CHAPTER ONE

Friday Afternoon, New Orleans, LA
Carly was running her palms up her silk hosiery, smoothing them taunt across her sleek thighs. She knew he wanted her to look perfect for the evening. Nothing less would do. And she did. Her normally unruly sandy blond hair was pulled back into a dignified twist, with wisps of bangs framing her pixie-like face. Under his tutelage, she applied her make-up superbly. She looked radiant, her appearance flawless. Diamond stud earrings---a parting gift---adorned her ear lobes.
She was his trusted literary assistant, his cohort, his best friend.
Immaculately dressed, Joseph Rousse was nonchalantly leaning against the bathroom door with arms crossed, a speculative scowl firmly in place, watching her intently. His muscular six-foot frame was purposely invading her space. He loosened his red silk Brioni tie with a sharp jerk of his wrist to get her attention.
Her beautiful blue eyes remained downcast, wary, as she slipped on her strappy high heels ignoring his presence.
“Killer heels.” he remarked bluntly.
“Such appropriate phraseology.” She did not smile. Nor look up.
“I am good with words,” he said, arms still crossed, waiting.
“Really?” Carly feigned a questionable look.
“As are you, Ms Collins,” he replied tonelessly. “I’ve taught you well.”
“Stop it, Joe. This isn’t a game.” She tossed him a frosty look, her emerald eyes glistening. “And this isn’t an excerpt out of one of your books either.”
“I wish things were different,” he replied stonily. His palms rubbed his chiseled jaw in consternation,
“But they’re not----I get it,” she replied, ignoring his presence.
He pounded his fist against the doorframe in frustration not making a sound. “What can I say? I can’t change the way things are.” Stepping closer he grimaced. “You know I have to leave. This trip is necessary. I can’t postpone it any longer.” His eyes hardened with resolve.
She lowered her head in acceptance, twirling her sterling bracelet aimlessly. “Whatever, Joe.”
Flexing his shoulders, he inhaled deeply, smelling her scent. His temper momentarily subsided, sensing her pain. “Carly, please---you’re tough. You can get through this.”
Carly studied him. Gracefully tilting her head, she kept her emotions intact before admitting, “You look good, Joe. I’m glad for you---truly---just nervous about tonight.”
“I wish…,” he whispered, standing close, inhaling her fragrance.
“Don’t.” She urged him back, her hands out like a shield. Shaking.
He stepped back reluctantly, head down, adjusting his tie, realigning his thoughts. “Where’s Trisha today?”
“She’s working an extra shift,” Carly explained. “She’ll come to the party straight from the hospital. Chance is flying in later and meeting her at The Soniat House. His parents send their regrets. Unfortunately they are on much-needed vacation.”
She continued on with her light-hearted conversation, trying to remain upbeat, when all she really wanted to do was curl up under the covers, forget everything, and sleep for seventy-two hours straight. But unfortunately Joe was right. He couldn’t be forgotten nor ignored and she had to deal with the situation as it stood.
Carly smiled brightly, feigning strength. “Nothing like throwing your own bash, huh?” She chided softly.
“You are the one that put this amazing party together at the last minute. How many times have I told you that you are incredible with details?” He reached out tentatively.
She stepped back automatically. “That’s why you pay me the big bucks. I’m the best personal assistant ever.”
“You know you are much more than that.”
Sexual tension suddenly exploded between them, totally unanticipated. He straightened, sliding back out of range, disoriented.
She recouped, tightening up, ignoring his icy nearness.
“Gem should be here any minute to pick you up. It’s almost four.” He diligently checked his watch and adjusted his topaz cufflinks so that they were in line. Anything not to look at her.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” she responded, shaken, inhaling deeply. “Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?”
“Eager to be rid of me?” He teased as he headed out of her bedroom following her curtly down the stairs, aching to change the way things were.
She blindly grabbed her purse from the foyer console table. Veering towards the door, she tried to hold in the escaping tears.
“You can do this,” he repeated.
“Shut up, Joe.” Her toneless reply.
Stepping out the front door onto the flowering veranda, Carly heard Joe’s golden retriever barking playfully in the yard. “Ooops, I forgot to bring Springer inside,” she remarked anxiously as she darted a guarded glance at the undeniably handsome man close behind her.
“I’ll take care of it.” Joe whistled and the golden retriever obediently raced inside. “I’m really gonna miss that boy. He was my one salvation---before you conned your way into my life.”
“And now he’ll be mine,” Carly whispered dismally, tears pooling.
Descending the front steps, she noticed an older woman out of the corner of her eye standing on the edge of the manicured lawn, smiling serenely. Carly waved. The woman nodded her hellos.
“Do we know that woman?” Joe asked, clearly muddled, shaking his head. “She doesn’t look familiar.”
Carly spun towards him. “You saw her---that woman over there?”
“Well, of course, I’m not blind. Who is she?”
Confused, Carly stammered, “She’s just one of ...uhmmm, one of my friends. Her name is Dorothy. She’s been hanging around for a couple of days. I’ll talk to her tomorrow and take care of things. I was just surprised that you saw her.” Carly shrugged. “Damn, I keep forgetting.”
Joe threw her a heartwarming smile, his eyes crinkling with humor. “Yeah, me, too---I keep forgetting.”
She stared at him with undisguised sorrow. “I’m so going to miss you.”
His heart cracked, slicing him hard. “Carly, don’t.” He unconsciously reached out towards her. Not acknowledging his touch, Carly turned and strolled through the heavily-scrolled iron gate without a backwards glance. Gemini Chambers was waiting for her.