She held out her arm. “Walk an old woman to the refreshment table. I could use a cool drink. Something with whiskey in it.”
How could she not love this old girl? She just had so much life in her. “You are such a bad influence,” Charlotte teased.
“Thank you.”
“I’m sure there isn’t a man here you couldn’t have, if you set your mind to it.”
“I was very popular in my day. So were your great aunt and grandmother.”
Charlotte giggled. “Where is he?”
“By the fountain, in a gray suit.”
Charlotte took her arm and turned. She tilted her head just right so she could see under the wide brim of her hat, but not be seen staring. Her heart stopped. It was Travis.
Chapter Five
She took a step and faltered. How had he found her? What was he doing here? A thousand more questions raced around in her head. She had to get away from him. He wasn’t supposed to know anything about her.
Oh Lord, he was coming over. She had to get away, but she couldn’t seem to move her feet.
“Charlotte, are you alright?”
Panic surrounded her. “I felt a little faint for a moment. I didn’t get a chance to eat this morning.”
“You young women, with your need to be a size nothing. Back in my day, a man liked a girl with some meat on her bones.”
He was hurrying now. There was nowhere to run and hide from him.
“May I help you ladies?”
“Yes, young man. Please get Ms. Lambert to the tents. There is air conditioning there. Also, if you could get her a plate and a cool drink. Thank you.” She patted Charlotte’s hand. “I’m going to find your mother.”
Charlotte reached for Miss Justine, but she nimbly stepped beyond her reach. “No really, I’m fine.”
“Let me help you, Ms. Lambert.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at him as he smiled at her. She gave it one more attempt to escape him. “I’m fine.”
He took her arm and tucked it in his. “I insist, Ms. Lambert. I would never forgive myself if I abandoned you without an explanation.”
A tidal wave of heat raced up her arm. “Please don’t.”
“Charlotte, don’t be difficult. Go with the nice gentleman.” Miss Justine winked at her before she turned and walked away.
She looked around to see if anyone was paying them any attention. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.
A sly smile curved his lips. “I had to return something to you.”
She felt his voice move all the way down her spine. “What?”
He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a red scrap of material.
Her panties. He was waving her panties around at a garden party. She tried to reach for them, but he quickly slipped them back into his jacket pocket. “Give those back,” she whispered.
He smiled. “You seem flushed.”
Charlotte bit her bottom lip. “Please, Travis.”
He shook his head. “Let’s get you some place cool.”
If she thought she could sprint to her car, she’d take off running. “Thank you.” Charlotte stole another glance around to see if people were looking at them. Thank sweet heavens they weren’t. She let him lead her into the tent and to an empty chair. The only way she was going to get out of this was to cooperate. He helped her sit.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Gin.” She huffed. “What are you doing here?”
Again he gave her that sexy smile. “Helping you.”
“No, at this party.”
He pushed back a strand of hair that had come loose from his ponytail. “Eating sandwiches with no crust. I haven’t done that since I was about five. Oh and I spent a cra-- a boatload of money to name a rose bush after my mother.”
Dear God that was a lot of money –– she’d set the prices. She was very impressed. She had done the same for her mother last year. “Thank you, that was very generous. I’m sure your mother will be honored.”
He pulled a chair closer to her and sat down. “What does a Garden Society do?”
“We’re interested in flowers.”
“Why?”
She fanned herself with her hand. It really wasn’t that hot. It was just hot sitting next to Travis. “Well, this particular fundraiser is to protect native flora. Isn’t that why you came?”
He rolled his blue eyes. “I don’t care about the native flora, I wanted to see you.”
She plain refused to be flattered. She had no idea what to do with him after their night together. Weren’t men supposed to prefer one night stands? “Why?”
Before he could answer, he was interrupted by her mother. For once, Charlotte was thankful because she had no desire to continue this conversation. “Charlotte, Miss Justine said you weren’t feeling well.” Her mother touched her cheek. “You seem a bit overheated.”
That was an understatement. She took a deep breath. “I neglected to eat this morning but I’m fine now.”
Her mother turned her pointed gaze on Travis. “And you are, young man?”
This was not going to be pretty, Charlotte thought.
Travis stood and extended his hand. “Travis Rexford, ma’am.”
Charlotte saw her mother glance at Travis’s hand and she remembered his calluses. Her mother reluctantly extended her hand.
“Nicole Lambert. Are you by any chance related to the Charleston Rexfords? Suzanne Rexford and I had our come out together. Of course, she was Suzanne Newell back then.”
Travis didn’t even look fazed. Her mother’s gaze of death was totally wasted on him.
“I’m from Detroit.”
“Oh.” Nicole tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know anybody in Detroit.”
“That’s okay. Until recently I didn’t know anyone in New Orleans.”
The fact that her mother hadn’t intimidated him raised him up in Charlotte’s estimation.
“Have you relocated to the city?”
He shook his head. “Just here on business.”
Before her mother could fully interrogate Travis, Charlotte stood. “I’m feeling a bit better, but I think I’m going home. I’ve had a very long week.” She finished with a bright, fake smile.
Her mother looped her arm through Charlotte’s. “Of course, dear. I’ll walk you to your car. Mr. Rexford, thank you for coming to my daughter’s aid, but I can handle things from here.”
Very territorial, Charlotte thought, but she wasn’t sure how to feel about it. She was a grown woman, not a baby gazelle to be protected from the big bad sexy lion.
Travis smiled. “I am sure you can.”
Charlotte smiled at him. “Mr. Rexford, thank you for all your help. Enjoy the rest of the party.”
Travis rocked back on his heels. “I will. Maybe we will run into each other again.”
Not if she had anything to do with it they wouldn’t. The last thing she needed was this too-sexy man running amuck in her life. “We’ll see. Thank you, again.”
“Ladies, it was a pleasure.”
Charlotte felt her mother tug on her and she started walking toward the parking lot outside the Botanical Gardens. To everyone else she was certain her mother looked calm, but Charlotte knew she was seething inside. She hated being forced to deal with people she considered beneath her. Charlotte braced herself for the admonishment to come. She only had to wait as long as it took for them to walk to Charlotte’s car.
“You know he’s not our sort of people.”
“I know.” Vain, spoiled, self-important and terminally boring –– that was her mother’s idea of “their sort of people.” As far as she was concerned it was a point in his favor that he wasn’t one of them. Not that she would dare utter those words to her mother.
“Good.”
Charlotte kissed her mother’s cheek and got into her car. It was just a lot less work to agree with her mother. And, as much as she would like to see Travis again, she knew she shouldn�
��t. It would be better not to complicate her life with him.
Charlotte sat on her balcony and watched a barge crawl up the Mississippi River. She didn’t even have the energy to change out of her dress. Magnolia sat on the wrought iron bench near the railing, staring at her with this judgmental glare that would have put her mother to shame.
It was as if Magnolia knew exactly what she was thinking about. Travis. Oh dear God, she couldn’t get that man off of her mind. The salacious things he had done to her should make her roil with shame, but it didn’t. All she could think about was going back to that house and doing each and every one of them all over again. Seeing him at the party brought it all back to her. The way his skin felt against hers. The seductive taste of his mouth and the silky texture of his hair as each strand danced across her skin. The wetness between her thighs was almost as bad as it had been that night. Crossing her legs, she clinched her thighs together to alleviate some of the ache, but it didn’t help. She was so stimulated she actually considered going upstairs and using that vibrator Viv had bought her on their last birthday together. The tangy breeze rifled through her hair. Maybe it was time to finally open the package. Just the thought sent a heat spear of embarrassment up her spine. Maybe one day she’d have the courage to use it.
She bit her bottom lip. Who was she kidding? She was so mortified by that vibrator, she couldn’t even throw it away for fear that the trash man would somehow find it and judge her. Magnolia yowled at her. Maybe she should just a get a bottle of wine and crawl into her bed and be alone with her fantasies of Travis. Because that was all she was going to allow herself to have.
Lost in thought, she almost didn’t hear her front doorbell ring. Who would be coming over this late in the afternoon? She hoped Mr. Alvoro was alright, although he tended to misplace his keys quite a bit and she always kept a spare set on hand just in case. Looking through the peephole, she gasped. Travis had found out where she lived. She took a deep breath and opened the door to find him dangling her panties from one long finger. “Are you stalking me?”
He smiled. “Maybe just a little.”
That smile made her go weak in the knees and she bit her bottom lip. “May I please have my underwear back?”
He twirled them around his finger one more time. “Are you going to invite me in?”
Charlotte reached for them, but he was too quick for her and stuck them back in his pocket. “Please give me my panties back.”
He shook his head. “What are you going to do for me?”
Oh the things she’d love to do to him. She looked around to see if any of her neighbors were out and about. The downtown street was busy with shoppers and tourists. She stamped her foot. She knew it was rude and Lamberts were rolling in their graves, but she didn’t care. “Oh all right. Come in.”
His eyebrow rose. “Thank you for inviting me.”
Was it wrong that she wanted to smack him and then kiss him? She stepped aside and he walked in. “My pleasure.”
He stopped dead in his tracks. “Charlotte, why don’t you have any furniture?”
“I’m in the midst of redecorating.” She held out her hand, hoping he would just give her the underwear and then leave. She had no idea how to navigate this situation. There was no “What to Do With the Rock Star After the One-Night Stand” rule book. “I’m very sorry about what I did to you. It was very rude of me.”
He snorted. “Rude isn’t the word I would use.”
“I’m not sure what to say other than that.”
“Why did you do it?”
The entire explanation would take too much time. She wanted to cut to the chase and have him gone, before she dragged him upstairs for another go. “Which part?”
“We’ll start with the leaving part.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d want me to stay.” It was the best explanation she had. “Why did you track me down?”
“You really have to ask?” He reached out and stroked a finger down her cheek.
Charlotte turned into his touch without thinking. “I’m so sorry.”
“I still want you.”
Her eyes fluttered closed. What was she supposed to do now? Her skin heated and her heart raced. This feeling of mindless desire was so foreign to her. She hadn’t wanted Preston this way, as if she was going die if she didn’t touch him again. “I’m not sure what to do next.”
“What do you want to do?”
His words caressed her. It took her a moment, but she found her courage. “I want you.”
He reached out and pulled her into his embrace. He kissed her, moving his mouth over hers, and Charlotte wrapped her arms around him. Every part of her body was ablaze. Her eyes closed and she let the passion take over. It was so wonderful being out of control with him. She opened her mouth and his tongue slipped inside. He tasted sublime. Hot and sweet, she didn’t think she’d ever get to have this heady sensation again. It was supposed to be a one-night stand. Even though somewhere in the back of her mind she wanted more, she was unsure as to how to go about getting it. That’s all she wanted wasn’t it? She clung to him like a desperate woman. She could feel herself growing even wetter.
Travis pulled away from her and she missed his heat the instant it was gone. “Tell me you have a bed.”
“Upstairs.”
He began to lift her up.
“Wait.”
“What?’
“I have to close the door.”
Travis walked them back a few steps and hooked his foot behind the door and pushed it shut. “Let’s go.”
“Lock it, please.”
“Fuck me,” he muttered.
“Travis! Your language.”
His eyebrow rose. “So that’s only okay in bed?”
Was she blushing? Well, of course. But his dirty talk did excite her. Charlotte reached behind him and turned the deadbolt. She couldn’t believe that she was going to have sex with Travis again. She really shouldn’t, but he made her feel so good.
He carried her to the bedroom as if he couldn’t wait to get at her again. She had no idea she could inspire that kind of need in any man, much less a man like Travis who could have any woman he wanted. It was exciting and wild, and she liked it.
Travis let her slide down his body until her feet touched the hardwood floor. He took a step back from her and reached behind him to let his hair free. Did he have any idea how sexy it looked as he shook out his hair? Her throat went dry and she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The tie came next. He just yanked it free, crumpled it up, and stuck it in his suit pocket. Then he ripped the jacket off and tossed it aside, just missing the mulberry and cream striped fainting couch near the gallery window. He was stripping for her. How exciting! She found herself smiling like a love-struck fool.
“Charlotte,” he said, as he started to unbutton his white shirt.
Dear God, she liked the way he said her name. She raised her eyes to his. “Yes, Travis?”
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to get that dress off you without ripping it. I’m kinda anxious.”
“Do you need to take a shower again?”
He chuckled low and deep. “Ah no, but you look really pretty in it. I don’t want to rip it.”
She felt his laugh all the way down to her toes. “Do you want me to get undressed now?”
“I’d like to fuck you while you’re wearing it.”
“Really?”
“It just looks so sweet and ladylike. Just pull it down so I get to see your beautiful tits and take off your panties.”
Charlotte thought that was a bit odd, but it did also sound sexy. Preston never made her feel sexy like Travis did. No wonder she let him into her house today. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
Charlotte pulled up her dress and slipped her underwear off. She folded the thong as best she could and started to walk to her bathroom where she kept the dirty clothes hamper.
“Where are you going?”
&nb
sp; “To put them in the hamper.” Did he think she was just going to throw them on the floor like a slob? She was raised better than that.
His chest rumbled as if was trying not to laugh. “Really?”
“I like a tidy room.”
Travis snatched her panties out of her hand and tossed them on the tufted Aubusson rug. “I’ll pick them up later.” He pointed at her. “Now the dress.”
Normally she didn’t like bossy men, but from Travis she found it incredibly exciting. She swallowed her response and reached behind her to unzip her dress to her waist, then pulled it over her shoulders. Next she unhooked her bra. She’d never undressed in front of man before. With Preston, she’d go into the bathroom and put on pajamas then come to bed. And nothing would be removed until the lights were off and they were in bed. Why she was thinking of her ex at a moment like this was beyond her. She forced herself to stop and get her bra off. She pulled it off and let it dangle from her fingers. Charlotte took a deep breath and let it slip. Amazingly, the world didn’t stop rotating. Travis smiled and stalked over to her.
“This is what you do to me.” He grabbed her wrist and brought her hand to his very hard penis.
Charlotte felt his hard length in her palm. He felt so strong, so powerful. Her heart started racing. Heat gushed between her legs.
“This is why I can’t wait.”
Her mouth opened and closed. She wasn’t sure she could speak.
“I had to have you again.”
Her head bobbed up and down. Is this what it was supposed to feel like between a man and woman? Maybe the right man. “I want you again.”
“Good.” Travis reached into his pocket and pulled out a row of several condoms. He ripped one off and tossed the rest on the bed.
Her eyes slanted over the condom packets lying on her duvet cover. Those white packs were stark against the olive and burgundy material. She turned her gaze back to Travis. One corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile, as if he’d just thrown the gauntlet down. Did he think she was going to be that easy? She had to fight the urge to cover herself. Instead, she let her eyes roam his beautiful sculpted chest, admiring his muscles, his tattoos, his everything. She watched him take off his shoes and socks, and then he stood and unbuckled his belt. Travis unzipped his pants and quickly put the condom on. “Take down your hair.”
You Shook Me All Night Long Page 6
