Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance (14 page)

“On the contrary, I do believe you. It’s probably hard to find another woman who will tolerate your attitude.”

His soft laugh sent a wave of feeling through her. “Has it really been that terrible? When things work between us, they work very well.”

“And the rest of the time?” she asked with a bitter laugh.

“I’m serious, Jade. There’s something there.”

“I know there is,” she conceded reluctantly. “But it’s like going for a wild ride. It’s exhilarating when you’re flying along the road, until you hit a big trench and have to pull yourself out. Just when you regain your speed, you hit another bump that lays you flat.” She shivered though the night was warm. Swallowing past a lump, she faced the doors, preparing to go back in the house. “That’s how it is with you and me,” she whispered.

“But, what about Baton Rouge?”

“I probably
will
go there.”

“With Ty?” he asked. She said nothing and he moved closer. “We have unresolved issues, Jade.”

“What would those be?”

“Don’t play naive; there’s something exceptional happening here. It’s in the air between us each time we’re together. I can feel the way you try to resist it, just as I do. I am intensely aware of your longing. You can’t hide it, anymore than I can hide mine.”

He’d brought it right out in the open. She faced it head-on. “So, what do you propose we do about it? Give in to those longings? At least long enough to satisfy ourselves?”

“I wouldn’t have put it that way, necessarily.”

“What does it matter how it’s worded? Apparently, you’re okay with me in stolen moments far from prying eyes or under the cover of night, but what about the harsh light of morning? Where will we be then?”

“The time of day is irrelevant. Morning or night, your eyes send a message that’s hard to resist.”

His gaze traveled her body, returned to her face, and lingered. Her heart skipped and tiny thrills rushed over her skin. If this continued, her good intentions would vanish like a dream upon waking.

She put a touch of steel into her tone. “Nice fantasy, Gage, but you’ve overestimated your appeal. I need to get back inside. The night is so muggy; it’s miserable out here.”

“I don’t believe you want to go.”

He reached for her, but she anticipated his move and stepped aside with a small murmur of satisfaction. He put a hand on her waist but she slipped easily out of his grasp, rotating to clear the patio table close by. Gage reacted smoothly, blocking her retreat with his body. She ran into him and his arms circled her, holding her with gentle firmness as she tried to twist away. He bent his head for a kiss and she thought she could feel her blood singing in her veins.

“Why are you fighting this?” he joked. “It’s not like I haven’t kissed you before.”

“And it’s not like you couldn’t take no for an answer before, either.”

He pulled her closer, pressing his big hard body against her soft yearning one, thereby igniting a desire she found nearly impossible to deny. His voice came from deep in his throat. “I don’t recall you ever telling me no.”

“Then you have a pretty handy case of amnesia. Apparently you don’t mind forcing yourself on a woman.”

He froze, his face set in hard lines of anger. So intent was her focus on his reply, Jade wasn’t aware he had released her until a few seconds had passed.

“Apparently we have a real communication problem here. I thought you were teasing,” he said. “Toying with me.”

“How typical of you.”

“My perceptions can’t be that off. I know what I felt.”

“Your imagination is working overtime.”

His gaze locked on Jade as she straightened her clothes and ran a smoothing hand over her hair. “Good lord, woman! This isn’t one-sided. Don’t pretend you feel nothing.”

“Are we finished here?” Her body ached for the release it had desired, anticipated. The release she herself had thwarted.

“I’d say no, but I don’t think you’re giving me a choice.” Gage cupped her cheek, ran his fingers tenderly down her jaw line to her chin. “Be careful, Jade. People aren’t always what they seem. Ty can be heartless. If you believe he’s some kind of prize, you’re sadly mistaken. The only reason he’s here is because of Maylene’s generosity and devotion to family.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Hmm. That’s what you say about me.”

He ignored her jab. “But even her patience has its limits. Eventually he’ll push her too far and she’ll cut him loose.”

“Well, damn. I guess I can forget about marrying into the family fortune then.”

“You don’t have to marry to get your hands on the money.” His jaw tightened. “In fact, it looks to me like you’ve already started dipping into the till, if your shopping trip with Maylene is any indication.”

She lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders. “I won’t even dignify that with a response.”

“Not surprising. Your actions are pretty hard to defend.”

“That’s your opinion.”

“Well, we agree on one thing, anyway.” He pushed past her and marched toward the doors. “It
is
miserable out here.”

Once he’d gone inside Jade cupped her burning cheeks in her hands, exasperated almost beyond her ability to contain it. Gage’s intuition hadn’t been wrong; she had wanted his touch though she wouldn’t admit it. Beneath her indignation, disappointment, and frustration, she was seared by a desire stronger than any she’d ever known, and she had no idea what to do about it.

Chapter 10

Maylene wore a pensive look when Ty arrived to pick up Jade. “Where are you going?”

“I promised Jade we’d explore Bourbon Street.” Ty flashed a smile, which his aunt didn’t return. “Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of her.”

She grimaced. “Somehow that doesn’t comfort me.”

“We won’t be out late,” Jade interjected as she slid her purse strap over a shoulder.

Maylene sighed, accepting the inevitable. She put a hand on her nephew’s arm. “Well, at least try to stay out of trouble, young man.”

Ty kissed Maylene on the cheek, laughed lightly, and took Jade’s elbow. As soon as the door closed behind them, he winked at her. “Stay out of trouble? How much fun would that be?” He kept a possessive hold on Jade as they strolled toward the driveway.

Jade said nothing as she settled into the front seat of his car.

“Let’s go down by the river first,” Ty suggested as he pulled out into the street. “I want you to see it as the sun goes down.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jade said with what she hoped would pass as enthusiasm, even though she’d seen the sun set when she’d gone with Gage on the steamboat. She decided to take Maylene’s obvious concern to heart and it had left her a little apprehensive. But the beginning of the evening gave her nothing to worry about; the sunset was gorgeous and Ty behaved like a gentleman. Still, she couldn’t help but think she’d enjoy the evening much more if she were standing beside Gage rather than Ty. But she tucked those thoughts away and determined to have fun.

Just after dark, they walked along the same streets she had with Gage the day he’d taken her to The French Quarter. Jade allowed herself to relax. Ty was doing his best to be witty and entertaining, and she really was enjoying herself.

As they approached Bourbon Street, Ty remarked, “We were incredibly fortunate that The French Quarter wasn’t lost to Katrina. The whole area could have been wiped out, losing all the history; or at the very least it could have been under constant construction. I don’t know if I could have stayed here if we’d lost this.” Ty gestured at the surrounding area.

Jade looked around. There were no workers painting walls or erecting barricades prohibiting pedestrian traffic. Lights shone from the windows of the beautiful old church she and Gage had visited, encouraging God-loving people to enter and pray. “You’re right. This place has an ambience of its own and it would be a sad thing if it were all gone.”

“It would have been more than sad; it would have been devastating.”

They walked in silence for several minutes and Jade found herself comparing her time during the day with Gage and her time now, with Ty, as night fell. Her emotions were mixed; Gage was refined while Ty was…well, rough around the edges. If anything, the reverse should have been true. Ty was brought up in high society; Gage’s start in life had been more humble. Yet he seemed to outclass Ty at every turn.

Her mind wandered to the evening before. She found Ty’s constant drinking and crude comments at Maylene’s to be appalling, but on the other hand, she also felt bad for him. It must have hurt, knowing he wasn’t Jean Pierre’s golden boy, that he’d been accepted simply because of his blood, while Gage, who had started as a busboy, had not only risen in the company, but had been made the CFO. And Maylene’s obvious doting on Gage must certainly be hard for Ty to witness.

Which brought her to the here and now. Pity wasn’t her motivation for being with Ty this evening. If she wanted to be honest with herself, she’d have to admit it was mainly to spite Gage and punish him for his insinuations that she was a gold digger. That, plus she’d agreed to the date days before and had found no way to gracefully bow out.

So, here she was, nearing Bourbon Street with Ty when all she wanted was to be with Gage. She mentally pinched herself.
Enough! Put Gage out of your thoughts; he doesn’t even want you.
Though part of her hoped that maybe being with her cousin would change that. Gage seemed jealous of Ty; maybe being with Ty tonight would motivate Gage to try harder to gain her attention. She chuckled to herself; she knew better.

Ty broke into her internal reverie. “So, Jade, are you glad you agreed to come out with me tonight? Your days in our fair city are numbered.”

Ty’s words reminded her of how little time she actually had left in New Orleans. She sighed and forced a smile. “I am glad I came. And you’re right. I will be going home soon.”

“Do I sense some disappointment?”

“Maybe a little. It’s been quite a while since I have been able to get away from home; at the same time, I long to be back.”

“I expect you miss your grandmother. Losing someone you love isn’t easy.”

“Of course, that’s true, but I keep reminding myself she’s in a better place. She suffered so much toward the end. Still, sometimes I think of something I want to ask her and when I remember she’s gone the sorrow will sweep over me like a wave. But I bounce back. I’m an optimist.”

“I’ve noticed that about you.” Ty smiled down at her.

Jade hugged herself for a minute; thinking about home was somehow depressing. She felt like something would be missing when she arrived back in Kansas, and she was pretty sure she knew what it would be. Once more, she shoved Gage to the back of her mind.

Breaking into her thoughts, Ty spread his hands out. “Bourbon Street. Time to have some fun.”

Jade immediately perked up. The street and sidewalks were crowded with people from all walks of life and more people were arriving by the minute. Elderly people mixed in with young men with dreadlocks, groups of giggling college-aged girls, and street musicians. People laughed and partied up and down the roads that were blocked from traffic. A current of excitement drifted in the air around her. Jade inhaled deeply, savoring the moment. She returned Ty’s smile. “Where to?”

“Let’s just wander. If you see somewhere you want to stop, just say.”

“Sounds good to me.” Jade stepped into the street, glad she’d worn sneakers with her shorts and short-sleeved blouse. She stopped abruptly in front of a t-shirt shop.

“Want to go in?”

“I’d like a souvenir top.” She climbed the uneven stairs and entered a brightly-lit store. After a few minutes of browsing, she chose a grey t-shirt with a skull on the front that said
Voodoo Blues
. At the counter, she reached for her bag, half-thinking Ty might try to pay for the purchase, but he stood back, content to watch. The clerk handed her a colorful sack along with her change. Ty escorted her through the door when she’d finished. Outside again, Jade stopped when a tiny yellow truck came down the street and started turning circles. She pointed it out to Ty.

“Watch.” Ty grinned, reaching for her hand and grasping it in his. She thought about pulling away but let it stay.

Suddenly the car unfolded itself and stood up. “It’s a transformer!” Jade exclaimed, amazed.

The robot moved around for a few minutes and then folded back up, once more a truck. Now Jade could see the man inside pushing it around on wheels. Jade reached into her purse, pulled out a couple of dollars, and dropped them into the bucket positioned nearby for donations.

“Come on.” Ty pulled her hand; she looked back over her shoulder a couple of times, fascinated with the creativity that had gone into the costume.

Music poured from many of the buildings. Blues here, country there, mixed with rock and roll. “Let’s go in here,” Jade said when she heard some old time rock issuing from a building that didn’t look too full.

“If you want,” Ty answered.

They made their way up to the bar and ordered drinks; Ty had a Jack Daniels on the rocks and Jade chose a wine cooler. Within minutes of their entry, the place was hopping. A young woman worked the crowd, calling out to people and bringing some onto the stage. She did a number of hilarious acts with those she chose.

Ty looked at Jade over the rim of his glass. “Like this music?”

“I love it,” she said. “Let’s dance.”

Ty grabbed her hand and they joined the throng on the floor.

A circulating waitress moved through the crowd carrying some odd-looking tubes in her hands. “What are those?” Jade asked.

“Jello shots,” Ty shouted over the music. “Want one?”

“Sure,” Jade called back.

The waitress held up a large syringe loaded with red Jello and liquor. “Open up,” she demanded and stuck the end of the tube in Jade’s mouth, pushing the plunger down.

Jade just managed to keep up with the gel, but she didn’t lose any, licking her lips and giggling.

Next, the girl placed the plunger of another tube between her breasts and Ty leaned forward while she pushed toward him, empting the shot into his mouth. “Whoohoo!” Ty hollered after sucking down the shot.

“That was different.”

“You got that right; this place is the bomb.”

They danced for a while longer, Ty drinking a lot and Jade having one more wine cooler. Soon they returned to the street. Across the way four young men had started playing music with boxes and washboards. A crowd surrounded them, but Ty managed to get them close enough to watch. Impressed, Jade once again left money in the donation bucket.

“You want to go on a haunted tour now?” Ty staggered a little but then pulled himself together.

“What did you have in mind?” Jade was feeling the alcohol and her body swayed reflexively to the sound of music issuing from the many bars.

Ty looked around and pointed. “There’s a vampire tour getting ready to start. Let’s see if we can get in on it.” He grabbed Jade’s hand and guided her through the throngs of people. Luck was with them. They made it just before the tour was ready to leave the building and there was room for two more.

Their host was a tall thin man wearing a cape and a top hat. Carrying a cane with a silver wolf handle, he led his group off Bourbon Street and a short distance away before stopping to begin his prepared speech. Ty kept Jade at the rear of the group.

Their guide, Victor, explained that they’d be stopping at several apartments where he’d describe mysterious encounters the inhabitants had had over the years, he’d show them where the movie,
Interview With a Vampire,
was filmed, and he’d also take them to a monastery with an eerie past. He promised a restroom break at a bar approximately halfway through the tour. All in all, the trip would last about two hours. With a swish of his cape, he whirled away from them and hurried down the sidewalk.

Jade looked at Ty with a cocked eyebrow and he winked. “Come on. It’ll be interesting.”

For a short time, Jade enjoyed Victor’s spiel. But their assemblage included a mixed group of boys and girls in their mid-teens. It wasn’t long before the young people started heckling Victor, and it became increasingly hard to hear and more and more unpleasant. Finally, Jade had had enough. “Let’s get out of here. This isn’t even fun anymore.”

“You’re right,” Ty concurred. Then, in a louder voice, he said, “Some people can’t control their children and have to ruin things for everyone else.”

To both their surprise, one of the parents snarled at them. “It’s all hooey anyway. If you don’t like our company why don’t you take a hike?”

Ty started forward angrily, but Jade grabbed his arm. “It’s not worth the hassle,” she mumbled.

Ty shook free of her grasp, straightened his shoulders, and said in a moderately loud voice, “You’re right. Let’s not let this bunch of jerks ruin our night.” With that, he gripped Jade’s arm and pulled her down the dark street they’d been traversing.

“It’s not that big of a deal, anyway. I’m really getting tired,” Jade said. “Maybe we could go home now.”

Ty paused, releasing his hold on her. Disappointment etched his face. Well, okay. But would you like to see my place before I drop you off? It’s not all that late and I live nearby.”

Jade sneaked a peak at her watch. It was almost midnight. But she heard the desperation in his voice. He wasn’t ready to relinquish his hold on her yet and feeling slightly tipsy herself, she decided to humor him a bit. “How about we just sit down for a while instead? My feet are starting to hurt.”

“That sounds okay.” Ty stood back and surveyed their surroundings. “Lights are out on this whole block. Looks like nobody’s home. Pick a place and we’ll sit on the steps.”

Jade looked around. Ty was right; it was really dark here. “I don’t know…maybe we should go closer to Bourbon Street.”

“Ah, come on. This will be the first time we’ve actually been alone together. You’re not scared of me, are you?” He cocked his head and tried to look like Mr. Innocent.

“Of course not.” Against her better judgment, Jade lowered herself onto the nearest set of steps. Ty sat beside her, so close she felt crowded.

Squinting toward Jade, Ty said, “I figured you’d be mooning over Gage all evening. I’m glad you weren’t.”

“Not likely,” she lied; she had wished it were Gage with her more than once, and now more than ever.

“Excellent.” He bent forward and leaned in for a kiss. His move surprised her. For a brief second, she went along with it, but when he started becoming aggressive she gave him a gentle shove. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.” Jade started to stand up.

Ty made a small sound of protest. “Please don’t go. I’m sorry, babe, I just got a little carried away. I promise you I’ll back off.”