Throughout the night, whenever she had a spare moment, she would catch herself watching him as he prowled around the VIP Lounge, making sure no one was up to anything nefarious. Even when he had to escort out the guys who’d slipped in with a group of people, he’d done it in a way that didn’t make the guys feel threatened or like they were somehow lesser than him.
When he helped the group of women, who’d gotten wasted while celebrating some important event in their lives, he’d endeared himself even more to her. He’d been firm but gentle with them as he helped them get downstairs and safely off in a cab, assuring them their cars would still be there in the morning for them to pick up.
She wanted, so badly, to believe that the good man she saw at work was who he really was but she was afraid. Ezra was able to fool others, too. He was a smooth talker and a charmer, when out in public. It was when he was in the privacy of his own home that he changed. He reminded Kylie of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
The more time she spent around Remy, the more she found herself hoping that the face he showed the world was the only one he had. What would it be like to be held by a man who only wanted to bring you pleasure? It would no doubt be wonderful.
“All done. So, this date you’re taking me on tomorrow, do I need to dress a specific way? I mean, I’d hate to wear jeans only to have you show up dressed to the nines.”
Remy chuckled. “Casual dress, Kitten. I’m not goin’ to overwhelm you on our first date by takin’ you to a fancy restaurant where you might feel uncomfortable.”
“First date? So you think there will be more after tomorrow?”
“I don’t just tink so, Kitten, I know so.” He winked at her and offered his arm to escort her to where his truck was parked a block away.
“Laying it on a little thick there, aren’t you, Cajun?” she teased, even as she slid her hand into the crook of his elbow.
“Gotta impress you somehow, cher. No’ting else seems to be workin’.”
She rolled her eyes at that. “I don’t need to be impressed. I need honesty.” She bit the inside of her cheek. No matter how hard she tried to keep her walls up around him, he always seemed to get through.
“Dat’s one ting you will always get from me, Kylie. I don’t lie, not ever. If a man can’t be honest and truthful, he’s no real man.”
She studied him as they made their way to his truck. She could hear the sincerity in his voice. It helped him to worm his way, just a little more, past the walls she’d put up to try to keep herself safe.
Once they were on the boat, headed into the bayou, Kylie closed her eyes and let herself relax a little. “You know, I didn’t plan on moving to New Orleans.”
That got Remy’s attention. ‘Oh? What brought you here, den?”
“It was the first bus leaving the station. I didn’t have a destination in mind, I just wanted to leave. This is where I ended up. Maybe Lily and Emelise are right. Maybe the Fates had a hand in my being there at that bus station at that exact moment. It brought me here and…New Orleans is already starting to feel like home.”
“I’m glad it is, Kitten. If da Fates had a hand in bringin’ you here, den I owe dem my thanks. I was tinkin’ about leavin’, petitionin’ one of da other Pards for permission to meet with dere unmated females in hopes of findin’ my mate. Looks like da Fates decided to step in before I could.”
Her eyes snapped open, and a low growl trickled out of her at the thought of him being with another woman. The intensity of the flash of jealousy startled her.
Remy heard the growl and chuckled. “Easy, Kitten. No need to get jealous since you’ve got my undivided attention.”
Kylie made a noise that sounded very much like a snort. “Whatever. I’m not going to stroke your ego, Remy.”
“Oh, I don’t want you strokin’ my ego, but I can tink of someting else you can stroke all you want,” came his playful growl.
Kylie was glad it was dark because his words made her cheeks flush with heat. “Keep dreaming, Cajun.” She felt the boat bump up against the dock and was a bit sad to realize their playful banter was coming to an end.
Remy tied the boat off and moved to offer her his hand so she could get out. When her hand slid into his, he curled his fingers around hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I like dis playful side of you. You need to let it out more.”
When he curled his fingers around hers, she felt the same jolt of electricity she’d felt every other time they touched. Once again she felt dampness and silently cursed her body’s reaction to him. It was embarrassing as hell to know he could smell her sudden arousal. “I guess you just brought it out in me tonight. That or I’m just really tired. Maybe a bit of both. It was a long night.”
Remy kept hold of her hand until they reached the walk leading up to Caine and Emelise’s home. “Get some rest, Kitten. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, Remy.” She was reluctant to let go of his hand but eventually she did and slipped into the house. She watched through the window as he stood there for a moment, a forlorn look on his face, before he turned away to go to his own home. She was in so much trouble with that leopard. The way her body responded to him, she knew it was only a matter of time before she gave in and that scared the hell out of her.
She turned to go down the hall to the guest cottage when she stopped. Caine and Emelise were both in the living room and Emelise was watching her. “Hey. I didn’t realize you were already home,” Kylie said when she spotted them on the sofa together.
“I let Lily close up. She did good for her first night as manager. Mal stuck around in case she needed anything, but Lily insisted I get home to spend some time with my mate and daughter. You seem…happy but also a little unsettled. Are you okay?”
Kylie heard the worry in Emelise’s voice and closed her eyes a moment. “Honestly? I have no freaking clue. Remy is taking me to dinner tomorrow, but I have the feeling he’s going to show up earlier than that to try and get me to spend more time with him.”
“And that’s a problem, why?” Eme asked.
She laughed a little. “Because, every time I’m with him, he pushes through my defenses a little more, and it scares the hell out of me.”
Emelise got up and went to her. She gave Kylie a brief hug, then took both her hands and held them tight. “Listen to me, Kylie. I know your past has you skittish, but Remy is a good man. Do you really think Caine would have made Remy a lieutenant if he was violent or dangerous?”
Kylie thought about the question a moment. She saw the way he doted on Emelise; she knew he was one of the good ones. “No, I don’t think he would. I see what you’re getting at, but it’s still scary.”
“I know. Believe me, I know,” Eme told her. “When I came here, I was determined to keep Caine at arm’s length because my past taught me that men couldn’t be counted on to be there when you needed them. They wouldn’t stick around for the long haul. Caine proved to me that what I thought, all this time, wasn’t true. There are men who will be there when you need them, no matter what. Men who will treat you like you’re the most precious thing in the world to them. Remy is one of those men. Don’t be afraid to let yourself be happy, Kylie.”
“I’ll try. That’s all I can do. I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. It was rough when Sally got sick and had to leave. Good-night, you two.” She waved at them and went to her room where, after a quick shower, she collapsed in bed. Her dreams, that night, weren’t nightmares from her past coming back to haunt her. No, that night she had erotic dreams where a certain Cajun leopard played the center role.
