Untrusting Hearts: A Contemporary New Orleans Romance (15 page)

She stared at him, finally nodding and repositioning herself stiffly beside him. She tried to act unconcerned as he slipped his arm around her shoulder. If she had him figured right, a quick poke in his side would let him know where she stood. She relaxed a bit, letting his hand slide down to her arm.

Then he tightened his hold on her. “That’s right, come to Ty. Let the magic happen.”

“Are you crazy? You’re my cousin,” she snapped, breaking his grip on her and sliding over.

“Not exactly.”

“Close enough! Same family.”

“I suppose you could say we’re related. But you’d be wrong, or a liar. And I don’t think you’re a liar. Are you?”

“This conversation has taken a strange turn.”

“I know. Let’s see if we can steer it back in the right direction.” He undid several buttons on his shirt. “I have an idea. How about we cut through all the BS and have a frank discussion? You game for that?”

“I guess so,” Jade said warily, attempting to stand.

“It’s easier to talk if we’re on the same level. Please?” Ty pulled her back down and she gave up for the moment and sat still.

“You’re right,” she conceded, but perched on the edge of the step. “Go on.”

He shifted slightly to face her. “Here’s the situation, babe. We both know Aunt Maylene is a soft touch for family, especially anyone with Broussard genes. That would be you, in case you’re not getting my point. Conversely, I’m related to Jean Pierre, the man she adored, and she’s become especially fond of me. That puts us in direct competition.”

“Competition?” Her eyes were daggers; heat infused her face. Was it possible he didn’t realize how insane that sounded? Or was he actually being brutally honest, more or less admitting his devotion to Maylene was phony? If that was the case, she wanted nothing to do with the man. She needed clarification. “I can’t tell if you’re serious. Are you making a joke?”

“Not even close. There is no humor in this situation. We’re pitted against each other. And what’s the best way to deal with a competitor that can’t be defeated?”

A car ventured slowly down the narrow street, the headlights picking them out where they sat. As the taillights receded, Jade thought about calling for help. She mentally scolded herself. How much danger could there be here in the open? She stayed silent as the vehicle disappeared around a corner.

“I have no idea,” Jade stiffly responded to Ty’s question.

“Oh, Jade,” he scolded, “you should know this. It’s Basic Business 101. You merge. Combine forces. We’re talking about a
lot
of money here, sweetheart. To tell the truth, after she’s taken care of her favorite charities there will still be enough to blow your mind. But why should I share the money with anyone else? Why should you? We’d be an unstoppable team. And think,” he leaned in to her, brushed her hair from her face, nipped at her ear, and ran his hand up her arm, stopping next to her breast, “our progeny will combine both lineages. We’ll produce irresistible little Broussard-Duboises to melt Aunt Maylene’s heart. She’d be beyond thrilled. And Gage Pichot will be as good as forgotten.”

Disgusted, Jade shoved him away. “Keep your filthy hands off me.”

“Come on, now! Don’t get all prudish and tight-assed with me. I’m sure you didn’t behave like this with Gage or he wouldn’t have exhausted so much effort on you.”

“What happens between Gage and me isn’t your concern.” She scooted over as far as she could on the step, put a little space between them, and crossed her arms.

“You think so?” He rose unsteadily to his feet, standing in front of her. His eyes roved up and down her body, filling her with revulsion. “Let me tell you how it concerns me. I think he’s horning in on me, trying to mine my claim, so to speak.”

“I’m not property and you have no claim on me.” She gazed at him. His features were slackened by alcohol, his eyes bleary. She felt pity and gentled her tone. “You have built something up in your mind that’s never going to happen, Ty. It has nothing to do with Gage.”

He towered unsteadily over her and poked a finger in her face. “It has everything to do with him. If he wasn’t in the picture, you and I would be cozy by now. Real cozy.”

“I think we’re done here.” Jade tried to stand but Ty pushed her back down.

“What do you and Gage do when you’re alone? Come on,
cousin,
you can tell me. Do you get it on? Does he touch you here?” Leaning forward, his hand slithered between her legs. “How about here?” He groped at her chest.

Jade gave a small scream and shoved him hard. A cold finger of fear traced its way up her spine. “This is a misunderstanding,” she said and began edging away.

He took a stumbling step backward but righted himself and lunged forward again. He thrust his face close to hers. “Give me five minutes and you won’t even remember Gage Pichot.”

“Ty! Stop!”

“Stop? Oh, baby! I’m only getting started.” He grabbed for her but she evaded his grasp and snatched her handbag from the step.

“I’m calling a cab.”

“Be my guest.” His mouth twisted in a sly grin. “Whatever you want.”

In spite of his agreement, as soon as she opened her purse he pounced on her. He rammed her back against the white wood siding of the apartment building while she twisted and squirmed. But he was stronger and surprisingly agile for someone so inebriated. He pinned her, grabbed her blouse, and popped half the buttons off in his eagerness to undress her.

Holding her in place easily, Ty ground his lips against her clenched teeth. His hand reached into her torn top and squeezed a bra-covered breast.

“Nooo,” Jade groaned.

“You’re one sexy lady,” he panted in her ear. “All this playing around has me so damn hot.”

“Get away from me!” Her opposition only seemed to arouse him more. The smell of the liquor he’d consumed mixed with the scent of his cloying after-shave made her nauseous. Her mind whirled in turmoil. How could she get out of this without being hurt? Grasping at straws, she asked, “Could we take it slower? Maybe talk a little more first?” She forced her voice to be soft, as if she’d given in to his demands. “This is just so sudden.”

Her ploy worked. He released his hold, believing his devilish appeal had won her over. “You’re right. I need to dial it back a notch or two. After all, there’s no hurry; we have all night.” He brushed his fingers through his hair, attempting to look suave. “We really should go to my apartment. I have a kick-ass bed, king size, satin sheets. Plenty of privacy.”

Scanning the street, Jade searched for a way to get away from this maniac. “Whoa! Who’s that?” She gestured behind Ty, causing him to look over his shoulder and giving her some leeway.

“I don’t see anything.” Ty turned back in time to see Jade hurrying toward the corner.

“What are you doing? You can’t leave. We were just getting warmed up.” He rushed her, spun her around, and kissed her, trying to force his tongue between her lips.

“Ty!” Jade worked an arm free and slapped him hard across the face.

He was stunned motionless for a moment. “Damn it, Jade. Why’d you do that?”

“Why the hell do you think? Did you think I’d just let you rape me?”

Ty pushed away from her and lurched back several steps, his face turning white. “Rape you? I wasn’t going to rape you! For god sakes, Jade. I thought you wanted me.”

Sobbing, Jade clutched her bag to her chest. “Whatever gave you that idea?” she cried, as she backed away, keeping her eyes on him.

“Where are you going?” he whined.

“Away from you.” She turned and sprinted down the sidewalk.

“Go ahead, leave!” he hollered after her. “If you think I’m going to chase your ass, you’re wrong.”

As Jade rounded the corner, she could still hear him ranting. “I don’t need you; you need me! See how far you get with Maylene if I’m not…”

Distance thankfully cut off the rest of his tirade. Jade slowed to a jog, shot an anxious look over her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t following her, and found the coast clear. She stopped and leaned over, taking huge gulps of air. Pressed trembling fingers against her temples. Fought to slow her racing heart.

Chapter 11

After she escaped Ty’s lecherous clutches, Jade stumbled several blocks, tripped over a curb, lost her balance, and fell hands first into a puddle of stagnant gutter water. With a sob of nervous frustration, Jade climbed to her feet and wiped her hands on her shorts. A scrape on her knee burned like fire. Realizing her bra was exposed, she tugged the material of her blouse together, snagged a piece and pulled it through a buttonhole, temporarily securing the opening.

She momentarily felt lost. Taking several deep breaths, Jade tried to orient herself. She could tell the way to Bourbon Street by the loud music and chorus of voices. She wrapped her arms around herself, checked again to be sure Ty wasn’t following her, and, reassured, started toward the sounds.

Throngs of partygoers surrounded her as she neared Bourbon Street. Most wore casual clothes, but there were some in flamboyant costume. Jade couldn’t share their spirit of revelry. The mix of sights and sounds that had so enthralled her earlier seemed little more than a rude cacophony now. Nothing had changed but her attitude, she realized.

Though groups of people moved in the same direction as herself, Jade felt alone. With an effort, she worked to calm her nerves. Her hands were shaking and she could barely keep from crying out for help, even as her mind told her she was okay.

She paused just out of sight from the busy street and allowed a group of strangers to wander past, leaving her standing alone. The gaiety of the revelers in front of her seemed alien, some chattered companionably, a few hooted with exuberance.

As late as it was, the French Quarter still buzzed with activity. Jade huddled close to a building, keeping off Bourbon Street, trying to stay inconspicuous. People filed past carrying long plastic jugs filled with margaritas, beer in plastic cups, and bottles of water; no one noticed her. Some were just arriving, others leaving.

Jade wanted to leave, too. Go back to Maylene’s mansion. But she had to compose herself first. She needed to decide how she could get inside the mansion without causing a commotion. She didn’t want Maylene or a member of the household staff to see her, at least not until she’d had a chance to repair her appearance.

As she huddled on the corner, her mind replayed the incident with Ty. Had her panic only escalated matters? If she’d responded more calmly, could she have persuaded Ty to behave himself? Probably not. It hadn’t been simple physical attraction that drove him to attack her. His lust had been fueled by avarice and emboldened by alcohol, and the unreasonable certainty that a union between them would solidify Maylene’s devotion. No, she concluded, she could have done nothing differently.

As she strove to decide where to go next, a familiar voice broke into her misery. “Jade?”

She lifted her head to stare into the penetrating eyes of Gage Pichot. Relief flooded her and his name tumbled from her lips. “Gage.” She wanted to throw her arms around his neck.

Taking a few breaths to calm herself, she stared past him at the crowd as it surged by, spaces opening and being filled by more people. She and Gage could have been invisible.

“What the hell’s going on?” Gage demanded, taking in her disheveled appearance and missing buttons.

“Um...” Jade assured her blouse was still secured and shot a look at him. He wore a dark suit and charcoal-gray tie. He had a dinner meeting. Jade now recalled overhearing him mention it to Maylene. “What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Are you kidding? Have you looked in a mirror?”

She gave a dismissive wave with her hand. “I’m fine. Go on to your meeting.”

“It’s over. Now, tell me what happened?”

“It’s nothing. I was in a hurry and tripped over something.”

His jaw tightened. “Son of a... I knew he’d pull something like this.”

“He?”

“Dubois. You told me he had something exciting planned for you tonight. It’s not hard to guess what happened.”

She was worried Gage might confront Ty if he knew how out of control he’d gotten. Searching for a distraction, she asked, “Is that the captain of the Natchez across the street?”

“That’s enough! Stop trying to change the subject. I want to know
exactly
what’s going on.” He pulled his jacket off and draped it around her shoulders.

“Just let it drop, Gage. I don’t want to talk about it.”

He studied her thoughtfully.

“Please!”

Giving in, he glanced at his watch. “I should get you back to Maylene’s.”

“Maybe I should take a cab home. That way, if Maylene asks why I’m not with Ty I can tell her he had too much to drink. She won’t have a hard time believing that.” She sighed and looked down at her clothes. “But that won’t explain why I look like this.”

“You could just tell the truth.”

“Not without upsetting the relationship among the three of you.”

“Sure you’re not harboring feelings for him?”

“Not good ones.”

“He has that effect on people. A lot, in fact.”
He reached for her and she almost cringed, but he only smoothed back an errant strand of hair from her cheek. “Before you do anything, I think you could use a drink.”

Her eyes widened and she gestured to herself from top to bottom. “Like this?”

“You’ll be fine. And don’t worry; if it becomes necessary I’ll come up with something to tell Maylene. But I think you’re worrying over nothing, the whole household is bound to be asleep already.”

She gave him a wry look, pulling his jacket close around her. “Where are you taking me? A topless bar?”

He frowned, not finding humor in the situation. “How about my place instead? I can whip up a snack to go with our drinks.” He chucked her lightly on the chin. “It’s okay; you don’t need to look so worried. I won’t try to feed you swamp rats or alligator tails.”

She wasn’t worried about his culinary skills; she was thinking, rather, of his other talents. Every time she was alone with this man she was gambling with her heart. Did she want to take the risk? She gulped.

“You know what? I’m not really thirsty.”

He held her gaze. “Let me sweeten the deal. We can reinstate our ceasefire.”

“For all the good that will do.” She rolled her eyes.