They smiled at each other and Nox leaned in to kiss her again. “Livia, that night at the party…I haven’t felt a connection like that in years.”
“Really?” She was delighted, then frowned. “No, I mean, really? Look at you, you could have anyone.”
“I’m fussy,” he said lightly with a grin, but she could see something behind his eyes.
“You don’t give away a lot, do you? I mean, I could see the sadness in your eyes when we met… You can talk to me, you know?”
Nox’s expression changed for a split second—fear?—but he shook his head. “I’m a firm believer in the past staying in the past. What I want now is for us to get to know each other. Is that something you’d like, Livvy?”
She studied him, leaning on the railing of the steamboat. “Charvi was right about you. You are an enigma.”
“Charvi? Charvi Sood?” Nox’s eyes lit up and Livia nodded.
“Yes, she knew your mother?”
“I’ll say. Charvi was my mom’s best friend.” He looked so excited, like a little boy. “I had no idea she was back in New Orleans.”
“She is. She’s my tutor, my mentor, really. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”
Nox gave a short laugh. “Why wouldn’t she come to see me herself?” He frowned to himself, obviously deep in thought, and Livia wondered if she had made a mistake mentioning Charvi to him.
Nox shook himself. “Well, yes, I’d love to see her.” He smiled at Livia. “So, you’re a master pianist?”
She laughed. “Oh, no, I’m really just a beginner, at least when you consider the scope of the craft. My focus is on jazz piano, for this program at least. But, really, I love all classical music. And rock, and blues, and on and on…”
“I’m afraid my music knowledge extends as far as Pearl Jam and Tom Petty. That kind of music.”
“I adore both,” Livia encouraged him. “For my undergraduate thesis, for the recital, I did a slowed down piano version of “Rearviewmirror.””
“I gather speed, from you fucking with me…” Nox quoted and their gazes locked. Livia felt breathless.
“Anticipation is a marvelous thing,” she said softly and Nox nodded.
“Oh, I agree.” He grinned and swept her hair back over her shoulder, stroking the back of his finger down her neck. “Your skin is so soft.”
Tingling sensations were racing through her body at his touch. God, I want you, she thought. But as she’d said, the anticipation of making love with this man was electrifying. Her eyes dropped to his groin, his erection obvious in his denim jeans. She looked up at him from underneath her lashes. “I wonder how long we can hold out.”
Nox grinned. “Personally speaking, and to be blunt, I think it would be amazing to be inside you right now… But yes, let’s keep this going until we don’t have a choice. Why bow to society’s pressure to rush into anything?”
Livia suddenly crushed her lips to his, sliding her hand over his groin and squeezing. God, he was huge. Nox gave a moan. “God, Livvy, try to make it easy on me, why don’t you?”
She chuckled, loving that he’d used her nickname so soon. “Listen, you have all the cards here, Mr. Billionaire. This, at least, is on my terms.”
Nox laughed, burying his face in her neck. “You smell so good, it’s intoxicating.”
She stroked his dark curls. “How is it I feel like I’ve known you forever?”
Nox sat up and studied her. She stroked the thick dark eyelashes she had been dreaming about, and he leaned into her touch. “I know, I feel that too.”
She grinned at him. “Nox Renaud, we’re going to have a lot of fun together.”
And she meant it. She wanted to erase the haunted look in his eyes forever, even if this thing between them was only fleeting. The thought caused an unexpected shock of pain—already she felt so comfortable with him, they were so in tune with each other. A small voice inside her –whispered, you don’t know him yet, but she pushed it away. For now, they would have fun and that was enough.
They spent a blissful two hours on the riverboat, and then took a cab back to the French Quarter to an upscale burger joint that Livia suggested. Nox didn’t seem the type to turn his nose up at everyday fare and she was right, he practically swooned over the juicy burger, which was smothered in sautéed mushrooms and melted cheese. Livia grinned at him.
“It’s good, right?”
“Damn good.” He took a swig from his bottle of beer and she grinned, picking a stray mushroom from his cheek.
“I like a man who enjoys his burgers.”
Nox muffled a belch in his fist and apologized. Livia chuckled. “Excuse me,” he said and she kissed his cheek. There was already such a change in him now from when they had met. He was relaxed and laid back, and even the sadness in his eyes was less apparent. She couldn’t believe it was because of her.
“Tell me more about yourself, Nox.” Her smile faded a little and she looked at him steadily. “I’m so sorry about your family.”
There it was, the wariness in his eyes, and he looked away from her for a moment. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, it’s okay,” he said. He wound his fingers through hers. “I can’t pretend it didn’t happen and I want to be honest with you from the start. Yeah, it was rough. That doesn’t begin to cover it, but for now I’ll just say…it took some getting over.”
“Can you get over something like that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Livia stroked the back of his hand with her finger. “I think society places too much pressure on someone to ‘get over’ things. Why? Why should we get over things? Can’t we just acknowledge that the pain will always hurt like hell, no matter how much time has passed? We just go on, live our lives, pretending we’re okay when we’re not.” She cupped his face in her hand, her eyes locked on his. “That night in the garden, you were so honest with me. I asked you if you were okay and you said you weren’t. Let’s always be that honest with each other, whatever happens, wherever this goes. Deal?”
Nox’s eyes were intense on hers. “How old are you, Livia Chatelaine? Because you have the wisdom of someone much, much older. Yes, of course, deal.” He leaned over and kissed her. “We have so much to learn about each other, and I can’t wait. One question…I’ll be forty in two years and you’re what, twenty-three, twenty-four?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“Does the age gap bother you?”
Livia shifted around and sat on his lap, not caring if the other diners were watching them. She hooked her arms around his neck and nuzzled his nose. “You just said I was much older,” she whispered to him. “So…what age gap?”
Nox slid his hand under her shirt and stroked her belly as she kissed him. The feel of his big fingers against her skin made her weak. “God, I want you.” She gave a small moan.
Nox grinned wickedly. “Anticipation, remember?”
She wriggled against his groin, feeling his cock harden almost instantly, and he groaned.
“You are a very bad girl, Livia Chatelaine. The moment I’m inside you can’t come—excuse the pun—soon enough.”
She hopped off his lap and smirked. “Anticipation…”
“Devil woman.” And they both laughed.
Amber sighed as she saw Odelle approaching her. It was late afternoon at the salon and Amber had just had a blissful massage. The last thing she wanted was for Odelle to ruin her buzz. The blonde woman smiled tentatively at her but it didn’t reach her eyes. That wasn’t anything new with Odelle
“Always good to see you, Odelle,” Amber said smoothly, and indicated the tea tray in front of her. “Won’t you join me?”
Odelle nodded. “Thank you.” She sat and Amber poured her some herbal tea.
“Did you enjoy Nox’s party this year?” Amber was being facetious—she knew Odelle hated public gatherings. Odelle, despite her beauty, didn’t mingle well with people and Amber had always wondered why. Ode
lle’s famed iciness aside, she rarely made the effort to get to know other people, almost as if she were protecting herself from something. Odelle, Amber, Nox, and Roan had known each other since they were teenagers, but still Amber felt as if she had never really known Odelle. All she knew was that Roan had pursued the blonde woman, and that Odelle had only ever opened up to Nox, who she regarded as an older brother.
She studied Odelle now. The other woman looked tired. “Is everything okay with you, Odelle?”
“Of course. Roan and I are thinking of getting engaged.”
Amber tried not to spit out her tea. “Really?” She couldn’t help the tone of cynicism that crept into her voice, but she regretted it when Odelle flushed red with annoyance.
“Is it so hard to believe?”
“No, of course not, I’m sorry. It’s just Roan never mentioned it. Are you sure you want to be tied to, let’s just say, to a man who…”
“Can’t keep it in his trousers?” Odelle’s smile was bitter. “You think I don’t know about his other women, Amber? Of course I do. Maybe not all of them, but I have my suspicions.” She looked hard at Amber, who met her gaze steadily.
“Then why would you marry him? Why not set your sights on someone else? Nox, for example. You adore him and he thinks very highly of you.”
“You think of our group as a revolving door of bedhopping and casual hookups, Amber. Nox is my family. Roan may have his peccadillos but I assure you, it’s me who he comes home to.”
Suddenly Amber realized why Odelle had sought her out. She was warning her off. She wanted to marry Roan—Roan, of all people—and was making sure that his friends knew he belonged to her. Amber gave a sad smile. Poor, deluded Odelle.
“I believe you.” Amber causally sipped her tea and they sat in silence for a while. When Odelle left, Amber pulled out her cellphone. She listened to the buzz at the other end of the line and when he answered, she didn’t let him speak. “Roan, just how long has Odelle known about you and me? When did she find out we were fucking?”
Roan hung up the phone and rubbed his eyes. Fuck. He and Amber had been so careful, but now Odelle knew he’d broken her one rule. Don’t shit where you sleep. “I don’t care about random hookups,” she’d told him the night he’d first mentioned marriage. “I do care about you fucking around in our social circle.”
And he had been careless. Shit. Marrying Odelle would secure his future—her father was richer than even Nox—and besides, he liked fucking her. He’d liked seeing behind the icy façade.
Fuck it. Now he would have to lose all his other girls and make nice with Odelle. He should never have started up with Amber again—Amber, who had nothing to lose by admitting their affair. And that was the allure of the redhead—she simply didn’t give a crap about anyone. Except Nox, of course. Roan couldn’t help the jealousy he felt towards his friend sometimes; Nox was just so damned good, it was infuriating.
Roan sighed and grabbed his cellphone. He would forget the crap with the women in his life and just focus on getting his shot together for the meeting with Nox and Sandor. He wanted in on their company. He was ready to grow up and he needed to focus, because there was one glaring problem in Roan’s otherwise perfect life.
He was stone-cold broke.
Chapter Six
After eating they had wandered the streets, enjoying the atmosphere. Later in the evening, they found themselves at The Spotted Cat, a jazz venue that was jumping with music and crammed with people. Livia and Nox found standing room by the bar and ordered drinks. Livia looked excited. “I keep meaning to come here but never found the time.”
Nox grinned at her. “Out of interest, how do you manage? I mean, I know you have the scholarship, but working at the café can’t pay for everything. Actually, scratch that, it’s none of my business.”
She laughed. “It’s okay. I get by. I’ve always had to fight for the basics so it’s become second-nature. Sharing with Morry helps and I don’t need a lot. Thank god for the scholarship, though.”
Nox smiled at her openness. She really didn’t care about money, and that was refreshing. He could imagine her happy with just a book and a sandwich—this wasn’t a woman who needed diamonds and pearls. Of all the things he could give her, what she seemed to want was his time. He swept his hand into her hair and pulled her lips to his. “You’re gorgeous,” he murmured against her lips, “and I adore you.”
Livia chuckled. “You barely know me but I’ll take that. You’re not so bad yourself, rich boy.”
Her words were totally without reproach and he felt her mouth curve up in a smile as he kissed her. A band was just setting up and when they began to play, Nox slid his arms around Livia’s waist and pulled her back against his chest. Livia leaned back into him, comfortable with the intimacy already.
The band was wild, fun and Nox lost track of time in the sweltering heat, the drink, the heady feeling of this beautiful woman in his arms. More and more people were cramming into the space and his arms tightened around Livia. She turned her head to smile at him and something shifted in both of them as their eyes caught. He pressed his lips to hers and she turned in his arms, her own wrapping around him. They forgot about the club, the music, the other people.
He gazed down at her and mouthed the words “come home with me.” Livia’s smile grew wide and she nodded. Enough anticipation…
Twenty minutes later and they were in a cab back to his mansion. Nox couldn’t stop kissing her, tasting her lips, sweet from the liquor, his fingers tangling in her glorious mane.
He hardly remembered how they got to his bedroom but then he was sliding her dress straps down her shoulders and taking one pink nipple into his mouth. He heard her soft moan as she pulled his t-shirt over his head and he tumbled her onto the bed. Livia giggled as he blew a raspberry on her belly then proceeded to tug the rest of her dress and her underwear off. Her fingers went to his zipper as he returned to kiss her mouth, and he felt a wave of pleasure as she freed his cock from his pants.
Livia stroked him until his cock was so hard it was painful, but he resisted the temptation to plunge into her and instead made his way down the bed until he could bury his face in her sex. His tongue lashed around her clit and she shuddered and trembled as she became even more aroused.
“Nox…” she whispered as her sex became swollen and sensitive, then he was back, kissing her mouth again.
She looked up at him with huge brown eyes that were shining and sleepy with desire. “Do you have a…?”
He grinned. “Of course, sweetheart.” He reached over and opened the drawer in his nightstand and pulled out a condom. “Want to help me with it?”
She grinned and helped him roll it down over his cock. “Big boy.” She chuckled and yelped as he tickled her, but as he hitched her legs around his waist, she suddenly looked nervous.
“Are you okay?” Nox was concerned, but she nodded.
“I’m so good, Nox. I just want to savor this moment…”
He grinned and slowly, his grin growing at her impatience, slid into her. Livia moaned softly. “You feel so good,” she whispered and smiled up at him as they began to find their rhythm.
Nox kissed her throat then found her lips again. Her body was so soft, her breasts pillowy, and he admired the way her body undulated beneath him as they made love. As the intensity grew, their gazes locked and Nox began to thrust harder, faster, deeper, until Livia’s back arched up and she cried out his name as she came. The sound of it tipped Nox over into his own climax and he came hard, groaning her name.
They collapsed back on the bed, laughing, panting for air. “I guess we didn’t hold out for so long,” Livia laughed and rolled onto her side. Nox enjoyed the feel of her breasts pressed up against him and looped an arm around her.
“Listen, I wanted to do that for at least a week, so we held out just fine.” He laughed as she rolled her eyes.
“Okay, I’ll let you have that one.” She pressed her lips to his. “God, Nox, that was
incredible.”
“And only the start.” He smoothed a hand down her side. “You have the body of a goddess.”
She giggled. “Thank you. Talking of incredible bodies…” She bit down on his nipple gently. “I’ve been dreaming about this one non-stop all week. I even wrote some piano porn about you.”
Nox laughed loudly. “Piano porn? I think I’m flattered, even if I’m not too sure what you mean.”
Livia grinned. “It doesn’t matter, I was just being silly.” She kissed his chest then rested her chin on it. “Nice digs you have here.” She looked around the palatial bedroom for the first time, and Nox watched for her reaction. “Actually, really nice.”
Nox watched her check out the navy-painted walls, the fireplace stacked with wood—his bedroom could have come out of a Tommy Hilfiger ad.
Livia sat up and nodded. “I like your room. Classy, elegant—just like you.” She grinned and ran her hand through his dark, messy curls. “Usually elegant.” She looked at him for along moment, and he was surprised to see her color.
“What is it, Liv?”
She bit her lower lip, hesitant. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.” He stroked his finger down her cheek. “Anything.”
“I’ve never…I’m mean, I’m not a virgin, but I never knew it could be like that. Sex, I mean. So exhilarating, so…overwhelming.”
Nox was silent for a moment. “Baby, are you telling me you’ve never…?”
“Had an orgasm? Yup,” she was blushing furiously now. “I’ve never let myself go like that. I honestly couldn’t have cared less whether I lived or died at that moment, I felt so utterly blissed out. My whole body was…god, I can’t even describe it.”
Nox chuckled. “Then I’m honored your first was with me. I promise to do my best to see you come like that every time.”
Livia smiled. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but it means a lot to me. And it doesn’t hurt, Mr. Renaud, that you are gorgeous. Seriously, look at you—who wouldn’t come?”
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