Chapter Sixteen
Georgie
Was his voice even rougher and sexier than usual, or was the champagne already working its magic? That couldn't be—I'd only taken a few sips.
I glanced at him over my shoulder and pouted. "No Mardi Gras colors?"
“No. I always wear all black to stand out. You look exquisite. Even better than in my imagination."
I swallowed hard, looking all around us. We hadn't spoken about what we were going to do today. Were we faking being a couple? Had he spotted anyone who needed to think we were together? Was that why he'd leaned in so close and was so openly flirting?
Goodness, I need to chill. I took another sip of champagne to calm my nerves.
"Thank you for the mask."
"You're welcome. It looks great on you. Makes you even sexier." He grinned devilishly.
My heart pounded fast. I quickly looked around. There was no one within earshot, so the compliment had been for my benefit only. This was confusing.
"How’s the party so far?" I asked him.
Why was I making small talk instead of asking him what I really wanted to?
"It's great. Everyone's loading up on food—which is in that corner, by the way." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.
I hadn't noticed that there was a buffet set up adjacent to the entrance.
"Want me to bring you anything?" I offered.
"I'll drop by later."
"Listen, Julian," I started.
He stepped closer again. "What do you need, my dear?"
"Are we...?" Oh, how could I phrase this without making it awkward? "Is there anyone here tonight who thinks we’re together?"
"There are quite a lot of people from the last party. And there are plenty who know Deveraux. But that doesn’t mean anything. I really don’t care what others think."
"Hmmm... but better to be safe than sorry, right?”
"Georgie, don't overthink it."
That was easy for him to say. Faking that he was attracted to me came like second nature to him. But I didn't know how to play along without giving away the fact that I actually was attracted to him. A lot.
So, all this closeness, the playful touching, had been for the guests’ benefit. But that compliment had been just for me, I was sure of it.
"Let's go to the buffet. I've got a surprise for you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Ooh, this evening is getting better and better.”
He put his hand to my back, and I leaned even closer to him.
Oh yeah, I can see a lot of benefits to having to fake this tonight.
With the mask on, I was even more daring. I put a hand on his chest and felt him take a sharp intake of breath. Then he cleared his throat and covered my hand with his. I stilled for a second, fearing he might take it away. But he didn’t.
Could I use this opportunity to feel him up more? No, he was keeping my hand in place on purpose.
Hmm, what’s that about?
A second later, he stepped back, interlacing our hands and then leading me to the buffet. He pointed right to the center of it.
"Bananas Foster!" I exclaimed.
"Just for you."
I turned to look at him. His hand was at my back again. I put mine back on his chest. "For me? You mean, it wasn’t on the menu?”
“No, but I added it last minute.”
I shook my head. “That couldn’t have been easy."
"I'll give you a hint. I'm the boss. But I did have to do some legwork. Luckily, one of my brothers owns restaurants, and the dessert chef agreed to make an exception."
My heart was pounding in my ears. It was a good thing we still had our hands on each other because I felt like I might lose my balance. This was definitely what swooning was.
This is for show. It has to be. Don't mix things up, Georgie.
Only, how could it be for show? He wasn’t shouting about it at the top of his lungs. He was simply telling me... while holding me close to his chest.
Okay, so maybe it was a bit for show, but I still swooned.
I planned to enjoy this to the max. I had a sexy man putting his hands all over me, who’d bought my favorite dessert just because. What was there not to enjoy?
He did finally let go of me as we both got some food. At least three people approached him in the meantime, and I realized we weren't going to spend a lot of time together. I pouted as I put some gumbo on my plate. What had I been expecting? He was hosting the party, after all.
I simply took my plate and champagne glass and wandered back to the window. The crowds were getting bigger by the minute. Excitement ran through my body. I wondered if they were going to play music, but it wasn’t really necessary; once you opened the window, it would filter in from the street. The atmosphere down there was infectious.
The music started about half an hour later. I could hear it even through the windows. I glanced around and asked loudly, "Anyone mind if I open a window?"
"Go ahead," Julian clearly said from across the room, then walked over to me.
I opened the windows, then stepped out onto the balcony. The floats were still pretty far away.
I knew Julian was behind me before he even spoke. "Want me to bring your coat?"
"I'll just be here for a bit."
"I know you. You'll stay here until the whole parade has passed."
I smiled sheepishly. "Guilty as charged.”
“I can keep you warm, but I think your coat is a good idea anyway."
"Finally, I found you two."
Oh man, this can’t be a real. I recognized the voice only because it was a bit too similar to Kyle's. Enough to give me the creeps.
I turned around to face Beau, his brother. Julian had turned around at the same time.
"Oh, for fuck's sake," Julian said.
"Yeah, that's right. You forgot to uninvite me, unlike Kyle."
Huh? I wanted to ask Julian what was going on, but not in front of Beau.
He looked between the two of us. "I can't believe this. Julian, you're going to burn a lot of bridges in the Quarter if you keep uninviting people because of your girlfriend."
Julian laughed. "There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”
Yep, I was swooning again. He sounded like he meant every word.
“And don’t you dare lecture me on burning bridges,” he continued. “Half the business owners in the Quarter have a bone to pick with you and Kyle."
Beau rolled his eyes, then looked at me with disdain. "Those are just rumors. Unlike you and this—”
"Don't you dare," I said. "God, you're just as bad as your brother."
"I did warn him that you weren't a good fit for him. I can't see how anyone with a respectable family name would—”
"Get out," Julian said. His tone was surprisingly calm, which would explain why Beau didn't take him seriously.
"Yeah, right."
Julian gestured for someone at the other end of the room, and then a bouncer came up to us. An actual bouncer.
Holy shit! I hadn't even seen the guy—and he wasn’t hard to miss because he towered over absolutely everyone. Then it dawned on me that he was probably supposed to stay out of sight and only step in in case of trouble.
"Jay, please escort Mr. Beau Deveraux out of the suite."
"You've got to be shitting me—" Beau began, but Julian cut him off.
"For your own sake, don't make a scene. I will personally tell everyone to whom I know you and your brother owe money that I don't mind if they claim it right here."
Beau frowned. "You wouldn't dare."
"Get out or you'll find out." Something in Julian's demeanor told me he was completely serious.
Beau must have gotten the same memo, because he didn't push.
"There's no need to escort me anywhere," he said, angrily pulling at his jacket. "You're going to run the LeBlanc name into the ground acting like this, going out with people like her, and... Christ." He looked at the two of us again, then turned on his heel, hurrying to the exit.
"Anyone else giving you trouble?" Jay asked Julian.
"No, Jay, thanks. I'll let you know if I need anything else."
"Sure, sir."
After he left, I turned to Julian. Even though he was wearing a mask, I could clearly see he was fuming. His nostrils were flaring. He kept his eyes fixed on the entrance as if monitoring it to make sure Beau didn't return.
"You uninvited Kyle?"
I saw his Adam's apple bob. "I’d planned to do it anyway, but it slipped my mind. After I invited you, I told my assistant to boot him out, but it didn't occur to me to tell her to do the same for anyone from his family."
"Julian, why did you do it?"
He turned to me. I couldn't see his eyebrows because of the mask, but the way his brow knitted could only mean he was frowning.
"What do you mean? Because Kyle makes you uncomfortable."
"I know, but he's part of your world, and this party is for them. You didn't have to do it."
"Fuck yes, I did. Georgie, if someone makes you uncomfortable, I will remove them. It's as simple as that."
Whatever was going on between me and Julian, he was growing on me. And that was dangerous. So damn dangerous.
"Thank you,” I murmured.
He looked down at my bare arms. "I'll bring your coat."
"Good idea." I couldn't believe no one else was out on the balcony yet. The music was coming in quite loudly now. I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. I felt even more connected with the music like this.
I started to move. Left, right, left right. I turned around once, too, and then opened my eyes. Ha, Julian was looking at me. I could feel it before I even saw him.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked him.
"Not long. I just wanted to watch you. You look so happy."
"I have my favorite food, my favorite day ever, and my favorite guy."
His eyes flashed, and he stepped closer. "Is that so?"
I nodded. "Absolute favorite." I turned around quickly, shoving my arms inside the coat. I didn't want to button it up, though, because it would restrict my ability to move.
"Why?" he asked in my ear, and I knew exactly what he meant.
"He’s different from anyone else I've ever met," I whispered to the wind, but he caught my words. I’d spoken from my soul, revealing a piece of me.
He didn’t ask anything else, and I was beyond grateful. I wasn't ready to bare myself even more.
More people joined us on the balcony, but no one was moving.
"Why is no one dancing?"
"It doesn't matter, Georgie. Dance like no one’s watching," he whispered in my ear. My skin turned to goose bumps. "Dance as if you're dancing only for me."
There was an unmistakable command in his voice, and it was so damn seductive.
I started to hum and dance and call out to the krewe as they approached. The costumes were phenomenal, and I wasn't jealous at all. I loved that there were others like me, keeping the tradition alive by making costumes.
Dancing this time felt different than at the bar, and even at the party. More intimate. Julian was right behind me, both hands on my waist, matching my rhythm. His hands felt red-hot even though I had a coat on.
He held his nose right above my ear. Every inhale and exhale sent ripples through me. I was looking at the floats, transfixed. The balcony was getting more and more crowded, yet Julian didn't leave my side. Even when others tried to engage in conversation, he brushed them off with a quick "later" or "not now." Then he turned back to dancing with me.
I applauded along with all the crowds below when the floats went past the balcony. Others on the balcony reluctantly started to clap too.
"You're making this a real Carnival party," Julian said into my ear, "and I like you even more for that."
"Even more, huh?"
I'd been dancing for what felt like two hours, although I was sure it was much less. I was slowly starting to lose steam.
"Yes," he whispered.
I turned around to face him, and he was much closer. Much, much closer than he'd been on the balcony at his bar.
"You need a break?"
"How did you know?"
"By the way you move. You've slowed down a bit." Holy shit, he was so in tune with my body. "Besides, your feet must be killing you. Just putting it on the table, but I'm up for giving you a foot massage if you need it."
I jerked my head back slightly and then brought my mouth to his ear. "It's an all-inclusive package with you, huh?"
"Sure, it comes with the fake boyfriend subscription," he added, and my previous elation instantly vanished.
"Ready to take me up on the offer?" His smile was even more seductive than before, but I was suddenly not in the mood anymore. I needed to be alone for a bit to get my bearings.
"It's not necessary, really." I stepped to the side, clearing my throat. "I'm going to the bathroom real quick. Besides, I think I've monopolized you long enough. I'm sure others want to catch up with the host."
He frowned but didn't say anything, just nodded.
I immediately darted to the restroom. I didn't need to go, but I wanted a bit of distance from him and everyone else.
The bathroom was all green stone. It felt very peaceful. Taking off the mask, I stood in front of the sink, looking in the mirror. Why was I out of sorts all of a sudden? This was the best Carnival event I’d attended. The motorized floats looked amazing from up here. And having Julian next to me was the cherry on top.
But that was the crux of the issue, wasn't it? Julian had the power to take me to elation and then complete sadness in an instant. I didn't like that at all. Damn it, I was a strong woman. I didn't just sway in the wind.
I rolled my shoulders back, still looking in the mirror.
Enjoy the party, Georgie. It's absolutely fantastic.
I took a deep breath, put the mask back on, and then returned to the main room, intent on keeping the promise I’d made to myself.
And I did. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I avoided Julian, but it wasn't hard because he was surrounded by guests all the time. I made small talk with some of them and chitchatted with a few of the ladies whose costumes I adored.
Around midnight, people started to filter out. I took it as a sign that it was time for me to go as well. I didn't want to leave without telling Julian goodbye, though. But that was proving to be difficult because all the guests had the same thought.
I stood by the door, chatting with everyone as they left. I didn't want to line up with everyone else. Besides, I was his fake girlfriend. That meant I had a pass to cut the line, right?
So, instead of doing the right thing and waiting my turn, I snuck up behind him and whispered in his ear, "Julian, I'm going. Just wanted to let you know."
I'd expected him to simply nod and return to the guest who was waiting to bid him goodbye, but to my astonishment, he grabbed my right hand and whispered, "Stay."