It was a warm, breezy night. Since his hotel was located in the French Quarter and only three blocks away, Gideon decided to walk to Henrietta’s. After a plate of the best shrimp and grits in town, Gideon was ready to enjoy a cognac and some live blues at his friend’s jazz bar, Maison Bourbon.

Bourbon Street was crawling with tourists. Loud music escaped from the bars, and the smell of Cajun food was in the air. Gideon maneuvered through the sea of people and marveled at how much the quarter had changed since he and his family arrived at, what was then, a French colony. Since the quarter was developed, it had always been perceived as an area of ill repute. There was no shortage of booze, brothels, and burlesque halls, but there was still a modicum of class. However, as Gideon walked the crowded street past strip clubs that boasted, “Barely Legal,” he realized that discretion and decorum was a thing of the past. Honestly, what kind of man would want a barely legal bedmate?

A fucking pedophile!

Gideon entered the patio bar. Since it was still pretty early, the band hadn’t begun to play. He surveyed the crowd as he headed straight for the private corner reserved for Alice, the owner. He took a seat and slid across the soft leather and looked around for his friend. Alice was a tough bitch. Because of her beauty, many had mistakenly underestimated her strength, but Alice could hold her own in business and battle.

“Gideon, hello,” Mona, the waitress, greeted as she wiped the table down.

“Mona,” he acknowledged with a nod. “How are you tonight?”

“I’m just fine, sir. Would you like your usual?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’d like that very much.”

“Right away, sir.”

Mona smiled and winked flirtatiously before departing. Gideon sat back in his seat and watched the alternating bounce of her round sexy ass. Mona was a looker, and Gideon found himself wondering why he had never taken a bite out of her apple.

Gideon rarely got involved with natives of New Orleans. The city just wasn’t big enough, and certain women could be hard to shake.

“What the fuck are you doing in here on a weekday? Don’t you gotta job, boy?”

Gideon looked up, recognizing Alice’s voice. She tossed a towel over her shoulder and threw her hands on her hips. Her bright green eyes sparkled with mischief, and her fiery, red hair was tossed over one shoulder. She was wearing a lime green tank top and tight leather leggings. Alice was not only beautiful, she had presence. Even as Gideon patted the seat next to him, he knew that all eyes were on his friend.

“Sit down and shut up!”

Even though Alice sat as instructed, she narrowed her eyes and said, “Don’t you be tellin’ me what to do in my own place, wolf!”

Gideon kissed the top of her head. “How are you, bebe? How are things?”

“Same ole shit, different toilet. Really? What brings you out?”

“Had a light afternoon, so I had dinner over at Henrietta’s.”

“Well, it’s good to see you. Every time you bring your handsome tail in here, you do wonders for boosting my female clientele.”

“Well, I’m here to serve.”

Gideon chuckled, looking around, noticing a few eyes on him. But before he could make eye contact with a willing and eager tourist, Mona returned to the table with a bottle of his favorite cognac. Before he could show his appreciation, his limbs suddenly went stiff. His skin became uncomfortably heated, and it felt as if he was being pricked by thousands of tiny needles. Gideon clutched his chest, attempting to calm his racing heart. What he was feeling wasn’t pain, but an ache, a longing. In that instant, he could no longer smell the intermingling of perfumes and colognes. He could no longer smell the booze and beignets. The customary aroma of the French Quarter was no more. Only one scent filled the air, but it was unfamiliar.

“Gideon?” Alice called out. “Gideon, darlin’, are you okay?”

“Wh–what’s happening to me?”

Gideon jumped to his feet, knocking the bottle out of Mona’s hands. It crashed to the ground, prompting others to look in his direction. Gideon sniffed the air and searched for the cause of his body’s strange reaction.

There she was.

She was standing no more than ten feet away, staring at him with big, beautiful hazel eyes. She was wearing a bright, yellow dress that showed just enough cleavage to startle Gideon’s cock. In that instant, he knew she was the cause.

“Gideon?”

“I’m fine, Alice. I just need some air.”

“Gideon, you’re outside!” Alice huffed, pointing out the obvious.

Ignoring his friend, Gideon moved closer to the woman. The patio quieted instantly. Well, at least in Gideon’s mind. Her presence was consuming. To others, she might have been a normal, attractive woman but to Gideon, she was breathtaking. Auburn hair, copper skin, hazel eyes, and pouty lips made it hard for him to look away. Although he was sure he’d never met her, something about the woman was strangely familiar.

“Aww, well now, I see what’s going on here. Ha! Well, it’s about time,” Alice mused.

Gideon didn’t respond to her comment because he didn’t want to have the conversation. Instead, he said, “She’s with the old lady’s granddaughter. She’s one of them. I can tell by looking at her.”

“Umm-hmm, and she’s also your future,” Alice added. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go on over there.”

Unfortunately, before he could make up his mind, the woman turned and left the courtyard. Gideon wanted to follow her, but since his body was reacting unpredictably, he decided against it. Besides, he knew exactly where to find her. He’d be paying the woman a visit soon enough.