Eden's Charms (20 page)

Hearing the whinny of a horse, he glanced up the street. A horse and carriage waited by the edge of the road. Both the driver and the mare wore hats with a giant daisy growing out of them. He hoisted Savanah’s
not-so-fragrant
deadweight and bee-lined toward it before anyone beat them to it. Ethan gave the driver a wad of bills and pointed in the opposite direction they’d just come from.

“Can you take us to the House of Blues? But first a little ride around ’til my
belle au bois dormant
comes too?”

“She is a sleeping beauty.” The driver pocketed the cash. With a little ‘chic-chic,’ the horse jerked forward bringing the carriage behind.

“Too many hurricanes, Sir?” the driver asked.

Ethan nodded, then realized the driver didn’t have eyes in the back of his head, the way his mother always swore she did. “You could say that. How late do you run your service?”

Savanah stirred. Looking around, she found herself safely tucked into Ethan’s arms, his jacket draped over her shoulders. She cuddled closer. “Where are we?”

“Hello, sleepy head. We are outside the House of Blues. Thought you might enjoy a bit of music before we headed home.”

“Oh yeah,” Savanah perked right up, “I love dancing. Let’s go.”

“Sweetie, not two minutes ago you were viewing the backside of your brain and now you want to dance?”

“Um hum! I like the carriage. It brings back some fond memories, but where’s the new car and what’s that smell?”

Ethan sighed. “It’s a long story. Let’s get inside and I’ll tell you everything. What did you mean about fond memories?”

“You still don’t know how old I am, do you? Later, we’ll trade stories.”

“Bed time stories?” he asked behind a wide grin.

“No X-rated ones, Eth.” Savanah gave him an all-teeth grin, and then chomped at him.

“Sir, ’til three in da morn,” the driver interrupted, “I’m easy ta find.”

Once inside the building, Savanah looked around awestruck. “Did you ever see the movie
The Blues Brothers
? It’s one of my favorites. I went one night by myself to an all-night theatre and sat through every showing, and I laughed harder each time I saw it.”

Ethan grabbed her hand. “It’s playing at
Canal Place Cinema
.”

“You’re a tease.”

“No really, it is. I saw it on the marquis as we drove into town. Come on, we’ll dance a bit and then make our way there.”

“Eth, you still didn’t answer me about the car or the”—Savanah sniffed and made a face. “I feel like I’m blanking out on half the night.”

“That’s one way of putting it. Come on—slow dance. That’s all I’m good for. Rest your curly locks on my shoulder, and I’ll tell you what you’ve missed in the past two hours.”

“What?” Savanah yelled over the music.

Ethan dragged her out to the floor where he snuggled as they danced to Tabby Thomas,
I Need Your Love so Bad.
He held her cheek to cheek through the song telling Savanah the wild events of the night.

She yelled in his ear, “Why aren’t we on the plane heading home?”

“I want some distance from my plane right now. Whose Draque?”

“Who’s—who?” Savanah asked, unaware her hand went to her heart for protection. She visibly paled before Ethan’s eyes again once the name registered.

“You’re not going to pass out again are you? You get that look just before… Son of a bitch—Savanah.” Ethan picked her limp body up from the dance floor and carried her to the men’s room. No one objected and a few people were even nice enough to hold the door for them. With one sweep of his arm, Ethan sent all the little bottles of toiletries crashing onto the floor. Laying her down on the countertop, he grabbed a towel and soaked it with cold water, then soaked her.

Spitting and sputtering gibberish, she came around. “Now what? One second we’re dancing and now I’m soaked. What did you do to me? Trip me up and knock me out?”

“No, Savage, you’re pretty capable of that feat all by your lonesome. Why do you always pass out?”

“I have a genetic disorder called Myotonia Congenita. It’s a neuromuscular meltdown. When I get startled or excited my synapses light up like a board on Wall Street just before everything bottoms out and goes belly up. So, I’m not sitting upright until you’ve told me all the bad news.”

“That is the smartest thing you’ve said. Okay, we were drugged by some dude named Draque.” Ethan produced the small calling card from his jacket and held it above her head so she could read it. This time she didn’t pass out—she vomited.

“I’ll never get to the punch line at this rate.” Ethan grabbed some paper towels and washed her face off again. “You okay?” He walked over to the second sink where additional toiletries lined up. He grabbed a small paper cup and grabbed a bottle of mouthwash and then handed it to her. “Swish and spit.”

Savanah did as asked then turned the faucet on full blast to rinse out the sink.

“Draque wanted us to go somewhere with him.”

“Straight to Hell is my guess.”

“What did you steal from him? You’re really not telling me this Draque guy is the real deal? The procreator of all vamps?”

She nodded. “We pretty much took everything. Uncle Jules and I wiped out his tomb. That’s what the call was about this morning. Someone stole the entire collection from me. Doesn’t that feel like a lifetime ago?”

“We blew up the car.”

“What car? Draque’s? Bet he drove a hearse.”

Ethan shook his head. “Not Draque’s.”

“No. Don’t even tell me we no longer have the ’vet.”

“You really don’t remember?”

Savanah pouted.

“Someone tampered with the car’s gas tank and added Nitro to it. Had we gotten in and started the car…”

“We’d be on the TV show,
Without a Trace
,” Savanah finished. “Now what?”

“For now, we’ll lay low and get to know each other better. One more dance?”

“I think I better just listen. Did we eat at O’Brien’s? I’m starved.”

“We had a liquid lunch. Come on, we’ll go get some popcorn and watch your movie.”

Sitting up, Savanah gave him a pain-filled glance. “Ethan, why do I feel like I’ve been riding a horse?”

“I’ve been compared to a stallion a time or two, but honestly…”

She slugged his arm. “Shut up and answer me. Did we or didn’t we do the dirty dance?”

“I have not sullied your reputation as of yet, Missy, but the night is young.” Ethan found himself unable to stay away from her, and subsequently, found his lips engaging hers in a passionate, molten hot, blood-scorching kiss that left them both breathless.

“I think you’re still feeling the after effects from the drugs, Mr. Kitt.”

“Come, little nut, and we’ll see what I’m feeling in a nice dark theatre.”

Despite everything that had gone utterly wrong: being drugged, the car blowing up, and the God Father of Vamps wanting to breathe down her neck, or chomp on it, Savanah smiled. She was having fun. She hadn’t felt this alive in—when? She couldn’t recall ever feeling this way or wanting to spend so much time with one man, regardless of his antics or hubris. Yes, he was relentless in his pursuit of happiness, his, but he seemed smitten and cared for her with both passion and precision. No other man had ever done that.

“Ethan, if I tell you something will you promise not to laugh?”

“No guarantees, sweet cheeks. Whazzz up?”

“Never mind, then.” Savanah grabbed Ethan’s shoulders for balance. “Ethan, go slow with me tonight, until I get my feet under me?”

Ethan slid his arm around her waist. “And here I thought I’d end up under you!” An elbow to his rib cage stole his breath.

She was feeling better!

****

Inside the movie theatre, Ethan noticed couples scattered about the theatre, slurping large fountain drinks through skinny sippin’ straws. The aroma of popcorn was as subtle as a cat in a canary cage. He led Savanah to the front row of the balcony where she sat and dangled her legs over the edge.

Ethan got down on one knee and whispered, “Would you like something from the concession stand? I did promise you dinner.”

“Oh no you don’t! You owe me a real meal, but, for now chocolate covered raisins and water and popcorn smothered with butter and salt.” Ethan got halfway down the aisle when she yelled, “Napkins!” The other couples cranked their necks upward, giving her the rude-how-dare-you-yell-in a-theatre glare. She bit her cheeks trying to control her mouth, but when she had something to say… “Lighten up. The movie hasn’t even started yet.”

Upon his return, Ethan piled everything into Savanah’s lap and got comfy, with his arms securing her body to his, his feet up next to hers and his head nestled on her shoulder. Looking at her he wiggled his eyebrows and asked, “Feed me?”

“Would you two keep it down?” Some man shouted from below the balcony.

“Not a prob bud,” Ethan yelled back.

“We’re going to get kicked out of here before the movie even starts.”

“Trust me, Savage, we’ll get kicked out, but not for any of reasons you’re thinking. The noise level could reach record levels. Yours, not the antiquated sound system in this joint.”

Savanah bit her tongue, as he teased her with his words. She really hoped he’d come through with all his innuendos.

“What did you want to tell me, without me laughing at you? I’ll behave.”

“Yeah, right. It’s not important.”

“Come on. No secrets between us.”

“It’s silly. Really.”

“Hurry up, the movie’s about to start.”

“I’ve never been to a movie on a date.”

Ethan inhaled, lodging a little, white, corn cork in his airway. Coughing and choking of course followed. Savanah shoved him forward, and slapped his back hard. One lung-tossing hack later, the kernel soared through the air, over the balcony and onto Mr. Mouthy below. “Sweet cheeks, have you ever heard of the Heimlich? If someone’s choking you don’t whack ’em. You give ’em the ultimate tummy tuck, bringing it up and in to force the air and obstruction from their body. But that’s only after they’ve turned a putrid shade of blue. But thanks for saving my miserable life.”

“I got it out,” she said in her own defense. “You all right?”

Ethan nodded before he placed a water bottle to his lips and chugged. “So finish your tall tale. I find it impossible for someone as beautiful as you to never have been on a date. What—did your Papa scare every suitor off?” Ethan grabbed Savanah’s hand and ran each finger past his lips, then popped her pinky finger into his mouth and then sucked on it.

“You going to choke on that as well?” She yanked her hand back. “No one’s ever asked me.”

“So, I’m your first?” Ethan straightened up in his chair.

“Yes, in that sense, I guess so.” Savanah leaned onto him, and rested her head next to his. “I want to make-out in the theatre.”

“Oh, I love a dirty girl.”

Someone once more screamed, “Would you two shut up?”

They didn’t have to be asked again because Ethan effectively took control of her lips.

Tilting her face to his, he whispered, “Close your eyes. If you don’t want me to do anything just say
heel.
”

Savanah burst out laughing, but at least her laughter coincided with the movie. She whispered, “Heel as in good doggy?”

“Should work like a charm. Close ’em, sweets.”

Excitement welled in her gut as Ethan’s breath feathered over her skin. His fingers tugged her shirt off one shoulder and his lips worked their magic over her breasts. He made no contact, just his hot breath against her cool skin and a promise of what could be. Savanah nipples swelled under her bra, which now became an unwanted item of clothing. As his hand skimmed along her thigh, Savanah’s blood heated her from her head to her toes. Her breath burned from the inside out. She was a dragon spontaneously combusting. When he stopped just short of the juncture where her thighs ended and her treasures began the little voice inside her begged,
Goddess please don’t let him stop
. Now it wasn’t just the bra she wanted off, but everything.

Not only did Ethan hear that little voice, he listened to it.

Someone’s timing stunk. With that annoying sixth sense of eyes burning into her, Savanah peeked out of the corner of her eye and gasped. “Ethan, heel!”

Ethan produced a low guttural growl. Nothing human about it. “What is it? Did I hurt you or not about to fulfill your wildest desires?”

Oh, how she wanted this, wanted him on her in a dark public area, making love to her, but…

“Get off the lady, Mister.”

The flashlight blinded them, and stopped Ethan’s lips in his tracks, puckered around her nipple.

Nipping her swollen bud lightly once, he snarled. “Don’t you have some popcorn to pop? Other patrons to spy on?”

“Nope. Get up and go quietly, and I won’t call the authorities.”

“Sir,” Savanah cringed. “We weren’t doing anything illegal.”
Yet
.

Ethan sat up wearing a scowl that Scrooge would have envied. “Savage, why is it every time you and I—you know—get close, someone happens by and pulls the plug?”

Savanah stood, yanked her shirt back onto her shoulder, and gave the man an intense glare. “Mister, we’ll behave if you’ll forget you’ve ever seen us.”

“What did you say?” The manager asked his voice gruff.

“Ethan, would you close your eyes for one second? No questions.”

Ethan did as he was asked.

Savanah leaned into the flashlight wielding man and in the blink of her eye, gave him the flash of light. Her deep baby-blues created a beam of sheer power so intense it bore into the manager’s retina and bounced through to the back side of his brain, redirected his thoughts and in the long run, kept them from being tossed out of the theatre on their butts.

Dumbfounded, the man asked, “Do you people need more drinks or candy?”

“No, thank you,” Ethan answered, giving his date a curious glance out of the corner of his eye. “Some privacy? We’re on our honeymoon.” Ethan laughed when he heard Savanah gasp.

“That’s it, I’m calling the manager,” someone from below the balcony yelled.

“I am the manager and these two are on their honeymoon. Leave them be.”

Savanah gasped again and looked around for a paper bag to breath into.
Honeymoon?