Tender Touch Page 5

  “We did quit. We changed to a later tee-off time. But he shows up every once in a while just to irritate us. Now what about that Lancer job I just asked you about?” Oliver switched back to his favorite subject, Knight and Sons, Inc.

  “We were right on time, Pops. Say, that fishing rod Trent gave you for Father’s Day is gathering dust. We ought to take a trip down to Old River some time.”

  Oliver blew hard. “Sitting outside in the sun all day to catch one little old sorry fish. Forget that!”

  “You need to develop some interests to keep you busy. You used to love collecting stamps and coins. There’s a big show coming to the River Center Saturday.” Damon tried another way to divert his father’s attention to some activity that would make retirement easier for him to accept.

  “Son, when I expanded to five stores here and in Lafayette, I didn’t have time for much else. I put my life’s blood into that business. So don’t think I’m just going to be put out to pasture.” Oliver wagged a finger at his son’s nose.

  “Pops, the doctor made it clear you can’t work anymore. Besides, you’ve more than earned a rest,” Damon said in a calm voice.

  “Hey, I’m your father, not some little kid. Don’t patronize me, young man.”

  “Well, you’re acting like a little boy who won’t take his medicine, the medicine in this case being rest and relaxation.” Damon wanted to laugh at the way his father’s frown deepened into a perfect pout. But he knew better than to give in to that particular urge.

  “Damn doctor. I’ll probably be at his funeral!” Oliver glowered as though the doctor was in the room with them.

  “Pops, the stores are doing fine. I’ve got good managers,” Damon said, knowing that the doctor was not the real issue.

  Oliver jabbed a finger in the air between them. “That doesn’t mean you can just leave everything to them. You’ve got to be a hands-on businessman, son. Many a man has lost everything, letting someone else run this business.”

  Damon groaned inwardly. He did not feel up to one of Oliver’s lectures on running a business. “I know, Pops. Say, Trent came by the store last night. He and Carliss seem to be very serious.” He patted Oliver’s arm. “Before you know it, you’ll have grandchildren running around here.”

  “Hope they have a wedding first,” Oliver grunted. “And that’s another thing; Trent has no sense of family responsibility. He’s letting you run those stores alone.”

  “Come on now.” Damon wondered if there was any subject he would pick that would not lead to complaints.

  “Why in the world he went off on his own is a mystery to me.”

  “Pops, the problem is Trent is too much like you. He’s independent and marches to his own beat.”

  Oliver shook his head. “Yeah, but I never questioned my duty to take over my father’s legacy. A slap in the face is what it is.”

  “Now hold on, Trent has nothing but respect for you, and you know it. Why else does he come to you for advice, even with all your barking at him? And you give it to him.” Damon knew Oliver was just hurt that his younger son wanted to be on his own. Yet Oliver admired Trent’s courage, though he’d never admit it.

  “As for getting married, humph! How many women has he dated in the last two years? Six or seven.” Oliver waved a hand. “I’ll grow old waiting for the boy to settle down.”

  “I don’t know. He’s talking commitment this time.”

  Oliver brushed away his comment with another grunt of skepticism. He twisted around to stare at Damon with an intense expression. “What about you? That Monique Benoit has been asking about you, so your mother says.”

  “That’s right.” Marlene Knight swept into the room, wearing a floor-length lounge dress. Her hair was black without a hint of gray. At fifty-four she moved with the same self-possessed confidence she had at eighteen.

  “Hello, Mother.” Damon gave her a respectful kiss on the cheek. “Hello—and your father is right.” Marlene arranged her dress after sitting down on the love seat across from her husband.

  “Mother, I’m a little old for matchmaking.” Damon swallowed the rising irritation that threatened to force a sharper response.

  As usual, Marlene went on without commenting on his protest. Any disagreement with what she wanted was ignored. “Monique is quite devoted to you. Her parents were in school with us.”

  “Monique is devoted to money more than anything, Mother.”

  “So she’s used to the finer things in life, what’s wrong with that? Her family has been prominent in this city and Point Coupee Parish for the last ninety years. She’s perfect for you, dear.” Marlene ran a hand over her styled hair.

  “Let’s not get into this again,” Damon mumbled low.

  “I heard that.” Marlene tilted her head back to stare at him. “Why shouldn’t you find her attractive? She’s beautiful, smart and from a good family.”

  “Mother—”

  “She comes from the same background as you. Tell him how important that is, Oliver.” Marlene prodded her husband with a darting glance.

  “Philip Benoit has the most successful insurance bonding company in south Louisiana, not to mention a string of funeral homes. Thriving concerns run by all three of his sons,” Oliver said with more than a trace of envy.

  “I know, Pops.” Damon had heard it all before, several times.

  “Just think of what that would mean in terms of advancing African-American presence on the business scene in this state.” Oliver rubbed his hands together in anticipation of forging a commercial empire with his schoolmate Philip Benoit. “Something we could leave our grandchildren with pride.”

  “Choosing the right wife is important,” Marlene added.

  Damon gazed at his parents. Marlene Cormier Knight came from a prominent family in West Baton Rouge Parish. His parents met at a charity ball when they were still in college, she at Xavier University and Oliver home from Morehouse. They married with the approval of their parents, mainly because both were old-money families. She and Oliver weren’t a passionate couple by anyone’s standards.

  Damon wondered how his mother had overcome her distaste for anything as untidy as lovemaking long enough to have two sons. And though Marlene wasn't unfeeling mother, she wasn’t the warm maternal type. Now Damon realized why he’d been so captivated by Rachelle with her penchant for emotional drama. She seemed so gay and warm compared to what he was used to at home. But Rachelle required constant admiration. She resented anything, including his business or commitment to helping others, that took his attention away from her. Her solution had been to find a lover. His mother’s voice cut into the painful memories.

  “So when are you going to call her?” Marlene spoke in a firm tone that was more a command than a question.

  “Remember how you pushed Rachelle and me together for the same reasons, Mother?” Damon said with bitterness.

  “Well, you can’t compare Rachelle to Monique. I mean the Balleaux side is fine, but on her mother’s side...” Marlene shrugged. “They made their money from saloons for goodness’ sakes.”

  Damon barked out a harsh laugh. “Her great-grandfather owned a bar a hundred years ago, Mother. And you didn’t seem to care about her grandfather’s bar when you introduced us ten years ago.”

  “Let’s put that behind us, dear. There is no value in dwelling on the past.” Marlene was untouched by his implied criticism of her.

  “It’s getting late,” Damon said in a clipped tone. “I’ve got a long day ahead of me. Good night.”

  “Call me, son. I want to visit the Thibodaux location since I haven’t been there in a while. I know you’re due to go there next week,” Oliver called after him.

  “Sure, Pops.” Damon did not bother to argue with his stubborn father.

  On the drive to his apartment, Damon mulled over his father’s words. Settling down was something he had been sure he could live without for the foreseeable future. Yet a pair of big brown eyes framed by black hair parted in the middle t
o frame a lovely face had changed all that in a heartbeat. Jade Pellerin inspired a physical reaction so strong Damon could feel it even now. His breath caught just at the tilt of her head in his direction. He wanted to be the one to make her smile. What would it take? Damon imagined the taste of her skin, rich and sweet like expensive chocolate.

  Whoa, brother. This is how you got taken out last time, remember? But even as the thought pushed through the heated fantasy, something told him that Jade was so much more than a fine body. Damon shook his head as though trying to clear the confusion filling it. His head told him not to risk the hurt again. His body and heart said go for it! With a sigh, he determined to steer clear of Ms. Jade Pellerin. That seemed the best plan all around. He would concentrate on his business, making sure his father followed his physician’s orders and expanding his philanthropic interests. Let Eddie meet with her. Damon would make it a point to be too busy.

  “Yeah, I’ll let Eddie keep me informed. Besides, I really should spend time at the store in Thibodaux. Might as well be Thursday night, right?” Damon spoke out loud.

  But as the sound of his voice died in the car, doubt tugged at him. Damon let out a loud groan of exasperation at his own uncontrolled emotions. Jade Pellerin had no idea what trouble she was causing.

  Chapter 3

  Jade watched her sister pace the floor in front of her. They were in Jade’s condo on a Saturday night. Lanessa alternated between being outraged at Alex and blaming their mother for pushing them together.

  “Calm down, Nessa. You’re not making any sense. Now what did Alex do?” Jade was used to her sister’s mood swings, but she’d never seen her this agitated. Something about the way she was behaving caused a small tickle of worry.

  “Said maybe we shouldn’t see each other for a while. Can you believe the nerve of that punk? I’m doing him a favor and he dumps me!” Lanessa pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

  “Uh-huh, not in here you won’t.” Jade snatched it from her hand and went into the powder room. She flushed it down the toilet. “I thought you’d stopped smoking, Nessa.”

  “I’m under stress here. Come on. Just one.” Lanessa fumbled in her purse for the pack again.

  “There are no ashtrays in my house for a reason.” Jade crossed her arms. But she felt a shiver of concern at the way Lanessa’s hands were shaking. “Come over here and sit down.”

  “I need a drink.” Lanessa went to the kitchen and poured herself two fingers of scotch straight up. She downed it in two quick gulps then poured more.

  Jade watched her take a tiny step. “Lanessa, you’ve got to drive home, so slow down.”

  Lanessa smiled at her. She seemed more relaxed. “Hey, I’m steady as a rock.”

  “Lanessa, I’m going to drive you home if you keep this up.”

  “Relax,” Lanessa said with a laugh. “I’m doing okay. And to hell with old Alex.” Her voice shook despite the bold words as a dark look shadowed her features.

  “Did you two have a fight or something?”

  Men had always been a means to an end with her sister. Lanessa got men she wanted and those she did not care about. While Jade felt unattractive and awkward around handsome men, Lanessa was in her element. Lanessa accepted men chasing her as a given. Jade felt a knot of anxiety now, seeing her like this, yet she could not put her finger on what was wrong. Maybe it was just that she’d never seen her beautiful older sister rattled by the rejection of a man. In fact, Jade could think of only a few men who had been unaffected by Lanessa’s beauty, and Nessa had dismissed them anyway since she had so many devoted admirers.

  “No, I mean we disagreed a couple of times.” Lanessa shrugged. She did not offer any more information but looked away from Jade’s questioning gaze.

  “Was the disagreement over something serious?”

  Lanessa stared at her glass and took another sip. “I don’t really remember. Anyway it doesn’t matter now.”

  “You don’t remember? Oh, come on, Nessa. What did you do? I know you have a sharp tongue. Tell me—”

  “Look, forget it, okay?” Lanessa cut her off and started pacing again. “It’s over so it’s pointless to rake up history now. Besides, Keith Darensbourg has been flirting with me for months now. He’s got more money than Alex— the nerd.”

  “Lanessa...” Jade did not like the direction she was headed. “Don’t you think you’re a little old for this wild girl, let’s par- tee act? Not to mention how dangerous jumping from one man to another is these days.”

  This seemed to touch a nerve. “I’m only thirty-four! I’m not old. Look at this body. There are eighteen-year-olds who work out every day to look like this,” Lanessa said, her voice rising with each word.

  “I didn’t say you were old—”

  “There are men younger than me who have thrown platinum credit cards down to get my attention. I am not old.” Lanessa stood with her feet apart in front of Jade.

  Jade stood to face her. She was annoyed and troubled at the same time by her reaction. “Get a grip, sister. You’ve still got men breaking out in a sweat just by walking by. I’m talking about maturity up here—” Jade tapped her forehead “—not chronological age.”

  Lanessa glared at her for a few moments, and then slumped down into the chair opposite the sofa. “Don’t pay attention to my ranting, Jade-girl. I’m just stressed out with work. Not only is this thing with Alex getting on my nerves, but my boss is on my case now.”

  “Listen to me; it’s just your pride that’s hurt. You didn’t even care for Alex that much. You said so yourself only a few days ago.”

  “You’re right.” Lanessa chewed on a fingernail for a few seconds before realizing she would ruin her expensive silk wrap. “Let me pull it together, acting stupid over Alex of all men.” She gave a brittle laugh.

  “Tell you what; let’s go get something to eat. I’ll drive.” Jade got up and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

  “I guess, but I’m not that hungry.”

  “You will be when we get to Bamboo Gardens. They’ve got a shrimp and snow peas entree that is fantastic.” Jade got her purse and car keys.

  “Chinese would be good. I don’t want anything heavy. Gotta keep this fine frame for Keith.” Lanessa stood and pulled at her form-fitting dress.

  “Lanessa, what did I just say about that?” Jade put both hands on her hips.

  Lanessa laughed. “I know, I know. But I can still let him savor what he might get in the future. You know he’s on the board of Louisiana National Bank?”

  “Oh Lanessa!” Jade shook her head with a chuckle.

  For the rest of the evening, Lanessa seemed her old self again. Jade began to think she had been imagining things. Her sister was fine. They talked on about a variety of subjects since Lanessa knew all the gossip about the prominent families around town.

  “And Mrs. Louvillier was bragging on her daughter. You know how she is, ‘Queisah did this and Queisah did that.’” Lanessa spoke in an exaggerated imitation of a patrician accent.

  Jade rolled her eyes. “She is sickening with that snob act.” “Well, finally Mama looked at her and said, ‘I’m so glad to hear Quiesah’s doing better after that unfortunate library incident. So they let her return this semester?”

  “No—she didn’t!” Jade sat forward.

  “She did. Mama smiled at her in that way she has, and Mrs. Louvillier kept her mouth shut for the rest of the luncheon.” Lanessa sat back with a grin. “Of course then everybody started whispering about how the librarian caught Queisah with some guy, panties down around her ankles, back in the history stacks. She got kicked out of school.”

  Jade wiped her tears from her eyes. “Stop, please.” She gasped for air in-between giggles.

  “And then there’s—”

  “You are too much. Now hush before I choke.” Jade took a long drink of water to recover. “Is there anything you don’t know?”

  “Sure. I don’t know why it’s Saturday night and a fine lady like you is out with her
sister.” Lanessa looked at her.

  “You don’t have a date, either. So there.”

  “I have an excuse. Don’t try to change the subject back to me. Why are you making yourself suffer?”

  Jade let out a sigh. “I’m not suffering. I’m taking time to get myself together is all.”

  “Almost two years without a man? Please! That’s some kind of self-penance.”

  “A year and a half. And not everyone thinks grabbing the next available man is the way to recover from a failed relationship,” Jade retorted.

  “I know you, sister. You’re scared of choosing the wrong man again. Nick was a self-centered you-know-what who made himself feel big by putting you down. But you can do better.”

  “Yeah, right.” Jade pushed her teaspoon around in a circle. “I don’t think I’ll get serious about anyone else anytime soon.”

  “Are you telling me there isn’t one man in this town worth having? No way.”

  “Why do women always end up talking about men whenever they get together?” Jade said.

  “Because as much as we complain about them, they are endlessly fascinating. Face it; there are some brothers that leave a mighty big impression.” Lanessa picked up her menu. “We even love sitting around fussing about them.”

  Jade could not block the image of Damon Knight that flashed in her mind. His strong jaw, the way his eyes brightened when he smiled came back to her with a vividness that made her heart speed up. This was not the first time she’d thought of him in the past few days since their first meeting. She would see him in a few short days. Her lips curved up as she remembered something funny he’d said the other evening at Uncle Joe’s.

  “Hel-loo,” Lanessa said as she waved her hand in front of Jade’s face. “The waitress is ready for your order.”

  Jade blinked up at the woman standing with pen poised over her pad. “Uh, I’ll take a number sixteen.”

  Lanessa was quiet until the waitress left. “My oh my, little sister. Whoever he is, go for it if he sends you into a daze like that.” She leaned across the table.