by Emery, Lynn
Savannah searched his face and eyes for any sign of deception. All she saw was an earnest plea for her to believe in him. As if in slow motion, she watched him lower his head to her. His full warm lips enveloped hers; his hands caressed her shoulders, and then traveled to her waist. He held her so tenderly, kissing her eyes, her nose, whispering her name.
Shouts of glee went up as one by one the wooden structures caught flame, lighting the night sky. They sat watching, the pop and crackle of the fires all around them. As the band played Silent Night, hundreds of voices rose into the star filled darkness as the flames began to die. Paul and Savannah linked hands with family.
“It was just beautiful, being here with y’all. Me and Charles want you to come to Crowley now, here?” Paul’s mother and father stood outside their station wagon. Each gave her a hug. While her husband got into the car to start the engine and get the heater going, Reba lingered.
“Thank y’all for coming, too.” Savannah already felt close to her.
“Paul really likes you, and I’m glad he done found somebody special.” Reba smiled broadly, her plump alight with cheer. She tugged on her wool coat and pressed a knit hat down over her tightly curled hair. “He’s a good man, and I ain’t just sayin’ dat ‘cause he mine,” Reba chuckled.“I know,” Savannah replied.
Then with a serious expression, she put both hands on Savannah’s shoulders. “Hold on to each other, don’t let nothin’ come between you.” Reba hugged her again before joining her husband. She waved as they drove off.
Savannah pondered Reba’s last statement. What did she think could come between them? Reba had spoken as if there was something in particular that would cause a rift, something Savannah needed to be warned about. She started to question Paul, but the feeling was so vague. She didn’t really know what to ask. The tiny troubling thoughts were interrupted by the rush and crush of goodbyes to her family. Shouts of “Merry Christmas” or “Joyeux Noel” echoed as loved ones left for home.
“I don’t know ‘bout nobody else, but I’m beat down to my socks. Ain’t gone give Papa Noel no excuse not to leave my presents. Goodnight.” Tante Marie yawned widely.
“I’m right behind you. Let these young folk stay up all night. Night, cher. Night, son.” Antoine kissed Savannah and shook Paul’s hand. They watched the tail lights of her father’s car fade into the night. In the distance they heard the music of a band.
“Wanna go to Sack Daddy’s” Paul grabbed her and began to sway to the music.
“No. I promised Charice I’d help her wrap the toys tonight. You know kids. She’ll have to wait until they are totally exhausted and sound asleep before she can risk bringing them out of hiding.”
“Then you could use an extra set of hands. Let’s go.”
“I thought you were going to spend the night with your parents?” Laughing, she followed him to his truck.
“Hey, it’s barely eleven. It’ll only take me one hour to get there. Let’s go. Santa has other stops you know.” He winked.
They spent the next several hours wrestling with complicated instructions, and struggling to fit big batteries in tiny spaces. When they were through, it was almost three o’clock in the morning.
“Whew, thanks for the help. Next time I’ll pay more attention to the words `some assembly required’.” Charice sank onto the sofa.
“No problem, it was kind of fun.” Savannah poked Paul in the ribs. She howled when he responded by tickling her mercilessly.
“Quiet you two,” Charice shushed them playfully. “I want to get at least two hours sleep before those little gremlins pop out of bed at the crack of dawn.”
After draining their last cup of cafe au lait, they left for home. Holding hands during the ride, Savannah wished this night could last forever. She sighed softly when they arrived at her front door.
“Merry Christmas, mon cherie.” Paul held her tightly, his mouth covered hers.
Savannah parted her lips to admit his soft explorations. The small gasps she made were not from the force of his embrace, but the force of her need for him. A need that swept her away into a soft velvety rush of longing. When at last they separated, Savannah walked the short distance to her front door on wobbly legs. Before she drifted off to sleep, she began to plan a very special New Year’s Eve night.
*****
For the next week the whole town seemed content to spend these few days taking life easy before ringing in the New Year. Yet business at the shop remained brisk making the time fly. At last the final day of the old year arrived. And Savannah was more than ready for the evening.
“Damn, some party.” Paul looked around the packed dance floor.
Dozens of couples danced to the unique sound of Zydeco. The combination of American blues, Caribbean, African, and Acadian rhythms perfectly represented the lineage of Creoles. Sack Daddy’s was the most popular place to be anytime, but New Year’s Eve seemed to have brought out everyone within a fifty mile radius who was looking for a good time. Savannah simply sparkled dressed in a daring form fitting red dress. She had modeled it for Charice two days earlier.
“What do you think?” Savannah watched her best friend’s face anxiously. She obeyed her gesture to turn around and take a few steps.
“Girl, that dress has `brazen hussy’ written all over. In other words, it’s perfect.”
Judging by the way Paul’s eyes had traveled the length of her body when he first saw her, he more than approved. Though it had a modest neckline in front, three quarter length sleeves and came just below the knee, it was the plunge in the back that really drew appreciative stares from men as she walked by. Her thick black hair was swept up in a loose pile of curls at the top of her head, long corkscrew tendrils trailing down her neck. By the way he kept watching her hips and whistling as she walked ahead of him, Paul seemed to enjoy the view from behind as well. Together, they both marveled at how easily they matched each other’s cadence, as if they had been dance partners for years. Savannah smiled mysteriously at him.
“You seemed mighty pleased with yourself, as if you know something I don’t.” Paul rubbed his nose against hers playfully.
“Why, I don’t know what you mean.” She batted her lashes at him, the picture of wide eye innocence.
“Come on, tell me.” He gripped her tighter; feeling the soft mound of her full breast against his chest sent a flood of lust through his pelvis.
“Nothing.” She breathed hard against his neck, trying to maintain a casual tone to her voice. She wanted this to be a surprise. “It’s eleven. I’d rather not be surrounded by a crowd at midnight.”
“Oh, what do you suggest?” He pulled away to stare at her wearing a puzzled frown.
“Let’s go to your place, okay? We can get there in ten minutes.”
“Oh-kay.” Paul cleared his throat. “Remember, we’re supposed to be taking it slow.” Paul mumbled under his breath. Feeling safe in the crowd, he wasn’t at all sure he could maintain his cool alone with her. Especially seeing her in that dress. The wonderful fragrance she wore added fuel to the fire.
Once they arrived, Savannah took charge. First producing a bottle of chilled champagne from the back of his truck.
“Where did you get this?” Paul laughed.
“I bought it at the lounge. Remember the third time I went to the ladies room? You teased me about drinking too much ginger ale.”
As he poured them each a glass, Savannah switched on the compact disc player. One of her favorite female blues singers began a husky torch song, made even more provocative by the alto sax that served as a rich background. Savannah began a slow graceful dance in front of the speakers, her body gyrating. Approaching her, Paul concentrated on keeping his hands steady. Taking a glass from him, she lifted it.
“To a happy and prosperous New Year.” She took one small sip, her eyes never leaving his as he took a sip also. Then she took his glass and hers setting both down on the end table nearest them.
Wrapping both arms around hi
s neck, she move to him and began rocking gently in time to the music.
“Savannah, much as I enjoy this, I can’t think clearly with you in that dress this close. I’m not sure how long I can resist the urge to—” Paul moaned softly into the rich mound of curls as Savannah pressed even closer against his growing erection.
“Then don’t, cher.” Savannah whispered huskily.This strong, wonderful man would be hers tonight. No doubts nagged at her now as she watched his face change from one of uncertainty, surprise, and then lust. Everything about making love to Paul felt right. Never before had the power of unparalleled physical desire and admiration of character for one man been combined, effectively shaking away all her carefully forged defenses. Gazing into his arresting almond brown eyes, the hunger for him awed her. Unable to believe his ears, he lifted her face away from his shoulder to gaze into her eyes. The passion he found there sent a hot blaze through him. Closing his eyes, his mouth found hers. He found her more than willing to admit his probing tongue. In a soft, smoky haze of desire, they moved together in a circle. Closer and closer they came to the bedroom. Still kissing her, Paul slowly pulled the dress from her shoulders until her firm, round breast were exposed. Cupping both in his hands, his lips traced a fiery path down her neck. Savannah gasped, arching her back to him, aching to feel his lips on her rigid nipples. Teasingly he stopped at the top of the cleavage, and with deliberation eased the dress down around her thighs. With a one quick motion, Savannah pushed it down to her ankles and kicked it away. She removed his sweater then began to hurriedly unbutton his shirt. In rapid succession, the rest of their clothes flew off. Her red silk panties thrown beside her dress near the foot of the bed, his pants and underwear landed in a heap beneath the window. Both groaned with desire as flesh met flesh. Filled with the warm manly smell of him, she lowered him gently to the bed beneath her. Paul surrendered to her tender assault; his hands lightly stroked her buttocks. Savannah reached to the nightstand for the square of foil. Paul started to take it from her.
“Let me.“Savannah tore the package open. With a delicate touch, she covered his hard manhood with the latex condom. Paul jerked her hand away, fearful he would explode. Savannah, feeling the hot, wetness between her legs, could wait no longer. She straddled him, holding his hands in hers as she settled down. With a low moan, she took every inch of him into her. Time seemed to slow as they matched each other stroke for stroke, setting their own sensuous cadence. She cried out his name over and over as Paul lifted his hips to her, his hands gripping her thighs.
“Savannah, look at me.” He called to her, a grimace of lust made his face seem to be in pain yet filled with pleasure, too.
“Yes, yes.” Fighting not to close her eyes, she stared in hot fascination at the way they rode the wave of sexual desire as one. There was only this sweet oneness, this agony of wanting more. With increasing urgency brought on by the sight of his muscular chest and arms covered with a sheen of sweat, rippling as he moved with her, she whipped her body wildly up and down. Unintelligible sounds started at the back of her throat and burst forth. His groaning matched hers as his shaft became even more rigid. Her screams seemed to be outside herself as she felt the moment of ecstasy. Trembling, she felt a hot splash as he too reached a climax, setting off new waves of hunger deep within. With a shuddering sigh, she came again. They finally collapsed together, drifting off into a velvety, blackness.
“Listen.” She murmured against his chest. The faint pop of firecrackers came from all directions.
“It’s almost one o’clock.” Paul glance at the lighted digital clock radio on the nightstand. “Happy New Year, love.”
“Happy New Year.” Savannah ran her tongue across his nipples, giggling at his reaction.
“If we keep this up, I won’t live long to see the it.” Paul came fully awake, caressing her into life again.
Chapter 7
“Honey, there were so many people at Sack Daddy’s I couldn’t get to y’all. But one thing, I saw how y’all couldn’t keep your hands off each other. So, what happened?” Charice leaned forward, eager to hear every detail.
“We had a lovely time.” Savannah smiled; she twirled the straw in the tall glass of iced tea.
“Come on now. It’s been two weeks since we’ve talked. The last time I saw you, you were struttin’ out of Sack Daddy’s with Paul grinning from ear to ear. Did you two have your own fireworks at the stroke of midnight?” Charice winked at her.
“Let’s just say, it was a very special night.”
“Oo-wee, I bet it was. For me, too.”
“So, you and Rodney—?” It was Savannah’s turn to dig out spicy details.
“No, not yet. We’re still getting to know one another. These days, it pays to take your time and be cautious. But he is so sweet and kind of shy. We held hands in front of the fireplace.”
“The holidays were great.” Savannah said. They both sighed, already nostalgic.“And in no time, it’s back to the old grind. It’s taken me until now to get my class into the routine. These breaks are murder.” Charice shook her head.
“Speaking of which, I’ve been thinking that it’s time I got back to being a lawyer. That research I did for the Poppy and the Citizen’s for a Clean Environment reminded me how much I enjoyed it. Environmental law is getting to be very important.”
Savannah had spent hours in the library flipping through pages of legal reference books searching for precedents in cases similar to theirs. Pages upon pages told the story of a growing public willingness to challenge the power of huge corporations to protect themselves from the devastating effects of hazardous substances. Following a hunch, Savannah had decided to investigate the exactly how the Big River Plant had gotten into operation so quickly.
“That was brilliant the way you found out how Batton Chemical avoided having public hearings. I didn’t realize there were so many different types of permits,” Charice said.
“Sure, by the time the people who lived near the plant found out about what they were doing, it was too late. Because they claimed to be a recycling center, they avoided public hearings and additional costs companies that dispose of hazardous wastes have to pay.”
“When is the trial going to start?”
“The end of this month. On the twenty-seventh at ten o’clock in U.S District Court, New Orleans, Judge Henry Duplessis presiding.” Savannah did her imitation of a court bailiff.
“Bad blood is going to be stirred up again over this for sure. By the way, does Paul know you helped supply the ammunition that got the feds gunning for his most important client?” Charice raised her eyebrows.
“We haven’t been talking about that lately, no. But Paul wasn’t hired to defend the process or permit, assess just whether or not the site is suitable. Besides, he’s finished his job.”
“Yeah, but that offer you told me Trosclair made is mighty tempting. He could take on more work for them.”
“Paul says the work he’ll be doing will be strictly as safety consultant. It won’t be a problem.” Savannah didn’t feel as sure as she tried to sound.
“Hope you’re right, girlfriend. Well hello there, handsome.” Charice looked over Savannah’s shoulder
“Hi. How’s it going?” Paul winked at Charice before leaning over to plant a light kiss on Savannah’s cheek. He pulled an extra chair to the small table and sat down.
“Hi.” Savannah moved over to make room for him.
“We were just talking about what a great time we had during the holidays.” Charice gave them both a knowing smirk.
“Oh, yes. Best I’ve ever had.” Paul smiled at Savannah, placing his hand on hers.
“Uh-umm, yeah. And the trial, we were talking about that.” Savannah was eager to get on to another subject. In the corner of her eye, she could see her friend enjoying her discomfort. Charice would be teasing her for days about this.
“Let’s hope some of that holiday goodwill lasts when it starts.” Paul said.
“Don’t count
on it, honey. It’s only because nothing has been in the newspapers or on television lately. But when that trial starts, people will be back on opposite sides. Some are already grumbling about it.” Charice propped both elbows on the table.
“You’re probably right. Jobs are tight, especially here. I think the oil and gas industry will rebound but with technology, fewer workers are needed,” Savannah said.
“Sure, but there are other industries that can be brought in. It would take time, but we can have a more diverse economic base and even cleaner plants that deal with toxic waste.” Paul tapped the table with his index finger as he spoke.
“Yeah, but that isn’t what men like Bo or Manny want to hear. They need jobs now, not sometime in the future.” Charice said.
“Sounds like you think Citizens for a Clean Environment may be wrong in what they’re trying to do.” Savannah was surprised at her friend’s view.
“No, not really. All I’m saying is they have a point about them being the ones who end up on the unemployment line when the dust settles.”
“But it doesn’t always have to be a choice between a clean environment or jobs. I think these large corporations are beginning to see that reducing the waste products they release into the air, ground, and water is good business. There are new techniques and products that can clean up some of the most toxic substances. Not to mention the state of the art technology being developed to make a lot of industrial processes more efficient and produce fewer toxic by-products,” Paul said.
“But not all of them want to spend the money. Like the Trosclairs. From what I’ve read about the three other plants they put up in the last ten years, they have definitely not gone in for expensive waste control systems. You would do better working with environmental conservation groups, Paul. Not that I’m being critical.” Savannah added quickly.
“Maybe you’re right. But I still think it’s worth a try. Man, I better be on my way or I’ll be late. Call you later.” He gave Savannah a kiss and hurried out. “Later, Charice.”
