“Make sure you don’t inhale, that can be painful.” He teased.
“How come you’re not a mess?” I enjoyed every airy bite, but painted myself more and more with the powdered sugar as I took each one.
“Because I’m not a slob like you.” He smiled as he reached out and brushed a bit of sugar from my cheek. I had to pause for a moment before I could keep eating.
He didn’t have one sprinkle on him. Feeling mischievous, I dumped what was left of the powdered sugar in my hand and threw it all over his black shirt. I then took another handful and threw it in his face and jumped up from my seat ‘cause I knew I would be in trouble.
“Oh no, you didn’t.” He bolted up and grabbed a shaker full of powdered sugar and unscrewed the top and ran over to me. Restraining me, he sprinkled it all over my head.I burst out laughing as I grabbed a container from a nearby table unscrewed it and threw it at him. We were covered in white. So was the area around us. Holding our stomachs, we laughed as we looked around.
“Oh shit, we’re in trouble now.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a fifty dollar bill from his wallet and dropped it on the table, figuring the waiter would have to clean it up. He took my hand and began to run out of the café. I couldn’t keep up, so he picked me up and darted down the street. “You’re always getting me in trouble, young lady. What am I going to do with you?” He put me down when we were a safe distance away and wouldn’t get scolded for the mess we made.
“You look like a snowman.” I laughed at him.
“And you like a snow lady. I wanted to take you to a nice restaurant, but we can’t go in there looking like this.” He put his finger up against my face and brought it to his mouth sampling the sugar. “Umm… sweet.” I playfully smacked him.
“Hey, I got the perfect place. The Cajun Café is right around the corner and the food is amazing. I know the owners. They’re the same guys that own Catering d’ Orleans. You can’t come to New Orleans without trying some of their food. They have a great sense of humor, too; they’ll get a kick out of our snowman costumes.”
Chapter 54
*Nicole*
The next day I gazed out the window as Dylan drove. It was time. My stomach felt a little uneasy. I don’t know why. I knew it was all pretend, but I couldn’t deny the feelings that were building inside of me. And I was meeting his dad. What if he didn’t like me? He parked the car. I tried taking my mind off of it and admired the iron balconies of the historic district as we walked right past the line of people waiting to be seated.
“Galatoire’s Restaurant,” the sign hanging above the entrance read.
“My dad loves this place, the food is amazing. It’s been around for over 100 years. They have an amazing shrimp remoulade.”
“A what?”
“Trust me, you’ll like it.”
The crowded restaurant was buzzing with conversation and waiters in black suits balanced assorted plates on their trays. The white crown molding decorated the high ceiling and the white, thick, ornate wood framed the tall doorways as well. The dark-colored walls made the white tablecloths and accents stand out. And the smell, oh my god, the smell was amazing.
Dylan took my hand and led me over to the dignified gentleman with silver hair in the corner of the room. Even though he wasn’t Italian, he looked almost like he belonged in a mafia movie--sharp suit, body guards surrounding him…
“Dad, I want you to meet someone very special to me.” Dylan took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as if to indicate, ‘we are on.’
“Nicole, yes, we met at the wedding.” I strained for a memory but none came to me.
“Dad, I know mom has this crazy idea that I should marry Sarah. It makes no sense to me that she would want me to marry someone I don’t love.”
“Your mom seems to think it would be the best thing for you, son. It is in her hands. You know I don’t argue with her.”
“I know we haven’t seen eye to eye on a lot of things, but I hope you will at least listen to my side of this.”
“I am listening.”
“I’m not in love with Sarah. It didn’t work out before. I don’t know why anyone would think it would work out now.”
“It was you who cheated on her Dylan and she is willing to forgive you.”
“This is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Dad, because of Nicole, I have changed. I don’t party anymore, or do any of the things that drove you and mom crazy. I am so in love with Nicole, all I want to do is make her happy. I want her to be my bride.”
“What do you do, Nicole?”
“I’m going to be honest with you, sir. I just woke up from a coma… I …”
“She’s an artist….”
“I will talk to your mother. She seems to think this Sarah is a good fit for the family, Dylan. Your mother is the one who’s pretty insistent on this.”
“Dad, I don’t love Sarah. I love Nicole. You and mom froze my accounts to force me to marry someone I don’t even like. How can that be good for the family? Please try and understand. I need to help Nicole find her daughter. Jessica needs to know her mother is alive. And I need to find the guy who put Nicole in the coma. He has been stalking her again. This guy has a bunch of fake identities and is like a chameleon. Nicole is in danger. Chris is coming in to help me, but it is going to be really expensive. I need my money back.”
“What you are doing is honorable, son. You be careful. I will try and talk to your mom, but you know how she can be sometimes. Nicole, it has nothing to do with you, sweetie. Mrs. Richardson has known Sarah since she was in high school and took a liking to her. You obviously are a special young lady for my son to be so taken with you. I will do my best. I believe in love. My wife is thinking more practically. I don’t think she will change her mind and I have to assume she knows what is best.”
“What are we in the dark ages? An arranged marriage? That is crazy.”
“We are not forcing you to do anything, son. It is just if you want the money you attained from us, that is our condition. We have known Sarah for a long time. We know her family. Your mom is pretty insistent.”
“You’ll never change. I told Brad it was stupid to think you would be reasonable.” Dylan got up and left the table before the waiters served the meal.
“I’ll talk to her son. I can’t promise anything, but I will talk to her.”
Chapter 55
“My god, you look gorgeous. To my beautiful bride.” Obsession and Sacrifice by Tiffany Carmouché
*Dylan*
Dylan didn’t want to go, but he hoped his father did talk some sense into his mom and she realized how stupid the whole arranged marriage was. It had been a long time since Dylan had been to one of his parents’ extravaganzas. was. That is what they were. Always over the top. The chandeliers dangled from the ceiling in the large ballroom decorated in elegant touches of Mardi Gras ornaments. Beads and doubloons were used as accents throughout the room. The riders from some of the parades were still dressed in costumes. They mingled with the guests wearing tuxedos and formal dresses. It wasn’t one of the Mardi Gras official balls, but the guest list was quite impressive.
Mrs. Richardson walked over to him, “Dylan, I told your father that I do not approve of you marrying that girl. She is not worthy of this family. You will lose everything if you stay with her, son. Everything. Sarah is a nice girl, she’s educated. She comes from a wonderful family. You need to get this little charity case out of your system and realize you represent all of us.”
“Mom, she is not a charity case. I’m in love with her.”
“You think you’re in love with her. She’s just using you for your money, can’t you see it? Sarah is perfect. She comes from money.”
“I don’t want to talk to you about this anymore. I’m not interested in Sarah.”
&
nbsp; “Dylan, you will lose everything. I’m warning you. You will lose everything if you don’t get rid of that girl.”
“You want me to settle down, right? That is what this is about? I have settled down. Since I have been with Nicole, I don’t party anymore, I’m not sleeping around.”
“You went through a hundred thousand dollars in a little over two months.”
“That was for her medical bills mom. She was in a coma. I had to make sure she got the best care.”
“That is exactly what I’m talking about. Dylan, she is not good for you. You can marry Sarah and everything will be given back to you. Everything. She will be here tonight. I saw Bradley in the lobby earlier today, checking in the hotel. Why don’t you have him keep Nicole occupied and we can discuss this further. Get rid of Nicole and you can have your life back.”
Dylan looked around at all of the luxury. Could he just walk away from this lifestyle for a girl?
He couldn’t marry someone he didn’t love, just to get back the money that had been rightfully his. He couldn’t be bought. They really needed the money to hunt down Steve, but there had to be another way.
Suddenly Dylan saw Nicole entering the ballroom. His mother’s words blurred. He walked away from her, glancing in Nicole’s direction. His heart almost stopped. She stood there in the doorway, in her long form-fitting black evening gown. The slit up the side revealed hints of her thigh as she slowly made her way into the hall. She turned to look around. The smooth skin of her back was bare. She looked so soft, so beautiful.
The store had been closing when they stopped in so she didn’t have time to try it on in front of him, but it was if it had been designed for her body. Gentle curls cascaded from her soft bun. And the skin on her neck exposed, taunted him to nibble on it. Nicole easily could have been on the cover of a magazine.
He gazed at her from across the room. He so wanted to run to her, but he pretended he didn’t care. He wanted to take her into his arms, but he couldn’t just grab her. Maybe if… he walked over to the DJ.
“Brian, it has been forever. What are you doing so far from home?”
“Are you kidding, when I heard your dad’s hotel was hosting this ball again, I quickly put in a bid. I’ve never been to Mardi Gras before, this is awesome isn’t it?”
“It is. I used to come down a lot.”
“Bourbon Street is crazy!”
“Wait till Fat Tuesday. You haven’t seen anything yet. Listen Brian, do you have any Bachata?” He knew he wouldn’t.
“Ba what?”
“Bachata”
“No man, sorry.”
“Can you download a few songs and play them for me. You owe me one, Brian.”
“Sure Dylan. No problem, give me like ten minutes. Any intro, how do you pronounce it again?”
“Bachata, it is a Dominican dance. Thanks, I really appreciate it.”
“It won’t be the usual but…”
“You owe me.” Dylan grinned and wrote down a couple song titles and handed it to the DJ.
He grabbed a glass of wine for himself and Nicole and strolled over to her, trying to play it cool. As he approached, her face lit up.
He shook his head, as if in disbelief. “My god, you look gorgeous.” He looked into her eyes as he handed her the glass of wine. “To my beautiful bride.”
“Nicole Richardson,” she sighed out loud.
Dylan smiled. “It sounds good, doesn’t it? I remember when you caught the bouquet at my sister’s wedding.”
Nicole tilted her head and smiled as if she remembered something. Suddenly a familiar song interrupted.
“Oh my god,” Dylan acted surprised. “A Bachata! You have to dance with me, Nicole.” He took the glasses of wine and put them on the table behind them.
“Dylan I can’t, I still can barely stand. It was different in the bar, we didn’t know anyone.”
“Do you know anyone here?”
“No, but you do.”
“I’ll hold you up. Don’t worry. You’ll do great.”
Dylan wanted nothing more than to touch her, and this sensual dance seemed like the perfect outlet. As the song played, Dylan pulled her close to his body, so she didn’t have to worry about standing. It was as if they became one as the Caribbean music accentuated their Cuban hip motion.
On the empty dance floor he held her hand on his chest, their soft movements stimulating their bodies--down on the beats, and up again in between beats to the masterful guitar. With each hip gyration to the music, he held her so close, he could feel her relax into him. His strength held her delicate body as they moved on the dance floor, intensifying the sensuality, unaware of the spectators. His pulse raced as they vanished into each other’s arms.
Suddenly the music ended and he disappeared into her eyes, her soul revealed. Both breathed deeply to try and calm the storm attacking their hearts. Standing silent, not wanting to leave each other’s embrace, even though hundreds of people were watching, they were in their own world. He wouldn’t tell her that he was about to give up everything. She didn’t need to know.
Dylan gently lifted Nicole’s chin and whispered. “I’m going to kiss you right now, to convince them we are engaged.” His lips turned up slightly, “We have to act like we are in love with each other. Is that okay?”
He gently tasted her lips and slowly pulled his head away for a moment so he could stare into her eyes. She let out a sigh. Leaning in, he sampled her lips multiple times, each kiss growing more passionate. The wall he built around his heart collapsed as the spectators whispered throughout the room. Dylan regretted not kissing her sooner. And the way they connected, he knew that she was again his. She was his soul mate.
All he wanted was to make her happy, to protect her. And if he lost everything in order to have her, he would leave the wealthy world he had come from. If he had to die to protect her, he would give his life. It wasn’t until the moment they kissed that he knew how much he needed her to be his.
The sincerity in their kiss was obvious, as if a lifetime of denial was being obliterated. An inferno of emotion overcame them. All he could think about was finally being with the woman he loved. He had waited so long to experience her completely-over six months. His hunger for her accentuated. He couldn’t help himself and lifted her in his arms to escape with her. “Make love to me, Nicole. I need to make love to you.”
Chapter 56
*Sarah*
When Sarah arrived at the Ball, she ranted in the corner of the room. Sarah grew furious seeing the obvious passion between Dylan and Nicole. “That bitch has ruined everything.” she vented to Justin.
“I don’t know Sarah, he seems pretty into her. You should have seen him last night. When I was in Alaska, I tried talking some sense into him. I think you are going to have to figure something else out. I’ve never seen him like this before.” Sarah knew Justin’s loyalty was to her, and that getting the bitch out of Dylan’s life would help both of them. It would help his band, and help her secure a fortune. Besides she knew Justin would do just about anything for her. All she had to do was invite him into her bedroom again.
The two of them were looking out on the dance floor, trying to figure a way to break up Dylan and Nicole, when Mrs. Richardson walked over to Sarah and nudged her. “What do we have here?”
They looked over at the bar. Brad stared onto the dance floor like a hopeless puppy. He ordered a shot of tequila and downed it with no hesitation. When he looked back out to the dance floor, he shook his head and ordered two more shots. He stared longingly onto the dance floor, then turned away, as if he couldn’t look anymore because it was killing him.
“Oh my.” A smile pierced Mrs. Richardson’s lips. “He is in love with her, too. Brad’s in love with Nicole, too.”
Sarah examined his demeanor and smirked.
“We can use this to our advantage.”
“Brad and Nicole have always been close. If you somehow make it seem like Dylan’s cheating on her, there is no way Brad would stand by and do nothing. And if you make Nicole think Dylan is sleeping with you, Sarah, maybe Nicole will turn to Brad for comfort.” Justin piped in.
Mrs. Richardson looked at Brad and turned back to Sarah, “Brad saw you hugging Dylan at the hospital. They took shifts. Maybe you could say you were with Dylan when Brad stayed at the hospital.”
“Perfect. There is no time to waste. We have to separate them. Mrs. Richardson, you tell Dylan you need to talk to him.”
“Look at them. I don’t think anything I could say could separate them.”
“Make up something good. Say Mr. Richardson is Dying or something and you need to talk to him. He hasn’t shown up yet so maybe Dylan will think something is wrong. I’m sure you can figure something out. Keep him there for as long as you can.”
Sarah turned to Justin, “I will talk to Bradley first. Then later this evening, Justin, you convince both Bradley and Nicole that Dylan is having sex with me.”
Mrs. Richardson, was about to leave and Sarah grabbed her arm. “Before the end of the night, somehow make Dylan realize if he chooses that cripple he’ll be cut off forever. Convince him you want to keep your blood line pure. This could work, this could work beautifully. I’ll talk to Bradley first. I have an idea. Justin you go talk to him later so he doesn’t catch on.”
As Mrs. Richardson went over to try and split up Dylan and Nicole, Justin took a few minutes to fill Sarah in on some of the details that happened while Dylan was living with him and the other band members in Alaska to help make her story believable. When they were in the band together, Justin saw him just about every day and Sarah could use the information to make it seem like they had been together.
Obsession and Sacrifice (Alaska #2) Page 22
