I shrugged. “Not on purpose.”

He winked. “Don’t worry, cupcake. I remember every damn thing I learn about you too.”

Mardi Gras was a blur of lattes, cappuccinos, double and quadruple shots of espresso, and thousands of donuts. Basically, a second-day trial by fire. Thankfully, Voodoo Ink was closing early tonight, and so was Your Favorite Hole.

Every time the door chimed, my gaze cut to it, wondering if Bishop would finally come in. Fabienne had mentioned offhand that he’d been in for his morning fix, which meant if he stayed with his routine, he’d also be coming in for his afternoon caffeine pick-me-up.

For the first time in my life, I was going to ask a guy out. Did it matter that we’d already technically spent the night together? No. That actually made it harder and more awkward in my opinion.

Another rush of costumed people filled the shop. Orders for donuts were shouted to Fabienne and Ellie, and they marked coffee orders on cups and lined them up near me. If things got too backed up, Fabienne would jump in and help, but I was busting my butt to keep up by making three drinks at a time.

My anxiety rose with each hour that slipped by without him making an appearance. I wanted to do this in person, not via text. My eyes scanned the next cup in line and I froze.

Quadruple-shot non-fat latte with cinnamon on top.

Delilah’s regular.

My gaze immediately jumped to customers waiting in front of the espresso bar, and I found him watching me. His lips curved just the slightest bit, and mine did the same.

“Hi.” My tone was quiet but cheerful as I refilled portafilters and snapped them into place to make the espresso. He already held his tall coffee, so I assumed he was just waiting for Delilah’s.

He nodded and watched me make the drink. I forced a shot of confidence into my veins so I didn’t screw it up somehow.

When I was finished sprinkling on the cinnamon, I snapped the lid on top and slid it across the counter.

With a deep breath, I went for it. “So, I was thinking maybe tonight you might want to, if you weren’t already busy—”

He interrupted my already botched attempt at asking him out. “I’ll be here at seven to walk you home.”

My hopes plummeted because I didn’t want to go home while Mardi Gras raged on outside my windows. This entire town was celebrating tonight, and I wanted to be part of it.

“But—”

“You’re gonna shower and change into a dress, and then we’re gonna work on your list tonight.”

My protests died on my lips, and I smiled.

“We are?”

He nodded.

“And that requires me wearing a dress?”

The barely there smile widened infinitesimally and his eyes flashed with heat. “That’s for me. Skip the panties. I’ll see you at seven.”

He wrapped a big hand around Delilah’s coffee cup before giving me a chin lift and walking out of the crowded shop with a bag of donuts under his arm.

Seven o’clock. Bishop was going to walk me home, and I was going to shower and change into a dress and we were going to work on my list.

And I wasn’t going to be wearing any panties.

Holy. Shit.

EVEN IN HER POLO SHIRT and jeans, Eden attracted looks on the walk back to her place from Your Favorite Hole. She stood out like a beacon in the crowd of women dressed for attention without even trying.

As usual, she was completely oblivious to the fact that she was gorgeous. It wasn’t just her blond hair, pulled up in a messy bun, or her shining brown eyes or fucking kissable lips. No, it was the energy that surrounded her. Happy, positive, and practically vibrating with excitement about life. People were drawn to her as we walked by them.

And then there was me, following her like a big, hulking shadow with a look that said keep the fuck back if you want to live. More than one guy had opened his mouth or reached out only to shut up or snatch a hand back. I gave them a hard stare and kept moving. Eden didn’t even notice what was happening.

The crowds thinned out as we turned the corner onto her street.

“That is just crazy. I’ve never seen so many people packed on that street.”

“It’s like this every year, from what I’m told.”

We stopped in front of the gate and Eden pulled the keys from her purse. “Haven’t you ever come down here on Mardi Gras before?”

“I’ve only been here a few years, and I’ve never been much for crowds, so I stayed away.”

She fit the key into the lock and turned it, and I pushed open the gate.

“You never wanted to toss beads on Bourbon?” she asked as we stepped inside.

I shut the gate behind us. “Some guys don’t need beads to see tits.”

She swung her head around as we walked down the brick path leading into the courtyard. “Oh yeah, I forgot I’m talking to the guy who can’t beat the girls away fast enough as they throw themselves at you.”

“What you forgot is that I’ve never cared to see any of them.”

“Riiiight.” Eden stretched out the word as she climbed the spiral staircase in front of me before unlocking the door and stepping into her small apartment.

That’s when I pounced, following her inside, shutting the door, and pinning her to the back of it.

Eden’s lips parted and her eyes went wide as she stared up at me.

“You were the first one to walk into Voodoo who I didn’t want to see walk out. If I could’ve, I would’ve dragged you up to my apartment and stripped you naked and tossed you onto my bed.”

“Then why did you wait so long to touch me?” Her words came out breathy.

“Because some things are worth waiting for, and you’re one of them.”

“Why are you still waiting?”

“I’m not. I’m savoring.” My lips lowered to hers and I covered her mouth before she could reply. When my tongue traced the seam, she let me in, and I took advantage. “You taste so fucking sweet. Sweeter than I should be allowed to have in this life.”

“Shut up and kiss me.” Eden’s hands found their way into my hair, and she tugged my face down closer so she could kiss me back.

As much as I wanted to lift her into my arms and carry her to her bed, I wanted to give her more than just that. I wanted her to have everything she’d ever wanted, which meant everything on her list.