A Woman to Treasure Page 4

  Your parents won’t ever complain, but they miss you.”

  “I left Pia working on something before I left, but even if it

  pans out, it’ll keep me close to home. It might turn out to be

  total fiction.” She added sugar to her cup and stirred. There

  was only a need for milk with Louisiana-strength coffee. “If it

  isn’t a complete fantasy, then some treasures are still close to

  home.”

  “Good. I’ll keep up the research on my end for the next

  major auctions.”

  “You should think about bringing Gran. I’m sure a

  romantic trip to Paris or London is something she’d jump at.”

  Their flight was announced, and she picked up their bags

  while her grandfather paid the bill.

  “When you get married, kid, you need to plan romance all

  the time, not just trips. That is a good idea, though.”

  The weather was perfect and they got back to New Orleans

  forty minutes ahead of schedule. They shared a car back and

  she sat with her grandmother for an hour before walking

  across the street to her home. The Montbard home in the

  French Quarter had been in their family as long as the Quarter

  had existed. Her grandparents lived there now, and her parents

  lived next door in what was once the carriage house for the

  servants of another large house on the block. That location and

  the place Levi lived were purchased in the early 1900s.

  She flicked her lights on in the foyer and saw the neat piles

  of mail on the antique table that was older than the house. Her

  assistant, Pia Adler, was the most efficient person she’d ever

  come across and had to be responsible for the blatant display

  of OCD.

  “You should’ve called. I would’ve made dinner.” Pia sat

  behind the library desk in the study with Levi’s checkbook

  open. Levi trusted Pia with everything, whether she was out of

  town or not.

  “If I’d done that, I couldn’t take you out.” She dropped her

  briefcase and carry-on by the door and walked over to kiss

  Pia’s cheeks.

  “You’ve been gone forever, so I know going out isn’t on

  your list of wishes tonight.” Pia pinched Levi’s lips together

  and smiled. “Don’t try lying, it’s unbecoming.”

  “How about takeout from Irene’s and we open a bottle of

  wine? The cases arrived, didn’t they?” She opened the wall

  safe and dropped her remaining cash and her passport inside,

  along with the inventory invoices for what was coming from

  Peru. Another bag of Templar coins she’d purchased went in

  as well.

  “There’s one breathing in the kitchen, and George should

  be here in fifteen minutes with our delivery.” Pia placed the

  large binder back in the desk drawer and took her hand. Levi

  didn’t mind being dragged to her kitchen. “Did you have fun?”

  “My grandfather is always fun. South America was hot as

  the sun, but survivable. The additions to our inventory were

  worth the heat rash.” She accepted a glass from Pia and

  followed directions to sit at the long farmer’s table. Three

  places were already set. “Did you get anywhere with the book

  I left you?”

  “I had a whole month,” Pia said, sounding somewhat

  offended. “Of course I did. The location doesn’t make sense,

  though, so don’t get too excited.”

  “The weird locations are the ones that usually get us

  somewhere. Give me the details.” The knock that echoed

  through the house from the heavy bronze knocker shaped like

  an anchor made her put her hand up. “Hold on. I’ll get that.”

  George stood with two bags and the big smile he was

  seldom without, and it brightened when he saw her. He

  worked for them as a jack-of-all-trades and never minded

  running errands like this even when she’d told him he was free

  to decline. Every time, he’d nod and then offer to do

  something not in his job description.

  “Levi!” He hugged her even with the bags in his arms.

  George was in his late fiftiesbut had an intellectual

  disability, so they were all protective of him. His mother had

  been their bookkeeper for years, and at her death Levi’s

  parents had become responsible for him. George lived in

  Levi’s guest cottage and he treated her like a little sister.

  “Hey, George.” She kissed his cheek and hugged him back.

  “You okay?”

  “I missed you, and I told Miss Pia I could ride my bike

  okay. See?” He held up the bags as proof of the independence

  his bike gave him.

  “She worries because she loves you, we all do, but you did

  a great job. Come in and eat. Pia always orders a lot.” Levi

  took one of the bags so she could hold his hand as they walked

  to the back of the house.

  “Did she order peanut butter and strawberries?”

  There was a sandwich and a glass of milk at the table when

  they entered, and Pia winked at her. George was a creature of

  habit who only liked to eat three things on a rotating basis. He

  started his days with two scrambled eggs, followed by a plain

  hamburger for lunch and a peanut butter with strawberry jam

  sandwich for his nightly meal. All three meals had to be

  served with a glass of milk.

  “Would I forget you?” Pia asked as George hugged her.

  “Sit and talk to Levi while I get all this ready.”

  She had fun telling them about the ruins and the large

  number of snakes that seemed to protect them. George

  appeared to hang on every word, and Pia was right there with

  him. Both of them smiled when she dug out two gifts from her

  carry-on and handed them over.

  George was thrilled with the two books about pirates she’d

  found, and Pia kissed her for the pearl and diamond brooch

  she’d bought at auction. Pia wore a light sweater every day no

  matter how hot or cold it was, and always with one of her

  numerous brooches.

  “It’s beautiful.” Pia took off the jade one she wore and

  replaced it with the new one. “Thank you.”

  “I couldn’t resist.” She yawned, unable to help it, and

  George excused himself. He left through the back, and Levi

  helped Pia clean up. “It’s late. You should stay.”

  “Are you sure?” Pia wasn’t with anyone, and she knew

  Levi wasn’t in the mindset to settle down anytime soon. It was

  a perfect arrangement. “You’re not tired?”

  “There’s always tomorrow, but you need to be here for me

  to do anything about it.”

  They stood in the moonlight of her bedroom and undressed

  each other before Levi kissed her. This relationship, or

  whatever it was, had been initiated by Pia, and Pia was hard to

  resist. Levi had tried somewhat at first because she didn’t want

  to lose a good friend if the sex ever got in the way, but Pia had

  argued they were two adults who knew better.

  The exhaustion of travel melted away at the sight of Pia’s

  naked body. Levi turned her around so Pia’s back was to her

  front, cupped Pia’s breasts, and got closer. Pia dropped her

  head back and gazed up at her. They didn’t do this often

  enough for Levi to know everything about Pia, but she

  recognized the expression. Naked desire was hard to miss.

  “You’ve lost weight, but you’re still perfect.” Pia reached

  up and grabbed a fistful of hair at the back of Levi’s head.

  “I’m far from perfect, but I am in the perfect place right

  now.” Levi brought her hands down slowly, wanting to enjoy

  the feel of Pia’s skin as she made her way to the hot wetness

  she knew was there.

  Women really were God’s gift, and she never took

  moments like this for granted. Commitment to only one was a

  long way off, and the lack of happily ever after didn’t take

  away from intimate experiences. She loved and respected

  women, and she absolutely loved making them feel good. Sex

  wasn’t ever just sex, and the best thing about it was how every

  experience was different.

  “Are you going to make me beg?” Pia rocked her hips back

  and forth, chasing Levi’s fingers as she pulled her hair harder.

  Levi bit gently on Pia’s neck as she moved her hand more

  firmly between Pia’s legs. They both stopped when her fingers

  reached Pia’s clit. “You’re so wet.” It was stating the obvious,

  but it deserved mentioning. To get a woman this turned on

  made her want to beat her chest a little, but she wasn’t quite

  that egotistical.

  “It’s been so long.” Pia sounded winded, and she squeezed

  Levi’s wrist to the point of pain. “You know what dating is

/>   like these days.”

  “Do you want me to swipe right, baby?” She moved her

  fingers and smiled at the loud moan Pia let out. It ricocheted

  through her chest, and she didn’t want to keep Pia waiting for

  another moment. She turned her around and held her when Pia

  moved to wrap her legs around her.

  “Stay up here with me,” Pia said when Levi went to move

  down once they were on the bed.

  Levi held Pia against her as she entered her with two

  fingers and stroked to the rhythm Pia set. “Oh, oh…oh.” Pia

  closed her eyes. “Ah, fuck,” she said loudly when she stopped

  moving and came. She rested her head on Levi’s shoulder as

  she caught her breath. “Why can’t I find someone like you

  who wants to marry me?”

  The question made Levi chuckle. Though she was still

  young, all Pia wanted was the wedding, the kids, and someone

  who turned her on to share it all with. That she hadn’t found

  that person in all her dating experiences frustrated her, but Pia

  also wasn’t one to settle. Until the right butch with nesting

  tendencies came along, she was fine with the occasional

  dinner with the happy ending Levi provided.

  Levi had never had those desires. The example of

  successful relationships she had in her parents and

  grandparents meant when she picked, it would be forever. Her

  family never pressured her—that she did herself—and right

  now this was all she wanted. Gratification without having to

  play house.

  “They’re out there, and whoever it is will be loads better

  than me.”

  Pia moved to lie on top of her and rested her chin on Levi’s

  chest. “Don’t knock yourself. Except for the fact you aren’t the

  one,” Pia made air quotes, “you’re pretty awesome.”

  “It’ll be a sad day when you do find your match.” She

  raised her head and kissed the tip of Pia’s nose.

  “You’re good at flattery, Levi Montbard, and since most

  women suck, I hope you don’t mind providing stud services. It

  keeps me sane.”

  She laughed, knowing there wasn’t any worry of

  misunderstanding that could come between them. Pia was a

  special woman. It wouldn’t take much longer for someone to

  realize that, and then their time together at work would have to

  do.

  “Go to sleep and we’ll talk about your sanity in the

  morning.”

  Pia moved off her but kissed her again. “Are you sure you

  want to go to sleep now?”

  “You’re sexy as hell, but if I yawn in the middle of a good

  time I’ll never forgive myself. I’m exhausted.” She held Pia

  and relaxed at the way Pia ran her fingers along her abdomen

  in a circle. The last thing on her mind before she fell asleep

  was the scrolls. There had to be something there, but they’d

  have to wait. She’d continue the chase for as long as she had

  life left in her.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Yasmine moved her head from side to side to try and work out

  the pain from keeping her head down over the file Nabil had

  given her. She had another five hours to New York, and Zara

  was sleeping. Being able to fall unconscious as soon as the

  plane was wheels up was a talent Yasmine didn’t possess. Zara

  looked cute with the bit of drool at the corner of her mouth.

  The only blessing of a ten-hour flight was the first-class

  ticket Tulane had provided, and she’d paid Zara’s fare so they

  could enjoy the entire trip together. There weren’t that many

  people in their section, which meant no line at the restroom.

  She stood and stretched before making her way to the front.

  “Can I get you anything, Dr. Hassani?” The attendant had

  been by her seat every thirty minutes asking the same

  question. It gave her the impression he was interested in more

  than serving her a drink. Before she fell asleep Zara had teased

  her about it.

  “No, thank you.” She was polite but standoffish. It didn’t

  dent his enthusiasm. “Excuse me.”

  He still didn’t move. “I have three days in New York.

  Where would you like to have dinner?”

  “Blanchard’s.”

  “I’ve never heard of it.”

  “It’s in New Orleans, and you’re the last person I’d like to

  go with.” She pushed him aside and stepped into the restroom.

  “And I don’t want to see you again during this flight or at any

  other time. Some women might find this strong come-on

  flattering, but I’m not one of them.”

  The female attendant smiled at her and handed her a cup of

  tea when she came out. “I’ll be by later with your meal, but let

  me know if you need anything. I promise I won’t be a

  nuisance.”

  They landed and were through customs in plenty of time to

  make their connecting flight a few hours later. The heat when

  they stepped out of the New Orleans airport reminded her of

  home. Hot temperatures had never bothered her, but the

  humidity made her glad she’d packed cool clothing.

  “We have time for a walk through the French Quarter

  before dinner,” Zara said.

  Yasmine allowed herself to be pulled toward the car that

  the university had sent. By Moroccan standards New Orleans

  was a new blip in history, but from what she’d read, it was

  very different from the rest of the country. The driver gave

  them a brief rundown of the city and what she needed to do to

  get a ride to campus.

  The man carried their bags inside the townhome they were

  being provided and pointed out everything they’d need. They

  changed and headed out to see all the sights Zara had put on

  her list. An hour later they stopped for a drink and some cool

  air.

  “Live a little, as the Americans say,” Zara said, tapping the

  drink menu. “I promise I didn’t pack Mama in my bag. I won’t

  tell anyone if you have a drink.”

  “Give me a day before you start corrupting me.” She

  laughed but ordered a white wine, not yet ready to try the

  hurricane Zara had ordered.

  “Is there any way we can stay longer than the two weeks

  you signed up for?” Zara sucked on the straw and hummed in

  apparent pleasure. “This place is wonderful.”

  “You only have two years left on your master’s degree.

  Why don’t you take a gap year before you go on to your

  doctorate?” She took a sip of her wine and kept her eyes on

  Zara. Sometimes her expression was the only way to know

  what she was thinking. “Or is that not in your plans any

  longer?”

  “I’d rather work through it and finish, but I do dream every

  so often of finishing somewhere else.” Zara’s head was down,

  and Yasmine understood every emotion she was feeling.

  “In my class I try to teach the history of women in our

  world, but the real lesson is how we fit into a world that hasn’t

  quite caught up to us.” She reached over and covered Zara’s

  hand with hers. “What you need to learn is to be happy and

  tune out the objections of others. If finishing somewhere else

  will make you happy, then do it.”

  “It’s kind of hard to tune Mama out.”

  “Mama has her own life, and she has no right to live yours.

  Decide what it is you want, and I’ll help you get it.”

  “If I tell them I want to study abroad, they’ll cut me off.”

  “I have enough money, so that won’t be a problem. The

  only problem you have now is walking a straight line after you

  finish that drink.”

  They laughed together as they kept walking toward Canal

  Street. Their driver had said Canal was the dividing line

  between the Quarter and the Uptown and Garden District

  neighborhoods. The street they were on was lined with

  restaurants and antique stores. One in particular caught

  Yasmine’s attention not because of the larger space, but