Negligee Behavior (18 page)

Brandy gasped when she saw Marco storming towards the bar. Oh dear God! She’d forgotten he was even there.

“Marco, don’t do it!”

“Holy shit.” Elena lifted her head, her eyes rounding with horror. “Tell me my brother wasn’t just here.”

“
Was
being the key word,” Brandy said grimly and set the girl aside to head out after Marco. “Stay here.”

“Stay here?” Elena bounded after her. “Are you loco? I don’t think so.”

Brandy pushed through the double doors and sent them slamming into the wall.

“What the hell? What’s going on?” Sebastian yelled.

“Where did Marco go?” She hurried over to him. “You need to stop him.”

“Stop him from what?”

Brandy turned away, scouring the crowd in search of Marco. “From beating up Elena’s punk ass boyfriend.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake.” Sebastian threw down the bar towel and moved out from behind the bar. “You can’t be serious.”

Brandy snorted and followed him, weaving through the throng of people. She spotted Marco moving toward the far wall.

“There he is! Grab him, Sebastian.”

Sebastian lunged forward but was too late. Marco grabbed onto the shoulder of a guy at least half a foot taller than him, spun him around and sent his fist flying into the man’s face.

The crowd scattered, startled cries and cheers mixing.

“What are you doing?” Elena shrieked, pushing past them all to grab her brother’s arm.

“Stay out of this, Elena.” Marco shook his fist and winced.

Brandy folded her arms across her chest and groaned. Five seconds earlier and she could have stopped this. And now Marco would be lucky if he hadn’t broken his hand on the other man’s jaw.

Customers crowded around them, talking excitedly.

“Why did you hit him?” Elena placed herself between the man and her brother and glared.

“Because of what he did to you—”

“You hit Tony. The bass player.”

“So?”

She placed her hands on her hips and glared. “So I was dating the drummer, you idiot.
Que pendejo
.”

“What? I thought—” A massive fist connected with Marco’s head, sending it snapping to the left.

The room lit up from the flash of a camera as Marco stumbled backward.

Someone yelled, “Look out, he’s going down!”

Brandy lurched forward to catch him as Marco staggered toward to the side. The left side of his face was already starting to swell.

The bass player shook his head and walked away with a scowl.

“You,” Sebastian snapped at a man standing back a bit looking on in dismay. “You’re the drummer, right? You’d better get your sorry arse out of here while you still can.”

He paled, and his skinny body shook. “But they haven’t announced—”

Marco lunged forward again and Brandy screamed, holding onto his arm for all she was worth.

“Yeah, hit him too!” Someone else in the crowd yelled. “He looks like an asshole.”

“Okay, okay. I’m outta here.” Bill stepped away and scowled at Elena. “Nice little drama you started, bitch.”

Oh, lord. Brandy braced herself and tried to keep Marco from nailing the other guy.

But from the corner of her eyes she saw someone else’s fist go flying. She turned just in time to see Sebastian knock the drummer on his ass.

“Let me go, Brandy.” Marco pulled away, stepped over the downed man and walked through the crowd and then to the back office again.

“What? What the hell just happened?” Valerie rushed over.

Elena sighed. “Fight between my brother and a few members of my band.”

“No
way
. I run to the bathroom for a few minutes and miss all the fun? I have the worst damn luck.”

Time to get this under control.
Enough
. Turning to Elena, she asked, “Can you get rid of the reporter?”

Elena nodded and turned around to face the reporter. “My pleasure. All right. Time to go, boys.”

Once they were leaving, she turned to Sebastian. “And not that I don’t appreciate you hitting him for me, but can you please escort Bill out of the bar?”

“Will do, kid.” Sebastian stepped forward and grabbed the younger man by the arm pulling him up. “Let’s go, you little punk ass.”

Brandy turned away from the drama of watching him escort the drummer out the door. She nodded and switched into teacher mode. Time to get things back to normal. Or as close to normal as it could after a bar fight.

“The show’s over, people. We’ll announce the winner of Dante’s Band Battle shortly.”

The crowd, half-drunk and all riled up from the fight, slowly dissipated.

“Good lord, what a mess,” Brandy muttered and shook her head.

There’d been a fight once during a choir class, but at least there she’d been able to send the boys to the principal’s office.

She stared toward the back of the bar where Marco had disappeared. Should she be mad at him for going after Bill, or proud of him? Maybe just a little of both.

Rubbing the back of her neck, she sighed and set off to make the rounds through the bar.

Marco rotated his jaw and winced. His face was throbbing.

Christ, he was an idiot. He leaned back in his chair and kicked his feet up on the desk, trying not to think up about the colossal fuckup he made an hour ago.

He cocked his head to listen for the sound of customers. The noise level inside the bar had dropped down considerably; the place had emptied out, but then that sounded about right. The computer monitor showed it was just after two.

Had Brandy left as well? He sighed. He wouldn’t blame her if she had. She was probably pissed as all hell at him. And she had every right to be. They all did.

He kicked his feet off the desk and shut down his computer. He began to walk to the other side of the room to turn off the light when he heard the door into the kitchen swing open.

“How’s the face?” Brandy walked slowly toward him, stopping a few inches away.

She hadn’t left after all.

“It’s fine.”

“Liar.” Her lips pursed. “You know you deserved it.”

“Do you hear me saying that I didn’t?” He scowled and the movement made his face throb more. “Shit.”

Her expression softened. She drew the pad of her thumb in toward his mouth and across his lips. “You look like you went a few rounds with a gorilla.”

“I feel like it. That guy was a giant. But I’ll live.”

“Let me get you some ice.” She stepped back from him and went to the ice bin.

“I don’t need ice.”

“You do. Now stopping being such a guy and listen to me.”

Propping open the lid, she scooped a handful into a paper towel and then returned to him.

“Here.” She laid the makeshift ice pack against his cheek. “Hold this.”

The abrupt cold stung for a second, but then slowly began to numb the inflamed skin.

“Thanks.” His voice came out gruffer than he intended. “Did everyone leave?”

“Mmm hmm.” She turned and lifted herself onto the metal counter. “Val left a few minutes ago.”

“And Elena?”

Brandy sighed. “Sebastian drove her home.”

Good. Sebastian would make sure she didn’t get into any more trouble. And stay the hell away from that bastard drummer, in case she got any ideas in her head to make up with him.

“They won you know.”

“Who did?”

“Your sister’s band.”

His chest expanded with pride as he drew in a slow breath. “Really?”

“Really. When we tallied the audience votes, they chose Bitches Brew hands down.” Brandy crossed one leg over the other and the leather skirt hiked up another inch on her thigh.

Oh damn, had she done that on purpose? The blood rushed south in his body and he flexed his jaw.

“I think she was pretty disappointed that you weren’t out there to see her win.”

“Elena probably would have hit me herself if I’d come back out there.” He shook his head and averted his focus from Brandy’s legs.

“That’s not true. In fact…I think it pleased her. Having her big brother stick up for her that way.” Brandy giggled and cleared her throat. “Even if you, err, hit the wrong guy.”

“Yeah. Minor mistake. Sebastian fixed it for me though.”

“Yeah he did. But I know you were itching to get in a punch too.” The light feminine giggle she made broke any control he had left. He tossed the ice pack in the garbage can and closed the distance between them. Stepping between her legs as she sat on the counter.

She slid her hands onto his shoulders.

“You’re not mad at me?” His voice turned husky as he kissed the spot just below her ear.

“I…ah, no, I’m not mad.” Her words were breathy. “I understand how much you care about your sister. I actually think it’s sweet you went to her defense.”

“Mmm.” He caught her earlobe between his teeth and drew his tongue across the soft flesh. “You know what?”

“What?” she gasped out the word and squirmed against him.

“I don’t want to talk about my sister anymore.”

“Good thing, because I don’t either.” She gave a ragged sigh and tilted her head, giving him access to the side of her throat.

He nuzzled her neck and breathed in the familiar scent of apples—her perfume that had once seemed so strange, now drove him wild anytime he got near her.

“Marco…”

“Yes, princess?” He slid his hands up her legs, pushing the leather dress further up her thighs.

“You know that scene in
Pretty Woman
where Richard Gere does Julia Roberts on the piano in the bar?”

He lifted his head, her random question making him pause. “No. I’ve never watched
Pretty Woman
.”

“God, you should be arrested.”

He shook his head, his thumbs moving over the inside of her thigh. “So what are you saying? You want to have sex on a piano?”

“It could be fun.” She met his heated look head-on through lowered lashes. “What do you think?”

His dick rose in response, his mind already imagining the possibilities. He’d made the suggestion as a joke, in no way thinking she could be serious. Hell, why wouldn’t she be though? The woman
was
a choir teacher.

“It’s a fantasy of mine,” she went on in a rush. “And since we brought in that piano for the competition…”

“Yeah.”

“So, umm…” She ran her hands down his chest and he drew in a swift breath. “you think you can accommodate me on that, Mr. Vargas?”

“I think, Ms. Summers…” He slid his hands under her bottom and lifted her up. “You’ll find me incredibly accommodating.”

He closed his mouth over hers and slid his tongue past the seam of her lips. She sighed and wound her arms around his neck as her legs wrapped around his waist.

Catching her fleshy bottom lip between his teeth, he gave it a light nip before running his tongue over it. Her soft cry sent his pulse into overdrive.

“God, I want you,” he rasped. He adjusted his grip on her, his fingers digging into her bottom as he carried her into the bar.

“I want you too.” She buried her face against his neck, her breath warm against his skin. “I haven’t stopped wanting you since the minute I hijacked your bike.”

Her words sent a thrill of possessiveness through him.
Mine
. The need to possess her, claim her, came on fierce. He set her down on the edge of the shiny black surface of the piano.

“We should probably be careful,” she warned hesitantly. “Maybe this isn’t the best idea. We did borrow it from one of your customers. And if anything happens—”

“You’re right. We should just fuck on the counter of the bar.”

Her eyes widened and then she gave a soft laugh. “You’re so bad, Marco.”

His mouth curved. “And you love it.”

“You know…maybe we should save the piano fantasy for the one at my house sometime.”

Her house? Was that an invitation into her world? The idea didn’t seem so intimidating; in fact it kind of pleased him.

He dropped a hard kiss on her mouth and then lifted her up again, carrying her to the bar counter and then set her on top.

She sat a few inches above him now, so that she looked down at him, her lips swollen from his kisses and her eyes shiny with desire. His blood pounded a little faster and he couldn’t look away from her. Damn, she was so beautiful. Such an amazing woman in every aspect. He didn’t deserve her.

“So are you going to just stand there looking?” she asked with an arch of her eyebrow. “Or were you going to, err, fu—fu…make love to me on the bar.”

He gave a husky laugh and pushed her legs apart to step between them. Hmm. This position might be a little bit of a challenge as well. But hell, nobody said he didn’t like a challenge.

He cupped the side of her face. “Can’t quite bring yourself to say fuck, can you, princess?”

She didn’t answer right away but something in her expression shifted. There was hesitancy. Vulnerability.

“I can say it,” she said quietly and her tongue swept across her bottom lip. “I’m just not sure I can reduce what we do together as a fuck anymore—see I said it.”

His pulse slowed and then sped right back up again. The meaning of her words resounded in his head. It was more than sex to her.
More than sex.

“Oh jeez, I’m so sorry.” She bit her lip. “I shouldn’t have said that. I just made things weird, didn’t I? I tend to do that sometimes.”

His mouth dried out. Did this mean she cared for him? It couldn’t be love. Hell, they hadn’t even known each other two weeks.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she whispered and tried to slide off the counter.

“No,” he said fiercely and caught her around the waist, holding her still. “No. Nothing’s weird.”

Uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “Are you sure?”

It wasn’t weird at all. What was weird was the fact he wanted to admit he felt the same. That whatever they had together had bypassed the just sex part a few days ago. Fear and doubt roared up inside him. Along with the knowledge of how exposed he’d be if he admitted his feelings aloud. The words locked in his throat.

Seeing the raw vulnerability on her face, Marco answered her in the only way he could. Her lips parted on a sigh of relief when his mouth closed over hers. His tongue moved inside in search of hers. They met in a collision of hot, wet friction as they teased each other.

Sliding his hands up her waist and behind her, he found the zipper on the leather dress. He tugged it down to her waist, never moving his mouth from hers.

She tugged his shirt from his jeans and lifted it upward. He ripped his mouth from hers just long enough for her to pull it over his head and off his body. Then his mouth covered hers again as her fingernails raked down his naked chest.

He fumbled with the hooks on the back of her strapless bra, attempting patience until each hook had been undone and he was able to tug the smooth bra from her body. Her breasts fell heavily into his hands and his breath caught, his thumbs already stroking the hardened tips.

She angled her head with a sigh, giving him deeper access to her mouth. Her tongue rubbed against his in a quick sensual stroke and then retreated. She repeated the process until his blood pounded thick in his veins and his erection became painful.

Marco pulled his mouth from hers and drew in an unsteady breath. “I want you.”

“Yes,” she whispered and reached for the fly of his jeans.

He curled his fingers around her wrist, halting her progress. “But not here. Not on the counter in a bar.”

She hesitated. “I don’t understand.”

“You were right earlier.” His jaw hardened. “You deserve more than getting fucked on the counter of a bar.”

Brandy could almost feel her heart expanding to let Marco inside a little more. Her breasts ached for his mouth, already she could envision the sensation he’d create when he touched her that way. And a heavy pressure lingered between her legs that only he could ease.

She pulled his hand up to her face and laid it against her cheek. “Thank you. For wanting to take me back to your place and make it more romantic.” She tilted her head against his palm and kissed the tip of his thumb. “But right now I just need
you
. I don’t care if it’s in a bed, on your desk again, or half on the counter of a bar.”

His nostrils flared and she heard his swift indrawn breath.

“You kind of like that last visual, don’t you?” she asked, her voice husky.

“Hell yeah.” He pressed his thumb against the seam of her lips, his gaze never leaving hers.

She opened her mouth and drew the padded tip of his thumb into her mouth. Her tongue played with the tip, her lips curving into a smile.

A shudder visibly racked his body. “Are you sure, princess? I can wait until we get back to my place.”

“Noble of you.” She released his thumb and dragged his hand down her body, not stopping until she reached the final destination between her legs. “But I can’t.”

“Well then.” He tugged her dress down over her hips and then completely off her body. “I guess we’d better do something about that.”

“I guess so.”

“Damn, Brandy.” He groaned and cupped the mound of her sex through her panties. “Undressing you is like opening a different present each time. I never know what I’m going to find underneath your clothes.”

Brandy gave a soft laugh and lifted her hips so he could dispose of the silky black thong as well.

“Well, I’m glad my underwear gives you such a thrill. Especially since I’ll be in control of the company that makes it some day.”

He paused. “Really?”

“Well, they don’t call me the Lingerie Heiress for nothing.” She gave a light shrug. Why had she brought this topic up now? It’d never been one of the more comfortable discussions. “But who knows, I may step down.”

“Seriously? Why would you—?”

“Can we not…” she said as she cut him off quickly, running her hands over his naked chest. “…talk about this now. It was a mistake to bring it up. Especially at this moment.”

He stared at her for a second longer before giving a slow nod.

“Of course. We don’t have to talk about it. Besides, we were just about to…”

“About to?” She raised an eyebrow and swung her legs which dangled over the counter. She arched her back and her breasts moved closer to his face.

“We were about to.” He smiled and cupped her breasts again. His head lowered and then his tongue swept across one of her nipples.

Fire jolted through her body at the first touch. He drew the tip into his mouth, sucking, and her muscles turned to mush. He slipped an arm around her waist, encouraging her body to arch into his touch.

“I love the way you taste,” he murmured, moving to pay attention to the other nipple.

She gave a strangled groan, and then teased, “Like Brandy?”

“Better than any brandy I’ve ever tasted.” He buried his face between both her breasts and sighed.

“You’ve obviously never had Hennessy Ellipse.” She laughed and drew in a ragged breath.

He lifted his head, his expression serious. “I don’t want some fancy top-shelf booze when I can have you.”

His comment should have sounded a bit cheesy, yet hearing Marco say it made her sigh like a schoolgirl.

Her body still hummed from his touch, wanted more of it. The need to have that complete physical connection hit suddenly and powerfully.