Cajun Magic 02 - Voodoo for Two (13 page)

She leaned against him, her fingers clutching at his shirt instead of pushing away. Her hands slid up his chest to circle his neck and she pressed her breasts to him.

His heart racing, his veins pumped blood so fast through his body he had a head rush. Which must account for
his
temporary insanity. Hell, for seven years, he’d worked hard to forget this woman. What was he thinking, kissing her?

Thinking was no longer an option. All he could do was feel. The softly frayed edges of her shorts tickled his fingers and he inched his hands lower to slide across the rounded swells of her bottom.

Her skin was silky-smooth and warm. When she drew away to fill her lungs, he didn’t relinquish his hold or allow her a chance to remember it was him kissing her, not Eric.

With the ease of someone who knows the way, he trailed kisses from her lips along the side of her cheek to the sensitive spot behind her ear.

Another shiver shimmied across her frame and she moaned deep in her throat.

“Ah, Lucie,” he said against her hair. “How could you say you love someone else when you make love to me like this?” He kissed her hair and sucked her earlobe into his mouth.

But her body was no longer melting softly against his. Her back had stiffened and she sure wasn’t moaning any more. She removed her hands from around his neck and shoved against his chest. “Benjamin Franklin Boyette, you’re about as low as a scum-sucking catfish.”

He leaned back and forced a carefree grin while his heart hammered crazily inside. “Why, because I proved a point?”

Her eyes narrowed. “And what point might that be?”

“You don’t love Eric.”

With a quick downward sweep, she knocked his hands from around her hips. “I’m going to marry Eric Littington and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

He steeled himself from reeling backward, trying to ignore the kick in the gut he experienced from her words. So, she wanted to marry Eric. “What, is he rich enough for you, Lucie? Is he successful enough to make you finally want to tie the knot?”

With her soft, sensuous lips forming a hard line, she met his gaze with a hard-ass stare. “At least he isn’t a cop dropout bug exterminator.” With a quick sidestep, she ducked around him and practically ran for the door. “Leave, Ben. You’re good at that.”

“And you’re good at throwing me out, aren’t you?” The heat of desire he’d felt only moments ago surged hotter in his anger. “Well, Lucie, if a loveless marriage is what you want, I hope you get what you deserve.”

She opened the door and waved her hand like Vanna White motioned toward the letters on
Wheel of Fortune
. Turning her back to him, she stared out at the street below.

If that was the way she wanted it, then to hell with her. He marched toward the door.

Just as he reached her, Lucie said, “Omigod!” and slammed the door.

His momentum carried him forward and he had to put his hands up to keep from crashing nose-first into the solid wood paneling. “Jesus, Lucie! First you want me to leave, and now you—”

“Shut up and let me think.” Her gaze darted around the tiny room, and she wrung her hands. “There!”

Huh?

She pointed at the coat closet next to the door. “Get in there.” Before he could move, she hooked her arm through his elbow and dragged him to the side.

“No way.” Ben planted his feet in the carpet. “Do you mind telling me what the hell’s going on?”

…

Lucie shot a quick glance out the window, still stinging from Ben’s kiss and follow-up comments. But she refused to let him get the better of her. Did he think he could waltz in, kiss her, and make her forget about all her dreams and plans? Okay, so she forgot everything in the world when Ben kissed her. As if all the lonely years had been stripped away, she fit right into his arms. How did he do that? For heaven’s sake, he’d been gone for
so
long.

A sleek white limousine pulled up next to the curb outside . The only person she knew who could and would drive around Bayou Miste in a limo was Eric. The chauffeur climbed out and opened the back door. Eric emerged dressed in a sexy black tuxedo.

Lucie wondered where the swarm of reporters had gone but talk about a knight in shining armor charging in to rescue her on his trusty steed—okay, limo. Eric was everything a girl dreams about—sophisticated, charming, incredibly handsome, and loaded. Everything Lucie needed to be happy.

Except love
, whispered that pesky voice in the back of her conscience.

So, she’d grow to love him, and he would love her. She had the spell to thank for that.

Like eating raw persimmons, her success wasn’t sitting so well with her. Eric was such a nice man. Didn’t he deserve more?

The man in question leaned into the car and pulled out an embarrassingly large bouquet of white roses.

And he was romantic. Definitely Prince Charming to her Cinderella. Only she was feeling a little more like one of the wicked, conniving stepsisters than the sweet-tempered soon-to-be-princess.

Ben leaned over her shoulder. “Oh, so that’s how the cookie crumbles.”

Drat the man. Why did he have to come back to Bayou Miste and confuse her so? Well, she just had to shove a little steel into her backbone and do what she’d set out to do. Ben no longer had a place in her future.

Then how could she explain how unraveled she’d gotten over one kiss?

Ben was smiling all superior-like.

She’d show him. “Yeah, I told you I’m going to marry Eric Littington, and I don’t need you messing things up for me. Now, are you going to hide in the closet, or am I going to have to scream?”

“You wouldn’t.”

She sucked in a deep breath and opened her mouth to scream.

Ben clapped a hand over her lips and glanced out the window. “Okay, okay. I’ll get in the closet.”

“Good.” She held the door for him. If only she had a key to lock the big oaf in. It would serve him right.

Just as he stepped inside, a knock sounded on the door. “You better get that, you don’t want to keep your future waiting.”

She slammed the door, narrowly missing his nose.

With a smile plastered on her face she didn’t really feel, Lucie opened her front door to what could only be described as a bush full of lovely white roses.

“Eric, what a surprise.” She stood blocking the doorway. “I must have lost track of the time.”

“I’m sorry. Should I have called ahead?”

Add considerate to his list of attributes. Unlike the jerk in the closet.

“No, no, I should have remembered. Could you give me a few minutes to change into something more appropriate?”

“Certainly, take all the time you need.”

Lucie started to close the door in his face.

But Eric stuck his hand out. “Do you mind if I wait inside?” He grinned. “I’ve had a group of reporters on my tail all day. I put some diversionary tactics in place before I left the house. I don’t know how long that will last.”

“Oh, yeah. Come on in.” She spoke loud enough to get the message across to Ben in the closet. Double drats! How was she going to get rid of Eric so that she could shove her unwanted closet guest out the door? “I guess you saw the papers.”

“I think everyone in Louisiana saw the papers.” His gaze scanned the interior of her little apartment. “Do you have a vase to put these in?”

“No, but I have a glass I think would work just fine. Why don’t you have a seat on the couch?” She raced for the kitchen and found the biggest plastic cup she could and filled it half-full of water. With the cup balanced in her hand, she ran back to the living room, all five steps, and held out the cup. “Could you put the roses in this while I go change?”

“Sure.”

She set the cup on the table and made a dash for her bedroom. Her nerves were screaming by the time she shut the door between them.

“So what do you think we should do about the picture?” Lucie asked through the door panel.

She riffled through her clothes until she found a figure-hugging, strapless red dress. She called it her go-to-hell red dress because when she wore it she felt like she could rule the world and everyone else could go to hell if they didn’t like it. The dress gave her a sense of power. And right now she could use an infusion of confidence. Especially when she felt as if her entire world was in the midst of crashing down around her ears.

And if Ben just happened to see her in it, maybe he’d regret what he’d left behind so many years ago.

“I’ve been thinking about what to do,” Eric’s muffled voice drifted through to her as she stripped out of her cutoffs, tank top, and bra. “I’ve come up with a plan.”

“Yeah?” She slipped the slinky red dress up over her hips and zipped the back. Then she slid on her black stilettos, fluffed her hair, and feeling very go-to-hell, threw open the door to her bedroom. “And what plan is that?”

Eric turned toward her, his mouth opened to say something but his jaw dropped to his chest instead.

Lucie basked in the self-satisfying moment of silence, congratulating herself on her choice of dresses.

“Wow, Lucie.” Eric’s head swayed from side to side. “Wow.”

Anxious to get out of the apartment and away from Ben, she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “I’m ready to go. You can tell me about your plan on the way to the limo.” She raised her volume as she stood next to the closet.

“Oh, the plan’s simple.” Eric opened the front door and held it for her.

Just another reason to love Eric over Ben. Eric knew what chivalry meant. The bug man probably couldn’t even spell it. “How sweet of you to open my door for me.” Again she spoke a little louder than necessary.

“I’d crawl to the ends of the earth for you, Lucie.” He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “Which brings me to my plan.”

Her heart did little flip-flops. Not many men had ever kissed her knuckles. The sensation was not unpleasant. With time, she was sure she could grow to love Eric. And to hell with Ben! As Eric lingered over her hand, she started feeling a little uncomfortable. “You said you had a plan?”

“The plan? Oh, yes. I think we should announce our engagement.”

“What?” She staggered backward at the same time as a loud
whomp
could be heard from the vicinity of the closet.

“What was that?” Eric peered over her shoulder at the closet.

“Nothing. Aren’t we late for dinner? We should be going.” She hooked her arm through Eric’s and dragged him through the door.

“No, I’m sure I heard a sound coming from that closet.”

“It’s b-bugs. I have a serious bug problem. I’ve been fighting them for years.”

He frowned, resisting her tugs on his arm. “Then maybe we should call in an exterminator to take care of the job? I know one you might use.”

She almost laughed hysterically. “I definitely don’t need an exterminator to fix my problem. He’d probably only make it worse. Really, come on. I’m finished here.”

“Okay, if you’re sure.” He opened the door a crack. “Coast is clear of reporters, let’s go.”

When they
’
d settled in the backseat of the luxurious limousine, Lucie heaved a huge sigh. Juggling two men was absolutely exhausting. Perhaps she should consider breaking the spell, after all. She was beginning to think men were too much trouble
.

Chapter Thirteen

Engagement!

Ben stumbled out of the closet into Lucie’s empty living room. His head smarted where he’d banged it on the hanging bar, but it didn’t feel nearly as pained as his heart.

Eric and Lucie were not right for each other—he barely knew her. He didn’t know that when she slept she snored softly. What kind of politician’s wife snored? Eric would drag her all over the country and leave her alone often as his schedule demanded. Lucie didn’t do alone very well. Ever since her mother dropped her and her sister Lisa on her
Mamère
LeBieu, she’d done everything in her power to always be with someone. She belonged in the swamp with people who knew and understood her. People like Alex and Calliope.

And me?

Ah, hell
. He’d sworn he wouldn’t get involved with her again and here he was all eaten up by Lucie and Eric’s engagement. He ought to be happy for her. She always wanted financial security and a real family.

She could have had all that with him. Okay, so maybe the financial security hadn’t been there seven years ago, but he had it now. As a detective for the state police, he made decent money and he’d even managed to put away a little nest egg.

He pushed his hand through his hair and winced. So what? Lucie wouldn’t marry him—hell, she’d rejected him once. Why risk a second rejection? Besides, she’d made it perfectly clear what she wanted. Or rather, whom she wanted. And he wasn’t in that picture.

He strode for the door and paused with his hand on the knob.

The taste of Lucie still lingered on his lips. Her soft curves had fit perfectly against him when he’d held her. What happened all those years ago to make her go from hot to cold and break off their engagement? Maybe Mozelle was right—he should ask Lucie. At least he’d know the real reason and could put the issue to bed.

He groaned. Bed was exactly where he wanted to be with Lucie. But she was out with Eric, possibly getting engaged and making a commitment to another man when she couldn’t make that same commitment with Ben.

Give it up, Ben Boyette.

As he jerked the door open and strode out, his cell phone chirped.

He hit the talk button. “This is Ben.”

“Ben. Jason Littington. Could you get over here right now? I believe Eric’s campaign has reached a crisis point.”

“Sure. Do you want me to bring Eric?”

“No. He’s part of the problem. So, can you make it?” His words were clipped and angry, as they used to get when Eric was in trouble as a kid.

Ben wondered what else could go wrong. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Click
.

As promised, five minutes later, he entered Jason’s home office.

Mr. Littington stopped drumming his fingers against the solid mahogany desk and rose to greet him. “Thank God you’re working to protect Eric and his campaign. I didn’t know who else to turn to.”

“What’s the problem? And why isn’t Eric here to discuss it with us?”

Jason tossed the front page of the
Times-Picayune
across the desk to land in front of him.

The kick in his gut was only slightly less painful than the first time he’d seen the picture of Eric and Lucie kissing. “Is this what you called me over to discuss?”

Jason’s brows rose. “Did I underestimate you, Ben? Do you not see the potential this LeBieu woman has to ruin Eric’s run for congress?”

He bristled at Jason’s reference to “this LeBieu woman.” “What’s wrong with Eric seeing Lucie?”

“She’s not the kind of woman a congressman marries.” Jason strode across the floor and stood at the window staring out at the night. “I knew she was trouble when he brought her to the barbecue. Now he’s taking her out to one of the more exclusive restaurants in Morgan City.”

“So?”

“So? The public will have them married before the first constituent casts a vote. I knew he should have married a respectable woman before he started this campaign. Single candidates have too much stacked against them. The public wants to know the candidate is stable and ready to assume responsibility. Not gallivanting around the swamps with a bayou bimbo.”

Ben counted to ten to keep from blasting Jason. But the ten count didn’t help. “Lucie isn’t a bayou bimbo.” He couldn’t ignore the irony of his defense. Hadn’t he used those very same words in anger on Lucie when they’d broken up?

Mr. Littington snorted. “She works as a waitress in a bar wearing skimpy outfits that show more than they cover. What else would you call it?”

“A living.” Littington was usually so tolerant of the people of Bayou Miste and would gladly sink money into the community to keep it alive. But when it came down to his son, Jason lost all perspective.

“My son cannot marry a bar waitress. It’ll ruin him.”

“Being a waitress isn’t a bad thing.” Why was he sticking up for Lucie and Eric? He didn’t want Lucie to marry Eric any more than Jason did.

Jason smacked his palm on the desktop. “You have to stop Eric from making a huge mistake.”

His head jerked up. “
Me?
”

“Yes, you. Sources say you and this Lucie woman used to be an item.”

“That’s history. Old history.”

Jason strode across the room and stood directly in front of him. “I’ll pay you double what you make on the force to make your affair with Lucie current news.”

“I can’t do that to Eric or Lucie.”

“I’ll pay you triple.”

Triple was a lot of money. “No, I can’t. For one, it’s against my ethics. And if Lucie and Eric really love each other, more power to them.”

“Then I’ll pay you to convince them they aren’t in love.” Jason spun and paced across the Oriental carpet. “The polls indicate that Eric stands a real chance of winning against the incumbent, Gasson. A scandal could blow this opportunity. Ben, they’ve only known each other for a few days. How could they possibly be in love?”

He pondered Jason’s statement. If Eric and Lucie weren’t in love, he’d be doing them a favor by breaking it up before they made the ultimate mistake of getting married. “If I decide to test them, and they prove they are really in love, will you step back and let Eric and Lucie make their own choices about marriage?”

Jason chewed on Ben’s question, his brows drawing together into a straight line over his eyes. “I don’t believe Lucie is the right woman for my son.”

“That wasn’t the answer I was looking for.” Ben stuck out his hand. “It’s been nice talking to you, Mr. Littington. I’ll show myself out.” When Jason didn’t take the proffered hand, he shrugged and turned toward the door.

“Wait!” Littington grabbed his arm.

He stared down at the hand, then back over his shoulder at his friend’s father. “Yes, sir.”

“Okay, I’ll step back. But you have to make an effort to interfere with their romance. A real effort to come between them.”

“I can do that.” He wanted to know whether Lucie really loved Eric anyway. “And I don’t want your money for this job. I’ll do this on my own. If they end up getting married, I’ll consider it my wedding present.”

Jason opened his mouth to protest.

Ben held up a finger. “If they aren’t meant to be together, hopefully Eric will understand I did it to save him from a future divorce.”

The older man nodded. “Fair enough.”

“Now, if that’s all you needed from me, I’ll get back to work.”

Ben’s thoughts were already miles away at a fancy restaurant in Morgan City. He had a few ideas on how to “test” Lucie and Eric’s love for each other. He couldn’t wait to put the ideas in motion.

…

Lucie sat in back of the limousine with Eric’s arm draped over her shoulder. They’d been to the perfect restaurant, eating steak and lobster cooked to perfection, drinking the perfect wine for the meal, and Eric had been perfectly romantic the entire evening. Then why the hell was she thinking of Ben’s kiss?

“A penny for your thoughts?” Eric squeezed her arm, his thumb brushing against her breast.

Lucie turned so that he couldn’t quite reach the front of her dress and forced a laugh. “You’d be wasting your penny.”

“Is there something troubling you? Was the food not to your liking? Have I said anything to upset you?”

“No, not at all. Everything about tonight was”—she struggled to hide a grimace—“perfect.”

“Lucie, being with you has made me so happy. It’s as if you’ve brought the magic back in my life.”

A lump of cold guilt settled in the pit of her stomach. Why did he have to go and mention magic?

He hugged her close against him. “Lucie, I’ve felt pretty lousy all evening about my earlier suggestion.”

A sudden weight lifted off her chest and she smiled up at Eric. “You, too?”

He grinned. “Yeah, I realize how badly I handled it.”

She laughed. “Oh, thank goodness. I thought you were serious.”

The limousine pulled up in front of her apartment, effectively ending their conversation while the chauffeur climbed out and opened the door for them.

She slid out first and turned to Eric, who’d straightened behind her. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. It couldn’t have been nicer.”
Now will you please go so I can think?

“I’ll walk you to your door. You can never be too careful.” He snatched her hand in his with a surprisingly strong grip.

“Aren’t you afraid the press will see us together?” She glanced around, realizing for the first time she hadn’t seen any the entire evening. “Speaking of which. I haven’t seen a single one all evening.”

Eric’s chest puffed out. “I made reservations in Morgan City and tipped off the reporters so that we could go the opposite direction. I wanted time alone with you. Now, let me escort you to your door.”

“Okay.” But only to the door, then she’d go in alone. She led the way to the top of the stairs of the white clapboard garage apartment. When she reached the top, she faced Eric. “Thank you again for a wonderful evening.”
Now please, please, please, please go.

Instead, he raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingers. “Lucie, I was serious about my earlier suggestion. It was the delivery I regret.”

Oh, no
. Her heart tightened in her chest.
Please just go home
.

“I think I’ve loved you, Lucie, from the very first moment I saw you in the Raccoon Saloon. I would be so honored if you would marry me.”

Like a movie where the sound was out of sync with the video, Eric’s lips moved and his words sank in a second later. And a full speechless half-minute later, her brain engaged. “Eric, we’ve only known each other for three days. How can you be so sure?”

He laughed and pressed her hand to his chest. “I don’t know. All I know is the enchantment I feel being in your company, and I don’t want to lose that.”

Her heart did a sliding plunge to the bottom of her belly. “Are you sure? Marriage is a huge step. One you should make with the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.”
Like I wanted to do with Ben
.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything before in my life.”

“What about your campaign? Will this make things worse for you?” She grimaced. “I don’t have the right credentials to be a politician’s wife.”

“I don’t care.” His brows furrowed. “Would you be terribly disappointed if I didn’t get elected?”

“No, of course not.”

“I wouldn’t care as long as I had you.”

Oh man, had that bug’s magic worked, or what? Eric had it bad.

“Eric, I think you’re smart, sweet, and so romantic.” She fought for the right words. Hell, she fought for
any
words. What did she want to say to him? Here he was presenting her with exactly what she’d schemed to win—a marriage proposal from the most eligible bachelor in the bayou. And all she wanted was for him to disappear.

“I feel a ‘but’ coming on.” He lifted both of her hands and kissed them. “Please don’t say no. Give it some thought. I’ll wait. I know this is sudden, and, like you said, we’ve only known each other for a few days. Just promise me you’ll think about it?”

Eric was offering her everything she dreamed of—financial security, a lavish lifestyle, and his unconditional love. Why couldn’t she say yes? “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

He blew out a long breath, as if he’d been holding it, waiting for her answer. “Great. Then I’ll leave you to your thoughts.”

Finally
. She had a lot to think about, and the sooner he left the sooner she could get started thinking. She tugged on her hands.

He didn’t let go. His blue eyes shone bright in the soft glow of her yellow porch light. He stepped closer until her hands were crushed between their chests. Then he dropped them and pulled her into his arms.

She braced herself, knowing a kiss was expected after a marriage proposal. And maybe, if she kissed Eric, it would shake the taste of Ben’s earlier kiss from her mind. The Cajun bug man shouldn’t have any bearing on her decision whether or not to marry Eric. She closed her eyes and tipped her lips upward to meet Eric’s.

Eric skimmed the edges of her teeth and dove in deeper, his hand sliding from the small of her back to cup her rump, snuggling her closer. The hard ridge of his zipper pressed against her go-to-hell red dress. The man had it
seriously
bad.

She leaned into the kiss, dancing her tongue against his, trying to capture the “magic” he said he felt.

After several rounds of dueling tongues, she sighed. The magic just wasn’t there for her. Had the bug only worked on Eric and not her? Or had the magic only worked for her on Ben, since he was the last one the bug had circled? Whatever the case, she had to extricate herself from this embrace as gracefully as possible.

She tipped her head away.

Eric leaned closer, nibbling her lower lip. “Oh, Lucie, I can’t believe I found you.” He trailed kisses down her neck, his hands siding up her sides to cup her breasts.

How in hell did she get out of this? She couldn’t shove him away and risk his falling down the steep steps. She needed some way to distract him.

Bang!

The porch light over their heads exploded into a zillion shards of paper-thin glass, showering down over them.