Negligee Behavior (16 page)

“You can another day,” he promised. “Right now I want you in my bed.” He stared at her mouth. “Beneath me, making those sweet little sounds you make when you come. And then I want you screaming my name.”

“Oh. Well that’s certainly specific.” He heard the shift in her breathing. “But you know what? I kind of like the sound of that idea.”

“I thought you might.”

He kicked open the door to his room and moved swiftly to the bed. He braced one knee on the mattress and lowered her down.

She stretched her arms above her head and stared up at him with an intoxicating combination of desire and trust.

He set his other knee down so that he straddled her waist. Using his hands to bracket her rib cage, he moved his thumbs over the slippery red negligee.

“I really like this on you,” he murmured and stroked up the swell of her breast.

“Good.” The haze of desire in her eyes increased and her chest rose as she drew in a deep breath; her lips parted on a sigh.

Somehow she managed to embody the ultimate temptation of sex and seduction, while at the same moment exude vulnerability and innocence.

The blood in his veins quickened, his throat grew tight with the need to touch her. He slid his hands down to her waist, catching the fabric in his hand and pushing it up her body until it gathered below her breasts.

Nudging her thighs apart with his knee, he moved to kneel between them. He leaned down and brushed a kiss over the curve of her belly.

“And I really like this.” He snapped the string on the side of her panties. “But I think I’ll like them even better off.”

He curled his fingers around the string on each side of her hip and pulled downward. She lifted her hips, making it easier for him to draw the scrap of lace off.

“Jesus.” His breath caught and his erection increased to a painful level. “You got more than your eyebrows waxed, huh, princess?”

She gave a soft laugh and lifted her head to look down at herself.

“Mmm hmm, and you’d better like it because doing that hurt like the devil.”

“Hell yeah I like it.” His words sounded husky to his own ears.

He cupped her smooth mound possessively, sinking a finger into her slick heat.

“Oh.” Her eyes drifted shut with the soft moan.

He watched her reaction as he slipped his thumb between her folds to rub the swollen button of flesh. Her lips parted and her breathing grew heavy. He bit back a groan and used a second finger to penetrate her.

Monitoring her reactions, he adjusted the pressure with this thumb and murmured a husky, “Come for me, sweetheart.”

Her hips lifted against his hand and she cried out, gripping the sheets. He kissed her belly, loving the way her body trembled from the orgasm.

Moving his mouth lower, he kissed his way towards the sweet taste of her. He pressed his tongue into her folds and sought her swollen bud.

“Marco,” she gasped and squirmed beneath him. “What are you doing?”

He circled the sensitive flesh with his tongue again then muttered, “Giving you an orgasm.”

“But I,” she groaned and then began to pant. “I just had one.”

“Good. That means we have twenty-nine to go before morning.” He lifted his head from between her legs and grinned. “Thirty birthdays, thirty orgasms.”

“I thought that was spankings,” she protested weakly, even as her hips rose again toward his mouth.

“Would you rather I spank you?” He kissed the smooth rise of her mound and hid a smile.

It was her birthday, if that’s what she wanted, hell, he’d have no problem indulging her. He lifted his head.

“No. God, no. Thirty orgasms sound fantastic.” She slid her fingers into his hair and urged his mouth back down. “Now hit me with your best shot.”

He laughed and pressed his tongue to her once more, all too willing to comply. A second later her body trembled beneath him again.

He lifted his head. “That’s two.”

“Oh my God,” she whispered raggedly. “It’s going to be an amazing night.”

“We’ve had fifteen bands sign up for tomorrow’s event.” Brandy dropped two empty pint glasses and a burger basket into the sink and stepped into the doorway of the back office. “Fifteen.”

Marco pushed his paperwork away. “That’s good, right?”

Her heart fluttered at the intimate smile her gave her. “That’s
great
. Because if you think about it, each band competing will be bringing their own little support group of family and friends.”

He leaned back in his chair, pursed his lips and gave thoughtful nod.

She hurried on. “That’s exposing Dante’s to a bunch of people who may never have heard of you guys before.”

Rolling a pen between his fingers, he continued to stare at her. “Brandy, you have been so good for this place.”

Her face flushed with pleasure. Had it only been a week and a half since she’d first jumped his bike?

“Is everything all set up for tomorrow night? Is there anything else you can think of that we need?” he asked.

Brandy walked all the way into the office and sat down on the edge of his desk.

“Well, it’ll be tight staffwise that night, but we’ll all be there. So we should be able to handle it,” she hesitated. “But still, you should look into hiring a couple more waitresses. I’m telling you, your business is going to double, if not triple, after this event.”

His foot, which he’d kicked up on the desk, nudged her hip and he grinned.

“I’m on top of it, princess. I placed an ad in the paper a few days ago.” He cleared his throat. “Besides, I know you won’t be hanging out here with us forever.”

Her bubble of happiness slowly deflated from the puncture wound he’d just inflected. Was he already gearing up for her to leave? The idea hadn’t even crossed her mind. Or maybe it had, but she’d fiercely shoved it back into the cobwebs in the back.

“I’d better get back up front,” she muttered, glancing away. “I just thought I’d give you the latest number.”

He didn’t say anything, but his mouth grew taut. Without another second’s hesitation she slid off the desk and left his office, and tried to ignore the feeling gnawing at her.

You knew it wouldn’t last forever. So you shouldn’t get in a tizzy the minute he brings up that fact.

Besides she had a life back home. Her thoughts turned to her classes that would start in the fall. Who was she kidding, this wasn’t her life. She could never give it all up to be a waitress. Sure it had its fun moments, but her heart was in teaching. Taking a group of half-talented, half-tone-deaf students and getting a decent sound out of them as a whole.

Still. Would that mean the end of her and Marco? Would she leave and things just go back to…life as normal? Did she want that?

She sighed. The last afternoon customer left an hour ago. Sebastian and Val wouldn’t be in for another couple of hours.

Light poured into the bar as the front door swung open. A silhouette of a woman was illuminated before the door closed again.

Brandy crossed the floor to approach her. The young woman didn’t look much older than some of her students. She wore baggy cargo pants, a tight tank top and the aura of someone with a serious chip on their shoulder.

“Hi there,” Brandy called out. “Do you mind if I check your ID?”

The woman, still a girl really, gave her an appraising glance. She was a slip of a thing, probably just a few inches over five feet, but obviously confident with herself.

“I’m here to sign up for Dante’s Band Battle,” the girl said after a moment and held up a flier.

Nice how she skirted the issue of identification. Brandy drew herself up to her full height and cleared her throat.

Pulling out her teacher tone, she asked again. “I’ll need to see your ID first.

The girl’s dark eyes narrowed, before she began to dig in her purse.

Brandy blinked, the hairs lifting on the back of her neck. There was something familiar about the girl—those eyes.

“Here.” The girl thrust her license at Brandy.

Brandy took the plastic card from her and stared at it.

“Elena?”

Marco’s voice split through the silence at the other end of the bar. Elena grinned and strode past her to her brother.

“What’s up,
mi hermano
?”

Brandy turned around to watch the young woman run full speed into Marco’s embrace.

He wrapped his arms around her slight form, squeezing her tight. “I told you not to come,” he reprimanded her, but there was no anger in his voice.

“As if that would stop me.” She pulled back and scowled, all affection vanishing. “How dare you, Marco.”

Marco gave a weary sigh. “How dare I what, Elena?”

“Avoid us for so long. You haven’t seen Dad in almost two years. He’s—”

“Dad doesn’t give a shit about me anymore, Elena, and we both know it.”

This was obviously a conversation Brandy didn’t want to be sitting in on. “He cares about you, Marco. You’re both just being stubborn and proud and it’s ridiculous.”

Right. Time to make an escape.

Brandy drew a quick breath in and moved toward the kitchen, hoping they wouldn’t notice her leaving.

“Where are you going?”

No such luck.

She turned back and faced Marco and his question. “I thought I’d give you two a moment.”

“Don’t bother. Elena was just leaving.”

“I’m not leaving, so deal with it.” His sister folded her arms across her chest and lifted her chin. “Besides, I’m here to sign up for the competition.”

“You’re in a band?”

“Umm, yeah, and have been for at least two years. I told you that last year when you came by.” She rolled her eyes. “But then you were only at the house for forty minutes, I’m sure you forgot everything except the fight with Dad.”

“Elena, it’s not a good idea.”

“What isn’t?” she challenged.

“Everything. You being here. Signing up for the Band Battle.”

“So, what? You going to throw me out? Your own
hermana?
Are you going to forbid me from signing up for the Battle?”

Brandy shrugged. What could she say? She had no idea of the history between the two, but obviously there was some kind of dispute between Marco and his dad.

“Where are you and the other girls staying?” he asked tersely.

“Girls?”

“The other band members.”

“Oh.” Elena tossed her hair and gave a broad smile. “They’re boys. I’m the only girl in the band. And Bill and I have a room at the Excalibur.”

“Bill?” he asked.

“He’s the drummer. We’ve been dating for five months.”

Marco’s hands curled into fists and he took a deep breath. Yikes, if that wasn’t a sign we about to jump into big brother protective mode than she wasn’t sure what was. Brandy stepped forward and grabbed Elena’s arm and moved her toward one of the booths.

“We haven’t actually been introduced. I’m Brandy, one of the waitresses here. Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat?”

“A little bit.” Elena gave a half smile and then stared down at her shiny metallic pink nails. “I could eat. We ate these crap breakfast burritos a couple hours ago and it totally didn’t fill me up.”

Marco stepped forward. “Brandy—”

“How about a burger? They’re fabulous here.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Brandy—”

“Marco.” Brandy turned her head and gave him a pointed look. “Why don’t you ask Dave to grill up one of Dante’s famous burgers and I’ll go ahead and get Elena signed up for the competition?”

He met her stare, eyes flashing. He wasn’t pleased, that much was obvious. Finally he turned and strode back to the kitchen.

“Thanks.”

Brandy turned her attention back to Elena. “For what?”

“For not letting him kick me out of the bar. He probably would’ve if you weren’t here. I called the house a couple days ago and he told me not to come see him. Then I found that flier for the Band Battle and totally knew it was the way to get him to see me.”

Why didn’t Marco want to see his sister? Brandy bit her tongue to avoid asking the question. It was obvious that part of him was pleased to see her—the way he’d hugged her had been proof enough.

When she’d overheard the phone call that morning the same question had run through her head. And like that morning, she realized if she was meant to know then either brother or sister would talk to her about it.

“I’m sure Marco is glad you’re here. Whether he wants to admit it or not is another thing,” she finally said with a gentle smile.

“I know he loves me. And he loves Dad too. They’re just too proud to apologize to each other.” She shrugged. “But then they’re guys. What can you do?”

Brandy gave a commiserating nod. “Not a lot. So…what’s the name of your band?”

“Bitches Brew.”

Brandy blinked. “Oh. That’s…nice. And what kind of music do you play?”

“Alternative.”

“I see. And what role do you have in the band?”

“I’m the lead singer,” Elena said with a smug grin. “The bitch. They chose me over thirty-eight other people who auditioned.”

“Hey, that’s great. Congratulations.” Brandy paused. “You know, during the school year I actually teach choir at a private school in California.”

“No kidding?” Elena leaned back in the booth and gave her a considering look that she was used to seeing on Marco. “Well, I did choir back in middle school. No offense, but it kind of sucked, so I quit and took woodshop instead.”

Brandy laughed and shook her head. “You know, you could have just had a bad teacher. When you have a good one, I promise it doesn’t suck.”

“Maybe. I bet you’re a good teacher. But you look kind of young to be one.”

“To be what? A teacher?”

“Yeah.”

Wow! Someone actually thought she looked young instead of old. “I’m thirty as of last week.”

Elena’s jaw dropped. “No way! You totally don’t look
that
old.”

A couple weeks ago, she probably would’ve done something ridiculous like burst into tears or overanalyzed the comment. Now it just amused her.

“Hope you’re still hungry.” Marco crossed the bar and set down a basket with a burger and fries in front of his sister. “How are you guys doing out here?”

“Good.” Elena snagged a fry and ate it in two bites. “Mmm. The fries are delish.”

“Wait until you try the burger. Dante’s is famous for them.” She winked at Marco. “Your brother talked them up until I finally gave in and tried one.”

“You know, if I recall,” he said as he raised an eyebrow. “It really didn’t take that much convincing.”

“Actually he’s right. Thanks for the reminder.”

“Sebastian and Val will be in any minute,” Marco murmured. “I’ll go count down the till.”

“Oh, you know, I can do it.” Brandy started to stand but he waved her back down.

“Stay, hang out with Elena since it’s dead in here.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

When he didn’t immediately look away from her, she felt her cheeks warm. Finally she murmured a soft, “Thank you, Marco.”

“No problem.” He spared his sister another look. “I’ll see you ladies in a bit.”

When Brandy looked back at Elena, the girl was watching her with open curiosity.

“So what’s up with you two?”

Brandy stole a fry and shrugged, tried to appear nonchalant “What do you mean?”

“Are you guys screwing each other?”

The fry stuck in her throat. “What?”

“Are you sleeping together?”

“Umm.” Her cheeks burned and she stared at the table. How the heck did she answer that? Would Marco want his sister to know—

“Never mind. It’s written all over your face.” Elena laughed. “You’re totally getting it on.”

Brandy lifted her head, unsure whether the news would be upsetting to Marco’s sister or not.

Elena picked up the burger and took a hefty bite. “Damn this is good,” she muttered between chews. “You don’t lie.”

“Why did you ask about Marco and me?”

Elena shrugged and swallowed the food in her mouth. “I was just curious. I’m glad he’s out getting some. Marco pretty much stopped dating after Anna. Though who knows what he’s been up to the past couple of years.”

Anna? Who was Anna
?

“You look kind of surprised, but seriously, I know he probably never mentions her anymore. They dated for like three years while they were in school.”

“Did they?” Brandy murmured, trying for a casual attitude.

“Yeah. But then she trashed his heart and ditched him for some guy with deeper pocket books.” Elena leaned forward and lowered her voice. “She said Marco would never be able to financially support the kind of lifestyle she was used to. Can you believe that?” She shook her head and picked up another fry. “What a materialistic bitch.”

“I’ll say.” Brandy nearly massacred the French fry in her hand.

No wonder Marco had been so wary of the fact she had money. Had been so slow to trust her. The poor guy. She closed her eyes, not wanting him to come back out and find her all pissed off looking.

Never before had she experienced the need to kick someone’s ass, and it was a little odd to be experiencing the sensation for the first time at thirty years of age.

“So…” Brandy cleared her throat and opened her eyes again, eager to change the subject. “You really like this Bill guy you’re dating?”

Elena nodded, but not before a slight hesitation. “He’s pretty cool.”

It was on the tip of Brandy’s tongue to ask if they were ‘getting it on’, because surely Marco would love confirmation on that tidbit. Then again, maybe that knowledge wouldn’t be so welcome. He certainly hadn’t handled the fact that she was even dating a guy very well.

“Sometimes I think he’s a little immature though.”

Brandy held her breath and waited for her to continue, surprised Elena was being so forthcoming.

“Sometimes he parties too much and gets a big head over the band thing.”

Elena pushed her half-eaten basket of food to the side. “You know how it goes. Women come up and flirt with him after a concert and he flirts back pretty hard.” She folded her arms across her chest and scowled. “He says it’s all part of the promoting aspect, and getting our name out there.”

“Hmm.”

Brandy drummed her nails on the table and gave the other girl a closer look. Elena’s words had been casual, but the flash of annoyance and vulnerability had lingered beneath the pretense.