Leopard's Prey

wrapped his arm around her, aware everyone in the room who knew him—and it was most of the customers—would consider that gesture one of proprietorship. Bijou obviously considered it a casual gesture and she relaxed against him.
    “Booth or table, Remy?”
    Remy smiled affectionately at the dark-skinned waitress with bright eyes and a ready smile. “Give us a booth if you can, Thereze, somewhere we can sit where no one will notice us.”
    Thereze burst out laughing. “I think it’s a little too late for that, Remy.”
    He looked around, and dozens of cell phones were up in the air, snapping pictures. He heaved a sigh as many of those in the café began texting furiously.
    “Follow me, and I’ll do my best.” Thereze tossed Bijou a smile over her shoulder as she led them through the café toward the back. “Before you leave, you’ll have to autograph somethin’, even if it’s a napkin, for my husband, Emile. He’s the cook here and trust me, honey, he’s your biggest fan.”
    Bijou nodded. “Of course. I’d be happy to do that.”
    “Maybe a picture with him to put up on the wall,” Thereze added. “We own this place, and he’d be over the moon if you did that for him.”
    Bijou’s body brushed against his. Remy looked down at her. Her smile was fixed in place and genuine, but the tension in her body belied her expression.
    “No problem,” she agreed, but her smoky voice had dropped another octave.
    Remy waited until they were seated, had menus and Thereze had bustled off to get them water and bread. “Will it really bother you to have your picture taken with Emile? I’ve known him for nearly my entire life and he’s a good man.”
    Bijou shrugged, avoiding his eyes by looking at the menu. “Of course not. I said I would, didn’ I?”
    She sounded casual and sweet, even to his highly trained ears. Still, he didn’t believe her. He reached across the table, pushing down the menu with one hand and tipping up her chin with the other, forcing her head up, forcing her vivid blue eyes to meet his.
    “Tell me. I’m okay with you bullshittin’ anyone else you feel you need to, but not me. What is it?”
    Her gaze drifted over his face, taking him in. Deciding. There was a moment of hesitation but he refused to release her. He simply waited.
    “I don’ mind takin’ a picture with anyone,” she said, her accent thickening, “but you have no idea what one picture will start.” She gave a little shrug. “No matter. If the food is good, it’ll be well worth it.”
    That little half smile, so secretive, told him she wasn’t exaggerating. Something was going to happen once she took a picture with Emile.
    “I’m not goin’ to leave you here alone, Blue,” he assured. “Whatever it is, you won’ be alone.”
    “Tell me that after I’m here a few hours.”
    “Hours?”
    She nodded her head. “The nice people come first, askin’ for an autograph. Then the more bold ones askin’ for a picture. And then the ones who believe I owe them somethin’ because they listened to Bodrie’s music, or mine. In the middle of all of that, will be the really ugly ones who want to give me lectures and tell me I’ve never had talent and I’m skatin’ on my daddy’s fame.” She shrugged again.
    He let go of her chin, scowling. “If that really happens, why the hell are you runnin’ around without a damned bodyguard?”
    Her long lashes fluttered for a moment, and then lifted. Her blue eyes laughed at him. “I thought I
was
runnin’ around with a bodyguard.”
    “I’m bein’ serious.”
    Thereze put two glasses of water in front of them and poured a cup of coffee for Remy as she lifted an eyebrow at Bijou in inquiry.
    Bijou smiled at her as she nodded. “I’d forgotten how strong the coffee is in New Orleans,” she admitted. “The heat and the coffee.”
    “And mosquitoes,” Thereze added.
    Bijou nodded again in agreement. “The mosquitoes, although I’ve noticed they don’ bother me quite as much as other people. It’s rare for me to get even a single bite. Something to do with my blood, or my scent. Whatever it is, I’m happy about that.”
    “Somethin’ else?” Thereze asked.
    “I’m fine, thank you.”
    Remy waited until the waitress moved away. “Blue, why would you go around without a bodyguard if people do you that way?” He wasn’t about to let it drop. She couldn’t tease her way out of the question. He wanted an answer. She was as elusive as the wind, but not