Stefan: Le Beau Brothers: New Orleans Billionaire Wolf Shifters with plus sized BBW for mates (Le Beau Series Book 3) (19 page)

Once they were on the main road, he asked, “Would you like to go two-stepping with me? I’d like to take you to my cousin’s place. She has live country music tonight.”

“I love to two-step. What time should I be ready?”

“Let’s head out at four thirty. That way we can watch the sunset on the way and eat dinner there before the band takes the stage.”

“Jeans and a shirt okay?”

“Perfect. We’ll need to wear warm jackets, too. It gets cold in the boat at night.”

“Boat?”

“The only way to get to her bar and grill is by water. It’s hidden out in the bayou.”

“Why would she hide it? You can’t make money that way.”

“It’s a shifter bar. We don’t want the random public stumbling in.”

Her eyes grew large. “Oh.”

A warning bell dinged. He was low on fuel.

“I need to stop and fill up. You want anything while we’re there?”

“I think I’ll use the ladies’ room.”

El went in while Stefan filled the tank. She glanced at the magazine and newspaper stand as she passed headed for the restrooms. Her gaze froze on the image under the main headline.

Her heart smashed into her ribs,
NO! It can’t be!

Donald, one of the men, was released yesterday and headed home. To Louisiana. To New Orleans.

Stefan crashed through the door, eyes frantically searching the store. “El! What is it? What’s wrong?”

Panicked, El backed away from him, shaking her head.

When he reached for her, she shrieked and fell to the floor crab walking frantically until her back slammed into the freezers on the back wall.

Stefan raised his hands and stepped back.

What the devil happened?

*****

Anger rolled off Cade as he drove home. El was deliberately humiliating Stefan and it was going to stop. He called each household and organized another meeting. Instead of going home, he parked at the main house. Everyone was already there waiting for him to arrive. 

“Hello. Thanks for dropping what you were doing on a moment’s notice.”

“What’s the emergency?” Isaac asked.

Cade repeated everything Stefan had told him and what he watched go down at the bakery. When he finished the men all wore identical looks of horror and the women, though sympathetic, hid embarrassed grins behind her hands.

“This needs to stop. Now,” Cade snarled.

Emma nodded. “I agree. Here’s what I suggest. I’ll prepare the cabin, you boys keep an eye on Stefan and try to find out where he plans to be in two days. Ladies, we’ll take care of El. Based on whatever opportunity or excuse is presented, we get them to the island. The men will be in charge of Stefan and we’ll be responsible for El. Whatever you need to do or say, it doesn’t matter, just get them there.”

She looked from face to face. Everyone agreed and operation “Drastic Measures” was on.

Julia’s

She wouldn’t allow him to follow her into the house, so he waited in the truck until she was safely inside, then headed for the barn.

Mémé took one look at El as she came through the door and knew something had happened. Her concern increased one hundred fold as her granddaughter sank to the couch, ashen and shaking.  

“What’s happened?”

“He’s out.”

“Which one?”

“Donald. He’s here.”

“What do you mean, here?” Marie’s voice rose in alarm.

“In the city.” Slowly she raised her head as if with great difficulty. “He moved back home with his parents.”

Marie began to pace the room. “At least this time you’re protected.”

“Protected? How?”

“He’ll never get near you as long as Stefan draws breath. Your mate would die before he allowed harm to come to you. Stick close to him. Trust him. For God’s sake, do what you have to do to accept him.”

*****

The timing was perfect. As Stefan steered the boat around the first bend, the sky began to turn from blue to shades of orange and red. It created the illusion of fire raining into the dark waters surrounding them.

El was very quiet. He still didn’t know what had set her off; hopefully she would tell him soon.

Although she was very edgy, she was less terrified. A peaceful, romantic night in the bayou may be just what she needed.

A variety of birds called the swamp home and most ignored the boat as it passed, except one. The large bird took flight as they drew near. Its immense wingspan dramatically silhouetted against the blazing sky. Egrets, cormorants, herons, and ibises abounded, but Stefan guessed the irritated bird was a great blue heron.

As the boat moved through the channel, El glanced at the water, fascinated at how it resembled the black scrying mirror she’d seen psychics use. A perfect reflective surface for the trees and sky.

“I love the moss in the trees,” she said gazing into the branches and allowing the peace of the bayou to ease her nerves.

Elegant tendrils of moss dangled from the cypress trees and waved in the breeze, some long enough to kiss the water’s surface. The effect against the painted sky colored them a kaleidoscope of reds and oranges. With the cooler temperatures of winter, the few swamp creatures that were visible, moved slowly. It was easy to imagine what the world looked like when the dinosaurs ruled the earth.

“My brothers and I tried to twist some moss together and make a rope swing for the swimming hole. It didn’t turn out quite the way Marcus planned,” Stefan chuckled. “He was mid swing when the vine snapped and dropped him next to a sleeping gator. We’d never seen him move so fast.”

El laughed with him as she visualized the boys and their escapades.

The boat continued to chug along slowly and steadily through the endless maze of canals toward the small, isolated bay Stefan searched for. As the bow cleared the next bend, the sounds of people celebrating life began to float to them, amplified by the water that dominated the landscape.

The long, narrow pier that served as a parking lot came into view with only a few boats secured. It was still early. Give it a few hours and the whole area would be echoing with a boisterous crowd and loud, upbeat music.

A small expanse of grass with irregularly shaped pavers created an attractive sidewalk leading to the wraparound decking and brightly painted entrance.

Stefan tossed a rope onto the pier as a man was walking by. Without a thought or being asked, the man said hello and secured their boat to the pier for them. That’s the way it is in the bayou. You see a need and you fill it.

Stefan stepped onto the dock and held the boat steady and offered a hand while El carefully joined him. One good hand and a cast made it a little harder to gracefully exit a rocking surface without taking a bath.

The Backwater was the most popular shifter bar in the state. Accessible only by the waterway, all the locals, along with their friends or family, patronized the place. Once in a while humans discovered it, but they were quickly encouraged to leave and never return. Julia’s was where the shifters living in the area danced, drank, and caught up on local news.

“I’m surprised.”

“About?”

“I was expecting a...newer building.”

Stefan chuckled. “It’s made to look dilapidated on purpose, helps keep unwanted visitors away.”

El blushed. “Oh.”

With his cowboy hat firmly in place, he held the door and kept his palm on the small of her back as they entered the nearly vacant bar.

“Wow!” El exclaimed.

“That’s pretty much the normal reaction when people first see this place.”

Every man and woman in the room greeted Stefan by name as she checked out the interior. Her eyes widened as she looked around the ultra-modern bar and grill. Every possible upgrade you could imagine a restaurant and bar to have existed within those walls. The few people sitting at the long, highly polished bar were dressed in everything from biker leathers to one man in a designer silk suit. Since it was country music night, they both dressed to match the theme. Cowboy hats, jeans, and boots.

The tables and chairs were straight from a high-end antique store on Royal Street in the French Quarter. When Stefan pulled a chair from the table in front of the empty stage, El hesitated. The dining set had to be worth two thousand dollars and the legs on the chair waiting for her had the daintiest legs she’d ever seen. She was afraid to sit in it, what if it crumbled under her weight?

“Stop it!” Stefan growled in her ear. “You’re perfect and you won’t damage the chair.”

She eyed it one last time before carefully sitting.

After pushing in her chair, he waved to a woman behind the bar as he joined her.

“Stefan! How are you, cher?” she called as she grabbed two menus.

“Great, Julia. Come over and meet my mate.”

Julia’s smile grew at his announcement. “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.”

El watched as every head in the place turned to check her out. That was the moment she realized every man present was stunningly handsome. Were all shifters so good-looking? She'd never seen anything remotely like this assortment of amazing before her.

It was every woman’s dream smorgasbord come true and every single one of them was staring at her. Maybe the floor would swallow her up? Nope. No luck. Not a crack in sight.

“El, this is my cousin, Julia. Julia, this is my gorgeous mate, El.”

Julia offered her hand. “Welcome to the family, El.”

“Thank you,” El said as she shook it. “You have a great place here.”

“Thanks. It’s more my mother’s dream than mine, but I guess it’s okay.”

“Have you been to visit the plantation lately? Anna’s son, John, was just blessed by the goddess and has joined us.”

“No!”

“What are you talking about?” El frowned.

“It’s extremely rare for a human to be converted to shifter by the goddess herself. Most come into the shifter community as a mate. The last time this happened was roughly one hundred fifty years ago.”

“Holy cow.”

“Yeah,” Julia agreed.

“Anyway,” Stefan said turning his attention back to Julia. “You should stop over and meet John and Thomas.”

Julia cocked her head. “Thomas?”

“Anna’s oldest son. He’s the head of the new royal security team.”

“Cool. Maybe I’ll stop over.” Then her expression became a scowl. “Goddess knows my mother would be thrilled.”

“Is she still applying pressure?”

“You have no idea. Krystal’s threatening to run.”

Stefan shook his head. “Don’t worry, we already have a plan. I talked with my father and Lucas. The family is buying a cattle ranch in Texas and Krystal is moving there with Lucas.”

“He’s back? He’s really taking her with him? Thank goddess, Krystal really needs to escape mother’s pressuring.” Then Julia scowled again. “She’s never going to let her go.”

“She won’t have the choice. Father is decreeing it as king.”

“Perfect! At least one of us will be free of my mother.” Julia glanced at the menus. “You all need a few minutes to look over the menu?”

“I do,” El said.

“I’ll stop over in a few minutes, take your time.”

Stefan scooted closer to El. “Krystal is my other cousin, Julia’s little sister. Their mother is pushing them to find mates. She shops them around to every single shifter male like a prime cut of beef. It’s horrifying for the girls. Maybe you’ll get to meet her before they move to Texas. I’m so glad she’s able to get away with Lucas.”

“Their mother sounds like a nightmare. I’m glad Mémé didn’t treat me like that.”

Stefan glanced to her menu, “If you need a suggestion, I’m going to have the T-bone with baked potato and sautéed vegetables. The steaks are amazing here.”

El paused a moment. “You know, that sounds good. I’ll have that, too.”

*****

Two hours later the band was doing a sound check and the walls were bursting with the number of people in the room. As soon as the first song started, the dance floor was packed.

They watched the dancers, enjoying the band for most of the first set before Stefan stood and held out his hand.

“Let’s join the fun.” He led her to an open spot on the crowded floor, grinning his much too sexy grin. His dimples were on full display and her heart lurched. He spun her once, then led her in a lively two-step around the floor.

As the song faded, the band transitioned into a slow love song. He pulled her close, and as she relaxed into him, he began to lead them in a romantic waltz. The slow beat of the base drum dictated their movements as two bodies moved as one. Stefan’s perfectly trimmed, soft stubble grazed the side of her face sending shivers down her spine. When she glanced up, he captured her gaze and held it through the entire dance.

As the last note rang out, his gaze fell to her lips before he kissed her lightly. Barely a brush of lips but her heart stuttered. With intense eyes glowing, he brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, hoping he was showing her tonight how much she meant to him.

His tenderness almost broke through her newly reinforced walls.  It told her he was more dangerous than she realized. If she wasn’t careful, she would fall in love and never be able to resist him.

While he excused himself to the men’s room, she took the chance to collect her out-of-control emotions. She would not let him get through her defenses again. Enjoy his company, sure. Sleep with him again, maybe. Get her heart involved, no way.

Stefan hadn’t returned, and when the band took the stage she started to worry that he might have left and gone home.

“We’d like to thank everyone for coming out tonight. As we start this next set, a man every shifter knows has a special message for his beloved mate.”

The lead singer stepped back into the shadows. With the lights lowered, a guy walked from behind the stage and the keyboardist began to play. The lights came up as a man sang the first line, “Every time our eyes meet, this feeling inside me is almost more than I can take.” It was Stefan looking straight at her. Singing. To her!

Her favorite song, “Amazed” by Lonestar, and he sang it perfectly. As the song grew in strength, he pulled the microphone from the stand and walked to their table. In front of the maximum crowd, he got down on one knee and took her hand. This man held no punches, he wanted her, heart and soul, and he was taking no prisoners.

As he sang the last line, “Oh, every little thing that you do, baby, I'm amazed by you.” He gathered her close and kissed her deeply. All of the passion he was feeling in that moment poured into her mind as he fully opened himself to her. The depth of emotion he felt was crushing and panic sucked the air from her lungs.

She couldn’t think clearly enough to recite her mantra. Her only thought was she had to get out of the bar into the open so she could catch her breath. The last thing Stefan heard was her strangled whimper as she bolted for the door.

You could have heard a pin drop. As if choreographed, every head turned and watched her flee the room before turning back to him in shock.

“Sorry.” One word. It was a miracle he had managed even that.

El sat in the bow of the boat staring straight ahead. Unsure what happened or if he could fix it, Stefan quietly captained the boat home with a broken heart. The full moon reflected in the ripples of the water in a stunning display went unnoticed by his tear-filled eyes.

His body continued to struggle to breathe when all he wanted to do was curl up and die. Overwhelming grief sat on his chest like a seven-ton elephant. Then, out of nowhere, a tiny shred of hope clawed its way to the surface, pleading for one last chance. Right then he resolved to go through with the dinner he’d planned to make for her, and if she didn’t snap out of whatever her issues were he would admit defeat.