Page 20 of The Charmer

"I don't need them," she said. "But I like the tradition."

"I'll find you some beads," I promised.

She glanced at me for a brief second, and I had the impression that she was checking out my mouth too. My cock twitched at the thought. Aw hell! I was usually in more control, but right now I needed something I never thought I would.

I hoped my reasonable side would prevail or I was going to kiss this woman right here against the railing.

She swallowed hard. I leaned in slightly, but then she turned around abruptly, looking down at the street. This was a smaller parade, but it encapsulated everything I loved about this season in New Orleans. The energy was damn infectious. Everyone was enjoying themselves to the maximum, celebrating life and being part of this incredible culture.

"I like that costume so much."

She pointed at a woman who was wearing what looked like a full body tattoo, though I was certain she had to have some clothes on because it was cold. Which reminded me...

"Georgie, are you cold? I can bring you a blanket from inside."

"Oh, no. I've had Sazerac and beignets, so my body temperature is higher than it should be, but in a good way. Does that make sense?" She kept dancing.

I chuckled. "No, but that's okay. Just enjoy yourself."

I was watching her more than the parade. She was so at ease in her own skin, and it just drew me to her. Georgie was a confident woman who also happened to be super sexy. I was having a hard time finding reasons to stay away.

As one of the bigger floats came by, she said, "Oh, I can't believe that's going to make it down the street."

"I know." It was questionable, but somehow they always made it through.

One of the reasons motorized floats weren't allowed in the French Quarter anymore was the streets were too narrow. This one was cutting it close, but that gave me an idea. Some of the dancers would literally pass by our balcony throwing beads like there was no tomorrow. Georgie was too excited to even notice, dancing and pointing out which costume she liked most. But I had a plan. I found one of them throwing out beads, and as they passed the balcony, I grabbed a fistful.

Georgie wasn’t paying me any attention, dancing even wilder than before. Damn, the woman could move. She didn't see what I was doing, so I put a hand on her waist, moving along with her. She startled slightly but then leaned into my touch. Hell yes. I held my other hand up in front of her.

"Here are your beads, my lady. I never break a promise."

She gasped. "Julian, oh my God."

I put them all around her neck as she kept dancing.

"You've got excellent rhythm," I whispered in her ear.

"You're not so bad either."

"Not so bad, huh? Was that supposed to be a compliment?" I teased.

"I don't want you to get a big head. I mean, you're a fantastic kisser. If I compliment your dancing skills, too, where would that get me?"

"Tell me more about my kissing skills. What did you like?"

She was far more relaxed than she'd been right after we’d kissed. That was good. Maybe her initial discomfort had simply been because that moron was still hovering around.

"I don't know. Everything. You've got a way about you.” She giggled. “Oh, man, I think that Sazerac is working."

I laughed. "I think so too."

She covered her mouth and half turned to look at me. "Sorry, that was far too much information."

"I liked every bit of it," I assured her.

We made eye contact for a few seconds, but then she glanced away. We didn't talk at all for the rest of the parade, just danced and enjoyed the moment. Our chemistry was palpable. Georgie was very different from the women I’d previously dated. Her sincerity drew me in just as much as her curves.

"I've never had so much fun at a parade," I informed her as the celebration wound down.

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