Page 35 of Dauntless

I was tongue-tied and could merely stare in amazement at Elliott playing in sync with the organ, bass, and saxophone ensemble. He was a seductive power and presence, his body and hands creating a sultry sinful melody. The very air around him seemed electrified and I, like the crowd, was charged. Elliott Carmichael was full of surprises.

Elliott left the stage amid thunderous applause, including my standing ovation. On his way back to our table, he was stopped intermittently to shake hands and kiss cheeks and I didn’t miss a move. I was transfixed. His attention briefly turned to greet his friends, but his gaze came right back to bore into me. Heat waved through my body pooling low. I wanted him. Now.

He took his seat back next to me, his body flush against my side.

My pulse jumped as his large hand covered my knee under the table. I shifted my legs to move his hand higher and my breath hitched. He let out a low chuckle. His arm grazed over my hardened nipples and I gasped. He did it again letting me know he did it on purpose and I pressed in. He squeezed my knee.

His breath was warm on my ear. “Enjoying yourself?”

“I am,” I whispered back. “Did you set this all up?”

“I didn’t,” he replied. “My father used to play, and he taught me to play. They let me come up to join in sometimes. Tonight, I did it to impress my date.”

I giggled. Oh, did he ever.

“You were amazing,” I said in all seriousness.

His soft lips moved down my neck as his hand slid up my thigh. “Mind if we leave?”

A tremor went through me as I shifted my legs moving his hand higher. “Please.”

He groaned and squeezed my thigh. “Keep that up and I’ll fuck you here.”

I inhaled sharply, and he kissed my cheek, and to my delight, he was on his feet and over to the stage to collect his trumpet. I never knew he brought it with him. He took my hand and we left for the hired car. The minute the door closed, his lips captured mine with explosive possession.

My heartbeat throbbed, and my emotions whirled and skidded. My arms went around his neck.

He kissed me deeper, and I parted my lips, succumbing and savoring the delicious seducing drive and flicks of his tongue. His hands moved over my breasts and up my skirt to stroke the front of my panties.

He groaned. “Damn, I don’t know if I can wait until we get there.”

I ached for more, and like every time we touched. I never wanted it to end. It, however, didn’t take long for us to drive back to Dane’s house. Since the night had been planned for the three of us, we hadn’t thought to alter plans for overnight.

Dane.

My stomach flipped over as guilt hit me hard. I hadn’t thought about him at all.

Elliott and I padded to the master bedroom suite where I’d been staying and opened it. The lights were off in most of the house up to the stairs, and we thought we were alone until Dane came out of the bathroom. “Did the two of you have fun?”

I glimpsed Elliott and a flutter went through my chest. “Yes. I enjoyed the performance very much.”

Elliott smiled and didn’t offer up his own answer, he just helped me out of my coat.

“Your hair,” Dane said and crossed the room over to stand in front of me. “I’m sorry I hadn’t mentioned it earlier. You look beautiful.”

“You had a lot on your mind,” I whispered. “It’s fine.”

Dane frowned and took my hand.

“No really. It’s fine. I understand,” I replied dismissively. “How’s Angel and Melinda?”

He shook his head. “Fine, but let’s not talk about that right now.” He pulled me over to the bed. “How about I make it up to you.” He kissed me lightly on the lips.

I pulled back and looked for Elliott. His expression was unreadable, though he had removed his coat. I trembled in uncertainty.

Dane’s eyes shifted between the two of us. “Am I interrupting?”

“Not at all,” Elliott said and unfastened the front of his shirt. This time, he met my eyes, his gaze penetrating. “Glad you came back.”

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