Cajun Vacation (9 page)

Justin nodded. “OK. So how do I fit in with this?” he asked.

“I’d like to hire you to do the work with environmental reporting. Maybe even go on camera instead of behind it all the time. It’d be full time pay, but you get to set your own schedule. As long as you’re producing then you’re on your own. We’re even paying for research assistants to sort through and fact check. We’ll probably transfer them from the station. Anyway, you’re the first I’ve talked to about it, and I’m still scouting talent for other reporting areas.”

Erica shifted next to him. The idea sounded crazy and worth a shot at the same time, and it deserved more time to discuss then he cared to devote to it right now. Erica wanted to leave as badly as he did, and he needed to end this conversation quickly while keeping his options open. “I think we should sit down and talk about it more. I call and make an appointment with your secretary in the morning. Then we can sit down and go over details,” said Justin.

John held out his hand to shake Justin’s again. “Perfect. The sooner the better too. I want to get this rolling in a few weeks and I know you’re the man for the job.”

John turned to Erica. “Pleasure meeting you,” he said.

“Yes,” she said. She touched Justin’s arm, her eyebrows furrowed. “I’ll be right back.” Then she headed to the restrooms.

Justin and John watched her head off. “Is she your girlfriend?” asked John.

The question surprised Justin. Was John just being friendly, or had he seen something between them? Did a simple touch on his arm signal something greater to everyone else than it did to him? “No,” he said. “I just met her yesterday and gave her the bayou tour.” His voice had more regret in it than he wanted.

John regarded him a moment longer. “Don’t forget to call for that appointment,” he said before spying someone else and walking away.

Justin felt uneasy. Five minutes ago, he patiently played the tease and wait game with Erica while she mingled. Now he looked at all the friends and acquaintances in attendance. Did they all notice the heat between him and Erica? Had Erica and he deluded themselves into thinking that somehow they’d kept their relationship discreet? He crossed eyes with a few friends, who gave him a knowing look and smile before turning away.

He was a fool. Everyone knew. And now they’d all want the dirt on what happened to Erica after today. Telling people they were just into each other for a weekend of sex wasn’t a good idea. Maybe if he tried not to talk about her then people would leave him alone about it. The worst problem with talking about Erica after she left him today would be the pain in his voice. She had a grip on his heart. One that he couldn’t just wash away with a shower.

A creeping feeling came over him and he looked up. Another man walked his way. He looked completely out of place in a full suit and slicked back hair. Justin’s dread grew every step closer the man walked. Then recognition came over him and his mouth went dry.

“You must be Justin,” the man said, sniffing a little as he said the name. “The hotel concierge said I might find you and Erica at this event. My name is Gary O’Connell.”

Erica splashed water on her face. The idea came so suddenly, she had to work up her nerve to go through with it. She could keep her career in the media and stay with Justin. Everything became clear. Her life in New York was over. Gary would never let her go her own way without succumbing to his kink. Even if Gary did forget about her, she had only obtained her promotions with the station because of the sex. Her success felt hollow. Like something she didn’t earn. Her success had to come through the merits of her work and nothing else.

She smiled. If she changed her flight, then she could even stay with Justin for a few more days. Her libido started heating up at the idea of him dead-bolting his door for a few days while they had a weeklong marathon of lovemaking. That felt right.

To start making all her dreams come true, all she needed to do was tell Justin how she really felt about him. Then hope he didn’t regard her as a one weekend girl. At the newspaper, before moving over to the broadcast side of the business, she had cut her teeth on research. It would be a step down, but she could work her way up again if Mr. Forrester would give her a chance. Maybe he’d even try her out as one of his new reporters instead of putting her in the backroom. Her family could call her out as crazy, but her feelings for Justin were too strong. If he felt the same way, then somehow things would fall into place.

She straightened herself up and headed out of the bathroom. She took ten paces before stopping cold. Arms wide and a beaming smile, Gary strode up to her.

“Erica,” he said, giving her a big hug.

Her jaw dropped open and she pushed out of Gary’s embrace. “What are you doing here?” she asked. Then fear came over her face and she scanned the crowd for any sign of Justin. “Where’s Justin?” she demanded.

“The cameraman? He left after I told him I was your boyfriend and came down on a surprise visit. I always have the weekends off, you know. After Melissa told me what a great job you did in your report, I just knew that you had come around and decided to place more importance on advancing your position at the station,” he said, licking his lips. His eyes fell onto her breasts and she felt dirty. “I didn’t feel like waiting for you to get back, so I flew down here this morning with Jessica. She’s waiting back at the hotel. I thought we could get a head start together and discuss your impending promotion.”

She wanted to vomit. He tried slipping a hand on her back. “Why don’t we get going,” he said, and then something snapped inside her. She reared on him.

“Don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me again. I’m not your girlfriend and I’ll never give in to your sick sex games with Jessica or anyone else. You can consider this my resignation. I don’t need you or your promotions,” she said.

“I’ll see that you never work in New York again,” he said. “Jessica was right when she said that you didn’t have ambition. She looks better on camera anyway.” Then he walked off, never looking back.

She ignored Gary’s last departing slap at her. Nothing mattered except finding Justin. Finding him and praying that it wasn’t too late. She ran to the parking lot, hoping that she could still catch him before he left.

Chapter 10

By the time she made it to the parking lot, Justin’s car was already passing out of view. He had shut his phone off after her first attempt at calling. Then a good Samaritan had offered her a ride back to the hotel and she’d picked up her rental car to go look for him. She tried his home first, but he wasn’t there, and neighbors said he hadn’t been back all day. Then she remembered her messages from the other day.

She had originally wanted to meet Justin at a boat dock closer to the city, where he kept his boat, before he requested they meet at the dock in the bayou. If he kept his boat there, and planned to head to his cottage then maybe she could head him off before he left.

Erica hoped the police didn’t stop her. She drove through the city streets faster than she had any right too. If she got pulled over, they’d arrest her for sure. But she had to find Justin. Tears rolled down her face as the certainty choice hit her. It had taken her too long to recognize that New York was her past and that her future lay somewhere else. She loved Justin, and hoped that her future was with him. He probably hates me, she thought.

She wiped her eyes. Until she found him, she didn’t know. Her entire life she had looked for real love, and now that she had found it, she didn’t intend to let it escape. She’d fight for it. Whatever it took.

She made her last turn into a small dock area. She spotted his F-150 parked near the back. Boats of various sizes filled the slips. Some were barely larger than a dingy with a motor. She parked her car close to his truck, and made her way along the dock, scanning each of the boats for his. After a minute she spied it, and let her breath out in relief that she hadn’t missed him. She moved toward it, her eyes constantly looking for Justin. He exited the dock office, and then stood still, hands on his hips.

Erica cringed at the hard look on his face, but didn’t turn back. Instead she ran toward him. Every emotion and cell in her body knew he was the one. “Gary isn’t my boyfriend,” she blurted. “I love you. I have since the moment I saw you.”

Justin shifted slightly, but kept his hands planted on his hips. “So when was this breakup? Today? Gary certainly didn’t realize that you two weren’t an item when he flew all the way down from New York to surprise you.”

Erica shook her head so violently it hurt. “He’s not. I caught him cheating on me. He’s just trying to get me to come back to him and do something I know in my heart is wrong.” The tears came streaming out now. “I don’t know how it happened, but I’ve fallen in love with you. I’ll need a new job, but I have lots of media experience. I can do this if you’re with me.”

She saw his face begin to crumble at the sight of her tears. His hands came off his hips and reached out for hers, pulling her into his embrace. Strong. Warm. Full of love.

His voice broke when he spoke. “I thought I was just some weekend fling for you,” he said.

“Never,” she said and pulled him into a deep kiss. She tipped her head up and looked in his eyes. “We’re near your boat. Why don’t we visit your cottage again?”

A wicked grin crossed Justin’s face. “So you’re looking for a little cottage access?”

“Lifetime,” she said, before they kissed again and she knew he’d be with her forever.

Chapter 11

Sara

Sara waved to Erica, and watched as her sister headed off to the elevator before stepping in line to register. A loud laugh from Alicia caught her attention. She turned to see Alicia flirting with one of the bellhops before a manager stepped up and sent him on an errand. Alicia threw off the inconvenience without missing a beat, darted into the hotel lounge, and disappeared from view.

Sara sighed. She would never have Alicia’s carefree sexual attitudes, but the confidence her sister exuded, amazed her. If she could bottle a tenth of Alicia’s self-assurance and have it for herself, then her life would be so much different. Maybe she could even be the one to do the breaking up in her relationships for once.

The petite desk clerk waved her forward and smiled. “Checking in?”

Sara sighed again. Why did everyone that she interacted with on a daily basis have to be so much better looking, and thinner, than her? The news constantly broadcast how there was an epidemic of obesity in America, but everywhere she turned, the people that she ran into, and had to speak with, were beautiful. It constantly reminded her of the body that she never seemed to have. “Two rooms for Canning,” she said. “I’m checking in for Alicia Canning as well.” Sara handed over her credit card. She’d make Alicia pay her back later. Tearing her away from whatever man she’d latched onto in the bar, just to get her credit card, would slow down the check-in. She wanted out of these clothes and into her one-piece bathing suit. Alicia would never wear anything but a bikini, but she hoped that this year, Erica had bought a one-piece. The fabulous bikini bodies of her sisters contrasted sharply with her less lithe figure.

The clerk tapped away on her keyboard, never looking up. “Are you Sara Canning?” she asked.

“That’s what it says on my credit card,” said Sara.

The clerk bounced up and down once on her feet, causing Sara to wonder if she needed medication. “Congratulations!” the clerk said. “You’re this month’s winner.”

Sara smiled. Her love life might suck, but her luck on this trip had improved. “That’s wonderful. I’ve never won anything before,” she said, as she imagined all the potential prizes a hotel of this caliber might give her. A free afternoon at the spa? Or maybe a massage from a handsome masseuse? Heck, even a shopping spree would be good.

The clerk tapped a few more keys before hitting her mouse button. “Done. The winner notification was sent. You just have to go down there and make arrangements for a time,” she said.

The clerk might be pretty, but she wasn’t bright. “What did I win,” she said, secretly hoping for that massage.

The clerk grabbed a certificate off her printer. “A fabulous full course dinner for two in a private dining room at the Le Soul restaurant; cooked by Laurent Stein himself,” she said, holding up Sara’s certificate. “He’s expecting you. Just bring this to the restaurant to arrange you free dinner.”

Sara’s heart sunk. Dreaded food. She tried to hide her disappointment. “Thank you, but I’m going to have to decline. Maybe the people behind me can be your winner.”

A confused look passed over the clerks face. “I can’t do that,” she said. “I already registered you as our winner. The prize is non-transferable. You have to claim it.”

Her irritation grew. When it came to food, she didn’t want to be told what she had to do by anyone as thin as this clerk. “I said I have to pass. Just give it to someone else.”

The clerk’s face looked crushed. “He’s one of the best chef’s in the country. He’s been a judge on Iron Chef and has his own five star restaurant right here in New Orleans,” she said. The clerk grabbed two keys and handed them to Sara, with the certificate. “If you don’t want to have your free dinner then it’s your choice, but the prize is non-transferable.”

Sara grabbed her receipt and the certificate from the clerk’s hand. “I’ll take it, but like I said. I’m not interested,” she said. Before the clerk responded, Sara turned and walked away. Weekends with her sisters were rare, and she didn’t want to spoil her mood further. She scanned the lobby for any sign of a trash can. Once she tossed the certificate, then she wouldn’t think about this free meal. A small trash receptacle sat outside the bar door, and she walked over to it.

Alicia came out of the bar, a smile on her face. “There are some good looking men staying at this hotel,” she said, eyeing the certificate in Sara’s hand.

“Did you win something?” asked Alicia.

Sara waved her off and tried walking around her to the trash. “It’s nothing,” she said. “Just some food.” She crumpled the certificate up, and tossed it when Alicia snatched it out of the air mid-throw.