Easy Nights (Boudreaux #6)

“Lance’s company?” I ask with a frown.

“Well, it’s his family’s company, and he’s not a part of it anymore, but yes. We’re not renewing, given the circumstances, but it was a successful contract. It brought Bayou Enterprises a lot of money and exposure on the East Coast. It’s not a huge party, only a couple dozen people will be there, but I have to get dressed up. Will you come with me?”

“Do I have to get dressed up too?”

“God, I hope so,” she says with that sexy smile that makes my cock stand at attention. “You look hot in a tux.”

“Is that right?”

Van looks me up and down and a smug grin spreads over her face. “Oh yeah. Super hot.”

“Are you ready to let your family see us like this?”

“I’m a grown woman, and I’m not ashamed of you. They’re going to see us together sooner or later. Why wait?”

“Hey, I’m totally on board with that. I just want to go at your pace.”

“I’m comfortable here,” she says. “And I am excited to see you dressed up.”

“Likewise,” I reply. “You’re stunning in a formal gown.”

“I even bought a new one,” she says, winking at me. “I’ve decided it’s time to show off the girls.”

I choke on my water as Savannah smiles smugly.

“I’ll never complain about that.”

“Good.” She says and sits back as her food is placed in front of her. “You can pick me up at six.”

“Shouldn’t I take you to dinner first?”

“That’s why you’re picking me up at six,” she says and takes a bite of her bacon. Jesus, she’s gorgeous. The bad moment from a bit ago is over, and she’s now in full-on flirt mode.

My dick is already semi-hard, as if I’m seventeen and a girl just told me her parents are gone for the weekend.

But I’ll happily control myself until she’s ready. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

“What are you thinking?” she asks.

“That you’re sexy as hell.”

She blinks twice and then laughs. “Just wait until you see my new dress.”

“You’d be gorgeous in a burlap sack.”

“Back at you,” she mutters and pours syrup on her waffles. “Does it bother you to know that I’m just with you because you’re arm candy?”

She bites her lip, trying to keep a straight face. She’s teasing me.

“I can live with it if you can.”

“Oh, I’m living with it, handsome.”

She takes another bite of bacon and winks at me.

I’m in so much trouble.

***

“You’re stunning,” I whisper into Van’s ear for the third time this evening. She wasn’t lying when she said the new dress showed off her tits. Her cleavage is impressive, but the dress is still classy.

The shoes, sleek and black and boosting her up at least five inches, are sexy as fuck. I would love for her to wear them and nothing else, her legs wrapped around my shoulders.

And we’ll get there.

“I think you might be biased,” she says with a grin. She’s been sipping on the same glass of wine for the last hour. She clearly doesn’t want to get drunk in front of colleagues, and that’s just one more reason to respect her.

“Not at all,” I reply. She’s been holding onto my hand all evening. None of the family have commented, but there have been some knowing smiles thrown my way.

“Van?”

We twirl at the sound of a man’s voice, and I have to physically hold myself back from throwing a punch.

“Larry?” Van frowns. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

“I just flew in,” he says with a smile way too much like his twin brother’s. He leans in to kiss Van on the cheek and turns to me, holding his hand out for a shake. “Ben, right?”

Van elbows me, and I shake his hand, but keep eye contact with him.

“Well, I wish you’d let me know you were coming,” Van says. “I would have made time for lunch or something.”

“No need, it’s a quick trip,” he replies easily. I know that Van has said a few times that Larry is the opposite of his brother. But frankly, I don’t like him.

“I’m so happy that the contracts went so well,” Van says. “Eli took over that project for me, and I know you all worked hard on it.”

“We did, and it worked out great for all of us,” he says with a nod. “I won’t keep you. Have a good evening.” He touches her shoulder and then walks away and Van takes in a long, deep breath.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” She nods and takes a drink of her wine. “I know that Larry is harmless, but it’s always a shock when I see him in person. He and Lance look so much alike.”

“I wanted to punch him just on principal.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “He’s not the bad guy.”

“Do you have a lot of contact with him?”

“No, not anymore.” She returns a wave to someone across the room. “He checked in quite a lot in the beginning, but now I only hear from him every couple of months or so. He’s a good guy.”

I simply nod and welcome the distraction of Beau as he approaches us.

“Hello,” he says, a smug smile on his face.

“Hi,” Van says and slips her hand back in mine. Beau winks at her, then turns to me.

“It’s about time.”

“It’s the right time,” I reply. “How late is this scheduled to go?”

“Just about another hour,” Beau replies. “People are already trickling out.”

“I know you don’t love these things,” Van says. “Thank you for bringing me. And for wearing the tux. It’s seriously hot.”

Beau cocks a brow. “I don’t think I need to be privy to this conversation.”

“I’ll take you anywhere,” I reply, ignoring Beau altogether. “I’m good for another hour.”

Over the next thirty minutes or so, Savannah is interrupted with words of thanks from the guests. She smiles, shakes hands, and is the perfect professional. I can see that she certainly has the respect and trust of her colleagues.

She’s pulled away for a conversation with a group of people, and I suddenly have to make a run for the restroom.

Jesus, I haven’t been this nauseated since I was a kid. I barely make it there in time to lose my dinner, lunch, and probably what I ate last week, too.

“Fuck,” I mutter when I can catch my breath. I fumble for a towel to wipe my mouth and the sweat from my brow.

It doesn’t look like I’ll make it another half hour.

I spend another few minutes praying to the porcelain gods, convinced that I’m going to die, and then go in search of Van.

“Oh my God,” Mallory, Beau’s wife, says. “Ben? Are you okay?”

“Not feeling great,” I reply and scan the room, finding Van by the door. “I need to get out of here.”

“We’re on it. Beau!” She waves Beau down and the two of them work to get Van and me out of here. Beau calls down to have the valet ready with my car.

“You’re going to have to drive,” I say to Van, who only continues to frown and watch me carefully.

“Of course I’m driving,” she says. “Can you make it down to the car?”

I start to nod, and then have to make a run for the bathroom. I don’t even give a shit that it’s the women’s bathroom. The only thing that matters is that it’s the closest one.

“Should I call an ambulance?” Beau asks behind me.