We started walking again, taking our time to enjoy the beautiful, warm night. “When my mother and father were alive, one thing my father instilled in me was that family was everything. No matter the circumstances of the life we found ourselves in, as long as we stuck together we could get through anything.”
“You’re trying to instill guilt for leaving the way I did. Aren’t you?”
Shrugging, I offered a salacious grin instead of answering.
“Well, it’s not working.”
She pushed me away gently, taking long strides ahead of me. I allowed her to walk away, keeping my eye on her with every step, surprised when she didn’t turn around. Did she know that Iwould follow her? Of course she did because that was part of my job.
What she didn’t anticipate was how aggressive my needs were. When she was mere feet away from the steps leading to the house, I grabbed her wrist, yanking her backward and around to face me.
Her look of pleasant surprise was coupled with her trying to keep a distance between us, her hand strategically placed on my chest.
“Do I frighten you, sweet Ambrosia?” I asked, sensing a slight annoyance in my continual use of the name she’d selected for herself.
“Quite the opposite. I’m not afraid of anything, including men determined to kidnap me.”
“Now, how am I kidnapping you when you left of your own accord?”
Emmeline wrinkled her nose, trying to find an answer. “There is such a thing as reverse kidnapping.”
“Of course there is. And I can tell my presence continues to bother you.”
“How so?”
The game was far too enticing. “By the way your pulse jumps every time I’m near.” I nuzzled into her neck and she tried once again to push me away. “And by the way your breath catches.”
“You are very full of yourself. And here I was trying very hard not to believe the rumors flying around New Orleans about you.”
“What rumors would those be?”
“That you treat women like objects. Pretty little collectibles you place on a shelf, replacing them from time to time when you grow bored.”
“Wow. I must admit I’m shocked in hearing such ridiculous allegations.”
“Are you? Or do you thrive on creating chaos wherever you go?”
“I thrive on beautiful women who try and ignore me when they’ve already tasted the merchandise.” Inching closer, I was rewarded with both a slight sigh and a tickle of a smile.
“You’ve just proven my intuition correct. You’re an arrogant ass, Mr. Giovanni.” Her voice was seductive, provocative enough my balls were tighter than before.
And she knew it, taking a quick glance to double check her influence over me had had the desired effect.
In response, I slid my hand under her dress, rolling my fingers along the inside of her thigh. She was obviously holding her breath, but not for the reason I’d hoped for.
When I pulled back, cocking my head, she winked.
“You have a knife strapped to your thigh?”
The next push was enough to break the connection. “A girl can’t be too careful. There are dangerous predators walking the streets of every city.” Her lilting laugh continued as she hurried up the stairs, stopping halfway to flash me a single view of her crimson thong.
She flashed me. Was the woman trying to drive me absolutely crazy?
“I also have my gun in my purse, so don’t try anything, buster.”
I threw up my hands. “I wouldn’t dream of it. At least while we’re outside.”
I was in no rush since she was going nowhere, at least until I did my duty in kidnapping her. I took my time while she rushed to get inside. I hadn’t smiled so much in as long as I could remember.
