Page 83 of The Charmer

She sighed. "Julian, thanks for everything. I had a great time at the party."

"And last night. Don't forget that," I pointed out.

"How could I forget? Wait, if I pretend to forget, will you remind me?"

"Fuck yes," I growled. "I can remind you right now, whenever you want me to. My house isn't far away.”

"That's right. You live in the Quarter," she said.

"Exactly. So you know, anytime you're up for a reminder... call me." I wiggled my eyebrows.

“Will do.” She laughed, throwing the empty coffee cup into the nearest trash can.

I watched her until she disappeared inside the shop, fighting the urge to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to my house. I wanted more time with this woman. I needed it.

And I would get it—just not today.

Chapter Twenty

Julian

I purposely returned to Bourbon Street even though it was way out of my way. I wanted to pass by that moron's club. In fact, I was hoping he’d be there. I had the unquenchable urge to introduce his face to my fist.

I couldn't believe he'd made Georgie think she was inferior to him. That snake. She was such a confident woman. It was one of the things I loved about her. She was happy and proud of her life, as she should be. Georgie had a great business and was good at what she did. The only time she seemed down or out of sorts was when we spoke about that dickhead or when he was present. Then she sort of disappeared into herself.

The door to Deveraux's club was open, and I immediately stepped inside. There was just one person behind the counter, slicing lemons.

"Is Kyle here?" I asked him.

The guy looked up at me. "The boss? No. Who's asking?"

"Julian LeBlanc." My tone was authoritative enough to get his attention.

His eyes widened. Yeah, I was known around the Quarter.

"Want me to send him a message?" he asked. It hadn't occurred to me, but now that he asked, it did seem like a good idea.

"Tell him not to provoke me. He won't like my retaliation."

The guy stopped slicing lemons. "That's what you want me to tell my boss? I'm sorry, no can do. I thought you wanted to tell him something like ‘Call me later.’"

I walked up to the bar and tipped him fifty dollars. “Give him the message."

"Dude, that's a fifty.”

“I know.”

"I guess I'll take my chances for a fifty. Let's hope he doesn't shoot the messenger."

With a nod, I headed out the door.

I felt much better after leaving the club. I'd never taken this thing with Kyle seriously. I knew he was an asshole back in school, but after that, we'd mostly avoided each other right up until we were bidding for the same building. But this business with Georgie was too much. No one should treat another person like that. Absolutely no one. And sleazebags like Kyle thought they could get away with everything. It was time someone told him he wouldn't.

I only needed about fifteen minutes to get home, where I quickly showered and changed into fresh clothes. But I still had too much energy. I didn't want to stay inside. Conversely, I didn't want to go to work either. Unlike Georgie, I could afford the luxury of taking a day off. I did that from time to time. It was a good way to recharge.

Usually, that day off also coincided with some of Bella's days off at school. She and I had spent many fun uncle-niece days in the city. But now those days were far and few between. Chad and Scarlett took turns whenever Bella had a random day off at school, and the occasional uncle fill-in was no longer needed.

I had half a mind to drop by Georgie's shop. And that thought had me stopping in my tracks. What had gotten into me? She had to work. I was a grown-ass man. I’d been with her the entire night. That should've been enough... but that impulse was growing stronger.

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