She rubbed her arms to get the chill away, and Peter reached out to pull her into the warmth of his embrace. Whatever worries she had, she also felt safe, so she leaned into him.
“I think I heard it over here,” yelled someone. The shout startled her so much she fell back onto the ground only to push back up on her arms. An unspoken understanding passed between her and Peter. In seconds they had gathered their clothes, threw them back on, and were on their feet. Dirt covered them both, but the sounds of people and movement nearby gave them no time to clean up.
Peter gave her a wicked grin and they locked hands. Before anyone found them, they were off running. Being nearly caught excited her. Her experiences with sex were vast, but she kept them behind closed doors. Never in the open, where she might get caught.
The voices faded as Peter guided them through the trees and bushes. He ran with assurance and followed without question. A few minutes later they passed out of the trees. A pedestrian path ran a few dozen feet in front of them, and they slowed to a walk.
“We’re safe,” he said.
Her heart beat rapidly. She looked behind them and saw no one. Then she laughed from deep in her belly so that it hurt her chest. Peter joined her, and they made their way to the path. Some cyclists that passed gave them a curious look, but she brushed them off. The entered the path with a leisurely pace.
“Where are you taking me now?” she asked.
“Well the parking lot and fair are up this way,” he said, and then squeezed her hand. He started to say something, but stopped each time. His face suggested he thought it was important, but when he finally spoke it was a question. “That’s up to you. Would you like to go on that tour I planned or do you want to go back to my place?”
Both. The answer popped into her mind so quickly it surprised her. Is that what she really wanted? To spend the day with him walking the streets of New Orleans, and then spend the night with their limbs tangled together? The uneasy feeling he had when they ran still nagged at her, but she did want to spend time with Peter. A lot of time, and not only having sex. Although that was important.
If a quickie with Peter had been that amazing, she couldn’t wait until they had a proper bed to make love in. They’d say goodbye soon enough they needed to spend their time together well. She replayed the memory of their forest lovemaking and knew she wanted more of him. Any uncertainty and warning she gave herself didn’t matter.
She froze to a stop, her eyes going wide.
“Are you alright?” asked Peter.
His face grew concerned, but she focused on going over one more time their encounter in the woods. She shook free of Peter’s hand and stepped back. Fear gripped her as she realized what she had forgotten because she let herself feel so safe and comfortable in his arms—Peter didn’t use a condom.
***
Something had gone wrong and he didn’t have a clue what it could be. But Alicia had a haunted look and her face had gone from a bit flushed from running to ashen in seconds. Her posture reminded him of a frightened animal in the moments before it bolted away.
A bit of panic rose in his chest. He couldn’t let her go without talking to her. Really talking to her this time and not wimping out and asking her what she wanted to do.
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” he said.
“What?”
His voice didn’t sound as confident as he wanted it to, but he pressed on. Alicia had to know his feelings, and he had to know why she had changed so suddenly. Was it because she had gotten her sex and now wanted to leave? He hoped that he had read her better and that underneath all her show there was a caring woman inside. Someone who wanted to care for him as much as he wanted to care for her.
“I know it’s crazy, but I love you,” he said. He forced his voice not to crack and spoke as level as he could. “My work doesn’t have to stay in New Orleans, I can move near you. We can make it work, if we give it a try.”
With every word he said, her face grew more frantic, and then he spoke the next word faster until he finished his speech with the last of his breath. He said the wrong thing. Instead of comforting her, calming her, he poured fuel on whatever fear she had. Her body shook visibly now, her head shaking.
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” she said. Her voice cracked as she spoke, each word running into and stumbling over each other. “There’s nothing between us. It’s all been about getting the sex.”
Her convulsions increased like she was having a seizure. But she wasn’t. Her words stung, and if it wasn’t for the tears streaming down her face, he’d have taken her for her word. But the tears ran freely.
“I got what I really wanted. And so did you. Just stay away from me. I never want to see you again.” The last words triggered her biggest sobs, but when she was done speaking she wiped her eyes, turned, and ran.
His heart broke as he watched her pass out of sight. She had lied. He knew it with a certainty as great as he knew that he loved her. Whatever hurt her past held, he couldn’t help her with it if she didn’t want his help. Her tears told him that she loved him too, but it wasn’t enough for her to stay.
He wanted to run after her, but she needed time to think. And if he ran after her now, she’d become even more frightened. His options weren’t very good, but he wouldn’t let her go without seeing her, even from afar, one last time.
Chapter 31
Alicia limped back into the hotel and made for the nearest chair. She had wandered the streets for hours without really know where she was going. When the sun set, she finally called a cab, gave them the nearest intersection, and waited for her ride. Now she needed to rest, and from the throbbing of her feet, she needed a few bandages too. She pulled a shoe off and rubbed her foot as gently as she could without bruising herself further.
The sister’s weekend hadn’t gone in any way like they planned. Of all the trips they’d taken together, this rank as the worst. They hadn’t even seen each other once since they checked-in. Of course, she had turned off her phone, and except for a note under Sara’s door, hadn’t tried to call anyone. All her promised to ignore men for her family weekend out the door. For Peter.
She wanted to cry every time she thought about him, but she held it inside. The tears she’d shed in all her time walking had dried her out. She had to be strong and not shed any more tears concerning him. She stopped her hand from reflexively rubbing her stomach and placed her arm on the chair armrest.
Her body sunk into the leather and she attempted to relax. A few patrons crossed the lobby and gave her sideways glances. She really needed to go back to her room and get away from unwanted stares, but being alone right now wasn’t something she really wanted.
How had this happened to her? She had let a man inside her heart. But worse than that, she had forgotten to protect herself in the safety and comfort of his arms. Now she faced the very real risk of having their frantic sex turn into something more permanent. It wasn’t the absolute best day in her cycle to get pregnant. But being a day early from her best day didn’t matter much when she considered how Peter unloaded two years of unmet needs into her.
She didn’t see how she would escape the consequences of a baby, yet she couldn’t go back to Peter. I love you. Meaningless, empty words that men had told her over and over after gaining the halo of an orgasm. She knew what men were like and letting her defenses down for Peter had been a mistake. He said the words to soothe her, but he couldn’t have truly meant them. How could he? They had only met the day before. If it wasn’t for the prospect of more sex at his place, he wouldn’t’ have said anything to her. Worse, if she told her of her possibly getting pregnant, he wouldn’t be there for her. She’d be the one to pay the price for quickie sex.
She assured herself of all the reasons he would try to kick her to the curb because that’s what men did, but her certainty felt hollow. There was a time when she wanted to be a mother, and have a man at her side, but that hope died when she learned the real
ways of men. The only dreams that she kept were the ones for her career.
Her heart told her that Peter was different. That he had kept his vow for years because he loved his late wife, and that he only abandoned it with her because of a new love. Love for her. But it didn’t make sense for anyone to fall in love so quickly.
She stared out the lobby window and realized that she didn’t know what to do. How could she go back to Peter? She had left him so angry. Yet how could she not go back to him, especially if she discovered in a couple weeks that she was pregnant.
“Ms. Canning,” a voice said off the side.
She looked around and saw the desk clerk holding an envelope and motioning for her to come over. Her body tried to sink further into the chair, but she pushed to her feet anyway and went to the desk.
“I tried to catch your sister before she left,” said the clerk handing the envelope to Alicia.
She opened the envelope and took out three tickets for the late night riverboat cruise that she had booked. The tour started in less than two hours. What chance did she have to round up Erica and Sara by then? And did she even want to go anymore?
She sighed. “Thank you,” she said to the clerk. “Do you know where either of my sisters are?” she asked.
The clerk’s face scrunched up in thought. “Well your blonde sister left about twenty minutes ago. She had asked to use the hotel kitchen to make something, and then she headed out with a meal boxed up. I forgot to give the tickets to her before she left. I think she told one of our chefs that she intended to go to Le Soul restaurant.”
“Sara was bringing food to a restaurant?” asked Alicia.
The clerk shrugged her shoulders. “That’s what she told us when she paid for using the kitchen.”
That made absolutely no sense, but at least she had someplace to go to find Sara. “What about Erica. The brunette. Have you seen her lately?”
The clerk nodded. “About an hour ago. A cab dropped her off, but she never came in. She went straight to the valet, picked up her car, and left.”
“Do you have the address for the restaurant?”
“Certainly,” said the clerk, and then she started writing directions down on a sticky note.
“Thank you,” said Alicia as she took the note and turned for the lobby exit. Her feet still ached, but the short rest in the cab, and then in the chair had helped. She needed to find her sisters. The brief cruise would be a distraction and chance to forget her problems. If she could.
In all the walking she had done today, she hadn’t given much thought to what she’d say to her sisters when she found them. Despite the discomfort in her feet, she decided to walk to the restaurant. It would take a few minutes and she could use the time to actually think of what, if anything, she should say about her weekend.
If Sara was eating at Le Soul, then they could meet there. But that left Erica’s whereabouts unknown. She took out her phone and hit the power button. She wondered if her cell would start smoking as the unanswered texts, VMs, and status updates pinged through. Being unconnected wasn’t something people who knew her expected, and she’d have to make up some excuse, but now she didn’t care.
She dialed Erica.
“I’m so sorry,” said Erica, answering on the first ring.
Alicia frowned. She had expected to be the one apologizing. Had Erica even noticed that she hadn’t been around? She decided not to mention anything about her own weekend adventures yet.
“Sure, I understand. So what have you been up to anyway? Was the assignment that difficult?”
Erica’s laughed echoed in the phone. Light. Carefree. Happy.
“You don’t seem worried about work anymore,” she said, her pace picking up and clutching the phone tightly.
“I’m not,” said Erica. “I quit this afternoon, and I think I might have another job already. We were just heading out to celebrate.”
“We? You’re with Sara?” asked Alicia.
“No, it’s a long story. I’m with…” she said, and then her tone sharpened. “Wait a minute. Isn’t Sara with you?”
Alicia’s stomach churned as she considered what Erica said. “Are you with a man?” she asked.
“Where’s Sara?” asked Erica.
“She’s at Le Soul restaurant. And you dodged the question.”
“We’ll be there in five minutes, and his name is Justin. He’s the cameraman I worked with,” she said. “There’s so much to tell. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
Erica hung up before she had a chance to respond. So the entire time that she had been with Peter, and thought her sisters might be concerned about her whereabouts, Erica had been shacked up with her camera guy. She picked up her pace to Le Soul. If Sara had slept with the celebrity chef, Laurent Stein, then she would scream. She couldn’t be that unluckily to have both her sisters find boyfriends on their weekend getaway while she had ditched Peter.
She dismissed the possibility. Erica might have found a new man, but Sara was too shy. She hoped for a few hours with her sisters. No men. Then she could clear her head while cruising the Mississippi River for a couple hours. Now Erica had a man tagging along. Even if Justin stayed behind, he’d still be top of Erica’s mind. Just like Peter was on hers.
She weaved through the crowds on the sidewalk and tried not to bump into anyone. Couples walked, hands together, everywhere. It constantly reminded her of the walks she had with Peter. She needed to know why Sara had gone to Le Soul with her own food, and she wanted to get there before Erica. She sped up into a brisk walk and ignored all the protests of her feet that she should slow down. Up ahead she saw the street where the restaurant was located and she looked down at the directions to double check which way she needed to turn.
A quick right and the sign of Le Soul shined amid the night lights of all the other stores and restaurants. Mouth-watering smells permeated the area, but she scarcely noticed them.
“Alicia!”
She looked across the street. Erica waved and crossed over to her. She ignored her sister and focused on the handsome man tightly holding her hand. He had the rugged look of an outdoorsman rather than the softer build of news cameramen that she had seen in Washington. A tight fitting, light green shirt hugged his body. While a pair of blue jeans did the same for his legs.
Justin was a perfect specimen of a man. The kind she would have once eyed and perhaps seduced. Now all she noticed was how closely he walked with Erica. He stayed a half-step behind her while she led him across the street. His eyes alternated between gazing at Erica and looking at her waiting for them. As they moved closer, she saw a sparkle in his eyes that she’d never seen in any of Erica’s boyfriends. It contained the same affection and desire that she saw in their father’s eyes whenever he looked at her mother.
She waited.
Erica let Justin’s hand go and gave her a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t call,” she said, but the unrestrained smile on her face said otherwise. “Justin, this is my sister Alicia,” she said, as she reached out for Justin.
He stepped forward, hand outstretched. “It’s wonderful to meet you,” he said.
They shook hands, and Alicia noted a firm grip, but nothing more. Whatever sex appeal he had, it belonged to Erica. Her eyes sparkled as much as Justin’s and they quickly went back to hand holding. It was love. She could see it as clearly as within her own parents. Erica waited for her to say something. Inside she knew that she should congratulate Erica, or say something encouraging. But all she could see or think about was Peter.
“Alicia, are you OK?” asked Erica, her face becoming concerned.
She pushed the images of Peter away. I’m fine,” she said. Then she turned to Justin. “It’s nice to meet you too, but we really should find Sara.”
Justin exchanged a concerned look with Erica as she turned back to Le Soul and pressed against her heaving stomach. Erica had found someone who truly loved her. She should be happy for her sister, but all she felt was sick. How hurrying to find S
ara, who would gush over Erica’s new love would help her, she didn’t know. But she pressed on to the restaurant. She had to know what Sara had done with the time that she had.
The crowd waited for a table snaked outside the entrance, but Alicia made her way inside. The host looked up as she approached. Erica and Justin followed a foot behind.
“How many?” he asked.
“I’m looking for Sara Canning,” she said, and the host’s eyes hazed over a second before clearing. He didn’t have to say anything. Through the chatter and noise of the patrons in the dining room, she heard the tell-tale laugh of her sister carry through from the kitchen. Without waiting for permission, she circled around the host. “I’ll only be a moment,” she said.
She spotted through the kitchen door windows. Energetic, laughing, and positively glowing as she ate at a back counter. But not a meal by herself. Next to her and sharing food together sat one of the most gorgeous men on Television. Her entire body shook at the sight and her stomach fell out.
Erica moved up next to her. “What the matter?” she asked, her arm on Alicia in worry. Then she glanced through the window and sucked in a breath. “Is that the Laurent Stein? With Sara?”
Alicia couldn’t stand it. Both her sisters had met men this weekend? And they were still together? She shoved the swinging doors open and all the cooks in the kitchen turned their eyes to the door, and her. “Are you kidding me?” she said, her voice shaking. “You didn’t even want to come here and now you’re…together?” She pointed at Laurent.
Sara bolted out of her chair, knocking her plate off the counter. “Alicia, I can explain,” she said through the shattering of her plate as it hit the floor. Alicia watched as Laurent’s hand went to Sara’s back to steady her, and how Sara melted into his touch without a second thought.
Cajun Vacation Page 19
