Night Magic (16 page)

"Girl, that dress has
`
brazen hussy
'
written all over. In other words, it's perfect."

Judging by the way Paul's eyes had traveled
the length of her body when he first saw her, he more than
approved. Though it had a modest neckline in front, three quarter
length sleeves and came just below the knee, it was the plunge in
the back that really drew appreciative stares from men as she
walked by. Her thick black hair was swept up in a loose pile of
curls at the top of her head, long corkscrew tendrils trailing down
her neck. By the way he kept watching her hips and whistling as she
walked ahead of him, Paul seemed to enjoy the view from behind as
well. Together, they both marveled at how easily they matched each
other’s cadence, as if they had been dance partners for years.
Savannah smiled mysteriously at him.

"You seemed mighty pleased with yourself, as
if you know something I don't." Paul rubbed his nose against hers
playfully.

"Why, I don't know what you mean." She batted
her lashes at him, the picture of wide eye innocence.

"Come on, tell me." He gripped her tighter;
feeling the soft mound of her full breast against his chest sent a
flood of lust through his pelvis.

"Nothing." She breathed hard against his
neck, trying to maintain a casual tone to her voice. She wanted
this to be a surprise. "It's eleven. I'd rather not be surrounded
by a crowd at midnight."

"Oh, what do you suggest?" He pulled away to
stare at her wearing a puzzled frown.

"Let's go to your place, okay? We can get
there in ten minutes."

"Oh-kay." Paul cleared his throat. "Remember,
we’re supposed to be taking it slow." Paul mumbled under his
breath. Feeling safe in the crowd, he wasn't at all sure he could
maintain his cool alone with her. Especially seeing her in that
dress. The wonderful fragrance she wore added fuel to the fire.

Once they arrived, Savannah took charge.
First producing a bottle of chilled champagne from the back of his
truck.

"Where did you get this?" Paul laughed.

"I bought it at the lounge. Remember the
third time I went to the ladies room? You teased me about drinking
too much ginger ale."

As he poured them each a glass, Savannah
switched on the compact disc player. One of her favorite female
blues singers began a husky torch song, made even more provocative
by the alto sax that served as a rich background. Savannah began a
slow graceful dance in front of the speakers, her body gyrating.
Approaching her, Paul concentrated on keeping his hands steady.
Taking a glass from him, she lifted it.

"To a happy and prosperous New Year." She
took one small sip, her eyes never leaving his as he took a sip
also. Then she took his glass and hers setting both down on the end
table nearest them.

Wrapping both arms around his neck, she move
to him and began rocking gently in time to the music.

"Savannah, much as I enjoy this, I can't
think clearly with you in that dress this close. I'm not sure how
long I can resist the urge to--" Paul moaned softly into the rich
mound of curls as Savannah pressed even closer against his growing
erection.

"Then don't, cher." Savannah whispered
huskily.This strong, wonderful man would be hers tonight. No doubts
nagged at her now as she watched his face change from one of
uncertainty, surprise, and then lust. Everything about making love
to Paul felt right. Never before had the power of unparalleled
physical desire and admiration of character for one man been
combined, effectively shaking away all her carefully forged
defenses. Gazing into his arresting almond brown eyes, the hunger
for him awed her. Unable to believe his ears, he lifted her face
away from his shoulder to gaze into her eyes. The passion he found
there sent a hot blaze through him. Closing his eyes, his mouth
found hers. He found her more than willing to admit his probing
tongue. In a soft, smoky haze of desire, they moved together in a
circle. Closer and closer they came to the bedroom. Still kissing
her, Paul slowly pulled the dress from her shoulders until her
firm, round breast were exposed. Cupping both in his hands, his
lips traced a fiery path down her neck. Savannah gasped, arching
her back to him, aching to feel his lips on her rigid nipples.
Teasingly he stopped at the top of the cleavage, and with
deliberation eased the dress down around her thighs. With a one
quick motion, Savannah pushed it down to her ankles and kicked it
away. She removed his sweater then began to hurriedly unbutton his
shirt. In rapid succession, the rest of their clothes flew off. Her
red silk panties thrown beside her dress near the foot of the bed,
his pants and underwear landed in a heap beneath the window. Both
groaned with desire as flesh met flesh. Filled with the warm manly
smell of him, she lowered him gently to the bed beneath her. Paul
surrendered to her tender assault; his hands lightly stroked her
buttocks. Savannah reached to the nightstand for the square of
foil. Paul started to take it from her.

"Let me."Savannah tore the package open. With
a delicate touch, she covered his hard manhood with the latex
condom. Paul jerked her hand away, fearful he would explode.
Savannah, feeling the hot, wetness between her legs, could wait no
longer. She straddled him, holding his hands in hers as she settled
down. With a low moan, she took every inch of him into her. Time
seemed to slow as they matched each other stroke for stroke,
setting their own sensuous cadence. She cried out his name over and
over as Paul lifted his hips to her, his hands gripping her
thighs.

"Savannah, look at me." He called to her, a
grimace of lust made his face seem to be in pain yet filled with
pleasure, too.

"Yes, yes." Fighting not to close her eyes,
she stared in hot fascination at the way they rode the wave of
sexual desire as one. There was only this sweet oneness, this agony
of wanting more. With increasing urgency brought on by the sight of
his muscular chest and arms covered with a sheen of sweat, rippling
as he moved with her, she whipped her body wildly up and down.
Unintelligible sounds started at the back of her throat and burst
forth. His groaning matched hers as his shaft became even more
rigid. Her screams seemed to be outside herself as she felt the
moment of ecstasy. Trembling, she felt a hot splash as he too
reached a climax, setting off new waves of hunger deep within. With
a shuddering sigh, she came again. They finally collapsed together,
drifting off into a velvety, blackness.

"Listen." She murmured against his chest. The
faint pop of firecrackers came from all directions.

"It's almost one o'clock." Paul glance at the
lighted digital clock radio on the nightstand. "Happy New Year,
love."

"Happy New Year." Savannah ran her tongue
across his nipples, giggling at his reaction.

"If we keep this up, I won't live long to see
the it." Paul came fully awake, caressing her into life again.

Chapter 7

"Honey, there were so many people at Sack
Daddy's I couldn't get to y'all. But one thing, I saw how y'all
couldn't keep your hands off each other. So, what happened?"
Charice leaned forward, eager to hear every detail.

"We had a lovely time." Savannah smiled; she
twirled the straw in the tall glass of iced tea.

"Come on now. It's been two
weeks since we've talked. The last time I saw you, you were
struttin' out of Sack Daddy's with Paul grinning from ear to ear.
Did you two have your own fireworks at the
stroke
of midnight?" Charice winked
at her.

"Let's just say, it was a very special
night."

"Oo-wee, I bet it was. For me, too."

"So, you and Rodney--?" It was Savannah's
turn to dig out spicy details.

"No, not yet. We're still getting to know one
another. These days, it pays to take your time and be cautious. But
he is so sweet and kind of shy. We held hands in front of the
fireplace."

"The holidays were great." Savannah said.
They both sighed, already nostalgic."And in no time, it's back to
the old grind. It's taken me until now to get my class into the
routine. These breaks are murder." Charice shook her head.

"Speaking of which, I've been thinking that
it's time I got back to being a lawyer. That research I did for the
Poppy and the Citizen's for a Clean Environment reminded me how
much I enjoyed it. Environmental law is getting to be very
important."

Savannah had spent hours in the library
flipping through pages of legal reference books searching for
precedents in cases similar to theirs. Pages upon pages told the
story of a growing public willingness to challenge the power of
huge corporations to protect themselves from the devastating
effects of hazardous substances. Following a hunch, Savannah had
decided to investigate the exactly how the Big River Plant had
gotten into operation so quickly.

"That was brilliant the way you found out how
Batton Chemical avoided having public hearings. I didn't realize
there were so many different types of permits," Charice said.

"Sure, by the time the people who lived near
the plant found out about what they were doing, it was too late.
Because they claimed to be a recycling center, they avoided public
hearings and additional costs companies that dispose of hazardous
wastes have to pay."

"When is the trial going to start?"

"The end of this month. On the twenty-seventh
at ten o'clock in U.S District Court, New Orleans, Judge Henry
Duplessis presiding." Savannah did her imitation of a court
bailiff.

"Bad blood is going to be stirred up again
over this for sure. By the way, does Paul know you helped supply
the ammunition that got the feds gunning for his most important
client?" Charice raised her eyebrows.

"We haven't been talking about that lately,
no. But Paul wasn't hired to defend the process or permit, assess
just whether or not the site is suitable. Besides, he's finished
his job."

"Yeah, but that offer you told me Trosclair
made is mighty tempting. He could take on more work for them."

"Paul says the work he'll be doing will be
strictly as safety consultant. It won't be a problem." Savannah
didn't feel as sure as she tried to sound.

"Hope you're right, girlfriend. Well hello
there, handsome." Charice looked over Savannah's shoulder

"Hi. How's it going?" Paul winked at Charice
before leaning over to plant a light kiss on Savannah's cheek. He
pulled an extra chair to the small table and sat down.

"Hi." Savannah moved over to make room for
him.

"We were just talking about what a great time
we had during the holidays." Charice gave them both a knowing
smirk.

"Oh, yes. Best I've ever had." Paul smiled at
Savannah, placing his hand on hers.

"Uh-umm, yeah. And the trial, we were talking
about that." Savannah was eager to get on to another subject. In
the corner of her eye, she could see her friend enjoying her
discomfort. Charice would be teasing her for days about this.

"Let's hope some of that holiday goodwill
lasts when it starts." Paul said.

"Don't count on it, honey. It's only because
nothing has been in the newspapers or on television lately. But
when that trial starts, people will be back on opposite sides. Some
are already grumbling about it." Charice propped both elbows on the
table.

"You're probably right. Jobs are tight,
especially here. I think the oil and gas industry will rebound but
with technology, fewer workers are needed," Savannah said.

"Sure, but there are other industries that
can be brought in. It would take time, but we can have a more
diverse economic base and even cleaner plants that deal with toxic
waste." Paul tapped the table with his index finger as he
spoke.

"Yeah, but that isn't what men like Bo or
Manny want to hear. They need jobs now, not sometime in the
future." Charice said.

"Sounds like you think Citizens for a Clean
Environment may be wrong in what they're trying to do." Savannah
was surprised at her friend's view.

"No, not really. All I'm saying is they have
a point about them being the ones who end up on the unemployment
line when the dust settles."

"But it doesn't always have to be a choice
between a clean environment or jobs. I think these large
corporations are beginning to see that reducing the waste products
they release into the air, ground, and water is good business.
There are new techniques and products that can clean up some of the
most toxic substances. Not to mention the state of the art
technology being developed to make a lot of industrial processes
more efficient and produce fewer toxic by-products,” Paul said.

"But not all of them want to spend the money.
Like the Trosclairs. From what I've read about the three other
plants they put up in the last ten years, they have definitely not
gone in for expensive waste control systems. You would do better
working with environmental conservation groups, Paul. Not that I'm
being critical." Savannah added quickly.

"Maybe you're right. But I still think it's
worth a try. Man, I better be on my way or I'll be late. Call you
later." He gave Savannah a kiss and hurried out. "Later,
Charice."

*****

As he waited to meet with Claude Trosclair
and Singleton, he could not help but think about Savannah. He had
asked for and received her trust. How was he going to explain
accepting Trosclair’s offer?

“Good to have you aboard, Honorè. That ought
to silence the damn environmentalist.” Kyle Singleton slapped Paul
on the shoulder. His back turned, he was oblivious to the effect of
his words.

“Really?” Paul frowned.“Yeah. You’re Black
and, even better, got kind of a reputation for being a liberal. I
mean that work you did with that Earth Conservatory group a couple
of years back. To be honest, I was skeptical when Claude first told
me. But he was right as usual.” Singleton poured coffee into a
black mug with the company name printed in gold letters.