by Emery, Lynn
His mother joined them seconds later. “Gabriel, you really should be careful. We’ve been walking around here for fifteen minutes, and you didn’t notice.”
“I’ve got a bell on the door.” Gabriel crossed to her and pecked her check.
She turned off his compact disc player. “No wonder you didn’t hear it. At this rate you’ll have hearing loss before you get to be our age.”
“Stop fussing over him, Rachel. He’s a grown man,” Charles retorted. He winked at Gabriel.
“Fussing over my children is on my job description as a mother.” Rachel ignored her husband. “Come to lunch with us. We’re going to Enola’s.”
“Thanks, but I’m really busy today.”
“Even more reason to stop for a good meal,” Rachel insisted. She gave him an appraising glance from head to toe. “Now wash up. Maybe you should change, too.”“The fact that Elise has lunch there frequently has nothing to do with it? Nice try.” Gabriel slapped dust from his hand.
“Give up, Rachel. He’s got you figured out. Wasn’t my idea,” Charles said to him.
“I’m thinking of your well-being. If you ask me—” Rachel lifted a finger at Gabriel.
“Hi, babe. Went to the house first. I hope you haven’t eaten lunch already.” Erikka came through the door. She grinned up at him while holding a large white paper bag.
Gabriel kissed Erikka’s forehead. He heard his mother’s soft hiss of reproach. When he faced his parents again Gabriel smiled. “Mother, Dad, this is Erikka Rochon.”
Erikka blinked hard once, and then seemed to recover. “Nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Cormier. Just came by with lunch. A surprise. A big surprise actually.” She glanced at Gabriel before crossing to shake his mother’s hand first, then his father’s.
“Hello.” Rachel wore a polite smile.
“Hi there.” Charles studied her with a sideways glance at his wife.
“If I’d known you’d be here I would have brought enough for us all,” Erikka said, and held up the bags.
“We were just leaving,” Rachel replied, the smile fixed on her face.
“Going to Enola’s. Why don’t we all go?” Charles added.
“Gabriel just told us how busy he is, Charles. It was nice finally to meet you, Erikka. Goodbye, dear.” Rachel gave Gabriel a kiss.
Gabriel looked into his mother’s eyes when she pulled back. He saw the message she intended to send. Rachel Mouton Cormier would no doubt make her opinion known in due time. She’d couch her words carefully, though. Gabriel looped an arm around Erikka’s waist, sending his own message. Rachel glanced down briefly, and then turned to Charles.
“Come on, Charles. We have errands after lunch.” Rachel gave her husband an affectionate pat on the cheek as she walked by.
“Errands. Great,” Charles grumbled, and shook his head.
“Goodbye, Mama. See you later, old dude. Don’t work too hard,” Gabriel joked.
“Hey, I just complain to keep Rachel on her toes. Can’t let her have it too easy you know. Bye, young lady.” He waved to them before following his wife out of the shop.
Gabriel tugged at Erikka, and they walked outside with them. They watched his parents drive away in their silver Lincoln Town Car. Erikka let out a slow breath once the car turned onto the road.
“Now that was fun.” Erikka looked up at him.
“What do you mean?” Gabriel laughed when she snorted. Erikka went back into his shop.
“You know damn well what I mean. I’m not a good replacement for a brain surgeon. What mother doesn’t want her son to marry a doctor?” she said, over her shoulder.
Gabriel beat her to the door and opened it. “We dated for several months. That’s a long way from being engaged.” “Whatever.” Erikka went to his office without looking back at him. She set the bags down and opened them.
Gabriel watched her find his stash of paper plates. She placed the meat in the pita bread and put it in the microwave. While she set up the rest of the food, Gabriel got two sodas from his mini refrigerator.
“My parents don’t choose my girlfriends.” Gabriel said what he hoped didn’t need to be said. Then wondered why he had anyway.
“If they did, I wouldn’t miss you one bit. Last thing I need is some guy scared of his mama and daddy.”
Gabriel didn’t hear heat in her tone, but with women you never knew. One minute a brother was feeling fine, the next minute he was baked to a crisp. When Erikka laughed he really got suspicious. This could get bad fast. “Are we going to have an argument?”
Erikka brought two plates of salad sprinkled with feta cheese. She waited while Gabriel cleared his desk, and then set them down. “Of course not.”
When she faced him, Gabriel rested his hands on both of her shoulders. He took great care in leaning down and kissing her lips lightly. There was no tension in her body, nothing held back from his touch. Her vibe told him all he needed to know. “Good,” he said, referring to more than her verbal answer.
Erikka pressed a palm to his cheek. “Your parents know what line to cross with you.”
“You see right into me.” Gabriel pulled her against his body. He was aroused by her understanding of him. He rocked back and forth, enjoying the friction between them.
“Nothing supernatural,” Erikka said softly, and kissed his neck.
Her warm, sweet breath on his skin heightened the ache in his pelvis. “Let’s lock the door and—”
“Oh no.” Erikka extricated herself from his firm hold. “You have a habit of making me skip meals. Not this time. You heard Mrs. Cormier. You need to eat right.” Gabriel reached for her, but Erikka danced out of range. “It’s not all on me. As I recall, you didn’t mind the way we replaced food with lovemaking.”
“That’s right; throw it in a girl’s face.”
Gabriel wanted to play the game. “You melted beneath me like sweet butter, all warm and rich.”
Erikka watched him approach, and then took a step back. Still, her lips parted as she stared into his eyes. “You always get horny before meals?”
“Only with you.”
When Erikka was up against the wall, Gabriel rested a palm on either side of her head and leaned in. “You’re in every breath I take, Erikka Rochon,” he whispered, dazed by the smell of her.
The heat from her skin seeped inside him like spiced honey. Gabriel traced a line of kisses along her jaw, down her neck to the space of skin exposed just above her breasts. He opened one button of her cotton knit blouse and kept going. Undeterred by the lace boundary that was the top of her bra, he pressed his mouth against the fabric. His reward was her gasp of excitement. Thrilled by her response, he cupped the other breast with his hand.
“Maybe we shouldn’t,” Erikka panted as she guided his hands to the front hook. “Someone could walk in any second.”
“Then let’s not waste time.” Gabriel pushed against her so she could feel his urgency.
Erikka let out a tiny whimper. She went to her purse, got a condom, and then shed her stretch blue jeans. “Baby,” she said, and turned around.
“You came prepared to interrupt my workday.” Gabriel felt sweat bead on his forehead.
Without speaking, she leaned against the wall. The sight of her wearing an open blouse, pink bra unhooked, and a pink lace thong knocked him out. In seconds Gabriel undressed. He took off her thong only, unable to wait any longer. Fast and hard is what he wanted. Erikka moaned when he lifted her, both hands holding her buttocks. She wrapped both legs around him, and he carried her to the sofa nearby.
“Sit,” she moaned, and he obeyed.
With quick deep thrusts, she rode him until he saw shooting stars. Never before had he so enjoyed giving up control. Erikka gripped his shoulders. Head back, she shivered all over as she came. Gabriel followed soon after, never taking his eyes from her face. She was his radiant wild lover, and he wanted to experience every second. Slowly, the world came back into focus. Erikka breathed hard as she finally settled against him. After a few mom
ents she gently lifted her hips. Without looking at him, Erikka padded to the office door and locked it.
“Just in case.” She sat on his lap and cuddled in his arms. “Let’s enjoy being naughty a while longer,” she whispered.
“I’ll never look at this office the same way.” Gabriel sighed happily, his head resting on her breast.
“Sorry I messed up your nice orderly life.” Erikka rubbed her face in his hair.
Gabriel knew she was kidding, but he considered her words seriously. “No you’re not, and neither am I. Being distant from everyone is safe, but lonely.” “Gabriel, I—”
“You’re a gift, Erikka.” Gabriel hugged her tightly.
“Thank you,” she said, in a tiny voice that quivered ever so slightly.
“You’re not such a tough big-city lady.” Gabriel savored that fact as well. Erikka had the sweetest soft center of any candy he’d tasted.
“Speaking of the city.” Erikka started to get up.
He would not let go. “Stay right here a few minutes more.”
“One of us is going to get a bad cramp,” she teased. Erikka shifted in his arms. “And I’d better be careful how I move up here.”
Gabriel laughed loudly and released her. “You win.”
They took a quick wash-up in the small restroom in his office. Gabriel watched Erikka’s every move. He enjoyed the fluid movement of her honey brown limbs as she dressed. In a few minutes they were both fully clothed and gazing at their lunch.
“Well, I think we can salvage the sandwiches. The salad isn’t cold anymore.” Erikka shook her head slowly.
“Warm salad is a small price to pay,” Gabriel said with a smile. He tugged a curl of her thick shoulder-length hair.
“Shouldn’t take long for these to warm up. Thirty seconds tops.” Erikka turned on the microwave again. Moments later she took out two chicken pita sandwiches.
“How was your trip into the city?” Gabriel got them each a can of soda and sat down.
“I was going to tell you when we got sidetracked.” Erikka sat down across from him.
“Oh yeah?” Something in her tone made him pause. “No trouble I hope.”
“No. Actually I got some pretty good news. At least I hope you think so. My boss wants me back.”
Gabriel felt a sting of disappointment without quite knowing why, or wanting to just yet. He popped open a can to do something with his hands. For a few seconds he didn’t speak. “Long commute, but you’re not going to drive it every day. Right?”
“I’ll need to move, yes. With the long hours and meetings, it makes sense.” Erikka put a hand on his knee. “Hey, I’m still going to work at the Senior Center. And you go to New Orleans on business.”
“Sure. I’m happy for you, baby. I mean, after all you went through.” Gabriel placed his hand over hers. He meant every word. Her smile sent a glow of happiness into chest.
Erikka sighed and shook her head slowly. “You amaze me, Gabriel Cormier. You really do.”
“You’ve got a chance to rebuild your career. I know how much working at that firm meant to you.” Gabriel watched her face light up.
“Nadine is demanding, a little over the top at times, but she’s sharp. I learned so much from her.” Erikka seemed to regain her appetite. She ate a comer of her sandwich, and then patted her mouth with a napkin.
“Sounds like a smart woman for sure if she knows your value.”
Erikka gazed at him with affection. “You’re a keeper. Anyway, Nadine wants me to start in two weeks. Hope, one of my best friends, is going to let me camp at her place for a while at least. I don’t know if our friendship will survive anything long-term though.” She laughed.
“Your parents don’t live that far, maybe you could—” Gabriel broke off at the look she gave him. “Problem?” “Visit, yes. Live with Roz? No. She’s got issues.” Gabriel laughed. “You just met my mother.”
“One day we’ll swap mama drama stories. I’ve found a place to live, a cool apartment in the warehouse district.” Erikka grinned briefly, then was serious again. “I’m going to have a hectic schedule for a while.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet.” Gabriel pushed lettuce around on his paper plate. “Think you can fit me in between work and everything else?”
Erikka blinked hard when she gazed at him. “I’ll always have time for you, Gabriel. Believe that.”
Gabriel touched Erikka’s hair, then her face lightly with the tips of his fingers. “Guess I better get a copy of a New Orleans city map.”
“You sure better, man. I’ll be back for my community service.” Erikka grabbed his hand and kissed each fingertip. “And then there’s you.”
“Hope I’m not complicating things for you.”
“Hmm.” She flicked her tongue along his skin.
Gabriel gazed at her succulent mouth. He couldn’t stand just watching any longer. In one motion he stood and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her hard and long, drinking in her fiery flavor. When they finally parted, Gabriel rested his forehead against hers.
“I’m falling fast. Catch me.” Gabriel felt a prick of fear at the deep truth of his words. Still, he needed to put his feelings out there.
Erikka caressed his face with both hands. “Gotcha.”
An hour later Erikka was gone, and Gabriel tossed away the remains of their meal. He held on to her words and the way she’d touched him all over. Still Gabriel thought about the way her eyes sparkled with joy at the thought of moving to New Orleans again. Away from you, a voice said. The small, dark insecure place that he’d never really shaken pulsed back to life. He returned to his workshop. Pounding on wood would be healing.
***
Two days later Erikka drove up to her parents’ suburban home. She’d told Roz about her job. When Roz started in about living with her, Erikka told her about the apartment. Roz had taken on her wounded mother act. Erikka agreed to a short visit to appease her. Although she still pouted, Roz had agreed with, “I guess I’ll have to settle for that much.” Not knowing what to expect, Erikka took a deep breath. She tried to prepare herself for anything. To her relief, Roz opened the door with a wide grin.
“Remember I told you first,” Roz said. She brushed cheeks with Erikka in a place of a kiss, to avoid smudging her lipstick.
‘Told me what?” Erikka carried her overnight bag in one hand and her purse in the other.
“That you would roar back better than ever, that’s what!” Roz took the bag from her.
“I don’t know if I’ve roared back. Maybe a little meow as I stick my head in an inch or two.” Erikka locked the door and followed Roz down the hall.
Roz went into Erikka’s old bedroom and dropped the bag in a closet. “Nadine needs you, sugar. Otherwise, she would have hired your replacement.”
‘True.” Erikka sat on the bed. “Old Leather Thong isn’t the charitable type when it comes to business.”
“Leather enthusiast, huh? Oh Lord.” Roz threw back her head and laughed.
Erikka’s grin widened. “According to a former male intern.”
“Serves her right for choosing her lover poorly. Get them too young, and they’re likely to brag.” Roz continued to chuckle as she unpacked Erikka’s things.
To preserve her privacy, Erikka jumped off the bed and took over. “I’ll do that. Where’s Dad? I can’t wait to see him.”
“I love this suit. That shade of blue has always been your color. You know I haven’t dusted in here for a week. I hope your allergies don’t kick in.” Roz went into the bathroom.
Erikka hung up two outfits and turned around. “I can always dust myself you know. Roz, where is Craig?”“He’s staying with his father. You know he’s single again. Edward needs to slow down. A man his age divorcing his third wife—” She stopped when Erikka sucked in a breath and scowled at her. “Sorry, habit.”
“How bad is it?” Erikka felt a sinking sensation in her stomach.
Roz pursed her lips and did not answer for a few seconds.
“I suppose it’s silly to protect you girls as though you’re still children. Craig and I need to work some things out.”
“Craig moved out?” Erikka clenched her fist hard. “Yes.” Roz gazed ahead, and then shrugged. She smiled. “But don’t let that spoil your triumphant return.”
“Huh?” Erikka blinked rapidly as though trying to clear her vision. Roz seemed eerily calm.
Roz hummed softly as she looked through Erikka’s travel jewelry case. “Look in my jewelry armoire if you need anything else, sweetie.”
“Mama, what have you been up to?” Erikka strode over to her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hey, I like these.” Roz held up a pair of silver dangle earrings to her face and stared at herself in the mirror. “I might want to borrow them sometime.”
Erikka watched Roz model earrings. Then she tried on a pair of Erikka’s sexy three-inch sandals. “Okay. Tell me about this third party.”
“I’m not proud of how it happened, but women get lonely, too.” Roz squeaked when Erikka yanked her to the bed and pushed her down on it. “You’ve lost your mind, manhandling your mother that way.”
“I want to know what happened.”
“Erikka, really. I hardly think discussing such a thing with my daughter—”
“How could you hurt Craig that way? This is unbelievable.” Erikka paced in front of her. Then she stopped. “Who is he?”
“You need to get hold of yourself, Erikka Deneé,” Roz snapped.
“Roz,” Erikka said glaring at her, hands on both hips. “Please. You have always sided with Craig whenever we had fights. Don’t try to deny it,” Roz said when Erikka opened her mouth to do just that.
“Not always.” Erikka lost some of her steam. They both knew it was true.
“I can’t blame you. Your father was a no-show dud. You were hungry for a father figure, a man to dote on you. All little girls need that.” Roz gazed at her. “Big girls need it, too.”
Erikka swallowed hard. Somehow she had a feeling Roz meant more than flowers and a peck on the cheek. She looked away. “Listen, it’s not my business—”
“Craig works long hours. He hasn’t been very attentive either. There could be another woman. I just haven’t cared enough for months now to push the issue.” Roz lifted her chin. “And why the hell should I always be the one begging for attention? I’ve made that mistake with men for thirty years.”
