A Late Summer Bloom (11 page)

“Don’t be so obtuse, Simon. I dumped you on your ass once. I can easily
do it again.”

Ah, just what I thought. Well, two can play
at that game
. Simon
narrowed his eyes and focused. As she waited for a response, a strong breeze came
out of nowhere blowing her long flowing skirt up high in the air, exposing her
tiny thong. Simon watched her grab the skirt, frantically trying to hold it
down.
And watching her struggle to keep it in place made him
laugh aloud.

As the wind eased, she let go of her skirt. Standing in the sunlight,
she squared her shoulders, her mouth in a tight pout. “You think that bothered
me, Simon?
All that just to see my panties?
Here’s
what I think of your stupidity.” She promptly stripped every piece of clothing
off her body except her thong. With her hands on her hips, she exclaimed,
“Well? Here it is.”

His eyes widened in shock and delight.

Leaning down, she removed the last barrier hiding her womanhood from
his sight. She twirled her thong around her finger. “For a centuries old
traveler, you behave like a child. We modern day witches have no shame of our
bodies.” He watched her eyes travel down to the very large erection he tried to
conceal. “What were you doing out here all by yourself, or should I bother to
ask?” Throwing her thong at him, it landed at his feet. Desiree turned around
and walked back towards the house, her long dark hair flying in the breeze, her
ass cheeks swaying from side to side.

She shouted over her shoulder to him, “By the way, in case you were
wondering? The reason I came looking for you is
,
our
two love birds had a disagreement. So, when you’re ready to hammer out a new
plan, come and see me.”

Simon lifted the thong to his nose and chuckled at her antics. Watching
her gloriously naked, womanly curves walk away from him, he smiled.
I’d like to hammer something, but it’s not a
new plan.
He lay back on the grass and covered his face with her panty.

Chapter Seventeen

Giselle dressed for her dinner date with a heavy heart.
Bribe me with sex?
After
a heated debate, she agreed to the date.
She had to go. She was just too drawn to him, not to. Giselle tried hard to
ignore her feelings for him, but it almost bordered on unnatural. Not even
suppressing her magic was this hard. The only way she’d go on the date was if
there would be no use of magic. And sex? The more she thought about it, the
more she thought
the trade
was
ridiculous. Desiree sat on Giselle’s bed painting her toenails a glittery black,
offering her opinion. “I think this will be good for you.”

“What?
The trade?”

“Is that how you refer to it?” Desiree rolled her eyes.

“How else am I supposed to refer to it? It’s no secret Julien has a job
to do. Get me to cooperate, teach me how to use my powers and dump me off in
Cottonwood Landing. In return, Julien will show me a
good
time.”

Desiree snickered.
“How romantic.”

“Romance has nothing to do with it. Julien says it’s like a business
transaction, plain and simple.” Recalling his words, she sighed. He was
oblivious to her hurt feelings.

“Yeah, I bet. Well, whatever you do? Don’t let him kiss you until you
get to the door.”

“You think he’ll kiss me?”

“I think he’d fuck you if you let him.”

“Desiree!” Giselle’s cheeks flushed red.

“What? It’s true. I see the way he looks at you.”

Giselle gazed at herself in the mirror. Her make-up was barely there
and her hair hung lifeless around her shoulders. The dress she wore was more
apropos for a spiritual conference than a hot date. But she had lost enthusiasm
after that spectacle in the garden. And she didn’t exactly pack for this trip
to the bayou. Besides, Julien was only doing this to get her to do something in
return. Why should she care? Tonight would be about experiencing a little bit
of normalcy and nothing more.

She turned around to face Desiree. “Well? What do you think?”

Desiree looked up from her toenails. “What do I think about what?”

“How I look. What do you think?”

Desiree got off the bed. “Wait a minute. That? That is what you’re
wearing for a date with a hot traveler with bulging biceps and an ass I could
bounce a quarter off of? No-no-no Giselle, you must do better than that. You
are so beautiful. This clothing does not do you justice.”

“Well I don’t have time to—” Desiree grabbed her hand and rushed into
the bathroom.

“How much time do we have?”

“Ten minutes.”

“
Merde
!
I must do something quickly.”

“No magic! I do not want to hear about, talk about, or do any magic
tonight. So help me Desiree, if you—”

“I won’t,” she said, reaching for her make-up bag.

****

Simon stretched his long legs out in front of him and sipped an iced
tea. Watching Julien pace the length of the porch made him chuckle. “Take it
easy. She’ll be along.”

“Why are women never on time?”

“You can’t be serious. How many dates have you had? Women always run
late.”

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t had a real date since I was twenty-four.”

Simon lifted his brow in surprise. “Six years without a date? Why?”

Julien shrugged. “Don’t know. I haven’t met anyone who’s piqued my
interest.”

“Maybe you feel so nervous because you care for Giselle?”

“Of course I care. The whole damn world is heading for ruination if I
can’t get that little witch to perform. That’s a lot of pressure for a man.
Then I come to find out the only way to get her to use her powers is through—
love
.” He rolled his eyes.

Simon folded his arms across his chest and reached up to tap his chin.
“Love?
And this is a problem for you, how?”

Julien gave him a somber expression. “I don’t do love. Never have.
Never even came close. I don’t know why, maybe I just lack the love gene.”

“I’m so sorry, Julien. But you are still young. There will be someone
who captures your heart.”

Unsmiling, Julien shook his head. “I don’t even know what it feels
like.”

Simon chose his words carefully and, after a moment of silence, he
sighed. “To truly love, you must surrender your life. But, oh, what a trade it
is. Mere colors become more vibrant, simple sounds become a symphony, and sex
becomes the nourishment of the soul. There is nothing like a true love, and
when it rushes into your heart, it crashes with the force of an ocean wave in a
ferocious storm.”

Julien stared at him.

Simon chuckled, “I sound like a woman, eh?”

Desiree and Giselle approached the porch.

Giselle wore a short black dress with knee-high boots, her hair cascading
down her back in subtle waves. Her lavender eyes sparkled as she batted her
long, dark lashes. Desiree stood behind her, smoothing out Giselle’s dress.
Simon gave Desiree a nod, knowing she was responsible for Giselle’s womanly
appearance. He also could see that Giselle’s beauty was more than skin deep,
and if Julien were truly destined to fall in love with her, he already would
have.

Worry creased his brow. Maybe there was more going on with Julien
Beaumont than the man cared to admit. He watched Giselle smile at Julien. It
was an insecure, shy smile.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, I am, Little Witch. I was ready on time.”

Simon shook his head at Julien’s insensitive comment.
Subtle.
Real subtle.
He
concentrated, sending Julien a mental message.
Comment on her beauty, fool.

As Julien escorted Giselle to his truck, Simon heard him say, “You look
beautiful, Little Witch.” And he turned to grin at Simon.

“Will you look at him, Desiree? He acts like a clumsy fool.”

“She doesn’t know the difference. Let’s just hope her rose-colored
glasses remain intact tonight.”

“If they do, maybe you could borrow them, my angel.” He wiggled his
eyebrows at her.

“Not on your best day, Mr.
Granvil
. Not on
your best day.”

Chapter Eighteen

Giselle was anxious. When they pulled to a stop in front of the Hilton Baton
Rouge, her nerves got the best of her. She fidgeted in her seat.
Why are we at a hotel?
She admitted
there were certain experiences she wanted before traveling to Cottonwood
Landing, but this?
Now?
Tonight?
Did he think she was up to doing—it—tonight? She squirmed when he threw the
truck in park and draped his arm over the back of her seat. With his body
turned, he chuckled. “Take it easy. This hotel happens to have one of the best
restaurants this side of the Mississippi. Since it was last minute, I couldn’t
make a reservation. But I can easily get our name moved up the list.” He winked
at her.

“Oh, no you
don’t,
no magic. We agreed.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

Her mouth felt dry, watching him stare at her, his eyes looking as though
he could read her secrets. All she wanted was for him to kiss her. It was all
she thought about. And today they came so close to a kiss, it had her imagination
running wild. She watched his eyes travel to her mouth. She licked her lips.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Uh huh.”
She fumbled around for the door handle when Julien
leaned his body over hers, bringing them face-to-face. The feel of his broad
chest grazing her breasts, the heat of his breath lightly brushing her cheek,
and the glorious smell of his freshly scrubbed skin caused Giselle to stiffen.

Reaching for her handle he pushed the door open. “Like this,” he
whispered.

His lips aligned with hers. Giselle’s breathing sped up and her body
tingled with expectancy.
Please. Kiss. Me.

He pulled back and gave her a wink.

Disappointment ransacked her mind when he exited the truck and came
around to her side. He held the door open, reaching for her hand. “Let me help
you, Little Witch.”

His teasing was deliberate, almost mocking. Was he trying to anger her?
She smacked his hand away. “I can do it myself.”

“Ooh. Someone is angry tonight. Is something wrong?”

“You know very well what is wrong, Mr. Beaumont.”

“What’s that?”

“Teasing me by dangling a kiss in front of me is not very nice. And if
I wasn’t so limited on time, I’d find someone else to satisfy my curiosity.”

His eyes darkened and his features hardened as he grabbed her by the
arm. Slamming the truck door shut with force, he pushed her back against the
truck and placed his hands on either side of her body. His menacing stare thrilled
her, making her heart beat faster. Longing shot through her body, stinging her
eyes.
Yes. He’s going to kiss me now.
Finally.

Julien stared at her, desire unleashed in his eyes. Abruptly, he shoved
her away and walked toward the restaurant. “Let’s go. Bring your sweater.”

His order made her defiant. “I don’t need it. I’m fine.”

“Suit yourself.”

The Kingfish Grill was not only rumored to have great food and service,
it was popular. So popular, it was too crowded to wait indoors. Giselle crossed
her arms over her chest and ran her hands up and down her arms, trying to warm
up. Immediately, she regretted her decision to leave her sweater behind. She
glanced at Julien, whose arrogant expression, made her lip tremble.
Why do I want him so bad?

He held open his leather jacket. “Come on in.”

“No, thank you.”

“You said no magic. This is one way I can think to warm you up.”

“One way?”

“Well, there are other ways,
ya
know. But,
can you handle it?”

She knew by his tone what he meant. “You know a true gentleman would
offer a lady his coat.”

He continued to hold it open.
“Uh huh.”

The patrons, mostly the women, were staring. Why wouldn’t they? He was
beautiful. And his body was magnificent. Giselle seemed to gravitate toward him
until she found her arms wrapped around his waist. She closed her eyes as the
warmth of his embrace spread throughout her body when he closed the coat over
her.

Touching Julien made her knees falter, and her imagination churned out
intimate scenes by the dozens. When she felt his body respond, her breath
hitched in her throat. The yearning was brutal, bringing with it an onslaught
of emotional pain. Looking up, her mouth lined up perfectly with his chin. She
lightly ran her lips over the rough unshaven surface. Choking on her breath,
her boldness came in a whisper,
kiss him.
Giselle slowly took her hands from his waist. Running them up the center of his
chest, she looked him in the eye. “Julien I... I....”