Headlights flickered between the drawn shades forming elongated shadows across the dark room. Her stomach felt as if she’d had a bowling ball pressing on her insides, blocking the air from flowing to her lungs.
From a distance, Baby heard the inherent sounds of the New Orleans street flare. Brass music blared through the alleys. Voices. Cars and horns.
Pop!
Baby Jade shot backward. The explosive bang from a broken-down muffler sent her on her ass. Embarrassed, she winced and rubbed her aching backside. She rolled her eyes and drew in a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds before releasing the air.
I really need to keep money on that fucking cell phone.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lucky
Lucky dismissed Wendy for the day and spent the remainder of the afternoon at Gauthier attempting to crack the password on his father’s computer. He tried Tilly, and not because it was Colby’s wife’s name, but rather his boat. Birthdays and anniversaries. Pet names. Favorite sports teams. Nothing worked. He had already gone through all of the cabinets and drawers, with the exception of the two locked file cabinets in the corner. He found a few different sets of keys but never found a match.
Running his hand through his beard, Lucky paced the room. He unbuttoned the first couple of buttons on his shirt and shoved his hands into his pockets. His tall frame patrolled back and forth in front of the massive window, lining one wall of the office. The view of the city was impressive, especially from the twenty-second floor of the Gauthier-Flanagan building.
It was a clear night. The bright lights of the Big Easy danced across the Mississippi River. It was a magical city. If only he believed in magic.
Lucky grabbed his jacket and locked his father’s office door as he left. The bustle of the building had given way to dim lights and empty rooms. He made his way down the hall but halted as he heard the familiar condescending tone coming from Carrie’s office.
“I told you, no more excuses.
Silence
“Following the whore isn’t good enough. You were paid to do a job. Do it.”
Silence
Carrie chortled into the phone. “Isn’t that sweet. You have a soft spot for the stripper.”
Silence
Lucky pressed his body against the wall and leaned in toward the door, careful not to cast any shadows from the light streaming from the partially opened door.
Carrie’s tone changed from mocking to threatening in the blink of an eye. “Let me put it this way. You answer to me, and I answer to someone else. Someone you don’t want to have to remind you of your job description. Get your shit together and take care of business.
Slam
He heard a loud huff followed by the wheels from her chair screeching against the floor. Lucky’s nostrils flared. His pulse rushed through his body. He braced himself in case she was to come through the door. Instead, he heard the trickle of running water.
Realizing that Carrie was in her office bathroom, he hurried down the hall and darted into the elevator. The cryptic words of her conversation replayed in his head. She was up to something, and it was some bad shit. He pumped his fists, willing the elevator to go faster.
Bounding across the parking lot, Lucky jumped onto his bike and peeled out of the parking garage.
Images of Baby Jade flashed through his head like a broken movie reel. He couldn’t piece the information together. But there was one thing that he could be certain of, Baby wasn’t safe. That’s all he needed to know.
Lucky pounded on the wooden door. “Baby?” The veins in his neck bulged, throbbing, thumping against his thick skin.
He peered into the window, and his heart plummeted at the sight of the pitch-black room. He beat on the door with both fists. “Baby? Dammit, open the fucking door!”
Shuffling came from inside the apartment. He shot to attention.
“Lucky?” Her voice overflowing with fear.
The knob twisted as he heard the locks clicking on the other side of the door. Once open, his eyes scanned her body, drinking in every inch of her. She had piled her massive waves up on top of her head. Her signature, ebony tendrils coiled around her tan face. The way the v from her snug t-shirt dipped down between her full, round tits made him stir, feeling the strain of an instant erection pressing against his jeans.
The little vein thumping in her perfect neck made him break out in a sweat. He wanted to devour her glistening skin. Her tiny, silk shorts fit like a glove and caused a serious mind fuck. Long, lean legs. He would give almost anything to have them wrapped around his waist right now.
Shit.
He had to get his head on straight.
“What are you doing here?” The puzzled look on her face reminded him of why he was there in the first place.
“Can I come in?”
She shook her head slightly, appearing confused. “Oh, yeah, sure.” She turned to step out of the way, and Lucky used the opportunity to adjust his jeans.
He wanted her more than he wanted air.
Baby clicked on the lamp. She stood to the side with her arms folded across her chest. He got a closer look and noticed the dark circles forming under her eyes. She was tired, exhausted. He took a step in her direction, causing her to flinch, and stumble backward.
“Shit,” Lucky bound forward to catch her just before her head hit the wall. “What the hell are you so jumpy about?”
“Nothing, I’m fine.” Her doe eyes betrayed her.
He backed away to give her some space. Once settled on the couch, he studied her. “You’re not fine. What the hell’s going on?”
She moved across the room and planted herself on the coffee table. “You first. What’re you doing here?”
Lucky tugged on his beard. He pondered the best way to share about Carrie and her threatening phone calls. Thirty minutes ago, he had been ready to bust up in her apartment and save the day. Now, seeing her so on edge, he had to play his cards right.
“Well,” he ran both palms up and down his jeans. He had to busy his hands to keep from reaching for her and pulling her onto his lap. He wanted to kiss away all of her troubles. “I wanted to make sure you were ok. And by the looks of it, it’s a good thing I did. Something’s got you all worked up.”
Baby tilted her head to one side, causing loose curls to bounce. She skimmed her bottom lip with her tongue. “Yeah, but you didn’t know that.”
Lucky swallowed hard and adjusted himself on the couch. He had no choice but to spill what he knew.
“I was worried about you. I heard something.”
Her brow furrowed, creating little lines along her forehead, urging him to continue.
“You know about my dad.”
Her face softened as she nodded.
“Well, there’s been some underhanded bullshit going on at Gauthier. Some of the board members are up to something.”
“What does that have to do with me?” She sat upright, straightening her back, which only pushed her chest out in his direction, elongating her neck.
She had no fucking idea what she was doing to him.
“You wanted to hear it, so let me finish. Damn.”
Baby threw her hands up in the air, signaling surrender.
“My mother was looking for some kind of clue when she collapsed. I’ve been spending all of my time trying to do the same thing. I’m fairly certain my father was hiding something, and I think it involves Carrie Scott.”
Baby’s eyes grew wide. She twisted her lips to one side before asking, “Carrie Scott, as in your ex-girlfriend?”
Lucky rolled his eyes and nodded. “You know she was working for Gauthier. Well, my mother thinks she’s stirring up a takeover, and after spending a little time at the office, I have to agree.”
“You’re spending time at the office? What exactly does that mean?” She folded her arms across her heaving chest.
“Not sure, yet. Right now, I’m just trying to make sure the business is on the up and up. My mother’s scare
d shitless, and by the looks of it, she should be.”
“Damn, I’m sorry. Sounds like you’ve been handed a real mess. You’ve got your work cut out for you. But again, um, me?” She arched her eyebrows.
Lucky sucked in a deep breath, tugging on his beard. He was still trying to wrap his head around the entire fucked up day. “I overheard Carrie today, twice actually. I don’t know who she was talking to, but your name came up.”
Baby’s head snapped back.
He decided to spit it all out at one time, without giving her a chance to respond. “She has a serious hard on for you. I can’t figure out why. She told whoever it was that they had a job to do. I heard her say she answers to someone else, and they wouldn’t like it if the job wasn’t finished.”
He eyeballed her to see if he could get a read on how she was taking the information. Her eyes were hard. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. The rise and fall of her chest had quickened.
“The other person has apparently been following you.”
Baby shot up from the coffee table and paced the room. Her gaze darted wildly and she bit into her lip, so hard Lucky noticed her wince.
“What the hell is going on, woman? Talk to me!” Lucky’s gut tightened.
She swiped her tongue across her swollen lip, making his heart race. “Where do I start?”
He patted the couch beside him and extended his hand, shocked when she took it and planted herself next to him. Clouds filled his head from being so close to her. The hair on his arms tingled.
Baby Jade dropped her head, avoiding eye contact, and started rambling ninety to nothing. She spilled about Lolli and Drew, filling him in on her run-in with Slade and his threats. She tried to blink back tears as she told him about someone visiting her mother and the extra security.
“And I swear, I’ve spotted Drew’s car everywhere I went tonight. Like he was following me.”
Now it was Lucky’s turn to pace the room. “So the guy who randomly showed up at the club, and then just happen to be in the alley the night Lolli was attacked has been following you?”
The pensive look on her face told him she was starting to string together the information as well.
“But how would Drew know Carrie? It doesn’t make any sense.” Her face contorted, and her puzzled expression met his own.
“Ok, first things first. Your mother’s safe, right?”
Baby nodded.
“And Ma’Linn?”
She bobbed her head. “Yes, she’s staying at Pecan Grove with my mother. I was promised they would up the security and post someone outside of her door.”
Lucky ran his hands over his beard and sighed. “Good. My family doesn’t seem to be in danger, and Joyce is with my mother.” He pressed his eyes closed for a brief moment. “I don’t know what’s going on, but nothing is adding up. This Drew guy doesn’t seem like a boss. My gut’s telling me he’s not the one in charge. No boss is gonna spend their time doing the leg work. They have thugs for that. You’re sure it was him?”
Baby stopped pacing. “Absolutely. I’d know that car anywhere.” She looked toward him, her eyes large, green pools of fear. “This is bad, really bad.”
Lucky crossed the room and pulled her trembling hands into his. “Hey, it’s all gonna be ok.” He tipped her chin to make eye contact. “You have to trust me. No one’s gonna get near you. I won’t let them.”
His insides boiled at the thought of someone harming Baby Jade.
“If it’s Slade, there’s not much you can do.” She buried her face into his chest. Her words came out as a garbled mumble.
Lucky cradled her limp body to his chest, caressing her back. Baby had no idea the lengths he would go to in order to keep her safe. Neither did Slade.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Baby Jade
Baby pressed her face into Lucky’s hard chest, inhaling. The spicy scent caused her head to swoon. The way his rough hands caressed her back made her crave his touch all over the rest of her body. She tried to shake it off, but her emotions were overriding her common sense.
Lucky trailed his fingertips along her neck, massaging. He planted a kiss on the top of her head before whispering, “I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”
His words made her insides stir. It was exhausting being alone. Always caring for everyone else, and never having anyone return the favor. Draining. She wanted to strip away every care and responsibility. She wanted to give herself over to Lucky. Allow him to take care of her every need. Keep her safe. Satisfy her body. Refresh her spirit. Let someone lead for a change.
Baby returned his embrace. Running her hands over his back. She melded her face to his neck, brushing her warm lips across his skin.
Lucky pulled away, but only slightly. She noticed the way his t-shirt moved in rhythm with his heavy breathing.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said softly.
“I think I do.” Baby reached for his face, pulling him toward her as her mouth claimed his. The carnal groan rumbling deep in his throat made her wet. Lucky hoisted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist while cradling her bottom in his arms. Her lips trailed along his face and down the side of his neck as he carried her to the bedroom.
He placed her on the bed. Her tummy fluttered as he slipped off his t-shirt and stepped out of his jeans, allowing his rock hard cock to spring free. He wrapped his arms around her thighs and dragged her to the edge of the bed. He stripped away her t-shirt, revealing her ample breasts. He pulled her in closer to remove her shorts, but she shoved his hands away.
He peered down at her, and she gazed up at him through her thick eyelashes, locking eyes. She planted her palms on his hard chest and ran her hands over his searing skin, moving down his chiseled abdomen until palming his stiff shaft. The way his eyes fluttered as she started to stroke him made her own sex quiver.
Baby flicked her tongue across the head of his cock, savoring the salty liquid. Lucky shifted his hips, urging her to take him, all of him. Baby was more than happy to oblige his silent plea. She massaged him as she wrapped her lips around his swollen hard on and worked him from his base to his velvety tip. The pumping action causing his body to jerk with every moan.
She milked him as his hips tensed and he grasped her head, winding his fingers through her ebony hair. Baby squeezed every drop from his straining flesh before relenting. Lucky swiftly picked her up by her sleek waist and tossed her backward onto the bed. She propped herself up onto her elbows as he ran his fingertips along the band of her shorts before slipping them down her long legs.
Her sensitive body shivered under Lucky’s hungry, wild gaze. The carnal look filling his fiery, chestnut eyes made her wet. Every inch of him wanted her. She knew the signs of a craving, and he was itching for her. Hard.
She quickly reached for the lamp and pulled the string, leaving the room black.
His hot tongue skimmed her taut abdomen, creating butterflies. Baby didn’t want him anywhere near her belly. She was relieved when he navigated his way up her body brushing his lips across her goose bump stippled flesh. Cupping her firm, round breast, Lucky fondled her while lashing her tight nipple with his persistent tongue. His other hand trailed, exploring between her thighs.
Using his skilled fingers, he caressed her wet folds, delving into her as his mouth assaulted her swollen breasts. He added a second finger and stroked her while using the pad of his thumb to skate across her clit.
The butterflies in her quivering tummy gave way to clenched muscles. Lucky’s masterful touch sent an orgasm rippling through her vibrating body. As soon as she was able to catch her breath, Lucky pulled away. Plucking his wallet from his jeans, he ripped open the foil packet and sheathed himself with a condom. Baby trembled beneath him as he spread her jelly-like legs with his commanding knee. His body hovered over hers. His eyes locked, searing through her. The skin pulled tight across his thick neck muscles. Veins thumping against the rugged surface.
Baby let out a faint gasp as the h
ead of his cock pressed against her moist opening. She wrapped her arms around his neck, digging her nails through his hair. Reaching up to meet his face and pulling him in close, she traced his full lips with her tongue. The urgency to feel him inside of her grew. She tugged on his lip with her teeth. Her hands roaming, begging him to take her.
As if he were reading her mind, Lucky sank into her in one swift movement, filling her with his full length triggering a cry. He leaned up to peer into her face. Her chest heaved in anticipation. She gripped his backside and tilted her hips to meet his.
Lucky raised a dark brow and smirked. He drove into her, watching the sinful pleading in her jade green eyes. He propelled into her, with every thrust sending her closer to the edge. Their bodies pumping in rhythm, battering Baby into the mattress. Her moans intensified when Lucky rocked back onto his knees. Seizing Baby’s ankles, he spread her legs into a wide V.
His fiery eyes smoldered. Exhilarated, she readied herself by gripping the headboard.
“Fuck!” Lucky tossed his head backward and pummeled into her.
“Harder. Harder,” she begged. With her legs wide, her body met every thrust. An orgasm welled up deep from in her gut before bursting throughout the rest of her body, causing tears to spring, pooling in the corners of her eyes.
In that moment, it was everything she wanted in life. Bliss. Sated. Consuming her body, mind, and soul – he owned her.
Lucky rolled his eyes and his entire body tensed. He hammered into her finishing with his own orgasm. The satisfied look on his face made her heart flutter in her expanding chest. He loved her. She could see it. He had never stopped loving her.
“Shit, that was fucking mind blowing.” Still breathing heavy, Lucky rolled to the side and ran his hands over his beard, smoothing down the sides.
Baby grinned. He did have a way with words. “Yeah, I have to agree.”
“Agree? Damn woman, that was off the charts, mind numbing shit right there.” He crossed the room and disappeared down the hall.
Bourbon Street Royalty: Jaded Series, Book Two Page 10