Read Bayou Heat for Free Online

confirmed that fact. Why
they couldn’t have taken his car instead of trekking through the heat was beyond
him, but then again, so was this woman.
    “I guess you want to go in?” Sweat ran down his back,
causing his shirt to glue itself to him and reminding him they could have
traveled here in air-conditioned comfort.
    “Please.”
    He held the door and, when they entered, a blast of cool air
greeted him. If he’d known he was going to be walking the French Quarter at
high noon, at the end of July, he would not have worn a business suit to the
meeting this morning. He put a hand on Eris’ back and guided her to the bar as
he looked around and dared any of the patrons to approach her.
    “It’s a two-drink minimum. Man or woman,” the bartender
stated as they took their seats.
    “Bring me two bottles of water,” Rob answered and
immediately the man placed two bottles of warm water in front of him. He hated
warm water, but he unscrewed the top to the first bottle and took a drink.
    “And what will the pretty lady be having?”
    Eris flashed the man a breathtaking smile. “Water.”
    The one word was deep and sexy and Rob paused with the water
bottle halfway to his mouth.
    She placed her hands on the bar and leaned forward. “Is
there any way I could get cold water?”
    “For you—no problem.” The bartender stuck his hand down into
a tub containing iced-down beers and pulled out a bottle of water.
    Eris took the water and held the bottle to her neck then
rolled it across the exposed skin above her breasts. “Thank you so much.”
    The bartender laughed. “Anything for you, sugar. Let me know
when you want the other bottle.”
    “I’ll be sure to ask for you when I’m ready, big boy.”
    The man roared with laughter as he headed down the bar to
serve another client.
    “That was typical.”
    “What was?” Eris turned to face him.
    “Another woman, flaunting herself to get what she wants, and
here I thought you were different.”
    Eris met his hard gaze with one as equally determined.
“You’re one to talk. You did the exact same thing earlier.”
    “I did not.” His words were short as he held on to his
temper.
    “Yes, you did. Back at Debra’s apartment. You smiled and
talked all nice to that girl and then pulled out a twenty.”
    “I paid for the information. I didn’t do what you just did.”
    Eris waved a hand at him as she took another drink of water.
“Suit yourself. If it makes you feel better to say you didn’t, fine by me.
Denial is a very long and lonely river, you know.”
    “I’m not in denial.”
    She looked over at him and gave a short snort of laughter.
“Sure.” She turned away so she could lean across the counter to get the
bartender’s attention. “Hey, big boy, can I have that other water?”
    The man pulled another bottle from the ice and placed it on
the bar. “Anything else, love?”
    “Nope, that’s all.” Eris flashed another drop-dead gorgeous
smile at the man.
    “I have a couple of questions,” Rob said before the man
could walk away.
    “Questions will cost you another two rounds.”
    Rob pulled out his wallet and paid for all the drinks as the
bartender retrieved another two warm bottles of water for him.
    “Whatcha needin’ to know?”
    “What can you tell us about Debra Thorn?” Rob pulled out a
small notepad and flipped to a blank page.
    “She hasn’t shown up for work in a week.”
    “No calls?”
    “Nope.”
    “Any idea where she might have gone?”
    “Last time I saw her, she said she was headed to that new
club Intempo.”
    “When is your next payday?”
    “Friday.”
    “Thanks.” Rob closed his pad and put the paper and pen back
into his pocket as he stood.
    “Let’s go.” He walked to the door and waited for Eris to
catch up.
    “You wasted your money. I could have followed Debra’s aura.”
    He opened the door for her and she walked through. “I like
facts. The harder and the colder they are, the better.”
    “Things aren’t