by Emery, Lynn
“I guess that was a compliment.” He wore a half grin.
“Oh, yeah. To be honest I was expecting you to be spoiled and still eating at your mama’s house. I like the way you’re so self-sufficient.” Erikka didn’t think that description went far enough.
“Keep this up, and I’ll have a swollen ego,” he joked.
Erikka blushed. “I’d better be nice to you. I want to get out of this swamp.”
“Oh, come on. You love it out here.” He tossed a bone into the water. It sank, sending a tiny circle of waves that faded quickly.
“Until it gets too hot, too buggy, and too dangerous. Other than that, I’m a regular outdoor gal.” Erikka followed his lead and tossed a bone overboard. In minutes they ate a dozen wings between them and drank two glasses of ginger ale each.
“Now admit it, this is better than hanging out in a noisy French Quarter restaurant on a Sunday afternoon.” Gabriel handed her a small packet of moist towelettes.
“I won’t admit any such thing. I love New Orleans. The noise is part of its charm.” Erikka wiped her hands and stuffed the dirty towelette in a trash bag.
“If you say so. You missed a little sauce here.” Gabriel dabbed at a spot on her chin with a napkin.
“Thanks,” Erikka said, enjoying the attention.
Gabriel leaned forward. He touched her lower lip with the tip of his finger “And another spot.”
“I must look like I washed my face in the stuff,” she said quietly, careful not to move so she wouldn’t break the lovely spell.
“I’ll fix it.” Gabriel licked her bottom lip.
Erikka looked into his eyes the entire time until her breathing went ragged. In moments they were wrapped in each other’s arms. Without thinking, Gabriel pushed the basket aside and eased her down onto her back. Erikka held on tightly and never stopped tasting him. He was a delightful flavor that she had hungered for a long time.
His strong arms assured her that she was secure. Neither noticed when the plates clattered to the floor. His hands rubbed her thighs, pushing the skirt higher. Then he hesitated.
“Don’t stop,” Erikka said, and put her fingers in his thick, dark hair. She brought his mouth to hers again for more.
“Your skin is so beautiful. Like polished pecan wood, so smooth,” Gabriel whispered as he brushed his lips along her shoulder.
“You sure we’re alone out here?” Erikka gasped. She nipped at his earlobe.
Gabriel only grunted and continued to caress her legs. Erikka wanted to rip her clothes away. Her body burned at every point he touched. He stood and took off his shirt. Erikka stared at the expanse of chest covered by dark hair. His nipples stood out like dark chocolate against nut brown skin. Gabriel took one long extra cushion from a compartment and put it on the floor. Erikka lay down and wriggled free of her skirt. With the sides of the barge and the peaceful quiet of the swamp, she felt totally at ease. Gabriel lay beside her in the narrow space. He traced an invisible line up her right leg until he reached her hip. He hooked a finger under the waistband of her panties. Erikka raised up enough to help him push the silky garment down. Next her shirt, then bra came off. He put his face between her breasts with a sigh.
“More, please,” she whispered, and caressed the tight curls on top of his head.
Gabriel managed to push down his pants without taking his mouth from her breast. With a groan he forced himself to stop long enough to get completely naked. He fumbled with a square of foil. Erikka took it from him and tore it open. With slow deliberation she rolled the thin ribbed latex onto his penis. Gabriel closed his eyes as she stroked him. She parted her thighs and offered everything to him. He thrust inside her with such delicious force that Erikka melted inside. Gone was the desire for either to take it slow. She held on as he rode her hard until she screamed. Erikka felt as though the climax lifted her up and spun her soul around. Electric shock waves of ecstasy made her beg for more. When he came, her joy peaked again, and then quieted. After lying still for a long time he planted gentle kisses on her face.
“Scared?” he whispered in a breathless voice.
‘Terrified,” she confessed. A tear escaped from a corner of each eye.
“You don’t have to be.” Gabriel shifted so that they lay side by side. He rested his head on her breast as though it were die most natural position in the world.
Erikka wanted to believe in him. That was the easy part. She wanted to believe in herself more. She had a way of messing up anything good. Erikka had a keen sense of what she’d lose this time.
“You’ll be my big strong protector?” Erikka pushed away the doubts nibbling at her.
“No, I’ll be your lover and friend. I have a feeling you don’t need protecting,” Gabriel said softly.
Erikka shivered at the warmth of his breath on her skin. “Spoken like a true therapy graduate. No codependency for you.”
“Can’t help it. My therapist forced me to grow up,” Gabriel said.
She felt his smile when his mouth curved against her breast. “Thanks.” She kissed the top of his head.
“Thank you, too, baby.”
They held each other in silence for a few moments longer. A breeze dried the sweat from their bodies. Birds called across the bayou. The barge swayed, lulling Erikka into a daze.
“Thought we heard somebody calling for help. Y’all all right?” A male voice shouted from a distance in a thick Creole accent. The soft hum of an outboard motor was unmistakable.
“Damn. Let’s pretend we’re not even here,” Erikka whispered.
Gabriel lifted his head with a grin. “They might come over to investigate.”
“Hurry up and say something.” Erikka tried to sink even lower.
“We’re just fine, man. Thanks for asking.” Gabriel lifted up just enough so the man could see him.
“Heh, heh. Guess you doin’ fine all right,” a different male voice spoke up.
The men chuckled. Seconds later the motor hummed louder as they passed, then it slowly faded. Gabriel gave them one last cheerful wave.
“If you wink at them, I’m going to toss you overboard,” she warned.
“I wouldn’t dare.” Gabriel settled next to her again. He affected a serious expression.
“Yeah, well—” Erikka looked at him, and they burst into laughter.
“We’ve lost our minds,” Gabriel said.
Erikka rested her head on his chest. She enjoyed the rumble of laughter that made his body vibrate. Rubbing her cheek in the curls of hair on his Pecs, Erikka felt her flesh quiver in response. The mixture of sweat and soap smelled sweet.
“Maybe,” she whispered, and savored the sight of his buttery brown skin. The natural light, a mixture of shade and sunshine, seemed made for him. Then she thought of what her skin must look like. A hand flew to her cheek, and she turned away.
“It’s okay,” Gabriel said as he reached for her.
“We’d better cover up before the insects eat us for lunch.” Erikka relaxed. They dressed in silence.
On the trip back to his house he let her steer the barge. He stood right behind her with his hands on her waist. He’d guide them back whenever she turned too much to the left or right. Once they arrived, Gabriel tied up the barge to his dock. Erikka gazed at him through the tinted lenses of her sunglasses, and then looked at her car.
“Guess I’d better go.” Erikka waited for the typical post-sex brush off.
“Why?” Gabriel brushed a loose tendril of hair behind Erikka’s right ear.
Since she couldn’t think of a reason, Erikka followed him into his house.
Chapter 12
Erikka went back to New Orleans a few days later to empty the rented storage unit that held possessions from her former life. She happily donated the few furnishings left to a local thrift store. Erikka felt ready to start fresh. After a day of tossing the last bit of stuff she didn’t want, Erikka went to Hope’s apartment to spend the night.
Erikka cooked dinner for them,
a kind of ladies’ night. She’d invited her former hospital roomie, but now realized maybe it hadn’t been such a great idea. The first hour or so Terri had kept them howling in laughter with her courtroom stories. Now her high-energy behavior was wearing on them all. Karin and Hope glanced at Erikka, then each other. Hope wore a vexed expression that Erikka knew only too well. Karin was struggling to be tolerant, but Erikka could tell even she was starting to wonder about Terri. As Terri continued to talk about her latest victory in the courtroom, Erikka shot them both a “Don’t say it” look. As usual Hope did not comply.
“Girls, I’m back in the saddle again.” Terri paced the length of the dusty green carpet of Hope’s living room.
Karin stopped her from going into the kitchen. “No, no. You just put six teaspoons in your iced tea.”
“This going without liquor is a bitch. Sorry,” Terri said merrily, when Karin winced. “But, honey, sometimes the situation calls for a little healthy cussing.”
“Now that I can agree with. I’ll be damned if my throat isn’t dry for a real drink,” Hope said. She looked hard at Erikka.
Terri chattered on with Karin as her primary audience. “Time was I’d have a tall cold beer to celebrate. I wiped the courtroom floor with his patrician butt.”
Erikka yanked Hope aside when Terri followed Karin into the kitchen to help clear the dishes. “Don’t make things worse,” she snapped.
“You better handle your new buddy. She’s messed up.” Hope pulled free and scowled at Erikka.
“Adding alcohol will kick her up ten notches.”
Erikka shot a harried looked across the room. Hope’s spacious flat had an open floor plan. She watched Karin move around with Terri right beside her for every step, talking nonstop.
‘Terri needs to take her pills for sure,” Erikka said. “Pills hell. She needs a gallon bag of lithium attached to an IV needle in her arm.” Hope opened a long, carved wooden box. “Where’s a cigarette when you freaking need one?”
“So I said to the judge ‘With all due respect to my colleague, his argument is specious and not supported by case law.’ Respect my eye. The guy’s got turds for brains.” Terri snorted out a rough laugh as she trailed Karin back into the living room.
“Wow, that was something,” Karin said. She put a tray down with dessert saucers of cheesecake. “I’ll get the coffee.”
Terri flopped down on the sofa. “I’m telling you his face turned three shades of red.”
“Phone, probably my man calling to check on me. I’ll take it in the bedroom.” Hope hurried off.
“I didn’t hear the phone,” Erikka yelled at Hope’s retreating back. Hope kept going.
“That Karin is a great cook.” Terri inhaled the cheesecake. She eyed another slice.
“Terri, are you taking the medication the doctor prescribed?” Erikka pushed the tray farther from Terri. She had to stop this speeding train of excess.
“Geez, you sound like my sister. My family likes seeing me all doped up.” Terri jumped from the sofa and crossed to the entertainment center. She turned on the radio, pushing the volume up. She gyrated around the room.
Erikka turned down the volume again and faced her with both hands on her hips. “You’re out of control. Not much better than the first day you arrived at the hospital.”
“You been talking to my baby sister? Loosen up that body and dance with me.” Terri snapped her fingers to the beat.
‘Terri, listen to me. Do what you want, but I’m not going back to the snake pit. So, party on by your damn self,” Erikka said.
The song ended slowly, fading away. Terri blinked at Erikka for several seconds as a deejay’s smooth voice came on. “Okay, so I took a short drug holiday. That stuff makes me lose my edge.”
“How long since you stopped?” Erikka pressed. She waited as Terri chewed her bottom lip.
“Almost two weeks. But you should have seen me in court. Honey, I—” She stopped when Erikka continued to stare at her.
“You like going full speed this way?”
“I feel strong, like I don’t have to be scared.” Terri clenched her hands into fists.
“Yeah,” Erikka said with a sigh. She knew that feeling of being scared all the time too well. “I’d have a few drinks and go out to conquer the world.”
Terri shook her head hard. “I haven’t been drinking at all. I can control myself.”
“How often have you controlled yourself in the past few years?” Erikka said quietly.
Terri opened her mouth, and then closed it. She crossed her arms as she walked to the sofa and sat down. “I hate taking medicines. I hate having that mental-illness label on a file somewhere with my name typed next to it.”
“Nobody has to know your private medical information.” Erikka sat across from her in a wide, matching easy chair. She kicked off her shoes and drew her legs up. “Don’t mess up at this new law firm.”
Terri chewed the last bit of bronze lipstick from her lip. She blinked her eyes shiny with tears. “Everything is such a damn struggle. For me at least.”
“Girl, please. Your mama has more connections than the phone company. She got you this plum position. That’s a lot.” Erikka pointed a finger at her.
“You don’t know what it’s like. Mother is tough. Nothing I do is ever good enough, not like my golden sisters.” Terri grimaced.
“I have one of those wonder sisters myself,” Erikka said, with a nod of sympathy. “She’s a good kid though. Mostly it’s about me.”
Terri sat deep in thought for several minutes. Erikka leaned back against the cushions, listening to the music. The last thing she had a right to do was lecture Terri. No way did Erikka think she had any answers. Each day Erikka worked hard at not fooling herself. Sidestepping reality had become second nature. She gazed at Terri with empathy. Erikka left the chair and sat next to Terri.
“Get back on the medication. Doing it on your own has never worked, and you know it.” Erikka put an arm around Terri’s shoulder.
“Yeah, yeah,” Terri said waving a hand at her. She stood. “So, I scared off your girlfriends.”
“Nah, they’re just—”
“It’s okay, Erikka. I’m used to it.” Terri grabbed her purse from the floor near the stereo system. “I’m going home.” She wore the expression of a kid not picked to play on anyone’s team.
“You just gonna let us eat all this cheesecake alone? C’mon, hang out a little longer. I’ll be back in a minute,” Erikka said. She decided to drag Karin and Hope back to the living room.
When Erikka pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen, Karin started. She wore a guilty smile on her cinnamon brown face. “Uh, I had trouble finding the cream and sugar bowls that match the coffee cups.”
“You’ve got two seconds to get back in there and make Terri not feel insulted,” Erikka ordered. She pivoted without waiting for an answer, and then headed for Hope’s bedroom. She hissed when she heard the television.
Hope leaned back on the bed on both elbows talking into a phone headset. “Yeah, Damon, I’m just hiding out from—Hey,” she yelped when Erikka yanked her up.
“Get your a-double-s off the phone now.” Erikka glowered at Hope until she muttered a hasty explanation into the phone.
“Okay, so how long does this torture last?” Hope grumbled as she took off the headset and tossed the telephone on the bed.
“I’ve been where Terri is right now. I was lucky to have you guys. Terri doesn’t have any friends.”
“Wonder why?” Hope retorted.
“Show a little compassion.” Erikka glared a threat at her.
“Sheesh, be nice, or get your behind whipped. Some choice. You owe us big-time for this,” Hope muttered.
Karin was in full apology mode by the time they made it back to the living room. “Sorry I took so long. I’m slow at everything. I just love that blouse, brings out the color of your eyes.”
Hope put on her best smile. “Girl, that man can’t get enough
of me. Finally had to cut him off.”
A moment of silence passed as Terri glanced at the three women in turn. Like lightning Terri’s mood changed to irritation. “Don’t put yourselves out for me. I’ve got a fabulous party on the hook, ladies. I just dropped by to be polite.”
“Oh, no she didn’t.” Hope put a hand on one hip.
“Listen, Terri—”
“See ya, if I get some spare time.” Terri tossed her hair and flounced out the door, letting it slam behind her.
“She’s hurt,” Karin said with a worried frown.
“No, but she was gonna be in about one hot minute. Matter of fact I ought to catch her in the parking lot.” Hope started for the door. Karin yanked her back.
“Karin is right. Terri is reacting that way to protect herself,” Erikka said.
“Fine. But you can’t just shove her on people and expect her to get instant best friends, Erikka,” Hope said, waving her arms.
“Hope has a good point, girl,” Karin agreed. “Not that I’m saying we didn’t behave badly,” she added hastily, with a glance at Hope.
“Okay, okay. I’ll do better next time.” Hope sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs.
“I’ll let her cool off for an hour or so, then call her cell phone,” Erikka said. Then she frowned. “I just hope she doesn’t do something stupid.”
“How stupid can she get in one hour?” Hope said. They looked at each other for a few seconds.
“Uh-oh,” Karin said.
“I’ll call now,” Erikka said. She found her cell phone and dialed Terri’s number. When the voice mail came on, she left a message.
“Don’t worry. She’ll be fine. By the way, you’re a good person for taking time out for her.” Karin gave Erikka a pat of approval on the back. They both sat down.
“Yeah, well, we kinda bonded in the Nut Hut,” Erikka said with a grin and shrugged. “We’ve kept in touch mostly by phone since I’m so far away now.”
“Speaking of far away, when are you coming back to civilization?” Hope licked a dollop of raspberry swirl cheesecake from her fork.
