Revenge (31 page)

Sitting, he kept his attention on the dancers as he waited for Logan to answer.

“Well, I wasn't expecting you to call, Cajun.”

“Evenin', Logan.” Damn, he wished he wasn't one handed.

“How's Cody?”

“Enjoying the company of a young man as he twirls her around a floor.”

Her father cleared his throat. “I take it that young man ain't you?”

“Not at the moment.” Remy closed his eyes and relaxed against the bench. “I needed to ask you something.”

“Do I need to sit down for this?”

“I am.”

Logan chuckled and grunted as if he was truly taking a seat. “Son, I think I know why you're calling me. I've known for a while to expect this. Probably since the moment you lit a fire in my daughter.”

“I had hoped to do it in person. Though I think I'll take a few hundred miles of space between me and that thirty-aught-six.”

Logan laughed. “I only need that to run off the rotten apples. You're the type of man I want my girl with.”

An odd kind of warmth spread through Remy. No man had complimented him that way. It was a little unsettling to hear it.

“I don't have to ask if you love her. I saw it. And I know she loves you. She proved it by going after you. Her momma did that.” Logan's tone dipped with sadness.

“I meant what I said earlier. Cody is one in a million. I would like your permission to marry her.”

Heavy silence filtered over the connection. When Logan spoke, Remy heard the emotion in his voice. “You have it.”

Cody spun under Marc's arm. She was enjoying all this attention, but where was Remy? While she'd danced with Adrien, she spotted him hovering on the fringes of the patio. After one of the twins cut in for the next dance she'd lost sight of him. Was he feeling okay? It had been a long day, and by now his body must be tiring. She should find him and check.

Her swirling thoughts caused her to misstep and she stumbled, falling against Marc's chest.

“Easy there,
chère
.”

Righting her body, Cody stepped back, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Sorry.”

“Hey, we just keep going.” Marc held out his arms, inviting her to return to their two-step.

“Maybe I should take over from here.”

Cody peeked over Marc's shoulder and her heart stutter-stepped. Remy stared at her, his dark eyes reflecting the lights dangling from the trees. He'd unbuttoned another button on his white shirt and was missing his sling.

Planting her fists on her hips she scowled at him. “Where's your sling?”

Marc snickered and stepped aside to let his brother take his place.

With his right hand, Remy lightly touched the exposed skin on the back of her arm, and his fingers trailed down to her forearm. Cody resisted the urge to let her eyelids flutter shut, but she couldn't stop the tremors his feather-light touch invoked. He smiled, inching closer, the warmth of his body drawing her in.

“The strap was hurting my neck. Thought I'd give it a break.”

Shaking lose from his spell, Cody huffed. “Don't whine to me when you ruin all the work the surgeon did to reset it.”

His hand took hers and pulled it free from her hip. “I'll be careful.” Slowly, he slipped his left arm around her waist and settled it there. The back of her jeans shifted as he tucked his fingers inside the belt loop. “No sudden movements.”

She chuckled softly, allowing him to guide her closer until their bodies melded together. Their joined hands pressed between their shoulders. How convenient that the next song was a slow waltz.

“Somehow I think you had something to do with this song being played,” she said as they settled into a simple rhythm.

“It's one of my favorites,” he said, his voice taking on a husky tone.

Cody closed her eyes and gently laid her cheek against his chest, the brace cradling her head. She drew in the faded scent of spice and held it in her lungs a moment, letting it create a new memory to hold onto later. This had been an unforgettable day. Dancing with Remy now was a fitting end. The contented noise she made sounded more like a purr. His chuckle rumbled in her ear.

“Remy, I love your family.”

“I'm glad,” he whispered. “They love you, too.”

Her heart fluttered in her chest. She lifted her head to look at him. “They do?”

Smiling, Remy brushed back a stray coil, his knuckles grazing her cheek. “Is that doubt I hear?”

Cody blinked at the sudden wetness. This all seemed surreal when she considered how close she came to losing him forever. But she hadn't. He was here, holding her in his arms, and his family circled them—she did a scan and found everyone watching them. She sighed and bowed her head. Pleasure stirred in her soul at the warm press of his lips against her forehead. Could it be possible to love someone too much?

The last melodious strains of the waltz faded. They stopped dancing and just stood there. No one spoke, and his brother-in-laws didn't resume playing. Cody listened to the hum of the frogs and insects and Remy's steady breaths.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his. That was when she noticed they were alone.

“Where's everyone?”

“Giving us some privacy.”

She wanted to ask why, then thought better of it. They hadn't had a moment to themselves from the minute they'd exited the car.

Remy twined his fingers with hers and brought her hand up to brush a kiss on its back. Cody swallowed against the tightness in her throat.

“The first time I met you, I was floored.”

“You thought I was a guy.” She smiled.

Clearing his throat to cover up his chuckle, Remy released her hand and placed it on his shoulder. “I did. You quickly proved me wrong. On so many levels.” He caressed her cheek. “We haven't exactly had the most romantic of relationships, with sociopaths and assassins trying to kill us.”

“Understatement.”

“For true.” His fingers trailed along her jawline to her neck. “You made one thing very evident to me, Cody. No matter the threat to your life, you won't back down. I truly believe that whatever my job throws at me, you'll be able to face it with me.”

She stiffened at his words. Her breath locked in her lungs. What did he mean?

“Breathe, Cody.”

She gasped and nudged him when he chuckled. “What are you doing, Cajun?”

He slipped his hand into his pocket and withdrew something small. The candlelight made it glint.

Cody's muscles went lax when her brain registered what he held.

“What I'm doing, Cody Samantha Lewis, is hoping my question will change both of our lives.”

Her mouth turned dry, and she stared at his hand as it rose between them.

“Will you marry this shattered man and make him whole again?”

The tiny emerald shimmered and swam in her sight. She squeezed her eyes shut and then snapped them open.
Yep, still there.
Her gaze darted from the ring to his expectant face.

A small cry managed to escape, and she buried her face in his chest. Remy wrapped his arm around her, hugging her tight.

“Not quite the response I expected.”

The laugh she gave was laced with another cry. Lifting her head, she gave him a chaste kiss. “Yes,” she croaked.

“Yes?”

She nodded, swallowed, and drew in a breath. “Yes.”

Cupping her cheek, he pressed his mouth to hers. Heat surged through her at his possessive kiss. Somehow during the kiss, he managed to take her hand and settle the ring on her finger. Once the ring fell in place, he twined their fingers. Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. “I love you.”

“Back at ya.”

“Did she say yes?”

They turned to the voice. His sister had poked her head out the patio door.

Cody held up her hand with the ring and wiggled her fingers.

• • •

She followed Remy up the curved staircase to the second floor of his family home. A patchwork of moonlight through the windows made a path for them along the wide hall. Light spilled from one of the bedrooms at the end of the hallway.

The long day weighed on Cody's shoulders. She wanted to curl up on the bed and drift to sleep listening to Remy's heartbeat.

He paused in the open doorway. “They probably expect me to sleep in my old room.”

Cody frowned. “Why?”

Tangling his fingers in his hair, he gave her a sheepish grin. “'Cause, they're as old-fashioned as your daddy.”

“Oh.” She slipped between him and the doorframe, making sure her body just brushed his. “Is that what you want to do? Sleep in separate rooms?”

“
Mon Dieu
, woman,” he growled, pulling her flush to his body. “You're a temptress.”

“You made me that way.”

“
Non
, you came that way.”

His kiss was hard, demanding, turning her legs to rubber. She sagged against him, unable to support her weight. A rumble started in his chest and rolled past his lips in a satisfied chuckle.

“Payback,” he whispered, kissed her again, and then set her inside the room as if she were a ragdoll. “Goodnight, Cody.” He moved to back out of the room, pulling the door with him.

“You'll regret that li'l maneuver, Remy Adrien LeBeau.”

He froze, then swung the door open as he marched into the room. “How do you know my middle name?”

“Uh?” She bit her lip and shrugged.

“Cody, I never once told you my middle name. And I sure as hell know I don't talk in my sleep.” He grasped her shoulder. “How do you know?”

Sighing, she took hold of his hand and dragged it down. “Before I came to New Orleans I got a visit from a lawyer.”

His hand went slack in hers. “She gave me the will and the letter you meant for me if you died.” Inching closer to him, she placed her hand on his chest, absorbing the thud of his heart. “Don't be mad at her for breaking the rules. It was enough to convince me to come after you.”

“Do you have the papers?”

Moving to the duffel bag where she kept her weapon, she unzipped a side pocket and removed the documents. She held them out to Remy.

He unfolded the crumpled letter. “How many times did you read this?”

“Too many.” Cody hugged herself. “You wanted me to stop barrel racing and start working with Dad?”

He glanced at her, then stared at the letter he'd written. Wadding it in his fist, he tossed it and the will on the bed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I think you were barrel racing because of your momma. I don't think you really love it.”

“You're right.”

Remy frowned, his arm dropping to his side.

Cody closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his waist; the ring on her finger caught on his shirt. That would take some getting used to. “I didn't love it; I did it out of sense of guilt. When we go home, I'm going to sit down with Dad and discuss what it would take to get my name added to his on the training and competing side. I still plan on training barrel horses; I don't mind that. Just won't rodeo anymore.”

“Well,” he tipped her chin up. “Until the kids are ready.”

“One thing at a time here, Cajun. Let's get married first.”

“Will those NCHA competitions keep you closer to home?”

She eyed him. “Trying to tighten that rope already?”

“
Non
.” He nuzzled her neck, kissing it. “Not so sure I like the idea of you not keeping me warm at night.”

She snorted. “Among other things.” She hissed when he nipped the tender point on her neck. “Do that again and I'll . . . ” Her brain turned to mush as his lips trailed up her neck to her ear lobe. Desire rippled through her veins.

“You'll do what?” he whispered, his hot breath feathering her cheek and fanning the flames.

“Don't go,” she rasped. “Not tonight.”

Remy drew his head away and looked at her, a half smile playing with his mouth. “As much as I want to tease you until you beg some more. I'm tired,
catin
. I hurt. If I stay, I know what's going to happen.”

Scowling, she grunted. “So you start something you can't finish.”

He kissed her lips. “Believe me, once I'm healthy, you're going to have plenty of opportunities to
finish
.” Untangling himself from her embrace, he grasped her hand with the ring and kissed it. “
Bon nuit
,
ma chérie.
” Releasing her hand, he backtracked to the door, hesitated to give her a wink, then left, closing the door in his wake.

Once his footsteps faded, the realization she was engaged to Remy slammed home for Cody. “I'm getting married.”

Three days later, Cody hugged one of the white support columns, watching Remy climb into Marc's truck with their father. When Marc backed out of the driveway and took off down the road, she sighed.

“Where are they going again?” she asked Céline.

Remy's momma grinned and patted Cody's arm. “Where men always go,
cher
. Off to be men.” She wandered back to the house.

“Are Cajuns always so vague, or is it just a LeBeau trait?”

Céline laughed then spoke rapidly in French.

The throaty growl of a diesel engine cut her short. Cody's head whipped to the driveway as a huge midnight blue Dodge rumbled up the gravel and parked. With an uncharacteristic girlish squeal, Cody jumped off the porch and ran across the yard.

The driver's side door flew open and her father slid out of the truck. He caught her in a bear hug the moment she launched herself at him. “Heaven help me, I'm glad to see you, kiddo,” he said, squeezing her.

“Me, too.” She slid back onto her feet and beamed at him. “I thought you were coming later.”

He hooked a scarred thumb over his shoulder. “Someone drives like he thinks he's Richard Petty.”