Sweet Southern Nights

by Rochelle Alers

  “But I would sleep with you even if there were a million women asking me to make love to them.”

  She froze. “What are you talking about?”

  “Do you think I don’t want you, Angela.” He held up a hand to silence her. “Hush, sweetie, and let me finish,” he said when she opened her mouth to interrupt him.

  Angela blinked back the angry tears that had flooded her eyes. “You use that word rather loosely don’t you?” she said, ignoring his warning.

  “What word?”

  “Sweetie.”

  “I’ve been told it’s perfectly acceptable for women in Louisville to call anybody, and that includes children, men or other women sweetie or honey as long they use the Southern accent. Which one do you prefer? Sweetie, or honey?”

  Her eyelids fluttered. “I don’t mind being honey.”

  “I guess that makes me your sweetie. As I was saying I want to make love to you, but it’s not going to be all about sex.”

  Her eyes were as large as silver dollars when she met his penetrating gaze. “What is it going to be about?”

  “Protecting your reputation.”

  She gave him a quizzical look. “I don’t understand.”

  Levi cupped her chin gently in his hand. His free hand smoothed back the hair she’d tied in a ponytail. “Gossip, Ang. There’s going to be a lot of talk about us. Remember, you have a reputation for dating a lot of guys, and some might think you’ve slept with them.”

  “But I didn’t!”

  “I know that and you know that. But does everyone else?”

  Angela pursed her lips tightly. “I doubt it.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Once you strip away education, money and the other trappings of society, all that’s left is your reputation. I’m certain you heard what the mayor’s wife said about you going out with losers.”

  “She didn’t say they were losers, Levi.”

  “If she said you’d wasted your time, then they were losers.” Lowering his head, he brushed his mouth over hers. “Enough talk. I want you to pack an overnight bag and leave it in the trunk of my car. I want you to be ready whenever we decide to have a pajama party.”

  Angela repressed a giggle. “You want me to sleep at your place?”

  “Yes. You can bring Miss Divine if you want.”

  “No. Miss Dee can stay home.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Heck, yeah. I don’t believe in threesomes.” As soon as the word slipped off her tongue Angela was reminded of the two people who’d changed her and her life.

  “I can always close the bedroom door,” Levi suggested.

  “I can close the door and she’ll stay out. That’s not going to happen with you, Levi. Whether you want to believe it or not, my cat has you wrapped around her little paw.”

  Levi let out a hearty laugh. “Let me go in and see my baby while you get your bag.”

  He found the cat in the room Angela had set up as her home office. Miss Divine was more than content to let him hold her. Levi glanced around the room that was bathed in sunlight from the skylight overhead and the French doors. There were two walls of built-in bookcases that were crowded with hardcover and paperback books. There were literally hundreds of romance novels. Every title seemed to include the words mistress or passion, baby or ecstasy, secret or embrace. It was apparent Angela was a romantic. It was easy to imagine her sitting in a deep, comfy club chair with her feet resting on a footstool, reading a romance novel. Her life was so uncomplicated. She watched movies, read, worked in her gift shop then returned to an elegantly decorated home.

  A large screen monitor all-in-one PC, a printer and a stack of news and fashion magazines were arranged atop the surface of the L-shaped desk. Walking over to the fireplace, Levi studied the family photographs on the mantel. There was a class photo of Angela in the first grade. Her tongue stuck out through the space from her missing front teeth. There were other pictures of her as a teen and when she’d graduated from college.

  His gaze lingered on one of her mother with another woman who looked like her twin. Levi wondered if the woman was Angela’s Aunt Nicola. His question was answered when he studied a photo of Angela and the woman standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. The older woman did not look like the other two.

  “The woman in the photo with my mother is Traci’s mom. They’re identical twins in every sense of the word.” When Levi turned around, Angela saw Miss Dee cradled to his chest. “I gave Miss Thing clean water, food and I cleaned her litter box, so she should be quite content being left alone until I get back.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to bring her with us?”

  “Put the cat down, Levi. Besides, my mother doesn’t like cats.”

  Levi kissed Miss Divine’s head. “Mommy’s a meanie.”

  “Yeah, right,” Angela drawled as she turned and walked out of the room. “When you have children it’ll probably be like the inmates running the prison.”

  “Not if their mama is the warden,” Levi said as he followed her out of the room. He set the cat down and picked up the overnight bag Angela had left by the door. After Angela turned on the alarm and locked the door, he took her hand and led her to his car.

  Chapter 11

  Angela pointed to a late-model SUV with North Dakota plates parked in an area set aside for parking. “That’s Ryder’s truck. He’s probably going to stay in Louisville until after the race.”

  Levi maneuvered alongside the Lincoln MKX and turned off the engine. Bright sunlight shimmered on the three-story house where Judge Benton and Dianne Chase had raised their children. He’d driven past a tennis court, a covered inground pool and a five-car garage.

  “Your parents have enough land to build a nine-hole golf course.”

  Angela rolled her eyes, while shaking her head. “Please don’t let my mother hear you say that.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Daddy has been talking about doing just that for the past three years. All he needs is an ally to second what has become his obsession. But before the architectural landscaper can draw up the plans, my parents will be headed for divorce court.”

  Levi got out and came around to assist Angela. He’d grown up in a Miami beachfront home on a half-acre lot, while Angela and her brothers were raised in a mansion with at least five acres as their playground. It was obvious the Chases were wealthy.

  “Everyone is probably around the back,” she said, grasping his hand and pulling him along with her.

  “Wait, baby. “I have to get the kegs out of the trunk.”

  “Don’t worry about that, Levi. Give me your keys and I’ll get someone to do that for you.”

  Reaching into his pocket, Levi gave Angela the keys to his car and a sidelong glance. She looked incredibly feminine with a mass of curls framing her face. It had become a struggle not to stare at her bare legs in her slim black knee-length skirt that she paired with a white tank top.

  The sound of voices, laughter and the distinctive aroma of grilled food greeted him as soon as Angela led him into an expansive outdoor kitchen. Stainless-steel burners, several outdoor grills, a pizza oven, a smoker, a refrigerator, bar and outdoor sink and a fireplace provided the perfect setting for family entertaining. A large tent covered the area, protecting those standing and sitting at tables from the hot sun. He spied Benton Chase, wearing a bibbed apron stamped with Pit Monster manning the grill.

  Waving a pair of tongs, Benton beckoned them closer. “Welcome, son. Come on over and get something to eat. Jared, fix your sister’s boyfriend something to drink. Make it the Chase special.”

  Angela caught Levi’s arm, stopping him. “Be careful,” she warned. Her voice had lowered to a whisper. “They’re going to give you something that’
ll singe your hair.”

  He patted her hand. “Don’t worry, baby. I won’t embarrass you.”

  She kissed his cheek. “First let me introduce you to everyone before you manage to lose a few brain cells after you down a few of those so-called Chase specials.”

  Dipping his head, Levi pressed his mouth to her ear. “Do you really think your man can’t hold his liquor?”

  She rested a hand over his heart. “No, no, sweetie. It’s just that I want to warn you just in case I have to become the designated driver.”

  “I’ll be all right. I know when to stop. I start work at the hospital tomorrow.”

  Angela cut her eyes at him. “Okay, Big Time.”

  “That’s the second time you called me that.”

  “What?” Angela asked.

  “Big Time. When I was an intern, the police brought a pimp into the ER after one of his girls decided to open up his belly with a straight razor after he’d sliced her face. His street name was Big Time, and the word on the street was he was obsessed with the Clint Eastwood movie Unforgiven.”

  She grimaced. “What happened to him?”

  “He didn’t make it. I heard from some of his associates that every prostitute in North Philly turned out to celebrate his passing. There were so many flowers you would’ve thought it was either a Mafia wedding or you’d entered Longwood Gardens.”

  “Damn,” Angela drawled. “I’ll never call you Big Time again.”

  Moving his head ever so slightly, Levi pressed a tender kiss to her temple. “Thank you, baby.”

  “Can’t you two wait until you’re home to do that?”

  Angela eased out of Levi’s arms, turned and smiled at her brother. “Jealous, Ryder, since all of your girlfriends have hooves and horns?”

  Ryder Chase approached his sister, picked her up and swung her around until she pleaded with him to stop. He set her on her feet. “You’re looking good, Sis. And I think you’ve put on a little weight.” He offered Levi his hand. “Ryder Chase.”

  Levi shook his hand, staring at the ornate buckle on Ryder’s belt depicting a bucking bull. “Levi Eaton.”

  Within seconds he was surrounded by three other Chase brothers—Jared, Langdon and Duncan—and the resemblance among them was remarkable. They could’ve been quadruplets if Duncan hadn’t had so much gray. All four were younger versions of their father.

  Angela watched her brothers staring at Levi. “Don’t even start. Levi hasn’t eaten.”

  Jared took off his baseball cap and fanned his face. “I don’t believe your man needs you to protect him, Ang. Do you, Doc?”

  Levi smiled. “You’ve got that right.”

  “If that’s the case,” Langdon said, grinning, “then we’ll see how you’ll fare with our famous Kentucky bourbon.”

  Jared winked at Levi. “Duncan told us you live in New York where everyone orders fruity cocktails in pretty colors. Down here it’s whiskey, bourbon or mash. Lang and I bought several bottles of one hundred-proof bourbon whiskey at auction last month. Care to join us when we sample it?”

  “I’m game.”

  Angela caught Levi’s arm. “Levi, don’t.”

  He winked at her. “It’s okay, baby.”

  She stomped her foot like a child as her brothers led Levi into the house. She was still in the same spot when her mother joined her. “They’re doing it, Mama.”

  Dianne wrapped her arm around her daughter’s waist. “You’re going to have to trust Levi, sweetie. I’m certain he’ll know when to stop.”

  “But do they know when to stop? You remember what they did to Robert? He wasn’t able to get out of bed for days.”

  Dianne saw the distressed look on Angela’s face. “You really like him, don’t you?”

  “What are you talking about, Mama?”

  “Don’t insult my intelligence, Angela. You know quite well I’m talking about Levi.”

  Angela knew it was useless to lie, because she’d never been able to keep anything from her mother. “Yes. I like him.”

  “How much?”

  She closed her eyes. “A lot.” When she opened her eyes she saw her mother’s expression. “Yes, Mama. I like him very, very much.”

  Dianne’s shocked expression softened. “So, do you plan to keep him?”

  “It’s not about keeping anyone. He’s only going to be here a few more months, then he’s going back to New York.” Angela took her mother’s arm and led her to one of the love seats. She explained how Levi had agreed to volunteer at the clinic for six months. “I guess you can say this is my payback for all the guys I messed over.”

  Dianne patted Angela’s hand. “You will not have a pity party, Angela Maxine Chase. Not today.”

  She knew her mother was upset whenever Dianne called her by her full name. “I’m sorry, Mama.”

  “You’re a Hitchcock woman and you know we don’t cut and run. What Robert Gaskin did to you was unconscionable, but life goes on. I’m not one for revenge, but he’s getting it in spades from Savannah.”

  “How do you know this?”

  A mysterious smile tilted the corners of the older woman’s mouth. She patted her short coiffed hair. “I have my sources.”

  “I don’t want to know your source, but please give me the details.”

  Dianne turned and gave Angela a long, penetrating stare. “I heard she’s pregnant again, but the baby’s not Robert’s. In fact, the first one wasn’t his, either.”

  Angela’s jaw dropped. “Damn-n-n! So, he’s raising another man’s children.”

  “It appears that way,” Dianne said smugly. She patted her daughter’s hand again. “Now, back to you and Levi. How serious are the two of you?”

  Angela stared at the terracotta flooring. “We’re friends.”

  “Friends?” Dianne repeated.

  “Yes, friends. But without benefits.”

  At least not yet, she mused, thinking about her overnight bag stored in the trunk of Levi’s car. Angela didn’t know whether it was reluctance on his part, but Levi still hadn’t indicated that he wanted to take their relationship to another level.

  He talked about being old-fashioned and not engaging in gratuitous sex and she admired him for that. It meant he didn’t jump into bed with every woman who smiled at him. What Angela had to resolve were her own feelings that she didn’t just want Levi to make love to her as much as she needed him to make love to her. She needed to experience lovemaking that was deep and sexually fulfilling.

  “Maybe it’s good that you’re not sleeping together.” There was a wistful tone in Dianne’s words.

  “Why would you say that, Mama?”

  “If a man continues to date a woman and not sleep with her, then it means not only does he respect her, but he also likes her.”

  “Is that what happened between you and Daddy?”

  Leaning back against the cushion, Dianne closed her eyes. “Even though your father and I grew up during the sexual revolution, we didn’t sleep together until we were engaged. Your dad wasn’t my first, but he certainly was the best.” Her mother lowered her gaze. “The baby-making sex was incredible, so much so that we had five children. I would’ve had six if we hadn’t run out of bedrooms. And you know how much I love this house.”

  “Mama!” This was a Dianne Chase Angela was totally unfamiliar with. Of course they’d had their mother-daughter sex talk the year she turned eleven. But never had her mother revealed her own sexual experiences.

  Dianne sucked her teeth, something she never would’ve done if her mother had been alive. “Don’t mama me, Angela. You’re a grown woman, doing grown woman things, so close your mouth.”

  “TMI, Mama.”

  “No, it’s not too much information
. I wish my mother would’ve talked to me the way I’m talking to you. And if and when you have a daughter, I hope you’ll do the same.”

  Angela gave Dianne a warm smile. “You never cease to surprise me.”

  Dianne kissed her cheek. “Now I need you to surprise me before I get too old to bounce a grandbaby on my knee.”

  “Mama, you have four sons, so you can’t put all the pressure on me.”

  Shaking her head, Dianne said, “I’ve given up on them.”

  Angela understood where her mother was coming from. Only Duncan seemed to be involved in a relationship. Ryder lived too far away for anyone to know who he was dating and Langdon and Jared were obsessed with their distillery.

  “By the way, where’s Myla?” Angela asked.

  “Duncan said she’s coming later. Ryder is as close-mouthed as a clam about the women he’s seeing and Langdon and Jared only date women with names like bourbon or whiskey.”

  Angela laughed as she stood up and went over to greet Traci’s parents. She thought her mother’s twin was overdressed for a cookout, but had to admit she looked stunning in apple-green silk. Angela went to look for the groundskeeper to tell him to retrieve the kegs of beer from the trunk of Levi’s car and bring them to the patio.

  The patio was filled with Hitchcocks and Chases, eating, drinking and laughing when Levi emerged from the house, grinning from ear to ear. Langdon and Jared patted his back as if he’d scored the game-winning basket.

  Angela sat up straight, but didn’t get up to go over to Levi as he filled a plate from the buffet prepared by a local caterer. Dianne turned to look at Angela from behind the lenses of her sunglasses. “He’s walking straight, so that means he survived.”

  “I’m glad, because I was prepared to be the designated driver.” Angela pulled her feet up with Levi’s approach, scooted over and made room for him to sit beside her. “How are you feeling?” she asked as he cradled a forkful of dirty rice. He’d filled his plate with shredded pork, grilled zucchini, sliced tomatoes and mozzarella and roasted peppers.