Chapter Twenty-Two
Georgie
Only after hanging up did I realize I forgot to tell him that his grandmother and Calliope had convinced one of my former clients to hire me again. But then again, I was seeing that sexy man tonight, so I could tell him all about it.
Even though he was only going to walk me to the bus, guess who was unable to concentrate the whole day? Me. Not with clients, let alone doing inventory. I kept thinking about seeing him again. Julian was taking over all my thoughts.
Doubts started to creep in. Was this really a good idea? I liked Julian a lot, but there was a reason why I'd promised myself not to date anyone with so much influence and power again. I wasn't comparing him to Kyle because that was completely unfair. But what if things went south? Then I’d have to avoid even more streets in the Quarter.
I shook myself out of it. No, I was certain that no matter how things ended, Julian wouldn't behave the way Kyle had. He would be civil and respectful.
"Georgie, I think you filed that wrong," Zelda said.
Oh crap. I really had. We were sorting out boxes with beads and boxes with masks. They weren't even easy to mix up because they were different sizes, and I'd still managed to do it.
My phone beeped, and I glanced quickly at the screen.
Julian: How's inventory coming along?
Georgie: I'm starting to get tired. I might need some reinforcements even though I had dinner, but if I eat something now, I'll probably just fall asleep.
He didn't reply, which was just as well because I didn't want any sexy distractions, considering I was already mixing up beads and masks. Goodness, I was a goner.
"Yep, you're right. Sorry." I put it in the right box.
"Are you okay? I think you're a bit tired."
"It wasn't my greatest idea to do the inventory today, but there you go.”
We worked side by side in silence for a while until there was the sound of someone knocking at the door. I frowned. I'd locked the door so customers knew we weren’t open, so I couldn’t imagine who it could be.
"You did turn the sign over that we're closed, right?" I asked Zelda.
"Yeah, I did. I'll go check."
I focused on the remaining boxes, keeping my ears peeled, but then I decided to join Zelda in the front. I might have put up a bravado with Julian, but there was a reason I didn't keep the store open until late into the evening. The Quarter could get a bit dangerous, especially during party season. But it sounded like Zelda was chatting in the doorway with someone. As far as I could tell, he was being perfectly polite and wasn't inebriated. Still, I wanted to make sure everything was all right.
After closing the door, she turned around and held out a box for me. Her smile was huge.
"Who was that?" I asked.
"Someone sent us pralines. They've got the LeBlanc & Broussard logo on them."
Ohhhh, the LeBlanc & Broussard pralines were famous in New Orleans. They were hands down the best ones around. They were also hard to get because they were only served at their restaurants or charity events.
"How did this even happen?"
"You tell me. Is there a possibility," she said, coming over to me and opening the box, "that a certain LeBlanc we both know has sent them?"
She put the open box on the cashier's desk, and I immediately took one and bit into it. This was filled with cherry liquor.
"How are they so good?" I mumbled.
"I know, right? I can't believe they don't sell them everywhere."
"I’d stock them." I figured every shop in the Quarter would. "So that was who, a delivery boy?"
"It was a kitchen boy, actually, from the LeBlanc & Broussard restaurant. Didn't give me many details, just that he was asked to bring us a box."
I was certain Julian had something to do with it. There was no other explanation.
"Now I'm starting to put two and two together," Zelda said, her smile fading a bit. "And also why you're not willing to share anything."
"It's not really a secret, just that—"
"Never mind. You don't have to give me any explanations."
She popped another praline into her mouth and then quickly said, "Right, I'm going back to work."
"I'll be there shortly."
"Take your time, boss."
She was clearly hiding a smile as she hurried to the back. I took my phone from my back pocket. Julian hadn't texted me anything, but I wanted to thank him for this. It was very thoughtful and exactly the pick-me-up I needed. Snapping a picture, I messaged it to him along with the caption Perfect snack.
He replied seconds later.
Julian: Glad you think so. Figured it would fit your requirements. Give you energy without making you drowsy.
Oh my God. I'd completely forgotten I’d told him that.
Georgie: These are my favorite pralines ever. I didn't think the restaurant would have any left.
Julian: They didn't have a lot. I had to fight for this box.
I wasn't sure if he really meant it, but either way, I appreciated it.
Georgie: Thanks. I'm going to call it a night in about an hour. Are we still on?
What if he said no? I'd hyped myself up all day for seeing him in the evening. He couldn't say no.
Julian: Of course. I'm a man of my word.
He kept repeating that, but it was true.
Julian: If you want, I can come even sooner and help you out.
I couldn't believe he was offering to help. He'd had a long night yesterday, and today he'd already helped his mom. Yet he still wanted to be here for me. This was completely unexpected.
I’d always wanted a relationship where we took care of each other. Having a family wasn’t an urgent thing for me, but it was a long-term goal. Julian made me think things I shouldn’t be thinking this early on, but I couldn’t help it. He was so kind and thoughtful and everything I'd ever hoped for in a guy. Everything Kyle wasn’t.
Georgie: No, we're good. I only need your muscle to protect me from possible wrongdoers on the way to the bus.
I liked to tease him, but I was feeling a bit more secure knowing he was going to come with me.
Julian: Then I'll see you in an hour.
***
Zelda left about forty minutes later. We were both tired, but we'd made a lot of progress.
After she left, I decided to relax until Julian arrived. I sat down in Nana's chair, but as I was about to pick a book, I saw a shadow move in front of the door.
Holy shit, Julian's already here.
I immediately jumped out of my armchair. I was feeling a bit drowsy before, but not anymore. I took the last remaining praline—I’d saved it for now—and shoved it into my mouth. That would make my kisses taste really good. I really hoped there would be some kissing involved this evening. After last night, I almost had withdrawals. I grabbed my bag and hurried to the door, opening it.
"You're early," I said, breathless.
"I was strolling around. Figured you might finish a bit earlier, and then I saw Zelda leave."
"We're both spent."
I was fiddling with my thumbs behind my back, biting the inside of my cheek. I couldn't explain why I was on edge.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Sure."
As we walked out the store, he turned to me and said, "I have a proposition for you."
A lot of possibilities were playing out in my mind. What if he wanted to lure me back to his home and have his sexy way with me? I would be totally on board with that.
“Okay,” I said, locking the door and checking it twice.
"I can drive you home."
That was not what I'd expected.
"Why would you do that?" I asked him.
"Because it's more comfortable than you taking the bus."
I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Julian, no. Our deal was that you were walking me to my bus, that's all."
"I know. That's why I didn't bring up the car earlier. I knew you would shut me down."
"Look, I don't want to seem rude or like I don’t appreciate your offer, but just walk me to my bus, okay? I really don't mind riding it home. It helps me cool down after work, and really, the deal was that—"
"I know what it was. It's fine. I don't want to overstep any boundaries, just wanted to make it more comfortable for you."
"Thanks."
"When does the bus leave?" he asked.
"Well, if we hurry, I can actually catch an earlier one."
He looked to his right and then to his left as we proceeded down Burgundy Street.
"You're really taking this vigilante role seriously, huh?" I teased.
"It's second nature to me. I'm out and about in the Quarter often during the evening. I've seen a lot of shit going down. It all looks so quaint and cozy during the day but at night, it's different."
"You go into your other locations as well?" I guessed.
"Correct. I mostly stay in one bar, the one you came to, but I do want to be seen in the others too. You know, to check with the team if all is good. Want to show me your route?"
"Of course. Thank you again for the pralines," I said, just as he touched my back.
Oh, that's it. That's what was missing. He wasn't touching me. God, why was I craving this so much?
I simply leaned into him, needing more, and more, and more. I was insatiable, especially after last night.
He kissed the side of my head. "Figured I'd surprise you."
Then he brought his mouth to my ear. "I wanted to deliver them in person, but you explicitly forbade that."
My skin turned to goose bumps, his hot breath on my ear taking me right back to our night together.
"See what you do to me?" I pointed at my arms.
He pushed my sleeve farther up, kissing that spot. I felt that as if he'd kissed straight between my legs. Holy shit, we were in the Quarter, and he was turning me on by doing nothing more than whispering sweet nothings—not even sexy things—in my ear and kissing my forearm. I didn't even recognize myself.
He’d looked up from my hand before straightening, amusement clear in his eyes. He knew what he was doing and how good he was at it.
"So, what are we doing on Saturday?"
He was holding my hand, interlacing our fingers. My first instinct was to ask myself if this was all for show, but there was no one to show off for. It seemed like an incredibly romantic thing for two grown-ass adults to do. I vividly remembered him telling me that he didn't do relationships, so this handholding thing had to be as new to him as it was to me.
"There's a restaurant I really like around here. I've made some special arrangements for us. It's best if you dress a bit warm."
That was interesting, but perhaps we were in one of those inner courtyards that I loved so much.
"Got it."
We arrived in Jackson Square sooner than I'd wanted to.
"Where's the station?" he asked.
I burst out laughing.
"Hey, don't judge me. I've never used it."
"You don't use public transportation at all?" I asked.
"Streetcar sometimes, but that's it."
"Across the park," I told him.
We walked straight through the park. It looked lovely at this time of night with the lampposts lightly covered in fog and St. Louis Church beautifully lit up.
“This area is so romantic at night. I like when it gets this foggy."
"We can gallivant through the Quarter after our dinner," Julian said.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes. That's an amazing idea."
He grinned at me. "You're fascinating."
We both stopped suddenly, and he turned to me.
"How do you mean that?"
"I don't know. The way you live life, the way you honor your nana with the shop, the passion you put in everything you do, the way you celebrate everything, even the tiniest of things."
"Why shouldn't I? My nana always said that things should be celebrated as they come, no matter how small. She was very wise. I tend to do a lot of the things she told me."
"You miss her," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Every day." My voice broke a bit.
She'd been gone for a long time, but I still remembered everything about her as if it was yesterday. Her perfume—she always used lavender oil in her hair, and it smelled amazing—the way she dressed herself, always just a bit more elegant than necessary.
I sighed. My eyes were filling up with tears. "Sorry, I'm being silly."
"Not at all. You just experience everything deeply: joy and sorrow. That's amazing."
He wiped away the tear sliding down to the corner of my mouth, then kissed my cheek there. Oh yeah, I was getting that kiss I was so hoping for, I was sure of it. But then he straightened up. I frowned, tugging at his T-shirt, pulling him farther down.
"Why did you stop? You were about to kiss me."
"That won't happen tonight."
I gasped. "Why not?"
"Because I need to kiss you very thoroughly, deeply, until I make you mine. And I can't do that right here in front of the church and the whole town."
"Good to know you do have some shame," I teased.
"Nah. One thing you should know about me, Georgie, is that I'm completely shameless. This was more for your benefit."
"Then I take it back. You don't have shame, but you are thoughtful. It's still a win."
"Are you sure you need to be at home?" he asked me.
My heart was beating faster. He was asking me over to his place, huh? Hell yes! But then I remembered that I didn't have another change of clothes at the store. The corners of my mouth dropped.
"Yeah, I do."
He took in a deep breath, looking down toward my shoulder. I felt his fingers press harder on my rib cage as if he needed to brace himself. For what? Then he dropped his hands and took a step back.
Oh, he needed to brace himself to let me go. I liked that a lot.
The fact that I could turn this man on so much made me happy. Our chemistry was mutual and intense. I hoped we could give this a chance, find out what it all meant... but then I remembered Julian wasn’t one for relationships.
"Then we should probably hurry, or you'll miss your bus."
"Oh my God, that's right. You made me forget my head."
I couldn't help but laugh when he grinned.
"Apparently not enough to forget you need to go home, so job only half done."
I gave him a sheepish smile as we walked toward the bus station. There were quite a few people waiting. Julian looked around us and then scoffed.
"What's wrong?" I asked him.
"Thought I could give you one kiss, but it's impossible with so many people around us."
I moved closer to him, putting a hand on his chest and running the other one through his hair. "I see. So, your kisses have now evolved to being too hot for the public?"
"Something like that." He brought his mouth to my ear. "I can't start kissing you without wanting to devour you. I can't stop myself. It's bigger and more powerful than me."
I couldn't believe I was standing here in this bus station with Julian LeBlanc whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Well, hot nothings, but still.
The bus came just then, and passengers disembarked.
"I need to go." Then, because I liked to tease him, I rose on my toes and pressed my lips to his. No tongue, just a quick, chaste kiss. Even so, Julian growled. I felt like the most powerful woman on the planet.
"You did that on purpose," he said when I pulled back.
I turned around quickly and glanced at him over my shoulder as I went up the bus stairs. "Of course I did."