pulled away quickly, "What's the deal Carter?" I crossed my arms and glared.

A wide grin spread across his face, "You’re cute when you're mad." He caressed my bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. I huffed in exasperation.

"Is that why you make me mad all the time?"

"Funny. I came to be your escort tonight." He grinned.

"I told you, no escort needed." I held my ground with him. If he had approached wanting to accompany me tonight in a non-stalkery manner, I would have been much more receptive. But far be it for Carter to approach anything in a conventional way.

"No, you said you didn't want Parker." Carter licked his lips as his eyes drifted down to the top of my wrap dress where my cleavage was on display. I put my hands on my hips. I didn't know what to do with this man. If he wasn't driving me insane with anger, he was driving me wild with lust. And then I realized maybe he drove me wild with lust because he drove me insane with anger. I took a deep breath at that royally screwed-up thought and lowered my arms in defeat.

"How did you know where I was? Research?" I rolled my eyes at him.

"I never reveal my sources." He grinned a devilish grin. "Come on, back to my place to get ready." Carter danced his finger along the v-neck of my dress suggestively. I rolled my eyes as Carter grabbed my hand and led me to the Bentley idling at the curb.

"Hi, Parker." I slid into the back seat.

"Nice to see you, Ms. Austin." Parker gave me a genuine smile in the mirror. Carter's eyes narrowed in a flash of anger as he met Parker's eyes in the rearview mirror and raised the privacy glass simultaneously.

"Jealous, Mr. Morgan?" My eyes danced in amusement.

"Not for a minute." Carter's jaw clenched as he gripped my upper thigh possessively.





Nine





Carter escorted me to the fashion event later that night and was on his best behavior. He smiled and made conversation when necessary, was gracious when he was recognized, but otherwise let me take the lead. He kept his arm wrapped around my waist all night and caressed my back and whispered in my ear periodically. He'd been the perfect gentleman, which had done nothing but ratchet up my desire for him.

By the time we scooted into the Bentley that night I was mad with lust for him.

Parker dropped us off at the curb of Carter's apartment building and we made our way across the lobby and to the elevators. My body was vibrating with need and I wanted nothing more than to plaster myself against Carter, run my fingers through his hair and grind my body against his.

A group of people followed us into the elevator and Carter guided us to the back corner. I'd worn a taupe sheath dress covered in sparkling sequins with an exposed back zipper. Carter held me against his chest, my back to his front, and placed both of his hands on my hips. He rubbed small circles and nuzzled into my hair at the back of my neck.

"You drive me wild, Evangeline," he whispered as his hands moved lower down the back of my thighs. "And I like you in this dress. Every guy there wanted you." He trailed one hand up my inner thigh to my very core that was already aching for him. "But this is just for me." He slipped one finger inside my panties and stroked along my center.

My breathing hitched as I glanced around to make sure no one was watching us. My body was wild with need for him; it felt like I'd gone days without his touch. My already short dress was hitched up around Carter's wrist in the back, but from the front I hoped no one would be any wiser.

Carter continued his assault from behind and and then pressed his finger into me. My nerve endings tingled and my breathing grew quick and heavy. I pressed my lips together to stifle a moan and my head lolled back against his shoulder.