Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen #3)(49)

“Dax . . .” She threw her arms around him and held tight.

What the devil? He appreciated her concern but didn’t need it.

Easing back, he cupped her face and studied her for a moment. “Holland, I’m fine.”

“That’s the second time since you’ve been in town that someone’s nearly killed you.”

What was her point? “Well, I promise not to run after street thieves again and I’ll stay away from Jackson Square. I really am fine, sweetheart. After the incident, I picked up lunch for the office and went back. No harm, no foul.”

She hugged him again, trailing her fingers down his face. She stared at him as if nothing was more precious to her. “I can’t stand the thought of you being hurt. I would do just about anything to make sure you’re all right. You know that, don’t you?”

That prison must have really rattled her. “I would do the same for you. Stop looking like you lost your best friend. I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Really? And if I can’t solve this case?”

He didn’t want to think about that tonight. Besides, she would. He knew Holland. She was brilliant and had tenacity. She wouldn’t stop searching. So Amber Taylor’s mom had turned out to be a bust. If the woman’s drug-addled memory couldn’t be trusted, it was a setback but not Holland’s fault. Maybe he should talk to Sue Carlyle’s cellmates. Sometimes crazy people told kernels of truth in their tales.

He would ring some contacts and call in a few favors, maybe set up an interview or two. Talking to the guards might shed some light, too. But if the prison had disturbed Holland that much, he’d leave her out of it. He’d do everything he could to save her from more distress.

But now he intended to make her feel so much better.

Dax tangled his fingers in her silky waves as he lowered his mouth to hers. Kissing Holland was so different. Before her, pressing his lips to another woman’s had merely been the beginning of the seduction, an eventual means to an end. It was something he’d done to get both he and his partner ready for sex.

With Holland, kissing was a thrill to savor, a destination he could enjoy for long hours. He devoured her mouth, dragging his tongue over her lower lip until she sighed and melted against him, winding her arms around his torso. Dax felt her start to relax.

That was good, because she didn’t need to think here. When they were alone, together, that was their safe haven. They had no room here for anything beyond the two of them.

In the distance, Dax heard the music from nearby clubs starting up. As darkness fell, the party would be starting, but he was only interested in the good times he could share with Holland. Though he rather liked the idea of enjoying their “privacy” in the middle of a crowd.

He skimmed his palms down her back before finding her backside and filling his hands with her as he drew her closer. She gave him the sweetest little whimper. The overhead light of her balcony wasn’t illuminated. Up here, the neon signs flashing below seemed hazy, almost soft as the earthy plants in their clay pots all around filtered their garish colors.

She kissed him once more, then heaved a weighty sigh before turning away again to lean against the wrought-iron railing. She looked pensive, her shoulders clustered around her ears.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just hard. My job can get me down from time to time. There are some things I can’t fix and it really makes me crazy.”

Dax wrapped his arms around her from behind and was satisfied when she let her head fall back against him. “There’s only so much you can do.”

“It makes me angry.”

“I know you. If you say you’re unable to do more, then I know you’ve done everything you could. Now you need to let it go.” He kissed along the shell of her ear, satisfied when she shuddered. “You need to relax, sweetheart. Let me take over.”

She paused, then let out a little groan. “I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. I need you, Dax. I need you so badly.”

“Tell me about it. Tell me about your day.” His hand cupped her breast.

She shook her head. “I want to forget it.”

He thumbed her nipple, feeling it stiffen against his thumb. He could give her pleasure and a respite from the day. “I can help you with that.”

“Let’s go inside.” Her voice sounded slightly husky.

“Hmm,” he murmured in her ear. “The party is just getting started out here, sweetheart. Hush, no one can see you. No one has any idea what we’re doing up here. We’re just a couple looking out over the Quarter, enjoying a romantic evening.”

He slid his hand down to the waistband of her slacks, aware of her frozen and staring down at the people on the street, as if gauging who might be able to see them. A trellis of climbing ivy concealed his movements, but they still had full view of the action below. Couples milled about, holding hands and kissing. Groups of friends strolled through the Quarter. People began to fill up the restaurants and bars.

“Look out there. Tell me what you see.” He would use both mental and physical tactics to slip past her defenses so he could take her mind off her problems. So as he spoke, he slipped his hand just under her waistband and down to the silk of her undies.

Her breath caught. “Dax, what are you doing?”