Chapter 33

A brief, haunting look crossed over Spring's exterior. Her demeanor seemed to reboot right in front of
him and a look of indifference appeared. He was just about to tell her that she needn't share but when
she started to talk, he couldn't help his interest.

"My mother used to boast about our Cane River Creole heritage when I was younger; but I've only met
a handful of her side of the family, so I know next to nothing of them. My father's mother raised me and
Summer. My paternal side is a potluck of African, French, and maybe Native American heritage."
Spring tapped the table then raised her hand and rubbed the back of her neck. "Grams moved us away
soon after Katrina. Her little antique shop didn't get damaged too much; in fact, The Quarter only had
minor flooding but she told us we all needed a change. We settled in a small cozy town in Virginia.
Summer moved here three years ago and I followed," Spring said.

Her tone, a little lost in the beginning, came off upbeat at the end.

"That's interesting. Maybe you may want to look into those family tree genealogy sites. I have a friend
who speaks highly of the one with the leaf. I can't recall the actual name right now." Dez pondered as
he bit into his sandwich.

"Oh, I don't know. I think I like it being just our small circle of family, you know."

Dez liked things small and uncomplicated too. He also kept his circle small. The smaller the circle the
less bullshit to maneuver through.

Spring forked some of her food and lifted the portion to her mouth. Dez watched her lips close over the
fork as if she were the featured attraction at his favorite cinema. He had to shake himself just to look
away from the basic, yet erotic, action. The half-mast and rising erection held at bay by his jeans and
the table was going to be a constant issue.

After a few minutes of eating, Spring broke the silence. "Dez?"



Blinking away the troublesome lust he'd been nursing through the quiet, Dez focused on Spring's eyes.

(As if doing so is going to lessen my desire.)

It didn't. "Hmm?"

"Are you happy being a famous author?" Her eye lashes fluttered over her eyes several times as she
met his attention head on. "I just...those people the other night was bombarding you with attention and
you seemed in your element. But on the night we met, I noticed you sitting in that booth alone. You
looked...unhappy."

Dez chewed the last bit of one-half of his sandwich then said, "I wasn't happy then, Spring. But, I met
you. And, I love writing." With the admission, Dez felt the truth of his words. A truth he hadn't felt in
some time.

"What do you write?" Spring scooted forward; her fork hovered over her meal. "Where can I buy your
books?"

"I dabble in fiction, romance with a bit of action and suspense." He shrugged, then lifted one of his fries.
"I'd rather you get to know me before you open up one of my books." He had the idea that if Spring
found she didn't care for his writing, she may look at him more critically. "Besides, I am more interested
in you. Imagine my shock and great fortune when I saw you on the cover of such a huge magazine."

Spring coughed...or rather choked on her food. She held her hand up to stop Dezmond from getting to
his feet. It took a few more coughs and a drink for her to settle.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"You saw that, did you?" She cleared a throat a few times.

"I did," he said, unable to keep the concern from his tone.



Spring twisted her lips and scrunched her cute nose. "I feel a little exposed. Did you see the entire
spread?"

Dez tilted his head to see into her downcast eyes. "Have you forgotten our night together, Spring?"

----------

SPRING

Spring's head shot up. That night was unforgettable. She hoped it was because of the mystery, the
abandonment of her inhibitions, and the fact that she hadn't been with a man in months. Whatever the
case...that night was branded into her mind and so was the man.

"Of course not."

"Then know that I have replayed that night in my mind so many times that I know your body as if it were
a novel of my creation. One in which I know every curve of every letter in every word. Each scene is
replayed in such vivid detail that your body will forever be a treasured read for me."

(Wow... That is...it is...)

"Is there anything else I can get you folk?"

(The waitress...thank goodness.)

Dez kept her hostage with his gaze as he spoke to the waitress. "I have all I want. Spring, would you
like anything else?"

"No." The word came out like a breathless whisper. Spring felt the knowing eyes of their waitress move
from Dez to her then back to Dez.



"We'll have our check then, thank you." He wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin he placed in his lap
earlier in the meal.


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