by Gorman, A.
Taking a last glance in the mirror, she nodded. Padding across the old wooden floor, she sat on her tiny twin bed and slid on boots.
Her cell phone dinged.
Mandi: On my way.
Gemma: K
They had agreed earlier to snag an Uber driver for the night’s festivities. She and Mandi hadn’t been out since Gemma’s divorce had been finalized. Rather than designate one to be the driver, they would split the fare.
She went to the bright, yellow kitchen and grabbed a bottle of red wine out of the white-framed glass cabinets. She poured a small amount into one of the glasses in her collection. This one said, “Besties before testes.” Very apropos for the upcoming evening.
Her dog, Annie Oakley, a blue-eyed Catahoula, followed her out of the kitchen and onto the balcony, plopping down on the wooden floor beside the rocking chair.
Gemma leaned back and propped her booted feet up on the white railing, enjoying a moment of peace and quiet.
She’d lucked into this place. It was a simple garage apartment built in the 1930s. It was close to downtown, close to her sandwich shop—a godsend, considering the hours she spent there. She rented from a retired journalist, and he often came over for coffee, regaling her with stories from his life covering all kinds of news stories. They had become good friends. She enjoyed his company, and he often came by the shop for lunch.
Headlights flashed around the corner, and seconds later the car was in the driveway. Gemma took one last sip of the wine and went inside to grab her things for the evening.
Jasper
Jasper leaned against the wooden railing surrounding the dance floor, sipping from his lukewarm beer. He frowned as he took another drink, then set the almost empty bottle on the ledge. He wished he was on his porch, listening to the sounds of the swamp, his dog Cheauxnuff—pronounced Sho’ Nuff—by his side. This was not his scene. Not at all. His brothers, on the other hand? They were in their element. He knew the twins and his cousin, Ryder, had been out on the floor for every fast song that played. No slow songs for them, not until they had a particular filly in mind to take home. The filly’s home, of course, that way they could leave when they wanted to. No uncomfortable moments waiting for the flavor-of-the-minute to leave.
Jasper was too old for that, for this. But still, he was here. He looked out at all the women. To him, they were all too made up, too much make-up, push-up bras, cleavage hanging out from low-slung shirts. They were trying too hard for attention.
“Evenin’, cowboy,” a woman said into his ear over the din of the music. Jasper made himself not grimace from the smell of smoke and beer on her breath. “Wanna dance?”
He simply shook his head and walked away. He needed another beer.
Walking up to the bar, he saw Ryder talking to a gorgeous redhead. A ma petite file, Jasper thought, as he took a rare moment to admire her.
She wore a black t-shirt with the words “Bite Me” scrolled across her breasts.
Jasper exhaled a deep breath, his body tightening. This was not what he was expecting when he came to see his cousin Ryder at the rodeo. And he shouldn’t be feeling this way either. This woman had trouble written all over her. Trouble for him. Because she was already stirring something in him that he didn’t want to feel.
Gemma
The smells of stale beer and cigarettes and too much perfume assailed Gemma’s nose as she walked into the crowded nightclub. The bass from the music resounded through her body like another heartbeat.
“It’s great, isn’t it?” Mandi said as they bumped into a group of long-legged cowboys gathered around the bar.
Gemma smiled. “If you say so,” she screamed over the noise of the crowd and the band. Jamie Bergeron was a popular performer that played a mixture of country and the local genre “swamp pop.”
Playing now was a slow song, and several couples on the dance floor moved in rhythm with the music. Gemma smiled as she watched while Mandi ordered the first round of drinks. Some couples were obviously long-time couples, and some looked like they had just met by the way they moved to the music.
Gemma stiffened as she felt a body press close to hers. Her frown turned to a grin as she heard a familiar growl in her ear.
“Ryder Leblanc,” she exclaimed as she turned around and was enveloped into a hug. “I didn’t know you were in town.”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I just got here this morning. Came in for the rodeo.”
“Look at you. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” she said. And he was. Long-legged and lanky, he was no doubt one of the most handsome men in the bar. He had a smile that could charm an angel from Heaven if he so chose. He was also one of her favorite dance partners. The man moved like sin in blue jeans.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” he said. “You gonna dance with me later?”
“You bet your sweet ass.”
He turned then, letting her get a look at his derriere. “This ass?”
“Boo, you’re all ass.”
He laughed then. “You haven’t changed a bit. You’re just as feisty as ever.”
“Who’s feisty?” asked a man as he walked up behind Ryder. He was even taller, but not nearly as lean. This man had muscles, not the kind you got from the gym, but from working hard. His eyes were blue and lined with tiny wrinkles that spoke of a life in the sun. His swarthy skin was tanned, and his smile was easy and contagious.
“Jasper, this is Gemma, an old friend of mine,” Ryder said.
Jasper took his black cowboy hat off and held out his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Even over the din of the music, his voice was warm and smooth, like a glass of fine red wine. A frisson of attraction flittered through her nervous system, and she resisted the urge to shiver. She had no desire for this man to see his effect on her.
“Ryder Leblanc!” a cute twenty-something in a short skirt and cowboy boots said as she grabbed onto his arm. “You simply must dance with me.”
If she could have batted her heavily made-up eyelashes, she would have. Gemma raised her eyes to the black-painted ceiling. Jasper chuckled as the girl all but dragged Ryder onto the dance floor. Not that he was putting up that much of a resistance.
“So how do you know…” both began at the same time.
Laughing, he bowed his head. “You first, ma’am.”
“Don’t ma’am me. And I’ve known Ryder for a long time. He used to work with my husb—ex-husband.” Gemma frowned. Even after a year, she still slipped up occasionally.
Jasper raised a blond eyebrow. “Which is it?”
“Ex. Definitely ex.”
He smiled again, and Gemma felt that tingle all over again. She should probably run in the other direction from this man as soon as possible.
“Well, then, I could get away with a turn around the dance floor, couldn’t I?”
Don’t do it. Don’t. It’s a bad idea, she told herself as she took his outstretched hand and let him lead her to the floor.
Jasper
Gemma was definitely a skilled dancer, Jasper realized as they moved in unison to the fast Cajun beat. One of Jasper’s favorite dances was the quick-stepped jitterbug. Gemma was a good partner. She followed his steps easily and even twirled like a champ.
His breath caught in his throat when he caught the sparkle in her eye under the flashing lights of the dance floor. Like diamonds. Her name definitely fit. He should walk away after this dance. Go back to his quiet corner. Surely the cougar had gone on to other prey by now. He should go grab another beer and get away from this woman. Far away. He had no intention of repeating the sins of his father.
The last few chords of the song drifted off, and Gemma stood there in the light, looking up at him, her chest heaving from dancing, her once pale cheeks pink and rosy.
Unable to resist, Jasper lowered his head.
Ice cold liquid splashed on both of them. Startled, they turned to see two guys rolling on the floor, fighting. Bouncers reached to separate the brawlers and pull t
hem out of the building.
“I…I need to go,” Gemma said.
“Wait,” Jasper said, reaching out to try to stop her, but it was too late. She had already disappeared into the crowd.
“Damnit,” he swore. For a long moment, he considered going after her. She didn’t look like the type who would fancy a one-night stand, though, and that’s all Jasper had to offer.
Swearing again, he headed back to the bar. He needed another beer.
Gemma
Gemma walked into the crowded diner. Mel’s was a popular after-hours hotspot. You got great food at a good price and endless coffee. She had left the Broken Spoke soon after her encounter with Jasper Whatsisname. She still couldn’t believe she had almost let the man kiss her right there on the dance floor. Hell, she didn’t even know his last name. Thank goodness that fight had brought her back to reality.
Mandi had connected with her on-again, off-again flame, and Gemma, not wanting to be a third-wheel at the Broken Spoke, had decided to call it a night. Hungry and restless, she found herself sitting alone at the counter at Mel’s.
Slowly, she stirred her coffee, watching the liquid swirl around in the white mug. The chatter of the crowd was a dim sound compared to the chaos going on in her head.
She didn’t even look up when someone took a seat beside her.
“Well, we meet again,” said a familiar Cajun drawl.
Startled out of her reverie, she looked over to see Jasper Whatsisname.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, sharper than she intended.
“Probably the same as you,” he said, giving her that smile again. “Getting me a little bit to eat before heading home.”
“You didn’t find some young thing to take home?”
“Well, I did find this gorgeous woman, even danced with her once, but she left me high and dry on the dance floor.”
“Is that right?”
“Yep.”
“Sounds like a personal problem to me.”
The waitress approached then, and he placed an order for coffee.
“Miss Gemma, why don’t we just sit here and enjoy our late night dinner like two civilized adults?”
Gemma was chagrined; she was never one to be rude, and he really had done nothing wrong. She smiled and held out her hand in a peace offering.
“Gemma St. John.”
“Jasper Leblanc.”
“Leblanc?” She looked him over again, took away the hat, dress clothes, and boots and replaced it with blue jeans and a t-shirt. Instead of a shiny belt buckle, a carpenter’s belt. “As in Leblanc Brothers Construction?”
“That’s me.”
“You’re doing the renovation project next door for Emily and Noah Devereaux.”
“Next door? You own that lunch place.”
“Yes! Bite Me.”
“Is that an offer?” His eyes went all smoky, making her think of all the places he could nibble.
The waitress slid the plate of food in front of her, saving her from her wayward train of thought. She looked down at her plate while trying not to let the sound of Jasper’s voice stir a hunger in her that had nothing to do with food. This was bad, and to top it off, he was that fine hunk of a man she’d been admiring walk by her store in the mornings as he went in and out of the catering and handcrafted furniture store that would become her new neighbor.
Emily and Noah Devereaux were the new owners of the building next door, a very friendly couple. They’d make great neighbors. Gemma and Emily had taken some courses together as freshmen at the local college, the University of Louisiana. Emily had ended up moving back to her hometown of Bon Chance. She was expanding her own company, the Bon Chance Catering Company, and Noah would be featuring some of his handcrafted furniture—a great draw for the monthly Art Walks held downtown.
Gemma was still looking for artists to display in her store to highlight and attract customers.
“Earth to Gemma,” Jasper said, waving his hand in front of her face.
She smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, I drifted off for a moment. Was thinking of my shop.”
“What were you thinking?”
“That I need to find some art for Art Walk. I haven’t started opening on the weekends yet, but I’d like to start. I’d like to find some local bands and artists to highlight, at least for those nights for now.”
“Where have you looked?”
“Nowhere yet. We’ve been in the beginning phases, getting the lunch shift down. I’ve reworked the menu a couple of times, as I see what customers like and don’t like. Getting the employees together and working as a unit. I wanted to start off small.”
“That’s always a good thing. What if I told you I could help you out with at least one artist?”
She was intrigued now. “That would be awesome. Who?”
“My younger brother, Lucien. He’s started taking nature photographs lately, and they’re actually quite good.”
She laughed. “You sound surprised.”
“If you knew Lucien, you would be too. I don’t know if you know this, but Ryder is our cousin. Lucien, his twin Julien, and Ryder are all the same age. Lucien can put Ryder to shame when it comes to that devil-may-care attitude. If he was taking portraits of beautiful women with and without their clothes, I wouldn’t be surprised. But his photos are…I’m not sure how to describe them. They’re good. Here, take a look.”
He picked up his cell phone and pulled up some pictures. Even on the small screen of the phone, Gemma could see what he was talking about. The guy had an eye for nature’s small beauties. Stately cypress trees sprouted out of murky swamp water. A close up of an alligator floating by. Beautiful black and white photos of old fishing camps, churches, and other buildings as old as time.
“You’re right. He is good! Good doesn’t seem like a word to describe these, though. I’d love to talk to him. Can you ask him to come by?”
“Yes, ma’am. We are working next door,” he teased.
“I would appreciate it. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you. I’ve been after Lucien to get more of his work out there.”
The waitress brought his food, and then the two finished their meal with small talk.
“I’m stuffed,” Gemma said, pushing her plate away.
She took a slow sip of her coffee and grabbed her phone to summon a ride home.
“Booty call?” Jasper asked with a smile as she picked up her phone.
She laughed. “Not at all. Mandi and I rode in an Uber, so I was getting a ride home.”
“You’re kidding me,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“I can give you a ride home. All you had to do was ask.”
As if, she thought. As if she would ask? As if she would go? As if she needed this complication in her life. She should just click the app and be done with it. With him.
“I don’t want to impose.”
“Impose? Miss Gemma, I don’t know how you were raised, but I was raised not to leave a woman without a means home.”
Her house was only ten minutes away. What could happen in that short amount of time? He wasn’t a serial killer. He didn’t give off that vibe at all. Serial heartbreaker? Probably so. But Gemma had no intention of handing that precious part of her over to him.
“Okay, Jasper. I’ll take you up on that.”
He rewarded her with that defense-breaking smile and a wink. “I’m glad to do it.”
He picked up her tab along with his. “Ms. Gemma, your chariot awaits.”
Jasper
He noticed her the moment he walked into the diner. That fiery red hair was hard to miss. And it even seemed to sparkle in the fluorescent lighting. He wanted to kick himself in the ass when he thought that. When did Jasper LeBlanc start waxing poetic about hair and lights? Never.
Nevertheless, he found himself throwing a leg over the stool next to hers. Against his better judgment, of course.
She was prickly at first, as he had expected, but wa
rmed up to him as they talked about Lucien’s photography. His brother was good for something at least, he thought with a smile.
When he had seen her pick up her phone, he couldn’t help himself. Who was she texting, and where was she going? When he realized she was waiting for a ride, he knew he couldn’t leave her there. That went against every code in his book. You simply did not leave a woman stranded. Not that she was stranded, but he couldn’t just leave her there without a ride.
He paid the two tabs, and they walked to his truck together.
She was quiet during the ride home. Other than giving him directions, the sounds of the local radio station, KBON, was the only noise. The diner wasn’t far from her house, and soon they were pulling up to a stop in front of her apartment.
“What a cool little place,” he said.
“You should see the inside,” she said, then her eyes widened as she realized what she’d said.
He smiled and reached out to tuck a piece of that glorious red hair behind her ear. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m afraid I’m going to have to turn you down. You see, I’m not that easy.”
Her snort in response had him laughing.
“Well, thanks for the ride home,” she said, reaching for the car door.
“You’re very welcome.’
She looked at him again, those blue eyes piercing his gut. Not that easy? he thought. One word and he’d follow her up those stairs like she was the pied piper.
“See you soon,” he said as she exited the truck. He watched as she walked up the stairs, giving him one last look before going into her apartment.
“Real soon.”