him then pulled away shyly. She was precious. “That was really nice. So nice that I…” He couldn’t tell her that he wanted her naked and spread out for him to feast on. No way would that go over well. He and his brothers had sworn to make Mikayla see that this relationship was more than just sex. However, right now, with her lips swollen, her cheeks flushed, and the way she shyly looked up to him in a submissive state, made him want to forget. “What were you going to say?” she asked. He raised his hand slowly toward her cheek and brushed his thumb along her lower lip. “I was going to say forget dinner and let’s stay here because I want you.” Her eyes widened, and her body tensed so he quickly added. “However, I was looking forward to showing you off tonight and having some quality alone time to get to know you better. So what do you say we get going?” “Yes, let’s go.” She hesitated before moving. It was a sign to him that she was feeling the attraction as much as he was.
* * * *
They were walking hand in hand down the streets of New Orleans making their way toward Gabriel’s Pub. The sounds of jazz music coming from one particular group of musicians caught Mikayla’s attention. There was a young woman singing the blues as the other band members played their instruments. She stopped walking to listen to the young woman sing. Her voice sounded beautiful, and it made others stop to listen as well. Mikayla couldn’t help but be drawn in to the sound and of course the words the woman sang. It was a song about falling in love only to lose her lover to another woman. Mikayla swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. The words, the deep, raspy sound of the young woman’s voice filled with emotion touched her deeply. She felt Michael’s hands on her shoulders and then the feel of his hard chest against her back. She forced the tears away and the painful memories of how difficult it was to lose her first love and first lover at once. The song ended and many people clapped and cheered, obviously affected by the woman’s voice and story as well. She began to turn, wanting to continue to walk, yet she did not want to face Michael. Not now, not when she had such negative feelings. She thought the worst and feared the pain she would surely go through if Michael didn’t want her as he claimed. Then of course she thought of the others. They immediately popped into her mind and she thought of them. How the heck could she even consider a relationship with one, never mind four? She was scared. Petrified of being hurt and possibly used. “Mikayla? What’s wrong?” Michael asked as he gently pulled her against his side. “Nothing. I’m fine,” she stated, keeping her eyes straight ahead and hoping to see the sign for Gabriel’s Pub appear any moment. Michael stopped her and pulled her to the side, next to one of the stone buildings. They were feet away from a crowded bar, and the sound of a trumpet playing along with a piano filtered through the open front door. Michael touched her chin and tilted it up. “What’s wrong? You seemed happy until we stopped to listen to the singer.” “It was a touching song. I’m fine really. I’m just a little nervous I guess.” He gave her an expression that told her he knew she was lying. He probably learned how to do that as a CIA agent. “I’m not going to push you considering that this is only our second date.” He leaned toward her and paused inches from her lips. She felt his warm breath and tilted her chin toward him, opening for his touch. He smiled. Then they closed their eyes as he brushed her lips with a soft kiss. Immediately all negative thoughts moved to the back of her mind. He took her hand and began walking toward their destination.
* * * *
Michael could tell that something was up with Mikayla. She seemed not only nervous but unsure. He didn’t like the fact that she lied to him. But how was she to know