Clan Ross: His Heart's Desire Part 13

"I know. I think you'd like the hamburger po'boy. It's my favorite."

"That's what I'll have." Braden sat back and took hold of Cat's hand.

"Me, too." Alec winked at a woman sitting near them.

Valerie returned with their drinks. "You're favorite band's here tonight, Cat."

"Oh, you're both in for a treat. Sonny and his crew play jazz better than anyone in the Quarter."

The band stepped out onto the small stage and took their places. Before long the sweet sound of the sax sang out over the crowd.

Eventually their meals arrived.

"These things are very big." Alec picked up his sandwich and took a hearty bite.

"Mmmm. This is delicious." Braden smiled and chewed slowly.

"What are these potato strings called again?" Alec stopped to stare at them. "They are delicious."

"French fries. Well, actually they're Cajun French fries."

Cat glanced at her watch. She was tired and anxious to get home. Braden's promise rang in her ears and she didn't want to hang about longer than necessary. She was in the process of trying to get the guys to get moving when she heard her name ringing out over the sound of the band.

"Well, c.r.a.p," Cat said, as she watched her evening go to h.e.l.l in a handbasket.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

Cat's friends had arrived. Summer, Generosa and Meagan wended their way to their table. Summer and Generosa were both childhood friends. Cat had met pretty blonde-haired Meagan at a party and a fast friends.h.i.+p had formed between the two. In many ways, Cat was closer to her than the other two women.

Meagan was originally from Wisconsin, where she claimed most people went to die of terminal boredom, or never left because they didn't know better. She'd come to New Orleans five years earlier to have a vacation and to do a little research for a book she wanted to write. Cat had little doubt that the girl would one day be a megastar in the publis.h.i.+ng world. She planned on giving up the design business to be her friend's personal a.s.sistant, but until that time came she'd plug away at designing dresses. Meagan knew about the portrait and about Cat's indescribable attraction to a man she didn't think existed. On more than one occasion, she had provided the Pina Coladas when Cat wanted to grouch about a nasty client or a disastrous date. They were the kind of friends you wanted at your back.

Although Cat was happy to see them, she cursed their crummy timing. She wanted to go home and have Braden all to herself. Okay, as much to herself as she could while sharing the place with Alec. Instead, she plastered a smile on her face and stood for hugs. She'd be lucky if she and Braden could escape in less than an hour. Drat!

"So, did you enjoy your trip?" Summer asked as she eyed both Braden and Alec. "Wait, never mind. If these guys came back with you, the answer has to be yes."

Generosa held out her hand. "Hi. My name's Gen." She pointed to the other two women. "And this is Meagan and Summer."

Alec stood and kissed all three women on the hand. "'Tis a pleasure to meet you."

Cat had to smile as her friends got that melty I-have-to-have-him look in their eyes. She could understand it. "Would you like to join us?"

"Sure," All three women replied at the same time.

Meagan leaned over Cat and whispered, "Good going, girlie, he's even hunkier than the picture." She waved her hand and their waitress came over. "I need two Pina Coladas over here." She winked at Cat. "We have some celebrating to do." She turned and faced Alec. "h.e.l.lo, I'm Meagan."

"I'm Alec." His smile was killer, and Cat knew her friend was down for the count. She might go for the hottie 'Orlando Bloom' pirate look or Legolas the elf, but was apparently not immune to Alec's Scottish charm.

The women scrambled to sit beside him. In the end, Meagan won the lottery. If his smile was any indication, he was pleased that Meagan won that round of a twisted version of musical chairs.

"Seriously, how was the trip?" Summer asked.

"I had a great time," Cat said. Braden squeezed her hand and she smiled. "A very good time."

"Hmm. I can see that." Meagan laughed. "When did you get back anyhow?"

"Earlier today." Cat occupied herself by taking a sip of water.

The waitress arrived and took orders for another round of drinks. Jetlag made itself known and Cat covered her mouth for a less than ladylike yawn. Unable to help herself, she rested her head against Braden's shoulder. She briefly wondered if the two men were also suffering the effects of travel.The bar was growing crowded and pretty soon it would be too loud to carry on a proper conversation. Couples paired up and took to the dance floor.

Braden leaned down. "What are they doing, la.s.s?"

Cat smiled. "They're dancing."

"This is strange music. How can they find the beat?" Braden frowned as he watched various couples move to the s.e.xy music.

"It's easy once you hear the rhythm. This is called jazz and it's very popular here."

They sat in silence for a heartbeat. Braden continued to concentrate on the moving couples and Cat divided her attention between him and Alec, who seemed to be getting along without any problems. She worried that he might say something that could be difficult to explain. This might be New Orleans where ghosts and legends lived happily with the occupants of the town, but not everyone actually cottoned to the idea of time travel or haunted portraits.

Braden tugged on Cat's curls, pulling her attention back to him.

"Would you care to dance, la.s.s?"

"Are you sure you want to try?"

Braden gave her a disgruntled look. "It doesn't look terribly difficult, la.s.s. We just rock back and forth, no?"

"I didn't mean to insult you, Braden." She squeezed his hand. "I'd love to dance, I just didn't want to pressure you."

She stood and pushed in her chair, taking Braden's proffered hand.

Finding a spot on the fringes of the dance floor, he stopped and pulled Cat into his arms. Neither of them said a word as they wrapped their arms around each other and swayed to the s.e.xy beat of the music. She was surprised that he moved so confidently to the rhythm of the tune.

Cat relaxed in Braden's arms and, resting her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes. She could smell the musky, spicy scent that was Braden. She was totally at ease in his arms, as if she had always been there. If the stories were true, she had always had a place in his heart.

Braden slowly ran one hand up and down Cat's spine. Occasionally his thigh would plunge between her legs and a rush of sensations would flood through her center and radiate out over her limbs. His hand came to rest at the base of Cat's spine, while his other hand tipped her face so he could look into her eyes.

His hardened length made her crazy. His chest rubbed against her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, causing her lacy bra to tickle her nipples, hardening them. She wanted the barrier of clothing between them gone. The need to feel his skin against hers was overwhelming. Her mind went into overtime and she started playing out their lovemaking that would definitely take place later that evening.

She longed to feel his tongue and lips on her. She s.h.i.+vered. The smoldering look in his eyes held so much promise. Cat moved closer and Braden lowered his mouth and kissed her.

The kiss was long, and slow. Before things could get too out of hand, he pulled back.

"G.o.d, what you do to me . . . I forget I'm in a public place," he admitted with a husky tone.

Cat looked at him and simply whispered, "I know. I feel the same way."

The song ended and they headed back to their table. While they had been away dancing, a friend of Gen's had arrived with his date, and had taken their seats. Braden dragged another chair over and pulled Cat onto his lap, holding her there with his arm around her waist.

Cat's body craved this man in a way she had never experienced before. She ached in her female center and needed to feel Braden deep inside her. The pain was maddening. She didn't want to be sitting in the bar with her friends when she could be alone with Braden.

Cat leaned over Meagan. "Come with me, I need to talk to you." She turned to Braden. "I'll be right back."

The two women excused themselves and walked to the back where the ladies' room was located.

Cat was pleasantly surprised to see the place was empty.

"What's up?" Meagan studied Cat carefully.

"I have a problem," Cat blurted.

Meagan laughed. "Yeah, I saw that problem. I want one just like you have."

"Seriously, Meags, I have issues and I'm not sure what to do." Cat crossed her arms over her chest. "I know it didn't escape your notice that Braden looks like the portrait."

Meagan smiled. "No, I noticed all right. In fact, I think he looks better than he did in the picture."

"And you don't find it odd that he's here, in New Orleans, with me?"

Meagan rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'll grant you it's not every day a girl gets her dream man."

Cat realized her friend didn't fully understand the situation. "Meags, he is the guy from the portrait; a man who lived centuries earlier. And his cousin, Alec, was trapped with him. Now they're both here and I'm not sure for how long."

"Ah." Meagan nodded. "You're worried they'll both be yanked away, right?"

"Well, yeah, but I'm also worried about how they're going to fit in here in New Orleans."

Meagan adjusted her make-up and washed her hands. "I'll a.s.sist you in helping them acclimatize to our time and ways. As for your fear that he'll leave, all you can do is enjoy the time you have together."

Her friend's words made sense and she felt better knowing that Meagan would help her. "Okay, so it will be up to you to help smooth over anything the guys might say that would be considered too strange." Cat nibbled on her lower lip. "And maybe help keep Alec occupied?"

Meagan laughed. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Spending time with him won't be a hards.h.i.+p."

After Cat and Meagan finished their conversation, they returned to the table. By this time the bar had gotten even busier and was almost standing room only. She was ready to leave and felt a bit better knowing Meagan would help her in the coming days.

Cat didn't want Alec or Braden to say something that would concern her friends. She needed to sit down with both men and figure out exactly what they would admit to.

"Where's Braden?" she shouted over the din.

"He went to get us a round," Alec said. His arm slipped easily around Meagan's waist and, judging from her friend's flushed face, she wasn't complaining.

Braden knew what a round was? Cat stood on her tiptoes and looked around the crowded bar. Eventually she caught sight of him carrying several gla.s.ses. She walked over to him and took a couple. "Are you ready to go?"

A frown marred his handsome face, but he didn't say anything.

She leaned into him. "This must be really overwhelming for you. It's okay, we can leave. I'm feeling a little crushed and I'm used to this."

Braden met her gaze and she noted the fatigue that danced in his beautiful eyes. "'Tis rather loud here, and I confess I could use some breathing room."

Cat smiled and twined her free hand with his. She questioned her own stupidity in bringing both men out before they'd talked and before she could actually warn them what New Orleans was going to be like.

Putting the drinks down on the table, Cat addressed her friends. "I'm tired, so Braden and I are headed home. Alec, are you coming?"

Alec disengaged himself from Meagan. "I'm not ready yet, la.s.s. Would you be offended if I stayed with your friends?"

"No, not at all." Cat smiled. She marveled at how well he seemed to adapt to this new place. However she prayed he'd keep his mouth shut and not say anything that would make people question his sanity.

"We'll make sure he gets home safe and sound." Summer winked at her.

"I'm sure you will. Okay, well have a good time. Call me tomorrow, Summer."

As Cat and Braden stepped onto the sidewalk, tourists and partygoers were out in full force. Braden remained close to her side and she watched as he took in his surroundings. She tried to see it through his eyes and wondered what he thought of it all.

Cat marveled at the beauty of the various buildings decorated for the holidays. It would be Thanksgiving the following week and then they'd be facing the Christmas season. Would this Yule season see her with Braden, or would he be gone back to his own time period by then? She didn't like the direction of her thoughts and vowed right there not to worry about it now. She'd deal with any problems once they became an issue.

"This is an amazing place. It's so different at night." Braden looked around and Cat's heart swelled with emotion for this wonderful man. A scantily clad woman walked past and winked at him. "Are all women so forward in their behavior?"

"New Orleans is a totally different place once the sun goes down. People come from all around to party. You should see this place during Mardi Gras. It's insane. But at the same time it's more fun than you can imagine. And, yes, you'll find that people seem to leave their inhibitions either at home or behind in their hotel rooms."

People stood outside bars and restaurants trying to lure people in off the streets to experience their service. Even clerks from the souvenir shops tried to get customers off the street to buy their kitschy goods.

A horse-drawn carriage went past. Cat had always loved the romantic idea of a carriage ride. This particular one belonged to a haunted tour. She figured one day she'd take Braden and Alec. She loved the history of her city. The legends and stories were a combination of horror and romance. One day she would share it with Braden.

But right now all she wanted to do was take him home and spend a quiet night with him in bed.

"I had no idea how different this place would be from my Highlands."

Braden's gaze was focused on the New Orleans attractions. Fear that he wouldn't be happy here ate at her. She couldn't imagine how difficult this was for him, the sensory overload not to mention fatigue from traveling. She hoped he wouldn't ask her to take him back to Scotland quite yet. Hopefully they'd have the chance to make this work.

"Come on, I don't want to share you with anyone tonight." Cat pulled on his hand.

Braden squeezed her fingers. "And I don't want to have to share you. Hopefully Alec will be busy with his new friends for a while. I don't want him to hear you screaming with pleasure."

"Neither do I." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. "Let's go home."

Cat prayed that when they were alone and away from everything that was different to him, Braden would be able to rest. And when the day was new, she'd do what she could to help him adjust to his situation.