Sweet Southern Nights Page 19

  “What do you mean I won’t let you?”

  Angela gave him a direct stare. “I couldn’t forget even if I wanted to. You’re my fantasy hero come to life.” Shifting on her seat, she leaned into him. “I didn’t want to like you, Levi. I tried everything in my arsenal to send you packing, but like a boomerang you kept coming back.”

  Levi chuckled. “You didn’t try hard enough.”

  Easing back, she raised her chin so the brim of her hat wouldn’t touch his face. “I’m glad I didn’t.”

  The smoldering flame he saw in Angela’s eyes startled him. It was a silent invitation for him to make love to her, and he didn’t want to be reminded of what they’d shared the night before—not now when they weren’t able to do anything about it.

  He blinked. “Tonight.” Angela lowered her eyes and gave him a seductive look.

  It took everything for Levi to turn his attention back to the racetrack instead of the woman beside him. He stared at the horses being led into the gates for the race before the Derby, but out of the corner of his eye he could still see the flawlessness of Angela’s face, the sexiness of her high cheekbones, the straight line of the bridge of her nose, the way her nostrils flared slightly whenever she smiled and the sexy curve of her luscious lips. Those were the same lips that he’d kissed, nibbled and suckled.

  “Do you have any plans for next weekend?” he asked her in a whisper.

  Angela gave him a sidelong glance. “What are you thinking about, sweetie?”

  “I’d like to take you away somewhere. We can stop in some little out of the way place, order room service and make love until we’ll have to be resuscitated.”

  “We can’t leave until after I lock up the Garden Gate.”

  “Whatever works for you, baby. Do you have any suggestions?”

  Angela pursed her lips. “Bardstown’s about an hour’s drive from here and it’s chock-full of historical sites.”

  “I’ll go online and check it out. We probably won’t get home until late Sunday night, so what are you going to do with Miss Divine?”

  “I can drop her off with Langdon. He lives near Bardstown and has a couple of dogs and cats that will keep her company.”

  “Good.”

  Levi didn’t tell Angela the reason he wanted to take her away from Louisville was to avoid having her run into her ex. It seemed as if Robert Gaskin showed up everywhere, and Levi wondered if Robert was keeping tabs on Angela.

  A palpable excitement rippled through the crowd when the horses for the Derby were paraded onto the track. Even though there had been races all afternoon, none compared to the final race of the day. An uncanny stillness settled over the crowd when the jockeys in their colorful silks were hoisted onto the backs of the magnificent three-year-old horses. There was a commotion when one horse balked at being led into the starting gate. Another reared until one by one they were settled into their designated gates as an eerie hush descended over the track. After several anxiety-filled moments the gates opened and the horse sprinted out, their hoofs echoing like thunder as their riders fought for position.

  Levi’s heart was in his throat when he saw the purple and gold silks of the rider atop Sweet Southern Knight. The thirty-three-to-one longshot had moved up on the outside from eighth position to sixth, to fifth and then fourth. The dirt track was one and one-quarter miles, but seemed much shorter. For all the attention the race received it was only two minutes long.

  Levi released Angela’s hand and stood up when Sweet South Knight moved into second place. The noise was deafening and he found himself pounding on the front of the box as the longshot raced neck and neck with the favorite. What happened next was a blur. Sweet Southern Knight won the Derby by a nose, and Levi lifted Angela off her feet, his mouth covering hers in a smothering kiss.

  “We won! We won!” he repeated over and over as her arms tightened around his neck.

  Peering over Levi’s shoulder, Angela met her father’s eyes. He winked at her and she gave him a bright smile. Paper floated down the grandstand like confetti when spectators tore up their betting slips. Duncan, Langdon, Ryder and Jared swore under their breaths as their mutilated their slips.

  Angela kissed Levi’s cheek. “Please put me down.” He set her on her feet. Angela took the slip from her bag, making a big show of it when she kissed it. “Take a good look at a winner, my brothers.”

  Duncan leaned over her, staring at the slip. “You bet on a longshot?”

  “No. I bet on Mind Yo Bizness. This was Levi’s slip, and now it’s yours.”

  A slight frown creased Duncan’s forehead. “I don’t understand,” he said when Angela handed it to him.

  “Levi said if he won, he would give me the money. I decided to donate the winnings to the clinic. But it was Levi who’d placed the bet.”

  The three Chase brothers leaned over to get a look at the slip. “You’ve got it like that, brother?” Jared asked Levi.

  Levi nodded, smiling. “I do all right.”

  Benton cradled Dianne’s elbow. “I’ve seen enough racing for the day. We’re going back to the house to change before heading over to Mayor Turner’s place.”

  Angela looped her arm through Levi’s. “We’ll meet you there.” She kissed her mother, then her father. “Later.”

  Levi held Angela’s arm as he led her to the door. The number of people Priscilla had invited to her post-Derby celebration had swelled appreciably until they lingered in every room on the first floor, with the overflow strolling around the garden.

  “How many mint juleps did you have?” Levi asked once they were seated in the rear of the Town Car. Angela laid her head in his lap.

  She closed her eyes. “One.”

  “You’re tipsy from one mint julep?”

  “I’m not tipsy, Levi. I just feel a little queasy because all I ate were carrots and radishes.”

  Running his fingers through her hair, he leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I can’t believe all Priscilla served was crudités. What happened to the Buffalo wings, ribs, dim sum, sweet and sour meatballs, crab puffs and Jamaican meat patties? I like veggies, but I need more than broccoli and cauliflower and a yogurt dip if I’m going to drink anything alcoholic.”

  Angela opened her eyes. “What are Jamaican meat patties, sweetie?”

  His eyebrows lifted. “You’ve never had one?”

  “No.”

  “A patty is flaky pocket filled with ground beef and spices. There are chicken patties, but I like the ones made with beef—the spicier the better. Poor baby. You’ve really been sheltered, haven’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Well, you have if you don’t know what a meat patty is. When you come to New York I’m going to take you Katz’s Deli for the best pastrami on the planet. Then we’re going to Brooklyn. I found a little hole in the wall that makes the flakiest, spiciest meat patties in the city.”

  “What about Yankee Stadium?”

  “Yankee Stadium will be a priority.”

  “And the Brooklyn Bridge?”

  “That, too.”

  She gave him a lopsided smile. “Thank you, sweetie.”

  “The only place you’re going now is to bed, and I’ll personally tuck you in.”

  “I have to wash my face and brush my teeth first,” Angela insisted.

  “I’ll help you with that.”

  “Did I ever tell you that you’re a keeper, Levi Eaton?” She was slurring her words.

  “Yes, you did, Angela Chase. Yes, you did,” he repeated, staring at the partition separating them from the driver. Levi sighed. Angela wanted to keep him, but would she allow him to keep her?

  The question nagged at him when he put her to bed, and it continued to nag at him when they met Traci and Reggie
at the church the next day where they would exchange vows and become husband and wife for a second time.

  Chapter 16

  Angela held Traci’s bouquet in one hand—a mix of roses ranging from pure white to deep purple—as the smiling bride held hands with the groom and pledged to love and cherish him until death.

  Traci looked chic in a pale pink sheath dress and black silk-covered stilettos, knowing it was just a matter of time before the four-and-five-inch heels were relegated to the back of her closet in favor of more sensible shoes as her pregnancy progressed.

  Reginald Goddard stared adoringly at his bride as he repeated his vows. His dimpled smile spoke volumes. He was in love with Traci. “I fell in love with you what seems like yesterday, but today I’m the luckiest man in the world because I get to stand before man and God to pledge all that I am to you until I draw my last breath.”

  They exchanged rings, and then the minister intoned the words that made them husband and wife before telling the groom he could now kiss his bride. The retired pro-football player wrapped his massive arms around Traci’s waist, lifting her aloft and giving her a noisy kiss before he gently set her down on her feet.

  Angela hugged Traci. “Congratulations, cuz.”

  Traci kissed her cousin’s cheek. “Thank you, Ang. And thank you for standing up for me.”

  “You know I’d do anything for you, Traci.” Angela barely had time to react when she found herself in a bear-hug embrace. “Congratulations, Big Daddy.”

  He planted a kiss on Angela’s forehead, and shook hands with Levi. “I kinda like Big Poppa.” Turning, Reggie thanked the minister, and handed him an envelope.

  “Let’s go, Biggie Smalls. Your wife needs to eat, or she’s going to faint,” Angela said.

  Levi stared at Traci. “You’re pregnant?”

  Traci blushed, a rush of color darkening her gold-brown face. “Yes. I’m two months.”

  Levi took a step and pressed a kiss to Traci’s cheek. “Congratulations.”

  Traci, standing at eye level with him in her heels, smiled. “I hope you change your mind and relocate to Louisville so you can become my baby’s pediatrician.”

  His expression changed, becoming a mask that made it impossible to read his thoughts. “It’s not quite that simple.”

  “What can we do to convince you to stay?” Traci asked.

  Angela took her cousin’s arm. “Traci, I’ve made reservations at Ruth’s Chris for four, and if we don’t leave now we’ll lose our table.”

  Bending slightly, Reggie picked up his bride and carried her out of the church to the parking lot. “We’ll follow you guys,” he said to Levi.

  The restaurant, located on the sixteenth floor of Kaden Tower, offered breathtaking views of Louisville. Angela, Levi and the newlyweds ordered appetizers, salads, the restaurant’s signature steaks, dessert and two bottles of sparkling cider because of Traci’s condition.

  After downing the mint julep on a practically empty stomach the day before, Angela knew it would be a while before she partook of anything alcoholic.

  She’d ordered the calamari with a sweet and spicy Asian chili sauce, and Traci ordered the lobster bisque. Levi and Reggie decided on barbecue shrimp and shrimp remoulade.

  The diamonds in Traci’s eternity band sparkled from the sunlight coming through the restaurant’s windows. “When do you plan on telling your parents that you’re now a married woman?” Angela asked Traci.

  Traci exchanged a look with her husband. “Tomorrow.”

  “Why tomorrow?”

  “Because I want to enjoy my wedding night without hearing my mother complain. And you know your aunt, Ang. She’d think nothing of barging into my place or Reggie’s to give us a piece of her mind. The only thing that would make her leave is if Reggie and I got butt naked and got busy in front of her.”

  Levi coughed, nearly choking on a mouthful of shrimp. Angela patted his back when he picked up a goblet of water. “Easy, sweetie.”

  Traci waved her hand. “Hang around long enough and you’ll get used to my mouth.”

  Dropping an arm over his wife’s shoulders, Reggie kissed her short curly hair. “That’s why I love you, babe. You always call a spade a spade.”

  “I think she has some competition in that department,” Levi drawled, recovering from his coughing jag.

  “I know you’re not talking about me, Levi.”

  He gave Angela an innocent look. “Did I mention your name, love?”

  “Love?” chorused Reggie and Traci.

  “Is there something going on that I should know about?” Traci questioned.

  “No!” Levi and Angela said in unison.

  “What are you going to do with your loft?” Angela asked her cousin, deftly changing the topic. Traci had purchased a loft in what used to be an industrial area of Louisville.

  “I’m going to keep it. Reggie and I decided we need a place in the city and one in the country. We’ll use the loft for entertaining friends, or when his family comes to visit.”

  Angela took a sip of cider. “Are you going to be available to cat-sit for me when I visit Levi in New York?”

  Levi put his hand over Angela’s. “She can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “If you’ve ever read a kitty litter bag you’ll see a warning that pregnant women should be careful because cat feces may carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis.”

  “What’s that, Doc?” Reggie asked.

  “If a pregnant woman contracts toxoplasmosis the parasite can reach her developing baby, and the baby’s immune system is not able to fend off the parasite. The result may be damage to the eyes and brain. The greatest risk is miscarriage.”

  Traci’s eyes were large as silver dollars. “Really?”

  Levi nodded slowly. “Really.”

  “Does this mean I can’t come to Ang’s house?”

  “No. Just stay away from the litter box.”

  Reggie stared at him. “Thanks, Doc. You just may have saved my baby.”

  “No problem. If you or Traci have any medical questions, please call me. You have my number.”

  The waiter came over to remove the appetizers and all conversation came to a halt. It started up again with the next course, this time the subjects were politics and sports. Reggie and Levi arguing good-naturedly about what team was better and who they believed would win the World Series and the Super Bowl.

  Traci wanted to know about the Derby and Angela told her about the fashions, and also revealed that Levi had picked the winner, but donated the money to Duncan’s clinic.

  After dessert and coffee, Levi signaled for the waiter to give him the check. When Angela protested, he whispered, “Will you please let me be a hero.”

  Her Cheshire-cat grin faded when she felt Levi’s hand on her upper thigh under the table. The opening to her wrap skirt had given him easy access. Angela managed to smother a gasp before Traci or Reggie became aware of what had happened.

  When she woke that morning it was to Levi’s erection pressed against her hips. She’d known by his soft snoring that he was still asleep, so Angela made certain not to move. She went back to sleep and when she woke again, she found herself alone in bed. Minutes later, Levi, shaved and showered, brought a tray into the bedroom where they had breakfast in bed. He revealed that it was something his father had done for as long as he could remember: preparing breakfast and bringing it to his mother on Sunday mornings. Once they had children he still made breakfast for his wife, but would take their sons out for brunch before they all attended church services.

  Angela closed her eyes. “Wait until we get home, Levi.”

  Traci looked from her cousin to the man sitting next to her. “What’s up, Ang?”

&nb
sp; She affected a saccharine smile. “I told Levi I would pay for tonight’s dinner, but it seems as if he decided to one-up me.”

  “Let the man be a man, Angela,” Reggie said.

  Levi winked at Angela. “Yeah, baby. Like Reggie said. Let me be the man.”

  She pushed her face close to his. “He said a man, not the man.” Angela hadn’t time to blink when Levi’s mouth covered hers in an explosive kiss. It ended as quickly as it began, with her mouth forming a perfect O.

  “That’s what men do to keep their women quiet.” The smug look on his face was one Angela would remember for the rest of her life.

  “Damn-n-n!” Traci drawled.

  Reggie stood up, reached into his pocket and dropped a large bill on the table. “That should take care of the tip.” He extended his hand to Levi. “Thanks, buddy, for standing in as my best man and for dinner. Traci and I will return the favor as soon as the dust settles once we announce our marriage.”

  Levi shook his hand. “I was an honor to be your best man.” Levi settled the bill and the two couples rode the elevator to the street level, parting ways in the parking lot and driving off in opposite directions.

  Angela sat quietly, staring straight ahead through the windshield as Levi headed for Magnolia Pines. They’d stopped there to drop off Miss Divine before heading over to the church.

  “Are you mad at me?” Levi asked, not taking his eyes off the road.

  “No.”

  “Well, you look mad.”

  Angela looked at him for the first time since getting into the car. “You don’t know me well enough to say that.”

  Levi gave her a quick glance. “How do you look when you’re mad?”

  “The same way I do now.”

  He smiled. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Believe what, Levi?”

  “Angry or happy. You’re still beautiful.”

  She shook her head. “You’re unbelievable…always the silver-tongued devil.”

  “No, baby. It’s the truth. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. You have a special gift when dealing with your customers, you’re incredibly loyal to your family, and you proved you have a heart as good as gold when you donated the Derby winnings to the Maywood Junction clinic. You say you don’t need money, yet you still get up and go to work. And despite experiencing a very public humiliation, you didn’t cut and run, but stayed,” said Levi. “You’re sexy whether you want to acknowledge it or not. Now that we’re sleeping together I no longer go to bed with a hard-on, but that doesn’t stop me from waking up with one.”