Deja Voodoo (A Cajun Magic Novel) (Entangled Suspense) (9 page)

“Why?”

“Because she has to make money.”

“Why?”

“You need money to pay for things like food and a place to live.”

“Do you work?”

She laughed. “Yes, Sport, I do. But right now, we can go home. Harry is taking my last class for the day.”

“Calli…” Sport’s lips twisted and he started over. “Callipuppy loves Sport?”

“Yes, Sport. Calliope loves you.” With a gentle smile, she hooked Sport’s arm and led him toward the door. “I love you, too.”

“Sport hungry.”

“Then let’s get you something to eat, and get home to see what’s going on with my kitchen sink.”

They stopped at a barbecue restaurant and got two brisket sandwiches to go. By the time they reached Bayou Miste, Sport had eaten his way through both and was begging for more.

She parked the car in the driveway. Before she switched the engine off, Sport bounded out and ran up the porch steps and into the house.

“Sport, wait!” Had Calliope left her front door unlocked? She hurried after the man-dog. Noises from the kitchen drew her there.

Sport stood by a figure lying on the floor. “What are you doing?”

The man with his head tucked under the kitchen cabinet, answered, “Trying to fix a leak. Where’s Alex?”

“Hello?” she called out from the hallway.

“Oh, Alex.” The man’s head came up fast, banging into the pipe above him.

“Ed?” She entered the room. “What are you doing in my kitchen?”

“Your mother asked if I’d ever fixed a leaky pipe in a kitchen sink.” He scooted out from under the sink and sat up, rubbing the back of his head. “I didn’t know then that she meant
your
sink. She gave me a key and sent me down the street to this house.”

Alex crossed her arms. “I’ll have a word with my mother. You’re on vacation, not here to be her handyman.”

“I never was much of a handyman, but I have fixed a leaky kitchen sink before. And I looked it up on the Internet.” He stood, the width of his shoulders making Alex’s kitchen seem much smaller than before.

Her heartbeat stuttered, then beat faster, slamming blood through her veins. This man had been in her dreams, in her thoughts, and in her head all day long. Having him in her kitchen was…well…overwhelming.

“Are you done?” she asked, her voice breathy, to her dismay.

He wiped his hands on a dish towel, nodding. “Try it out for yourself.”

Alex would rather have stayed across the room from him. Not that she thought he would attack her or anything. More because she didn’t want to be attracted to him, or risk being close enough to kiss. But he was waiting for her to test his handiwork.

She eased past him, the scent of his aftershave playing havoc with her senses.

With her attention on him instead of her faucet, she reached for the handle blindly and turned it.

Water poured out of the drain below the sink and sprayed her legs. She jumped back and ran right into his chest.

“Damn.” He reached around her and turned off the faucet. “Guess I need to try again. Give me a minute, and I’ll have it fixed.” He dropped down on the floor and slid under the cabinet again, soaking his shirt. “Could you hand me that pipe wrench on the floor beside you?”

She scooped the wet wrench from the puddle of water and handed it to him. “Righty tighty, leftie loosey,” she said from memory. Her father had taught her that saying while helping her work on her first car when she was sixteen.

“I knew that.” Ed twisted the wrench to the right. “Try it now.”

“You sure you don’t want me to check it out first?” she asked.

“Well, actually, you might want to.”

She dropped to her haunches and ducked into the cabinet, her chest pressing against his. “What seems to be the problem?”

“This pipe connection is old and came loose.” He pointed to the pipe. “I thought I was tightening it, but I guess I loosened it instead.”

She had stopped listening as soon as he started talking, the vibrations of his chest rumbling against her breasts, causing her entire body to tingle.
Oh my God
.

“You want to tighten it yourself?” he asked. When she didn’t respond, he said. “Or not.” His gaze captured hers. “Maybe we should leave it to a plumber.”

Alex straightened and backed away so fast her foot slipped in the water and she fell on her ass beside him.

He scooted out from under the cabinet and pulled Alex into his arms. His fingers skimmed along her arms and down her back, sending mini shock waves into her skin everywhere he touched. “Are you okay? Anything hurt?”

“Only my pride.” She moved and winced. “And my tailbone.”

“Does that mean our fishing night is off?”

“I don’t think I could sit comfortably in a boat after that.” What a great excuse to get out of a night alone with Ed.

“Alex?” Calliope’s voice called to her from the front of the house. “Why’s the front door open?”

“In here.” She struggled to stand.

Ed straightened and helped her to her feet as Calliope burst through the door.

“There you are.” She stared from Ed to Alex. “Oh. You have company.”

“No, I don’t.” Alex’s cheeks heated. “Ed was here fixing my leaky faucet.” She turned the handle as if to prove it, and the pipe held. “See?” Then she remembered. “I thought you had to work tonight.”

“One of the other girls asked to take my place tonight since it’s cheap beer night. I thought I’d come back here and hang out. Maybe take Sport for a walk or something.”

“Yes, please.” Sport pushed through the kitchen door and headed for the front of the house.

“Are you sure you want to?” Alex asked. “I mean, there are all kinds of distractions.”

“It would do us both good after being cooped up in the house all day. Be back in a little while.” Calliope ran after Sport, catching up as he darted outside, the door slamming in their wake. With Calliope and Sport gone, she stood in the kitchen, alone with Ed.

Her pulse pounded through her veins as she turned to face him. “Well, how much do I owe you for your work?”

Ed gripped her elbow in his hand and pulled her against him. “One kiss,” he said, his tone deep, rich, and as smooth as melted chocolate dripping over her body.

She pressed her hands against his chest, her gaze slipping from his eyes to his lips. “Just one?”

His mouth crashed down over hers, stealing her breath away. Arms like iron bands clamped around her middle, molding her body against his.

Unable to resist, she sank into him, her arms slipping around his neck, urging him deeper, her teeth parting to allow his tongue access to hers. Her leg slipped around his, the position pressing her aching center to his muscular thigh.

The kiss was so intense she didn’t register that it was her phone jangling until the sixth ring, and it was in the purse she’d laid on the counter next to her.

“You might want to answer that,” Ed finally said, his lips skimming across her cheek and down the long column of her throat.

Fumbling blindly in the jumble of her purse, her hand curled around her cell phone and yanked it out as Ed’s fingers slid the strap of her tank top off one shoulder and down her arm. She jammed her finger on the talk button. “What?” Her breath hitched as Ed’s lips trailed to the swell of her breasts.

“Alex?”

Even the jarring sound of her mother’s voice didn’t yank Alex out of the spell Ed’s hands and lips were weaving over her body. “Uh-huh.”

“Are you home?”

Big, warm fingers hooked the hem of her shirt and dragged it up over her head, forcing her to take the phone away from her ear before replacing it and replying, “Uh-huh.”

“I asked Ed to fix your leaky sink. Is he still there?”

At that moment Ed flicked the catch on her bra and her breasts spilled free. “Oh, yeah.”

“Let me talk to him, please.”

Past cognitive thought, she handed Ed the phone.

And reached for the hem of his shirt.

Chapter Eight

Ed held his arms up as Alex slid his wet shirt up over his head and tossed it across the room. Then he pressed the phone to his ear. “Ed speaking.” He bent to take one lush nipple between his lips and pulled it into his mouth.

Alex moaned softly, her fingers threading through his hair.

“Oh, Ed, how’d it go?” Mrs. Boyette asked. “Did you fix the leak?”

Letting the breast slide out of his mouth, he nipped the tip before answering, “It’s fixed.”

He brushed his lips across the other nipple and it beaded into a tight little tasty bud.

“Thank you so much for doing that for her,” Mrs. Boyette droned on.

“Believe me, it’s my pleasure.” He nipped the bud and rolled it across his tongue.

Alex’s leg slid up the back of his calf and she straddled his thigh, rubbing her crotch against him.

Molten heat shot to his groin and he nearly came.

“Now, make sure my daughter thanks you properly.”

“Oh, she is. Sorry, Mrs. Boyette, gotta go.” He hit the end call button and tossed the phone onto the counter. When he turned his attention back to Alex, a frown was pressing her brows together.

“Maybe we shouldn’t…”

“Oh, I know we shouldn’t.” He growled low in his chest, the most primal instinct urging him on. “If you want to stop, say so now, otherwise—” He cupped her bottom and lifted her, shoving her up against the wall.

She wrapped her legs around his waist and pressed her full, luscious breasts against his naked chest. “What if Calliope and Sport come back?”

“Then we’ll make this quick.”

She let out a long stream of warm air that brushed across his neck. Leaning forward, she whispered, “Then hurry.”

He didn’t need a second invitation. He bent to claim her lips, thrusting his tongue between her teeth, stroking hers in a sensual dance.

When he broke off for air, he lifted her. “Which way?”

“Down the hall, first door on the left,” she said, her words clipped, her breathing coming in short gasps.

His dick swelled against the confines of his jeans, aching to be free. Blinded by lust, he marched down the hall and kicked open the door to her bedroom, carried her through, and shut it with his foot.

Though her bedroom was a study in femininity, with a pink-and-yellow floral comforter and light-cherry furniture, all he could see was the bed.

“Put me down,” Alex said. Her legs slid to the ground and she stood in front of him, ripped the buckle loose on his belt, and stopped. “Are you packing?” She pointed to the holster attached to his belt where he kept his Glock.

“I hear there are really big alligators in these parts.” He tweaked her nipple, rolling it between his thumbs. “Does it bother you?”

“No, my brother carries.” She reached for the button on his jeans. “Besides, it makes you seem more dangerous.” When she couldn’t get the button free, she slid her fingers into his waistband.

“Dangerous, huh?” He brushed her hands aside and yanked her bicycle shorts down to her ankles, where he noted bright-pink toenail polish gleaming up at him.

She stepped free of the garment and kicked it to the side.

He groaned.

Instead of black lace panties, she wore a neon-green thong, the tiny patch of fabric covering the apex of her thighs and nothing else. With a grin, she hooked the thin elastic band and slipped them off.

Quicker than he could say
orgasm
, he pulled his wallet from his back pocket and fished out a small foil packet. He tossed it to her and she caught it. While she tore it open, he kicked off his shoes and peeled his wet jeans off, laying them, gun and all, across a chair. “Last chance to change your mind.”

Her gaze slid over him, catching on his erection. “No way you’re backing out now. Show me what this handyman can do.” She slid the condom over his cock and circled her hand around him, leading him toward the bed.

“Just so you know,” she said as she scooted her butt onto the mattress and spread her legs wide, “I’m not interested in a long-term relationship.”

“How long is long?” He captured her face between his palms as he lowered onto her. “I’m here for a week. Two tops.”

“I like my independence.” She wrapped her legs around his middle and pressed her heels into his buttocks.

“I hope that’s not all you like.” He slid into her slick entrance and her channel tightened around him, drawing him deeper.

She fell back against the mattress, her head tipped back, her fingers pinching her nipples as he drove into her again and again.

Long, black hair worked free of her loose braid and spread across the pale-pink-and-yellow comforter. Her gorgeous curves made him want to bury himself inside her and never come out. Her heels dug into him, urging him faster, deeper, harder, until he was hammering, the intensity of his thrusts shooting him over the edge far sooner than he’d intended.

One last time, and he pulled free and dropped to his knees between her legs.

She leaned up on her elbows, her face flushed, her eyes glazed. “Why did you stop?”

“I want you to feel it, too.”

“Oh, hon, I am.”

“Not like you’re going to.” He spread her thighs and kissed a path up to her damp core and thrust his tongue into her.

“Okay. I’m beginning to see what you mean.” With a moan, she dropped backward, her fingers clutching his hair.

He chuckled and parted her folds, moving in to take the sweet spot by storm. One flick and she groaned. Another, and her back arched off the bed, her fingernails digging into his scalp.

His cock swelled even more as he sucked her clit between his lips and pulled hard.

“Oh, my, don’t—”

He let go and blew a warm stream of air over her heated sex. “Want me to stop?”

“Oh, my, don’t…stop!” She dragged him by the hair back to where he’d been. “Please!”

He swiped his tongue over her in a long steady stroke, then flicked the tip, again and again, until her body tensed, her hips rising, pumping. When he had her where he wanted her, he stood and scooted her up on the mattress and climbed between her legs.

In one long forceful thrust, he drove into her as deep as he could, and held for a moment to gather himself. He leaned over her and captured her mouth as he withdrew and slid back into her, settling into a steady rhythm, the pace increasing with the pressure inside him.

Her legs wrapped around his waist, her heels digging into his buttocks. She arched off the bed, her fingers clutching the comforter. “Yes!” She closed her eyes, and her chest rose and hitched on a deep breath, her body tense, her channel pulsing around his cock.

Ed fought hard for control, wanting it to last longer. But her lusty reactions made it so difficult, he finally let go, allowing the sensations to catapult him into the heavens. Buried deep inside her, he dropped down onto her, breathing hard.

When he could think again, he rolled to his side, taking her with him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face into his throat. She didn’t say a word.

He brushed the hair out of her face and tipped her chin up. “Are you okay?”

For a long moment, her face remained pressed to his neck and she didn’t speak, then she slapped her hand on his chest and pushed up. “No. I’m not all right.” She glared at him and rolled off the bed.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“Damn it.” She stood in front of him, her hair curling around her naked breasts, her shoulders back, and fire flashing from her eyes. She was so beautiful it took his breath away.

She pointed to her door. “Get out.”

“I must have misunderstood.” He eased off the bed. “When you said please continue—”

“Just leave.” Her voice caught, and if he wasn’t mistaken, those were tears trembling on her lashes.

He pulled up his damp jeans and zipped.

Her bottom lip trembled and one lonely tear made a shiny trail down her face.

Up to that point he had been ready to leave. But this…

“Oh, hell, Alex.” He reached out and yanked her into his arms, crushing her to him.

Her body shook against him, her tears wetting his chest. “It wasn’t supposed to be like that.”

“If you’d tell me what it was supposed to be like, maybe I could do better next time.” He tipped her chin up and stared into blue eyes swimming with tears.

“You don’t understand.” She shook her head, more tears slipping down her cheeks. “You’re supposed to be a fling. I’m not supposed to be that impressed. You’re leaving!” She flung her hand in the air, catching him on the chin.

He flinched and drew back without loosening his hold around her middle.

Her eyes rounded. “Oh, Ed, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.” She leaned up and pressed a kiss to the spot where she’d hit him. Her mouth moved along his jawline to his lips, where she seared her mark on him.

His hands slipped down to the swell of her bottom and he tightened his hold as heat flowed south, swelling his cock yet again where it nestled against her belly. When she broke off the kiss, she leaned her forehead against his chest. “This was a mistake.”

“Didn’t feel like one to me.” He tugged her closer, rubbing the ridge of his jeans into her soft skin. “Let me get this straight. You’re disappointed because you
weren’t
disappointed?”

“Yes!” She palmed his chest, the sound like a slap. “Now I need you to go and never come back.”

He chuckled. “Problem is, I’m having a hard time leaving.” Again, he pulled her into his arms and held her, enjoying the feel of her breasts, the taut muscles beneath satiny-smooth skin, and the curve of her narrow waist right before the sensuous flare of her hips. “Yeah, a really hard time.”

She pushed away and sighed. “Thanks anyway, but we can’t do that again.” She turned and gathered her clothes, slipping into her stretchy bicycle shorts and grabbing a baggy T-shirt from a drawer. When she had pulled the shirt over her head, she faced him.

He frowned and slid his feet into his shoes. “That’s it?”

“I told you. I don’t believe in long-term relationships, especially long-distance relationships.”

Why he felt the need to argue, he didn’t know. But when he opened his mouth to tell her he wanted to see her again, he didn’t get the chance.

“Alex, we’re home!” Calliope’s voice cut through the tension-thick air.

Alex’s eyes widened and she ran for her bedroom door. “Stay here until I get your shirt. And don’t say a word.”

“Why?” Then a thought hit him. He narrowed his eyes. “Hey, you and Sport aren’t together, are you?”

“Huh? He’s my—” She clamped her lips shut and stared at him, then turned toward the door. “Just stay.”

Before she could sneak out, her door flew open and two faces peered in.

“Alex?” Calliope’s eyes grew as wide as saucers and her mouth dropped open.

Sport’s eyes narrowed, his lip curled back in a snarl, and he actually growled.

“I think that’s my cue.” Curbing his irritation, Ed eased past the pair, ducked into the kitchen, grabbed his shirt, and escaped through the back door.

What the
hell
had that been all about? He’d thought they had a pretty good time. Apparently, he was mistaken.

Shit
. Instead of walking straight back to his cottage where he stood a chance of running into more of the nutty Boyette clan, he pulled on his shirt and headed in the opposite direction, passing by the marina.

The sun was well on its way to the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange, purple, and mauve. But he couldn’t see past the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

His phone vibrated in his pocket and he yanked it out. The caller ID indicated yet another Boyette to torment him. One he was obligated to answer. “What?” he barked.

“Ed?”

“Yeah, who did you think it was?”

“What’s wrong?”

I just screwed your sister, she threw me out, and I’m not sure why, although I have my suspicions
. He took a breath. “Nothing.”

“Good, got something for you. Not much to go on, but thought I’d pass it on.” Ben paused. “You sure you’re all right?”

“Just spit it out, will ya?”

“Okay, okay. Although I’d like to know what’s got your shorts in knot.”

I really don’t think you do, buddy
.

“Word on the street is that Leon’s put a bounty on our girl’s head.”

Ed jerked his focus back to the case. “We figured he’d hire a hit man, but a bounty?” He stopped walking, a heavy weight settling in his gut. “Damn. If that gets advertised far and wide, we’ll have every thug in the lower forty-eight gunning for her.”

“It’s a rumor we can’t substantiate, but I thought it was worth warning you.”

“Thanks.”

“Meanwhile, anything I can do for you?”

“Got an army of bodyguards you can spare? If the rumor is true, my job here just got a whole lot more complicated.”
Even above and beyond your sister.

“You, me, and Marcus are the only ones who know where we’ve stashed the witness. Not even Gordon Dean knows where she is,” Ben said. “Every so often he tests me by asking, but I haven’t told him, or anyone else. We have to keep it that way.”

“Understood.” He didn’t much care for Gordon. As his supervisor, Ed had to take orders from the guy, but he didn’t have to like him. Tall and cocky, he thought a lot of himself. Ed always walked the other way when he spotted his boss’s shock of neatly combed white hair headed his way. The man was annoying, flashy, and too politically oriented for his taste.

“Ed, remember, it’s important for you to blend in with the locals, let them know you’re really there on vacation. We can’t have someone poking around asking questions about you and watching your every move. The more believable you are as a tourist, the less likely they’ll follow you out to the safe house. Have you met any of the residents yet?”

“Your family seems to comprise eighty percent of the population of Bayou Miste.”

Ben chuckled. “Seems that way, doesn’t it? Has Mom tried to set you up with one of my sisters?”

“Oh, yeah. First night at dinner.”

“Which one? Alex?”

“You got it.”

“Take it all with a grain of salt. My mom is determined to get her married off before she’s thirty and Alex is equally determined to retain her independence.”