Rue Toulouse (16 page)

“Remi, What are you doing?”

“I thought we probably entertained whoever is on the other side of that wall long enough, so I’m taking us to the bed. Hang on, Princess.”

Caterine laughed. “You’re crazy. Put me down.”

“I can’t. You seemed to be impaled on me.”

As he bumped into the side of the bed, he fell backward, Caterine landing on top of him. Pulling her mouth to his, he kissed her long and deep then whispered, “Now it’s your turn.”

She gave him a quizzical look. “What do I do?”

“You ride me, Princess.”

Chapter Fourteen

Hours later Caterine awoke, smiling from a dream in which Remi had been making love to her on a beach. Luxuriating in her contentment, she stretched. She turned and smiled tenderly at the sleeping man who hadn’t only awakened the passion in her, he’d unlocked her heart.
 

When her parents died, she had found out how suddenly love could be torn away. As an adult, afraid of being hurt, she’d avoided any serious relationships. Instead she’d thrown herself into her college studies, then her training in France and now Ma Chérie. If she stayed busy, she didn’t think about how lonely she felt.

Perhaps I don’t have to be alone any longer.
She lightly stroked the hair off his forehead. As she stared into his serene sleeping face, her breath caught at the tenderness encircling her heart.
I could go to sleep with him every night and wake up with him every morning. But what happens once my would-be kidnapper is caught? Do I say, ‘thanks for all your help,’ then go back to being alone?

Again she gazed at his sleeping face. “Can you ever love me, Remi? Or will you break my heart?” she softly murmured. The longer she stayed with him, the harder it would be to say goodbye. Could she intentionally open herself to that kind of hurt?

I
can’t believe this is all happening to me.
She closed her eyes, lay back, and inwardly groaned. How could she have gone from being boring Caterine Doucette to someone running for her life, having mind-blowing sex with a man she hardly knew, possibly falling in love with him, and now contemplating moving in with him?

“What’s wrong, Princess? You’re frowning.” Remi ran his finger across her forehead. “Didn’t I please you enough?”

Caterine opened her eyes at his gentle touch. “You please me just fine, Pirate.” She ran her palm along his cheek and smiled.

“Then why are you frowning?”

She sighed. “I was thinking about the decision I need to make.”

“What decision?”

“Whether to stay with you.”

He frowned. “I thought we settled that.”

“I didn’t say I’d go. There’s a lot involved.”

“Such as?”

“Such as, what if Grandmère finds out? She’ll be furious enough if she discovers I haven’t left New Orleans. I can’t imagine her reaction if she learns I’ve been living with you.”

“Caterine, we have enough problems without worrying about your grandmother’s reaction to us living together. Besides, you’re a grown woman. If she does find out, I would think she’d be glad to know you were safe and not be concerned about proprieties.”

Caterine laughed. “
Propriety
is Grandmère’s middle name.”

Remi flung back the sheet and sat on the edge of the bed. “This is a ridiculous conversation.” He looked at the clock. “Christ, it’s the middle of the night. How in the hell did we sleep so late? Get ready. We’re leaving.”

“It’s the middle of the night because we spent the day making love, and this is not a ridiculous conversation. And I can’t get ready because I don’t have any clothes.”

Remi ran his hands through his hair. “What the hell happened to the clothes you arrived in?”

“My dress was dirty, wet, and torn. Looking at it reminded me of what happened, so I threw it in the trash, and the maid took them away. So all I have is my underwear, raincoat, and heels. Elaine was supposed to bring me other things.”

“So wear your raincoat and heels. We only have to go two blocks.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Then wear your robe. This is New Orleans. Nobody will notice or care.”

“That may be, but I still didn’t agree to go with you.”

“For Christ’s sake, Caterine, you’re coming home with me, and Miss Dauphine will have to deal with it.”

“There are other considerations than just Grandmère
.
”

“And they are?”

Such as whether I’m going to open myself to being hurt by you
. Aloud she replied, “I’m not sure I can stay with you, for one.”

His eyes narrowed. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I don’t know if I’d feel comfortable
living
with you.”

He laughed sardonically. “You seem to be living here with me just fine. What’s the difference if we’re in a hotel or my apartment?”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“Explain to me how it’s different.”

Caterine stared at her hands. “Somehow living with you in your apartment seems more intimate.”

Remi snorted, pulling on his jeans. “Princess, it would be pretty hard to get more intimate than we’ve already been.”

Her cheeks flushed in anger. “I’m not only talking about sex.”

He reached for his shirt. “Then what the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about us and what happens to us when this is all over.”

As he buttoned his shirt, his hands stilled. Caterine could see the indecision in his eyes.

“Do we have to discuss this now?” He grabbed his cigarettes and headed for the balcony.

“Damn it, Remi. You started this conversation, so you can damn well finish it.” She put on her robe and followed.

He stepped out onto the balcony and lit a cigarette. “Go back in, Caterine. It’s cold out here.”

She pulled her robe tighter around her. “No, I’m not going back in. I want to finish this conversation.”

With irritation, he blew out a plume of smoke and turned to face her. “I don’t know what the future is going to bring. I just know that right now you’re in danger and I’m responsible for keeping you safe. In order for me to do that, you need to stay close to me. Which means staying with me in my apartment.” He let out a long sigh before he continued. “So unless you want to get killed, I suggest you stop worrying about the future and concentrate on the here and now.”

Her teeth chattering from the cold, she quietly asked, “So you’re saying the only reason you want me to stay with you is so I will be safe?”

He let out a long breath. “Caterine, I care about you. No, let me clarify that. I care a great deal about you. I not only want to make sure you’re safe, I want you with me.” Remi stubbed out his cigarette. “Come on, let’s go in. You’re freezing.” Once inside he took her in his arms and held her close. “Princess, let’s get through this family bullshit of yours, then we’ll see what comes next.”

Caterine wrapped her arms tight around him, pressing her cheek against his chest. “As long as we’re in this hotel I can pretend my life is normal and there’s no danger. I’m afraid when we walk out that door all the ugliness waiting for us will make everything we’ve had together disappear.”

He held her even tighter. “Whether we’re here or in my apartment, Princess, I’ll be with you. And I’m going to do my damnedest to give you your life back.”

A short time later, Caterine stood wearing nothing but her bra, panties, candy apple red raincoat, and strappy heels, and carrying her large bag. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

Remi grinned. “Just don’t flash anyone and you’ll be fine.”

She rolled her eyes. “Let’s get this over with.” As she stepped through the door into the hall, she paused.

“What’s wrong?” Remi asked.

“This is the first time I’ve gone out since the attack.” She swallowed hard. “Suddenly I’m afraid.”

He put his arm around her shoulder. “You’re with me, Princess. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Other than the muffled sound of music coming from distant bars, Toulouse was quiet. Near the corner was a small, all-night cafe. Remi stopped. “They’ve got great po-boys in here, and I’m hungry. What about you?”

“Sure.” As she followed him in, the smells of freshly baked bread and sizzling shrimp made her mouth water.

“What do you want?” Remi asked.

“A shrimp po-boy will be fine.” While Remi placed their order, Caterine took in her surroundings. The only other customer in the cafe was a man in a corner booth wearing a dark jacket and a ball cap. He was on his cell phone gesturing excitedly. When he headed for the door, Caterine noticed his cheek had been cut and his nose was swollen. As remembered images flashed before her eyes, her pulse began to race.

“Remi,” she gasped, tugging on his arm.

“What?”

It took all of her willpower to control her trembling body. Through stiff lips she whispered, “I don’t want to draw his attention, but I think that man leaving is the one who attacked me.”

Remi tossed her his wallet and keys. “Pay for the food. My address is on my license. It’s on the second floor in the middle of the block. Go there.”

She stood frozen as Remi raced for the door, and didn’t hear the woman behind the counter until she touched her shoulder. Caterine turned.

“Your po-boys.”

“Oh, sorry. How much?” Caterine quickly paid for the food and headed for the door. On the sidewalk she looked for Remi, but the street was empty.

Okay, stay calm. You can do this.
She tried to ignore her gathering fear. What if the man was hiding out here, and Remi didn’t see him? Should she go back into the store and wait for Remi? No, he said his apartment was in this block. Surely she could make it that far. Her hands shaking, she opened his wallet and withdrew his license. By the light from the sandwich shop, she read the house address.

Frequently looking over her shoulder, she walked as quickly as she could, soon reaching a three-story brick house with light-green shutters. Two lamps glowed beneath the second-floor balcony. She opened the street door, climbed the stairs, and unlocked the door at the top. As she stepped in, she let out a sigh of relief.
 

Soft light from the street below filtered in through double French doors illuminating her surroundings. As she glanced around, she was pleasantly surprised. There were only three rooms, but narrow floor-to-ceiling windows facing Toulouse would make the apartment light and airy in the daytime. Though not large, everything was neat and clean with comfortable-looking furniture.

Caterine switched on a lamp and placed the sandwiches in the refrigerator. She began to pace in front of a brick fireplace. Where was he? Could she have been overreacting and sent him after the wrong man? She gnawed her lower lip. The sense of danger she’d felt was real enough, but could it only have been her own jumbled nerves? She jumped when she heard a knock at the door.

“Caterine, it’s me.”

Sending up a prayer of thanks, she flung the door open and hurled herself into his arms. “Are you all right?”

“Hey, it’s okay, I’m fine.” He turned and locked the door. With her still in his arms, he sat on the sofa.

“I was so afraid he’d hurt you.”

“I can take care of myself,
cher
. Now, look at me. Are you sure that was the guy who attacked you?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. There was something about him that gave me the creeps. Then when I saw the cut on his cheek and his swollen nose, well, I panicked.”

“When I got out on the street, he was getting into a car that was waiting at the corner. I tried to follow and get the license number, but they headed for Canal and I couldn’t keep up. Caterine, this is important. Could you describe him well enough for an artist’s drawing?”

She hesitated. “I’m not sure. I mostly saw him from the back. It was when he stood to leave that I got a glimpse of the side of his face.”

Remi sighed. “From the little I was able to see, I’d put him Caucasian, below six foot and of medium build.”

She nodded. “I also remember his hair was dark.”

“Okay, there’s nothing else we can do tonight. I’ll fill Paul in on all this tomorrow. Now I’m ready for food. How about you?”

Caterine nodded. “My head is pounding. Do you have any aspirin?”

Remi took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom. A queen-sized bed was placed against one wall with a dresser and a tall chest of drawers across from it.

He pointed to the bathroom. “In the medicine cabinet above the sink.”

Caterine entered a black-and-white-tiled room with a small pedestal sink but a surprisingly large shower stall. Swallowing two aspirin, she reentered the bedroom.

“It’s not the Maison Dupuy, but it works for me,” Remi said.

She kissed his cheek. “It’s very nice.”

“I’ll clear out some drawers and make space for your clothes tomorrow.”

Caterine laughed. “Considering I don’t have any, I won’t need much room.”

He pulled her into his arms. “Perhaps we should keep it that way. Then I don’t have to worry about you going out on your own. Besides, I kind of like you naked. In fact . . .” He began to unbutton her coat. “I can’t stop thinking about what you have on under here.”