Free Whiskey and Lace (Lace Series) by Adriane Leigh Page B

and breathed in his scent.
    "Come on, reservation." He gave my bum a quick squeeze and shot me a panty-dropping smile. How did I ever stand a chance of winning a battle against him with a smile like that?

Eleven

    Thirty minutes later Carter and I stepped onto the sidewalk to head to dinner. I was wearing a form fitting black mini dress with long sleeves and a mesh neckline that Carter had picked out. The man sure liked his dresses short. I stepped into the back of the Bentley first and settled myself before Carter slid in next to me and raised the privacy glass. His eyes shot to mine with a dangerous glare. 
    "Evangeline, where the fuck are your panties?" My eyes widened in surprise that he'd noticed so soon, and then I gave him a sassy smile. The lack of panty lines must have tipped him off. 
    "I thought I’d cut right to the chase. Didn't want you ruining the new ones you'd just bought for me." I grinned. 
    "Put on some underwear." He tossed the La Perla bag to me. I raised one eyebrow at him. 
    "Or what, Mr. Morgan?" I crossed my legs so the dress shifted higher up my thighs. Carter clenched his teeth as his eyes shot to my exposed leg. 
    "Underwear, Evangeline," he ground through his teeth, still focused on my exposed thigh. 
    "No. I’m good, thanks." I smiled at him sweetly. His eyes shot to mine, surprised at my defiance. He held my glare for a minute before he realized I wouldn't be backing down. 
    "You are incorrigible, woman." Carter ran a hand through his hair and then tugged the dress further down my thigh in an attempt to cover me. I smiled in triumph and my girly bits tingled in anticipation at the hell I would put him through tonight knowing I was without my panties. 

    Carter and I were seated at a private table at the Meritage overlooking the waterfront. The city lights reflecting off the water twinkled and the ambiance of the dining room was magical. The waiter arrived and Carter ordered for us.
    "We'll have the '95 Chateau Margaux with the Kobe Beef and the Diver Scallops." He ordered without looking at the menu. 
    "What if I don't want that?"
    "You’re being rather defiant tonight, Evangeline." He regarded me thoughtfully. 
    "You're being rather controlling." I threw back at him. I took a sip of my wine and worried my bottom lip between my teeth as I gazed out at the Boston night. 
    "What's wrong, Evangeline?" Carter said with a hint of exasperation. 
    "Who did that stuff belong to?" My eyes darted to his. 
    "Back to this?" he frowned. "A friend, an old friend. Someone who hasn't been to my office in a long time, Evangeline. I'll get rid of all of it." His eyes implored me to drop the subject. 
    "Was it Madeleine's?" I took another sip of my wine to avoid his eyes. 
    "Yes." Carter shuffled in his seat uncomfortably. 
    "Why did Madeleine keep things at your office?" 
    "We were together at one time." Carter held me with a steady gaze. 
    "Another fuck buddy?"
    "No, Madeleine and I were engaged," Carter deadpanned. The air left my lungs in an instant. What? I was prepared to wrap my mind around the fact that Carter was a former womanizer, playboy, modelizer, but he had been engaged? Somehow in the back of my mind it had been easier for me to accept his former life when I thought he didn't care for them; that they meant nothing. But at least one of them had. 
    I thought back to that night at the ball and what Madeleine had said to me. 
    He isn't someone you build your dreams on. 
    What happened between them that made her say that? What had he done to her? Suddenly her cold demeanor and vicious attitude made sense; she was jealous, she did have a claim on him. She had his heart, at least she had at one time. And may have been the only one to have ever done so. 
    My breathing was shallow and I thought I may be on the verge of an panic attack. 
    "Are you still friends with her?" I set my glass down and stared at him.
    "Yes, but we broke things off a long time ago."
    "You still see her?"