“You too,” she said, meaning it. “Even though you accused me of working the pole.”
“Never will I live that down!” He sought help from above before placing a palm on Isa’s shoulder and leveling her with a serious look. “You’d get along with my wife.”
Whom Luc had brought up repeatedly. What a freaking nice guy. Tag hugged her, a casual, one-armed squeeze. “Later, sis.” Her eyes went wide, but Tag only smirked at Eli. “What? Too soon?”
“Get out,” Eli said, his dry humor doing nothing to weaken Tag’s penetrating smile. When they’d gone, Eli snagged his coat from the back of his chair and held it out for her. “I know, I hate to cover the dress, too,” he said when she started to argue. “But it’s cold out there and we’re walking to the car, so on it goes.”
She slid her arms into his coat, leather and Eli overtaking her senses. She hadn’t felt this way since high school—the innocence of wearing his coat and laughing with friends. She slid closer when they stepped outside and Eli threaded his fingers with hers as they paced down the sidewalk.
“I like your brother’s friend,” she said.
“Luc’s a good guy. No surprise there. So is Tag.”
“So are you.” She nudged his arm with hers and he sent her a sideways glance. Her heart zoomed to her feet so fast, she grew light-headed. Focusing on the lamppost beside them, then a flashy black limo that sped by, bass thumping, didn’t help reroute her brain. There was no denying what that heart zoom had meant. No more arguing with herself.
She slipped her eyes over Eli. Tracked to the facial hair in need of a trim, to the way his hair curled at his collar. The set of his jaw, the firm purse of his lips, the column of his neck leading to the body she’d kissed over and over…
Yep. She loved him.
The thought inflated her heart and defeated her mind.
Love.
Crap.
“What was that for?” he asked, wiggling their linked hands.
“What?”
“The sigh. Sounded like it came from the depths.” One eyebrow hitched in curiosity. “I hope you’re not tired. I was going to take you somewhere else.”
“Where?” she asked, unable to do anything but ask one-syllable questions, apparently.
“Somewhere deserving of that dress.” Blue eyes slid down her body and up again, hunger there.
She stopped walking and faced him, slid a hand into the back of his hair and tugged his mouth to hers. A soft, deep, slow kiss that turned her inside out. A wolf whistle from a passing car caused her to pull back and when she did, Eli promptly tugged her mouth back to his and continued the kiss.
I love you.
“I want to go home with you,” she said instead, lust outlining every word.
His smile was like the sun coming out after a day of rain and clouds. White teeth flashed in the darkness, a wicked promise of what was to come behind his smile.
“Is that okay?” She could see it was more than okay.
“I happen to know the perfect place for that dress,” Eli said, then towed her down the block, in more of a hurry than before.
“Don’t say your bedroom floor.”
“Okay.” His eyes reflected that same playfulness when he glanced down at her. “I won’t say it.”