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They stepped outside and the blast of hot air nearly knocked her over.
"Doesn't it ever cool off here?" she asked, dampness gathering between her breasts.
"Yeah." He signaled the valet to bring his car. "In December."
The young man in the red vest rolled to the entry in a sleek, silver Corvette. Aidan held the door for her while she slipped inside. He paused before closing her door and she was cognizant of his eyes on her legs as she tucked them inside the low vehicle. At least she'd worn panties.
Melissa had no more buckled her seatbelt when the car's engine roared to life. In an instant, Aidan tore off down the driveway and flew onto the street. She shot a glare in his direction. "You didn't tell me I'd need to increase my life insurance before getting into a car with you."
He grinned, his eyes masked behind dark sunglasses that only made him look sexier. "I like driving hot cars. And fast."
"Noticing that," she said, her right hand instinctively gripping the side handle on her door. "And I forgot my helmet, too."
"You won't need it. Trust me, you're safe with me."
She believed that one as much as she believed she'd be a brunette in the morning.
In very short order they entered the expressway.
"Where are we having dinner?" She was surprised that Aidan wouldn't take her to one of the touristy French Quarter restaurants.
"My parents' house."
Her right foot slammed down on the imaginary brake on her side of the car. "Excuse me? Your parents?"
"Yeah. They wanted to meet you. So do my brother and sisters."
Did she get engaged and wasn't informed? Had she known they'd be dining with his family she'd have chosen a much more conservative dress. Actually, she still couldn't figure out why she'd worn a dress that clung to her and was way too short for a business dinner.
"I'm not dressed appropriately for dinner with your family."
He quickly glanced over at her. "You look great, darlin'"
"I'm serious. I feel awkward about this, Aidan. You should have told me."
"I didn't know. Mom called me right before I left my apartment and said I was to bring you to dinner. Apparently Logan had told her you'd be spending a month down here working with me and she thinks you need some home cooking. Besides, they're all curious about you."
Great. An evaluation along with dinner.
"Couldn't we do this another night?" she asked, hoping to stall a family meet-and-greet. She wasn't certain she could handle a large family like Aidan Storm's.
"You don't know my mother. She doesn't take no for an answer. Besides, they're friendly and easygoing, so quit worrying." He slid his hand over hers and gave it a light squeeze.
Somehow his heated palm resting on top of her hand was not comforting. It called to mind other things she'd rather not think about. In short order, her list of acceptable thoughts was dwindling.
They drove to what must be an older part of New Orleans and pulled into a driveway that looked like nothing more than a dirt road leading into the woods. Pine trees nearly hid the property from view, but then the road expanded and the trees cleared, giving Melissa a look at the Storm family home.
Lovely and understated, the charming, two-story ranch all but blazed a welcome sign out front. A full porch running the width of the house was adorned with hanging plants, their colorful blooms draped almost to the white wood floor.
Aidan skidded the Corvette to a stop in front of the house and jumped out, running around to open her door. She smoothed her dress after she stood and inhaled deeply, nervous butterflies ramming against the walls of her stomach. Really, this was still a business dinner, no matter who they were having dinner with. This was simply southern hospitality and nothing more.
The butterflies continued to ram, ignoring her attempts at self-calming.
"Come on," he said, holding his hand out to her.
Why was she nervous? She was a marketing executive, for heaven's sake, and had stepped into the lions' den on more than one occasion. If she could handle a boardroom full of fire breathing CEOs, she could certainly deal with a simple dinner with Aidan's family.
Nevertheless, she instinctively slid her hand in his and allowed him to lead her inside.
The spicy aroma of Cajun cooking permeated the front room of the house, and as Aidan pulled her along she heard music and raised voices. Ignoring her pounding heart, she planted her most professional smile on her face.
"We're here!" Aidan yelled in his booming voice, dragging her down the hallway into a huge kitchen filled with people.
She quickly counted the people and came up with four, who all stopped and turned to her.
At least they were smiling. She swallowed.
"So, this is Melissa Cross." A petite, dark-haired woman who she assumed was Aidan's mother wiped her hands on her apron as she approached. Enveloping her in a warm hug, she added, "Welcome to our home. I'm Angelina Storm."
"Thank you," Melissa replied, taken aback by the woman's friendly nature. Maybe she was wrong. This couldn't be Aidan's mother. She hardly looked a day over thirty-five.
"A right pretty little thing she is, too." A tall, very burly looking man stepped up and hugged her quickly. His cheeks were ruddy and his smile genuine.
"Melissa, this is my father, Galen," Aidan said, then threw his arms around his father and got a bear hug of his own.
"You don't come around for dinner enough," his mother said, grabbing Aidan's chin and planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Sorry, Mom," Aidan replied, snatching a shrimp from a huge plate on the center island in the kitchen and popping it into his mouth.
"Hi, Melissa!" A sultry looking woman with long, raven-colored hair embraced her in the same way, then pulled back and smiled. "I'm Kaitlyn, the babyof the Storm family."
Kaitlyn certainly didn't look like a baby. Full, lush curves identified her as clearly grown. Melissa estimated Kaitlyn to be around her own age. She had a refreshing warmth about her that Melissa liked immediately.
Another woman turned from the stove. This one was much taller than Kaitlyn, her hair more a sable color. She also wore a more serious expression than her sister, but still she smiled and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Melissa. I'm Shannon."
Grateful to have a marketing background and used to meeting several people at once, Melissa made mental notes of who all the Storms were so she wouldn't confuse names.
"Where's Logan?" Aidan asked his mother, pulling his hand quickly away from the shrimp bowl at her don't-touch-that glare.
"That's for dinner. Not for your snack. And your brother is late. Still working."
"Old news there," Kaitlyn said with a sigh. "He works entirely too many hours. Life is to be enjoyed, not spent huddled up staring at four walls."
"Your brother must find his own destiny, in his own time, ma belle fille," Angelina said, patting Kaitlyn on the cheek.
Aidan handed Melissa a glass of tea and rolled his eyes at her, then whispered in her ear. "Ignore the destiny talk. It's my mother's favorite subject."
But a chill had passed through her at Angelina's statement. Her words, spoken in a voice so melodious and calm, seemed to hold some sort of magic.
"Can I help with something?" Melissa asked.
Angelina shook her head. "Absolutely not. Sit, have a drink and visit with us. There are plenty here to do the cooking."
And what cooking it was. She was forced onto a barstool next to a breakfast bar in the all white kitchen and watched the Storm women perform magic on the meal.
The smells were enticing. Spicy aromas of cayenne pepper and sizzling sausage filled the air, making Melissa's mouth water.
And the food wasn't the only thing making her mouth water.
Aidan stayed close to her side, laughing and joking with his sisters and parents.
She shouldn't like his attention. But she did. Especially when he casually placed a hand on her shoulder and ran his palm down her back. His touch seared her, hardening her nipples and making her wet, which embarrassed her since she was sitting in the same room as his parents and sisters.
And she could have sworn he chuckled at the exact time her panties dampened. Coincidence, obviously, but he sure had interesting timing.
"Where are you from, Melissa?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Boston."
