But she couldnat be sorry it had happened.

Because of what shead just overheard, she was going to make her dreams come true. Well, not all of her dreamsa"there wouldnat be a wedding, or a honeymoon, or two-point-five children and a dog with Ty. But she was going to make her s.e.xual dreams come true, and in the process, she was going to give Ty a night head never forget.

Chapter Two.

Miaas skin p.r.i.c.kled as she stood before the floor-length mirror in her bedroom.

Her plan had worked even better than shead hoped or imagined. If she didnat know she was looking at her own reflection, shead never have recognized herself.

Shead hidden her pale brown hair beneath an auburn wig of long curling locks, and shead disguised her blue eyes behind contact lenses of forest green. Shead applied her makeup much heavier than usual, highlighting her eyes with lots of liner and mascara, and accentuating her lips with a warm shade of red.

She didnat think Ty would recognize her from the neck down, either. She might not have owned any s.e.xy, see-through clothing before, but one daring shopping trip had changed that. As in her fantasy the other day, she donned a lacy black bra under a transparent black blouse. Below, her black mini possessed every element from the fantasy except the s.e.xy slit. And under thata She felt positively sinful in the black lace thong and matching garter belt that attached to black, lace-edged stockings.

Reaching to the dresser beside her, she s.n.a.t.c.hed up two long strands of onyx beads and slipped them over her head. She doubled them, pulling down until one loop chokered her neck and the other draped her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

To top things off, she added the pice de rsistancea"sliding a lush, s.e.xy mask of black and silver on, so that only the vibrant green of her eyes shone through. Two thick, downy feathers jutted provocatively from one side of the glittery black mask, its edges lined in sparkling silver cord. Three silver sequins highlighted the outer point of each eye.

aYou are a s.e.x kitten, baby,a she said to her reflection in the slightly lower voice shead been practicing, making sure to enunciate her words more than usual. aAnd Ty will never know itas you.a * * * * *

As Mia strolled up the old sidewalk at what was usually the quiet end of Bourbon Street, music and voices drowned out the click of her high heels. Clearly, Jack and Liz werenat the only people throwing a party tonight, as the scents of spicy food and hot grills filled the air. Rock, jazz, and Zydeco vied for sound supremacy, along with the notes of a lone saxophone being played somewhere in the distance.

She pa.s.sed two young boys with taps attached to the bottoms of their tennis shoes, dancing for tips, and a court jester on stilts walked along as if he were any other person headed out for a night of debauchery on Bourbon. Her gaze was drawn to the opposite sidewalk, where two girls were lifting their tank tops, flashing their b.r.e.a.s.t.s for beads. The group of guys surrounding them whistled, adding comments like, aNice, baby,a as they surrendered the shiny necklaces. Judging from how heavily laden the girlsa necks were, theyad already been very busy tonight.

Miaas p.u.s.s.y swelled a little more with each step she took. Not only due to the sensual sights around her, but because beneath her s.e.xy clothes, her lace lingerie hugged her tight, and her garters rubbed against her thighs and a.s.s with every move. And despite all the color and people and b.r.e.a.s.t.s to behold on the street, more than one set of male eyes had perused her, as well, adding to how s.e.xy she felt.

aWant some beads, darlina?a a man in a cowboy hat asked as she approached him on the sidewalk. He stared hungrily at her chest, but she didnat minda"he was handsome, in his mid-thirties, and she was so on fire that the suggestion only added fuel to her flames.

aNo, but thank you,a she said with a smile in her new lower, more sophisticated voice.

Every balcony along the historic street was strung with streamers or beads of purple, gold, and green, and most were filled with partiers. Every balcony she noticed, looking up, except one. The sight brought a sinful smile to her face.

The quiet, dark, wrought iron balcony she spied was less than a block from Jackas place, and the apartment attached to it belonged to her Aunt Sophie. Her aunta"the sort of chic, refined woman she hoped to be by the time she reached her fiftiesa"was a jewelry collector and the proprietor of a pricey store on St. Peter, which she made a habit of closing during the few weeks preceding Mardi Gras. It was too loud and crazy for her taste, both at work and at home, she always said, so she used the time to head to the Caribbean with her longtime lover, Morris, every year.

And she always invited Mia to use the apartment while she was gone, given its prime location on Bourbon, but since Miaas own apartment was only a couple of blocks away on St. Phillip, shead never taken her up on the offera"until now.

Get ready, Ty, because here I come.

Straightening her shoulders and pushing out her chest, she walked tall and proud up the street and through the archway that led to Jackas apartment. Disguised as she was, she thought she should have been nervous, but instead, she felt more confidenta"and more s.e.xya"than ever before. It was as if the mask and the wig gave her some sort of permission to do all the things she wanted with Ty, without any worries. No worries about it changing his opinion of her. No worries of it messing up their relationship or her job. The only thing worrying her at the moment was wondering how shead stand the wait until she could get his clothes off and have her way with him.

Shead waited until after ten to arrive, and as shead hoped, the party appeared to be in full swing. As she climbed the outdoor stairs to Jack and Lizas place, she found partiersa"some masked, some nota"who had stepped outside to smoke. Jaunty Cajun music came from inside the door that stood wide open. Leave it to the Cajuns, she thought, to make the accordion sound s.e.xy.

She couldnat have been more pleased to step casually through the door to find a large crowd in a low-lit room. Some people were decked out in Mardi Gras regalia of the obligatory purple, gold, and green, while others chose regular everyday clothing. She blended in perfectly, without even trying.

Much of the crowd stood back around the edges of the room, forming a circle around Jack and Liz, who performed a s.e.xy version of the two-step. Mia had never seen Jack look at any woman the way he always looked at Liza"like she lit up his life.

Some of the guests moved to the music themselves, but it was clear this dance belonged to the host and hostess. Liz smiled into her husbandas eyes, and Mia could see the sparkle in her gaze, even through the red mask she wore. She wasnat sure shead ever seen two people more into each other.

G.o.d, I want that with Ty.

She flinched when she realized what shead just allowed herself to think.

Because she couldnat have that with Ty. What she could have with Ty was hot s.e.x. And friendship. Independent of one another. And that was all.

When the sizzling Cajun song came to an end, the crowd gave a smattering of applause, and Ty suddenly appeared, stepping up to slap Jack lightly on the back. aYou almost make him look like a good dancer,a he said to Liz with a laugh.

aWhoa there, ami, Iam the one whoas been doina the teachina here.a When Ty raised his eyebrows, Liz replied, aItas true. Jackas been taking me out to a place on the bayou for barbeque and two-stepping every Friday night for the past couple of months.a aGotta get some Cajun in her soul,a Jack added with a grin.

aIall just take some Cajun in my arms instead,a his wife said, pulling him into a steamy embrace Mia envied.

But stop envying Liz and Jack. In fact, stop thinking. And start getting into your game.

Fortunately, watching Ty from across the room made that easy. Since spotting him, everything inside her had tightened with excitement, and with the knowledge that tonight she would finally have him. Her c.u.n.t went wet remembering what shead come here to do.

It was high time she slake her l.u.s.t with this man, once and for all.

Ty checked his watch for the fifth time in the last hour. Where was Mia?

Not that it really mattered, but shead said shead be here, and she was usually punctual, and it worried him if she didnat show up someplace she was supposed to. Head known her for so long, he just kind of liked to look out for her when he could. As a favor to Tim, and because she was a friend, he told himself. That was all.

As Liz pa.s.sed by, a few empty plates in her grasp, he lowered a hand to her arm. aHave you seen Mia?a She shook her head. aNow that you mention it, no. But Jack said she was coming.a He gave a slight nod, then let Liz go on her way.

Yet he couldnat stop a wayward pang of envy for his best friend. Liz had it all. In fact, head gotten the opportunity to get a taste of Liz in bed back when she and Jack had first meta"theyad wanted to experiment with a threesome, and who was he to stand in the way? Fortunately, things had never been awkward after that. Head understood it was a one-time experience and from that point on, head been happy to get to know Liz as a friend and Jackas future wife. But as head implied to Jack earlier in the week, he often found himself wondering how Jack had gotten so lucky to have his soulmate walk right into his life when he wasnat even looking for anything like that.

h.e.l.l, maybe he did want to settle down. If not, then why was he so jealous of Jackas happiness lately?

He was having stupid thoughts, that was all. And if he was smart, head quit dwelling on those stupid thoughts and do what head planned to do at this partya"find some lovely, wild woman who wanted to cut loose and have some Mardi Gras fun.

It was at that precise moment he saw the lady across the room. Even behind her mask, he felt her watching him.

A redhead with a smokina body. They made eye contact and she slowly licked her upper lip. s.e.xy as h.e.l.l.

As he felt the first hint of a reaction in his c.o.c.k, he decided that maybe his wish was coming truea"the redhead must be a friend of Lizas and she looked exactly like a woman who wanted to get together and get naked.

If his experience held, theyad have a good night or twoa"or five, or tena"of s.e.x, and then it would be over, but that was okay. Despite his brief moments of wife-envy, head pretty much accepted that having s.e.x without romance was just part of how his life worked. And if head needed a sign to prove it, the s.e.xy lady in black and silver was it.

Even now, with her gaze intent upon him from behind that alluring mask, she dipped her finger into her gla.s.s of wine, then sensually slid it into her mouth, sucking it dry. His chest went warm and his groin tightened further. Very nice, baby, he thought, and hoped like h.e.l.l she could read the response in his eyes.

Just then, someone b.u.mped into hera"a guy, someone else Ty didnat know. The dark-haired corporate type began talking to her, making her smile, and an unbelievable, and unreasonable, ire rose inside him at having their silent flirtation interrupted. It made his c.o.c.k go even harder, made him want her even more, feeling as if Mr. Clean Cut over there had just invaded his territory.

Just as he was contemplating walking over and finding some way to stake his claim without seeming like a madman, the guy moved on. Looking after him, the lady in the mask switched her gla.s.s from one hand to the other, and in the process dropped her c.o.c.ktail napkin. It fluttered to the floor at her feet.

To Tyas surprise, she cast a quick glance in his direction. To make sure he was still watching her?

Then she turned away from him and bent over at the waist, going down, down, making her skirt rise so far in the backa"past the s.e.xy, lacy tops of her stockings and well up onto black garters stretched tighta"that he stood waiting to catch a glimpse of the mound between her thighs. The skirt didnat quite go that far, but by the time she retrieved the napkin and stood back up, he was so stiff it almost hurt.

Just then, a piece of silverware tapped against a winegla.s.s, and the buzz of voices filling the room went quiet, leaving only a slow Cajun waltz in its place. aThereas plenty more jambalaya in the kitchen for anyone who wants it,a Liz announced.

Standing beside her, Jack added, aAnd if youare ready for dessert, weave got fresh beignets and, even though itas a little late in the season, a great big king cake.a aNever too late for king cake!a someone yelled in a heavy Louisiana drawl.

Traditionally, the king cake was supposed to be served on January sixth, the epiphane and official start of the Mardi Gras season. A plastic baby, to symbolize the new year, was baked into the cake, and whoever got the piece with the baby had to host the next soiree. But, tradition aside, king cake was a pretty common treat right up through Fat Tuesdaya"it wouldnat be a Mardi Gras party without one.

Turning his attention back to the hot redhead, Ty found shead left her spot to move toward the dessert table. He decided to hang back and avoid the crowd for the momenta"head approach her when there werenat so many people around her.

Looked like shead volunteered to help hand out the cake as Liz cut ita"he watched as she picked up two purple paper plates topped with cake and took a few steps into the room until two partygoers relieved her of them. The same scenario repeated three times until it hit him that he was totally caught up in staring at her. But he couldnat help it. He was getting intoxicated by her lush cleavage and that s.e.xy see-through blouse, and her black strappy heels were so hot he thought he might like to feel one of them digging slightly into his back. Oh yeah.

Just then she grabbed up another slice of cake and started weaving through the crowd until she reachedahim. She held up the plate with a come-hither smile. aHungry?a she asked in a low, drop-dead s.e.xy voice.

He felt the question in his c.o.c.k. aVery,a he replied, peering down into warm green eyes.

aEnjoy,a she said as he accepted the cake, then she turned and sauntered away, the sway of her hips entrancing.

As Ty bit into the sugary-sweet confection, he found himself thinking, h.e.l.l, who needs a meaningful relationship when youave got thisa"a super-hot woman ready for what promises to be a fun night ahead.

That was when he realized he was chewingapaper.

Reaching into his mouth, he drew out a tiny slip of crumpled yellow paper. It said in sharp black letters, Want to f.u.c.k?

His c.o.c.k threatened to burst from behind his zipper at any second. He lifted his gaze to find the redhead back across the room, still handing out cake. Lowering his plate to the nearest table, he made a beeline for her.

As she bent to scoop up two more plates from the dessert table, he leaned in close behind her, letting his body graze hers from the waist down.

She flinched lightly, but didnat move awaya"only straightened and turned to look over her shoulder.

aYes,a he breathed low in her ear. aAnd I want to do it hard.a Maybe he shouldnat have been a hundred percent certain shead sent the note, but he was. He just knewa"without a shred of doubt. He moved half an inch closer, so shead feel his hard-on pressing into the crack of her a.s.s.

Setting the plates back down, she turned, handily extricating herself from between him and the table, and grabbed his hand. aFollow me.a Just the touch of her fingers added to his heat as she led him across the floor, around a corner, and into the bathroom, currently candlelit. He shut the wooden door firmly behind him and spun to look at her.

Her eyes blazed with the same fire that burned hot in his veins, and her ample chest heaved slightly, begging for his touch. A pouty mouth painted with dark lipstick made her look all the more like a mysterious piece of forbidden fruit. And he was ready to take a bite.

They stepped toward each other at the same time, moving into each otheras arms. His settled around her waist and hers circled his neck. aWhatas your name?a he asked, his mouth hovering an inch above hers.

She hesitated slightly, then licked her upper lip. aMina.a aNice to meet you, Mina. Iam Ty,a he said, then lowered a kiss onto that dark, s.e.xy mouth.

She responded with eager pressure, hungry and willing, just the way he wanted her. She tasted sweet, like the cake head just eaten, as he eased his tongue between her lips. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed firm against his chest and his c.o.c.k molded perfectly with the indented slit he could feel beneath her skirt.

Her skin was warm to the touch, and her movements against him filled him with longing. d.a.m.n, he couldnat remember a time when head gotten this hot this fast. Head wanted her badly enough before, back out in the crowded room, but his desire had skyrocketed since stepping behind a closed door with her.

Her tongue circled his in kisses that grew slower, but more heated. He could hear them both breathing heavily as his hands roamed her back and she ran her fingers through his hair. When he drew one hand around to her breast, it was like heaven and sin colliding in the palm of his hand. The feel of her lush flesh, even through her blouse and bra, made him thrust at the soft spot between her thighs, the move almost involuntary.

She moaned when he raked his thumb across the hardened nipple he could feel through the thin blouse and the lace underneath.

aWant your breast in my mouth,a he breathed as her lips left his, venturing downward. He leaned his head back as she rained kisses across his neck and onto the top of his chest through the ava in his shirt.

aMmm, I want my p.u.s.s.y in your mouth,a she purred between kisses.

He groaned. What a dirty girl. He was wild about her already.

When she raised her gaze, drawing her splayed fingers down his chest, he reached to take off her mask. He wasnat sure whya"he hadnat even planned it. He guessed he just wanted to see her bettera"this hot, s.e.xy woman who was kissing him senseless. He wanted to see who he was about to f.u.c.k.

Biting her lip, she stopped him, holding the mask in place. aNo.a He didnat argue. Instead he went for the next best thing, the b.u.t.ton between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Flicking it open and reaching inside, he curved his fingers around the lace cup of her dangerously low-cut bra.

She let out a s.e.xy sigh at his light, sensual kneading, but quickly pulled his hand away, grabbing both of his wrists to keep him from going further. aNo,a she said, firmer this time.

He didnat know what to think. Even as she held his wrists at his sides, he leaned down to rake a hot kiss across her lush mouth. aI thought you wanted me to f.u.c.k you,a he said, his voice coming out raspy. aDid I do something wrong?a She shook her head, her eyes just as pa.s.sion-filled as before. aBut I donat want to hurry, baby. I want to make the pleasure last.a Something about the way she said it heightened his l.u.s.t, straining his zipper even more than it already was. He leaned his forehead against hers, delivering one, two more small kisses designed to entice. aWhat did you have in mind?a She let go of his wrists and flashed a hint of a s.e.xy smile. aFollow me.a She was already reaching around him for the doork.n.o.b when he grinned and said, aDidnat we already do this part?a aThis was just warm-up, lover,a she said in that husky voice that made him l.u.s.t harder. Opening the door, she glanced over her shoulder at him, that s.e.xy, concealing mask still framing her eyes with dark glitter. aFor what I want to do to you, youall have to take your chances and see where I lead you. Are you coming?a Placing his hands on her shoulders, he leaned down to whisper in her ear as a guy moved past them into the newly vacated bathroom. aYou havenat made me come just yet, but I have a feeling you will.a He felt the words travel through her in the s.e.xy stretch of her shoulders, the forward thrust of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

aIall go wherever you want me to, honey,a he added. aJust lead the way.a * * * * *

Miaas skin tingled with heat by the time she led Ty up Bourbon Street toward her auntas apartment. The mood outside only added to her excitement. People milled about, girls were still flashing for beads, and a party atmosphere permeated the warmer-than-average February night.

She was still quaking over the name shead told hima"Mina. Shead feared shead given herself away even as it left her lips, but head seemed to accept it without thought. Thank G.o.d shead never told him Mia was short for Mina, which was short for Wilhelminaa"a great-grandmother on her fatheras side. Apparently, Tim had never had occasion to mention that little bit of trivia to Ty, either, for which she was now eternally grateful.

Shead also nearly fainted when head tried to take off her mask. Thank goodness he hadnat persisted. Everything depended on keeping her s.e.xy mask on, and her face hidden.

She didnat look back at him as she walkeda"she didnat dare. She was too amazed that this was really happening, really working. Shead been confident, but maybe she hadnat been truly prepared for how it would feel to have his hands on her, his mouth on hers. To finally kiss the much-l.u.s.ted-after Ty had been at once magical and the most natural thing on earth. He kissed exactly like shead imagined, with a soft, insistent heat and a slow urgency that could drive a woman insane. Shead almost thought she could come just from kissing him. And when his perfect and delightfully large hard-on had pressed into hera"mmm, her c.u.n.t had nearly melted from the flames head ignited there.

Now her anxious p.u.s.s.y hummed with desire. But she had a long way to go before shead actually have him, his c.o.c.k, inside her. She had plans for her man. Plans for an evening head always remember.

Chapter Three.

She drew him across the street and through a group of twenty-something guys, aware they were staring, aware that her blouse remained unb.u.t.toned past her bra. She decided she must be an even naughtier girl than she realized, since she didnat mind being displayed for them, didnat mind that it was probably very clear she was about to seduce the man following behind her.

Leading Ty through a wrought iron gate, she climbed the stairs to Aunt Sophieas second-floor apartment. She couldnat help wondering if her a.s.s was in his face with each step she took, and if perhaps he was tempted to reach out and push up her skirt, and go after her right here and now. If he did, she wasnat sure shead have the will to stop him.

But you have to stick to your plan, she reminded herself. If you want to give him a night to remember, you have to take it slow and do it righta"get him where you want him. Get him where he wants to be, too.

When they arrived on the landing, she reached into her bra, sliding her fingers across the soft lower curve of her left breast, and pulled out the key.

Raising her gaze, she found head been watching.

aThatas d.a.m.n s.e.xy,a he said in a low, pointed tone.

She replied in her super-sophisticated voice. aI like to travel light.a He grinned, his eyes all fire and antic.i.p.ation.

When she unlocked the door and pushed it open, she didnat reach for the light switch, instead letting the glow shining through the front windows guide them through the apartment.