Training Rain Page 9

  Rain sat on the side of the tub. One hand steadying her at her side and the other threaded through his hair. Jess pushed her knees wide. Her pussy glistened with moist desire. Leaning in, he lapped up her sweet juices, circling her tight hole and suckling her clit until she cried out. Her grip on his hair tightened and relaxed again and again. Her hips pumped forward in rhythm. His body was a war with itself, one side wanting to give her pleasure and the other dying to plunge deep into the slick channel.

  With each pass of his tongue over the sensitive bundle of nerves, a louder cry fell from her lips. Her hips pumped faster. He latched on to the bud, sucking hard as he slid his thumb deep in her pussy.

  Rain’s cries filled the small bathroom, reverberating off the plaster as the walls of her sheath clutched at his digit. Resting his face against her abdomen, he wrapped his arm around her while the waves of her orgasm ebbed.

  When he stood, she just watched him wide-eyed. Lifting her into his arms, he exited the bathroom, crossed the hall and entered his bedroom. Gently he placed her in the middle of his bed.

  Yas had taken up a post on the rug at the end of the bed. Jess pointed to the door and told the dog to go. Yas padded out into the living room and Jess closed the door before stripping out of his clothes.

  He reached for the box of condoms in the bed stand. He’d only turned away for a moment when he felt her gentle fingers softly sliding along his cock. The light touch sent a shockwave through him. His balls tightened. Watching her slow perusal of his shaft was by far the most erotic sight he’d ever witnessed. She caressed him as if it were sacred and his body responded. His hips rocked forward and back.

  When her lips touched the head of his cock, the box of condoms dropped to the mattress. She moved to lie on her stomach across the bed, gripped his hips with both hands and pulled his staff deep into her mouth. Jess’ hands found their way into her damp hair, but he didn’t force her cadence. Each suck and slide was accompanied by the swirl of her tongue along his sensitive flesh. He didn’t pay any attention when her right hand released his hip until she began to gently tickle his balls.

  “Jesus, Rain, you have no idea how fucking good that feels.”

  She sucked him deeper, opening her throat to him and letting him out slowly. Over and over, she repeated her sweet torture until he pulled away. Her smile told him she knew she was driving him insane. Grabbing a condom, he quickly ripped open the pack and rolled it on. He closed his eyes against the wave of sensation even that touch brought him.

  She didn’t move from her position with that stunning tattoo of black and red facing him and her round ass teasing him. Circling the bed, he knelt between her knees, gripped her waist and pulled her to her hands and knees before driving deep inside her wet pussy.

  They both cried out and neither one moved for a long minute. Rain rocked forward then back, taking him in again. Her body clutched at his cock, fitting him perfectly. She was warm, wet perfection. Nothing could ever or would ever feel as good as being buried deep inside this amazing woman.

  Too slow. He couldn’t take it anymore. Grabbing her hips, he slammed home repeatedly. She cried out. He groaned as his release approached. His balls tightened and he knew it couldn’t last much longer. Reaching his hand round, he found her clit slick and sensitive. Her body jerked in response, slamming back against him. At the first convulse of her channel his orgasm erupted. She milked every last bit of pleasure from him as her rapture overtook her and her screams mingled with his grunts.

  An hour later, Jess entwined Rain’s fingers in his and breathed deeply, letting the hometown aromas intoxicate him. They made their way down the busy streets. He relished the sight of latticework, iron railings and the sounds of jazz music. If he could have all of that with Rain in his arms, he could die a happy man. And from the way they had been pursued in Yellowstone, it was likely he would be dead soon.

  “You look happy,” Rain said.

  He opened his eyes and looked at her watching him. “There’s nothing like coming home.”

  “Were you born in New Orleans?”

  “My family lived in a small town in the Atchafalaya Basin. It’s not far, but it’s as country as you can get. I grew up there, but many of my relatives live in New Orleans. We spent a lot of time here over the years.” They walked slowly down the street hand in hand. They might have been any couple out for an evening stroll.

  “What are we doing here?”

  “At the moment, we’re the bait.”

  “Great, just how I wanted to spend my first trip to New Orleans.”

  “We have tonight. By morning I expect this town will be crawling with assholes who want to kill us.”

  She stopped, tugged his hand and leaned seductively against the lamppost on the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Peter Street. “Then tomorrow we’ll be busy.”

  Jess liked this new seductive Rain. He’d also liked the unsure, questioning version and the capable agent. The truth was, he liked every side of her. Taking a step forward, he trapped her firm body between him and the post. “Tomorrow we’ll be very busy.”

  “And tonight?” She ran her hands up his abdomen to his chest. One of the nice things about the south was that he was only wearing a cotton tee-shirt and everywhere she touched he burned with desire.

  Her gun jabbed him from underneath a jean jacket she wore, but he found the slight pain only added to his arousal.

  “Tonight we can do whatever you want. Pat O’Brien’s is just up the street, Jackson Square is a little farther or we can stay on Bourbon Street and find plenty of things to entertain us. Bars, strip clubs. Would you like a lap dance?”

  He’d leaned in very close to her ear. Her breath had quickened with every word, causing her breasts to rise and fall against him.

  Her fingers slid through his hair and her lips pressed against the side of his neck. “What would you suggest for a girl like me with only a few hours to spend in the Big Easy?”

  Her low melodic voice sent a shock of desire directly to his cock. God, he could take her right here in the middle of the street. It took every ounce of strength to pull himself away from her. He granted himself one kiss and he meant it to be just a quick one. Rain had other ideas as her arms wound around his waist and her tongue slipped inside his mouth.

  With one hand he gripped the back of her neck and devoured her. Her body fit his to perfection. She clutched the lamppost for some balance, the kiss grew more impassioned and a soft moan vibrated from her mouth to his. Only the knowledge that they were in the middle of a busy intersection with dozens of people passing by kept Jess from taking the kiss further.

  Breathing heavily, he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers. “You’re going to be the death of me, Rain Silver.”

  Her chest rose and fell in sharp, deliberate gasps, and he knew that she was equally affected by their connection.

  “I think we should move on before we become any more of a spectacle,” she said.

  He agreed, but it took him a few more seconds to bring his body under control and take a step away from her. All the while her dark gaze remained focused on his.

  Another breath. “How about some food?”

  In the streetlight her eyes sparkled. “I thought you’d never ask. A girl could starve to death traveling with you.”

  “There’ll be no starving tonight. I know just the place to get you fed up. Then I’ll show you my town.” They’d started walking down Bourbon Street hand in hand.

  “And after that?” There was that low silky voice again.

  He stepped in front of her and used the fingers of his other hand to tip her chin up. “After that… I consider that kiss a moment ago a promise that I’m going to expect you to keep.”

  There was a little hitch in her breath. He wouldn’t mind hearing that sound for the rest of his life. It was something he’d never grow tired of.

  “I always keep my promises, Jess.”

  If they didn’t need to be seen around town he would h
ave scooped her up and dragged her back to his apartment. He’d keep her safe and satisfied for hours—forever. He shook himself back to reality. They had an assignment. Her training wasn’t over, but he’d have to get used to the idea that danger would follow them wherever they went.

  Managing a slight grin, he squeezed her hand and they continued walking past Toulouse Street and he turned into BeBe’s Kitchen. The red neon sign blinked to passersby. As soon as they neared the door the scents of his past assaulted him. The idea of a life he’d never had the chance to live nearly overcame him.

  “Are you okay?” Rain asked.

  Jess took in the worn wooden floors and glass window to the kitchen at the back. The bar took up the entire right side of the long narrow restaurant. Dim lighting and low jazz music plus the buzz of closely spaced tables with lively conversation made BeBe’s Kitchen a hopping stop for food and drink in the French Quarter. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been here. I’ve a lot of memories of this place.”

  Her head cocked to one side. “Good memories?”

  Before he had the chance to answer a booming voice filled the silence. “Boy, as I live and breathe, I don’t believe what it is I’m seein’. Jessé McMean walkin’ in my restaurant as if he’s not been gone for years. May bees that my eyes is playin’ tricks on me.”

  He almost expected to be thrown out on his ass. Bebe was a tall thin man with gray hair and the same eyes as his mother—Jess’ eyes too. The sight of his uncle filled his chest with joy and he couldn’t help smiling. “Hey there, Uncle Bebe. It’s good to see you.”

  Jess put his hand out to shake, but Bebe ignored the gesture and grabbed him into a tight hug. “Boy, it’s good to see you. You look fine. Did you go see your momma?”

  Jess had dropped Rain’s hand to hug his uncle, but he reached for her again. She didn’t say anything, but he could practically hear her peppering him with questions. He answered his uncle. “Not yet.”

  Bebe’s face was a bit more lined than the last time Jess had seen him. The skin sagged a bit more around his mouth and jaw and a deep frown creased it even more. “Don’t you go leavin’ to do what you do without you go see your momma first.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Good. Now introduce me to your pretty lady.”

  He tightened his grip on her hand and she took a half-step forward. She smiled at his uncle. “Beauregard Boudreaux, I’d like you to meet Rain Silver. Cher, this is my uncle, Bebe.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Boudreaux.” Rain let go of Jess’ hand to shake his uncle’s.

  He pulled her in for a quick hug. “You just call me Bebe or Uncle Bebe. We’re all family here. No need to stand on ceremony.”

  She blushed the most beautiful shade of dark peach. “Thank you.”

  “Do you think you have room in here to feed us, Uncle Bebe?” Jess asked.

  He was already nodding before Jess even had a chance to finish asking the question. The restaurant was crowded with people, many of whom were avidly watching the family reunion. “Always room, always room. You go sit down at the table in the back and I’ll get ya’ll sometin’ to eat. Don’t you worry now.”

  Jess nodded at some of the people he vaguely recognized. He heard a lady off to the left say, “Dats Amalee’s boy.”

  Mostly locals and a few tourists made up the diners. Jess did as Bebe had commanded and led Rain to a small table in the back of the restaurant.

  She didn’t waste any time. “Your uncle owns this restaurant and you didn’t think you might mention that before we walked in?”

  “To be honest, I wasn’t sure what kind of greeting I would get. I haven’t been back for a few years.” His gut twisted.

  “Jessé?”

  “My Christian name.”

  “I like it.” She relaxed her stiff posture and gave him a sweet smile. “It would seem your family is happy to see you. Will you go see your parents?”

  “I said I would.”

  “And you always do what you say?” He hated the doubt that clearly laced her words.

  “When it comes to my family, I keep my word.”

  “And everyone else?”

  He shrugged. It would be a lie to say he was honest. He was a spy—lying, cheating and even stealing were often required actions of his job.

  “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair.”

  He was about to tell her she was perfectly right to believe he would and had lied to her but Bebe bounded out of the kitchen door with a platter full of food and carefully placed it on the table. “I thought you might be homesick for some good food. Not sure what you bin eaten out there in the world, but I know it can’t compare to a good Cajun meal.”

  “You’re right about that.” The smell of fried food and thick gumbo swathed him in memories.

  Bebe slapped him on the back and his laugh filled the room. “I done brought you some boudin balls, fried caimon, red beans with rice and gumbo. I’m fryin’ up some bram now and we bring that to you with a nice ponchartrain sauce.”

  “Ca c’est bon, Uncle Bebe.”

  “Good to see you, boy. Bon appetit.” His uncle beamed down at them and then rushed off to talk to some of his customers.

  Jess looked across at Rain who was staring down at the plates of food with a slightly terrified look on her face. “What is boo dan?”

  She pronounced it as if it were two words, but she was close. Jess pointed to the round, fried balls. “Boudin is a kind of sausage but with a lot of rice and spice in it.”

  “And caimon?”

  He shrugged. “Alligator.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Should I even ask about bram?”

  He laughed. “Eggplant. They bread it, fry it and then smother it in the most delicious seafood cream sauce you’ve ever tasted.”

  Her eyes widened. “Well, when you put it that way, it sounds much better.”

  “Try the alligator bites. You’ll like it.” He pointed to the small breaded and fried strips of white meat that actually tasted similar to chicken.

  That’s exactly what Rain said when she took her first bite and they both laughed.

  Bebe returned near the end of the meal. He placed a plate filled with beignet and three cups of chicory-laced coffee down on the table before he pulled over a chair and sat down. The restaurant was still busy, but not quite as packed. He turned to Rain. “You know Jessé worked right here in this kitchen when he was a boy. He’s a fine cook in his own right.”

  “No, I had no idea.”

  A knot started in Jess’ gut. There was no stopping his uncle once he got started with the storytelling.

  “Oh yes. He’s a fine cook. I thought for a while he might want to take over this place one day, but he was meant for other things. Better things.”

  Jess gripped the other man’s arm where it lay on the table. “Not better, Uncle Bebe, just different. There’s plenty of nights I wish I’d stayed right here in this kitchen.”

  The knot tightened and his uncle locked eyes with him and nodded.

  He turned once again to Rain, breaking the moment. “He was quite the ladies’ man.”

  “Uncle Bebe…” Jess tried to affect a warning tone.

  Bebe ignored him. “Oh yes he was. He could convince all the girls to run wit him. A silver tongue, the boy has. He talk anyone, not just girls, into anything. One time he convinced the young deputy that old Thibodaux was makin’ moonshine in the back of his restaurant. Had him so sure of it that the poor boy staged a big raid on the kitchens. Of course it wasn’t true. Jessé had just heard me complainin’ that Fin Thibodaux’s restaurant was taking our business away.”

  Jess laughed. “It took years for that deputy to live it down and after he trashed the kitchen looking for proof, the police had to buy Mr. Thibodaux a new one. In the end, everyone was happy. Our business picked up during the renovations and they got a new kitchen.”

  “And the deputy?” Rain asked.

  Jess looked at his uncle and they both burst into laughter. He
couldn’t remember the last time he laughed so hard. “About five years later, he was caught smuggling drugs out of the police evidence locker.”

  “We never saw that boy again.”

  “Did you know he was a bad cop when you convinced him about Mr. Thibodaux?”

  “I had my suspicions,” Jess admitted.

  By the time they walked out of BeBe’s Kitchen his stomach was completely full and he’d relived half his childhood. Surprisingly he felt wonderful. He took Rain’s hand and they walked up Bourbon Street the way they’d come. They turned at Saint Peter and made their way toward the park and the river. Neither one of them spoke and the silence was comfortable. He loved the idea that it had become easy between them to spend thirty minutes in each other’s company and not fill the quiet with small talk.

  When he started to feel a bit less stuffed with food, they made their way back toward the rowdy Bourbon Street.

  The soft, soulful strains of blues wafted into the street. It was after ten and Bourbon Street was getting crowded. Throngs of tourists flooded the streets in search of the New Orleans experience, exactly what he wanted to give to Rain. It was as if he needed her to grasp his roots, to understand him.

  “What’s that?” She pointed toward a club on the other side of the street. The sign said Randy’s Cabaret.

  “Gentleman’s club.” It was a euphemism, but some of the nicer strip clubs still used the title.

  “I know you’re not a mind reader, but can you tell what I’m thinking?”

  He pushed what little gift of telepathy he had toward Rain. Her arousal hit him as if it was a Mac truck. He looked over at the club and back at her. Suddenly the idea of spending a nice evening listening to the blues didn’t seem so exciting after all. “You want to go to a gentleman’s club?”