“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 casually 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 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. Speaking of incredible bodies …” She bit down on his nipple gently. “I’ve been dreaming about this one nonstop 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 grin
ned and ran her hand through his dark, messy curls. “Usually elegant.” She looked at him for a long 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?”
“Ha, ha,” he brushed off her compliment, embarrassed. “Liv, you know how you said you wanted honesty? That goes for when we’re in bed too. If I do anything you don’t like, tell me.”
“And the same to you.”
“Deal.”
She snuggled into his arms. “So, what do you want to do now?”
Nox kissed her. “I’m starving, actually. Want something to eat, and I’ll give you a tour of the rest of the house?”
Livia stuck her tongue in her cheek. “As long as you promise to show me every single ballroom in the place, I mean I’ve only seen the main ballroom and … oww … oww! Stop, you maniac!”
Nox tickled her until she couldn’t breathe from laughing, then they showered together and wandered down to his kitchen.
“This looks familiar.” Livia grinned at him as she hopped up onto a seat at the breakfast bar. “Is this your main kitchen or do you have eleven smaller ones for each meal?”
“Funny girl,” Nick leaned over to kiss her. “No, just the one. It’s big enough to feed all seventeen ballrooms though.”
Livia laughed. “Can I help?”
“Nope, let me feed you, woman. Grilled cheese?”
“Perfection.”
They chatted easily while he cooked, Livia admiring the way the muscles on his back flexed as he moved. He really was glorious. She adored the way his shaggy black curls fell around his head, the way his green eyes crinkled at the edges. She still couldn’t quite believe she was there, that they had just made love, and that it had been even better than she had dreamed. It seemed somehow surreal, and yet to be with Nox was so natural. Livia studied him with unashamed lust, and when he caught her eye, he pushed the pan to the back of the stove and came to her.
“How,” he murmured, brushing his lips against hers, “am I supposed to concentrate on cooking while you look at me like that?” He stepped closer and pulled her legs around him.
She was wearing his dress shirt—way too big for her, obviously—and he began to unbutton it, letting the fabric fall apart. He drew the pad of his thumb from her lips, down to her throat, between her breasts and down to her navel, making her shiver with desire. “You’re so beautiful, Livvy.”
God, this man … She pulled his lips back to hers then, as they kissed, freed his cock from his jeans. Nox, grinning, produced a condom from the back pocket. “Always be prepared.”
She laughed and rolled it onto him before guiding him inside her, moaning as he filled her entirely. “God, Nox …”
He thrust hard into her, supporting her with his strong arms as they fucked. Livia bit his chest, kissing his neck and throat, before Nox ground his mouth down on hers. “Livia …”
His cock reamed into her cunt so hard she thought she might slip from her position, and a second later they tumbled to the floor. Livia straddled him as they took each other to the edge of ecstasy all over again. Nox’s fingers gripped her hips, pressing into the soft flesh as she rocked above him, taking him as deep as she could.
Livia came once then Nox flipped her onto her back and began to ram his hips as hard as he could, his cock growing harder and thicker, his hands pinning hers to the cool tile floor. Livia urged him on, coming again and again as he neared his peak. Finally, with a long moan, he came, shuddering and trembling, gasping for air. “God, Livia …can we just do that all the time?”
“No complaints here.” She grinned at him as he laughed, kissing her tenderly.
The grilled cheese was unsalvageable so Nox made fresh sandwiches and they both ate as if they were starving. “It’s all the energy we used up,” Livia said, nodding her head wisely and making him laugh. “Don’t mock. It’s fact that sex uses up four-point-six megatons of kilojoule energy for every orgasm.”
“You just made that up.”
“All right I did, but still.”
“Lunatic.”
She stroked his face. “You’re gorgeous.”
He smirked. “Oh, I know.” And he strutted around like a peacock, making her giggle.
“What was that? Mick Jagger crossed with a chicken?”
Nox gave up his comic strut. “Buzzkill.”
Livia giggled. Gorgeous and funny. “Nox Renaud … how on earth haven’t you been snatched up by some woman already? I mean, apart from that face of yours, you’re the full package, aren’t you? I don’t get why you would ever be single.”
The smile cracked a little, faded, and Livia cursed herself. “Shit. I’m sorry. Did I put my foot in it again?”
Nox was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He played with her fingers as he tried to decide what to say. “Liv …when I was a teenager, there was someone. Ariel. We were inseparable, and we both knew it was inevitable that we would end up together. One night, I was getting ready to go pick her up for our senior prom. Amber—that’s her twin sister—called the house in hysterics. Ariel was missing.” A cloud passed over his handsome features and Livia took his hand, holding it tightly. He smiled at her gratefully before clearing his throat. “They found her body the next day, laid on one of the tombstones in the cemetery. She’d been st—” his voice broke and he looked away from her. Livia was horrified to see tears in his eyes. “Stabbed to death. And not quickly either. Whoever murdered her took his time.”
“Oh, God, no.” Livia felt cold. Poor, poor Ariel. The heartbreak on Nox’s face was still obvious even though two decades had passed.
Nox looked at Livia now, his green eyes filled with pain. “I never thought anyone could ever … not replace, I hate that word—and it’s not true when you’re talking about another human—but that I would meet someone who made my heart soar. I was wrong.”
Livia touched his face. “I want to make you happy again, Nox Renaud.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You already have, Livia.”
She kissed him, her heart pounding with sorrow for him. “What will your friends think about me? I mean, I know you’re still friends with Amber … will she think I’m just a gold-digging interloper?”
“No. Amber has always told me that she wants me to be happy. I think, for both of us, we had no closure over Ariel’s death because whoever killed her is still out there. I think you and Amber would be good friends. I certainly hope so.”
“On my part, I have no qualms … except perhaps the total chasm in our social situations.”
Nox shook his head. “You shouldn’t fixate on that. Really.”
“I promise,” she smiled up at him, but then her face turned solemn. “I’m so sorry about Ariel. That’s horrific. The police really had no clues?”
“None. Ariel was the sweetest person. No one could have had a reason to harm her.”
Livia sighed. “Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be much reason to kill a woman. Some do it just for the thrill.”
Nox was silent for a while, but Livia felt his arms tighten aro
und her. “When I heard you scream that night,” he said softly, “when I saw it was you …”
“That was just some dude trying to mug me, Nox. I dealt with it.”
“Badass.”
“You betcha.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Okay, my little warrior woman. Let’s go back to bed and keep each other up all night.”
Chapter Seven
Livia’s head was bent over her piano when she heard the commotion outside the practice room. She looked up as Charvi, followed by a couple of excited students, came into the room. Charvi looked stunned, overwhelmed, and shocked all at once. She nodded at Livia and then the piano.
“You might want to sit down and play that old wreck one last time.”
Livia blinked, completely discombobulated. She had been working on her composition, Night—her ‘piano porn,’ as she had told Nox—and had been so into it that the sudden interruption made her shake her head. “What?”
Charvi smiled. “Your boyfriend is a very generous man.” She turned as the wide doors of the music room were opened and a gang of workmen, huffing and puffing, wheeled in a vast trailer. Livia stood as they maneuvered the covered item onto the floor.
“You can take this one out,” Charvi ordered them, tapping the piano Livia was working from, “save us the trouble.”
The foreman shrugged. “Sure, no problem.”
Livia quickly grabbed her stuff from the rather battered, but much-loved piano, even more confused. Charvi and her students grabbed the dust cloth on the new piano and pulled it off with a flourish. Livia couldn’t help but gasp. Underneath the cloth sat the most beautiful instrument she’d ever seen. Charvi looked gleeful. “You know what this is?”
Livia nodded her head weakly. “It’s a Steinway, a Model D Concert Grand Steinway.” Her legs were shaking. Nox had done this? “It’s Judy Carmichael’s piano. Not hers personally, but her piano of choice.”
Charvi was watching her. “That’s right. And Nox donated not just one of these, but four. He’s donated four of these babies to the university, plus countless other new instruments and a huge endowment.”
Dangerous Kiss Page 119