Chapter One
The French Quarter, New Orleans, 10:39 p.m.
“Come closer, Red,” he rasped. “I want that burning-hot body next to mine.” His steamy breath snaked around her neck. The wiry stranger threaded his hot fingers through her hair at the nape.
A carnival spun in Garnet Boudreaux’s head and for once, she did not want to get off the ride. Drunk, yes, somewhat. But it was okay, she was with her girlfriends, and they watched out for each other.
Were they watching his hands glide over her ass, too?
Hell, did she care?
Eyes the color of dark honey with flecks of gold pierced hers and held her gaze as he pressed closer. His lips scraped over her cheek, sending a shudder of want from the curls on her auburn head straight down to her scarlet toenails. Neon swirled as he led her out the door of the Cat’s Meow, spilling into Bourbon Street’s static currents, taking the lead as they dirty-danced their way into the crowd.
“My friends…” she breathed, wincing as he nipped her neck, his teeth clipping at the tender skin beneath her ear lobe.
“Back in the bar,” he growled.
Oh Damn. She shouldn’t leave Tiana and Kathleen behind. They needed her. Didn’t they?
Or did she need them?
Probably.
Like a cat lapping at milk, his tongue laved her neck to cheek. “Give me your tongue,” he commanded. His hands rested under her armpits, cradling the sides of her breasts, thumbing her nipples through the red satin dressed she’d borrowed for this decadent Mardi Gras-type party on Bourbon her company insisted they attend.
Her mask. Had she lost it?
She glanced behind her. He caught her chin between his fingers and forcefully turned her face back toward his.
“Me. I’m the one you are with. Forget the others.”
Her brain said no. The tingles racing up her spine and the heat gathering in her panties cried yes.
Yes.
His hips gyrated against hers and his dance swept her into a spiral of lights and hands and lips and skin on skin. He dipped his tongue deep into her cleavage and she resisted the urge to clasp his head against her chest and keep him there. He was hard against her tummy.
Ready.
Waiting.
Primal.
Had he growled?
“Garnet!” A giggle of laughter exploded behind her as Kath, totally lacking in grace, grasped her forearm and spun her away from the man. “Come back inside! Tiana is giving Jello shots off her tits. You have to see this!”
For a moment, Garnet was disoriented, disengaged, trying to focus on being snatched away from her alluring dance partner and deciphering what Kath was saying. Tia had Jello tits?
Too many Hurricanes. Damn that magic potion of rum and fruit juice, or whatever…
A low growl purred in her ear, like it was placed there on purpose. Calling her. Turning, she looked back.
Gone.
At once she was cold. Empty.
With Kath still tugging, pulling her inside, she tripped backward. Frantic, she scanned the crowd until at last, a fixed set of brown-gold eyes stared back through the swarm and held for an eternal moment, then vanished. | 
