CHAPTER TEN
Theresa winced as she walked into wedding reception. It was almost embarrassing to think about all the things Levi had done to her last night and this morning. Almost.
A smile lit up her face as she thought of his words: I love you, Theresa. Her heart had exploded with joy when he breathed the words into the air. She hadn't said them back, but she'd plastered her lips on his, conveying how she felt about him in that kiss.
Nothing could get her down today. It had started by waking up to Levi sliding his cock inside her body, his lips planting small kisses on the back of her neck. An orgasm ripped through her body and her eyes crossed for a few seconds. There was some regret they'd waited all this time to admit their true feelings for each other.
Bridgette and Robert's wedding had been beautiful. They'd written their own unique vows. As they declared their love and committed their lives to each other, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. It was a beautiful and moving ceremony. And now it was time for the party.
"Hey girl, what table are you at?" Angela said as she came to stand next to Theresa.
Theresa smiled as she took in the guests walking into the classically decorated ballroom. "Um, table ten, I think. What about you?"
Cecilia came up to them as they scanned the room.
"I'm at table eight, which is right in front of you," Angela's brow creased after looking down at her table card.
"Hmmm, I'm at table nine," Cecilia said, placing her table card in her small clutch. "Okay, it looks like Bridgette is up to something." Squinting her eyes, she looked around the room at where the other guests were sitting.
"What do you mean?" Theresa was paying little attention to her friends. She was looking for Levi.
"Because I think Angela is at the table with Patrick. I'm at the table with Heath. And that means you're at the table with Levi," she finished, pointing in the direction of their tables. Patrick and Heath stood talking to a group of men, as if preparing to sit down.
"Oh, shit. She did that on purpose. Bridgette is matchmaking again," Angela huffed.
"What are you guys going on about now? Who's at what table?" Theresa had gotten distracted when she saw Levi walking in the room. He was talking to a beautiful brunette who had come as a guest of Robert's.
At first, it didn't seem like anything to be concerned with, until the brunette put her hand on Levi's arm. She'd stopped him from going any further in the room and said something that caused him to smile. Not just any smile, but a smile she knew meant he was interested in what the woman offered.
Looking down at her watch, she noted the time and her stomach dropped. Time was up. Panic started to set in.
Look at me, Levi. Turn around. See me! She repeated the words in her head as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. This couldn't be happening.
"Theresa. What's wrong? Why do you look like that?" Cecilia called out to her.
"Oh shit, look over there." She heard Angela say the words. Knew they were seeing what she saw. Knew her heartache was visible all over her face.
"Theresa," Angela said louder, adding a pinch to it.
"Ow," Theresa gasped in pain, turning away from the woman trying to drape her form all over Levi. "Why'd you do that?" Rubbing her skin, she frowned at her friend.
"Stop looking over there. It's not what you think," her friend said.
"I don't know what you mean," she managed to say without breaking down in tears. Was it all a lie? Was the potion real, and Levi's feelings weren't?
She knew she should have never played around with fate. Now what was she supposed to do?
After all that happened this weekend, he was so easily ensnared by another woman?
"Yes, you know exactly what I mean. Do you not think we know where you've been these last few days? We know you and Levi have been together. Hell, we've known almost the entire time." Cecilia rubbed Theresa's arm as they both surrounded her.
"We know something was different about this weekend. The two of you...well, we know if you weren't with us, you were with him. Just don't make assumptions. We know what you're thinking and I'm telling you to wait. Give him time to explain."
Theresa nodded her head. It was the only thing she could do to acknowledge their words. She heard them, but she didn't trust what-ifs. She trusted what her eyes could see. It had now been more than five minutes and he still hadn't removed himself from that woman's presence.
She was a fool. A love potion? Wow, she was delusional.
His words last night meant nothing. Good thing she hadn't said them in return.
"I don't care. Levi is a grown man. He can do whatever he wants to do. It's not my problem." Brave words for a woman trembling inside as her dreams began to crumble around her.
"Theresa--"
Interrupting her friends, she began walking toward their tables. "Let's go find our seats."
Every step was like wading through mud. What she really wanted to do was escape. Get out of this room and away from Levi. She'd put her faith in the magic of the bayou and it had failed. She'd believed in the fantasy of what this city could be. She should have known it would never work for her.
Passing by Heath and Patrick, she saw them glance at her with sad eyes. Did everyone know her shame? This was why she didn't want anyone to know about them being together. As soon as it ended, everyone would look at her with pity in their eyes.
Taking a sip of water, she watched the guests enter the room and take their seats. Bridgette and Robert would be entering soon. She was truly happy for her friend, but even now, on what should be a joyful day, Theresa felt alone. Love was not meant for her.
Maybe she was being too dramatic, but she was allowed. At least that's how she justified it. He'd told her he loved her. That kind of emotion couldn't be faked by a love potion. It just couldn't. And if he loved her, he would be sitting with her now instead of talking to that woman.
Looking up to give them another dirty look, she noticed Levi walking over to her. Even angry with him, she could appreciate the picture he cut. What woman wouldn't want to bask in his presence? His tuxedo was tailor-made to fit him. Dark hair slicked back and off his forehead. Signature five-o'clock shadow gracing his face. It almost hurt to look at him.
His eyes caught her gaze and she knew. She knew the potion that once held him enthralled had worn off. How had she not recognized it before? It had been real. The potion had been real. And now, forty-eight hours later, the effects had worn off. She was back to ground zero with Levi, but she wasn't so willing to accept status quo any longer.
Tears welled in her eyes as she thought about telling him goodbye. He'd probably want to keep their relationship the way it had always been. He'd stop by her house late at night, make love to her all night until she fell into a sex coma, and then he'd leave.
No. That was no longer an option for her. Not after this weekend.
Looking over at Angela and Cecilia, she gave each of them a watery smile. Her attempt at trying to convey that she was okay must have failed miserably. They both had looks of worry on their faces and then they glanced at each other. As they rose from their seats, presumably to come over to her, Patrick and Heath held them back, forcing each of them to sit down.
What the hell was that about? She'd be sure to ask them about it later.
"Hey, beautiful. I'm glad Bridgette sat us together. I would have hated to pull up a chair at some random table." Levi casually sat down, placing his tumbler of scotch on the table. "Where'd you run off to?
Theresa took several deep breaths. She had to calm her nerves. Levi didn't know he was under a spell this weekend. He didn't realize she'd placed all her faith in some hocus-pocus and got disappointed again.
No matter how much she'd hoped what he felt for her this weekend was real, it had turned into smoke and mirrors.
"I just wanted to find my seat. Plus, you looked busy," she countered.
"Nah, she's an old friend. I hadn't seen her in a few years. Had no idea she knew Robert. It's a small world." He spoke as if he had no idea her heart was shredding into tiny pieces.
As always, right when she was ready to declare her feelings, something--or someone--got in the way.
"Looked like she wanted to get reacquainted." She avoided looking at him as she watched everyone settle into their seats.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly giving me the cold shoulder?" he demanded.
"Nothing. Just figured I would give you space to get to know your old friend again." She knew her tone was snippy, but she didn't care. This wasn't how she intended this conversation to go.
Before he came over, she told herself not to react. She would see what he said, how he explained himself. Maybe she'd misinterpreted what she'd seen. But she couldn't help it. It hurt. To her, it seemed he'd already forgotten every word she'd said to him. Her fears, her concerns. It meant nothing.
"Theresa, I'm not sure what the hell is going on, but I'm going to need you to stop. We were fine up until we walked in here. Some woman from my past approaches me and now we're back to this. You still don't trust me. Still don't believe anything I said to you this weekend."
She felt more than saw Levi pull back and relax in his seat. The other people gave them odd looks. Some of the guests at the table she knew, others she didn't.
Her heart was pounding so hard, she thought it would burst from her chest. She was being irrational. She knew it. Refusing to answer, she continued to sip her water and worked on calming down. She didn't want to burst into tears in front of two hundred people.
Luckily, she was saved by the bride and groom entering. They were both smiling wide and looked so in love. They went through the motions of the full wedding party coming into the room and taking their seats. And then dinner was served.
In that time, she'd come to a decision. She was leaving. She'd made a huge mistake in letting herself believe. She mouthed, 'Going to my room', to both Angela and Cecilia, then she gathered her clutch and moved to stand.
"Where are you going?" Levi asked through pursed lips.
"I have a headache, and I'm going up to my room," she responded.
He gave her a long look, as if to assess the truth of her words. "Then I'll come up with you. We can go to my room and order room service."
"No, you stay. It's fine. Plus, everyone will wonder why we're leaving together." She fell back on that old excuse.
"I've already told you. Everybody knows we're together and I'm not hiding you anymore." Throwing his napkin on the table, he pushed his chair back. "Come on, let's go."
Eyes wide as she looked up at him, she couldn't believe he was doing this. Levi never made a scene. Glancing around at the people sitting at the table, she saw similar looks of shock on their faces as well.
There would be no getting out of this, not without embarrassing herself and Levi at the same time.
"Excuse me, everyone. I hope you have a lovely evening," she said graciously. Placing her napkin on the table, she pushed her chair back and stood.
As she walked out of the room, she felt Levi's hand on the small of her back and it almost burned from the intensity of his touch. As they made their way to the elevator, neither of them said a word. As they stepped inside, another person joined them.
Doing all she could to avoid speaking to Levi, Theresa failed to notice the person who joined their table. Not until Levi spoke.
"How is it that we're always meeting up somewhere? How are you, Madame Sophie?"
A clear, familiar voice filled the space. "I'm fine. The question is, how are you doing? I must say, you two are very stubborn. Most people would accept the gift they were given, but you two...I just don't know."
Theresa lifted her head; her mouth fell open in shock. Madame Sophie was looking at her as she spoke.
"You failed to understand my words the other day. The power of the potion is believing you deserve what you seek. Being free and willing to make the choice you want most. Not the choice others expect," she said with a smile as she raised her wrinkled hand up to Theresa's face.
Shock coursed through Theresa. Was this real? "But I visited your shop. The lady told me...she told me...you were--"
"Oh, don't you worry. I'm real enough when I need to be. The question is, do you believe now?"
"Yes," Theresa answered.
"Did you use the gift wisely?"
"I think so, but it didn't work," she said sadly, glancing over at Levi who stood beside her watching their interaction.
"How do you know?" she questioned before turning her gaze to Levi. "Young man, have you made your decision?"
A look of acceptance came over his face and he smiled down at her. "Yes, I have. And I'm not looking back. No matter who I have to convince of that." He looked over at Theresa and smiled.
"And you, young lady, have you made your decision?"
Theresa paused. Had she? She wasn't sure a decision had presented itself. "I don't think I have. There's been nothing to decide."
Shaking her head in disappointment, the old lady looked between them. "Are you sure? Think real hard. What is it you want most? Fight for it, Theresa. Don't let it slip away. I came to you for a reason. Don't let me down."
Without warning, the lights went out in the elevator, pitching them into complete darkness. Theresa instinctively reached for Levi and grabbed his hand for support. When the elevator lights came back on, she and Levi were alone. Madame Sophie was nowhere to be found.
"Did you see that?" Levi muttered.
"Oh my God," Theresa said at the same time.
When the elevator doors opened, they both tumbled out. Looking back at the doors as they closed, neither of them was able to speak.
Levi led her to his room and unlocked the door. Stepping back to let her enter first, he shut the door behind them and simply stood there watching her for a moment.
"When did you meet Madame Sophie?"
The time for secrets had passed. She admitted the truth. "Thursday afternoon."
"I met her on Thursday as well. She said she'd been waiting for me." Sighing deeply, he pushed away from the door and walked over to where she stood.
"I got a gift from her," she blurted out.
"I figured. What kind of gift?" he pressed.
Voice weak with uncertainty, she answered. "A potion. Something she said would bring my soul mate to me."
Silence met her confession. Looking up, she saw the shock in his eyes.
"Well, that's different. I take it you used it." The words were more of a statement than a question. "Did it work the way you expected?"
“I don’t know,” she admitted with a hitch in her voice. Her throat was closing. The fear was creeping up on her. She wanted everything to go back to the way it was.
“How will you know?”
Throwing her hands up, she stepped away from him and put her hand on her head. “I don’t know, Levi. I’m supposed to decide what I want. Not what others think I should have. I need to take a chance.”
Looking over at him, she had a thought. “What decision was Madame Sophie talking about for you?”
“When I met her, she told me I needed to make a decision as well. I’d have to decide what—who—I wanted and what would I be willing to give up in order to get it.” Walking closer, he stopped once he got within a few inches in front of her. “Look at me.”
Raising her gaze to his, she saw the look in his eyes that she’d thought had disappeared. The one that had been present all weekend, but seemed to have vanished downstairs.
“I choose you, Theresa. I’ve always chosen you, even when I didn’t realize it. But today, I chose you in front of everyone to see. I won’t leave New Orleans without you knowing that. I meant what I said. Theresa, I love you.”
His words tore her apart and put her back together again. “But I thought…downstairs…”
“Was nothing. I’m friendly with everyone and you know it. She was telling me about her life, including her husband and new baby. Whatever you thought you saw, you were wrong. I’d never choose another woman over you. For over two years, there’s only ever been you.”
“But all those women you dated…” she began.
A smile began forming on her face. This was it. Her decision.
Did she love Levi enough to believe him? To trust that he was telling her the truth? That she was the one for him.
“They meant nothing. I never slept with any of them. Hell, half the time I spent the entire date talking about you. That’s why none of them wanted a second date. They knew I wanted someone else. I wanted you. Other times, they weren’t actual dates at all. There’s been no other woman for me since that first night two years ago.”
“Levi, I had no idea.” Tears flowed freely down her face.
“I love you, Theresa. I was just too afraid to say the words.”
Nodding her head, she stood in front of him as he wiped away her tears with his bare hands.
"I love you, too. I’ve loved you for so long, I don’t know any other way to be. I know what I did was stupid, but I was desperate.”
“Baby, if you ever wonder how I feel about you, all you have to do is ask.” Leaning his head down, he kissed her softly on the lips.
“Should we go back down to the reception?” she asked, even though she prayed he would say no.
“The only place I want to be right now is here, with you. The only food I need to eat is you,” he growled as he nipped the skin on her neck.
“Levi, I told you to stop referring to me as food,” she said with a laugh.”
“But you always taste so good,” he said, as one hand crept up her thigh toward her hot channel.
His finger pressed against the hardened bundle of nerves between her thighs, sending a zing of electricity through her body. As he began unzipping her dress with his other hand, he placed small kisses along her jaw.
“I think you’re just addicted to me,” she teased.
“You’ve had me under your spell for more than two years. I don’t know how we waited so long.” Lifting his head, he captured her gaze with his as he flicked her hard nubbin, wrenching a gasp from her.
“I’m never giving you up, Theresa.”
“I don’t ever want you to,” she said, stepping out of her shoes and dress. He grabbed one of her legs and wrapped it around his waist, pressing into her as he continued kissing her against the desk.
Reaching up to undo his tie, she pulled the material apart as she felt his bulge press into her. He pulled away to allow her to pull his shirt from his slacks.
“Theresa, tell me again. I need to hear the words.”
“I love you, Levi,” she whispered.
“Don’t you ever forget it. Now, let’s make some more memories before we go home tomorrow. I have plans for you tonight, baby.”
She squealed as he pulled her hands away, stopping her from removing his clothing. He lifted her by her waist and threw her on the bed.
She laughed out loud as he stalked toward her. God, she loved this man. Opening her arms, she welcomed her future.
*****
Later that night, once Levi had allowed her a break to catch her breath, she laid next to him, smiling like a loon.
To think she’d almost walked away. Almost given up on the man beside her. There was nothing better than what they had together. She couldn’t imagine her life without Levi by her side.
Sighing, she closed her eyes for a quick nap. She loved this city. New Orleans had given her the gift of her soul mate. She could now say that bayou magic was real.
Thank you, Madame Sophie, she murmured quietly into the night.
You’re welcome, Theresa.
~ THE END ~