Rene slid an arm around her shoulders. “We’ll definitely be more careful the next time we sneak away for an afternoon date. Now, if you don’t mind, Mom, Sylvie is expecting Armie to pick her up shortly. She’s got to change and get ready to tour any damage in the parish. I’ve got to get into the office.”
“You should rest.” His mother stood. “You had a rough night. Have you thought about going to the medical center and letting Lila LaVigne look you over? You don’t have to go into the office today.”
Oh, but he did. Being seen around the office and talking about what had happened was part of the plan. “He’s going to take it easy, but he has a big project he’s working on, and he has to wrap it up since he’s going to take a whole week off soon,” Sylvie said. “I want him sitting by the pool with me and not having to sneak away to work. I didn’t get a honeymoon, so I want to be able to pretend.”
“Happy wife, happy life. And we’re both feeling fine.” Rene hugged his mother again. “You get some rest. You all need it. Sylvie and I didn’t sit up all night worrying. We napped a bit, and we’ll call it a day early and be home for supper. But right now, I’m going to change into some proper clothes.”
He was wearing a Guidry’s T-shirt and a pair of basketball shorts that were slightly too big for him. He looked adorable and so unlike himself.
Sylvie crossed to her mother. “I’m going to do the same, and I’ll be by later to get my hair done.”
“You better, honey.” Her mother kissed her cheek. “I’ll make sure Cricket gets some food and takes a nap. You go do your job. Delphine and I will take care of the rest.”
She hoped if everything went to hell that she would have a friendship like her momma and Delphine. How much more would she worry if her mom was alone in the world like Cricket was? It was obvious to her that Louis wanted to argue he could take care of her, but his eyes strayed to where Rene stood.
“I’ll head home myself and get ready for work,” Louis said.
“Good. If you get there first, can you tell Jane I’m going to need her to do some inventory today?” Rene asked.
“Of course.” Louis nodded and patted Cricket’s shoulder. “I hope you ladies have a lovely day.”
There was no way to miss how Cricket’s eyes followed him as he walked to the door.
Oh, there was trouble brewing because Sylvie knew what Rene was going to say next. She’d seen it in his eyes, and she was worried she was the one who’d planted the seed by mentioning how Louis’s care for his mom seemed something more than brotherly.
Rene watched as Louis walked out the door.
She followed him upstairs, though they didn’t say a word until he closed the door to his bedroom.
Then he turned, a grim expression on his face. “He was out there and he didn’t show up here until much later. It could have been him. He already admitted he changed his clothes. And if he’d really been looking for us, he would have come up to the cabin.”
“He explained that. He could see the boat wasn’t there. The lights were off,” Sylvie argued. “Why would Louis do this? He has no reason to want to hurt the company.”
“Unless Charles promised him something,” Rene mused. “I don’t know anything about Louis’s finances. He could have taken some losses and needs the money. Charles could have offered him a better position and more power.”
She stood in front of him, forcing him to look down at her. “Do not make Charles your white whale, Rene. Not everyone is in league with him. Has Louis ever been anything but loyal to you and your parents?”
“No.” Rene took a deep breath and lowered his head to hers. “And it’s unlikely he would be wearing headphones out on the water. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Louis use earbuds, much less those big ones DJs use. You’re right. He could see there wasn’t a boat docked, and our fire had gone out by then. He shouldn’t have been out there any more than my mother. They should have waited for Armie.”
“I seriously doubt you would be able to wait if it was someone you love.” She liked that she seemed to be a calming influence on him. He did listen to her, and that was a big start.
“And your mother is wrong. Your hair is adorable.”
Her hair was a mess, and she was going to have to put it up in a wrap until she could get it fixed. “You are blind, Rene Darois.”
“I see you perfectly well, Sylvie Darois,” he replied and brushed his lips against hers before stepping back. He pulled his T-shirt over his head. “There’s a printer in my office downstairs, and I have the bid saved to my hard drive. I can change it here and it will still look the same at the office. Maybe I can get back out there.”
“I already have to go. I will be perfectly fine switching the bids. Armie will be with me.” Heaven save her from protective men. “If Charles jumps out to attack, Armie is honor bound to save me.”
Rene growled a little, but he hauled her up and into his arms. “You make fun of me at your peril.”
He tossed her on the bed, and she got the feeling her husband had a few things to do before he headed into the office. She knew she should argue with him. She should point out that Armie would be here soon, but he was gorgeous, and she could see every muscle on his chest. He toed out of his shoes and shoved those shorts down, and then she could see everything.
He’d been beautiful by candlelight. He was a work of art in the light of day.
Her mother’s cautions flew straight out of Sylvie’s head as Rene climbed onto his big bed.
“Isn’t this better?” He lowered his body to hers.
“Better than the cabin? Yes,” she replied.
“It’s better than anything,” he whispered before he kissed her.
The trouble was she was starting to agree with him.
chapter nine
Rene stared down at the reports in front of him, but he couldn’t truly think about anything but Sylvie.
Being with her—making her his wife in every sense of the word—had been more satisfying than he could have imagined. He’d had sex before. He’d had girlfriends and lovers, and not a one of them had tied him up in knots the way Sylvie did.
The logical part of him wanted to believe it was because he’d always known she fit him. Even when they were children, Sylvie had been a calming presence in his life. They had always liked each other, and as they’d grown up, they’d developed a chemistry that would serve them well as partners. Like his parents had been. Good partners.
Another part of him was starting to wonder if a partnership would be enough for him. Part of him was wondering if his belief that the idea of love was nothing more than a romantic notion that could get in the way of the good partnership was complete nonsense.