First (A Crescent Chronicles Novella) Read Online Free PDF

accentuated her green eyes. Like everything else I’d seen her in, it was short, and she kept it casual with flip flops. I liked that she wasn’t the kind of girl who wore heels all the time. Heels could be hot, but a pair of flip flops meant a girl was laid back.
     
    “Hey there, Allison.” I purposely used her full name to see what kind of response I got.
     
    “It’s Allie.” She feigned annoyance, but I noticed her studying my chest and arms.
     
    I smiled, letting her know I’d caught her in the act of checking me out. “Oh yeah, I forgot.”
     
    “I’m sure.” She shook her head, bringing my attention to her hair.   I wanted to run my hands through those brown locks. I also wanted them sprawled out on my pillow.
     
    “Are you girls ready to see uptown?” Owen addressed both of them. I got the sense he was being careful. Smart guy.
     
    Allie adjusted her purse on her shoulder. “Sure, should we follow you or get an address for my GPS?”
     
    “Neither.” I put a hand on the small of her back and led her toward the door. “We’re taking the streetcar. That way you don’t have to worry about a designated driver.”
     
    “Will it still be running when we need to get home?” She seemed worried. Wasn’t she from New York? Did New Orleans at night scare her that much? She didn’t need to worry about anything with me around.  
     
    “This is New Orleans. It runs all night.” Jared didn’t bother to sugar coat his annoyance at her. He wasn’t an Allie fan for some reason, but it wasn’t my problem.
     
    I stayed close to Allie’s side as we walked the few blocks to the corner of Canal and St. Charles. We caught the streetcar just before it pulled away. Allie struggled to slip a dollar bill into the machine, and I pushed her hand away. She wasn’t paying for anything when she was with me. “I’ve got this.”
     
    The car lurched forward and Allie lost her balance. I caught her easily in my arms. “Easy does it, darling.” I inhaled her warm sweet scent. She wore the same perfume again. After detangling herself from my arms, she held onto the seats as she walked down the aisle. She’d barely settled into a seat when I slid in right next to her.
     
    “So where are we going exactly?” She looked over me to watch Jess and Jared. I may have had my work cut out for me, but Jared had a guarantee going for him.
     
    I pulled her attention away from them. “The Maple Leaf. It’s a bar that always has great live music. You’re going to like it.”
     
    She rested a hand on her leg. “Glad to know you are now an expert on what I like.”
     
    “I’m an expert on a lot of things.” I stretched out my legs, brushing my leg against hers in the process. Her body tensed ever so slightly, but it wasn’t in a bad way.
     
    She gazed out the window, and I was glad it was a clear night out. The windows on the streetcar were open, providing a nice breeze. I needed it with the way my body heated around her. She felt it too. I know she did. There was an electricity sizzling between us like nothing I’d ever experienced before. I wanted her so bad it hurt.
     
    I followed her gaze. She was checking out the houses lining St. Charles. “Beautiful, aren’t they?” I leaned in close and smiled when I noticed the goose bumps forming on her exposed shoulder. Considering the heat, I knew I was the cause of them.
     
    She took a moment to answer. “The homes? Yeah, they’re gorgeous. Is this the Garden district?”
     
    “Yes. Home sweet home.”
     
    “Have you always lived here?” she asked absently, probably deciding which house she’d want for herself.
     
    “Born and raised, and I never want to move anywhere else.” I also had no choice. New Orleans would always be my home.
     
    She turned away from the window and her face was mere inches from mine. “Really?”
     
    I fought the urge to taste her lips. I couldn’t rush the moment and lose my chance. “Does that really surprise