“It was magnificent. I was mesmerized. Enthralled.” She burrowed her nose into the tuft of dark hair at the base of his throat, savoring the distinctly male scent, inhaling it deep into her lungs.
Jean-Luc chuckled deeply, then stepped away to greet Yelena, who was smiling discreetly, trying to avert her eyes. “You must be Yelena,” he said jovially, raising her hand to his lips for a gallant, welcoming kiss. “Enchanté.”
Yelena couldn’t contain her exuberance. “You are a fabulous dancer, Jean-Luc! I’ve never seen a flamenco performance before. It was astounding! I am in absolute awe of your amazing talent. Thank you for inviting me.”
“My pleasure,” he grinned, hugging Ella with one arm wrapped around her shoulders as he nodded humbly to Yelena. “Are you sure you won’t join us? I’m taking Ella to a club where we can dance salsa and merengue. Wouldn’t you like to come, too?”
Yelena smiled ruefully and shook her head. “Thank you, but no. My husband wouldn’t like me dancing with another man. If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to just return tola résidence.”
“Of course. Ella and I will walk you home.” Jean-Luc nodded goodbye to several other dancers who were also leaving thetablaoas he escorted Ella and Yelena through the exit door, out into the starry night sky.
Once they had dropped Yelena off, Jean-Luc grabbed Ella’s hand and grinned. “I’m starved. Let’s get something to eat before we go to the club. I know a place that has great seafood. Sound good?”
Ella nodded enthusiastically. “Sounds perfect. I love seafood.”
Hand in hand, under a twinkling, starlit sky, they strolled along the cobbled stone paths of Montmartre until they arrived at a brasserie with outdoor tables arranged under a canopy of bright red awnings.
Seating her at the table, then taking his place across from her, Jean-Luc ordered a bottle of wine and asked if Ella liked oysters.
“I prefer shrimp or scallops,” she replied with a smile. “Since Yelena and I already ate, I’m not very hungry. Maybe just an appetizer?”
“Ok, I’ll order oysters for me, shrimp for you, andlangoustinesfor us both. They’re small lobsters—and the flavor is incredible. You’ve got to try them.”
“You’ve convinced me. They sound delicious.”
The waiter poured two glasses of wine and served Ella sixcrevettesand Jean-Luc a dozenhuîtres. The platter oflangoustineswould be served when they’d finished the appetizers.
A mischievous glint in his smoldering eyes, he speared the oyster with the small fork, prying it from the shell and raising it to his open lips.
Transfixed, Ella watched as Jean-Luc slid his tongue over the succulent flesh, his gaze never leaving hers. “Salty and sweet. As luscious as the tender lips between your legs.” With a soft slurp, he suckled, savored, and swallowed the oyster before her awestruck eyes.
Imagining his skilled tongue on hertender lips, Ella’s flesh caught fire.
As if he knew the effect it had on her, Jean-Luc slowly sampled another oyster, lifting the shell to his mouth so that he could taste it, twirling his tongue as he licked and lapped the moist flesh, sucking it out of the shell and smacking his lips as he swallowed it. “Mmm,” he hummed. “Makes me want to slip under the table and spread your legs wide… and do this to you.”
Ella jumped as desire jolted her.
Slowly, deliberately, he lavished his tongue over each oyster, savoring the exquisite flavor as much as the sensuous effect on Ella, who hadn’t even touched her food.
Realizing her mouth was agape, she closed her lips on the wineglass and took an awkward gulp. Her mouth was dry, and her legs were quivering.
“Tonight,mon coeur. I promise.” His seductive smile stirred Ella’s soul as the waiter placed the platter of steaminglangoustineson the table alongside a pot of melted butter. “But first, you must taste this.” With the seafood fork, Jean-Luc peeled a portion of the meat from the shell, dipped it in the melted butter, and raised thelangoustineto her lips. “Open your mouth,” he whispered, his eyes alight with promise.
Ella complied, her limbs quavering in his intoxicating presence.
He placed the lobster on her tongue, and she slipped it into her mouth, savoring the delectable flavor of the sweet seafood with the slightly salty, creamy butter. “Now, a swallow of wine. To perfectly enhance thelangoustine.”
She swirled theMeursaulton her tongue, savoring the dry, fruity blend against her palate. It was indeed a stellar complement to the delicate flavor of the lobster, and Ella delighted in every bite.
When they finished eating, Jean-Luc paid the bill, stood, and took hold of Ella’s hand. As he raised her to a stand, he said with a sly grin, “Now, let’s go to theLoca Luna. I want to teach you to dance salsa.”
Inside the trendy club, a pulsing, thumping beat was both enticing and exhilarating. Jean-Luc led Ella onto the crowded dance floor and pulled her into his arms.
She rested a hand upon his shoulder as he gently gripped her waist, raising her other hand within his just above her shoulder.
“When I step forward with my right foot, you step back with your left.” He held her tight, guiding her into his rhythm. “Sway your hips as you move. Yes, just like that.”
He taught her the basic pattern of steps, encouragement and pride reflecting in his eyes as she quickly caught on. Soon, Ella was twirling and dipping in his skilled arms, breathless with excitement.
