Rue Toulouse (15 page)

“I’ve already showered.” Caterine looked everywhere but at him.

Remi reached for her. “It isn’t just a shower I have in mind.”

She quickly glanced up and batted his hand away. “Go on and I’ll order breakfast.”

This statement caught his interest. “Food?”

“Yes, they have room service. Tell me what you want, and I’ll order. There’s another robe and hotel toiletries in the bathroom.”

He reappeared a short time later wearing nothing but jeans, his hair damp and tousled. The desire in Caterine’s eyes made him smile.

“You keep looking at me like that and breakfast is going to get real cold.” He laughed. “You’re awfully cute when you blush. You know that?”

“Stop that.” She pushed his hands away when he reached for her. “We need food. I thought we’d eat at the table out on the balcony.”

He shook his head. “Can’t do that. It would be too easy for you to be seen. From now on you don’t go anywhere in public.”

Caterine’s mouth formed a thin line. “Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t stay hidden away. How else are we going to find out who’s behind my attack?”

“Yes, you can. And
we
won’t be finding out anything.” Remi slipped his shirt on and moved to where the room service tray sat on a round table. “I’m starving.” He held out the coffee pot. “Want some?”

Caterine placed her hands on her hips. “Remi, we have to get something straight.”

“Yeah, what’s that?” He took the lid off his western omelet. “God, that smells good. Did you remember the bacon and grits?”

“They’re right there on the tray. Remi, I need you to pay attention.”

“I’m listening. Hand me the hot sauce. Don’t you want to eat before it gets cold?”

She let out an exasperated breath and joined him at the table. “Remi, I don’t appreciate being told what I can and can’t do.”

He swallowed a bite of toast and shrugged. “Well, I suppose you’d better get used to it. Because as long as I’m in charge of protecting you, you’ll do as I say.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And who put you in charge of protecting me?”

“I told you, your grandmother hired me. Do you see more jelly?”

“Here.” She reached for a packet of jelly and practically threw it at him. “When exactly did she do that?”

“I explained that to you last night.”

“What are you talking about? My grandmother doesn’t even know where I am.”

He glanced up from his plate. “You haven’t called her?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want her to know I’m still in New Orleans, but I don’t know where to tell her I am.”

“I don’t suppose there’s a chance in hell I could persuade you to really leave the city, is there?”

She shook her head again. “I’m staying right here until I discover who attacked me. Did Paul tell you I suspect it was one of my family?”

Remi nodded. “We’ll talk about that later. First we have to decide what you should tell your grandmother.” He paused. “Do you have your cell phone and charger?”

“Yes.”

“Then say you’re in . . .” He hesitated. “How about Atlanta? She can keep in touch with you by your cell phone and not know the difference.”

Caterine bit her lower lip. “Okay, Atlanta will work. I love to go shopping there, so Grandmère will believe that’s where I’ve gone.”

“Good. Remember when you make the call, you haven’t seen me. She’s going to tell you she’s sending me to protect you. And, Princess, do not argue with her. She’s scared to death for your safety, so don’t make it worse telling her you don’t need me.”

Caterine stared, the coffee pot still in her hand. “Remi, this isn’t going to work.”

“What isn’t?”

“You and I working together. First, I’m told what I can’t do. Now you’re telling me what I can and can’t say to my grandmother.” She sighed. “I know you’re trying to help, but perhaps Paul and I would do better together.”

Shocked at how much her words stung, Remi snapped, “Is that right? Well, why don’t you call him and see what his reaction is when you tell him you plan on doing exactly as you wish and to hell with anyone who tells you otherwise.”

He tossed his napkin on the table and headed for the balcony. Leaning on the wrought-iron railing, he lit a cigarette. Was it his curse in life to get involved with spoiled, rich women? Well, Paul could have her. He didn’t need this shit.

“Remi.”

“Did you talk to Paul?”

“No, would you please turn and face me?”

He did as she asked, and her eyes narrowed in disapproval when she spotted the half-burnt cigarette he held. “Don’t even go there, Caterine. Just tell me what you’ve decided.”

“Can we sit down and discuss this?”

He nodded, stubbed out his cigarette, and took a seat next to her on the sofa.

Caterine straightened some magazines on the coffee table before facing him. “You have no idea how hard this is for me. I’m not used to trusting strangers.” She held up her hand to stop him when he opened his mouth to speak. “You have to admit that other than sex we don’t know each other very well.”

He smiled. “I’ll give you that.”

“And, not only am I not used to trusting strangers, I’m used to taking care of myself. I learned a long time ago, except for a select few, I can’t depend on anyone.”

He could see the fear and confusion in her eyes and pulled her close. “Princess, you can depend on me.” He lifted her chin and lightly kissed her lips. “But you have to decide. Do you want me or Paul?”

She hesitated for only a heartbeat. “You.”

He smiled. “Good.”

She moved from his embrace. “But we have to have some rules.”

His brows rose. “Such as?”

“Such as, we make decisions together.”

“Fine, unless it has to do with your safety. Now wait.” He stopped her before she could speak. “I happen to have a little more experience in dealing with this type of situation, and I’m not going to budge on this. Either you agree or you can get someone else.”

As he watched, a myriad of emotions passed over her face. In the end, she looked grim, but she nodded. He gave her a quick kiss. “Now, call your grandmother. Then we’ll discuss what we do next.”

While Caterine went into the bedroom to talk to her grandmother, Remi picked up his cell phone and hit the speed dial for Paul. “Hey, it’s me.”

“I was about to call you,” Paul said. “I take it you found Caterine?”

“Yeah, I found her. What I’m going to do with her is another matter.”

Paul chuckled. “That bad?”

“She seems to take offence at me telling her what to do.”

Paul snorted. “Is that right? So how are you going to handle the situation?”

Make love to her as often as possible.
Aloud he said, “I got it covered. We can’t stay here, so I’m going to take her to my apartment.”

“Buddy, Miss Dauphine isn’t going to like that.”

“Miss Dauphine will think she’s in Atlanta. Caterine is calling her now. I wanted to let you know my plans before Miss Dauphine called you. When she does, you can say you’ll get in touch with me and send me to Caterine.”

“Got it. Then what’s our next move?”

“We need to decide if the Doucettes were truly behind the attack. I’m going to ask Caterine to tell me about her relatives. Perhaps she’ll mention something that will give us a lead.”

“Good idea. Let me know what you find out. I’ve spoken with Miss Dauphine’s driver, Thomas. He assures me he won’t let her out of his sight.”

“I’ll keep you posted. Later,
cher
.” Remi hung up as Caterine came back into the room.

“Well?”

“It’s done. Grandmère is calling Paul to send you to me.” Caterine sat on the sofa and sighed. “I feel awful lying to her, but I can’t leave her here alone. I’m afraid if they can’t get to me, they’ll go after her.” Caterine’s face turned white and she jumped to her feet and began to pace. “Remi, Grandmère would never give them Ma Chérie. They’d have to kill her first.”

“Will you please relax? We’re not even sure your family is behind the attack. But, to be safe, while you were talking with your grandmother, I called Paul. He’s already explained the situation to Thomas. He was told not to let anyone else drive Miss Dauphine and not to let her out of his sight.”

She nodded. “Thomas is a good man. He’ll take care of her.” She frowned. “Having Thomas watch out for Grandmère while she’s out is all well and good, but my family all live there in the house. It would be easy for something to happen to her there. God, Remi, they could poison her food or tamper with her medication or push her down the stairs or suffocate her in her bed or . . .”

“Caterine, stop.” Having gotten her attention, he took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. “First, I don’t believe your grandmother is in any immediate danger. If it’s someone in your family, they’re not going to draw attention to themselves by harming her in her own house.”

“But they could make it seem like an accident.”

He shook his head. “They’re too cowardly and too smart to take a chance of something like that backfiring. They’re going to get someone else to do their dirty work. Miss Dauphine is perfectly safe in her own home. Besides, she’s sharp enough to grasp the situation. I’m sure she’s staying alert to what’s happening around her.”

Caterine gnawed on her bottom lip. “I suppose you’re right. Grandmère isn’t young, but she’s sharp. Okay, the sooner we figure this out, the sooner I can stop worrying about her. So, what’s our next move?”

“As soon as it gets dark we leave the hotel.”

“What? Why?”

“You’re not safe here.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re Caterine Doucette and easily recognized. Whoever is after you is smart enough to have people all over New Orleans keeping an eye out for you. Besides, you don’t want to leave a paper trail.”

“What kind of paper trail?”

“Who pays your credit card bills?”

“All my expenses go to Tamara Bailey, my accountant. Why?”

“Do you trust her?”

Caterine didn’t hesitate. “Yes, absolutely.”

“Until this is over, you can’t trust anyone associated with your family. It would be easy for your accountant to tell someone just exactly where you are by your credit card transactions.”

“You’re telling me I can’t use my credit cards?”

“It wouldn’t be a good idea. It’s also too late for you to withdraw money from your bank account. Someone could be watching that kind of transaction as well.”

“Then would you like to tell me how I’m supposed to live without credit cards or cash?”

Remi’s smiled. “With me, Princess.”

Caterine could only stare. “What did you just say?”

“I said you should move in with me. It’s the only thing that makes sense. You’d be safe and no one would think of looking for you at my apartment.”

“Where’s your apartment?”

Remi smiled. “On Toulouse.”

Her eyes opened wide. “This hotel is on Toulouse.”

“How about that for fate? You chose a hotel two blocks from where I live.”

Caterine studied his face then asked, “Remi, do you believe in fate?”

Seconds passed before he replied. Barely audible, his voice was raw with emotion. “Not usually, Princess, but when I saw you for the first time, I knew I had to have you.”

“Oh, Remi,” she whispered. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held him close.

“Princess, I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I know I can’t get enough of you.”

“I know. I want you, too, Remi.”

“This sofa is too small.” He got to his feet pulling her up with him. When her robe fell to the floor, he growled. “Princess, we’re not going to make it to the bed.”

“I don’t care. Do something—anything.”

Remi backed her against the wall. In one swift move she was lifted off the floor, suspended by the wall and his body.

He cupped her bottom. “Wrap your legs around me and hang on. I hope you’re ready. I’m coming in.”

“Oh,” Caterine cried, for in one hard upward thrust he buried his shaft deep. She wrapped her arms around his neck and entwined her fingers in his hair. When he increased his rhythm, she held him tight and moaned.

“That’s it, Princess. Come all over me,” he rasped.

As soon as she screamed with one climax, Remi felt her tighten as another built. She pulled hard on his hair and whimpered. “Remi, don’t you dare stop. I’m going to again.”

“I’m with you this time, Princess. Come with me, baby.”

With Remi still inside her and her back pressed against the wall, Caterine gasped for breath. “That was quite incredible.”

He chuckled. “You liked that, did you?”

She wiggled her butt. “Very much.”

His eyes darkened. “You keep doing that and we might have to do it again.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Is that right?” He began to walk slowly backward, Caterine’s legs still wrapped around his waist.