Deception (6 page)

“Oomph. Hey, you’re not supposed to mistreat the comic relief.”

“The comic relief never put his tongue down my throat before.”

“Quite an exaggeration, Dr. Douglas.”

“Just tell the damn joke.” Kayla grumbled.

“All right.” Julian sat on an empty wooden table and faced the crowd.

“Boudreaux’s out at the dock tying off his boat when Thibodeaux pulls up in his pirogue and says, ‘You callin’ it quits already?’ Boudreaux replies, ‘I ain’t caught shit ‘cause dem gators ain’t takin’ da bait. Whatcha got in ya boat dere?’ Thibodeaux replies, ‘I got me some Gatorade.’ To which Boudreaux says, ‘huh, whatcha gonna do wit dat Gatorade?’ Thibodeaux answers, ‘I’m gonna catch me some gators.’ Boudreaux frowns, ‘You can’t catch no gators wit dat Gatorade, Thibodeaux.’ He shrugs, ‘Okay, see ‘ya later.’”

Maura couldn’t help the laughter bubbling over. She could no longer sip beer for fear it would spew from her mouth or her nose. Julian sounded exactly like those guys from the reality show who hunted gators. It had gotten so loud outside that Mr. and Mrs. David came out to see what the raucous was all about. “Oh shit, he’s doing a Boudreaux joke,” Mr. David said to his wife. They took seats and waited for Julian to continue.

“So that afternoon Thibodeaux rows back by in his pirogue and I’ll be damned if he doesn’t have a boat full of gators. The next day Thibodeaux rows next to the dock. ‘Whatcha got dere?’ Boudreaux asks. ‘I got me some duck tape.’ Boudreaux frowns, ‘Whatcha gonna do wit all dat duck tape?’ Thibodeaux answers, ‘I’m gonna catch me some ducks.’ Boudreaux scoffs, ‘you ain’t gonna catch no ducks wit dat duck tape.’ Thibodeaux shrugs and says, ‘Okay, see ‘ya later.’ Sure enough Thibodeaux comes home with a boat full of ducks.”

With every line he uttered Julian looked to Maura. Whether for her approval or to see if she was laughing she didn’t know, but she hoped she gave the reaction he was seeking because she desperately wanted to please him.

“The next day Boudreaux asks, ‘Well, Thibodeaux whatcha got in da boat today?’ Thibodeaux says, ‘pussy willows.’ Boudreaux grabs his hat, ‘Thibodeaux, I’m comin’ wit ‘ya today!’”

Maura laughed until tears rolled down her face. Mr. David said, “Julian started memorizing Boudreaux jokes when he was in ninth grade. How many do you have memorized now, son?”

“Couldn’t say. It’s a lot.”

The crowd broke up and Maura stood. She collected her empty beer bottle, intent on gathering her essays and spending the evening in her room grading.

“Hey, where are you headed?”

Maura turned to see whom Julian was speaking to. Again, he looked directly at her, brow cocked, awaiting an answer. His parents excused themselves, leaving her and Julian staring at one another on the porch. “I’ve got a mountain of papers to grade.”

“Want some help?”

His mood swings left her catching her breath. Perhaps this is what Courtney was getting at when she mentioned his change in demeanor when drinking alcohol, which she had to admit was much better than his brooding. “You may regret the offer— it’s comparison-contrast week.”

“Oh?” His face held amused wonder, “What are they comparing?”

“Topics from their outlines that were approved by me last week.”

“Sounds like a fun night.”

“You’re serious?”

“I am.”

They spread the essays out on the kitchen table. Julian helped her staple the original outlines to the finished essays. “If I may make a suggestion...”

“Of course.”

“I would have them turn in the final essay with an additional copy of the approved outline. Shave off at least thirty minutes.”

Maura smiled. “I had the same thought.” She shrugged. “It’s my first year. I’m taking notes.”

“Would you like some ice cream?”

“I never say no to ice cream.”

“What’s your poison?”

“Never met an ice cream flavor I didn’t like. Surprise me.” He grinned at her as he got up from the table. Maura continued to sort and staple. By the time Julian returned to the table with a bowl of ice cream she’d finished the initial task and had begun reading essays.”

“So I’ve got vanilla almond and I have Disaronno.”

“Mmm. I’ll have some, please.”

Maura noticed only one bowl.

“Aren’t you having any?”

“No, I’m good.”

Her thoughts flashed images of herself feeding Julian and of Julian licking ice cream from various parts of her body.

She watched as he poured amber liquid over the ice cream. Maura started to pull the bowl toward her, but Julian playfully slapped her hand away. “You must wait for the pièce de résistance.”

“The what?”

“The showstopper.” Julian pulled a jar off the counter and popped the top. He dunked his fingers into the red juice and withdrew a cherry, placing it atop her ice cream concoction. “There you have it.” He pushed the bowl to her.

“Fancy. Thank you.”

“You are quite welcome. You don’t have to be so polite to me, you know. Especially since I was such an asshat earlier.”

“It can be hard to share a home. I do hate being an intrusion. But good news—I’ve inquired about three different rentals and I expect a call any day, so I’ll be out of your hair soon.”

He exhaled a long sigh, “You may stay as long as you like.”

“Oh my God, I want some.” Courtney came in and sat down, removing her high heels with a flourish. Julian got busy preparing her a bowl of dessert. “I showed this couple from Meridian, Mississippi like ten houses and they’re still not sure they’ve seen one that suits all of their needs. I swear, they find every little sharp edge and exposed brick—
little Brayden will hurt himself on that stone—little Brayden will have trouble with these steps—this tile will be hard when little Brayden begins to crawl.
“I’ve got news for them
—little Brayden is going to grow into a pussy if they keep that up.
”

Maura laughed at her high-pitched impression.

“So what have you guys been up to?” Courtney asked.

“Julian’s been telling Boudreaux jokes.”

“No.”

“Oh, yes. Something about a pussy willow.”

Courtney placed a hand over her eyes and sighed.

“Here you are.” Julian slid the bowl of ice cream to his sister like he was a saloon owner and she’d ordered a whiskey.

“Did you tell the one about the leech?”

Julian shook his head. “What’s the one about the leech?” Maura asked.

“It was the first Boudreaux joke he learned.”

“Oh, tell it.”

“No way.”

“Come on.”

“No, it’s not funny. You won’t laugh.”

Maura stuck her lips out in a pout.

“That’s adorable, but the answer is still no.”

“He’s right, Maura. You’re better off not hearing it, it’s not funny.” Courtney stood and excused herself, taking her bowl of ice cream with her.

Since the evening with Julian had gone better than the morning, Maura thought it best to follow Courtney off to bed. “I’m pretty tired so I’m going to call it a night.”

“What about grading?”

“I’ll finish it tomorrow.”

“Is there anything I can do to convince you to stay up?”

“Tell me the leech joke.”

“Goodnight.”

Sunlight shone through the bay window of the minty room at the Davids. Birds loudly chirped, greeting the new day with promise. Maura loved this home and she hoped to one day make her own home as inviting. She sat up and stretched.

She bathed and dressed for the day in a yellow A-line dress that made a great swirl when she twirled. She collected her purse and the essays from last night.

Maura made it into the hallway before she realized she’d left behind her attaché case. Haphazardly swirling to activate the swing in her dress she bumped the console table nestled against the wall in the hallway and her papers went flying. It sounded as if something had broken. Maura turned and eyed the remains of a porcelain vase.

“Oh, God. Maura you’re such a clumsy fuckwit.” She whispered and clicked her tongue as she collected the pieces. Papers littered the floor amongst the porcelain rubble.

“You’ll cut your hand.” Julian pulled her free of the debris.

“Julian.” She felt her face flame. “I intend to replace the vase.” He stood close enough that she could smell his clean masculine scent. “I do apologize, I don’t even know how it happened really.” She bit her lip to keep from revealing more, especially the extremely embarrassing twirling action leading to the demise of the innocent vase.

“Forget the vase.” His voice sounded rough and she gasped in his hold. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let go.

“Maura,” Bailey called.

Julian let go of her when he heard Bailey’s voice. “Oh, God. Maura, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, Bails. I broke a vase.”

“Oh.” Bailey’s eyes widened when she saw the wreckage.

“I know.” Maura sighed. “Julian, please give your mom my apologies and tell her that I want to replace the vase.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He casually waved his hand in the air to emphasize the unimportance of the decorative item.

“Please, Julian. I feel a strong desire to replace it.” Her gaze held his, unwavering.

“I’ll tell her.”

“Thank you.”

***

By Wednesday, Maura still had heard nothing from any of the homeowners so she called. The only one she’d been able to reach informed her that her references had been atrocious, claiming that she’d been told Maura had destroyed the home and major renovations had to be completed when she’d moved out. Additionally, there was mention of a pest problem that she’d brought with her from New York—bedbugs. All of it was a lie and she tried to explain, but the homeowner hung up on her.

Maura sat at her desk and rubbed her brow in frustration. She didn’t know how, but she knew Alan was behind the sabotage. She telephoned a few apartment complexes, but it was no use—they all required references.

She googled the local area and found a pay-per-week motel right on the interstate so her commute would be minimal. She’d already overextended her stay at the David home and was in need of a place to live. She grimaced as she thought of the broken vase. She prayed it wasn’t irreplaceable.

As she wrote down the address of the motel the university provost walked past her office. And then he circled back.

He knocked, though her door was open. “Dr. Douglas, you’ve settled in nicely then?”

She stood and smiled at the VIP. “Yes Dr. David, I’m doing quite nicely, thank you.”

“I’m hearing nothing but great things about you from the students.”

“Well, you have a wonderful student body here in Baton Rouge.”

“Have you had a chance to explore the area? The food is delightful.”

“I’ve been to a few places.”

“I know a great crab place.” Maura thought he seemed slightly nervous as he swayed from side to side.

Maura nodded, “I did have a go at some soft shell crabs.”

“But have you had Louisiana gumbo?”

“No, can’t say I have.”

“I’d love to take you to dinner.” His intense gaze bore into hers, demanding a reply.

Hmm.
Now this was rocky territory, wasn’t it
? He was dashingly handsome, as were all of the Davids. She knew he had a lot of power in his position at the university and in the community.

“It’s just dinner, Maura. Gumbo at that. I’ll pick you up around seven.”

“I actually already have plans.”

“Cancel them. Dinner. Seven.”

He left her standing with her mouth gaping. Cocky bastard. Suddenly an idea formed as she contemplated how to bring him down a peg or two. She smiled, devilishly happy about her plans.

On her way to the David estate she stopped by the motel as planned. She knew if she waited she’d be tempted to stay in her comfy posh haven at the David home. It wasn’t all bad. At least the rooms were clean, albeit musty, but it was nothing a strong air freshener wouldn’t take care of. She paid her money and was given a cardkey.

Having her immediate living situation solved would afford her some time to look for an independently-owned rental, perhaps owned by one of the other professors on campus. She would also inquire of any female professors in need of a roommate. She hoped they wouldn’t ask for her references since she was a colleague.

She’d planned on having a nap before her dinner with Max, but once she’d made it halfway up the stairs, Julian was there asking her if she’d like to go for a swim. She hadn’t been in a pool for years and thought it sounded like an excellent plan.

“I’d love to swim. I’ll have to take a rain check until I purchase a swimsuit.”

She continued up the stairs and headed for her room. “Oh, did you happen to speak with your mother about the vase?” She turned when she didn’t hear a response. He was gone. Damn, he was fast.

In her room she removed her heels with lightning speed. The blasted things had been pinching her toes all day. Her yellow A-line dress followed. She now stood in her thong panties and bra.

The door to her room opened, admitting Julian.
How many times would he catch her in various phases of undress
?

They both laughed.

“I really need to start knocking. My apologies.” He held out a sophisticated black one-piece swimsuit, but made no attempt to shield his eyes. “Three women live in this house—well, currently it’s five—what I mean is, there’s always an abundance of feminine swimming attire strewn about.”

She took the suit from him and he continued to stand and stare at her body. “If you don’t mind . . .” She circled her finger in the air and he turned around to offer her some forced privacy.

“Did you ask your mother about the vase?” She slid the straps of the suit up each arm. “I’m hoping it can be replaced.”

“I did, but she said to thank you because she never liked it and it was a gift from Grandmother.”

“Oh. Well, I’ll just buy something I like for the table.”

“You really don’t have to do—”

She walked around to face him. “Ready?”

He just stared at her in the suit until she looked down at the blasted thing. “Did I not do it right?” Maybe she had put it on backwards.

He scanned her critically. “No, everything’s perfect.”