He glanced at Jo. She toyed with her salmon, flaking bits off with her fork. Not eating any of it.
Determined not to care—she was a big girl after all—he cut another piece of his steak. But still, even though the seasoning and preparation was perfect, the taste didn't appease him. Didn't distract him from his feelings of concern and helplessness.
He put down his fork and regarded Jo.
Again her skin was pallid, making the dark circles under her eyes stand out.
"You've got to eat," he said softly.
She glanced up, seeming almost startled that he was there. For a brief moment, he wanted to jump in her head and see what was happening behind those sad eyes. What was scaring her? What was the secret she was hiding?
But he couldn't do that. She was clearly having enough problems, and just because he hadn't seen her thoughts last time, it didn't mean he wasn't part of what was going on with her now. He could have affected her somehow.
And she'd affected him somehow, too.
Jo didn't respond to his gently stated recommendation. She just continued to pick at her food, so he leaned forward and speared a piece of her salmon. Then while she watched him with surprised eyes, he popped the fish in his mouth.
"What are you doing?" she finally managed to sputter, her astonished look causing him to smile.
He reached over and stabbed another piece. He ate it with great relish before answering.
"Well, that's a pricey meal you've got there," he said, holding back his smile. "So I'm not going to let you just shred it into pieces."
He started to lance another piece, when she trapped his fork with her own against the plate. He raised an eyebrow, giving her a questioning look.
She cocked her own eyebrow in response, then released his utensil, tapping it away a few times, the metal clinking.
"I get your point," she muttered grumpily, but Maksim saw a hint of a smile before she dug into her fish.
Maksim watched her for a moment, then began eating his own meal again, the filet suddenly tasting absolutely delicious.
"Thank you for a great dinner," Jo said as they exited Laforesterie.
Maksim smiled over at her as they walked, and despite herself, her body reacted. He was so handsome, utterly and breathtakingly handsome. His dark hair was sexily disheveled, a slight, wonderful breeze ruffling it. His green eyes twinkling with a naughty little spark. His smile crooked and charming.
And while her body was definitely reacting to his looks, she was also reacting to his behavior tonight. He'd been there when she'd been truly panicked. He'd talked to her, made her laugh. He listened to her talk about her sister. He'd listened to her admission of the premonition—and he hadn't mocked her, doubted her, or judged her.
And he'd made her eat. Which she had to admit had made her feel so much better. Much less fragile and strung out. It was very, very stupid for her to not eat. She had to remember that. Her blood sugar was touchy at the best of times, but now…
Well, she just appreciated him being there tonight. Against her better judgment. But maybe she could let judgment go, better or otherwise. Just for tonight.
They strolled quietly back toward Esplanade. The streets were pretty quiet as they opted to travel down Royal Street rather than heading toward the busier and wilder Bourbon Street.
"Are you still working at the bar?"
He shook his head. "Once in a while. It's really not my thing."
"What, were the scads of adoring women too much for you?" she teased.
"Jealous much?" He winked at her, buffering his teasing.
She pulled a face at him, enjoying that she could be relaxed and playful with this man. Which she hadn't expected. Again she wondered if she'd been too quick to judge him, just because of Jackson and his failings.
Still lost in her thoughts, it took her a few moments to realize she was back in Esplanade and only a few houses from her rental.
"It's right up this way," she said, then realized it was unnecessary. She also thought of something she hadn't last night in her surprise at finding him at her door. "But you know that. How did you know where I lived last night?"
"I have my ways," he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Then he asked, "Why didn't you move into Ren's apartment building? He has some vacant apartments, doesn't he?"
Jo nodded. "I didn't want to invade the little love nest they have going on over there."
"Ah, yeah, I can see that."
"Don't get me wrong," Jo said as she rifled around in her oversized purse for her keys. "I'm very happy for them. I think they are wonderful matches. But well, it's just—"
"A bit much?"
"Yes," she said with a pained smile. "Does that make me an awful friend?"
"Not in my book. Love is often an overrated emotion."
"Hear, hear." Jo found her keys and unlocked the front door. She paused, the key still in the door.
"Would you like to come up?" She wasn't sure what had prompted the question. She'd like to blame it on her nerves still getting the better of her. But she knew that wasn't the case. Not at the moment, anyway. Her mind was too occupied with Maksim.
"I'd love to," he said, emphasizing the word "love," which made her laugh.
She opened the door and he followed her up the stairs to her second-floor apartment. Once inside, she asked him if he'd like something to drink.
"I have coffee—it's decaf, though. And tea—also decaf," she told him.
He grimaced. "You actually like decaffeinated tea?"
She smiled, not surprised that he had no use for anything that supported moderation—even with caffeine.
"You'd be surprised. It grows on you." She went to her cupboard, stretching up on her tiptoes to get down a new box of decaf English Breakfast.
Warmth encompassed her as she felt rather than saw Maksim come up behind her. Then his chest pressed against her back as he reached over her to get the tea. He set the box on the counter, then he braced his hands on the worn Formica, caging her in.
She remained still, her breath growing shallow, as her body reacted instantly to his large, powerful body surrounding her.
"Am I growing on you, too?" he murmured, his mouth right beside her ear.
CHAPTER 14
She closed her eyes as a shiver of pure need vibrated through her limbs at the rough velvety reverberation of his voice. Her nipples tightened, the lace of her bra abrading the swollen points.
He nuzzled her, his cheek against hers, his spicy, earthy scent filling her nose, his lips pressing moist fire along the sensitive column of her neck. With a shuddering breath, her head fell back against his shoulder, offering him better access. He kissed down her neck to her collarbone, while her fingers dug into the counter just beside his.
"What are you doing?" But the question was lost before she could even wonder at the answer. Before she could even care if there was an answer.
The hands beside hers left the counter, moving to hold her waist, sliding around her, until she was enfolded in his strong arms, her body still trapped between the counter and his large body. She gave into his prison, to his delicious torture as he nipped the skin of her neck, of her shoulder.
His hands slid up her from her waist, up over her ribcage, to the swell of her breasts. He skimmed over them, his thumbs, his fingers just grazing her hardened nipples.
She groaned, arching into his touch. He cupped her fully, squeezing, shaping the sensitive flesh in her broad palms.
"I've thought about this," he whispered to her. "Imagined touching you. Everywhere."
She whimpered, because whether she wanted to admit it or not, she'd imagined it, too. She had.