Knowing I had to be turning a lovely shade of crimson, I finally manage to drag my eyes back down to the menu—it’s harder than it sounds—and clear my throat before attempting to speak. "Um, I've never been here before so…what would you suggest?"
Geez, when had my voice gone all breathy? I slowly lift my eyes back up to the sexy bartender, waiting for his response. I can’t keep my gaze off him. He watches me for a minute, his eyes roaming over my face, and then he reaches over and grabs a glass, filling it with ice and water, and placing it on the bar coaster in front of me. He dries his hands on a towel—his forearms flexing with his effort. He studies me for another second before tossing his bar towel across his shoulder, and leaning his elbows onto the polished metal surface in front of me. With his lips mere inches from me, he speaks in a low, but sexy, voice that sends chills racing across my body. "I would suggest you and I doing some very naughty things, right here on this bar, but I think you were referring to the food."
What?!?
Did he really just say that to me?
I should be offended. Should be. But I’m not. I’m seriously turned on at the idea, and before I can stop it, my big mouth sends the words tumbling out. "No, I wasn’t."
Fuck! I just said that out loud, didn’t I?
He stands there, watching me, his eyebrow rising in curiosity.
Fuck. Even his damned eyebrow is sexy.
Okay. Damage control Nora. You’ve got this. "Um, well, yeah. I mean… I meant yes, I was talking about the food."
Great. Now I'm stumbling over my words.
Even I don’t believe the words coming out of my mouth right now. I doubt he does either, if his smirk is any indication.
Well, this is going to hell fast.
Chapter Five
Cade
She doesn’t slap me at the suggestion of us fooling around on the bar, though she seems quite flustered I said that to her. She almost looks like she doesn’t believe me. Oh, but I'm dead fucking serious. This could have potential. Suddenly, the numbers in my pocket aren’t so appealing anymore.
I don't even know what possessed me to say those words to her. I’m not the type of guy that typically propositions his female patrons for bar-top sex. It's like the thought completely bypassed my brain and shot out my mouth before I could stop it. I flirt—maybe even hit on a few women who show interest—but I always try to be respectful.
Not tonight, apparently.
Still, I can't help but laugh at the expression on this beautiful woman's face. She's so embarrassed right now, stumbling over her words. I almost believe she's about to jump up off her bar stool and run out the door. Thank fuck she doesn’t—at least not yet. I'm not in the mood to chase her down, and more importantly I'm not sure why I feel compelled to do so if she does in fact make a break for it. I can see her working up the courage to speak and then she finally pulls those chocolate brown eyes back up to mine.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stammer. You just caught me off guard." She turns away shyly, but not before I see the blush creeping across her face. She tucks some loose strands of hair from her ponytail behind her ear, and damned if I don't want to hop over this bar and grab that ponytail, pull it back, and lay the mother of all kisses on those plump pink lips. Then maybe taste the sweet flesh of her neck as I make my way down to her collar bone. Possibly run my thumbs over her pert nipples as I do that. Pull off those sexy denim shorts till those and her panties are down around her ankles, and run my tongue over her sweet, hot—
Focus Cade!
"No problem, beautiful. Now, what can I get you?" I lean back onto the bar, almost as close as I was before, keeping a little bit more distance for fear she still might bolt. This time, she looks straight into my eyes and leans in herself, not backing away from our closeness. She’s near enough that I can see the little flecks of gold hidden in the depths of her eyes, the chocolate color overpowering the other subtle tones. Our lips are entirely too close for two strangers to be, but she isn’t backing away, and I sure as hell won’t be either.
"Surprise me," she whispers with this sexy little smirk that has my jeans suddenly getting tighter. My cock instantly decides he wants to come out and say hello.
Fuck.
I started this game and now I'm the one suffering for it.
For a split-second, I actually consider stretching out across the bar in front of her and offering myself up as the main course, but I’ve already filled my douchebag quota for the day with that last comment. Besides, the bar's packed and I'm still not certain she won't take off out the door. I'm having too much fun to risk it. I suddenly feel the need to clear my throat. I could use a drink of water.
"Okay. Any restrictions? Anything you don't like?"
"Nope. Besides, I'll try anything once," she says with a grin. Well hell, that's a loaded statement. If it wasn't for the sexy blush creeping up her cheeks, I'd think her sexual innuendo was unintentional. But oh no, this girl knows what she's doing. I can't help the smile splitting my face right now. This is the most fun I've had all day. Hell, maybe even all week.
"You got it, beautiful."
I push off the bar and make my way over to the computer to put in her order. I can feel her eyes blazing into me. Sure enough, when I look up from my computer screen I see her dart her gaze away. She was surely checking me out again. This girl is something else. I get the vibe she's shy, but underneath her exterior is a little vixen just waiting to be unleashed. I just know it. I give her another quick look, this time making eye contact with her and giving her one more smile that has her blushing bright red, and go on checking on the other guests.
The guys pretty much have it under control, but we’re one bartender short tonight since Becky called in sick, so I had to leave the back to help the other three bartenders out here. Now I'm glad I did. I never would have run across this beauty if I hadn't. I can't seem to keep my eyes off her. I'm trying to be subtle but it's not really my forte so I'm practically gawking at her. I would be embarrassed if I didn't keep catching her looking my way too.
When I come out of the kitchen with her food a little while later, she's intently listening to the band that took the stage five minutes ago. Seven's Edge plays my stage almost every weekend, and they've got a heavy following, so my place stays packed when they're here. It doesn't hurt that the guys are like family to me and my brothers. We all grew up together. Hell, I don't even have to pay them. Decent exposure, free food, and a few rounds of beer are a small price to pay for great music. Throw in the amount of pussy these guys get after every gig, and they honestly should be paying me to play here. Of course, they don’t pay me anything and I still do pay them so it’s a win-win for everybody. I’m gonna miss them when they leave. They just signed on to do a demo, and if all goes well, they’ll be heading out on their first tour. It’ll be hard to replace them here when they finally go, but I wouldn’t change anything. They’re some of my best friends, and they deserve it. They’re gonna be huge.
When I reach the pretty brunette, and put her shaved pork sandwich and fries on the counter, she finally turns in my direction. "Wow, this looks fantastic," she shouts so I can hear her over the music. She knocks me out with a killer smile and a thumbs-up, making me smile from ear-to-ear. She's freaking adorable. She turns to check out the band while she dives into her sandwich, so I leave her to her food to check on my other bartenders and make my rounds in the back of the house. As long as I stay on top of everything, it'll all run smoothly.
When I come back later, she's on the phone, and she doesn't look too happy. She's disconnecting the call when I walk up. "Everything okay?" I mouth the words more than speaking them and she hits me with her smile again and motions me closer so she doesn't have to shout.
"My boss got held up and had to cancel so I'm gonna head back to my hotel. Can I get a to-go box?"
I reach under the bar and hand her a box, but for some odd reason I'm not ready for my night with her to end. She’s caught my attention and before I can
think about it, I find myself asking, “Hotel? Which one are you staying at?" It's none of my business but I just had to ask.
She slides the rest of her sandwich into her container and I can see the inner struggle she's going through deciding if she should tell me, but finally she gives in. "The Shoreside."
And just like that, before my head has a chance to catch up to my mouth, I lean forward and tell her, "That's right down the beach. I'm about to leave. I'll walk you there." I’m totally lying right now. I'm not about to leave. Up until she asked for a to-go box, I'd planned to stay until the band finished playing. And maybe hang out for a bit with the guys before giving one of these numbers in my pocket a call.
What the fuck Cade?
I'm not ready to let her go yet. There's something about her that makes me want to know her, and that's a feeling I'm certainly not used to. She's staying at a hotel, and even though I’m sure it’s because she’s here on business—she did say her boss got held up—maybe I can convince her to switch to Hotel Cade for the night.
Lame Cade. Real lame.
“Um, sure. That sounds nice. Thank you. Just let me pay the bill and we'll head out.” The blush starts pinking her cheeks but she turns away before I can get a good look and grabs the purse hanging on her knee, rummaging around for her wallet.
I wave her off, dismissing her attempt to pay. I lean in near her so she can hear me over the band. “Oh, don't worry about that. It's on the house. Wait here for me. I'll be right back.” I give her a wink and a smile and head over to the register to close out her ticket. When I’m done, I run back into the kitchen and find Carly, my closing manager on duty, telling her I'm leaving for the night. The look on her face says it all. I don't leave in the middle of a shift. Ever.
When I finally get back out front, I'm relieved to see she's still there waiting for me. I scrub my hands quickly and meet her, taking her food to carry for her. The cool salty ocean breeze greets us as we walk out into the moonlit night. We don't say anything for the first few minutes, the sounds of the band dissipating as we walk farther away from the bar. Finally, I break the silence.
“So, why the hotel?”
“Oh, um, I'm just here for a few days on business.”
Just as I thought, though it probably wasn’t very difficult to figure out. “Ah, I see. First time in Miami?”
“Yeah, actually. It was one of the advantages for me to come on this trip. I've never been here before, and it's on my list of must-see cities. I've actually never even been to the beach at all.”
That revelation stops me in my tracks. “You've never been to the beach? Any beach?” When she smiles shyly and shakes her head no, my mind is made up. “Well, I can't have a pretty girl visit my city and not see the beach up close and personal. Come on. We'll take a walk down by the water.” I don't know why, but I reach my hand out to her, hoping she'll take it, and me, up on my offer.
And she does.
There are still plenty of people milling around but the crowds have thinned out quite a bit. Once the sun goes down, the people usually find something else to do.
I lead her down near the water's edge, but she stops short to sit in the sand and remove her sandals.
Damn.
Just watching her skim her hands along those tanned ankles has me getting hard in my jeans. Again.
What in the hell is wrong with me?
I shake off the fog of lust taking over my brain and wait for her to finish removing her shoes. When she’s done, I try to help her to her feet, but I pull too hard on her petite frame and her body crushes up against mine. I wrap my arms around her and steady us so we don’t end up on our asses in the sand. She’s so small, she only reaches up to my chin so her face is buried in my chest and I don't know why I do it, but I smell her hair, probably because it's right there in my face. It smells all tropical with a hint of coconutty goodness, and my dick that was semi hard before, is now straining tightly against my zipper. She’s pressed up against me at just the right angle, and there’s no doubt in my mind she can feel how hard she’s made me. Her quick intake of breath tells me she can clearly feel my reaction to her.
Fuck it.
The electricity between us feels off the charts right now. When she pulls her face away from my chest and looks up at me with those chocolate brown eyes, I'm a goner. Dropping her bag onto the sand, I slide my hands to both sides of her cheeks, pull her face to mine, and take her lips in a deep kiss full of desperation and need. There's no hesitation on her part when she starts kissing me back, so I know I didn't get the wrong impression. She wants me just as much as I want her. She snakes her hands up into my hair and she starts running her fingers through it, tugging on the longer strands up top. It's like a chain linked to my dick. He hasn't gotten the memo that this is only making out, and her firm tugs to my hair are not helping the situation.
For what seems like an eternity that's probably only minutes, we stand there, our lips and tongues licking, nipping, tasting each other. I started this so I should probably be the one to break it, but as I start to pull away, she throws her arms around my neck tighter, pulling me down as she's standing up on her toes to give her better leverage for one last, deep kiss. Her lips slip from mine and I open my eyes to see hers already open and staring hazily back at me.
“I've wanted to do that since the minute I saw you sitting at my bar.” It's the truth. I figured it was obvious by my 'naughty things on the bar top' comment but I decide to clarify anyway.
Her eyes drop to my lips as she licks her own. “I've wanted you to do that since the minute I saw you, too.”
“Oh, yeah? What else did you want to do when you saw me?” Her breathing is uneven and she closes her eyes as I run my thumb over her lips.
“Things I shouldn't think about doing with a man I just met.” Now I'm the one with the uneven breathing. She opens her eyes, stretches up on her toes again, and places a soft kiss on my lips while I’m caught off guard by her statement, but based on that comment, I decide to take it further, public beach be damned. There’s no one near us this close to the water to see what’s going on, so I trail the kiss away from her lips, across her jaw to her ear, and then down the side of her neck where I can feel her pulse fluttering hard against the soft flesh. I'm rewarded with a sharp intake of breath and a shiver. So responsive. I'm nipping at the soft flesh of her neck when she speaks again.
“This is insane. I never act this crazy. I don't even know your name.”
“I don't know your name either,” I reply, never breaking my trail of kisses on her neck. She's pressed into me, her nipples hard against my chest. Mental note: this girl enjoys neck kisses.
She's got her hands back in my hair, tugging on the longer top again and pushing my mouth harder into her neck. The words are difficult for her to get out. “Fuck, you’re good at that.” I chuckle against her skin but never stop kissing across her neck. “Nora. My name is Nora.”
Her words come out between panting breaths as I slip my hands around to her lower back. I start rubbing across the warm flesh underneath her shirt, near the waistband of her shorts. What I wouldn’t give to slip my hand down the front of them right now. Her panties too. As hard as I am, I bet she’s soaked for me. “Nora. What a lovely name.” I never break my kisses, only mumbling out the words in a quiet whisper as my lips travel over her delicate skin. “Nice to meet you Nora. I'm Cade.”
Chapter Six
Nora
The low rumble of his voice gives me chills as he presses his lips to my neck. His actions feel so good it takes me a second to register what he says.
Cade.
Wait, did he say Cade? No, it couldn’t be, could it? What are the odds Cade Wesley would have a bartender that works for him with that same unique name?
Not very good, I’d imagine.
Oh God.
Please don't let this be happening. Please don't tell me I just made out with the man I'm here to negotiate with. My fingers are still tangled in his hair and I use
my grip to pull his head, and those amazing lips, away from my neck.
Damn he's good at that.
He looks confused when those blue eyes finally find mine through their lustful haze. I don’t want to ask, but I need to. “Cade Wesley?”
His eyebrows pull down in confusion. “You know me? Cause I'm pretty sure I don't know you. I would definitely remember you.” He leans back in to take my lips again but I don’t let him.
“Oh God.” I immediately release his hair and step back away from him. “Shit! Shit, shit, shit.” I start pacing back and forth in front of him and he probably thinks I'm a lunatic right now. I can't believe my luck. This gorgeous man I was just hardcore making out with on a public beach, and was well on my way to having my first one-night stand with, is none other than the man I'm here on business for.
I don't know what came over me. When he pulled me up and I crashed into him, I couldn't help it. He started kissing me and I knew immediately that I wanted to go home with him tonight. When else would I get the perfect opportunity to do something this crazy? Limited time in a city 1,400 miles away from my own, and I find the one man in this fucking town I can't have. Of course, that's my luck.
I’m unsure how long I've been pacing back and forth, but it finally dawns on me I'm still doing it, and he still hasn't said anything yet. When I stop and look up, he's standing in the same spot, with that same look of confusion on his gorgeous face. God, it just makes me want to kiss him again.
“Um, could you explain to me what in the hell just happened? One minute we're all over each other and the next you're pacing around like you've just committed the worst sin possible.” His voice is full of confidence as he speaks, but his posture says I may have just laid a blow to his ego. He doesn’t look angry, but he certainly doesn’t look happy either. “You’re already having second thoughts?” His arms cross over his broad chest and his eyes focus on mine, then drop to my feet where I'm nervously burying them in the sand.
Cade (A Wesley Brothers Novel Book 1) Page 4
