Born Of Night

Chapter Three

Jessica had just looked at her watch. She thought for one stunned moment of confusion, and embarrassment, that she had walked into the wall. Then two hands gripped her biceps, steadying her as she drew back.

A faint smiled curled Gabriel’s lips. “But, cherie, we hardly know one anodur.”

“What?” His accent confused her for several moments, but even when her brain finally interpreted the unfamiliar pronunciation, she was still all at sea.

“Las’ night you didn’ even wan’ t’kiss me, now you rush into my arms?”

Jessica sputtered indignantly and looked up at his eyes. “I did no such thing!”

“So, you forget your reward already?”

“What are you talking about--wait. My reward. You’re really full of yourself. It was your reward for rescuing my necklace.”

One dark brow arched beguilingly. “So what do you give me for savin’ you from a fall,” he murmured, leaning too close.

Jessica pulled back so sharply she almost fell, and it was exactly the opening he was looking for. His bare arms wrapped around her, the hair sprinkled skin abrasive against the portions of her back bared by the strappy sundress. Did the man never wear a shirt? She couldn’t think straight with all that potent male flesh exposed to her view and the skin of her palms.

Her fingertips tingled as his muscles played beneath them, moving as he trapped her. He tightened his hold, pulling her close, closer. Jessica flattened her palms on his chest, ignoring the fluttering in her stomach touching his bare flesh aroused, and pushed away. It did nothing to stop him. “Gabriel, we can’t do this here in the middle of the hotel.”

“Perhaps we cou’ go up to your room?” he whispered, brushing his lips against the delicate shell of her ear, his warm breath ruffling her insides with delighted shivers.

“I don’t think so.” She gasped as his tongue thrust, wet and hot, in her ear, sending goosebumps chasing over her skin. He withdrew it, then tugged her earlobe with his teeth before swiping a wet path behind her ear.

“Mmm. You taste good. I cou’ eat you right here, chere.”

“Please don’t.”

“You don’ soun’ sure. You soun’ like maybe you think yes.”

With an effort, Jessica reined in her careening libido. “I think I said no, Gabriel. You

’re embarrassing me.”

He pulled back and studied her with mirth in his eyes and a lazy grin. “I hardly got started. Ah dis color is a blush? It looks sweet on you, chere. Such a preddy face, why you hide from me?”

Jessica’s face flamed even more at that remark. She was gratified when, reluctantly, he released her. She resisted the urge to wipe her kiss dampened skin, cooling in the climate controlled air. He grinned at her as if he knew exactly what she wanted to do.

Jessica glared back, then her eyes narrowed. “You didn’t just happen by, did you?”

He looked wounded. “You don’ trust me, chere?”

“I don’t know you,” she said indignantly. “Why should I trust you?”

“Because I am your champion. And I have decided to sacrifice my day and pu’

myself at your disposal. I will show you Nawlins.”

“That’s so thoughtful of you. But I have a tour guide. I believe I can find my way around.” She brushed past him and strode from the hotel. He fell into step beside her, not looking the least perturbed by her determined efforts to brush him off.

“We shou’ go for coffee, and luncheon at the Bayou Cafe. And then you mus’ tell me what sites most pique your interest.”

Jessica stopped and stared at him. The truth was, she really didn’t know her way around New Orleans, and it had occurred to her before that knowing a local would help her in her quest. She couldn’t really afford to hire a tour guide--not if she wanted to continue having a hotel room or things to eat. “All right. I’ll have lunch with you. But I warn you, if you try anything, you’ll draw back a nub.”

He smiled that toe curling grin again and made a sweeping gesture with his arm.

“After you, cherie.”

She stopped in her tracks and gave him a once over. “Wait a minute. Are you going like that?” Never in her life had she seen a restaurant that would allow patrons to go in half naked.

“Sometin’ wrong? You don’ like what I’m wearin? I’m hurt, cherie.”

“Well ... uh ... there’s just so much of you ... exposed.” Jessica blushed as she realized she was staring at his crotch. Not that it was exposed. She probably wouldn’t still be standing if it had been. She was sure the sight of that would make her faint.

“No’ exposed enough for what I’d like to do,” he said, full of promise.

“And what would that be?” she asked and immediately regretted it.

He grinned. “Gimme some time, I show you.”

“That’s not necessary. I’m sure it’s pretty--” She looked pointedly at his chin, trying very hard to be good.

“And fun to play with. You ever slid down a pole?” He hooked his thumbs on his pockets, emphasizing the object of their--his discussion.

She blushed straight to her roots and realized all attempts at not being a pervert had failed. She was too curious by half about how he looked without his clothes on.

Why did she feel like a prude all of a sudden? “I’m not even going to think about what you just said. Can’t you at least button your britches?”

He looked down at himself, fingering the half open fly deliberately to make her look at it. “Scared d’serpent gonna break free and bite you? I promise, he jus’ nibbles.

He likes warm hidey holes bedder anyway.”

Jessica strangled on her saliva and coughed with embarrassment. She took a deep breath to recover before giving him a hard stare. “Well, it isn’t getting anywhere near this hole. I thought you were going to behave?”

“You started it. I’m jus’ waitin’ for you to move so we can go.”

Jessica spared him a warning glance and stepped outside, waiting for the doorman to hail them a cab to take them to Bayou Cafe. Gabriel said nothing as they made the five minute drive through traffic, but it wasn’t like she could ignore his presence. He seemed to fill the confined space and wind her nerves tight, until she felt ready to spring at any moment. He watched her constantly, as if eating her with his eyes, and Jessica had the unnerving notion that he could see straight through her clothing.

The cab stopped and Gabriel paid, then held the door open for her as they entered the cafe. The scent of sausage and spices filled the air with a tangy nip, and Jessica’s stomach began to rumble with hunger.

“Mmm. Smells good,” she said, taking a seat at a booth.

“Dey serve d’bes’ gumbo in town,” he said, sliding in beside her.

“Can’t you sit on the other side?” she asked, trying to scoot away and get some distance.

“I cou’, but I won’.”

Jessica tried to ignore him, but it was nearly impossible when he slipped his arm on the back of the booth, right over her shoulders. Jessica cleared her throat noisily, trying to warn him off, but he recognized hints about as subtle as he flirted. Finally, she looked over the menu while he played with a lock of her hair, wiggling her shoulders as he tickled her with it.

A waiter came up and offered her a brief reprieve. “Are you ready to order?” he asked.

“I’ll have d’gumbo special, a coffee, and a glass of water.”

“I’ll have the same,” Jessica said, setting the menu aside.

Gabriel gave her a look. “Bedder bring us a pitcher of water.” The waiter smiled and walked away. “Can you stand the heat, chere?”

Jessica wiped her hands nervously on her skirt, squirming to get comfortable and failing. “I could probably handle it better if I wasn’t so close to the fire.”

Jessica saw that sultry grin from the corner of her eye.

“You have no idea, chere.”

She thought she probably did. Changing the subject, she asked, “Why’d you send me to that shop last night?”

“Mikel’s?”

“Yes.”

“He’s good, no?”

Jessica fingered her necklace, playing with the medallion. “Very. But I just get this feeling you wanted me to do more than just get this fixed.”

The waiter came back with their water, and Gabriel took a sip before answering.

“Did Mikel tell you a story?”

Jessica twisted in her seat to watch him suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you believe that crap too? Wait, this is a trick, right? Some little thing y’all do to the tourists to bilk them out of money?”

The food arrived before he could answer, and she soon forgot all about it as her mouth caught on fire. Gabriel dug in to his meal with gusto, while Jessica nibbled at hers. Her tongue burned like a torch, and she had to take two sips of water for every bite of food. She didn’t know how he could stand it.

He paused, studying her. “So how do you like gator gumbo, petite? Too spicy for you?”

“Alligator?” Jessica’s stomach protested instantly. She dropped her spoon in her bowl.

“Oui.”

Despite her sudden ill feeling, the delicate meat she’d thought was chicken was actually quite tasty. “It’s good. But yes, it’s too spicy for my tastes.” She pushed her bowl away and fixed her coffee, heavy on the cream and sugar.

“I cou’ show you a bedder spice. It goes down smooth as silk and heats you from d’inside.”

Jessica chuckled despite herself. “You’re incorrigible. Shut up and eat your food.”

Gabriel finished off his and her gumbo and stretched out his legs when he was done, rubbing his stomach as he sipped his black coffee.

Jessica looked at his hands wrapped around the mug and wondered if everything on him was as big. She blushed at the thought and knew he’d begun to corrupt her.

“So what are you doin’ down here, chere?”

She didn’t see much harm in sharing her past or why she’d come. “I came looking for my birth parents. I didn’t find out until I got here that they died years ago.” It pricked her heart that she’d never known them, that they’d given her up. Maybe it was too personal information to give to a near stranger, but she thought it would help her feelings having someone to share with.

“I’m sorry, chere. What were their names? Nawlins can be an intimate place.”

“Shelly and Jacques LaValle.”

He stiffened and straightened in his seat, setting his coffee down.

Jessica noticed his strange reaction, getting her hopes up. “Do you--did you know them?”

“No, chere, no. I’m sorry.”

Jessica felt downhearted. She was going to find answers, somehow. If she hadn’t cleaned out her adoptive parents’ house after their death in a car crash, she would’ve never known she wasn’t their child. Sometimes she wished she’d never found that damn birth certificate in all that junk. Sometimes she wished things were as they had been. But wishing wasn’t going to get her anywhere but smack in the middle of depression. “Any way, I’m going to the cemetery to see them today.”

“Which one?”

“It’s in the Garden district. I thought maybe I’d take a tour if I find a cheap one.”

“You shouldn’ go dere.”

Jessica blinked at him. “Huh? Why not?”

“It’s dangerous for you.”

Jessica rolled her eyes, finally getting what he was hinting at as she was brought full throttle back to the question he’d conveniently failed to answer. “Don’t tell me you believe that werewolf and vampire crap.”

He didn’t say anything.

“You do!” And here she thought he was normal except for wanting to get in bed with her. Her ego suffered a serious blow. She should’ve known it was too good to be true.

“It’s against pack law for me t’go dere,” he said finally.

It was a shame, really. He was so gorgeous. A beautiful man like that always had to have something wrong with him. “Well, you don’t have to come along. In fact, I’d prefer to be alone when I visit.”

“As you wish, chere. I jus’ hope you can handle yourself. Before you go runnin’

into trouble, why don’ you let me show you aroun’ a liddle?”

Jessica was sorely tempted. She sipped her coffee, considering it. It was still pretty early, not too long after noon. Hell, she could probably talk herself into anything as far as he was concerned--he didn’t have to be charming. “Okay, but you’ll remember to behave yourself, right?”

“I s’pose that depends on what you mean by behavin’, chere. Dis ol’ dog don’ do tricks without a treat.” Gabriel left some cash on the table and slid out of the booth, eyeing her appreciatively as she got up, as well.

“This girl doesn’t give them unless she sees something really special.”

Gabriel looked affronted as they headed out. “You sayin’ I’m no’ sometin’ special, chere? You don’ like my tricks so far?”

Jessica suppressed a laugh and walked along the building shaded street. The wind flirted in her hair and skirt, flashing a length of thigh. She caught him staring, and a little thrill shot through her. She grinned, feeling unaccustomedly saucy. “You remind me a little of Pepe Le Pew.”

He choked. “I stink?”

Jessica burst out in laughter. “No. You smell really good, actually--maybe too good.” And maybe she shouldn’t have admitted that. “No, I feel a little like the poor cat is all.”

He grinned, moving closer. “Hunted? Loved?” He caught her hand. “You wan’ me to kiss you all over and whisper French into your ear?” His kissed up her arm to her neck, making noisy smacking sounds.

Jessica screamed and giggled, and pulled her arm free before running down the street. He chased after her, ignoring the strange looks others cast their way. He caught her before she could elude him, took them into the shelter of a doorway.

Jessica felt breathless from her run and looked around, saw that they were virtually alone, and the shop was abandoned. He had a knack for finding cozy, lonely spots.

She glanced up at him to see him grinning down at her.

He leaned back on the opposite side, keeping some space between them.

“You gonna start callin’ me Pepe now?”

Jessica chuckled. “It crossed my mind. I’m mean, aren’t I?”

“Maybe a liddle. I like a mean woman though.”

“Hey! You’re not supposed to agree with me.” She mock kicked his shin.

He rubbed his leg with his opposite foot. “Ow. You know how to kill d’romance, chere. I don’ mind a liddle beatin’ now and den, but dis? Aren’ you s’posed to tie me up first before you have your wicked way wid me?”

Gabriel really knew how to implant a mental picture. Just imaging him naked, tied, and spread-eagled on a bed gave her hot flashes. “Uh. I’m not into that. And you, you’re changing the subject. Admit it. Don’t you think you come on too strong?”

Truth be told, it wasn’t him that was the problem, it was her. He was perfect. She just wasn’t used to a hot pursuit, particularly not from a man she actually wanted.

He shrugged. “I got to work fast. No time to take it slow.” He gave her a sultry grin.

“Besides, it’s workin’, ain’t it?”

She had no idea what he meant by that statement, but that smile said enough. She wasn’t going to admit just how much he tempted her to do all the wicked things she shouldn’t be doing. “No. As a matter of fact, you’re really just wasting your time.”

The look on his face said he didn’t believe her. “Why do you fight so hard, petite?

Why can’ you jus’ feel?”

Jessica’s humor vanished. She was forcibly reminded of past mistakes, of letting people get too close. Her self-esteem was bad about getting beaten, but she preferred to think of herself as a realist. Beautiful people stuck with other beautiful people, and she most definitely wasn’t in their class. “I’m afraid I’ll get addicted,”

she admitted, slanting him a look. “Guys like you don’t stick around, especially not with girls like me.”

“You sell yourself short,” he said softly.

Jessica shrugged. She wasn’t when it was the truth. “It’s better than getting hurt.”

“Livin’ in a shell ain’t really livin’ at all”

Hadn’t she heard that over and over again? She shrugged again, trying to be nonchalant. “I’m used to it. I like not feeling anything, especially with men. I like my life simple and uncomplicated. Love is so messy.”

“Some say it’s no’ good if it ain’t dirty and sticky.”

“Yeah, well, not me. I’m a clean freak. And I like freedom.”

As she talked, she sensed a growing tension in Gabriel, like some dark cloud building for a storm. She didn’t know what she’d said to piss him off, but she was definitely getting that vibe from him. Unfortunately, she couldn’t think of a way to dig herself out of her hole without really knowing what she’d done--only dug in deeper with her rambling. Finally, she dared to look up at him and saw his face had gone hard, his eyes cold and angry.

He stared at her a long, drawn moment, knotting her stomach with nervousness at his continued silence. It seemed he’d listened to every word she’d said--and he hadn

’t liked a one of them. “When I kiss you, you don’ feel nothin’?”

She swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. “No,” she lied.

He was on her before she could blink, trapping her with an arm on either side of her head, his face inches from her own. Energy seemed to vibrate from him, forcing her still, forcing her insides to react. She could feel the heat of his breath on her face, felt enveloped by his subtle, masculine scent. Every nerve ending reached out to him, reached to feel his body press tightly against her. He didn’t close the distance, didn’t meld to her. Somehow, that near touching had her reacting more than if he’d been right up against her.

His voice low, husky, and full of promise, he said, “If I kiss you like dis, your breath don’ catch?”

He settled his mouth over hers before she could stop him. Soft, coaxing, he pulled at her lips in a hungry, nibbling kiss that had her muscles quivering in response.

Jessica moaned softly, her mouth parting, willing his tongue to play with hers. He refused to oblige, teased her maddeningly, licking and sucking at her lips, keeping her hovering on the edge of anticipation. She couldn’t ever remember wanting to be invaded so badly in all her life, and he wouldn’t give her anything.

He retreated from her after a moment, a lazy, satisfied smile curling his lips, as if she’d reacted exactly the way he’d wanted her to. She wanted to growl in frustration, reach up and force his head back down.

A small gasp escaped her throat as he brought a hand down from the wall, trailed his fingers through her hair and over her shoulder, brushing against the side of one breast. “If I touch you here, your heart don’ race?”

It did. Without even touching her, he made her heart gallop. A look, a smile, the way he walked--it was like some dream come true that he could be interested in her.

Blood roared in her ears from the heavy pace. The only sound she could hear above it was his velvet drawl tormenting her with soft words and husky breath.

A thumb grazed over the soft peak of her nipple. She gasped at the faint touch, her pulse quickening, her nipple hardening as he moved in a slow, taunting circle. She tried to brace herself against the sensation, failed miserably. Her breast begged for more. She bit her lip to keep from asking him to touch her. He sensed her struggle, smiled, closed his hand over her breast. A piercing stab of pleasure arced through her as he massaged her with a possessive hand, as though he had every right to bend her to his will and make her want him.

His lips brushed against her earlobe, so soft, so teasing. He freed her breast, and she felt like crying out as he flattened his hand beneath it and moved a steady trail down her stomach, over her hips. His lips played with her lobe, sucking at it, tugging the flesh with his teeth as his fingers skated up and down her hips.

Jessica’s hands clenched with the effort not to reach for him and tear the jeans off his body so he could take her right there. She wanted to hold onto something, but if she moved, she’d break down--nothing would be left. She felt distracted, touched everywhere. She closed her eyes, tried to focus ... and it intensified the riotous feelings a hundred-fold. When his hand slipped up under her skirt, she hardly noticed, only felt that callused palm on her thighs, so deliciously rough, making her feel so sensitive. He teased the edges of her panties, and she trembled with excitement and trepidation.

No, this wasn’t what she wanted. But deep inside, she did. She wanted to open her thighs to him, but a voice of self-preservation nagged like an annoying gnat. Her legs closed against his hand, but he was insistent, moving inexorably toward her moist folds. The fine hairs on her thighs prickled with unfamiliar sensation.

“And here....” he whispered hot against her ear, arousingly invasive.

His fingers pushed past the flimsy barrier of her panties, delved into the top of her slit in one bold move, rubbing sensuously, achingly close to her clit. Jessica’s eyes flew open with shock. She found him watching her, lust in his smoky eyes. A rush of raw heat flushed her body. She pushed at his chest, pulled at his arm, squirming and unable to get away.

“You’re wet for me, petite,” he said, his voice tight and hoarse. “Dere is no denyin’ it.” His muscles strained against her. His arm felt hard against her belly, his fingers foreign. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Stop it,” she whispered, trying to look away, at the street, at the shop, anywhere but him and his knowing eyes.

“Why?” Do you feel sometin’?”

She rose on her toes, arching her head back as one finger flicked against her clit. A chain of pleasure unwound inside her, fierce and breathtakingly sudden. “No,” she said through gritted teeth, fighting the feeling when all she wanted to do was surrender. She couldn’t. Not here, not out in the open where anyone could happen by at any moment. He shouldn’t make her feel so tempted to give in.

“I think you do.” He straightened from her as abruptly as he’d begun, leaving her feeling achingly unfulfilled and pissed that he’d begun something only to make a point.

“I never figured you for a coward,” he said, watching her straighten her dress.

Before Jessica knew it, she’d slapped him. Her palm cracked across his face, slamming the satisfied, challenging look right off it. She looked at him in horror, unable to believe she’d actually done physical harm to him. She hadn’t hit him hard enough to leave her hand print, but she’d struck him all the same. She looked from her hand to his face and back again, feeling numb from shock.

A dark fury settled over him. It was as obvious as the sky turning black and the wind howling through the trees.

Here was a man you didn’t mess with. She’d done what her mama had always warned her not to do--never get physical with a man. Cold dread slid down her spine.

Rough hands grabbed her biceps, forced her back against the wall. Male strength crushed against her, taking the breath from her body--muscles hard and angry against her soft curves. Jessica gasped in surprise as he brought his mouth down on hers, thrust his tongue past the part of her lips, deep inside. She tasted the anger in his kiss. Her lips burned under the heavy pressure, the rough glide of his tongue, in and out, leaving no space untouched. He was ravenous, consuming her silent pleas to stop ... to go on....

Potent, male excitement pervaded her senses like flood gates thrown wide. He growled low in his throat, thrusting his hips against her as if in emphasis that he controlled her. She was his to do with as he willed and nothing would stop him. His hard cock rubbed against her in rough warning. One wrong move and he’d take her, willing or no.

Thrilling fear moved in a heady rush through her limbs like a shot of ecstasy. Her heart hammered in her chest. She wanted to cry out when he forced her legs apart with rough hands, but his mouth muffled her cries, kept taking and taking until she couldn’t give any more, and still he kissed her. She couldn’t breathe, could barely think. All the blood pooled between her thighs, rushing to that hot, insane place that wanted him, wanted the angry, hard feel of his cock deep inside. She pushed against his arms, needing to be free before she completely lost her mind, but one stroke against her sparsely covered cleft had her digging her nails into his flesh in mindless pleasure.

He tore his mouth from hers, gasping hoarsely against her throat, pumping against her in short, rough strokes, his fingers digging into the backs of her knees. Jessica scraped her nails down his back, arching into him, shaking her head as he dragged his teeth down her throat and groaned with pure satisfaction. It rumbled through her, her body echoing with primitive response.

“How much you wan’ me to push you, cherie?” he asked hoarsely against the base of her throat. His tongue snaked out, bathed her. Her skin felt on fire as he lathed her collarbone and sucked against the crook of her neck. Hard.

She jerked to instant awareness, opening her eyes. Her hands went still as he stiffened against her. “It’s not a contest, you bastard.”

He met her gaze, his eyes unbelievably dark. His chest heaved, his arms shook with the effort to control himself. Slowly, with effort, he dropped her legs. “You fool yourself if you don’ believe life is a challenge. Dere’s only one prize in d’end.”

Jessica pushed away from him, wiping her mouth and neck. She could smell him everywhere. Taste him. It made her weak. She couldn’t afford to be weak. “Just leave me alone. This is a mistake.”

“Why? Cause maybe you like me too much?”

She turned away from him. “I’m not answering that.”

Gabriel made a soft clucking noise as she walked away.

She could’ve ignored it--she should’ve. It might have just been her imagination, but she knew by now that Gabriel was a man to push a person’s buttons. He was determined to push her to her limits. And this was just too much. She’d damn well show the damned goading, confident bastard what she was made of.

She turned around, found him watching her expectantly, almost as though he was eager to see what she’d do. She took the two steps back to him, pressed one hand against his chest and pushed him back on the wall with little effort. She reached down and cupped his cock. His eyes widened, his mouth opened. Jessica wrapped her hand around his neck and forced him down for her kiss.

She gave him everything she had to give, forced her tongue into his mouth, massaged his erection, rubbed her body sensuously against his as she thrust in and out of his mouth. His whole body when rigid. He sucked her tongue as though starved, and she could feel the beat of his heart quicken against her breast, felt his cock jump and throb against her palm. He groaned, reaching for her, but she wouldn

’t allow it. When his hands touched her, she released his groin. His hands smacked against the facade, making him helpless, vulnerable and wanting of only what she would give.

A triumphant thrill went through her, to have him under her control. Heady pleasure rocketed through her. Her palm burned with the feel of his cock trapped in her hand.

She rubbed her thumb against the bare patch of skin exposed by one tear. He stiffened even more, sucked her tongue harder, hungrier, groaned into her mouth.

She pulled back before she could get too caught up in the moment, before she could lose her point. When she was done, it was him leaning back against the wall for support.

“I think I just won the game,” she said.

He was breathing heavily, watching her with a mixture of wariness and appreciation.

“I think maybe you did too.”

She allowed herself one victorious smile and walked away.