When Evelyn and her mother arrived home, Tug was waiting in the parlor, looking uncomfortable with the maid fluttering around her.
“Hello, Elizabeth,” Mrs. McKenzie said. She removed her coat and then made her way to her sitting room.
“Tug!” Evelyn cried, rushing to hug her friend. “I was going to telephone. Did I know you were coming round?”
“No. I didn’t know I was coming round. I just had to get out of the house.” Tug rolled her eyes and then took Evelyn’s hand. “I need a smoke, let’s go for a walk.”
“Mother,” Evelyn called. “I’m going for a stroll with Tug.”
“Don’t be long,” Mrs. McKenzie called back. “And don’t wander far.”
“We won’t.” Evelyn followed Tug out the door. Once on the sidewalk, Tug pulled a cigarette case from her purse and offered one to Evelyn.
“No thanks.”
“One of these days you’ll say yes.”
“Well, not today. I don’t want to light anything on fire so close to my face.”
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic.” Tug lit her cigarette expertly and took a long draw. “It’s better than a sweet.”
“I just came from tea at the White’s, I must’ve eaten half a plate of sweets just from nerves, Tug. It’s too late for me now.”
“Why the nerves?”
The girls walked arm in arm down 70th Street and turned south on Fifth Avenue. Several men eyed them appreciatively as they strolled past, and the girls smiled, enjoying the attention.
“You know their son?”
“Yeah, Robert. He’s married and balding, though. Nothing to justify scarfing a plate of cookies, Evie.”
“Well, I don’t mean Robert. It was Roger. He’s home from Yale.”
“Roger?” Tug raised an eyebrow and took another draw on her cigarette. “And?”
“He’s gorgeous, Tug. He has these eyes …”
“We’ve all got eyes. Don’t get all balled up. You’re supposed to have eyes for Jack Taylor, remember?”
“I do. I’m goofy for Jack, too.” Evelyn sighed as she thought about Jack’s hands on her, his breath in her ear.
“Too? Oh no you don’t. You make a choice, Evie. Leave someone for the rest of us. You can’t be stuck on Jack Taylor and some college boy.”
“I’m not stuck on anyone. Though he is awfully handsome. Maybe you should go out with him, or Janie.”
Tug rolled her eyes. “So what’s the news with Jack?”
“I saw him last night,” Evelyn said. “Buck drove me and I had a drink with Jack at a back table near the band. He kissed me, Tug—and I mean really kissed me. Now I understand it when people say their knees went weak. I could barely walk!”
“What would your mother say?” Tug’s voice was low and a sarcastic grin pulled at one side of her mouth. “Good for you, I say. Are we goin’ out tonight?”
“Do you think you can get away?”
“If you can escape, I’m sure I can. I’ll even pick you up.”
Evelyn stopped walking and faced her friend in surprise. “You’re driving, Tug?”
“Daddy’s been teaching me. It’s no sweat. Especially late at night when there aren’t so many other cars around. I’ll be by at midnight.”
“Okay!” Evelyn’s heart beat faster at the thought of seeing Jack again so soon, and Roger’s dark eyes faded to a dim corner of her mind. He was cute, but he was strait-laced and predictable. Evelyn didn’t want predictability. She wanted excitement. She wanted something different from the pre-planned life her mother had. Her daddy was a wonderful man, but her parents had been introduced after her mother’s debutante ball, and they’d courted for a year after. They were essentially chosen for each other by their parents—just as Roger White seemed to have been chosen for her. She’d do anything to throw off those expectations—to pave her own path. And unlike her mother, Evie was living in a time that would allow her to do it. She smiled at the thought of being a new kind of woman—making her own choices and choosing her own future.
* * * *
Evelyn was waiting on the stoop next to a potted palm when Tug’s car pulled down 70th. The lights flickered and bounced, marking the car’s progress through the frigid air. The car came to a stop in front of the McKenzies’. Evelyn had found both her parents sleeping—eliminating the need to sneak out the upstairs window again. She bounced down the front steps and climbed in next to her friend, who was wearing a pair of ridiculous driving goggles.
“Those are some nice glasses.”
“My eyeballs were freezing, Evie! It’s so cold out here.” The car lurched forward. “Hang on!”
Tug’s driving skills didn’t quite match Buck’s, and Evelyn was beginning to wonder what she’d gotten herself into as her friend cursed and jolted them down the streets toward Maison. Evelyn quickly found out that Tug also didn’t have Buck’s sense of direction or knowledge of New York’s streets. They found themselves headed the wrong way down a one-way street at one point, and Tug seemed reluctant to cross to the West side, where the club lay on 53rd Street. Just when Evelyn was about to make another sarcastic comment, the car came to a crashing halt behind another vehicle.
“You hit him!” Evelyn cried.
“It was just a tap. That knucklehead pulled up short.” Tug sat behind the wheel, her hands shaking. Evelyn could see that her tough facade was quickly sliding from her face as worry replaced it and tears bubbled just under the surface. “Oh, Evie. Daddy will kill me.”
The other driver was getting out of his car, and walking around to inspect his vehicle. Evelyn and Tug held hands on the seat and watched as the man looked up at them and then walked toward them, squinting in the headlights.
“Evening, ladies,” the deep voice said as the man approached Tug’s side of the car. Now that he’d advanced behind the glare of the headlights, it was difficult to make out his features, but Evelyn knew that voice from somewhere.
“Sir, I’m just so sorry, you have no idea. My daddy will absolutely kill me!” Tug was crying now, her voice thick with tears.
“Now, now,” the voice said. “We can’t have that. This is hardly anything. Come have a look.”
Evelyn looked around at the street beyond the glare of the lights. They were alone with this man on the dark street, though she could see a group of people gathered against a building up ahead. There must be a speak down there, she figured. If the man made some kind of move, she’d scream and surely one of those people would hear her. She climbed out to join Tug and the stranger with the rich voice, and met them in the cast of the headlights in front of the car.
“See there, ladies. Hardly a dent.”
In reality, the front of the car was fairly mangled, the grille bent and part of the bumper dented in. The car in front of them was even worse. Tug’s crash had left a solid dent in the smooth white metal of the man’s jalopy.
Evelyn looked up into the face, now shadowed only by the pulled-up collar and the hat the man wore.
“Why, hello, Miss McKenzie,” said the rolling voice. Roger White. She’d only just managed to get those dark eyes out of her mind in anticipation of seeing Jack, and here he was, on the street at midnight. “I didn’t expect to run into you at this hour.” There was laughter in his voice.
Evelyn couldn’t help herself. “Technically, sir, we ran into you.” She extended her hand for him to take, and he leaned in, kissing her cheek as he took her hand. “Tug, this is Roger White.”
Tug wiped at her eyes, which widened as she took in the handsome features of the man who held her friend’s hand in the dancing light.
“Pleased to meet you,” she said, her voice wavering. “I’m Tug.”
“Tug,” Roger repeated. “Well, Tug. Do you think you can find a way to keep your father away from his car tomorrow?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know a few guys. I can get this fixed right up and have the car back to you tomorrow night. But I don’t want you getting in trouble in the meantime.”
“I can come up with something, I guess. I don’t know how I’d pay you, though, without Daddy knowing.” Tug wrung her hands.
“Don’t be silly. That’s the wonderful thing about knowing some guys,” Roger said. “Where shall I have it parked when we’re done?”
“We’re on 72nd between Lex and Second,” Tug said, sounding uncertain.
Evelyn found herself regarding Roger in a different light. Why was he out at this time of night, and how would a college boy know “some guys”? She hadn’t figured him for the well-connected type, and yet, here he was—quite the sophisticated gentleman. She imagined Jack in the same situation. Though he surely knew “guys,” she couldn’t imagine him dismissing a dent in his expensive car without a string of profanity and a dark mood at the very least.
Roger hadn’t let go of Evelyn’s hand, and he squeezed it now, the dark eyes glowing as they took in her face. She wore a dark heavy coat, gloves and a hat, but felt exposed nonetheless, with the dark eyes making promises through the electrified space between them.
“Glad that’s settled,” Roger continued. “Now we just need to get you ladies to your intended destination. I’d think, knowing what fine families you come from, that you must be headed home. But I wonder if you might not be just on your way out?”
“You won’t tell, will you, Roger?” Evelyn wondered what kind of man Roger was after all. Was he going to tell her parents?
“Of course not. We’ve got to get our kicks, right? Where ya headed? I’ll drive you.” He motioned to his car, still idling ahead of them, and helped the girls into the seat next to the wheel. Then he expertly maneuvered Tug’s car to the curb and turned it off, coming back to his own.
“Maison,” Evelyn said, allowing her shoulder to brush his as she sat on the seat next to him, closer than the width of the car really demanded.
He nodded and pulled forward, the rest of the drive much smoother than the first part had been, even with Tug’s sniffling in the seat next to Evelyn.
* * * *
The ride may have been smooth, but Evelyn’s mind was a jumbled mess. She could still feel her nerves dancing at the thought of Roger White holding her hand out on the street. And now, as he drove them to Jack’s club, she couldn’t help but watch the way his broad shoulders moved as he shifted and steered the sporty car. He pulled up near the club and parked.
“Shall we?” he asked, extending a hand to help them out.
“You’re coming in?” Evelyn asked, surprise flooding her. What would Jack think if she brought another man to his club? And would Jack be able to see the pull that Roger had on her suddenly?
“Sure, I’ll have a drink,” he said. “Besides, you girls will need a ride home, won’t you?”
Evelyn stared at him.
“He’s got a point,” Tug said, lacing her arm through his. “You can be my escort this evening, Mr. White.”
Thank God for Tug, Evelyn thought as they descended the stairs, though a cold jealousy was pricking at her skin as her friend’s fingers squeezed Roger’s arm. What the hell is wrong with me? She thought. If she wanted a strait-laced college boy, she’d be married already, considering the parade of them that had been through her life lately. Jack was something else—refined, adult…dangerous. He appealed to the side of her that wanted to break the rules, live a life that her mother had never imagined or been allowed. He was shiny and new and fun. Roger was supposed to be the stalwart safe and boring option. And yet, here he was.
She lifted her chin as they entered the club, the force of the band music crashing into them as the heavy door allowed them inside.
Roger helped her off with her coat, his fingers grazing her collarbone as he stood behind her, lifting the garment from her shoulders.
Evelyn suppressed a shiver. “Thanks,” she said, meeting his eyes as she turned around.
Roger stared at her, his dark eyes dancing with laughter. His full lips were pulled into a smile and dimples formed in the smooth skin of his cheeks. He was adorable, Evelyn thought, and then quickly chastised herself. Let Tug have him. She was practically drooling on him, anyway.
Evelyn turned away, composing herself, as she felt another gaze on her. She scanned the club, meeting a pair of icy blue eyes across the bar. She advanced toward an empty seat in front of the bar, and Jack was by her side within seconds.
“Darling,” he said, his voice low as his arm snaked around her back and his mouth grazed her neck, leaving a trail of hot breath just below her ear that made her knees go weak.
“Hello, Jack.”
Jack turned to take in Evelyn’s guests, giving a wink to Tug and extending a hand to Roger. “Welcome to Maison,” he said as he shook hands.
“Roger White, nice to meet you. Jack Taylor, is it?” Evelyn wasn’t able to conceal her surprise. How would Roger know Jack?
“That’s right,” Jack said, his attention suddenly more focused on Roger as he took him in. “Let me get us a round,” he said.
Drinks appeared before them, and Jack pulled Evelyn toward him, then reached for their drinks. “I’ll return Evie in just a moment,” he said, pressing her forward toward the end of the bar. He guided her to the back office again, closing the door against the noise and setting his drink on a side table next to the low couch.
Evelyn’s nerves were working overtime with the excitement from the car accident mixed with her proximity to Jack—not to mention whatever strange effect Roger White had on her. She was settling herself into the low couch, anticipating time with Jack when he surprised her.
“What the hell is the meaning of that, Evie? You wanna tell me that?” Jack’s voice was smooth and low, but his face betrayed the tension within him, as a red flush crept up his cheeks. He leaned down, his head inches from Evie’s.
She almost dropped her drink in surprise. “Jack, I…”
“No, I wanna know what the hell you were thinking, bringing that guy here. To my place.” Jack’s breath was hot in her face.
Evelyn searched for a way to defuse his anger. Was this jealousy? “No, Jack, I…we’re not together or anything.”
“Well, you sure as hell better not be.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I thought you had better taste.” Jack pulled her to stand in front of him, his big hands grasping the backs of her arms almost too hard. Her drink sloshed down the front of his suit.
“Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry.” Evelyn was wiping at the stain with her hand, feeling stupid and silly, standing in front of him being rebuked like a child.
“I don’t care about that,” Jack hissed. “I want to know how you know him.”
Something about the way Jack said the last word made Evelyn stop fussing about the stain and look up into the icy blue eyes that were trained on her face. They were unreadable—cool, intelligent…and full of something that Evelyn could only assume was desire for her—jealousy over her appearance with another man.
“I’m sorry, Jack. He’s a friend of the family. That’s all.”
Jack’s hands slid from her arms around her back, and he pulled her roughly against him, his mouth finding her neck as one hand crept upward to cradle her head and the other dropped much lower, cupping her ass. Jack’s mouth worked hot circles against Evelyn’s throat, and she felt herself clenching inside as her heart beat furiously and her skin seemed to tingle. A low moan escaped her lips as Jack’s tongue traced her jaw.
He pulled back to look at her again, and then his fingers went to work on the small buttons of her blouse. He focused on his task, the eyes sweeping Evelyn’s face just once as he pulled her shirt from her shoulders, revealing her breasts beneath it.
Evelyn’s breath was coming in gasps—she had never stood before a man so exposed, and Jack Taylor’s commanding nature told her that she was probably not a first for him. Her eyes widened in surprise as his hands found her breasts, his forefingers and thumbs pinching her nipples, rubbing them until they stood erect. Evelyn gasped again—it felt like her breasts were directly connected to something else inside her—something much deeper; something she was surprised to find so wanting and needy. She wrapped her arms around Jack and pressed her mouth to his.
Jack lifted her up, his tongue thrusting into her mouth. He held her off the floor, one hand under her butt and the other pushing her skirt out of the way so that he could put a hot palm against the bare skin of her upper thigh as he placed her on the edge of his desk.
Evelyn could hardly think straight. Jack’s urgency and her desire for him were making her head spin, not to mention the things that his tongue and hands were doing to her body. She cried out as his fingers grazed her center, pressing roughly on her most sensitive part through the fabric of her panties. Without thought, she pushed herself into Jack’s hand, moving against him, feeling a need build within her that she didn’t know was there.
“Oh, God,” she moaned, as his fingers pushed aside the flimsy fabric and found her wet.
“You’re so hot for me, baby,” Jack growled. “I knew you would be.”
As he said it, two of his fingers slipped inside her, and Evelyn threw her head back, crying out. No one had ever touched her this way before. She talked a good game, but Evelyn McKenzie was a virgin, and Jack Taylor would be her first if this continued.
Jack’s fingers plunged in and out of her, his tongue mimicking their action in her mouth as his other hand continued to pull and knead her breast.
For Evelyn, it felt as if hours must have passed with her nearly beside herself in her desire for whatever Jack decided to do next. She knew that she should be saying no, but she felt powerless to stop Jack’s hands; his mouth. And she wanted him so much it surprised her.
As Jack’s fingers worked in her, she became aware that his other hand had disappeared, and she pulled her senses together long enough to see that he was holding himself, stroking in the same rhythm he was working on her. His mouth was on her neck, and his movements were becoming less fluid.
Evelyn put her hand over his, feeling the way he held himself, the way he touched himself. After a moment, his hand returned to her breast and he moaned a low guttural groan as she continued pulling up and down his length.
She could feel her own climax building as his hands played inside her, and on her body. She was crying out without being completely conscious of it, wanting so much more than his hand inside her. Finally, Jack let out a low aching growl, and it sent Evelyn over the top, slipping down the cliff that he’d pushed her up. Her own body clenched and released, over and over. She felt herself tighten and flex against his hand as light flooded her vision and pleasure overtook her.
And then he was gone. Jack had moved to his desk, and was pulling a cloth from a drawer. She sat on the edge of his desk and watched him clean himself, methodically tucking and smoothing his clothing.
She slid off the desk and readjusted her own clothes, pulling her blouse from the couch. She was embarrassed suddenly.
“Do you think anyone could hear us?” she asked.
“Worried about your boyfriend out there?”
“Jack, no…he’s not…I don’t know how you can even say that, after…”
“Don’t bring that guy here again, baby.” Jack stared at her, his eyes showing none of the softness that she’d seen in them before.
“I won’t.” She stood in front of him, waiting for some acknowledgement of what had just happened. “Jack…”
“Better get you back to your friends then,” he said. He kissed her lightly on the cheek as he pulled the office door open.
Jack sent her back to the end of the bar, waving at Toby to get her a drink. Evelyn watched him move around the club after that, her confusion and anger growing as he smiled at and talked with everyone but her.
“Are you feeling all right, Evie?” Roger’s dark eyes looked concerned, but there was something else there, too, something that made Evie drop her gaze.
Evie smoothed her blouse and her hair, smiling innocently at him. “I’m fine,” she lied. Her stomach was in knots and her body still vibrated from all the things Jack had done to her. She took a long sip of the drink in front of her and glanced back at Roger. He looked almost angry as he looked her over.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.”
He turned back to the bar and sipped at his drink.
Tug stared openly at Evie, grinning, and Evie knew that her behind-the-bar activities must be written all over her face. “So,” Tug said, still grinning at her. “How’s Jack doing?”
Evie sat up straighter as Roger turned back to look at her. She couldn’t help but feel like he was appraising her somehow, measuring her. She didn’t like it, and wanted to get out from under his stare. “Fine,” she said. “Excuse me for a moment, won’t you? I’m going to go use the restroom.”
“I’ll come with,” Tug said, slipping off her stool. “Keep our seats for us, won’t you, Rog?”
They linked arms and Evie pulled Tug through the crowd to the restroom.
“What’s going on?” Tug asked, her eyes dancing.
“I’ll tell you later,” Evie said. “I just need to make sure I look okay.”
“You look like you’ve been up to no good.”
“Well, I have. But I don’t need Roger to know that.”
“Oh, I think he knows,” Tug said.
“Well, he can’t know. It’d be awful if he knew…” Evelyn realized that she cared a lot what Roger thought of her. “You know what? I’m not feeling too well. I think we’d better go.”
“But we’ve only been here a little while,” Tug complained. “And Roger’s so handsome.”
Evelyn stared at her friend, trying to put out the tiny flames of jealousy that were jumping to life as she realized that Tug might be interested in Roger. He wasn’t hers, but for some reason, she didn’t want Tug to have him either. What was wrong with her? “I feel awful. Let’s go home, please?”
They returned to the bar and gathered their things. Evelyn cast one last look back as she climbed the steps. Jack Taylor stood in the center of his club, the blue eyes simmering with heat as she followed Roger from the club.