“I know. But you love me anyway.”
“I do.”
Present Day
New Orleans
BD leaned his head back to gasp for air. Bethany was on his lap, her ass grinding against him through the cotton sheet, making him harder than he thought possible.
“What was that?” The images were fading like a strange dream. But they’d been so real he could still feel the shirt that had clung damply to his back.
“What was what?” she moaned against his mouth, and he lost his train of thought in an instant.
Bethany. He needed her. He never knew anyone could need someone so badly. That vision he’d seen combined with the reality of this woman’s soft flesh and tempting scent had pushed him beyond reason. He had to be inside her soon. To get her as naked as he was. As needy. “Blue Eyes, please. Take these off for me.”
He tugged sightlessly at her jeans, bereft of the skills he’d honed for lifetimes. She was the one setting the pace, and he was too desperate to care. “I need, Bethany. I ache.”
He almost whimpered when she rose up on her knees, taking away her heat to reach for her button and zipper. His hand followed, fingers spread as they caressed her stomach and slid into the opening she’d made.
Inside. Have to get inside.
“We thought when Bone Daddy woke up he might be—Oh shit.”
BD let out a muted roar of denial when the object of his desire tore herself from his embrace, rolling off the bed to land on her feet in a move that would have been impressive if he weren’t so frustrated.
Allegra stood in the doorway, a tray full of food in her hands and a comical expression. The shock he saw wasn’t directed at him at all, but Bethany, who had turned beet-red with mortification.
Why? There was nothing wrong with what they’d done. Unless someone else had claimed her.
The idea did not sit well with him.
Before he could question her, she mumbled her apologies to Allegra and rushed past the redhead in the doorway, out of his sight.
He was sick and tired of people walking away from him, and he now detested the feeling of sexual frustration. “Is she married? Engaged to another?”
The tray rattled at his bellowed questions. “She doesn’t even date, according to Michelle,” Allegra said hesitantly, moving closer to set her offering down on the dresser. “Mambo Toussaint said feeding you is a priority, so Rousseau and I whipped up a little of everything. I didn’t realize you would—that she would—” She turned toward him, her expression apologetic. “I’m so sorry, BD. I thought you were still unconscious. And none of us thought that you and Bethany would hit it off so quickly.”
For some reason, that last remark raised his hackles. He stood, hands on his hips as the sheet fell unheeded to the floor. “Why wouldn’t Bethany and I hit it off? Am I not good enough for her?”
Allegra paled. “Of course not. That’s not what I meant to say at all. I mean, I guess I don’t know her that well yet, but she doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who’d just leap into someone’s bed right away.” She gestured helplessly. “Then again, neither was I, so what do I know?”
What was wrong with his little warrior? She looked like BD had just kicked her favorite puppy. A strange tenderness welled up in his chest for this freckled Valkyrie. “Forgive me, cher. It’s been an unusual morning, as I’m sure you know.”
She sniffled, and he wanted to bang his head against the wall. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her. “There now, Allegra Jarod. Why would you cry? We can’t blame her for acting out of character, can we? I’m irresistible.”
“There’s my Bone Daddy,” she chuckled wetly, before sighing against his chest. “It’s my wedding day. Did you know?”
His eyes widened, arm tightening instinctively. “I knew Rousseau would waste no time, but I will say the date surprises me.”
“All Saints’. I know this might sound strange, but I wanted you to be here in spirit. You healed my leg, you saved my best friend’s life. You’re a part of us, so I wanted to honor you.”
He blinked swiftly, wondering at the pinch around his eyes. The sting. “I’m the honored one, Allegra. Thank you for including me. I have a feeling I won’t be the only one to pay his respects. The Loa love a good wedding. Your life will be blessed.”
“And your life will be over if you don’t get your hands off my woman and put some damn clothes on.”
Rousseau stood in the doorway, Ben Adair’s grip on his shoulder the only thing holding him back. Despite his restraint, Ben’s grim expression wasn’t all that welcoming either.
Ingrates.
He lifted his hands from Allegra and took a step back, smiling smugly. “Good to see you, too, boys. I’d love to get dressed so I can find Bethany. If one of you would be good enough to loan me a pair of pants, I’ll be out of your way. I seem to be lacking in the basic necessities this morning.”
“Bethany?” The two men spoke in unison, their matching expressions of bewilderment making him angry.
“And why not Bethany?” She doesn’t even date. “Has she taken vows? Is she a nun?”
That would be a crime and a waste, if it were true.
“Not a nun,” Allegra assured him in a whisper. Good girl.
“She’s not really your type.” Rousseau sounded as if the response had been torn out of him.
Ben scratched his head, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, I don’t see it either.”
“You see nothing.”
“I’m not knocking your skills, brother,” Ben protested. “From what Mimi said, Bethany was always—”
“Waiting,” BD interrupted, glaring at him. “For someone to look beyond the concealing surface and truly see her for the beauty she is. The butterfly that trembles inside her cocoon owns the brightest pair of wings. Once you free her, she soars. I thought I taught you better than that.”
Allegra ignored Rousseau’s curse of denial and wrapped her arms around BD’s bare waist, squeezing him affectionately. “That was beautiful. I’m so glad you’re here.”
He chuckled, his wary gaze fixed on her fiancé. He understood his possessive friend better than Rousseau knew. If he’d ever seen someone touching Isabel this way, he would kill them.
Isabel?
Was it this house, the treasure Ben and Michelle were always speaking of that made him think of that name? That put those images in his head during that kiss? Or was Bethany a witch who dabbled in illusions, drove him to madness with a touch and enchanted him with her sharp tongue?
Rousseau took a warning step closer and he sighed.
“You may be the only one glad to see me, Allegra. Now let me go, cher, or I might not make it to your wedding intact.”
If she could work up the courage to leave her bedroom, she could head for the airport and put Isabel and Bone Daddy behind her forever. She was sure Michelle would understand.
How could she have behaved that way? And with the infamous gigolo of the voodoo pantheon, no less. She was humiliated, but she knew that if Allegra hadn’t come in when she did, Bethany would have taken that ride without a second’s hesitation. She would have done anything, as long as he kept touching her. Kissing her.
It was even better than it had been in her dreams, because it was Bethany kissing him, not the shy, submissive Isabel he’d felt the need to insulate and protect. With Bethany, he’d been the one begging for more.
She wasn’t this sexual. Sure, she was no simpering virgin, but that was only because the idea of waiting for someone who may or may not show up made her queasy, and she didn’t want to deal with the stigma. The experience she had was minimal, but she hadn’t realized how lackluster it had been until a few minutes ago in that bedroom.
Before today, she’d never been able to wrap her head around why people spent so much time thinking about it or trying to have it. As far as she’d been concerned, her imagination and her toys were more reliable than flesh and boner. Life was simpler without lust clouding the issue. Neat and tidy, with ninety-nine pe
rcent less heartache.
But with BD, something deep inside of her came rushing to the surface. She needed. She hungered. She couldn’t think straight, let alone control herself. What he brought out in her was volatile and unexpected. In the space of an hour she’d hit him, insulted him, then jumped him like a horny nympho.
He took it well enough.
Her lips curved, recalling the expression on his face when she’d thrown him off the bed. He wasn’t used to rejection, and why would he be? Gorgeous, cocky and unfairly charismatic, but it was what was beneath it all that drew her to him. Something she couldn’t explain.
She had questions. Why would he pretend he hadn’t invaded her dreams in the guise of Isabel’s lover, Marcel? She was obsessed with the letters, the romance of it, so it made sense that it would be in her mind.
But why would Bone Daddy?
BD. He’d told her to call him BD.
“Can I come in?” Michelle slipped into her bedroom and closed the door behind her, her green eyes darkening with worry when she noticed the open suitcase on the bed. “I heard what happened. Are you okay?”
“Sure. Couldn’t be better. Why do you ask?” Bethany joked, scooting back against the pillows to make room for her friend.
Michelle sat beside her, looking down at her hands as if they were the most fascinating things she’d ever seen. “I shouldn’t have left you alone with him,” she started.
“Michelle—”
“It’s not anything to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, Bethany. He has a way of making people do the strangest things. He’s done it to all of us. It’s a gift, the way Ben can feel things and I can see them.”
“Voodoo pheromones?” she quipped.
“Basically, yes.” Michelle turned toward her and put a hand on her knee. “My old roommate Stacy could tell you stories, but the point I’m trying to make is that there’s nothing to feel bad about. And you don’t have to leave. We’ll just make sure he keeps his distance from now on.”
She instantly rejected that idea, but kept her silence, knowing that Michelle was feeling guilty enough for what she thought she’d allowed to happen. Bethany leaned her head against the wall, her lips quirking. “That pep talk would make me feel tons better if I hadn’t attacked him after he told me he had none of his regular abilities today.”
The expression on Michelle’s face was priceless. “You attacked him? And he actually said that to you? No powers at all? Mama thought that might be the case but I wasn’t sure.”
“Not a one. What happened was all on me.” Bethany closed her eyes on a groan. “I couldn’t help it. He looked so upset that I’d tossed him on his butt, that his smooth talk wasn’t working on me. Call it reverse psychology, but I found myself wanting to kiss him.”
“I thought you said he was too pretty.”
Bethany opened her eyes in time to catch Michelle’s teasing smile. She still seemed worried though. “Get it out, Michelle. I know you’re dying to.”
She shook her head. “I’m not. Not really. I mean, we’ve told you about him. Even though he looks human now, he is anything but. When I told Mama how we found him, she shared something that only a few select priests and priestesses know. On All Saints’ Day, some Loa are allowed to walk as mortals in the human world. Their own bodies, with all the vulnerabilities and weaknesses that entails.”
She’d read something about that once. How certain times of year, when the veil between one side and the other thinned, spirits were known to walk among the living. “Just today then?”
Michelle dipped her head, her expression somber. “Sunrise to sunrise. Tomorrow morning, he’ll be a Loa again. Invisible to all, unless he’s called to perform.”
Bethany’s stomach knotted at the thought. What would that be like? To have a time limit like that? If she knew she was going to be dead in twenty-four hours, what would she do with that time?
He won’t die. He can’t. Don’t be so dramatic.
But he wouldn’t be here. Not like this. She wasn’t sure who she was more upset for, him or herself. It didn’t feel like enough time.
Another knock sounded at the door, making them jump. “Here comes the bride.”
Allegra slid inside quickly, a large grin on her face. “I’m pretty sure I’m interrupting a scintillating sex talk that you’re not including me in, but I’ll pester you for details in a minute. What do you think?”
Bethany’s heart melted on the spot. Allegra looked like a damn fairy queen come to life. The lacy white creation had an empire waist, short bell sleeves, and a curving neckline that did amazing things for her strong, slender figure. It was made for her. “Beautiful.”
Michelle stood to embrace her. “She’s right, baby girl. You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Rousseau might not make it through the ceremony without crying or tossing you over his shoulder and locking you in his bedroom again.”
“My vote’s on both.” Bethany reached into her bedside table, where she’d placed Isabel’s treasures for study, and took out the comb. “I don’t think Michelle or Isabel would mind if you made this a part of your outfit. Especially since you’re getting married on the grounds. Something old.”
She slid the comb into her hair while Allegra’s bright blue eyes sparkled with moisture. “What is wrong with me? I’ve climbed mountains. I swam with a shark, for God’s sake. All I have to do is walk down one little aisle and all of a sudden I’m a mess.”
Bethany wiped her tears and cupped her shoulders with a wry smile. “Since I’ve rarely braved anything beyond the stairs of my apartment after the elevator broke down, I can’t claim to know what kind of courage it takes to do what you’ve done, Allegra. But I think a promise like this, a commitment this special, would bring a tear to anyone’s eye.” She gestured toward Michelle. “I’m willing to bet good money our girl here will put you to shame with the sobbing when she finally stops toying with Ben’s emotions and accepts his proposal.”
Michelle gasped in outrage. “Did he tell you that? All I said was we should wait to tell The Mamas until Allegra and Rousseau…” She stared at Bethany while Allegra clapped a hand over her mouth in surprise. “He didn’t say anything. You guessed.”
“I know you,” Bethany reminded her. “And the way Ben looks at you every time anything wedding related comes up isn’t exactly subtle.”
“You’re pregnant,” Allegra said softly, and now it was Bethany’s turn to be surprised. She followed her gaze to the protective hand that Michelle had unconsciously placed over her stomach.
Michelle glanced toward the door in panic, lowering her voice as she moved closer. “We just found out. Ben sensed something, so I got a few tests and I can’t tell you how much I want a drink right now.”
Bethany laughed and Allegra dragged them into a group hug. “I didn’t think the day could get any better. I bet it’s twins.”
“I can hurt you,” Michelle mumbled into Allegra’s hair.
“Not on my wedding day.”
Michelle stepped back and clapped her hands. “Okay, enough of this, or we’ll ruin your dress. We have to get this off of you before any of the men see it. Mama and Rousseau are in the kitchen, making enough food to feed an army. We’ll have an early lunch, and then we need to take you to the hairdresser’s, and get Bethany something to wear for the occasion.”
Allegra nodded. “BD, too. He won’t fit in anything Ben has in your closet. I checked.” Bethany and Michelle both looked at her askance, and she shrugged. “What? The man has no clothes. The wedding guests may not mind, but Rousseau definitely will. The man nearly had a heart attack knowing I was in the same room as a naked Loa.”
Michelle held up her hand. “Back up. He agreed to come to the wedding?”
“He’ll come.” She sounded certain.
Bethany wasn’t so sure. If she only had one day in human form, her bucket list wouldn’t have “awkward guest at wedding of the man I possessed” written anywhere on it.
“So, we’re jus
t going to ignore the baby news for now?”
Michelle took Bethany’s chin between her fingers and kissed her cheek. “If The Mamas find out, I’ll know it was you.”
“Fine. Lose the Godfather impression and I’ll keep your secret.”
“We have enough on our plate with the wedding, the after party and a Loa in our midst. Tomorrow we’ll fulfill Elise and Annemarie’s lifelong goal of having grandbabies.”
Allegra hugged them both again before bouncing out of the room, Michelle hot on her trail. Bethany hung back, taking out the brass locket that she’d worn every night since she arrived from its hidden spot by her bed. She really should have shown this to Allegra instead of the comb. It would have gone perfectly.
You should have shown it to Michelle.
Her fingers closed over the cool metal, enjoying the zap of electricity she’d come to associate with it. Just like the puzzle box, she couldn’t get it open. But she couldn’t seem to part with it either.
She slid the chain around her neck, pinning the locket to the strap of her bra. It felt like hers. Her own secret talisman. And she needed one. Especially if she was going to be keeping secrets from a voodoo priestess and spending more time with BD.
One day. After it was over, he’d be gone and Bethany would return to her lonely apartment and her safe, monotonous life. She hadn’t changed at all in the last four years, more than that. But Allegra had gone from swimming with sharks to inviting Loa to her wedding. And Michelle was in love, on her way to being married and pregnant to boot. It made her long for…something. A change. A really good memory.
Marriage and happy endings weren’t in the cards for her, but would it really be so wrong if she allowed herself a passionate fling before she left New Orleans? If she had a wild adventure of her own for just one day?
She needed to think about it fast, because time wasn’t on her side.
Chapter 5
“How do I look?”
Every woman in the small clothing store let out a chorus of simultaneous sighs. Even the young salesclerk had heart eyes as he gazed at BD modeling his new outfit.
Undo Me (Bone Daddy Book 3) Page 6
