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being boastful about his level of competence.” She failed to specify courtroom or bedroom. “Calm down. I’m quite accustomed to being the female in this male dominated field. I can handle this.” She flashed her sexist smile. “Honestly.”

    Isaac dropped the subject, but Chelsea’s evening was already spoiled. She hated what Quincy was trying to do, but hated herself more for being intrigued. She tried to ignore him for the rest of the evening, but lost the battle several times. He caught her gaze each time she did, which meant he was concentrating on little else. She was not the only one to notice his attentiveness.

    “I’m trying to be a gentleman, but I’m getting a little sick of that friend of yours.” Isaac moved directly in front of her and traded places so that he was facing Quincy. “I don’t think you’ve told me everything.”

    “Are you calling me a liar?” She caught Quincy as he moved into her line of vision and out of Isaac’s. Giving him a formidable scowl, she hoped he would find someone else to pester.

    “No, I’m just saying I think you’re keeping something from me just like you’re been doing with this other thing.”

    “That’s different. I’ve seen this man in court. The only thing we said directly to each other was hello. He spoke on Friday night and I introduced him to Dee and Skip. Tonight he began a conversation by commenting that we keep bumping into each other, made a few observations about facing me in court, and that’s it.” She smiled to lighten the mood, but Isaac’s expression had not changed. She wanted to tell him about their dance, but knew that would take Isaac’s temper over the top.

    “I do trust you, so I’m going to ask one question and take my cue from your response.
    Am I cramping you? If you need space, just say so.”

    She glared at Quincy’s knowing smirk, and thought for a second. This was not the first time other men had shown an interest in her, but this time Isaac was provoked. She wondered if it was her silent response that he detected or if his feelings for her had changed.

    With her full attention on Isaac’s handsome but troubled face, she shared her feelings.
    “There’s only room for one man in my bed. You’re it. If that changes, I won’t hesitate to let you know.” Noticing Quincy’s somber stare, she amended her argument. “For whatever reason, that man is purposely trying to start something, and you’re letting him do it. Think of him as a naughty child clamoring for attention. Pay him no mind, and he’ll go away.” She took Isaac’s arm. “Better yet, let’s dance. I’ve missed you terribly. I want to be close to you for as long as you’re in New Orleans. ”

    For the rest of the evening, she felt Quincy’s eyes cutting into her calm, but managed to keep Isaac diverted with talk of Skip, Dee, and the great plays he made during the game, as well as the ones he missed. It was the first time a man had unnerved her. Her line of work did not provide for loss of control. With the courtroom in mind, she decided to set boundaries and not allow Quincy to cross them. She started to relax and noticed that Isaac did the same.

    “Those diamonds are dancing on your ears.” He held her close to his on the dance floor.
    “You’re ravishing tonight.”

    “Thank you for the compliment, and the earrings. I’m so glad you’re home. Let’s not let anything spoil the time we have together.”

    She saw a genuine smile for the first time since Quincy entered their evening, and felt his excitement press against her thigh.

    * * * *

    Isaac Charbonnette had bedded many women. The first was at age twelve when his
    cousin, Frankie, caught him masturbating and offered to show him “how to make it happen.”

    Since Frankie was seventeen and the female he most admired, next to his mother, it never dawned on him to say no. His mother had gone to church with Frankie’s mother and they had the house to themselves. After