Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(26)

“Hey, you should be thrilled that he likes me so much.”

“Yeah, I’m not so sure if that’s a good thing or not.”

We were interrupted by Pauley returning with the wine and mousse. As he set down the plates, he smirked at AJ and me. “Gay friend my ass.”

I grimaced. “Sorry, but I was trying to keep you guys off my back.”

“Then next time try not to make-out on the dance floor. We’re running late on dinner plates because half of the kitchen and wait-staff were watching you two.”

“Oh God,” I muttered, cupping my head in my hands.

“Quit your bitching, cuz. You looked good out there.” When I peeked at him through my fingers, he was smiling genuinely at me. “It’s been a long time since we saw you looking so happy.”

“Thanks, Pauley.”

“You’re welcome.”

After Pauley left us, AJ eyed the mousse before smirking at me. “Hmm, can’t wait to get a taste of Mia’s Moose.”

“You’re an ass,” I replied.

“If I remember correctly from earlier this evening, it was mighty tasty.”

I smacked his arm. Hard. As he grimaced, I replied, “Just shut up and eat.”

On my command, AJ took a hearty spoonful. “It’s kinda rich,” I warned, but he shoved it in his mouth anyway.

He closed his eyes in exaggerated bliss. “Damn, that’s good.” He grinned at me. “Orgasmically good.”

“Whatever,” I mused. After such a big bite, he had a glob stuck on the corner of his mouth. Using my thumb, I reached over and swiped it off. Before I could get my napkin, AJ grabbed my hand and brought it closer to his mouth. With his eyes locked on mine, his tongue reached out and licked my thumb. I held my breath as he sucked my whole thumb into his mouth, suctioning off the chocolate. I instantly had a heated flashback of what that tongue had felt like on me earlier in the limo. Blood rushed to both my cheeks and lower half.

“You want some?” he asked, his voice taking on a lower, husky tone.

I bobbed my head. Instead of using the spoon, AJ dipped his finger into the chocolate and brought it to my lips. Leaning forward, I sucked his finger into my mouth, never taking my eyes off of his. As I pulled harder against his finger, swirling my tongue around it, a lustful gleam burned in his that caused me to shudder.

“We should go. Now.”

I was having a weird déjà vu moment from earlier in the dance studio when AJ was ready to leave in a hurry so he could ravish me in the limo. A delicious tingle of anticipation ran down my spine. I still couldn’t help questioning, “Don’t you want to finish the wine and mousse?”

“I just wanna finish you off a time or two…maybe more.”

“Oh, Jesus,” I muttered as my panties instantly moistened.

AJ chuckled. Pulling away from me, he searched the restaurant for Pauley. When he saw him, he waved him over. “We’re going to need the check. ASAP.”

Pauley ducked his head, trying to suppress his laughter. “Uncle Duke said it was on the house.”

“He didn’t need to do that, but tell him thank you for both Mia and me.”

“I will.”

AJ reached in his pocket. I watched him slide a crisp hundred bill over to Pauley. “For your excellent service.”

Pauley’s dark eyes widened. “Holy shit! Thank you, man.”

“You’re welcome.” Pauley stepped aside to let AJ rise out of the booth. He held out his hand for me. “Coming?”

Pauley snickered at the loaded innuendo. I rolled my eyes, feeling like I was surrounded by teenage boys.

“Goodnight, Pauley. And do me a favor?”

His brows rose. “Anything for you, cuz.”

“Wipe that shit-eating grin off your face.”

He nodded. “Will do.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Leaning over, he gave me a kiss. “Have fun, cuz.”

“I’ll try.”

AJ and Pauley shook hands. “Can we go out the back? That’s where our driver is waiting.”

“Sure thing. You know the way?”

AJ nodded. “It’s usually how I come and go when I’m here.”

“Night,” I called as I strode through the kitchen door.

The moment I entered the room a shouted chorus of “Emiliana!” went up all around me.

“Hi Louie, Petey, Carmine, Carmilla!” I shouted over the sound of clanking plates and silverware scraping food preparation bowls. I would have stopped to talk, but AJ’s insistent hand was against my lower back, pushing me along. As soon as we were out the door, his hot mouth was on mine in a hurried, frantic kiss. Pushing me against the brick wall, his hands started roaming over me. “Not here,” I panted against his lips.

“Ready sir?” Benny called behind us. I actually felt sorry for him. He was going to need a whole lot of eye bleach to get rid of the images we’d given him in the last five hours. With my past, I never would have expected or imagined that I would be comfortable with such PDA, yet with AJ, it felt right.

“Yeah,” AJ grunted, pulling away from me. My heels clicked along the pavement as I made my way to the limo. Benny stood, his head tucked to his chest, with the door open.