Spring Fever

by Deborah Cooke

  Reyna had wanted to come to the show, so it had been the first event in Portland to jump into her thoughts. But standing outside, watching people arrive, she had to reconsider whether it was smart to bring a hungry man to a buffet.

  How conservative was Kade?

  Would he even go in?

  The sign outside the bar left no doubts as to the nature of the evening’s event.

  She hadn’t talked to Kade again, although she’d glimpsed him across the street a couple of times. She checked her watch one more time, felt a moment’s panic that he might have changed his mind.

  And then she heard the motorcycle engine.

  Reyna loved the sound of motorcycles. This bike had a good low roar, but it wasn’t as loud as a Harley. She guessed that it was a European bike. A Ducati or maybe a BMW. The sound was precise and rhythmic. She realized the bike was closer than she’d thought, then the rider came around the corner. He rode with verve and confidence, which was the only way to ride a bike in Reyna’s opinion.

  She wasn’t the only one watching him.

  He pulled to a halt at the curb across the street and looked at the bar. He wore a black jacket with jeans and boots, and his helmet was black, too. He revved the engine a little, the sound making Reyna’s heart flutter, then got off the bike. He tipped up his visor and took off his gloves, walking around the bike to ensure there was enough space around it before he turned off the engine. Reyna took a step to one side for a better look, because what she’d seen so far was very promising.

  Her butterfly was buzzing again.

  The rider took off his helmet with his back to her, shaking his head as if his hair was long. It wasn’t, but maybe his dark hair once had been long. With one last glance at the bike and a quick survey of the street, he pivoted and strode toward the bar with purpose, the helmet tucked under his arm.

  It was Kade.

  Reyna felt her mouth open in a little gasp of pleasure. He crossed the street as if he owned it, his gaze roving over her, and his smile revealing his appreciation. This was what he’d meant about having both a bad boy and a good one. Reyna gobbled up the sight of him. Her heart was racing now, her mouth dry, not a shred of doubt in her mind as to what would happen next.

  It couldn’t happen fast enough to her thinking.

  “Imagine meeting you here,” Kade said when he reached her side, his voice low but with an undercurrent of humor. “Have you found what you were looking for?” He bent down and kissed her cheek, as if they were old friends. Or lovers. His eyes gleamed, looking more like molten gold than they had before. She had the sense that he was a different man, the one she’d only glimpsed in her shop.

  One who maybe wasn’t nice guy all the way through.

  That worked for Reyna. “Definitely,” she replied, openly surveying him. “But not exactly where I expected to find it.”

  Kade’s smile was quick, his gaze hungry.

  Reyna gestured to the door of the bar and knew the moment he saw the sign for the show. “Want to go in?”

  He eyed the sign. “So, we’re here to see Autumn Rose and the Fallen Blossoms?”

  “Yes.”

  “Unusual choice.”

  “I don’t like to be predictable.”

  He surveyed her again. “I think you’ve got that covered,” he murmured, eyes glinting. His approval of that made Reyna tingle in anticipation. “Is that another rule?”

  She smiled. “No. Just an aspiration.”

  His answering smile was quick and sent a thrill through her.

  She gestured to the sign. “I met them at the bridal show. They teach classes and dance burlesque as a hobby. I thought it sounded like fun.”

  “Have you ever tried it?”

  “No.” Reyna laughed. “Have you?”

  “No.” He opened the door for her and they stepped inside. Reyna presented her invitation and Kade paid the discounted price.

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “Call me old-fashioned.”

  Or a nice guy.

  The lights were dim in the bar and dozens of little tables had been set up across the floor. Each one had a votive candle in a glass vase, the flickering light making the space seem intimate. There was a purple velvet curtain hung along one wall, creating a stage area where there hadn’t been one. There were maybe twenty other people already gathered for the show. Reyna chose a table and Kade put his helmet on it, then they hung their jackets on the backs of their chairs. She’d dressed with particular care for the evening and was gratified that he noticed.

  And clearly approved.

  They each ordered a draft beer from a local brewery, although Reyna doubted she’d drink all of hers.

  “I read that article from the local paper,” Kade said. “I had no idea cupcakes were such big business.”

  “They’re trendy now, but the trend keeps hanging on.” She crossed her fingers, then her legs. He looked. “I hope it keeps doing so.”

  “What did you do before you made cupcakes?”

  “Waited tables.” Reyna was careful not to say where, her habit impossible to break. She hoped he just assumed it had always been in Portland. “That’s how I first heard about Honey Hill.”

  Kade frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “Lexi Wolfe. Her brother Spencer is part owner of Wolfe Lodge.”

  He nodded in understanding. “Dark hair. She’s a waitress at the lodge.”

  “That’s Lexi.”

  “The lodge is owned by two guys, right?”

  “Spencer and Gabriel. Gabriel is the manager and Spencer is the chef.”

  “I was just at the lodge once. The food was good.” Kade met Reyna’s gaze again. He had an intensity that made her shiver. In a good way. “Why did Honey Hill appeal?”

  “I was ready for a change of scenery,” Reyna said. She felt her anxiety rising, because she really didn’t like talking about herself. She didn’t want to reveal too much, which meant she’d rather say nothing at all.

  Kade’s gaze was unswerving. “Any reason why?”

  She shrugged and looked away. He was too curious and she felt deceptive not answering simple questions. “Tired of the city. That’s all.” It was time to distract him and Reyna knew exactly how to do it. She put her hand on Kade’s thigh, felt its muscled strength, then felt him clench when she gave it a squeeze. “I get bored with places, just like I am now,” she said impulsively and stood up. “You coming?”

  Kade blinked. “You don’t want to stay for the show?”

  “Maybe we can have a private one.”

  He pushed a hand through his hair, glanced at the two beers they’d barely sipped, to the makeshift stage and back to her. “You want to go back to Honey Hill now?”

  Reyna shook her head. “Oh no. I have a little place here in town.”

  “Really?”

  “I didn’t think it would be safe to be driving all the way back up there at night or if the weather was bad, so I bought a little hideaway.”

  “There is a lot of money in cupcakes,” he said under his breath.

  Reyna didn’t reply to that. “It’s not fancy, but the garage is big enough for my delivery truck so I can lock everything down.”

  Kade lifted a dark brow. “Room in there for a bike?”

  “Definitely.” Reyna smiled and stood up, more than ready to get this seduction started. She dropped a twenty on the table to pay for the drinks, and the waiter hustled over to give her change.

  She walked toward the door, knowing that more than one patron watched their departure. She felt Kade behind her, then his hand landed on the back of her waist. “How did you save enough working as a waitress to buy and renovate that house as well as buy a place here?” he murmured.

  “Sweat equity,” Reyna said flatly, then grabbed his hand to lead him outside. She didn’t want to talk about the past. She wanted to talk about the immediate future, the next two hours with Kade in her bed, and nothing else.

  “My truck is just there,�
� she said, pointing to it. Her store logo was painted on the side in swirling pink.

  “I would never have guessed,” Kade said deadpan.

  She laughed and gave his hand a squeeze. “Just follow me.”

  “You expect me to follow you anywhere,” he teased when she would have stepped away.

  “Let me convince you that I’ll make it worth your while,” Reyna murmured. She wasn’t going to ignore an opening like that. She stepped closer so that her breasts collided with Kade’s chest, reaching up to slide one hand around the back of his neck, then pulled his head down for a thorough kiss. Someone hooted from a passing car, but Reyna didn’t care.

  Kade tasted so good, and this was just the start of what promised to be an excellent night.

  Women couldn’t possibly be any more direct than Reyna.

  Or more elusive.

  There was no missing her on the street, not in that black and red dress. She was wearing the killer candy red heels and black stockings, too. Kade had to guess that she’d been stopping traffic before he arrived.

  Her kiss set his blood on fire, the way her tongue slid between his teeth making him want to scoop her up and put her on the back of his bike, then drive someplace he could make love to her all night long. She was sweet and enthusiastic, more responsive than he’d expected, and the combination was enough to make him forget that they were standing on a city street in public view. He caught her around the waist and pulled her closer, deepening their kiss, savoring her little purr of satisfaction.

  “Get a room,” someone said, bringing Kade back to earth.

  Reyna pulled away with a laugh. Her eyes were sparkling and her lipstick was smeared. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  “I hope it’s not far.” Kade let her see how much he meant it.

  She planted a fingertip in the middle of his chest. “There’s a wish that I can fulfill.” She pivoted, her skirt swinging out to give him a great view of her legs, then walked toward her truck. Kade watched openly, not caring who saw that they were together. When she got into the truck, he pulled on his helmet and got on his bike, pulling away from the curb to follow her.

  It wasn’t far, but it was an industrial neighborhood. The building looked like it was just a large garage, but once Reyna opened the overhead door and he followed her inside, he saw that the far end of it was blocked off. They parked the vehicles and locked the door, then she tugged him toward the studio apartment. It was small and simple but the bed was broad enough for two and that was all Kade cared about.

  He tumbled onto it, taking Reyna with him and rolled so she was beneath him. He caught the back of her head in his hand and kissed her thoroughly. There was acres of lace and tulle under her skirt, a crinoline that made the skirt swing out. He slid one hand up her thigh and groaned when he felt the top of her stocking beneath his fingertips.

  “Something wrong?” she whispered.

  “Something very right,” he replied, slipping his finger beneath one garter and following it up over her thigh to the lace of her panties. “I love lingerie,” he confessed and she smiled.

  “So do I.”

  “Get ready to be rewarded for that,” he whispered, then kissed her again. His hands were busy beneath her, finding the zipper in her dress but she wriggled away. She broke their kiss to pull back a bit.

  “Wait a minute. We missed the show,” she said, her voice breathless.

  “I don’t care,” Kade said, because it was true.

  “But I can improvise.” Reyna smiled and got to her feet. She’d lost one shoe in their tumble to the bed, bent over to put it on again, then turned her back to him. “We need music.”

  “I don’t.”

  She laughed and urged him to sit on the side of the bed. This time when she kissed him, she unfastened his jacket and pushed it over his shoulders, spinning away to hang it on the back of a chair. He watched her skirt flare out and almost saw the tops of her stockings. They were black fishnets and the seams that ran up the back looked retro and sexy. He could see that she had tattoos on her legs, but couldn’t make out what they were.

  “You like that,” she said, obviously noticing his reaction.

  “Great view.”

  She smiled and spun again as she discarded her own jacket, moving more quickly so the skirt flared higher. Kade caught his breath and she laughed with pleasure.

  If his appreciation made her feel sexy, Kade wasn’t going to hide it. He leaned back on the bed, not wanting to even blink in case he missed a thing.

  “They say men like the look and women like the feel,” she said as she reached for the zipper on the back of her dress.

  “I like both.”

  “Me, too.” Her smile was quick and confidential, as if they shared a secret or were unexpected allies. She unfastened the clasp at the top of the zipper on her dress. “Ba dum ba dum ba,” she sang, swinging her hips in a provocative way.

  “Show time,” Kade said with a smile.

  She nodded and turned her back to him. Still singing, she tugged down the zipper of her dress, mocking a stripper’s moves as she eased the dress over one shoulder. She peeked at him, blew him a kiss, then put the dress back.

  She had a butterfly tattoo across her shoulders, the insect centered on her spine, its wings almost covering the span of her back. It was detailed and colored beyond that of any real butterfly. Kade wanted to examine it more closely, intrigued by his sense that there was a solution to a riddle hidden in its design.

  Then Reyna repeated her move with the other shoulder, spinning to flick her skirts at him, and he forgot the tattoo. She slowly pulled the zipper all the way down below her waist.

  Kade could see black lace and didn’t much care whether the garment was a merry widow, a camisole or a corset. He’d never been much for strippers or even burlesque, but Reyna’s tease was intensely personal. It felt private and special, especially as he was in her studio. It was a bit warm and the scent of her perfume was stronger.

  As was the scent of her arousal.

  If this had only worked for her, he would have been happy to play along. As it was, he was finding her dance incredibly sexy.

  He knew she’d draw it out as long as possible, and that only increased his excitement. Did she like to be in charge in all ways? Kade imagined her riding him and couldn’t wait to find out.

  Reyna swung her hips and continued humming. He looked at the ink on her arms, thinking that the tattoos spilling from shoulder to wrist looked like a kind of lace. They were gorgeously feminine images of flowers and swirls, all adorned with color.

  Then she flicked off the dress and cast it across the room. It fell with a rustle, but Kade’s gaze was fixed on Reyna. She was curvy, just as he’d guessed, her breasts were so sweetly curved that he was tempted to reach out and caress her. Reyna’s smile was mischievous, as if she knew what he was thinking, and she took a step away.

  Kade stayed put.

  The lady was making the rules and he would follow them.

  She rolled her hips and turned, smiling at him over first one shoulder and then the other, then placed her hands on her sides beside her bust. She arched her back, threw back her head and slid her hands down, pushing the layered lace crinoline down over her hips.

  “Ba dum ba,” she sang, with a flick of her hips. Kade was checking out her lace panties. Black, of course. He swallowed and clenched his hands at his sides. Reyna dropped the crinoline from the height of her knees, then gracefully stepped over it to approach him.

  His heart skipped. It was a black merry widow that she wore, black lace over black satin, with garters stretching down to the tops of her stockings. It was embellished with little red ribbon rosebuds, one on each garter and one between the breast cups. That made him appreciate the red of her lipstick and nails, and the red of her shoes.

  What would it be like to see her when everything wasn’t perfect? When she was disheveled? Before she put on her make-up? It would be intensely personal. Private.

  Unli
kely to happen soon.

  Kade’s gaze returned to her lingerie and his heart skipped. The sight of her waist nipped in tightly, the black garters against her thighs, the dark stockings and the red sky-high heels made him wonder how he would last more than four seconds.

  “You really like lingerie,” she whispered, obviously watching his reaction.

  “Oh, yeah. It makes the most of what I love about women.”

  “Which is?”

  “Curves. Soft skin.”

  She posed for him. “I can leave it on if you like.”

  “I like,” Kade said, not wanting to give her a second to change her mind. “I really like.”

  Did she paint her toenails, too? Kade liked how she seemed to amplify her femininity, but he didn’t doubt that she’d be just as alluring completely nude.

  In the morning, maybe, he’d be able to wake up first and admire her.

  He smiled in anticipation of that.

  Reyna paused in front of him, blew him a kiss, then spun so that her back was toward him. She swung her hips, then bent over, seizing his boot. She had the most perfect butt Kade had seen in a long time and when she danced right in front of him, his hands rose to grip her hips.

  “No touching,” she said, rapping on his hand with a fingertip. “Not yet anyway.”

  Her smile was mischievous and Kade played along. She made a production of removing his boots, teasing him with her dance and her moves, so that he thought he’d burst out of his jeans. She urged him to his feet and strutted around him, running a fingertip across his chest, then over his shoulders, her hips swaying.

  “Ba dum ba dum ba,” she sang and he smiled as he waited.

  “You like being in charge,” he ventured.

  “It’s true,” she admitted. “Because I know what I want.”

  “I know what I want, too.”

  “But you’re letting me make the rules.”

  “Because you like it that way.” It was only when she nodded agreement and glanced away that Kade wondered why Reyna felt such need to be in control. Had something happened in her past to make her feel vulnerable?