by Lisa Alder
Boomer started announcing the runner ups. Lilah asked the woman next to her another question.
“Oh my.” Lilah turned back toward Jake, her ocean blue eyes wide and round and filled with some emotion he couldn’t place.
“What’s wrong?”
Lilah held her breath. The action lifted her breasts and Jake forced his gaze to stay on her eyes. He had to get his mind off of her body.
“I found out what the contest is for.” A giggle escaped her. Lilah gulped down half of her drink. “It’s funny. Sort of.”
“What’s funny?”
“In an ironic way.” She flushed and bit her bottom lip. “You won’t believe it.”
“What?”
“And the winner is…” Boomer paused for dramatic effect, then shouted, “Jake and Lilah.”
“We won?” Lilah whispered.
Jake wondered at the look on her face. Part humor, part sadness. “What did we win?”
“We’re getting married.”
FOUR
Lilah stood off to the side of the stage. A pleasant hum surrounded her as Jake cushioned her from the rowdy crowd. He braced his arms against the stage, buffering her without touching. While the second place couple received their prize, Lilah turned in the circle of his arms to peer up at him. Even through her pleasant buzz, she could see how tense he was beneath his casual smile. “You okay?”
“Sure.”
“You don’t look okay.”
“I don’t?”
He looked so surprised, Lilah almost laughed. She could see beyond his laid back facade and apparently he wasn’t comfortable with that.
“Your fiancé’s betrayal hit you harder than you let on didn’t it?” Lilah laid a comforting hand on his bare arm. The zing from the contact turned comfort into something else. She withdrew her hand. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“We don’t have to do this if it’s going to be too painful.”
“You’re protecting me?” Now he laughed.
“We can let that couple have the fun.” Lilah rolled her eyes at the couple on stage and tried not to let her disappointment show. “The way that woman is carrying on, the crowd will get a lot more for their money.”
“We can do it. Besides.” Jake nodded toward the woman clutching a bouquet of garish flowers. “She is a he.”
“Oh my.”
“And now let’s give a great big Cat’s Meow for Jake and Lilah!”
The crowd went crazy.
Lilah took an unsteady step toward the stage. Jake’s hand shot out to support her. The zing was stronger this time, burning off some of the buzz fuzzing her thoughts. She murmured, “No one I know would believe this.”
“Which part?”
“Take your pick. Up on a stage, in a bar, getting married, even for pretend.” To a man she’d known for about six hours.
“But you’re having fun?”
“Yes. I am.” She smiled radiantly. She was having fun.
Boomer started talking again. “And as a special treat, aaannnd, not to be out-done by the folks out in Vegas, we’ve got Elvis here to get them hitched.”
A man in a studded white suit, colored eyeglasses, and sideburns that put Elvis to shame jumped up on stage and turned to wave enthusiastically to the crowd.
“Thankyouverymuch.”
Lilah’s jaw dropped.
“Close your mouth, honey.” Jake’s whisper tickled her ear.
“Why aren’t you even the least little bit amazed?” She whispered back.
“I’ve been living in California for the last fourteen years. Not much could amaze me.”
Boomer stepped between them, curled huge arms around each of their shoulders and squeezed them closer together. “Okay, you two love birds, let’s get this show on the road.”
Love birds. Oh, for a mere second, Lilah wished that were true.
Elvis held up his hands to quiet the crowd. And the ceremony started.
Lilah couldn’t take her eyes off of Elvis.
She knew it wasn’t real. But a small stab of hurt for all she had lost today speared through her. Jake must have sensed her distress because he grasped her hand in his and squeezed gently. Maybe if she ignored Elvis and concentrated on Jake she would be okay.
“Lilah do you take Jake….”
Take Jake. Those words conjured pictures better left blank.
“Little lady,” Elvis prompted.
“Oh, I do.” Her voice came out firm and sure.
“Well, Jake it looks like she’s ready.”
The crowd catcalled and hooted.
“Jake do you take Lilah….”
Lilah watched Jake. The wild boy had certainly shown her a wild time. If she went by the heat in his eyes, it could get even wilder if she were willing. And why shouldn’t she? Her life was in a shambles.
She had tried and tried to be the best, most decorous woman in town. The tears she’d managed to keep in check all day, threatened to turn this fun into sadness. And she wouldn’t let that happen. After all, look where being good had gotten her.
Her fiancé had slept with another woman and she was making a spectacle of herself in a bar. And she couldn’t even bring herself to care.
“I do.” His voice rumbled through her. Lightening arced at the heat in his eyes, but there was humor as well. And that’s what pushed Lilah over the edge.
“Son, you may kiss the bride.”
Lilah had forgotten about this part of the ceremony. She and Tom had discussed a small, short peck on the cheek.
Elvis pulled out the microphone and started crooning, ‘Love Me Tender’.
The crowd was screaming and yelling, but all the noise faded into oblivion as Lilah looked into Jake’s eyes. Time seemed to move in slow motion.
Jake’s hands circled her waist, burning her skin through the thin rayon dress. Lilah curled her arms around Jake’s neck, letting him know she wasn’t settling for a short peck.
His head angled to the right and Lilah tilted hers to the left, and his mouth hovered above hers for a tell-tale second. He was giving her time to retreat.
Lilah clenched her fists in his hair and dragged his head down that last half inch. But when his lips touched hers, they were gentle and hot. And the kiss was over nearly before it began.
All sensation had gone to her mouth, her lips were on fire. She needed his mouth on hers and she needed it yesterday.
And then he kissed her again.
His mouth touched hers again, chastely, tenderly, but then his tongue licked at the entrance to her mouth. And Lilah granted him access.
Heat pooled low in her belly, making her dizzy and weak with pleasure. A soft moan escaped her and she was grateful for Elvis’s singing.
It was almost as if the sound gave Jake the permission he asked for because in that instant the kiss changed again. His lips pressed harder against hers. He swept his tongue into her mouth and her tongue fought back. Lilah pulled him closer, and jammed her breasts against his chest to relieve the building pressure.
A bright flash of light burned her eyes, and she slowly opened them. She was up on stage in front a huge crowd of people. What had she done?
She should be feeling like this was wrong, but it felt absolutely right.
“Whoa, Lilah and Jake.”
Jake kept Lilah’s body pressed up against his. If he didn’t, the entire bar was about to get an eyeful of his out-of-control erection. Christ, he’d forgotten where he was.
“Somebody, get them a room. Oh wait, we did. A suite. And fortunately for you two, it’s just around the corner.” Boomer laughed.
A room. Together. Oh this was a bad idea. He was a good person. But he wasn’t a damn saint.
“Tomorrow you also get a carriage ride around the Quarter in the morning and a lovely honeymoon brunch for two at the famous Court of Two Sisters. Everybody. Give Lilah and Jake a hand for being such great sports. But make it fast.” Boomer grinned and clapped his hands heartily.
> The piped in background music from their winning song blasted through the bar.
I’m the Only One.
Lilah’s gaze flashed to his. And in that moment he knew he could be. At least for tonight. Ah, hell. It looked like they might make it four ‘Nevers’.
FIVE
Lilah and Jake walked silently next to ‘Cat Woman’ as Jake had begun to think of her.
“Thanks so much for participating in the contest. We’ve been trying to increase visibility and get people back in New Orleans ever since Katrina.”
She chatted away about the contest, weaving in and out of the foot traffic which, even though it was easily past midnight, had grown heavier.
Lilah’s frozen hand clenched his tightly. He, on the other hand, was sweating. Profusely. This woman was leading them toward sure temptation. A hotel room, for Lilah and him.
Not a hotel room. A suite. Jake focused on that. There would probably be a sofa or something he could sleep on. Assuming he could resist temptation. Of course he could.
He was a good person. He just needed to keep reminding himself of that and trying not to picture Lilah naked. And sweaty. And kissing him like she’d done up on stage. Near inhaling him and making him forget. All sorts of things.
“God, it’s hot out here.” Jake wiped a damp hand over his forehead.
“You’ve been living in California too long.” Lilah’s mouth turned up and two little dimples winked out at him. “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”
“Good one,” Cat Woman said. “Here’s the hotel.”
Ah, hell. That walk had taken maybe five minutes.
“You’re in suite number 205. It’s a great room. Your balcony overlooks Bourbon Street.” Cat Woman handed Lilah the hotel key. Lilah blushed.
“We’ve put together a little goodie,” she snickered, “basket for you. I’ll be back tomorrow morning at ten to pick you up for the carriage ride. Enjoy.”
She dumped the basket into Jake’s hands and disappeared into the night, leaving them standing alone in the near deserted lobby.
“I guess we should, ah, go upstairs.” Lilah turned hesitantly toward the elevator.
“Sure.” Jake hefted the basket higher in his arms. They rode the elevator in silence. Jake could see Lilah’s hesitation growing. She jumped when the elevator dinged.
When they walked into the two-story suite, Lilah stopped and gaped in amazement. “Wow,” she whispered.
Jake sighed. “Another never.”
“Excuse me?” She whipped around.
“Nothing.” Jake put the basket down on the cocktail table in front of a sofa and two antique looking chairs.
“I’ve never been in a suite before.” She sank onto the sofa and stared around the luxurious room. French doors led to a balcony. The muted sounds of the Quarter revelry came through the thin glass panes.
Her teeth came out to nibble at her bottom lip and Jake nearly groaned. It was going to be a long night. He grabbed the bottle of champagne from the basket and walked over to the wet bar in the corner. “Want a glass of champagne?”
“Champagne?” Lilah toyed with the neckline of her dress.
Jake deliberately averted his eyes trying not to think about the touch of white cotton he’d seen earlier.
“Yes. Please.”
She was so polite. As if they were at a church social instead of two relative strangers in a hotel room. Together. With the door locked.
“Check to see if there are any glasses in that basket.”
“Oh. Great idea.” Lilah looked as discomfited as he felt.
Jake waited. Over by the bar. Far, far away from where Lilah sat on the sofa and pawed through the contents of the basket.
“Here’s one.” She held it out to him, then snatched it back. “Oh my.”
Her hand fluttered in front of her face and he tried, he really did, not to notice how the action pulled her dress taut against the swell of her breasts.
“What’s wrong? Is there a dirty spot on the glass.”
“What? Oh, no, no.” She giggled nervously. Kind of like she had right before she’d told him they were getting married for pretend.
What had her so flustered?
“Why don’t you just see if there are any water glasses we can use.” She was trying to shove the glass behind a pillow unobtrusively. “You know I’ve always wondered if the glass makers didn’t just invent all these different glasses so they’d have more product to sell—”
“Lilah,” Jake walked over to the sofa with the champagne bottle in his hand. He figured if he had something to occupy his hands he couldn’t touch her. “Give me the glass.”
“What glass?” She lounged back on the pillow, unfortunately the position just thrust her breasts forward. And her nipples stood out in stark relief against the loose rayon.
“Oooh, look at all the other things in this basket. Hey, there are two shirts.” She pulled out a t-shirt proclaiming, Let the Good Times Roll.
Jake sat down on the sofa. Lilah jumped up and practically ran to the wet bar. “I’ll just get those glasses.”
Jake deliberately ignored the sway of her butt, and snatched the glass from underneath the pillow. As he poured the golden liquid into the glass, the reason for her nervousness became apparent.
A man and a woman, naked and entwined, obviously having wild sex were etched in the glass. Christ, no wonder she was nervous. She probably thought he was going to jump her. He could set her straight on that. He wasn’t, even if he wanted to.
“Lilah,” Jake started, as he grabbed the other erotic champagne flute.
Lilah ignored him and poked through the basket. “What else do we have? I declare I’m hungry. Hmm, I see something that looks like a fruit roll up thingy.” She pulled out a pair of edible underwear. The tab said it was cherry flavor and it was a thong.
“Oh. My.” They dropped to the floor.
Jake put a hand on her arm to stop her fluttering and slid his palm down to capture her hand. God, her skin was soft. “Lilah. Let’s get something straight here.”
She took a deep breath. Jake restrained a groan. Did she have to do that when he was right there?
“I am not going to jump you.”
“You’re not?”
He couldn’t have heard disappointment in her voice. Could he? Wishful thinking. “Of course not. You’re in an emotional state right now. I’ll take the sofa and you take the bed.”
Bed. He tried not to think about her wrapped in a white sheet and nothing else.
“You’re wrong.”
“Wrong how?”
“I’m not emotional. I’m completely and totally rational.” Lilah took a giant gulp of champagne. “I want to you know.”
Jake started to sweat. “We don’t have any protection.”
“Yes, we do.” Lilah pulled out a jumbo pack of Trojans, in colors no less.
Christ, he wanted her naked and sweaty. “I don’t want you to be sorry.” He really didn’t. In a few short hours, he’d come to admire her spirit and her strength.
“I won’t be sorry.”
“This isn’t a good idea.”
From the basket, she grabbed the picture taken when they were singing to each other. “What do you see?”
“I see a woman, a beautiful, sexy woman who needed to let off a little steam. But who doesn’t want the steam to go too far.”
“And what about you?”
“What?”
“What do you see in yourself?”
He shrugged. “I see a guy who tried to help.”
“Okay. Can I tell you what I see?”
“Sure.”
“I see a woman who has tried her best and still it wasn’t enough. And now she is relieved of those responsibilities for a few short hours before she has to go back to being good again. She isn’t ready to go back to being good again just yet.”
Jake brushed a stray piece of hair from her neck, tucking the strands behind the veil she still wore. He understood
what she was telling him. “Lilah—”
“I’m not finished. I also see a man who has his own set of betrayals to work through and who tried to give me something he thought I needed. Because when he needed it, no one was around.”
Her words touched a chord in him.
When he had said that his fiancée’s leaving hadn’t really hurt. He’d lied. He’d lied to everyone, even himself. Deep down inside, in a place he allowed no one to see, it had hurt, deeply, intensely. He had given all he knew how to give and that still wasn’t enough.
Still, Jake hesitated. “Why?”
Lilah couldn’t believe it. “Are you crazy? You’re supposed to be this wild boy. You’re not supposed to ask why.”
Sheesh. This seducing a man was harder than she’d anticipated. If she could just get this wildness out, then it would all be all right. She knew it. Besides, her body was still quaking from that kiss.
“What can I do to change your mind?” Lilah unbuttoned the top button at the scoop in her neckline.
Jake stood up so fast he spilled champagne down the front of her dress.
“Christ, I’m sorry.” He grabbed the cloth napkin wrapped around the champagne bottle and dabbed at her breasts. The damp fabric was cool against her already aroused nipples.
Lilah bit back a moan. Ladies did not moan. She was sure of it. A small breathy sound escaped.
Jake stilled suddenly, as if he’d just realized where he’d been touching her. He dropped the napkin, and held his hands up, like a criminal stopped by the police. But his gaze hadn’t left her breasts.
Her nipples tightened almost painfully at the heat in his eyes. Jake licked his lips. “This is a really bad idea.” One hand dropped down and hovered above the opened button at the top of her dress. He let one single callused finger touch her collarbone in a feather light caress.
Lilah’s breath caught. The rest of his fingers brushed across the exposed swath of skin above her neckline and her whole body tingled. Another breathy sound escaped. She tried to still it, but couldn’t.
Oh, the anticipation. She wanted him to touch her. To really touch her.
He watched his hand as if it was attached to someone else’s arm. Lilah was afraid to breathe. Afraid to move. In case he stopped. His fingers curved around the side of her breast, and caressed her through layers of rayon and silk. The touch was so sensual she stifled another moan.