by Sarra Cannon
We made the quick drive back to their house, and I kept a smile plastered on my face when I said goodnight to both of them.
I could already hear Reyna’s giggles as I got ready for bed in the bathroom. I was ready to go to sleep and forget the embarrassment. Most people would have just moved on from it, but I was analyzing every detail. Was I really that unappealing? He hadn’t even smiled.
Oh well, at least I wasn’t sleeping on the couch. I pulled down Shaun’s blanket and checked the sheets. They looked fresh and clean.
Satisfied I wasn’t sleeping in anything gross, I turned off Shaun’s desk lamp and slid into his bed. The mattress was surprisingly comfortable. He must have had one of those ultra-padded mattress covers. I made a mental note to pick one up for myself. Thinking about shopping for bedding accessories was better than thinking about the earlier rejection.
Going to sleep in a strange bed is always a weird feeling, but add in the fact that I knew the bed belonged to a guy I’d just met, and it was even weirder. I wondered why he was so willing to give it up since, as a neat freak like me, he couldn’t be thrilled at the thought of sleeping on the couch. Maybe he had somewhere else to crash.
Eventually after my mind had run a few dozen laps around the evening’s events, I finally drifted off to sleep.
***
Someone’s hand was on my breast. Not just on my breast, but cupping it. My eyes flew open. Where was I? As I felt something hard poking my back I remembered. I screamed and jumped out of bed. “What the hell?”
“Hey, Daisy. Didn’t want to wait up for me?” Shaun’s voice was level like we were talking casually, but he’d said my name which meant he’d known it was me. That ruled out any possibility of him being drunk and forgetting who I was.
I stumbled around looking for the light. I didn’t bother with the lamp. Instead I went for the overhead light.
“Fuck.” Shaun cursed as the light blinded us both.
“What were you doing?”
“I was enjoying the beautiful girl in my bed, what did you think I was doing?”
“You told me I could sleep here.” I wrapped my arms around my chest. Even though my t-shirt provided good coverage, I wasn’t wearing a bra.
“Yes, I did.” He grinned.
“And that offer implied you weren’t sleeping here.”
“No, it didn’t. I’d never agree to sleep on that couch.” His face wrinkled up in disgust.
“I thought of that. I assumed you had somewhere else to sleep.”
“Somewhere else?” Understanding crossed his face. “Oh, no. I wasn’t planning on crashing anywhere else.”
“You somehow got the impression that I wanted to sleep in the same bed as you?”
“You want exactly what I do.” He arched an eyebrow.
“No, I don’t. That’s why I jumped out of bed.”
“You were surprised—that was the point. Now why don’t you come back to bed so we can get things started.” He pulled away the blanket and sheet revealing what I already knew. He was completely naked. And completely aroused.
“Oh god.” I grabbed my stuff as I headed for the door. My clothes from the day slipped off the top of the duffel, so I bent to pick them up where they landed right next to his bed. As I reached for my shirt I came face to face with a picture of a half-naked woman, and from the looks of the rolled-up posters beside it, there were more like it. Of course. This perv had planned this all along. What a creep. I stood up, and did one quick look around for the rest of my stuff. I wouldn’t be stepping foot into his room again. I’d rather sleep on the floor or outside.
I turned the doorknob, and it took an extra turn. “You locked the door?” I said mostly to myself as I opened the door.
“I figured you wouldn’t want anyone walking in on us.” Shaun’s voice came from right behind me.
I didn’t turn around. What if he was still naked? “I’m sleeping on the couch. Stay far away from me.”
“You don’t have to be this way. No one’s going to judge you.”
“Uh, this isn’t about being judged.” Why was I even arguing with this weirdo?
“If you change your mind, the offer’s still open.”
“No.” If I hadn’t been exhausted and humiliated, I probably would have done more. It wasn’t until I was curled up inside my sleeping bag that I started to beat myself up about how I wished I was the kind of girl who would have slapped him. I just wasn’t, at least not when I was sleeping in some crappy apartment in a city I’d never been to before. The trip was definitely epic—epically awful.
I remained staring at the wall until I heard Shaun’s door close.
“Want me to hurt him for you?”
“What?” I whirled around quickly, but since I was in the sleeping bag that meant I ended up half on the floor. I say half, because a guy gently helped me back onto the couch.
“Who are you?” The room was dark enough that I couldn’t really see his face. Could things get any worse? First the most attractive guy I’d ever seen rejected me, then a weirdo groped me, and now this?
“I’m Duncan. I live here. I’m guessing you’re here with the girl who’s in Chad’s room?”
“Uh, yeah.” All right, hopefully this roommate wasn’t as pervy. Shaun had called him weird, but I no longer trusted his judgment.
“You didn’t answer my question.” He just stood there. I tried to get a better look at him, but in the nearly absent light I couldn’t make out all of his features.
“What question?”
“Want me to kill him?”
The question had to be a joke, but he said it completely serious. He’d stepped closer to the window so I got a quick look at his face. He wasn’t bad looking—he had nothing on the Blond though. Not that his attractiveness mattered. “I think he can live to see another day, but if he goes near me again I might change my mind.”
“Ok, suit yourself.” Duncan turned and walked away. I heard a door open and close, and repositioned myself in an attempt to actually get some sleep.
To keep my mind off the horrible night, I started going through the list of work I’d have to do when I got back to campus. Somehow my tedious assignments were relaxing to contemplate. Despite the craziness of the night, I eventually fell asleep.
The next time I woke up, no one was copping a feel, but Shaun was sitting in a chair staring at me, and he was only wearing a pair of briefs.
I groaned. “What part of stay away from me don’t you understand?” I pulled the sleeping bag tighter around me.
“I’m just sitting in my living room.”
“Staring at me.”
“It’s not like I’m jacking off in front of you.” There was something in the way he said it that made me think he’d done that in his room not too long before. So much for the polite gentleman. Between the near nudie pictures, the groping, and now the jerking off comment, I was pretty sure his entire personality the day before had been an act.
“Lovely image.” I unzipped my sleeping bag.
He smiled. “Yeah? You like it?”
“Oh my god. No. I was being sarcastic.” I picked up my duffel “Now if you’ll excuse me I’m taking a shower.” The thought of using a shower in that apartment scared me, but I desperately needed to wash away the remnants of the horrible night. I hoped there was a good lock on the bathroom door.
“Want some company?” He called after me.
I spun around. “Are you serious?”
He smiled sheepishly. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“Yes, I can.” I headed toward the bathroom. I needed to get changed and out of that apartment as soon as possible. I had a feeling that Reyna wasn’t getting up for a while, but that didn’t mean I had to wait around.
“Man, you like this hard to get stuff.”
“It’s not playing hard to get, it’s telling you to get lost.” I didn’t bother turning around. I didn’t want to encourage him at all.
Thankfully the lock was a
strong one, and the water was hot. I gave myself a few minutes to enjoy the spray before drying off and getting dressed. I brushed out my wet hair and tied it back into a low pony tail. That would have to do.
I braced myself for facing Shaun again when I opened the door to the bathroom, but he was nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh of relief. I grabbed my purse and camera and stowed the rest of my stuff behind a chair. I glanced at the microwave clock in the kitchen on my way out. Eight thirty. Hopefully I’d find something to do that early on a Saturday morning.
I had no real idea of where I was going, but I assumed my best bet was the streetcar the guys had pointed out the night before. If I got on heading downtown, at least I could explore the city and get something out of the trip.
The neighborhood had a different feel in the morning. There was a quiet calmness that made me nearly forget my insane experience with Shaun. I walked the few blocks to St. Charles and waited on the median. I wasn’t sure how often the cars ran, but at least I’d left Mr. Crazy behind.
Chapter Four
After a few frantic moments of searching, I found the exact change the driver said I needed to ride the streetcar. I slid the cash and change into the machine, and the driver closed the door behind me. Without any warning the car started moving, and the jerking motion nearly had me flying through the air. Luckily I was able to grab hold of a pole, and then I held onto the first few rows of seats before falling into an empty one. The car was mostly empty, and I was glad no one seemed to notice my latest awkward moment.
As the car moved downtown, I opened the travel app on my phone. Reyna might not believe in GPS, but I did. I also believed in any app that could make my life easier. I searched for cafes, and quickly recognized the name of one. Café Du Monde. Evidently they were known for these donut like things called beignets and chicory coffee. Both sounded pretty good at the moment.
The outdoor café, covered by a huge green and white stripped awning, was busy, but I had no trouble finding a place to sit. I’d barely sat down when a waiter walked over. I’d already decided on my order thanks to my app. “One order of beignets and a coffee.”
The server smiled and walked off. I was positive I wasn’t the only one ordering that same thing.
While I waited, I opened the app and tried to keep planning my morning. It looked like most of the shops and galleries in the French Quarter wouldn’t open for a while, but it could still be fun to walk around.
My breakfast arrived, and I bit into the hot and sweet beignet. On the first bite I got powdered sugar all over my black t-shirt. Perfect. Oh well, I’d dust it off. The beignet was delicious, and the chickory coffee gave me the pick me up I needed. Hot chocolate was my comfort drink, but after the night I’d had and the lack of sleep, I needed something stronger.
I glanced at my phone. Nine thirty. Less than twenty-four more hours left. We were planning to leave at eight the next morning so we’d be back in time for a mandatory sorority meeting.
After finishing my breakfast, I paid and wandered around Jackson Square for a while to admire the artwork hanging from the wrought iron fence. I took some pictures of the large Cathedral and listened to a solo violinist performing a jazzy tune before heading over to Royal Street.
I stepped into a few galleries, but the owners all looked at me skeptically. I wasn’t sure if it was the remaining powder I couldn’t seem to get off my t-shirt, or my age, but none of them thought I could afford their work. I couldn’t, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t look.
The one exception was the owner of a photo gallery I stopped in.
“Nice camera.” He gestured to the Nikon around my neck.
“Oh, thanks. It was a graduation gift from my parents.”
He set aside some sort of book he’d been reading. “Graduation from?”
“High school. A few years ago.”
“Great gift. What do you use it for mostly?”
“Oh, pretty much everything. I’ve been into photography for a while.” My parents had bought me my first camera when I was seven, and I’d never stopped clicking away.
He laughed. “Same here.”
I really looked at the guy. He was probably in his thirties. Owning a gallery in downtown New Orleans in my thirties didn’t sound so bad.
I gazed around at his street scenes and portraits. “Your work is beautiful.”
“Thank you. I try to capture the essence of the city.”
“This is my first time here. I’m impressed.”
“Really? You’re first time in New Orleans? What do you think of the Crescent City so far?”
I thought over my experience. “I’m enjoying my morning.”
He laughed. “Not so much the rest of the visit?”
“I had a bad night.” Ok, that was too much information, but who cared. I wasn’t going to see this shop owner again.
“Ah. I think I catch your drift.”
I shrugged.
“You should check out the Midnight Cauldron.”
“The Midnight Cauldron?”
“It’s a Voodoo shop, but with a different feel from the rest. I think you’ll find Kalisa, the owner, entertaining.”
“Voodoo? Like witchcraft?”
“Yes and no. You should check it out. She’s just off Bourbon, but don’t let the address fool you. Tell her Harold sent you.”
“Okay.” I took another look at his work not sure what he meant by letting the address fool me. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” He handed me his card. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“Ok.” I pocketed the card and headed out.
The Midnight Cauldron didn’t look like much on the outside, but I decided to take Harold’s advice and check it out.
Unlike most of the shops nearby, the door was closed, but I pushed it open. A chime jingled as I walked inside. The smell of incense hit me as I gazed around the crowded shop. A counter spanned nearly the whole store. I walked up to it and looked into the case.
Rabbit feet? Frogs legs? Yeah, not the kind of stuff I needed.
“Can I help you?”
I jumped back startled by the sudden appearance of a woman that I assumed was the shop owner. Her long dreadlocks and mouth full of metal capped teeth weren’t what caught my attention first. Instead it was the ample cleavage that she had on display. The woman gave a new definition to well-endowed. “Hi. I was just looking around. Harold at the gallery down the street suggested I stop in.”
Her lips spread into a wide smile. “Harold’s lovely, isn’t he?”
“I just met him for a few minutes, but he seemed nice.” I looked around at the candles lining the store. They were in every color imaginable and created an eerie glow despite the small amount of sunlight filtering in through a crack in a window.
“I see.” Her eyes narrowed like she was sizing me up. “Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
“Not really. I’m just exploring.”
“Exploring? Where are you from?”
“Right now I’m living in Atlanta, but I’m from Charlotte.” I’m not sure why I was so forthcoming with details, but I didn’t see any harm in it.
“Are you here with a boyfriend? Lover?”
I laughed dryly. “No.”
“Meaning you don’t have either?”
“Exactly. I’m with a friend.” No reason to explain more.
“Your friend has a man?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re happy for her, but secretly you’re jealous.” She stuck out her tongue slightly as she smiled.
“I’m not jealous.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“No? You don’t yearn to be desired, wanted?”
Of course I did, who didn’t? “Sure, but I’m not jealous of her.”
“Fair enough, but you want a man. I can tell.”
“Sure, who doesn’t?” I shrugged. The conversation was turning awkward. I needed to find something to buy so I could make a polite exit.
“I
have the perfect thing for you.” She turned and started rifling through a number of little vials. “Yes, this should do the trick.”
“What?”
“Come on back with me.”
“Now?” I asked nervously. Wasn’t this a voodoo shop? What were the vials for? I didn’t know voodoo involved potions. I decided to voice my concern. “I didn’t know voodoo involved this stuff.” I gestured to the vials and bottles.
“I practice many different types of magic.” She moved around to my side of the counter before walking over to the door to turn around the open sign to closed. She locked the door. I assumed that was all part of trying to create an authentic experience. Kalisa took things seriously for the owner of a tourist trap.
What had I gotten myself into? “You know, I really think I’m fine.”
“No honey, you are not fine.” She took my arm and led me back around the counter. Every part of me screamed to run, but one small part begged me to stay and see what she had in mind. How many chances like this would I have? Besides, I was in New Orleans. I might as well experience all it had to offer. When in Rome, do what the Romans do, right? I smiled to myself thinking about what Reyna would think of what I was doing. She hadn’t called which meant she was still sleeping—it must have been some night.
She gathered a bunch of bottles and herbs and stuff as we walked into the back room. The worn floor boards beneath us creaked as we ducked under the sloping ceilings.
She started putting a few vials into a pot cooking on an old stove. I watched curiously until a large flash of fire had me stepping away. You couldn’t deny that Kalisa had the theatrics down.
A strong breeze blew out a few of the candles Kalisa had set up. I shivered. I glanced around. There were no windows. Strange.
“Do you want to drink this or use it as a paste?”
“Uh, the paste.” The atmosphere was great and all, but I wasn’t drinking anything.
She laughed. “I was only kidding. I’d get shut down if I gave you anything you actually drank. Regulations and all.”
I laughed uneasily. “I bet.”
Without warning she pressed her thumb across my forehead. “I call this Seduction’s Kiss.” She ran her finger back and forth over my skin. The mixture was warm—nearly hot.
