The only woman in this room who matters is the one I can’t get enough of—in bed or out.
Ever since Temperance picked up that kava bowl, I’ve pictured her on the deck of my house in Fiji, overlooking the ocean and the reef, her hair blowing in the breeze before she sinks into the pool to float away the day.
I was shocked she’s never left the state of Louisiana, but after her explanation, it makes sense. Wanderlust is a bug I can’t shake, and even though I have the warehouse here in New Orleans, I have houses in four other countries, and I like to spend time at each of them every year. I want to be the one to take her to those places. Experience them again for the first time by seeing them through her eyes.
She’d love the waterfall that splashes into the jungle cenote on my property in Mexico. We’d swim naked in the cold, fresh water and eat mangos from the tree in my garden, before shooting the world’s best tequila and fucking under the glass ceiling in the bedroom until the stars came out.
She’d stare in wonder at the Alps from the living room of my mountaintop château in Chamonix, France. I can picture her bundled up in a sweater, holding a mug of steaming hot chocolate, sitting in front of the massive stone fireplace.
And Spain ... I can picture her drunk on incredible wine after we gorge on paella and watch the sun set over the water from my villa.
I want to see her in all those places. Places I’ve never brought another human being. Places I’ve neverwantedto bring another human until now.
Temperance changed that. She’s changing me.
But neither of us can change the consequences her brother’s actions have unleashed.
33
Temperance
If I didn’t want to strangle Jeff before, I do now. I can’t believe I’ve had to sit through nearly a dozen speed dates becausehewanted me as a captive audience for five minutes.
I dodged his requests for a real date during our time, but I know it won’t deter him forever. That, I’ll need Keira’s help with, because she apparently gave him the idea we’d be great together.
A new guy sits down at the table and looks at me with hopeful eyes.
I wish I could just tell himnot gonna happenand then we could both eat Odile’s appetizers for five minutes rather than engage in pointless small talk.
“I’ve never seen you around any of the chamber events before,” he says. “I’d definitely remember you.”
“I don’t have time to get out to these things very often,” I reply with a tight smile. “I workallthe time.”
“I know how that goes. My mom is constantly getting after me about not spending so much time at the office.”
“You’re close with your mom?” I ask, becauseoh Lord, you’re a mama’s boydoesn’t seem polite.
“I live with her. It’s so much easier. That way I don’t have to do my own laundry or cook or clean. No one can press my shorts like Mama can.”
“Uhhh.” I release a sound from my throat that doesn’t quite sound like a word, but he keeps going.
“And her chocolate beignets? Like nothing you’ve ever tasted. You want to come over and meet her? She puts on a great spread for guests. She’d really love having some company this year.”
There’s a lump in my throat, and I’m ninety-nine percent certain I’m going to choke due to shock. I cough twice.
“You okay?”
I nod and reach for my water. He waits expectantly for me to finish coughing.
The awkward silence grows, and I finally speak to fill it. “What’s your name again? I missed it when you sat down.” His name tag has a scrawl that looks like it starts with C.Carl,maybe?
“Crabs.”
This time I do choke. “Excuse me?” I blink back tears from my watering eyes. “Your name is Crabs?”
“Nickname. From college. It stuck. I just go with it.”
“That’s ... interesting.” I’m not sure what else to say toCrabs.