blush.
Busted. Good one, Long. Too subtle.
“Is your background Italian?” she blurted, as though asking about his forebears would excuse the fact that she’d been ogling him.
“There’s some Spanish blood in there somewhere, I think. But my dad keeps telling me we’re Black Irish. Whatever that means.”
“Huh.”
The doors opened and they entered the echoey foyer of Customs House. It was all but deserted at this time of night and even the bar at ground level had whittled its patrons down to hard-core players.
The night air was cool on her bare shoulders as they exited to the street. Customs House was situated smack-dab in the middle of Circular Quay, usually a busy hub for buses, trains and ferries, but at this time of night the last ferries had well and truly gone and bus service was reduced to bare bones. The taxi stand was located at the end of the street. A handful of cabs idled, waiting for passengers.
“It’s like a ghost town,” Charlie said as they made their way across the cobblestones toward the taxis.
“I’m sure there are still plenty of idiots raising hell in Kings Cross,” Rhys said, referring to a part of the city that was infamous for its nightlife and girlie bars.
She stumbled on an uneven cobble and Rhys grabbed her shoulder to steady her.
“Thanks,” she said ruefully. “Believe it or not, I have worn high heels before tonight.”
“You’re freezing,” he said, his hand tightening on her shoulder.
“No, I’m fine.” The words were barely out of her mouth before Rhys’s arm wrapped around her shoulder. Heat unfurled in her belly at the feel of his strong arm around her body.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes.” She risked a glance toward his face. He was watching her closely. Almost as though he was trying to get a read on her.
Gina had walked ahead of them and was talking to the first driver through the open passenger window.
“He’ll take us,” she called.
Charlie’s hip bumped against Rhys’s as they walked the last few feet. Gina slid into the backseat, leaving the door open. Charlie turned to face Rhys, hoping that the regret she felt didn’t show in her face.
“I had a good night.” She held her breath, waiting for him to ask for her phone number or give some indication that his interest in her extended beyond casual flirtation.
“I had a great night,” he said. Then he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
She forced a smile. “Well—”
He leaned closer and she swallowed the rest of her words as he pressed a kiss to her lips. He lifted his head slightly and looked into her eyes. She stared back at him, stunned, her heart thudding against her breastbone. He palmed the nape of her neck, and then he was kissing her again, his tongue sweeping into her mouth this time, turning her legs to jelly.
She pressed her body against his, her skin on fire, desire beating a tattoo through her veins. His tongue stroked hers gently, provocatively, and she reached out and gripped his shoulders with both hands.
After a long, long moment he drew back. “Come home with me?” he asked very quietly, his voice a low husk.
Dear God, I thought you’d never ask.
“Yes.”
He smiled. There was so much hot promise in his eyes that she squeezed her thighs together.
“Hold that thought.” She slipped from his arms to approach the taxi and ducked her head inside.
“Let me guess, I’m on my own,” Gina said.
“Yeah.” Charlie laughed. She sounded like a giddy schoolgirl, but she didn’t care. She wanted this. Wanted the way Rhys made her feel.
“When was your last drink?” Gina asked.
“Sorry?”
“I want to know how drunk you are so I can decide if I’m being a good friend letting you go home with this guy.”
“I’m not drunk. I’m not sober, but I know what I’m doing.”
“Okay. You’re a big girl. Have a good time, C. Be safe.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Charlie straightened, shutting the door. The taxi took off immediately and the reality of what she’d agreed to hit her like a bucket of cold water. She didn’t know this man, after all. He could be anyone. And she’d agreed to get naked with him and share the most intimate of acts with him.
A warm hand landed on the small of her back and a second later she felt Rhys brush the hair away from her nape before pressing a kiss there. Everything inside her tensed with delight as his whiskers rasped against her skin.
He moved closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She felt his erection against her backside, and every sane thought flew out her head like so much dandelion fluff.
She wanted him. She’d indulged herself precious few times in her life, but she wanted this man, wanted the experience he promised with his eyes and hard body, and she was damn well going to have him.
She rested her hands over his and pressed into his hips. He opened his mouth against her neck and she felt the hot press of his tongue. A shiver of need raced down her spine and her nipples hardened.
“Where do you live?” she whispered.
She hoped it was somewhere close because she was so turned on it almost hurt.
“Potts Point. About five minutes.”
She twisted in his arms and kissed him, her hands sliding to his hips and then, boldly, to his backside. She made a small approving sound in her throat as her hands felt hard muscle.
“You keep that up, we’re not going to make it home,” Rhys murmured against her mouth.
“What are we waiting for, then?”
CHAPTER THREE
RHYS SLIPPED HIS hand into hers and led her toward the next cab.
“Potts Point,” he said as he climbed into the backseat, pulling her behind him.
She wanted him to kiss her again very badly. Instead, he slid his arm around her and tugged her against his side.
“You smell good,” he said as the cab drove away from the curb.
“So do you.” She put her hand on his thigh, her belly tightening as she felt the firm muscle beneath her fingers. He had a beautiful body. She couldn’t wait to see
