by C. J. Corbin
Michael came in to check on me several times but I waved him off. Frederick announced lunch and I was reluctant to leave my job, but he stressed my attendance was mandatory. The miraculous changes outside of the library were startling when I finally agreed to eat. Most of the furniture had been removed from the two sitting rooms with additional seating set up. Outside on the lawn, several tables were assembled and laid out with food. Simone took care of her workers too; the group in the dining room casually looked up as I joined them, and it was surprising to see the eighteen-seater table full. Lunch was a sit down affair today with waiters I didn’t recognize serving us. I did not know a number of the faces sitting around the table either.
Michael patted the empty chair next to him and Simone made the introductions. The unknowns consisted of the party planner, whose job I‘m sure was perfunctory, and a number of Simone’s friends which included the mayor of New Orleans, as well as the chiefs of police and fire department. Simone had friends in high places. No matter how hard I tried, I quickly forgot their names. A man in a chef uniform walked in. Now, he looked very familiar!
The world-renowned chef Beau LaFonte was cooking for us! The day before Mardi Gras lunch was apparently a tradition for he and Simone. When he first opened his restaurant in New Orleans, she threw her support behind him and he never forgot it. His restaurant was responsible for the catering of her annual Mardi Gras party, which was a renowned charity event. As he described the meal we would soon be tucking into, I kept jabbing Michael in the ribs and whispering, “That’s Beau. You know the EAT guy.”
Michael chuckled quietly and finally took my elbow in his hand. “Yes, I know. Stop poking me.”
"You never told me you’ve met Beau LaFonte!" I whispered, barely containing myself. "I want a picture with him."
He nodded and said under his breath, “Don’t worry. There are always photographs after lunch.”
When Beau mentioned banana cream pie, he had my full attention. The desserts in New Orleans had been to die for and I knew he was famous for his pie. Lunch started with toasted bruschetta and gumbo soup, followed by encrusted red fish, southern green beans, and grits. There were a couple of vegetarians at the table besides Michael, and Beau didn’t disappoint them. He provided a potato leek soup and, after I sampled Michael’s, I wanted to make sure we received the recipe. The roasted beet salad with moonshine dressing was delicious. Poor Michael - my fork kept drifting over to his plate to sample his food. I wondered how anyone remained thin in New Orleans with all the food offerings.
As it turned out, Beau, a fan of my books, knew I would be there, and I signed the copies he had brought while we chatted after lunch. He assured me he would leave pie leftovers for me in the refrigerator.
Everyone went back to their tasks after lunch. I finished with the costumes in the library and, since everyone was still working, I snuck upstairs. I needed a nap. Michael showering woke me up. A quick glance at the clock revealed it was close to five o’clock.
"Another ball tonight!" I groaned then laughed to myself. I never thought I would have ever uttered those words. The weekend had been fun and I did enjoy myself at the festivities. The Crescent City knew how to party.
The sound of the water stopped and Michael came out. Lust immediately bombarded my brain. His lean, hard frame was a delight to look at as he dried himself. My gaze traveled up his strong muscular legs, around the leanness of his belly, up to his firm abs, down his powerfully built back, finally landing on his perfect butt. As the towel moved around his body, it was as if my hands were tracing the trail. My fingers knew each inch by memory. My lips and tongue had tasted, nibbled, licked, sucked, and teased all the spots he rubbed. Watching him rushed heat through my body, pooling wetness at my core.
He tossed a look at me over his shoulder. "Do you see something you like?" His voice was rough and his eyes flashed with intense desire.
He turned slowly, as if to tantalize me with the view. His erection stood proudly out from his body. My tongue slid between my lips, eliciting a groan from him.
Swallowing hard, I tried to find my voice. "Yes." It came out as a croak. Pushing back the covers and revealing my nakedness was all it took for my lithe and powerful man to be next to me.
Crouching over me, he captured a rose-tipped nipple between his lips, sucking it to a hard peak. His teeth brushed against it and the sensation shot down between my legs. I groaned and could feel his throbbing shaft pressing hard against my belly. He tortured the sensitive peaks of my breasts, alternately sucking and nibbling at them. I wanted to spread my legs, to give the incredible heat that was building in me a respite, but his knees held my legs firmly between them.
My fingers stroked through his hair as he made my body arch toward him. His lips moved up to capture mine and his tongue erotically claimed me. Easing his body down beside me gave me the opportunity to press myself against him; I wanted to feel his skin against mine. He rolled onto his back, lifted my hips, and pulled me on top of him.
I sat up, rubbing myself against his thick hardness as his eyes closed and he moaned. "Oh my Hellcat, I can feel how much you want me."
I could feel my slick wetness coating him, and the sensation of him moving against me as I circled my hips in a slow languorous movement was almost too much for me to take. I leaned down with my hands splayed over his chest while I reclaimed his mouth. It took only the slightest lift of my hips as he sheathed himself inside of me. Both of us let out a small breathy gasp as we felt our bodies join.
The sweet ecstasy began as I pressed down to meet his every upward thrust. Our breathing grew fast and hard with urgent gasps. His murmurings of pleasure were bliss to my ears. His hands reached up and gently stroked and kneaded my aching breasts while my hips rotated against him, causing my own rhythm.
The heavy wave deep within me began to build and there was no turning back. I cried out in unabashed abandon as ecstasy crashed over me. And while my body shuddered its release, I could feel his body tightening under mine. His hands steadied my hips as a harsh groan of satisfaction came from his lips and he climaxed. I collapsed into his arms, and he enfolded me as we tried to steady our breathing.
"Oh babe, it is so wonderful with you," he whispered as I snuggled myself on his chest.
"Mmmm..." I cooed. "You are the best lover."
"I'm too sexy for my towel?" he asked, joking.
"Way too sexy." I sighed. "I just want to lay here with you the rest of the night, rubbing myself against you, but I guess we have to get up and go to the ball."
"That we do," he answered. "But I get to have you in my arms all night. We can dance the night away together."
I lifted up on my elbows and stared into his blue eyes. "Oh you know that isn't true. You'll be whisked away by other women because they can't keep their hands to themselves and you're too sexy in your tux."
Michael chuckled. "But while I'm holding them, I'm thinking of you."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
True to my words, Michael and I barely were able to dance together. We arrived back at the house at a reasonably early hour. Everyone knew what faced us on Mardi Gras day, and by the time we entered the dining room for breakfast the next morning, the house was already buzzing with workers. From the dining room window, I could see Simone and the party planner directing the workers outside. Simone, forever in one of her Chanel suits, was busy discussing plans and pointing in ten different directions. For as scary as she was, she knew what she was doing and it showed.
The dining room was empty besides Tommy and Marie, and he greeted us by hurling a piece of bacon at Michael.
"Good bacon this morning! Want to taste?" Tommy joked.
Marie immediately chided him. "Tommy! Can't you behave yourself? Honestly, throwing food?"
Michael just laughed and threw the bacon back at his friend, which he caught and stuffed in his mouth.
Marie looked even more horrified. "I can't take you anywhere. Michael, this is your doing. You're a bad influence on
him."
"Me?" Michael tried to look innocent. "I'm just standing here."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure Miss Simone will be able to find plenty for you to do to keep you out of trouble."
"Oh Cher, that's what I'm afraid of - I'm hiding in here. I'm sure she'll be coming for us soon," Tommy admitted, laughing.
I sat next to Marie with a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Frederick appeared out of nowhere to pour a glass of orange juice for me. He continually amazed me, especially when he was in stealth mode.
"How did Great Me-Maw's tea work for you, Cher?" Marie asked me.
"Perfect," I answered gratefully. "Michael had some brewed for me this morning before I got out of bed. It settled my stomach right away."
"It usually does. I'll make sure we send plenty home with you."
"Have you seen Nancy and Marcus yet?" I asked.
"No. I think they are hiding, too."
Michael sat down next to me. "Actually, they had to go to some Mardi Gras meeting today with Brigitte. They were leaving when I went downstairs early this morning."
I almost bristled upon hearing Brigitte's name. I shouldn't have, but there it was, the mere mention of her name making me jealous. Silently, I chastised myself for being silly.
The dining room door swung open with a whoosh and Simone hurried in, speaking to the party planner over her shoulder.
"Good morning!" Simone greeted us. "As soon as you're done with breakfast, please let Frederick know. We're going to set this room up for the buffet."
I thought, but didn't say, that Frederick wouldn't need to be told about our departure because I was sure he was a fly on the wall who watched over us constantly.
"Boys," Simone continued, looking at Michael and Tommy, "would you go to the ball room? The movers are delivering the final decorations for the room. Patricia will help you," she added, waving to the party planner who was still standing behind her.
"Miss Simone," Marie started, "how may Elizabeth and I help today?"
"Oh Marie, I won't need you two today. Why don't you take Elizabeth out and show her some of the sights that are happening - I think she'll enjoy that. You can have lunch over in the French Quarter and soak up some of the atmosphere. It will be too crazy to do it tonight." She turned hawk eyes to Michael. "Mon Grand, I want to speak with you today about an agreement you made with Brigitte. It is absolutely out of the question."
I glanced up at Michael, surprised to see his face color red.
"Now, Miss Simone," Michael began. "It is not a big deal."
She raised an eyebrow and gave him a piercing look. "As I said, it is out of the question. I think you've caused enough trouble."
We all looked from Simone to Michael and then back again. He was smiling in that beguiling way he had when he wanted you to trust everything he said. "Like you said, Ma Mére, we can talk about it."
Oh, he's pulling out the Ma Mére card. He was definitely going to try to sway Simone to his way of thinking.
Tommy broke the tension and silence, followed by popping his last piece of bacon into his mouth. "Okay Patty, I'm ready to get to work. Michael com'on, eat up - the day is wasting away." He pushed back his chair and, when he reached Simone, he linked his arm with hers and led her from the room. "Every year your decorations amaze me, Miss Simone. I don't know how you manage to transform this place into a Mardi Gras wonderland."
We finished breakfast quickly and, true to form, Frederick swept into the room just as we exited. Anxious to see the decorations, Marie and I followed Michael to the ballroom located at the back of the mansion. The room was huge and it made me wonder what it was used for during normal times of the year. On one side, French doors lined the wall, which opened to the side yard, already filled with tables and chairs inside a large, white tent erected on the lawn. The ballroom itself was a room from a bygone era with mirrors covering the other three walls. Workers had all four of the crystal chandeliers on the hardwood floor, delicately changing the bulbs. The art deco decorations fit perfectly with The Jazz Age theme of the party.
Marie and I slipped away from the work and met Russell at the front of the house. It was extremely crowded in the French Quarter and the large limo was not going to make it through the traffic easily. We made a plan to meet Russell at the other side near Café du Monde where he would wait for us.
The tourists were already drunk and rowdy, even though the police presence was visible along the streets, it didn't seem to matter. Although still early in the day, everyone was ready to party and it would only be worse after the sun went down. We walked the several blocks, popping into some of the stores where I picked up touristy items for friends and family back home.
Marie was uncharacteristically quiet and not her normally bubbly self during our walk. Even though I had not known her long, it bothered me she appeared upset.
"So," I said as we exited an art gallery. "What's up? Are you okay?"
She sighed and stopped to look at me. "It's Tommy. Honestly, he is being an ass. Every time the three boys get together like this, he reverts to his college days. The food throwing this morning was absolutely the last straw. I would have been mortified if Miss Simone had walked in to see it. I'm sure Frederick saw it, which is bad enough."
I patted her shoulder. "I'm sure Miss Simone and Frederick are well used to the antics by the three of them. They've known each other for twenty-five years."
"You know I love Marcus and Michael, but when Tommy gets around them, all reason leaves his brain. It's something we argue about every time. It's bad enough when it is only Tommy and Marcus. I was glad when Nancy came into Marcus' life because I was hoping it would mature him a bit, but it hasn't, of course. But," she puckered her brow, "add Michael to the mix, and it's a whole new level of frustrating."
I gave her a consoling smile and slipped my arm through hers as we continued our walk. "Do you want me to have a talk with Michael?"
Marie shook her head. "No, it won't do any good. I've talked to Tommy until I'm blue in the face; he turns a deaf ear and tells me they are only having fun."
"I don't think he's going to change, Marie. Besides, Michael doesn't come down here that often."
"He comes down often enough. But, you're right, Tommy isn't going change. I'll have to deal with it." She flashed me an evil grin, "And, I'll make him pay for it in other ways."
I giggled. "You're terrible."
"Yeah, but payback is fair, Cher. At least the next time they're together, I won't be there so I won't have to worry."
Marie referred to the trip the guys were planning in March. As part of his work with the San Diego Zoo, he was traveling to a remote location in Canada to photograph the polar bear cubs emerging from their winter dens. He would be working with several other scientists to document the process. Marcus and Tommy were tagging along, for the experience, or so they said.
She seemed to brighten after our conversation and we continued our tour through the French Quarter. We couldn't help but be swept up by the celebrations around us. Fortunately, we managed to keep our chests covered even though it was enticing to join the fun. When we arrived back to the limo where Russell was waiting for us, we offered him a café au lait and beignet. He accepted the coffee, but turned down the powdered sugar donuts. I didn't blame him, both Marie and I managed to cover ourselves with powdered sugar. We giggled all the way home and looked sheepishly at Russell when we arrived back at the house. There were powder prints all over the backseat.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The final transformation to the mansion was astounding. It was eerily silent when we walked through the front door, and I guessed it was the calm before the storm. A small gate placed in front of the stairway blocked our entrance to the steps. Marie told me there would be a security guard blocking entrance to the stairs tonight - only we would have access to the upper floors during the party. Large vases of flowers replaced the more valuable objects usually housed in the entrance hall. Garlands of flowers and white lights
decorated the banisters and the entryways into the library, dining room, and parlors.
I slipped into my bedroom after thanking Marie for the tour this afternoon. Michael was working on his laptop at the small table, covered with his camera equipment, sandwiches, and a large pitcher of lemonade.
"Hi," I said, putting my packages on the chair next to the table and coming up behind him. Leaning over I gave him a kiss on the ear as he pulled me into his lap.
"Did you have fun?" he asked following up my kiss with one to my mouth. He smiled, showing his deep-set dimple. "Mmmm... I'm tasting some beignet. Did you bring one for me?"
"Of course." I slid off his lap and pulled out the bag containing the beignets off the chair.
He took the proffered bag and dug into the donuts. I don't know how he managed it but when he finished the first one there was no powder sugar on him.
"Whatcha doing?" I asked.
"Oh, just answering some emails. I had a long conversation with Tammy, too."
"Really?" I sat down on the chair beside to him and idly munched on a sandwich. I was always hungry now. "Is there a problem?"
Michael let out a long breath and leaned back in his chair. "I got a call from Debi. She and Don are freaking out.
"So they know about Tammy's pregnancy now?"
"Yeah. So much for keeping everything under wraps for the time being. I hoped we'd be able to talk with Tammy before she told everyone."
"You're not surprised are you?"
He shook his head. "No, not really."
I wondered why Debi didn't call me. "What did Debi have to say?"
"Let's say she wasn't very happy."
"Oh." I frowned.
"I convinced Tammy to go to her classes this week. She'll come home for the weekend, and then I guess we can all sit down and discuss it. Jason will come, too."
"Did you let Debi know?"
"Yeah. After yelling at me for five minutes she seemed to calm down."
