Page 3 of Ride Me

“Allegra.”

“Michelle,” she mimicked, a gentle smile on her lips. “I thought you agreed I needed to take some chances again. To jump off a few new cliffs, preferably not into pudding.”

“Baby cliffs, hon.” She sighed when Allegra raised her eyebrows. “I’m sorry. It’s your decision, of course, and maybe if I hadn’t seen Stacy make such a fool of herself over him, I’d be all about this plan of yours. Unfortunately, I had a front row seat to the crazy show.”

Allegra knew the roommate’s story well. “You said she followed him around like a groupie?”

Like me?

“Groupie is such a tame word,” Michelle huffed. “I never would have guessed she had it in her, but that girl did everything short of throwing herself on his counter and spreading her legs. When she finally crossed that line as well, he took her up on her offer.” She bit her lip thoughtfully. “You know, he might not be the stud the gossips make him out to be. I mean, if he was, would she really leave the state less than a week after landing him?”

“She would for the job of her dreams.”

They’d both heard the talk. Allegra had gotten her fill of it over the last few weeks from the morning crowd of women who spoke in obnoxiously loud whispers about him as they walked by her table.

They would say he knew the right words to heal, that his touch could melt even the coldest heart. And sex with him? Sex with him was a blessing from Marie Laveau herself. According to them, he was the love doctor of the Big Easy.

Bone Daddy.

That’s what they called him. A walking, talking, well-hung pleasure factory who, with a few easy orgasms, could bring you whatever your heart desired. Your boyfriend would propose, your boss would give you a raise. Rumor had it he could even heal your scars, inside and out. If you could satisfy his lust.

With her, Rousseau was solicitous but shy, and always respectful. But if all these women were to be believed, she was in the minority. She’d think she wasn’t his type, except she swore that when he looked her way, she saw a desire in his eyes that matched her own.

Her feelings were too intense to be one-sided. They had to be.

“Those were her buzz words. Dream job. Once in a lifetime. Can’t turn it down.” Michelle rolled her eyes. “I know what they—” She cut herself off, eyes wide and worried. “Tell me this isn’t about what they say, Allegra. That you’re not starting to believe he can actually heal anything but abstinence.”

Allegra saw her gaze drop unconsciously to the cane currently hooked to the back of her chair and knew that if she actually had hackles, they’d be rising. “I’m not an idiot, Chelle. Or a child. I’m not looking for a cure, but I’m sick and tired of letting my problems hold me back. I used to be fearless.”

Her throat tightened and she blinked rapidly. “I know it’s a crazy idea. He’s got too many women waiting for their turn for me to have a chance at getting his attention anyway.”

Then why do you still want it so much?

Michelle reached for her hand. “Allegra, if you went after him none of those women would matter. I know you, remember? I don’t doubt your skill for a minute. But maybe we can try one of those baby cliffs to start? What if you let me introduce you to one of the teachers from my school? There are a few who are pretty damn easy on the eyes. That way you could have your fun and be safe at the same time. Trust me, danger is not as sexy as it sounds.”

“Is our girl in danger? Sounds exciting to me. What have you gotten yourself into now, darlin’?” The handsome blond with his signature sexy smile twirled an empty chair around and straddled it to sit between them before magically procuring two plates of cheesecake drizzled in praline sauce. He set both on the table with a flourish. “I stole these from that sweet little waitress with the big... personality. Your favorite, isn’t it, Mimi?”

“Oh yes. I love big personalities.” Michelle didn’t look like she appreciated the interruption. “I don’t know why I ever thought you’d listen to me, Allegra Jarod. You didn’t take my advice when I told you to stay away from this one.”

He mouthed, “This one,” and Allegra covered her mouth to hide her grin.

“Hi, Ben.”

“Afternoon, Legs. I’m glad that someone looks happy to see me.”

Benjamin Adair dipped his finger in the whipped topping on Michelle’s plate, popping it into his mouth with a moan. “It’s not as good as the chocolate caramel rolls at Café Bwe, but still decadent enough to tempt anyone with a working taste bud and a pulse.”

Michelle got to her feet and slid her purse over her shoulder in one swift, graceful motion. “I’ve got to get back to work, Allegra. Don’t do anything crazy until I get home. In other words, don’t listen to a word he says.”

Ben leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed on Michelle’s ass as he watched her walk away. When she disappeared, he let out a low whistle and turned back to Allegra. “She’s feistier than usual. You spill that tea, darlin’?”

“I gave her a hypothetical to test the waters. And I didn’t mention you or your offer to help at all. You know she’d lock me in the apartment for the foreseeable future if she knew.”

Ben laughed, but she could see the regret that lingered in his eyes. “Good call.”

Allegra was well aware that she was missing something when it came to her two friends. All Ben had told her was that he and Michelle had been close when they were children, brought together by their parents, but they’d grown up and grown apart. And all Michelle would say was that Ben was to be avoided at all costs.

But she knew Michelle too. If there were something truly wrong with the man, Michelle would never leave Allegra alone with him. She was too protective.

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