“Me?” It was getting harder to concentrate having Nevar so close. “I was raised on a farm in the Midwest. Dairy. My parents are wonderful, but they’re very pragmatic people.”
“No mad tea parties when you were a child?”
Allison burst out laughing at the mere thought. “No. Never-ending chores to be done, but lots of freedom to run and play too.”
“I bet you were an adorable little girl.”
She wasn’t mistaken. His lips had caressed her neck this time. She was suddenly fiercely glad she’d had her hair chopped off today.
“No.” Was that her voice? It sounded breathy, sexy. “I was a tomboy, always running after my older brothers.”
Nevar started to sway with her in his arms. “Let’s dance.” He turned her so she was facing him. “I want you in my arms.”
Allison swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes.”
Chapter Three
Nevar took the half-full glass from her hand and set it on a nearby ledge. She blinked up at him, her blue eyes wide and filled with barely suppressed passion. Her lips were slightly parted and begged to be kissed.
He couldn’t resist their silent invitation and leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers, withdrawing when she sucked in a breath. “Come.” He slowly led her to the edge of the dance floor. He knew he had to slow down or he’d scare her off. She was as skittish as a newborn fawn and he felt like the Big Bad Wolf, ready to gobble her whole.
Her big eyes searched his and whatever she was looking for, she seemed to find. She walked into his arms and he settled her close, grateful for the slow song that pumped out over the speakers. He took one of her hands in his and held it to his chest. His other hand he placed on her lower back.
They moved to the music, their bodies swaying in sync to the heavy beat and to each other. They danced as though they’d been doing it together for years. Her body fit perfectly against his. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation as they moved to the song.
At first glance there seemed to be nothing exceptional about Allison, but when you looked deeper it was easy to see her true beauty. She was a little above average height with a lovely shape, but it was her face that captivated him. Her eyes were the color of the sky on a summer day and fringed with thick, dark lashes. Her skin was smooth and fine. Giving in to a whim, he skimmed his fingers over her cheek.
Her lips parted when she sucked in a breath. He leaned down and kissed her again. Her lush mouth had his brain conjuring all sorts of wicked fantasies. She had full lips, which she’d painted a light rose. The color suited her well.
Her hair was short, but the style suited her. The way her nape was exposed was sexy as hell.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” There was a little hitch in her voice.
Nevar eased her away from another couple that was threatening to bump into them on the dance floor. “How am I looking at you?” he countered.
She hesitated briefly, but forged onward. “Like you want to eat me up.”
Allison couldn’t believe she’d said those words aloud. She was assertive and assured when it came to her work, but not when it came to her relationships with men. Maybe that was her problem, why she’d ended up with a two-timer.
No time like the present to change things. Plus, it was easier somehow to be totally honest with Nevar. Maybe it was because she’d just met him. There were no expectations on either side. Of course the drink and the atmosphere didn’t hurt either.
Hatter’s was a whimsical realm well beyond the normal world. A fanciful place where anything could happen.
“Because I do.” Nevar’s reply shocked her to the tips of her toes. “I’d love to taste every inch of you.” He slowly leaned down and kissed her again.
This time, he didn’t keep the kiss light and short. No, this time he cupped her jaw in his big hand and held her as he devoured her.
Allison had been kissed many times before but, at the moment, she couldn’t remember a single other one. Oh the man could kiss. His lips were firm and warm against hers, molding his mouth to hers. He took his time, unhurried and thorough as he eased his tongue past her lips and proceeded to claim every inch of her mouth.
She moaned and went up on her toes, trying to get closer. He tasted like mint with a hot, dangerous edge that was all male animal. The hand on the small of her back dipped lower and urged her closer.
A large, hard bulge pressed against her lower belly. Nevar was very aroused and his erection was impressive. Her pussy clenched, a silent reply for her to continue. She wanted more, much more.
Liquid heat flowed through her veins, warming her from the inside out. She ached to rub her swollen breasts against his broad chest and her mound against his hard cock.
The thought was so unlike her, she pulled away.
He was breathing heavily, but so was she. Allison shook her head, trying to catch her breath and regain her scattered wits.
“I don’t do this.” She didn’t want him to think she went into strange bars every night of the week and picked up strange men.
“I know.” The music changed to something faster and louder, breaking the sensual mood. He caught her wrist and pulled her away from the other dancers and into the shadows. “I don’t do this either.” His lips were once again against her ear as he spoke. His breath and the brush of his mouth made her shudder with growing need.
“I should probably go.” Before she did something totally stupid. But she didn’t want to go. She wanted to stay with Nevar and experience the erotic sensations he inspired in her.
“No, stay. Please.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. Her shawl slipped and she pulled it around her shoulders. “I don’t want you to go.”
There was a wealth of need in his voice. Allison knew if she agreed to stay she’d end up sleeping with Nevar. And, surprisingly, the idea didn’t bother her half as much as it should.
“I don’t know.” Common sense dictated she leave. She looked out over the crowd, still seeing no sign of Barb and the others. Maybe her friends had decided not to come after all. Allison hadn’t checked her phone for messages in the last hour. Maybe something had come up and they’d canceled.
“Let’s go upstairs to my place and talk. It’s quieter up there. No pressure. We can just talk if that’s what you want.” He brushed his hand over her hair. “I just want to be with you.”
Had any man ever said such seductive words to her before? She didn’t think so. What woman wouldn’t want a man like Nevar claiming all he wanted was to be with her? She knew he meant it, but she also wasn’t stupid. If she went upstairs with him, they’d end up in his bed.
She paused, wondering briefly if she was one of many who’d been asked upstairs. Common wisdom would say yes, but Allison was a fairly good judge of character, Bradley aside. And even with Bradley she’d known things weren’t what they should have been, but she’d ignored the signs, too comfortable in their bad relationship to end it when she probably should have.
Nevar was watching her, waiting. She lost herself in his dark eyes, in the sensual promise that simmered there.
Maybe it was only for one night. And maybe that was okay. Didn’t every woman deserve to have a man like this, even for one night? He made her feel beautiful and sensual and totally alive.
“Okay.” One small word that promised so much more.
Nevar wrapped his arm around her shoulders and propelled her down a short hallway, past the restrooms and several other closed doors. The music and voices dropped into the distance. “This way.”
Her nerves got the better of her when he pulled out a set of keys and unlocked a door at the very end of the hallway. It was a thick, heavy door with several locks. She took a couple of steps away from him and looked back toward the lights and crowd of the club.
“Allison?” Nevar opened the door, and she caught a glimpse of a small foyer and a set of stairs before he closed it again. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to frighten you.” He raked his fingers though his
long hair. “Damn, I’m an ass for rushing you like this.”
“Where are you going?”
Allison jerked at the sound of another male voice and whirled around. Nevar’s brother was coming toward them with a frown on his face. He looked intimidating and slightly scary. She found herself instinctively moving closer to Nevar.
“Nowhere.” Nevar put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Just like that she knew he wouldn’t pressure her, that she was in charge of whatever happened.
Her fear dropped away and she grabbed Nevar’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I thought we were going up to your place.”
Nevar was surprised by the turn of events. He’d been an idiot, trying to rush Allison upstairs. He should have taken her to a table near the far end of the club so they could talk for a few hours, get to know each other better before suggesting they go to his place.
In his defense, he’d never had such a volatile reaction to a woman before. He knew if Allison walked out of the bar and he never saw her again, he’d regret it for the rest of his life. He had to have her. If not tonight, then another night.
He was damn well going to do his best to make it happen tonight.
But not at the price of making Allison feel scared or uneasy. She was smart to be wary. There were a lot of crazies out there. And while he was unconventional, he’d never hurt a woman.
If anything, Allison drew out his protective instincts. He’d noticed how she’d moved closer to him when Rabb approached them. Then again, that only proved she was smart. When he frowned, Rabb looked like a mean son of a bitch.
“I’d love to take you up to my place.” He gently stroked Allison’s cheek, enthralled by the softness of her skin. Would she be this soft all over? His cock jerked at the thought.
He looked at his brother, silently willing him to keep his mouth shut for once. “I’m taking the rest of the night off.”
“That’s a first,” Rabb muttered.
“Yes, it is.” He hoped his brother would get the message that Allison was special and back off.
Rabb looked at Allison again and then back to Nevar. He nodded. “I’ll handle things here and close up.”
“Thanks. I owe you one.”
Rabb smiled. “You do and you can be sure I’ll collect.”
Nevar opened the door and ushered Allison through it. The heavy steel door closed with a bang and she jumped. Her eyes widened as he engaged the three locks.
“That’s a lot of security.”
“The family apartments are upstairs. It’s convenient for Rabb and me, but we don’t want anyone accidentally finding their way up there.”
In the full light of the foyer, Allison looked even more beautiful than she had in the dim light of the club. The dress she wore hugged her curves, leaving little to the imagination.
“Come on, let’s go up.”
She swallowed heavily but nodded. He sensed that in spite of her bravado in front of Rabb, Allison was still nervous. He took her hand in his as they walked up the stairs.
“So you and Rabb both have apartments in the building.” She paused and looked slightly pale. “Or do you share a place?”
Nevar shook his head. “No, we definitely don’t share. You don’t have to worry about him barging in on us at any point.”
Her relief was apparent and she started walking up the stairs again. She had one hand on the rail and he noticed her fingernails were relatively short, but the tips were painted white. Her wrist was slightly arched, making her hand look incredibly graceful, yet strong at the same time.
He could easily picture her hands on his chest, his shoulders or wrapped around his cock. Oh yeah. He let her get a step ahead of him and reached down to discreetly adjust himself.
Because seeing his pants tent out in front would really put her at ease.
They reached the first landing and he motioned to the right. “Family’s shops are on this level.”
“Really?”
He admired the way the fabric of the dress clung to her ass. He’d had his hands on that fine area, if only briefly during their dance. Allison had a first-class ass. He could easily imagine her bent over with him slamming into her from behind.
“Yeah.” His voice was hoarse and he cleared his throat. “Both my parents have businesses. The apartments are on the next two levels.”
They continued up and Nevar prayed his parents weren’t around. That would be a complete buzzkill. Thankfully, they remained alone as they made their way to the top floor. “This is my place.” He motioned to the brightly painted blue door on the left. “That’s Rabb’s place.” His brother’s door was painted a bold red.
He unlocked his door and pushed it open. “Welcome to my home.”
Allison wondered for the hundredth time if she were doing the right thing. But a guy who lived in a building with his parents couldn’t be all bad, could he?
It was too late now, she was here and she was curious. She stepped past the blue door. Nevar followed and turned on the several lights, allowing her to see his home. She peered around with undisguised interest.
The living space was open and airy and about twice the size of her entire apartment.
“Let me take your wrap.”
She wanted to cling to the shawl as kind of a security blanket, but let it go for that very reason. She was a grown woman, not a child. She wanted to be here with Nevar. A few nerves were only natural. At least that’s what she kept telling herself.
She handed him the shawl and her purse and he hung them on a hook by the door. “You have a wonderful home,” she told him. And he did.
A sectional sofa in a rich chocolate-brown dominated the far end of the room. You could either watch the large flat-screen television mounted on the wall above a long, low bookcase or you could look out a set of three windows that spread across the entire far wall.
An antique dining table was surrounded by eight plush chairs, creating an eating area. The kitchen was next with its bright white cupboards and dark granite countertops. The hardwood floor gave the entire space a warm feeling.
“Thanks. Can I get you something to drink. Wine? Coffee?”
“A glass of wine would be nice.” And having something to hold in her hands would help her feel less awkward.
Nevar strode into the kitchen and opened a small wine cooler tucked under the counter. “How’s white sound?”
“White is good.” And could the conversation be any more stilted?
Sighing, Allison sat on one of the wooden stools set in front of the long countertop that separated the kitchen from the dining area. Nevar pulled two glasses down from the cabinets before he deftly opened the wine bottle.
He was even more gorgeous now that she could see him better in the bright lighting. His black hair was silky and just long enough to give him an edgy look. As though he felt her eyes on him, he looked at her and smiled. One corner of his mouth tilted up higher than the other, making him look incredibly sexy.
“Here you go.” He slid one of the glasses across the counter.
She grabbed it and took a big sip, but the wine didn’t cool her down. If anything she was heating up more with each passing second. His eyes were so dark, she honestly couldn’t tell if they were dark brown or black. Not that it mattered. They were sexy as hell. The way he looked at her raised her body temperature.
Her anxiety was quickly forgotten, replaced by a heavy pulsing low in her belly. Her skin felt too tight and her breasts were heavy.
Nevar sauntered around the counter, his big body graceful and lean. Like a cat. He stopped beside her stool and she swiveled around until she was facing him.
He cupped her face, his eyes growing even darker. “You are so damn beautiful.”
She wasn’t. Not really. She was pretty, but beautiful was stretching it. But with Nevar looking at her the way he was, she believed him.
“So are you,” she whispered.
He smiled again, that crooked smile that was quickly becoming familia
r and important to her. “A man isn’t supposed to be beautiful.”
“No?”
Nevar shook his head. “A man is supposed to be rugged and strong. Manly. Beautiful isn’t manly.”
“It’s not?” She was enjoying their banter, more relaxed than she’d been all night.
“No, it’s not.” He leaned down and she knew what was coming. She didn’t want him to stop. She wanted what was going to happen.
He kissed her. His lips against hers, their breath mingling.
She gave a cry and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He eased between her legs and dragged her up against the hot, hard bulge in his pants. She squirmed to get closer.
Nevar made a rough sound in the back of his throat as he eased away. “Are you sure?”
Allison had never been more sure of anything in her life. “Yes.”
Chapter Four
Nevar cautioned himself to slow down, to savor this time with Allison. A man only got one first time with a woman and he wanted to make this special for them both. He tasted the crisp wine on her lips, but beyond that was pure heat, pure Allison.
He cupped the side of her neck, using his thumb under her chin to tilt her head back so he could get a better angle. She moaned as his tongue slid deeper, exploring the hot depths of her mouth.
Her fingernails dug into his shoulders.
Nevar got drunk on her taste, on the exquisite feel of her under his hands. His fingers played along the exposed column of her neck, down over her arms and back up again. He teased the bare skin along the V-neck of her dress.
Allison sucked in a breath just before his hands dipped lower and covered her breasts. The firm mounds fit perfectly in his hand, not too big or small. Perfect for him.
He eased back and opened his eyes to find her staring up at him. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide and dark with desire. Her lips were moist and parted as she pulled in a breath.
He had to kiss her again.
Allison returned his passion, her tongue thrusting into his mouth, her hands tearing at the buttons of his vest. He helped her as best he could without breaking their kiss. He heard a rip and a button pinged off the hardwood floor.
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