Page 9 of Ride Me

Had he been drinking? Ben mentioned he might be different away from the café, but this was something else. The man she’d come to know had never given off this energy that bordered on arrogance. Rousseau was kind and introverted and…a playboy. Maybe he seemed transformed because she’d never seen him out hunting before. And that’s exactly what he reminded her of now. A hunter.

As soon as she thought it his head turned and his gaze clashed with hers, causing her heart to skip a beat or two in shock.

“Your eyes.”

“Can only see you, cher. Dance with me now. I need to touch you.”

Her thoughts were muddled. She’d always thought his eyes were hazel, but now they seemed more golden. Amber with flecks of green. He called her cher. Darling. And he wanted to dance? Her hand went searching for her cane where it rested against her chair before she knew what she was doing.

Wait… Her cane. “You know I can’t dance, Rousseau. Not anymore.”

“Never speak in absolutes, cher. Nothing is certain. But there’s no need to worry. For what I have in mind, you won’t need the cane. Only me.” He took her hand from the rounded top of the walking stick and lifted her easily from her seat.

She seemed to float toward the middle of the dance floor, not feeling the ache in her hip at all as the upbeat jazz gave way to a slow, sultry melody played for them.

Her eyes closed at the first press of his body against hers. His skin was feverishly hot. Blazing like the sun wherever she touched him. Was that normal?

Was anything about this normal? His eyes, his words…

He cupped her hip, dragging her closer and she lost her train of thought. Oh God, he was so big and—she swallowed a moan—hard. His erection was hot steel, branding her skin through her clothes and nudging insistently against her stomach until she wanted to wrap her legs around him and take everything he was offering.

“You like knowing what you do to me. It’s all for you, cher.” He nuzzled her neck and growled softly. “I’m this hard because I’m imagining what you’d do if I ripped off that fuck-me top to get your breasts in my mouth. If I lifted your long skirt and slid myself inside, where you’re wet and aching for me.”

She shuddered at the image, weak laughter escaping as he pressed a kiss to her chin. “If you did that here, we’d get arrested.”

“What if I told you we wouldn’t?” He pulled back and she opened her eyes to see his gaze focused on her lips. “That everyone would see us, and you wouldn’t care. I know you’ve fantasized about it, Allegra. Watching and being watched.”

She shook her head. It was impossible to concentrate on much beyond the feel of his shoulders beneath her hands, his body swaying, chest brushing against her sensitive nipples. Who was this man and what had he done with her hesitant Rousseau? Not that she was complaining. Hadn’t she wanted him to show some sign that her desire wasn’t one-sided?

She was in shock. That’s all this was. “My fantasies aren’t that wild.”

I think they are. And I can prove it.

Had he spoken? She wasn’t sure. The room was tilting on its side, the sounds all around her suddenly muted echoes. Rousseau took a step back, tugging his black T-shirt over his head and dropping it to the floor to bare his smooth chest to her gaze.

Damn. “What are you doing?”

“See me, Allegra.”

She couldn’t look away.

He stood proud as she studied the unusual tattoos that covered his arms and lined his collarbone. There was something about them that felt familiar, but all she was aware of at this moment was that they decorated a body that needed no enhancement. He didn’t need the metal bars that pierced his nipples either, but they momentarily drew her attention from his perfectly sculpted abs and pecs. Again, she sensed he was concealing himself, despite the partial striptease. It was a stunning camouflage. Perfect for hiding in plain sight.

Her hand lifted of its own accord and wrapped around his long dreadlocks, staring thoughtfully. “Why do you hide yourself? What are you running from?”

She didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until his eyes narrowed dangerously in reaction. “Why are you resisting?”

“Am I?”

“You want this body.” It wasn’t a question. “And I know it wants you. Think of all the things it can do to you right here and now. All you have to do is ask the right question.”

Allegra couldn’t hold his gaze. It saw too much. It made her feel too much. But when she looked away, she noticed something that sent shockwaves through her body.

“Holy shit.”

The crowd that had been dancing had formed a circle around them without her noticing. They were watching Rousseau and Allegra with interest and excitement, touching each other or themselves as if she were a part of some peep show they’d paid to attend.

“What are they do—”

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