Page 132 of The Charmer

"And I make no apologies for that."

He continued to speak in my ear as he went up the staircase to the master bedroom. Feeling the tip of his nose on my neck made the hair on my nape stand on end.

"I knew I wanted you to be mine, Georgie. Only mine."

"That first kiss was that good, huh?" I teased as we reached the upper level.

He took me straight to the bed, laying me on it. All the windows were open, and jazz music was filtering in from the Quarter. Usually there was a cacophony of sounds because more than one artist played at any one time except in the early mornings. Then you had just an odd one here and there. This one was playing something very slow and romantic. I didn't know the name of it, but I loved it, and it fit this moment perfectly.

Julian put a knee on the bed, leaning in slightly and touching my jaw with the backs of his fingers.

"That kiss. It changed everything." His eyes flashed.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I felt it in a way I couldn't explain." He laughed, shrugging. "I can't even explain it now, but it was one of those moments that sort of splits everything in two—before that kiss and after it. I thought that if I kissed you, it would be enough, but it was exactly the opposite. I simply wanted more."

He pushed me even farther to the center of the bed—and then someone whistled from down the street, which startled us both.

"Yeah, maybe you should close the window. Judging by that hot look in your eyes, I can guess the plans you've got, and... well, I might be loud," I sassed.

He didn't take his eyes off me as he went to the window, closing it and then returning with quick steps.

This time, when he lay over me on the bed, I didn't stop him. I just pulled him even closer.

Epilogue

One month later

I loved September in New Orleans. Then again, I loved every season, but there was always something magical about September. The kids were back in school, everyone was back from vacation, the hot summer days were behind us, and the time came again to stay indoors, snuggled up with a good book. It was a very good sales month for my books. My team and I were busy bees again, already preparing merchandise for the floats for the next Carnival season.

"We should get going," I said as Julian kissed my neck. We were meeting the entire family for lunch at LeBlanc & Broussard, and I didn't want to be late.

"I've changed my mind. I should tell my family to stop planning stuff on weekends when I have other plans for us."

I giggled because his breath tickled me. "We’ll come back from brunch eventually," I teased. “Just keep all those ideas for later."

He growled in my ear, and a tingle went through me. "Right. Now let's go before I lose myself in you completely."

"By the way, do you want us to tell the family today that we set a date?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I think that will make them very happy."

He opened the door, and we stepped out onto the street.

There was already some commotion. Then again, it was almost eleven o'clock.

"Hey, you two!" Xander's voice came from somewhere behind as we turned onto Royal Street.

"Hey," I greeted.

“What are you doing around here?" Julian asked him.

Xander held up a bag from Café Du Monde. "I bought beignets for Bella."

Julian threw his head back, laughing. "You're good, I'll give you that. I didn't even think about it.”

“Won't there be a ton of food at the restaurant anyway?" I asked.

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