The Business of Sex. Rhonda Leah

Чтение книги онлайн.

      The eerie words were in the same generic font, centered on the card. A shiver snaked down Laurel’s spine. Taking a deep breath, she pushed away from the desk.

      As she stalked to the sales floor, her temperature rose. Cripes. She thought the lewd comments had ceased. Granted, when The Rubber Tree opened two years ago it had stirred remarks from all types. Even a French Quarter location couldn’t guarantee acceptance for some business ventures.

      Finding Amanda still straightening displays, she handed the card over. “Get a load of this.”

      Amanda read, pursing her lips. “Uh... That’s original. Any idea who might have sent it?”

      “No. It’s odd, though. No one calls me Cherry Laurel except for people in Madison Creek.”

      “Weird nickname. How’d you get it?”

      “My cousin nicknamed me Cherry Laurel as a kid. I love cherries, and the Cherry Laurel is a type of tree. It sort of stuck. But not many people know.”

      “Maybe it’s a coincidence. Have any customers been hitting on you lately?”

      She thought a minute. “No more than usual.”

      “Are you sure? We get all types in here,” Amanda said, examining the card again. “Maybe you should call the police. You know, to be safe.”

      “You’ve got to be kidding. Don’t you remember how supportive they were when we opened?”

      Amanda snorted, but the phone interrupted what promised to be a spectacularly sarcastic comment.

      Laurel grabbed the card from her hand and stepped behind the counter to answer the phone, a supplier calling with questions about an order. Knowing she’d never get out of here until he was dealt with, she slid a long file box from beneath the sales counter and settled herself on the floor to dig through purchase orders.

      With February quickly approaching, they would need the extra massage oils, body butters and the assortment of sex games she’d ordered. She was still digging for her copy when the bell chimed over the door, signaling a new arrival.

      A moment later, she heard Amanda ask, “Can I help you?”

      “I hope so.”

      Laurel frowned. There was something familiar about the voice. The tone. She was just about to have a peek at the customer when her caller began spewing out the numbers she needed. Laurel finished the call and was stowing away the purchase order box when Amanda came behind the counter, almost stepping on her.

      She swatted Amanda’s leg as the customer with the familiar voice said, “I’m looking for someone. Maybe you can help?”

      “Possibly. Big city,” Amanda said.

      “Look, I’m trying to find an old friend. Laurel Delacroix. Do you know her?”

      She exhaled. She would know that voice anywhere. He was the man she’d been head over heels in love with, the man she had wanted above all others. And the man who was serious about everything in life...except her. What the hell was Lee Carter doing here? In New Orleans? In her shop?

      Laurel scrambled to her feet. He looked good, better than he had the right to. His dark hair was longer, his tan darker, and those sexy eyes as serious as ever. “Lee, what are you doing here?”

      “Laurel.” His green gaze swung to hers and she could feel her body СКАЧАТЬ