by Emery, Lynn
Jamal held her a moment longer, then took a deep breath. He stepped back and let go of her hand. “I think we’d better go in.”
Andrea swayed, still off balance and reluctant to let go of the moment. “I suppose.”
“Some rich guy might want to drop a stack of cash for the clinic.” He tugged at his tie and smiled at her.
The magic was gone and the composed charmer had returned. Even his smile seemed closed to her. How dare he turn it on and off like a light switch, she fumed silently. And she’d been so willing to surrender. Now he stood there gloating. Andrea’s eyes narrowed as she glowered at him.
“Like you said, this isn’t a simple party,” she
snapped. “In fact, few things are what they appear on the surface. Excuse me.” Andrea spun around and marched off.
“I’ll go with you. You might need more refreshments.” Jamal used the advantage of his long stride to catch up to her.
“No, I won’t,” she said without looking at him.
“Did I do something wrong? I thought we had a nice dance.” Jamal smiled and nodded at several people.
“Yes, we did. Just a dance,” Andrea said, looking at him sideways.
Jamal studied her for a few seconds. “Sure. A dance.” “It’s over,” Andrea said. She started to walk away when his hand on her arm stopped her.
“I think we should talk.” Gently but firmly he led her to a comer away from a knot of other people. He seemed flustered and at a loss about how to proceed.
Andrea was not sympathetic. “Well, make it short. As you reminded me, I’ve got business to take care of.” “We work together,” he began.
“This is not news to me. Of course, it was a surprise since I didn’t hire you.”
“I guess what I’m trying to say is—”
“Hold it,” Andrea broke in with an angry frown. “Don’t flatter yourself. Number one, I’m too busy for your player games.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Number two,” Andrea pressed on, ignoring his comment, “I’m not interested in dating, and if I were, you wouldn’t be my first choice.”
His dark brows drew together in irritation. “I only meant—”
“Number three, I don’t date men I work with. So
calm down, you’re safe from me,” Andrea finished, her voice like a razor blade.
His expression softened as he gazed at her. “I wasn’t trying to be a smooth operator, okay? We both felt it. And it could make things … complicated.”
He didn’t have to say what “it” was; Andrea knew full well. Yet she would not give him the satisfaction of acknowledging the powerful attraction she felt.
“I agree.” Andrea lifted her chin and gazed back at him coolly.
“Good.” He looked away. “See you later.”
“Yes, at the clinic.” Andrea wanted it plain that she did not want to see him again tonight.
“Right,” he muttered, and walked off without looking back.
“Yeah, right,” she shot back, determined to have the last word.
Andrea congratulated herself on being a blue-ribbon idiot. Her hard-won common sense had turned to mush. She watched him go. At least she’d told him off. Her moment of triumph was tempered by the memory of being in his arms. Andrea shook her head as though to clear heated fantasies from her mind. When she glanced up again, she gasped.
“Lord, can things get any worse?” She groaned.
Charlene’s grand entrance on the arm of the handsome George Leduc told her the answer was obviously yes. Leduc was a well-known sculptor in New Orleans, and equally well known as a womanizing prima donna. John Mandeville and his wife were across the ballroom. Andrea watched the scene unfold with dread. The crowd was smaller now as people were leaving in groups. Charlene’s musical laughter floated across the room.
Suddenly John spotted Charlene and his smile froze. Victoria followed his gaze, then spoke close to his ear. At first it seemed John did not hear her. Victoria spoke to him again, this time with an angry expression. Then they turned and headed for the nearest exit. John could not resist glancing back just once at Charlene. So did Victoria, but with a look of pure hatred. Andrea gasped when Charlene smiled sweetly and waved to them.
“Hi, darling,” Charlene gushed as she approached Andrea. “Let me introduce you. Oh, but you met him several years ago, didn’t you?” She hugged George’s arm and beamed at him.
“Yes, I certainly remember your lovely daughter.” George wore a smarmy expression.
“Hello,” Andrea said dryly. “You’ve missed most of the party, Charlene.”
“Sorry, baby. We got a late start. But I’m so proud of you.” Charlene made a kissing motion toward her without touching her lips to Andrea’s cheek. “My Andrea is the director of the local clinic. She’s saving lives every day.”
“How marvelous.” George looked at Andrea as though something very different was on his mind.
“George, how wonderful to see you. How is your work going?” a woman called out.
“Excuse me. Must make nice to possible rich patrons.” George stroked the thin mustache he wore and sauntered off.
Andrea rolled her eyes. “Good God, Charlene. Where do you get them?”
“What?” Charlene flipped the long white silk scarf she wore over one shoulder.
“That,” Andrea said, nodding at George. He simpered and flattered a rotund woman in a shocking pink chiffon dress.
Charlene eyed her date for a moment before replying. “George isn’t so bad. And he is so absolutely fine.”
“He knows it better than anyone else, too,” Andrea said with a scornful expression.
“Don’t let that arrogant pose fool you. He spoils me like crazy.” Charlene wore a catlike smile of satisfaction.
“Your taste in men hasn’t improved,” Andrea muttered.
“What, sweetie?”
Charlene’s attention had drifted to John and Victoria. They stood at the door, trapped by another socialite from a prominent family who kept talking. Victoria’s expression was stretched so tight her skin seemed about to crack as she nodded at the woman. John darted furtive glances at Charlene. The minor drama was not missed by a number of people present, including Gran. Charlene flashed a dazzling smile at him. John looked at George and then back at her. He turned away sharply and guided Victoria out with one hand on her elbow. The socialite’s startled expression told Andrea that he’d cut through her chatter, interrupting her in midsentence. Andrea groaned under her breath.
“You had to make a scene, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t do anything.” Charlene wore an innocent expression.
Andrea shook her head slowly. At that moment she caught sight of Jamal across the room. His gaze shifted between Andrea, Charlene, and where the Mandevilles had stood seconds before. Andrea tensed with anger to-ward him again. She’d come close to making a big mistake tonight. Charlene’s antics brought the age-old fear that she was indeed like her mother, always choosing the wrong man. Andrea tried to learn from Charlene’s mistakes. Yet she had not seen through her former husband. And here she was caught up in the beguiling charms of another man, one whose motive seemed clear. Andrea glanced away when Jamal looked at her and smiled.
“I think that puts an end to this evening for me,” she said. “I suppose you’ll be leaving soon.” Andrea knew Charlene’s main purpose had been achieved, to taunt John and Victoria.
“I came to support you, but George is giving me the silent signal that he wants to leave. Bye-bye, my brilliant baby girl.” She rattled out the words so fast they sounded like one long sentence.
Charlene hugged her and blew another kiss before she breezed off. Soon she and George were leaving. All eyes followed the handsome couple who’d caused such a stir. Andrea avoided Jamal. She collected Gran and managed to leave without feeling too conspicuous. Gran was silent for the first five minutes of the drive home.
“The party was really nice,” Gran said, stealing a side
ways glance at Andrea.
“Most of it anyway.” Andrea kept her eyes on the road ahead.
“Charlene’s got too much nerve.” Gran huffed. “I’m gonna tell her just what I think.”
“Don’t waste your time, Gran. When has she listened to you or anyone before?” Andrea spoke with bitterness.
“Well, she shouldn’t have spoiled your night. Down-right selfish is what she is. And you were having such a good time with Jamal,” Gran blurted out, then pressed her lips together.
“And by the way, no more matchmaking stunts, especially not with him of all people,” Andrea said angrily. “He’s exactly the kind of man Charlene would choose.” “But he’s not—”
“No more,” Andrea cut her off. “Understand?”
“You don’t have to bite my head off,” she grumbled. “Just trying to help you come out of your shell.”
“Like Charlene?” Andrea said, sarcasm dripping like acid from the words.
“Okay, okay.”
They rode in silence all the way home. Though she was angry with Charlene, she also was grateful. She’d needed a dose of reality. Andrea felt she’d had a close call with Jamal tonight. She promised herself it would not happen again.
Chapter 10
Denny sat at the desk in the clinic pharmacy, filling out a stack of forms in triplicate. Lee watched him for several seconds, backed up a few steps down the hall, and whistled as he approached. He came to the open doorway in time to see Denny stuff the forms in a desk and lock the drawer.
“Hey, man. What’s up?” Lee said in a happy-go- lucky tone.
“Nothing. I thought everybody had left.” Denny stood and crossed to a shelf of labels and other items. “I’m here getting everything set up for tomorrow. Bill will be here, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. Pretty nice outfit you got there.” Lee leaned against a cabinet and crossed his arms. “Worth a nice chunk of change.”
“I guess.”
“I knew this guy back in L.A., did a great business on the side selling medical equipment.” Lee picked up a box of cotton swabs, examined them, and put them down again.
“Oh yeah?” Denny spoke without looking at him. He set up the electric typewriter used to print labels for medicine packages.
“Yeah. Made good money, too. Real good money.” Lee leaned forward to speak right over Denny’s shoulder. “Bet you know what I mean.”
“I don’t,” Denny said quickly. Too quickly.
“Look, I didn’t just get off the bus from Stupidville,” Lee tossed back at him. “I got eyes.”
“You’ve got nothing but some wrong-ass idea,” Denny said angrily.
“Uh-huh.” Lee sidled up to him with a swagger and lowered his voice. “I’ve made a few contacts around town. And you hangin’ with Ty’Rance Wilson is my imagination?”
Denny grew still for a second, and then continued arranging supplies on the counter. “What do you know about Ty?” he said, his tone cautious.
“Enough to put two and two together. I’m good with math.”
Lee let his words sink in. His old undercover-cop instincts took over. This opportunity was too good to pass up. He’d set up a deal and then let the local police take over. When Denny said nothing, he went on.
“I wouldn’t mind meeting the dude myself. I’ve just been looking for the right hookup.”
“A college boy like you?” Denny looked at him from the comer of his eye. He was still on guard.
“Like I told you, I have contacts in L.A. We made big money, too. I can help you out, man.” Lee adopted the bragging gangsta tone he’d heard so often as a cop.
“Maybe you’re full of big talk and nothing else.” Denny now turned to face him. There was a spark of interest in his black eyes and a cunning expression on his boyish reddish brown face.
“Nah, I can deliver what I’m talking about.” Lee gazed back at him with a serious expression.
“I don’t know.” Denny rubbed his face with one hand.
“Set it up and I’ll do the rest.”
“Ty don’t play. He’s into some heavy stuff,” Denny said.
“Humph, heavy as it can get out here in the sticks.” “You got into it with Bo. He’s one of Ty’s boys.” Denny stabbed a forefinger in the space between them. “He won’t like you too much.”
“Bo is a chump. Ty won’t get too far if that’s the kinda help he’s using,” Lee said with a grunt of derision.
“Yeah, well…” Denny rubbed his face again and thought some more. “They don’t know you.”
Lee decided not to push him for now. “Okay, man. But we can still do business. Then once we show him a profit, he’ll probably be a lot more friendly.”
“Whatcha mean?” Denny took his hand down and relaxed somewhat.
“You and me can work inside the clinic. He won’t know the difference, right? Long as you give him what he wants.” Lee wore a sly smile.
“Right, right.” Denny nodded and stared at the wall, deep in thought.
Lee eyed the young man. Denny was more than cautious, he looked scared. Lee played a hunch. “How much you owe him, man?”
Denny looked at him sharply. “Who says I owe him anything?”
There was no mistaking it; there was fear in his eyes. “You shakin’ bad to get your hands on money. I figure you either owe somebody dangerous or you’re on drugs.” Lee cocked his head to one side. “Maybe both.” Denny licked his lips and shook his head. “Look, man, I don’t know you.”
“Yeah, you do. I’m the brother that’s gonna get you outta that hole you’re in.”
“Uh-huh. And what’s in it for you?”
“Same as what’s in it for you, cash. Only I know how we can make some profit without sharing it with Ty.” Lee winked at him.
“I’ll think about it,” Denny said after a while. “I’m not saying anything else.”
“You’re too paranoid, dude.” Lee slapped his back and grinned.
Andrea walked past the door and paused. “Hi. You guys are here late again?”
Denny smiled at her. “Yes, ma’am. But I’m on my way out now. ’Bye.” He slid past Lee without looking at him again.
“’Bye, Denny. Thanks again for taking care of those invoices,” Andrea called after him. She glanced at Lee again. “I’m headed for home myself in a few minutes. I’ll lock up.” She seemed to be anxious for him to leave.
Lee crossed his arms. He could not afford to slip again. This attraction had worked its way beneath his skin, and he was not happy about it. Only two nights ago he’d lost his senses. His whole body had responded to Andrea under some stars and a crescent moon. Now he tensed in anticipation of another onslaught.
Andrea wore a light gray tailored pantsuit, the jacket open at the collar. Sterling silver hoop earrings gleamed against her brown skin. No amount of effort she made to dress in a conservative, businesslike manner could disguise the lush curves of her breasts and hips. How would it feel to run his hands over her skin, to follow the curve of her body with the tips of his fingers? Was her bare flesh beneath the fabric as smooth as that exposed at her throat? Lee’s libido stirred to life and he hastened to cut it off at the pass.
Whether it was her fragrance, the way her lips glistened like ripe dark fruit, or moonlight madness, the reason didn’t matter. Lee was not one of those brothers with brains in his crotch. Somehow she’d almost gotten through to that place in his heart he closely guarded. The last thing he needed was to lose his head over a woman, especially this one. She could be just one more cute crook.
“Hey!” Andrea said, waving her hands at him. “Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, I was thinking about something I’ve gotta do later,” Lee stammered.
“I’m sure your social life is busy, so I’ll hurry up.” Andrea brushed back her hair and walked to her office.
“I—” Lee almost blurted out a denial but caught himself. Luckily she seemed not to have heard him anyway. “I’ll wait at the back door,” he called out
.
“Okay,” she answered from a distance.
What was his problem? The simplest thing was to let her think he was a player, act as though he indeed had a lover. Maybe that would help. In fact, he should contact one of the women he saw occasionally. Being with Katina was pleasant enough. An evening with a woman who made no demands might just do the trick to help him fight off this madness. Yet the thought of being with any other woman left him feeling flat as week-old cola. This was really crazy! Lee had never felt this lost, even when he’d courted his ex-wife, Kristen. There could be something to this Louisiana voodoo after all, he mused, shaking his head.
“What’s wrong?”
Lee started at her melodious voice near his shoulder and spun around. “What?”
“You seemed to be thinking about something deep,” she said. Andrea gazed up at him, her head cocked to one side.
He looked into the clearest, most beautiful pecan brown eyes he’d ever seen. “Not really,” he murmured.
Andrea turned and set the alarm. “If you say so. Let’s go.” Her tone was crisp and distant.
He followed her down the short hall and through the door. He waited as she locked the door. Head up, Andrea marched ahead of him to her car, with the heels of her pumps tapping military style. Nothing in her manner indicated she even remembered their close encounter the other night. Lee felt a mixture of relief and annoyance. He’d never had trouble attracting beautiful women, even as a teenager. It was not egotism, just a fact. Not every relationship had worked out the way he’d wanted, though. Lee had grown tired of the love games by his mid-twenties. It would be great if movies and romance novels were right, that love could last. But he knew better. Uncomplicated companionship was the best option. Passionate longing only led to misery. The passion Andrea inspired should be enough to warn him she would only let him down. Lee had had enough of letdowns to last him a lifetime. His heart hardened against the seductive woman who could smile and turn his body to jelly. Good, he was glad she could turn to ice water at will.
