Page 34 of Easy Rumba

Chapter 16

Leo

“We’re here,” I inform Elise as I pull the car into the parking spot.

She’s not let Izzy out of her sight the last few days, but we received word yesterday that Simon is back in Hollywood, so Elise agreed to a date with me as long as Rhys and Gabby looked after Izzy. I’ve no doubt she’ll be safe. With Rhys and Sam both protecting her, she’s safer than if she’d been locked in a room and wrapped in cotton wool.

Elise looks out of the window.

“What is it?”

The bland building in front of us doesn’t look much, but I know when she steps inside it will become a vibrant jazz venue with the added bonus of booths offering everything Louisiana has to offer with its mixed culture. The Jazz and Craft Festival has been a long standing event in the city for many years now, and I’ve always wanted to go, but I’ve never had the chance. I didn’t realize how much I missed the city I grew up in until I returned here. I’ve been to a lot of places in Europe, but nothing feels like home to me as much as New Orleans with its welcoming and vibrant, colorful nature.

“You’ll see when you get inside.”

Elise looks skeptical, and I don’t blame her.

“I’m not into dodgy strip clubs.”

“Damn,”—I slap my thigh—“and here was I hoping to get you drunk and up on a pole in just your panties.”

Her eyes go wide with horror.

“Joke.”

“Not funny.”

“We really need to loosen you up a bit. Come on. I promise you’ll enjoy it.”

Exiting the car, I go around to the other side and open the door for Elise. She’s dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans. They hug all the right curves, and I can’t help staring at her stunning backside when she walks in front of me.

“What is this place, Leo?”

We join a small queue of people waiting to go inside. A couple turn to look at us—they must recognize us because they whisper to each other but don’t approach. That’s one of the things I’ve discovered since being back here in New Orleans, people leave you alone unless you approach them. It’s not always the same in Europe. I’ve heard a few unpleasant stories about some of the incidents that have happened to dancers in the UK especially. One even lost a tooth when he was attacked. I know it also happens in parts of America where celebrity culture is big, but New Orleans is much more relaxed.

The door opens, and a rhythm and blues jazz song floods out the door. Elise grabs my hand.

“It’s a jazz and craft festival. It’s held every year and comes highly recommended.”

“Seriously? God, I heard about this last year, and I really wanted to go, but everything had just happened with Simon. I was still covered in bruises and needed to hide out for longer. I didn’t realize it was here. I’m so excited now.”

“And you weren’t before?” I tease.

Elise rolls her eyes at me,

“I’m always excited when you’re close to me…if you put your hand in my panties, you’d feel how much.”

Fuck me.

I’m hard at the thought.

“You’ll pay for that comment later.”

Elise sticks her tongue out at me just as the security guard ushers us in through the door. Our tickets are checked, and our belongings scanned before we’re allowed into the main auditorium, but when we do gain entry, I can feel my whole body start to sway with the beat filling the room. A soul singer with a voice like the great Nina Simone belts out one of the singer’s greatest hits, ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’.

“This is fantastic,” Elise shouts at me over the music, and I lead her farther into the room. The first few aisles are full of traditional crafts, such as quilting and basket weaving. Next come colorful beaded necklaces. Elise stops and looks at a few. “I think I’ll get one for Izzy. She’ll love it. She’s started trying on my jewelry recently.”

I step back as the larger than life female vendor appears, and I watch as Elise discusses with her which color would be the best to get for Izzy. In the end, Elise purchases a couple and puts a teal colored one around her own neck.

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