Cajun Vacation by Mindi Winters Page A

get to set your own schedule. As long as you’re producing then you’re on your own. We’re even paying for research assistants to sort through and fact check. We’ll probably transfer them from the station. Anyway, you’re the first I’ve talked to about it, and I’m still scouting talent for other reporting areas.”
    Erica shifted next to him. The idea sounded crazy and worth a shot at the same time, and it deserved more time to discuss then he cared to devote to it right now. Erica wanted to leave as badly as he did, and he needed to end this conversation quickly while keeping his options open. “I think we should sit down and talk about it more. I call and make an appointment with your secretary in the morning. Then we can sit down and go over details,” said Justin.
    John held out his hand to shake Justin’s again. “Perfect. The sooner the better too. I want to get this rolling in a few weeks and I know you’re the man for the job.”
    John turned to Erica. “Pleasure meeting you,” he said.
    “Yes,” she said. She touched Justin’s arm, her eyebrows furrowed. “I’ll be right back.” Then she headed to the restrooms.
    Justin and John watched her head off. “Is she your girlfriend?” asked John.
    The question surprised Justin. Was John just being friendly, or had he seen something between them? Did a simple touch on his arm signal something greater to everyone else than it did to him? “No,” he said. “I just met her yesterday and gave her the bayou tour.” His voice had more regret in it than he wanted.
    John regarded him a moment longer. “Don’t forget to call for that appointment,” he said before spying someone else and walking away.
    Justin felt uneasy. Five minutes ago, he patiently played the tease and wait game with Erica while she mingled. Now he looked at all the friends and acquaintances in attendance. Did they all notice the heat between him and Erica? Had Erica and he deluded themselves into thinking that somehow they’d kept their relationship discreet? He crossed eyes with a few friends, who gave him a knowing look and smile before turning away.
    He was a fool. Everyone knew. And now they’d all want the dirt on what happened to Erica after today. Telling people they were just into each other for a weekend of sex wasn’t a good idea. Maybe if he tried not to talk about her then people would leave him alone about it. The worst problem with talking about Erica after she left him today would be the pain in his voice. She had a grip on his heart. One that he couldn’t just wash away with a shower.
    A creeping feeling came over him and he looked up. Another man walked his way. He looked completely out of place in a full suit and slicked back hair. Justin’s dread grew every step closer the man walked. Then recognition came over him and his mouth went dry.
    “You must be Justin,” the man said, sniffing a little as he said the name. “The hotel concierge said I might find you and Erica at this event. My name is Gary O’Connell.”
     
     
    Erica splashed water on her face. The idea came so suddenly, she had to work up her nerve to go through with it. She could keep her career in the media and stay with Justin. Everything became clear. Her life in New York was over. Gary would never let her go her own way without succumbing to his kink. Even if Gary did forget about her, she had only obtained her promotions with the station because of the sex. Her success felt hollow. Like something she didn’t earn. Her success had to come through the merits of her work and nothing else.
    She smiled. If she changed her flight, then she could even stay with Justin for a few more days. Her libido started heating up at the idea of him dead-bolting his door for a few days while they had a weeklong marathon of lovemaking. That felt right.
    To start making all her dreams come true, all she needed to do was tell Justin how she really felt about him. Then hope he didn’t regard her as a one