Wesley shook his head. “No, ma’am. I appreciate the offer, though.”
Maitlyn smiled. “I’m not that much older than my sister. Please, call me Maitlyn.”
Wesley nodded. “So you’re the private investigator!”
“Is that what she told you?”
“She said if it exists, that you’re the one who can find it.”
The woman’s laughter was warm and endearing. “I can be resourceful when I need to be.”
“Your sister says it’s more than that.”
“My sister is too kind.”
“I’m sure she has moments.”
Maitlyn laughed. “I see that you’re getting to know her well.”
Wesley laughed with her, and their conversation continued for a few moments, the exchange easy and casual. He stole a quick glance down the length of hallway that he assumed led to the home’s private spaces.
Maitlyn followed his gaze with one of her own. “She might be a minute. I hope you’re not on a schedule.”
“We’re good with time,” he said. He shook his head. “But I could use a big favor.”
She stepped toward him, tossing her own look toward her sister’s bedroom. After explaining what he needed, Maitlyn grinned. “Give me one minute,” she said, disappearing out of his sight. She returned quickly, a small gym bag in hand. “Kamaya is touching up her makeup. She’ll probably be in the bathroom for another ten minutes,” she said, as she passed him the bag.
Wesley grinned. “Thanks. I’ll run this to the car real quick.”
He was back in the blink of an eye, no one but the two of them even knowing that he had left. He nodded his appreciation, whispering a soft thank-you.
Maitlyn winked at him. She rubbed a hand across her swollen belly.
“Congratulations! You and your husband must be very excited.” Wesley tilted his head toward her bulging midsection.
“Thank you. We are. This is baby number three for us, our second son.”
“Very nice. My mother says that sons are the key to every family’s legacy and daughters are the locks.”
“That’s an interesting perspective.”
“Crazy, old-school wisdom is what it is,” he said, chuckling softly.
“Do you have any children, Wesley?”
“Do not answer that!” Kamaya admonished as she suddenly flounced into the room. “Really, Maitlyn?”
Her sister laughed, shrugging her narrow shoulders. “I was just making conversation.”
Wesley moved onto his feet, turning to stare in Kamaya’s direction. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open ever so slightly. The woman was stunning and she took his breath away. “Hey!”
“Hi!” Kamaya chimed back, suddenly feeling awkward and nervous. She shifted her weight from one hip to the other.
“You look great!” he said softly.
“Thank you,” she said, her own voice a loud whisper.
The two stood staring at each other as Maitlyn shifted her gaze between them like she was watching a tennis match. She suddenly laughed out loud, bemusement painting her expression.
“We should go,” Kamaya said, moving to grab her purse. She shot her sister a look. “Lock my door when you leave, please.”
Maitlyn nodded. She winked in Wesley’s direction. “Take care of my sister. I know where to find you if anything happens to her,” she said. “And my husband and brother both carry a badge and a gun!”
* * *
“Don’t believe anything she told you about me,” Kamaya stated as they walked the short length of her driveway toward Wesley’s car.
He laughed. “What makes you think we talked about you?”
“Are you saying you didn’t?” she retorted as she narrowed her gaze on him.
“I’m saying you shouldn’t be so sensitive.”
Kamaya changed the subject. “What year is your Toyota?”
“Why?”
“Because it looks like it might not make it. Maybe we should take my car.”
“What’s wrong with my ride?”
“Nothing. I just look cute in my heels and this outfit. If we were in gym clothes your car would be just fine. Since we’re all dressed up my car might be a better fit.”
“You don’t look that cute,” he said teasingly. “Besides, I never got the impression you were that pretentious. I’m actually surprised!”
Kamaya laughed. “I beg your pardon! I’ll have you know I worked very hard to look this cute for you, and I am definitely not pretentious. It was only a suggestion. I’ll save my gas. And if your clunker gives out on us, I’m not walking anywhere for help. I want to make sure that’s clear.”
They’d made it to his vehicle, and as he reached his arm around to open her door, his expression was smug. There was a moment of hesitation as their gazes locked and held. The succulent scent of her perfume wafted past his nostrils. The fragrance reminded him of flowers brightened with a hint of citrus and warmed by the woodsy fragrances of amber and sandalwood. It was romantic and feminine and exceptionally memorable.
He took a deep breath. “Beautiful!” he whispered softly.
Kamaya’s eyes widened even more. “I...oh...” she stammered, the comment throwing her off.
He shook his head. “Your perfume. You’re wearing Beautiful by Estée Lauder.”
“You recognize my perfume?”
“It’s one of my favorites on a woman.”
“I’m not even going to ask about the women you’ve been sniffing!” Kamaya said facetiously. She slid into the passenger seat.
Wesley chuckled to himself as he eased the door closed and moved around the front of the automobile to the driver’s side. Once they were both settled comfortably, secured by their seat belts, he backed out of the driveway and headed toward the French Quarter.
“So, where are we going?” Kamaya asked.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
He grinned. “Why does that not surprise me!”
The look he gave her made her smile, unable to resist the sweet bend that pulled at her lips. Amusement danced across her face as she rolled her eyes.
“So, what’s been going on since I last saw you?” Wesley asked, changing the subject as he maneuvered his car through the New Orleans streets.
“Business as usual. Fuel prices are dropping nicely so we’re seeing a very nice return on our investment. I’m even thinking about adding a few more gas stations to my portfolio.”
Wesley shook his head. “Now that you got that out of your system, let me remind you of the rules. We are not going to talk about business.”
“You really weren’t serious about that, were you?”
“I was very serious. I said it and I meant it. No business.”
“And if I break your little rule, what then?”
He cut an eye at her, mischief dancing in his eyes. “I will gladly paddle your backside, so don’t test me.”
“Ooh! Promises, promises! For all you know I might enjoy being paddled.”
“Do you? Because I would gladly oblige you.” There was a hint of something seductive and decadent in his banter.
Kamaya actually giggled, and she wasn’t much of a giggler. A warm blush flooded her face. “So you’re a pervert!”
Wesley chuckled. “Not at all. I just believe in insuring my partner is immensely satisfied, and if she wants to be spanked...well...” He winked at her and Kamaya felt moisture suddenly trickle, the heat between them rising with a vengeance.
Silence swallowed the space around them as they both reflected on that very brief exchange. The teasing had been filled with possibility, something about the flirtation feeling like plans in the making. The prospect of where that might take
them suddenly had her even more excited.
Wesley pulled his car into a parking space near the New Orleans School of Cooking. He shut down the engine and turned in his seat to eye her directly. She looked around curiously, and it was only then that she spied the picnic basket in the backseat.
“So, we’re having a picnic at the cooking school?”
He shook his head. “We are not. The basket is for later. Right now we’re taking an interactive cooking class. I thought this would be fun since you don’t cook.”
“Excuse you! Who said I didn’t know how to cook?”
“So, you do know how to cook?”
“That’s beside the point. I just want to know who told you.”
He laughed as he stepped out of the car and moved to the passenger side to open her door. He extended his hand toward her to help her out, and they both inhaled swiftly when skin touched skin, her palm sliding easily against his. He blew out a breath. “I told you before, I know how to read people. And I’m having a lot of fun reading you.”
She pulled her hand from his. “Don’t get it twisted, Wesley Walters. You are not reading me! You’re only discovering what I want you to know!”
“If you say so,” he answered as he tapped his palm against her backside.
The gesture was swift, stinging just enough to get her attention. It surprised her and Kamaya jumped ever so slightly. The look she gave him was priceless and Wesley chuckled heartily.
“Let’s go cook!” he said, as he reached for her hand again, entwining his fingers between hers.
Kamaya nodded in agreement as she allowed him to pull her along beside him.
* * *
Kamaya couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun with a man. Once inside, they’d been introduced to Ms. Pat, the expert chef assigned to guide them. The grandmotherly woman was truly a treasure and a wealth of fun. After plying them with mimosas, she led them in the preparation of their meal. Together they learned about the history of and cultural influences on the cuisine they were cooking, Ms. Pat’s stories were fodder for much hilarity in the classroom. Amidst an abundance of laughter, they cut, seasoned and prepared a complete meal, then sat down to enjoy the lunch they had just created.
The menu included a sweet potato and crab bisque, grillades, cheese grits and, for dessert, bananas Foster. The class lasted for almost three hours, and when they were finished neither wanted to leave the other’s company. As they headed back to his car, Kamaya clutched a small bag of leftovers in one hand and held onto Wesley with her other hand. It was just past three o’clock and neither was ready for their afternoon to end.
“This has actually been a lot of fun,” she said, as she leaned into his side. “Thank you!”
Wesley smiled. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you agreed to spend time with me. I’ve had a really good time, too!”
“So, where to now?” she asked, her enthusiasm spilling out of her eyes. “It’s still early.”
“I thought you’d be ready to call it a day. Don’t you have to catch up on your rest to get ready for work on Monday?”
She came to an abrupt halt. “Hush your mouth! I thought we weren’t talking any business.”
Wesley laughed. “Is that what I just did?”
“You did. Looks like you’re the one that wants to get spanked.”
He shook his head. “Not my thing.”
“Clearly you haven’t met the right woman, then.”
He grinned. “Now I’m intrigued.”
“You should be,” Kamaya whispered, as she pressed her palm to his chest, leaning her body against his.
Wesley felt every muscle in his body harden with desire and then she spun herself from him, a wicked laugh ringing through the evening air.
“So, where to now?” she asked again. “Or did you not have a contingency plan for when this date went really, really well?”
He chuckled. “Baby, I always have a contingency plan,” he said matter-of-factly as he pointed at the picnic basket still resting on the backseat of his vehicle.
He moved to open the passenger door. As she eased her way inside, tossing him an amused look and the brightest smile, he tapped her on her ass one more time.
Chapter 7
The conversation between them wasn’t anything either could have imagined. It was so much more, and both were enjoying the exchange. Kamaya was in awe of how easy it was to talk to Wesley. He had an attentive ear and he didn’t take her too seriously. He asked questions that surprised her, the things he wanted to know about her making her heart sing. He respected her intelligence and seemed to genuinely appreciate those things she was enthusiastic about.
They talked politics, education, science and art. Wesley liked that she was opinionated and approached everything with a critical eye. Her mind was analytical and her actions methodical. She challenged his thinking, making him aware that not everything he believed was finite. And she was funny as hell, her ability to keep him laughing warming his spirit.
“So what do you have against men?” he asked, curiosity ringing in his tone.
Kamaya laughed. “I don’t have anything against men. I love men. But I don’t need to love them for long periods of time.”
He tossed her a look, his head moving from side to side. “Do you purposely avoid long-term relationships?”
“I purposely avoid any relationship that does not make me happy.”
“So I have a fighting chance?”
She laughed again. “You’re doing okay.”
“Just okay?”
“Are you feeling insecure? Because I don’t do well with insecure men.”
“Not at all. I just like to know where I stand with a woman. Like you, I don’t want to waste any unnecessary time in a relationship that I know is going to fail.”
“Well, right now you’re doing good. You’re getting all kinds of gold stars.
“So you know we’re going to be magic together too?”
Her laugh was gut deep, tears misting at the edges of her eyes. “You’re funny.”
He smiled. “And I was trying to be serious!”
Her eyes danced from side to side as she scanned the landscape, enjoying the view. “What about you?” she finally asked. “What about your long-term relationships? Have you had any?”
He nodded. “I did. One. Everyone thought we were going to be married.”
“What happened?”
“Irreconcilable differences. I wanted more out of life than she did. We were both smart enough to call it quits before we married and had kids and made a mess out of their lives.”
“My parents have been married since forever. When, and if, I ever get married, I want what they have. I know I’m not an easy woman to get along with and I know that it’s going to take a very special man to deal with me. I quickly eliminate those that don’t make the cut because I still have hope that the right one will come along and sweep me off my feet.”
He reached for her hand and gave her fingers a light squeeze. “I guess I arrived right on time,” he said, his gaze connecting with hers.
Kamaya responded with an eye roll as she squeezed back. Her gaze shifted back outside.
Wesley drove until they were at the edge of Lake Ponchartrain, the largest inland body of water in Louisiana. Spanning some six hundred and thirty square miles, the lake was forty miles, west to east, and twenty-four miles from south to north. Their destination was the New Orleans Yacht Club.
“I hope you like the water,” he said casually.
Kamaya hesitated briefly. “As long as we’re not skinny-dipping or anything like that, I think I’ll be good!”
He chuckled. “I thought I’d save the skinny-dipping for our second date.”
“I am not that kind of girl!” she excla
imed. “Maybe the third date. And only if you’re lucky.”
He grinned. “I don’t need luck. I am exceptionally skilled. You’ll be surprised at what I’m going to be able to talk you out of, including your clothes,” he said with a deep laugh.
Kamaya rolled her eyes as they exited the car. She didn’t bother to respond, knowing that he probably wasn’t far from being right.
Wesley nodded, his smug expression blooming across his face for a second time. “I have a sailboat that I keep anchored here. I thought it might be nice to just sit and relax, and maybe enjoy a bottle of wine or two. Later on, after the sun sets, there’s going to be fireworks. If we’re still here, we’ll have ringside seats.”
“If we’re still here?”
“I can’t assume that just because I’m enjoying our time together, that you’ll want to stay. I’m prepared to take you home when you’re ready.”
“So you’re not that exceptionally skilled?” She gave him her own smug look, laughter shimmering in her dark eyes. “Because I would think that if you could talk me out of my clothes, talking me into hanging around a little longer would be a piece of cake.”
Wesley nodded, laughing heartily. “You’re funny, Kamaya Boudreaux.”
“Not nearly as hilarious as you are, Wesley Walters!” She took a deep breath as she assessed her surroundings. The sky was a brilliant shade of Carolina blue. There wasn’t a cloud to be seen and the sun was gleaming brilliantly. The water shimmered beneath the light, and it couldn’t have been a better day for them to enjoy being on the water. Kamaya was suddenly even more excited about the prospect of spending that time with Wesley in such a beautiful environment.
The sixty-five-foot custom, twin-keel cruiser was tied at the end of the lengthy, wooden planked dock. The sailboat had an enclosed pilothouse that had been designed for comfortable, long-term water cruising. It was an all-weather, go-anywhere vessel that could easily be handled by two people. Wesley took great pride in pointing out the new teak deck, the renovated interior layout that included a master cabin and second guest cabin aft, a forward guest cabin, a saloon and a galley. The luxury finishes and upscale fixtures made it a sight to behold.
A Pleasing Temptation Page 8
