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“I would think any one of the others might hold a greater interest for you.”
“Sometimes they do. I received invitations to all the parties and celebrations that would be taking place tonight.”
“With so many to choose from, what made you decide on this one? It must have been difficult.”
“Not at all. Once I knew you were coming to the Beignet Ball, the choice was easy.”
Quinn turned to face him directly. “You know who I am?” she challenged him.
“Yes. You are Quinn Forrester of the New Orleans Gazette, although I’m glad to see you aren’t displaying your press credentials. They would have clashed with your dress, which by the way is almost as beautiful as the woman wearing it.”
“Why doesn’t it surprise me thatEl Tigrewould like a dress that is marked like a tiger’s coat pattern?”
He chuckled. It was a deep, dark, melodious sound that she could feel gliding over her skin before sinking through the pores and settling in her bones. “So, we each know who the other is. That’s good, I think. Would it surprise you to know this is my party? I was flattered it was the one you chose. Your name and occupation would have gained you entrance into most any of them—except perhaps the one sponsored by the Naval Air Base out at Belle Chasse. You put quite a twist in their knickers with that article. I hope Levi Bennet has assigned some kind of security detail to you.”
“Security? You think the commander at Belle Chasse or some of his subordinates are going to come after me? That’s ludicrous.”
“Not at all. The commander will find a way to wiggle out from under all of this, but heads will roll, and they may well decide to come after yours. But on a more immediate level, I was thinking of those businessmen who are about to lose millions in defense contracts. I can guarantee you that you won’t be on their holiday card list.”
“It’s just business. It may be commonplace amongst gangsters to take out someone who ruins a deal for them, but businessmen just count their losses and move on.”
“That is far too naive for an experienced journalist such as yourself to believe. Some of the most ruthless men I know clothe themselves in the appearance of respectability. I far prefer an opponent who challenges me openly than one that slips a knife between my ribs to stab me in the heart.”
“On that cheery note, I think I’ll go enjoy the band.”
As she moved forward, his hand shot out, blocking her way with his muscular arm. Instead of hiding it, all his well-cut tuxedo did was emphasize the strength it contained. Before she moved back, his other arm blocked her retreat.
“I can scream.”
“You can, but you won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t frighten you. I might infuriate you and drive you crazy, but you would never be afraid of me.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re a gangster, a benign one—whatever that means—according to Levi.”
“For the simple reason that you know I would never harm you.”
“Interesting that you chose the word harm as opposed to hurt.”
“I choose my words carefully, Quinn.”
“As do I.”
Without asking for permission,El Tigrelifted her up so that she was sitting on the raised portion of the deck behind where the wheelhouse was located. She knew they couldn’t be seen and for reasons that seemed to escape her at the moment, she wasn’t afraid in the least—aroused and intrigued, maybe, but not afraid.
Bodie Lambeau, El Tigre, leaned down, fusing his lips to hers. Her entire body went on alert—tightening up as she fought down the urge to flee. If he was El Tigre, she most definitely was the prey. The urge to run passed quickly, though, as his tongue parted her lips and delved deeply into her mouth.
He parted her legs, rucking up her dress so that it was up around her thighs. She couldn’t have closed them if she wanted to as he moved between them. His hands slid up the outsides of her legs with a soft, seductive feel. She stifled a sigh, reminding herself this man was a gangster and most likely the target for her next investigative piece.
Quinn forced herself to disengage when all she wanted to do was to sink into his body and hold him close. She forced herself to stare into his stormy eyes that seemed to mirror the color of the Gulf of Mexico. She inhaled, smelling his scent—not just his aftershave, but the man himself. Heat and lust rolled off his body in gentle waves, washing over her.
One hand came up to fist her hair, making a mess of the intricate design Kim had done for her. Quinn knew he didn’t care; he meant to hold her in place and angle her head in the precise way he wanted. His other hand moved up her ribcage to brush against her breast. Her nipple stiffened immediately and seemed to be drawn to him as if it was steel and his hand an enormous magnet.
Bodie lowered his mouth again, closing on hers and causing arousal to surge through her system. His lips captured hers and his tongue slid into her mouth, sweetly inviting hers to dance with his. Persuasive, coaxing, seductive. Bodie Lambeau knew how to kiss a woman and seemed to want nothing more than to explore her mouth and her response to him. His hand left her breast and moved back down past her waist and to her thigh.
“Give in to me, Quinn; you won’t regret it.”
