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her to come to him? To reveal her existence to his family? He and she could get to know each other, and maybe the sexual relationship could become something that resembled the beautiful couple that Damen and Heaven were and that Creed and Shada strove to be.
    No, he didn’t want to be tied down, stuck in one place. Not that he desired multiple women. From the first night he met Talicia, he’d been faithful to her. The idea of a steady marriage like what his brothers enjoyed also smacked of staying put. He was known for dropping everything and flying off wherever he wanted, whenever the mood struck him. So far, he’d hung around New Orleans and the restaurant. He loved it, but that might change tomorrow.
    With a wife and maybe later a baby, he would be looking at a very different life. He was thirty-one. There was plenty of time to go until he settled down—if he did. Stefan recognized his impulse to marry Talicia had been partially driven by seeing how nuts Creed was over Shada. Then he had stumbled upon a black woman, found her irresistible, and suggested marriage. Creed would kill him if he found out. His older brother was somewhat of a bully as well, so he might hurt Talicia. Not physically, but emotionally. No, they were better as they were now. If in a few months, she pushed for a divorce, he would allow it. For now, he would hold onto her and enjoy the limited time they shared.
    “You there, boss?”
    Jerome’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Yeah, I’m here. Listen, I’m probably going to go back again soon. I’ll rearrange my schedule. I’m also going to make it a longer visit. I might take Talicia shopping somewhere or on a trip.”
    “I can make the arrangements if you don’t want to ask your secretary in New York.”
    Stefan hesitated. He’d depended on Jerome to arrange trips when he wanted to keep Creed out of the loop of his actions. Their corporate secretaries didn’t have the loyalty of his bodyguard, not when it came to Creed. “No, not yet. I have to talk to her about it. I’ll give her a call first. I just wanted to give you a head’s up.”
    “All right then. Just let me know when you’re ready.”
    A knock sounded on the door, and Stefan called out for the person to enter. Jerome made himself scarce. Damen stuck his head around the door. “Just checking to see if you’ve fallen asleep yet.”
    “Haha, funny.” Stefan grinned and stood. “I’m glad you interrupted. Those numbers were beginning to blur.”
    “I say we ditch the reports. Our shifts are starting anyway. There have been some interesting visitors of late.”
    Stefan raised an eyebrow at his brother. “You’re a married man now. The patrons shouldn’t interest you.”
    Damen twisted the ring on his finger. “They don’t, not in that way. Trust me, I love my wife. Heaven is….well, heaven. I’m the luckiest man on earth to have her. Damn, just talking about her makes me want to go find her and trap her in my office for a couple hours.”
    Stefan knew exactly what his brother meant, but he didn’t say so. “Since she doesn’t work at Marquette’s that would be quite a trip for a quickie.”
    “I said a couple hours, man. No way can I accept a quickie with Heaven. You’ll know what I mean when you find the one.”
    Stefan kept silent and scratched the back of his head. He hadn’t learned how not to look guilty when it was hinted around about him getting married or as Damen had said, “finding the one.” So far, his brothers were so distracted with their own love lives, they never noticed.
    “I know,” Damen said. “For old times sake, you and I will case the restaurant, and I’ll help you pick out a beauty that should rock your world tonight. I’m pretty good at spotting them.”
    “I’m sure you are,” Stefan said, “but no thanks. I can choose my own lovers.”
    “Come on, man.” Damen slung an arm about Stefan’s shoulders and propelled him toward the door. “Don’t ruin my