Page 11 of Beast of the Bayou

I search her eyes. There's sadness in them. The same sadness I see every time I look in the mirror. But who would ever bring sorrow to such a beautiful, delicate creature? "Please, call me Solomon."

"Okay. Solomon." She smiles. "Well…I'll see you for lunch. The sunroom—one o'clock?"

"Sure." I nod.

She glides her hand down my arm and brings it back to her side. Just that quickly, I already long for the touch of her. With a little wave, she walks off. And I stand there, watching her until she disappears down the staircase.

Chapter 6: Lila

"He said yes." I beam.

"Ohh!" Ms. Lenora grabs both of my hands with a grateful smile. "Wonderful. I knew he would."

"I'm so nervous," I admit with a slow exhale.

"Don't be. He's a sweet boy and you're a sweet girl." She gives my hand a pat before letting go. "I'll make lunch. You don't have to worry about a thing."

"Are you sure?" I ask.

She touches my cheek warmly. "I am."

Several hours later, I'm in my room getting ready. I feel as giddy as a teenager going on her first date. Except this isn't a date. This is just two people having lunch. An employer and employee. An extremely fine employer who I'd like to mount like a horse; but, an employer, nonetheless. I run my hands through my smoothed down ponytail and try to breathe out the nerves.

The feel of soft fur draws my attention to my feet. Expressive golden eyes stare up at me, his tail swishing around my ankles. This is probably the most beautiful cat I've ever seen—a gray British Shorthair.

Crouching down, I gently stroke behind his ear. "Hi, handsome. You're just 'bout the prettiest kitty I've ever seen, you know that?" I coo. He purrs contentedly, nuzzling himself deeper into my palm. And I swear the damn cat is actually smiling. I laugh. "Are you smiling at me?"

He meows. Then—"Yes."

I jerk my hand back in shock. "What the hell?"

Edgar just stares at me, his head tilted as if he's amused.

I stare back, mouth parted. No. I didn't hear that. I'm just tired from being up half the night, adjusting to the idea of living in a possible haunted house, and trying not to fantasize about my boss. "I'm just tired," I mumble straightening. I shake my arms out to loosen the tension. After applying clear gloss, I head out with Edgar right on my heels.

The sunroom is on the main level in the back of the house. It overlooks the gardens and the bayou beyond. A lovely area where the sun seems to hit just right, bathing everything in a warm, golden glow. There's a round wooden table set for two and the smell coming from it has my stomach growling. Edgar leaps onto one of the empty chairs. I walk toward the table smoothing my dress out once more.

"You smell nervous."

Jumping, I turn around. Solomon stands in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed on me. He's changed, and is now wearing a button-down rolled up to his forearms and dark slacks that do nothing to hide the muscles in his thighs and the bulge in his slacks.

I smile. "Um, I wasn't aware that nerves had a scent."

He lets out a slight shrug. "I have a very sensitive nose."

I snort back a laugh. "What are you…part wolf or something?"

I hear a snicker, and look back. If I didn't know any better I would think the sound came from Edgar.

"Why would you say that?" Solomon's voice darkens.

I turn back to him to see his eyes narrowing. "You're listening to the rumors? You think that I'm some kind of…beast?" he spits out.

"What?" I press my hand to my chest, taken aback by his defensiveness. "That's not what I meant. It was just a joke." I take a step forward. He takes one back. "Solomon—" my voice softens. "I was just kidding. I'm sorry. I don't know anything about any rumors. Honestly."

He stares at me for a moment before his head drops down. "Maybe this was a bad idea," he says low.

I approach him. He doesn't step away this time but his head is still down. Boldly, I reach up and place my finger under his chin, to lift his head. And he looks at me with eyes that almost shatter my heart. I've never seen a man look so dejected. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to tease you. Of course I don’t think you're a beast. I think you're just a man who's misunderstood and alone. But…you don’t have to be anymore."