by Emery, Lynn
“We want to rent a party barge,” Noel said.
“We do?” Lyrissa blurted out.
“Yes, we do.” Noel put an arm around her waist.
“Okay,” the woman grinned at them. “But where’s the rest of the party?”
“This is it,” Noel replied with a wink.
“Gotcha.” The woman gave a lusty laugh. “I got just the thing, a six-seater. Enough room to spread out.”
“Hey!” Lyrissa felt outnumbered.
“To picnic, boo! That’s all I meant.” The woman laughed again and winked at Noel.
“She your buddy or something?” Lyrissa squinted at him.
Noel held up both hands palms out. “Innocent.”
“Oh, please!” Lyrissa rolled her eyes.
He bought a small cooler and packed it with soft drinks. While the woman readied the party barge, Noel ordered po-boys and fries for their lunch. Ten minutes later they pulled away from the landing with Noel at the wheel. He seemed to be expert at maneuvering the barge.
“We’ll find a nice shady spot and eat before we take a walk,” he said over the noise of the engine.
“Why not?” Lyrissa called back. She sat on a bench near him and savored the feel of the wind on her face.
Noel guided the barge down the river. He pointed out scenic spots of historical interest along the way. Fifteen minutes into the ride, he eased the nose of the barge to the
bank. Weathered picnic tables were arranged around a clearing. Lyrissa gripped his hand and jumped to the mossy ground.
“Like I said, you’re full of surprises.” She gazed around.
“I was a Boy Scout. We used to camp out here and at Fontainebleau State Park. I have badges in boating, archery, and sewing.”
“Did you say sewing?”
“Don’t start with me, woman.” Noel shook a finger at her.
“We’ve got a true case of alien abduction here.” She shook her head in wonder.
“So how do you like me now?” Noel stared at her steadily.
He smiled, but she could hear the serious note in his voice. Did he need her approval? She studied the handsome face. A warm feeling touched her heart. Lyrissa had never thought of him as vulnerable before, yet out here he was so different. Of course he had feelings, she mused. Maybe her own bias about people in his social class had blinded her.
“He’s all right,” she said with a smile.
His brown eyes twinkled with delight at her modest answer. “Hey, I got it.” He did an impromptu hip-hop dance step.
“Wait a minute. That Master P impression needs major work. Let me show you how it’s done.” Lyrissa bounced around and bobbed her head.
Soon they were laughing like kids. They twirled around, startling a family that emerged down a nature trail. Laughing at the sight they must have made, they sat down and ate their lunch. After they’d finished, they went for a leisurely hike along a winding path. They walked beneath huge oak and ash trees draped with Spanish moss. Lyrissa held his hand tightly, enjoying the firmness of his strong grip. After another hour they returned to the barge and headed back to the landing. It was six o’clock in the evening by the time they reached Thibeau’s. Yet the sun was still bright in the late spring sky.
They were on the highway headed back to New Orleans twenty minutes later.
“Thanks for the great day trip,” Lyrissa said.
“You’re welcome. I had a lot of fun.” Noel drove on for a time. “Tell you what, those sandwiches are gone. Let’s have dinner. I’ve got all the ingredients for shrimp and pasta.” “At your apartment?” Lyrissa wore a slight frown. “Sure. Is that a problem, Lyrissa?” he asked quietly. “No pressure.”
“We’ve talked about us before and—” She broke off. Lyrissa was unsure how to go on, especially because she wanted to be with him.
“I know, I know. Look—I have this cynical view of happy-ever-after romance myself.” Noel shrugged. “But why fight what we feel?”
“This little outing was nice, but we’re on our way back to the real world.”
Noel looked at her. “I really need to forget the real world for a while.”
“Just you and me,” she murmured, savoring the notion of them in their own cozy space.
“Yes. We’ll deal with all the crap tomorrow.” He placed a hand on her knee.
Lyrissa didn’t move away this time. “Okay,” she replied. Noel grinned like a boy playing hooky from school.
“I’m going to shatter any doubts you have about my domestic skills.”
She smiled back at him despite the flutter of fear in her stomach. Noel kept up a cheerful stream of chatter for the rest of the trip back to the city. Lyrissa answered in all the right places—at least, she thought she did. Noel parked in the reserved spot outside his luxury apartment.
“Lyrissa, come up only if you really want to. It’s okay if you don’t. I’ll understand ” Noel squeezed her hand.
Her pulse raced at the sensitive and caring tone in his voice. “I’m fine, really.” Then raised an eyebrow. “Don’t try to wiggle out of cooking me dinner, mister!”
“No way.” Noel kissed her cheek and hopped from the car.
They went into his apartment, once again at ease with each other. Noel turned the radio to a jazz station and went into the kitchen. Lyrissa sat at the counter facing it while he worked. Good conversation and a great wine helped the time pass quickly. They sat down to dinner forty-five minutes later.
“Be honest, how does it taste?” Noel eyed her as she ate.
“Delicious. You get a gold star, Scout St. Denis.” Lyrissa nodded. “This sauce is superb.”
“I took a few cooking classes. Helps to be a well- rounded kinda guy, ya know.” Noel looked genuinely pleased.
“Well, you told the truth. This is good.” Lyrissa wound more pasta around her fork.
“I wouldn’t lead you astray, baby,” Noel said.
“So I can trust you, huh?” Lyrissa shot back.
Noel wore a serious expression. “Yes. I guess we should both learn to trust.”
He put down his fork and brushed a finger along her jaw. Lyrissa watched as he leaned closer. He kissed her gently at first. Then he wrapped her in a strong embrace. His kiss became searching, urgent. It was as though he needed reassurance. Lyrissa sighed and gave in to him eagerly.
Noel tasted the inside of her mouth, his tongue caressing each soft spot. Lyrissa rubbed his chest with both hands as she pressed her mouth against his, wanting more of his sweetness. Without a thought about complications or difference, they rose as one. Noel lifted her until their hips touched. They held each other close for a few seconds before Noel led her to his bedroom. She hardly noticed the soft blue, green, and earth brown décor. Drapes reached down to the dark green carpet. He yanked the matching comforter from the bed and lay her down on soft sheets.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.
He continued to murmur endearments as he slowly undressed her. Each took turns pausing to kiss the other’s exposed flesh as their clothes came off. He cupped her breasts in his powerful hands, yet his touch was tender and loving. He massaged the nipples until Lyrissa moaned with pleasure. His tongue teased each one as he alternated between licking and nibbling them. She shivered at the delight of having pleasure delayed. Noel proved to be a master at foreplay. His hands roamed every inch of her body until she was mindless with need. Lyrissa moaned his name over and over.
“Now, baby?” he whispered.
Lyrissa nodded, unable to speak. She gazed into his eyes as she tightened her fingers around his erection. Noel
closed his eyes while she massaged him. His groans became louder. He paused to put on a condom. When he finished, he stretched his long frame on top of her.
“I wanted you the first day we met,” he confessed.
“Noel,” she whispered.
They rocked together. Lyrissa sighed when he entered her. They moved in tandem with a steady pounding rhythm. Slowly they pushe
d each other to the brink only to pull back. Lyrissa clung to him, crying out at the joy of feeling him inside her. From far away she heard a female voice begging for more and a gruff male voice promising to give it. They rocked each other hard, lost in the frantic need to satisfy a raging hunger.
Lyrissa came first. She dug her fingernails into his back and cried out. Her contractions sent him into an orgasm. Noel thrust hard until Lyrissa came again.
“Please, please,” Lyrissa whispered and wrapped her legs around him.
Noel sighed deeply and pressed his face against her neck. “Thank you, baby,” he said in a shaky voice.
Lyrissa kissed the top of his head. “Why are you thanking me?”
“For giving me hope,” he said simply.
“I don’t understand.”
“I grew up watching unhappy couples hurt each other,” Noel said.
“Sounds pretty awful.” Lyrissa stroked his dark thick curls.
“I assumed I’d have to settle for lukewarm at best when it came to a relationship.” Noel kissed her skin. “Now I know for the first time that I don’t have to.”
“Noel, about the real world... I know what your family expects. But have you really examined what you want?” Lyrissa hated to say the words, but she couldn’t run from the truth.
“I’m that no-nonsense business geek, remember?” Noel lifted his head to stare into her eyes. “No romantic fantasies. I know what I want.”
“It can’t be this easy, just say what you want and your family will knuckle under.” Lyrissa pictured the formidable family matriarch. “Your grandmother will make a hurricane seem tame when she finds out.”
Noel shook his head like a stubborn little boy unwilling to give up his favorite toy. “Forget them. It’s all about us right now.”
She didn’t want to push the issue. He looked so happy, as happy as she felt at that moment. Against her best hardheaded, no-nonsense judgment, Lyrissa merely sighed and held him close. They drifted into a dream state holding onto each other.
Two hours later he drove her home. They sat in the driveway holding hands and not talking. Noel kissed her tenderly.
“Good night, baby. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He traced a long finger around her mouth.
“Yes,” she said and kissed it.
Lyrissa entered the house and headed upstairs to her bedroom. She hummed the rap tune that had played as they drove out of town. She was jarred out of her blissful state when Mama Grace appeared in the hallway.
“Good news! That reporter called. She asked questions about the St. Denis family scandals, just like you said she would.” Mama Grace beamed. “I told her you’d call her tomorrow.”
Aunt Claire came from the living room. She glanced at her sister, then studied Lyrissa’s expression shrewdly. “She could break the story soon after the art show at Chaisson House. Just the way you planned, right?”
The real world crashed back around her with a vengeance. Lyrissa felt the weight of it on her chest. “Right, just like I planned.”
Chapter 19
Four critics drifted around the room. They took turns standing in various poses as they studied each work of art. All of them scribbled notes on small pads. Lyrissa looked at the elegant crowd of A-list people. A generous helping of society folks filled the historic Chaisson House. Waiters circulated with platters of appetizers. The caterer had a bar set up in the foyer.
Ebony walked up to Lyrissa. She balanced a small plate of smoked oysters on one hand and held a goblet of champagne in the other. “I’m dizzy from the smell of old money,” she mumbled.
Lyrissa stifled a laugh. “Stop that!” she whispered back.
Vic swept toward them in a swirl of peacock blue silk. The caftan over matching silk pants suited her figure very well. “Brilliant, darlin’. You’ve done us proud,” she gushed as she fluttered her fingers at friends.
“Thank you, Vic. I’m glad you’re pleased. This is my friend Ebony Armstrong. Ebony, this is Vic Vivant, Noel’s cousin,” Lyrissa said.
“Nice to meet you.” Ebony gawked at the expensive outfit. “I love that ensemble.”
“Thank you, dear. Little something I picked up when I went to St. Kitts. It was made by a native designer. She’s all the rage. She has a boutique in New York and one in Houston. I'll give you the address.” Vic’s rapid-fire chatter ended when she sipped wine. She spotted someone else she knew. “Oh, hello, Jessamine!”
“Uh, thanks.” Ebony leaned close to Lyrissa. “I’d have to sell my car to afford it,” she whispered.
“Stop!” Lyrissa hissed. Then smiled when Vic’s attention turned back to them.
“As I was saying, lovely reception,” Vic said.
“I didn’t do it alone,” Lyrissa replied.
“Nonsense, Noel has been singing your praises to us all.” Vic pointed to him by waving a ring-bedecked hand toward where he stood.
Noel must have sensed he was the topic of conversation. He glanced at them and flashed a dazzling smile at Lyrissa. Her heart raced. Magnificent in black tie, Noel had females of all ages hovering around him. His charm was in full force as he entertained a group of society matrons. Lyrissa ground her teeth. Younger versions circled like greedy felines waiting to devour the catch of the day.
“He’s a tasty dish,” Vic commented archly. She took another delicate sip of wine. “Those aging debutantes would crawl through broken glass to get to him.”
Lyrissa wanted to look away but couldn’t. “He doesn’t seem to notice.”
“He hardly ever does, especially now.” Vic wore a sly smile and winked at Lyrissa.
“I wouldn’t know.” Lyrissa struggled not to grin with glee.
“Noel has told everyone here what a genius you are and how you worked together so closely for weeks.”
“Miss Georgina helped out quite a bit, also.” Lyrissa assumed a neutral expression.
“Hmmm,” was Vic’s only reply. She continued to smile at Lyrissa.
Ebony cleared her throat. “I’ve enjoyed learning about the history of each piece. Especially those you own, Ms. Vivant.”
“Vic, please! No formality between us tea girls. Which one of my lovelies do you like best?”
“The sculpture over here.” Ebony led her away with a backward glance at Lyrissa.
Lyrissa mouthed “thank you” as they left. She couldn’t help but smile at the endearingly eccentric woman. Her heart rate picked up speed again when Noel walked toward her. Julie stepped into his path. They spoke briefly, an exchange apparently not to Julie’s satisfaction. Noel went around her and walked toward Lyrissa again. Julie wore a mask of controlled hostility.
“Everyone is impressed. Congratulations.” Noel smiled and lifted his wine glass to her.
“Thanks. Not everyone is happy.” Lyrissa gazed at Julie, who stared back at her.
Noel only glanced briefly at Julie. “Never mind. This is your night.”
“Mr. Taylor helped a lot. He has years of experience with this sort of high-profile event.” She nodded to her boss. Mr. Taylor mingled with the guests, laughing and having a wonderful time.
“Yes, but you worked with the decorators, arranged the art and set up all the media coverage. Take the applause, baby. You’ve earned it.” Noel stood close to her with one hand under her arm.
“Uh, thanks.” Lyrissa worked to tame a jolt of desire at his nearness. She put a few inches between them. “Nice turnout.”
“Relax. I’m not going to make a pass at you here. I’ll wait until we’re alone.” His baritone voice rumbled provocatively.
“People are already talking.” Lyrissa smiled and nodded to an art reviewer for a suburban weekly newspaper.
“Like who?” he asked mildly.
“Vic, for one. She says you’re telling people great things about me. Cut it out,” she muttered, but kept smiling.
Noel’s resonant laugh turned heads. Lyrissa was just as captivated as the other salivating females who watched him hungrily.
�
��I’ll try to be less enthusiastic, but it won’t be easy. You’re so wonderful.” Noel gazed at her as though there was no else in the room but her.
Mrs. St. Denis joined them with Julie right behind her. “Noel, Mr. Helaire wants a word with you,” she said.
“Sure, Grandmother. I’ll be back,” he said to Lyrissa and walked away.
“Well,” Mrs. St. Denis said with a stiff smile. “You’ve done an excellent job, Ms. Rideau.”
“Thank you, Mrs. St. Denis.” Lyrissa glanced around for an opening to escape.
Julie stared at her with barely concealed ire. “Interesting, how you chose to show certain pieces.”
“I wanted a mix of different periods and media to showcase the best of the collection.” Lyrissa repeated the well-worn answer she’d given all night.
“I see.” Julie looked around the room. Her gaze stopped at the “Sunday Stroll on the Faubourg Tremé£.” “That painting, for instance. It’s a real show stopper.”
“Yes, it’s quite attractive,” Lyrissa replied calmly. “Magnificent is the word,” Mrs. St. Denis replied. She put on her eyeglasses to see it better as she walked toward it.
Lyrissa had no choice but to follow them. “Actually, the entire collection is outstanding. The pottery and sculpture have really impressed everyone.”
Julie studied the painting for a few seconds, then turned to Lyrissa. “What do we know about the artist?” “Not much, except that he wasn’t particularly prolific,” Lyrissa responded smoothly.
“Strange,” Julie remarked, not looking at Lyrissa. “I would think such a talented nineteenth century artist would be well known to an expert.”
“Some artists are harder to research than others.” Lyrissa clenched her back teeth.
Mrs. St. Denis peered closer at it. “Such lovely lines. Was he from this area?”
“I believe he came here from one of the river parishes,” Lyrissa said. That much was quite true.
Julie looked at Lyrissa. “Then his descendants should be able to help.”
“That is one way we gather information,” Lyrissa said. “I love the vibrant colors.” Miss Georgina turned from the painting and looked around the room. “But as you
