Bayou Reunion
by Rebecca York

To his surprise, Chase Melancon has inherited the Belle Vista plantation in Louisiana. Old man Rousseau left him the grand mansion rather than leaving it to his grandsons, so Chase is preparing for trouble. But when Chase discovers that Julienne Rousseau is living in Belle Vista and needs his help, he knows he's in way over his head...

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Return of the Warrior

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Julienne wet her parched lips. What if I wanted you to stay here? What if I wanted you to hold me...but I was pretty sure I couldn't give you any more than that?"

Her whole body tensed as she waited to hear his answer to that. It came swiftly.

"You don't have to give me anything, chère. You only have to let me shield you from your nightmares."

His eyes were fixed on her as he took a step toward her and then another. Each step closed a little more of the space between them until he was standing beside the bed.

He towered over her, and for a moment she felt her chest tighten.

"Can I sit down?"

"Yes," she managed.

She was vividly conscious of his weight making the mattress shift. Then he scooted across the bed and joined her, sitting with his back against the wall.

Lazily he stretched out his legs and leaned comfortably back.

She stayed where she was for long moments - watching him - wondering if she could really handle this. Then, before she could change her mind, she closed the distance between them, pressing her shoulder against his.

Slowly, giving her time to escape, he turned toward her. When she stayed where she was, he opened his arms, and she moved into them, moved so that she was pressed against the solid wall of his chest. With a small sigh, she let her eyes drift closed and her head fall to his shoulder. She breathed in his scent, snuggled into the warmth of his body. The strong arms that circled her shoulders were like a refuge.

"Oh, Chase," she murmured. "I missed you so much."

His hand stroked over her hair. "Did you?"

"Yes." She paused. "I wouldn't lie to you about that. Or anything else."

"I know."

She dragged in a breath and let it out in a rush. "But downstairs, when you asked if I'd seen my brothers here -"

He cut her off before she could finish the sentence. "I wasn't accusing you of anything. I was just frustrated, and I guess I was taking it out on you. I'm sorry. I won't do that again."

She nodded against his shoulder.

"And you won't run away from me. Deal?"

"Yes," she breathed.

"Because I've missed you, too."

"Did you? Why?"

"Are you fishing for compliments?"

"Maybe."

"You don't need to fish. I'll give them freely. You're more beautiful than the last time I saw you, and you're so brave."

"I'm a coward."

"If you were a coward, you wouldn't be here in my arms." He turned his head, stroked his lips against her cheek, her hair. "I'll hold you as long as you want me," he whispered.

Forever, she thought dreamily. If she could just stay in his arms forever, she would be content.

He made no demands on her, only held her and stroked her, and after a time she realized she wanted more.

"Chase?"

"Umm?"

"I want to kiss you."

"You don't have to ask permission."

"I know. But I want...you to understand...." She stopped, swallowed. "I mean...I don't think I can go any further than that. But I want to try. So much."

To be continued...



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