“What woman?”
“The lady across the street.” LD looked to where the smaller officer pointed. Both officers’ attention was locked on LD, so neither saw Marie smile, wave, turn and saunter off.
He raised a hand and pressed forefinger and thumb to either side of his nose where a headache threatened. The woman had managed to out-fox him.
Again.
Dropping his hand, he turned his attention back to the officers. Then he proceeded to defuse the situation.
Twenty-five minutes later, after convincing the officers he wasn’t a stalker and they verified his identification, LD was seated at the table closest to Marie and Howard. The table and the view were obtained the old-fashioned way, by slipping the maitre d’ a large tip and a flash of his badge. He really hoped Alan wouldn’t hear about this incident. He had a clear view of Marie at the next table and, with only a slight turn of the head, he could see the man she was with.
Losing interest quickly in the man, LD turned his attention back to Marie. He smiled, then winked at Marie and had the satisfaction of watching her face flush hotly before she turned back to her dinner companion.
Rats. The diversion with the police did not buy her the time she was hoping for. Now the rude, arrogant, infuriating man was seated at the table next to hers.
The moment he’d entered the restaurant she’d sensed it. It was as if her body had become an LD detector. The instant he was within range, her body went “zing”. Even if she hadn’t been so in tune with him, the moment he’d sauntered through the doors, he’d commanded the room.
From her vantage point, Marie ground her teeth as he first charmed the hostess, then the waitress. The women all but swooned at his feet—the hussies.
Marie turned back to the man across from her, determined not to give LD the satisfaction of distracting her. She nodded and answered Howard’s questions appropriately, but it took a great deal of effort. She reminded herself this was business, important business, more important than the devastatingly handsome man seated at the next table.
Focusing all her attention on Howard, Marie finally blocked out the rest of the restaurant and concentrated on following the conversation. Howard, being his normal egocentric self, was talking about, what else—himself. She only needed to smile and nod at the correct moments. Leaning forward, Marie brightened her smile, fluttered her lashes and in a soft husky voice encouraged Howard to keep talking. She needed the information Howard was holding from her and she was willing to sell her soul for it.
Chapter Eight
By the meal’s end, Howard had her eating out of his hands—literally, she thought as he offered her another spoonful of dessert. He had been feeding her all evening and she wasn’t a dummy, she knew he was looking down her dress. Sometimes you just did what you had to do and you didn’t think too much about it. But she wasn’t interested in watching Howard ogle her breasts again, so she diverted her eyes.
Big mistake.
Her eyes locked with LD’s hard brown ones. His gaze dropped to her mouth then lower, traveling over her body. Heat exploded inside her, flushing her body with unwelcome warmth. The iciness she’d seen in his eyes moments before was quickly replaced with yearning.
“Ah-hum.”
Marie returned her attention to her dinner partner as she swallowed. The disapproval that flashed through LD’s eyes didn’t matter, she told herself as she broached the reason for this date.
“Howard, I’ve had an absolutely wonderful evening. Now about the information you promised me.”
Howard placed his coffee cup back in its saucer then leaned back to regard her. Marie noted for the first time how picture-perfect Howard was. So faultless, in fact, it was unnerving.
Unlike LD, who despite the tux, rippled with primitive energy. His dark scowl was so menacing no one dared approach unless they were summoned.
Marie knew how deceiving looks could be.
“The customer information you requested?”
He looked truly puzzled, like he didn’t know what she was talking about. “Yes, the information about the furniture you purchased from me.”
Howard moved forward and took her hand in his. Marie resisted the urge to pull away. Cold fingers drew small circles on the inside of her wrist, sending uncomfortable shivers down her spine.
“The information is at my place. I thought we’d go back there, have a drink and see what happens.”
Marie swallowed the revulsion that rose in her throat. “We agreed to dinner.”
“Yes, we did.”
“And now you’re adding more stipulations to the deal?”
“I am.” Howard reached across the small intimate table for two and slowly stroked a finger down her neck. “How badly do you want the information, Marie?”
Marie closed her eyes, unwilling to look any longer into Howard’s face.
“I wouldn’t answer if I were you, Marie.”
Marie snapped open her eyes. LD stood next to her, glaring at Howard.
“Who the hell is this?” Howard asked.
“LD Carmouche.” LD answered the question, without extending his hand or waiting on her.
“Howard Perkins,” Howard snarled as he stood. “So, the family misfit returns.”
“Yeah, I’m home.” LD’s words were hard and cold and most people would have only picked up on that fact. Marie on the other hand was surprised he’d used the word home.
“Well, your connections don’t impress me. Move along, Carmouche, you’re interrupting a private discussion.” Howard’s voice was cold and commanding.
Marie watched LD’s gaze turn even harder before he answered, “Your so-called private conversation is over, along with this date. Now, give her the information.”
“And if I don’t?” Howard taunted.
Marie stood, knowing she had to intervene. She needed that information and if LD made Howard mad enough, she might not ever get it, no matter what she did. “Enough, both of you. We can settle this in a friendly manner.”
“Not if his,” LD jerked his head toward Howard, “definition of friendly includes taking you to bed. Does it, Perkins?”
“That is not your business.” Howard puffed out his chest in an attempt to match LD. The problem with that, Marie noted, was LD didn’t have to puff.
LD leaned toward Howard and narrowed his eyes. “Marie Bernard is my business, my very personal business. Get the drift, Perkins? She won’t be leaving here with you, or stopping by your house any time within the next century. It would be in your best interest to cough up the information.”
When Howard hesitated, LD continued in a low menacing voice, “Remember, I’m the misfit. Think I care about making a scene or landing in jail?”
Howard retrieved the paperwork from an inside coat pocket and tossed it on the table. “This isn’t over.”
“Call when you’re ready to finish it.” LD tossed a business card at the man.
Marie snatched the papers off the table and tucked them in her purse as Howard walked away. “I can’t believe he lied to me.”
LD looked down into her eyes and tried, really, really hard to stay angry with her. But standing there as she was, in a dress cut sinfully low, with a slit that went forever up her leg and a look of total injustice on her beautiful face, he couldn’t. He was doomed. “You need to get out more.” But only with me, LD thought as he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward his table.
LD stopped a passing waiter and placed a quick order.
“I really should be getting home.”
With one hand on the back of her chair, he turned to face her. “One drink, that’s all I ask.”
“I have to be at work early.”
“After the day I’ve had because of you, you owe me.”
“I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Please.”
She looked up at him and for a moment he thought she was going to cry. Then she sat in the chair he was holding for her.
&nbs
p; LD breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t gone into a rage, broken down in tears, or walked out.
He was batting a thousand.
Picking up his chair, he placed it next to hers, intentionally blocking her in and the world out. Once he was seated, he knew her view was limited to him. And that was what he wanted.
The champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries he’d requested were delivered. Once the bottle was opened and the glasses filled, he dismissed the steward, assuring the man he was capable of refilling their glasses.
Marie picked up a champagne flute, took a sip and smiled. That was a memory he would carry with him for this lifetime and beyond. Draping an arm across the back of her chair, he gave her a few moments to compose herself.
He wanted her to focus on him and not the events that had occurred only moments ago. He picked up his glass and, as he sipped, the seconds turned into minutes. Never before had he simply enjoyed a woman’s presence, not like this. He marveled at how right it felt.
Finally, she put down her glass and he took it as his cue. “Tell me more about your family.”
“Were did I leave off? Oh, yes. I was twenty-two and just out of college. I’d accepted an apprentice job with the Smithsonian because the thought of moving to the D.C. area was so exciting.”
LD watched the mixture of emotions flicker across her face as she took another sip of champagne. “You don’t have to continue if you’d rather not,” he offered.
“I want to. I’ve never really talked to anyone about this.”
“You haven’t?”
“No. You see, I went from carefree to overwhelmed. Tammie was nine and Tim was twelve at the time. Most days, I barely kept my head above water. Between work, running the house and taking care of those two there was scarcely time to sleep.”
“What about friends?”
“There were some in the beginning who tried to help, but they were all my age, ready to go start their own lives, not live someone else’s.”
“How did your parents die?”
“They were on a cruise and one of the ports of call was Cancun. Both my parents loved to dive and snorkel, so they rented a boat for the day. Witnesses reported that Dad tried to avoid the other boat, but the other driver was drunk. There weren’t any survivors.”
“Where were Tammie and Timothy when the accident happened?”
“With me. I was watching them before I left for D.C.”
LD refilled their glasses. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s been ten years.”
“Nineteen.”
Marie looked at him as if he’d spoken Greek. “Last night, when I met Tammie, I thought she was young. Nineteen, that explains a lot.”
Marie laughed and LD let himself relax. He’d gotten the response he was hoping for. It was time to lighten the conversation. “So, what’s your favorite color?”
Two hours later, LD opened the car door for Marie. Taking her hand, he helped her out, and guided her toward her front door. “I enjoyed the evening.”
Marie laughed softly. “You did?”
“Well, once I’d convinced New Orleans’s finest I wasn’t a pervert and then ran Howard off, I managed to have a really great time. And you?”
Marie stiffened next to him. Smooth Carmouche, real smooth. First you bring up Howard and then you put her on the spot. What happened to your calm, cool veneer? Marie, that’s what.
“I had a wonderful time.”
It was his turn to stiffen. “I think I heard a silent ‘but’ at the end of that statement.”
LD waited while Marie unlocked the door to her house, ignoring the urge to fidget. He hadn’t been this nervous since—well, he couldn’t remember. Finally, she turned to him and he felt his world tilt.
“I wish…”
Marie dropped her head and he waited. The knot in his stomach grew tighter with each passing second. When she looked back up at him, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“What I wish doesn’t matter. I can’t see you again.”
“Why?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“But you’ll see Howard again.” LD spit the words out as he attempted to hold on to his temper.
She lifted her chin defiantly. “If I need to, yes.”
Marie opened the front door and ducked inside. LD extended an arm, placing one hand against the door to stop it from closing. “Would you have slept with Howard tonight, to get that information?”
“Yes.”
Yes. That one word, spoken without hesitation, stunned him more than seeing Black again after all these years. When the world came back into focus, he was staring at a closed door.
He wanted to kick the door open and prove to her she didn’t want or need Howard, or anyone else. Instead, he turned and walked back to the car.
She was right about one thing. He didn’t understand. But she was wrong, dead wrong in thinking he’d give up without a fight.
Chapter Nine
Diamond Retrieval: Day 2
Marie pulled a sheet of paper from her briefcase and double-checked the address. This was the place, no mistake about it. Her laugh echoed inside the car. LD was about to have a cow.
Today the arrogant man was not even trying to hide the fact he was following her. He’d hung around the store all morning, flirting with the help and customers alike.
When she refused to go out to lunch with him, he ordered takeout from Vampire’s Blood, the hottest theme restaurant in town. Vampire’s Blood did not do takeout. Heavens, the one time she was there one would have thought she’d committed a felony by asking for a doggie bag. Then to make matters even worse, they shared the meal in the cozy confines of her office.
It was during lunch she realized how fond she was of the man. He was easygoing, kind, and generous to a fault. Her heart melted that day when he barged in on her lunch with Timothy. The elderly couple seated in the booth directly behind theirs was discussing the trials of living on a fixed income. The couple’s hushed whispers carried over the bench as they discussed higher taxes, reductions in Medicare benefits and the outrageous cost of a new medication one of them needed, but which was not covered by insurance. LD gave no indication he was listening to the conversation until he motioned the waitress over and quietly told her he wanted to pay for the couple’s meal, and insisted they not know it was he.
At that moment, she began to realize by nature, LD was not a person to seek public attention. Even when he was not in the spotlight, there was an impenetrable wall between him and the world. The wall became taller and thicker as the amount of attention increased.
She wanted to be the one to breach that wall, Marie thought as she stepped from her car. But what chance did she have? None. Honor was another of his stronger traits. And once he found out she was a criminal, he would be honor-bound to arrest her. Somehow, she didn’t think he was the type who would want love letters from a woman he sent to prison.
Jail. That was an image she couldn’t deal with at the moment, Marie thought as she watched LD pull into an open spot a few spaces behind her. She waved to him as she darted across the street. With a leisurely air, LD climbed out of his car and walked to the front, leaning against the hood as if he hadn’t a care in the world. She felt him watching her with those eagle eyes, knowing he would still be there, waiting for her, when she came back out. Without hesitation, she turned and walked into the Midnight Pleasure strip club. The door closed behind her, blocking out the sun and the sound of LD calling her back.
“Ms. Bernard?”
The deep baritone voice that greeted her seemed to emanate from the darkness. Once her vision adjusted to the perpetual nighttime lighting inside the establishment, she saw a large man standing next to the door. “Yes, I’m Ms. Bernard.”
“Follow me. I’ll take you to Kit Mathews.”
The man didn’t wait for a response and, instead of heading toward the stairs and back rooms as she expected, made his way toward the far end of the bar. Marie darted after
him half-afraid she’d be left behind. He tapped lightly on the counter and then a door hidden in the wall soundlessly opened, revealing stairs to the second floor. “After you.”
“Thank you.”
Halfway up the stairs, Marie realized her error. Suddenly, the narrow-legged navy pants and white sweater, which played peek-a-boo with her midriff, felt too revealing. At the top of the stairs, she sidestepped and allowed her escort to take lead.
He knocked on the first door and opened it a moment later to reveal a striking woman seated behind a large oak desk. The woman stood and moved out from behind the desk, extending her hand. Her silk suit, dress pumps and short stylish hair made Marie think of a high-powered CEO. The image this woman projected was not what one expected from a strip club owner. “Ms. Bernard, I’m Kit Mathews. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Marie shook the other woman’s hand and knew in that instant Kit Mathews was a warm-hearted caring person. “It’s nice to meet you at last. It seems I’m always away on business when you come in. I also wanted to thank you for allowing me to disturb your day. It’s hard enough to get all your work done on a normal day without an added distraction.”
Kit Mathews’ smile was warm and genuine. “Well, at least I’m not running all over town certifying my merchandise.”
Marie laughed as she placed her briefcase in a vacant chair. “True. But I’m happy to report I’ve yet to find any more reproductions. I feel certain the piece we found at the store was the only one. I’m doing my best to verify my suspicions.” The lie rolled off her tongue with an ease that worried Marie.
“Either way, I love my desk,” Kit stated, walking toward the office door. “I need to check on things downstairs. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Marie waited until Kit was out the door before picking up her briefcase and circling the desk. She then emptied the contents from the center drawer onto the desk before removing it. Checking the inside depth of the drawer against the outside depth, she noted there appeared to be a false bottom. Opening her briefcase, she removed a small thin metal nail file. Slipping the file inside the drawer between the bottom and side, she lifted out the fake bottom.
Bayou Treasure Page 8