The Vieux Carre Encounter

Aeryn Mitchell wrapped her arms around herself as she was jostled by some passer-bys that were also celebrating Mardi Gras. She had been enjoying the night until about an hour ago, when she had found herself separated from the acquaintances she had gone out with. Now all the horror stories about women alone at Mardi Gras were running through her head. She was beginning to regret letting her friends talk her into the skimpy tank top and tight jeans that hugged her figure; not to mention the paint that was flaking off her arms. She had always dreamed about visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras so when the opportunity came up this year, she had jumped at the chance and hadn't regretted it until a few minutes ago. Now she worried that she wouldn't be able to find her way back to her hotel or that something worse would happen to her.

Worrying the beads that hung around her neck, she had joined in the flashing with some of the other girls in their group, although she was sure her face was bright red every time she did it, Aeryn tried to back out of the main thoroughfare. Unfortunately she was so slight; she didn't make any headway, but only found herself pushed closer to the street where the floats were still moving past at a steady pace.

Whistles and catcalls heralded the arrival of the newest float. Chants from the guys on board and fists full of beads entreated the women to raise their shirts, but Aeryn was more interested in getting away now. She turned away from the float, pushing against the people closest to her, but was stopped by a male voice yelling her name, "Aeryn! Aeryn Mitchell!"

Spinning back around, her hair whipping in the air, forcing her to grab it or risk hitting someone with the ends, Aeryn looked up at the float. Peering upwards, she tried to figure out how someone in New Orleans knew her name. As far as she was aware no one but the people she had traveled with knew her and none of them had any reason to be on a float. One of the guys on the float was waving frantically and when he saw he had her attention, he cupped his hands to his mouth, "Aeryn! Stay there! Don't move." He tried to get to the edge of the float, then grabbed for one of the supports as it lurched. "Shit!" He motioned for her to stop. "Stay put," he yelled. "I'll be right back!"

Aeryn frowned as she tried to remember who the young man was. She hadn't told anyone she was coming to New Orleans; except the acquaintances she had traveled with. This was her one chance to break free and out of her shyness. In life, she was bound into her role as a librarian and research assistant; rarely coming out of her shell. She shrieked as a hand touched her shoulder from behind. "Easy, Aeryn," a male voice soothed and she turned to see the man who had hailed her from the float. Up close he didn't look any more familiar. Light brown hair, long in front, but cut short in the back, fell into laughing whiskey brown eyes. A pair of faded blue jeans hung low on slim hips and he was shirtless, baring a circular dragon inked into his stomach. He grinned easily at her. "What are you doing in Nawleans, chéri?" he asked.

"Who are you?" Aeryn blurted out, unable to place him or figure out why he had accosted her.

His laughter faded into a grin when he realized she wasn't kidding. "You have no idea who I am?" he asked.

She shook her head, then rubbed her arms as a breeze wound its way through the street. "No. I'm sorry."

He grinned, then brushed his hair out of his face. "It's me, chéri. Nick."

She started to shake her head again, then suddenly it fell into place. A few months back the college had had a guest lecturer on Cajun and Arcadian history. His hair had been shorter and he had worn a lot more clothes, but the sexy voice was the same. "Professor Gauthier," she gasped.

"Nick," he corrected, then grunted as someone shoved him into her. Grabbing her around the waist, he managed to keep them both upright; although she ended up pressed tightly against him. "Maybe we should get out of the crowd," he suggested.

"Where?" she asked.

"Just down the street for now," Nick replied, motioning to one of the near-by bars. "I'd love to hear what you're doing here."

Aeryn couldn't take her eyes off his back, where she discovered another dragon tattoo, or his well-formed ass, as she followed him. Nick had taken her hand when he started down the street, putting her behind him, but making sure she stayed with him. "What were you doing up on that float?" she asked.

"That was my krewe," Nick explained, pushing his way into the bar. "I haven't ridden in a couple of years, but my cousins ragged on me until I agreed to join them this year." He paused and snagged a crayfish from someone's plate, grinning at the protest from the woman. "It's just a taste, chéri," he said.

"Gauthier!" a voice yelled from the bar. "Stop stealing from my customers!"

Nick turned his grin on the bartender and wound his way over to her. Leaning over the bar, he snagged two bottles of beer from the cooler. "Bonjour, Chantel," he said.

"Gauthier," she replied. "Who's your friend?"

"Aeryn Mitchell, Chantel Beaudoin," Nick introduced the two. Turning back to the bartender, he said something in rapid French.

She nodded in response, then reached under the bar, and handed him a set of keys. "Try not to lose these," she told him. Turning to Aeryn, she smiled. "He's harmless. A flirt and ladies' man, but harmless."

"I didn't lose the others," he responded. "I left them at home. And no fair telling on me to her!" Turning to Aeryn, he grinned again. "Just ignore Chantel, she suffers from having known me since birth."

"Conception according to our mothers," she replied.

Nick shuddered. "Please. Don't bring my maman into this conversation. I'm haunted enough by her." Tugging Aeryn's hand, he led her through the main room and to a wrought iron gate. Choosing one of the keys on the ring, he fit it into the padlock on the gate, then ushered her through, locking it behind them.

"Won't the owners object to us being back here?" Aeryn asked, even as she began to look around.

Nick pulled a bottle opener out of his pocket and flipped the caps off both beers, holding one out to her. When she shook her head, he shrugged and set it on the table. "No, not really," he answered her question. "Considering one of the owners is Chantel and the other is me."

"You own this?" Aeryn asked, looking around the small courtyard. "Who are you?"

Nick smiled easily. "I'm a simple Cajun boy, Aeryn. Have a seat. I promise my maman raised me to treat a lady with respect and not to take advantage of her." His smile turned decidedly wicked. "Unless that's what she desires. I don't want someone I know walking alone on Mardi Gras Day and if all you need is an escort back to your hotel, I'll provide that. If you'd like something else..." he trailed off.

"How did you recognize me?" she asked as she took the seat he had indicated. She set one leg over the other and folded her hands in her lap; her prim pose at odds with her clothing.

Nick lazed in the other chair, spreading his legs out and getting comfortable. "I spent three-quarters of that research presentation you did imagining you with your hair down. Apparently I have a pretty good imagination." He looked her up and down, not making any secret of what he was doing. "Although I have to admit, I never would have figured you had a body like that under those drab clothes you normally wear."

Aeryn felt her face heat up and knew that she was blushing. "I'm nothing special."

"Oh, whoever told you that, chéri, was a liar," Nick said, taking her hand from her lap and bringing it to his lips. "And that's not just my Cajun talking."

"Speaking of...your accent is thicker now," Aeryn pointed out.

"Oui," Nick responded. "I toned down my accent when I was doing the talk to make myself more understandable. If I was doing the same talk down here, I wouldn't bother. In fact I've done the same talk in English, Cajun, and French."

"I like it," Aeryn admitted shyly.

Nick grinned. "So what are you doing wandering my city's fair streets all alone?"

"I'm not alone," she replied and when Nick just raised his eyebrows in response, she said, "Okay, well, I wasn't alone. I came down with some friends, but we got separated."

Nick shook his head. "They should know better. It's not safe to walk alone right now." His eyes raked down her body again. "Especially dressed like that."

Aeryn folded her arms across her chest, not realizing that she wasn't hiding her breasts, but actually raising them higher to his appraising eyes. "And what's wrong with the way I'm dressed?" she demanded.

"Nothing at all, chéri." He grinned. "But it gives a man very wicked thoughts and not all men are gentlemen. Especially when they have a few drinks in them."

Aeryn raised her eyebrows at his comment. "And I shouldn't worry about you because?"

"First of all, you know me. Second of all, I was raised not to take advantage of an unwilling woman." He leaned forward, running a tender finger up and down her bare arm. "Of course a willing woman is a whole 'nother story." Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed it gently. "So did you enjoy your evening?" He indicated the beads around her neck. "You must have participated at some point."

Aeryn blushed so red it was clear even in the dim light of the courtyard. "My friends insisted. I wouldn't have done it otherwise."

"We're all alone here, chéri," Nick hinted. "Could I maybe get a private show?"

He hadn't thought it was possible for her to get any redder, but she did. "We're really exposed here, Nick. Besides I barely know you."

"Aeryn, its Mardi Gras. Laissez les bon temps rouler!" When she just looked at him in confusion, he translated, "Let the good times roll!" He indicated her clothes and hair. "You've let your hair down and changed your clothes, maybe you need to do a bit more."

Aeryn's look of shyness turned to one of shock. "Not in public!"

He leaned forward again and when she didn't pull away, captured her lips. Reaching out, he slid his hand into her hair and pulled her closer, encouraging her to deepen the kiss of her own will. When he moved back, she followed until she realized what she was doing and shifted away. He grinned at the look on her face. "If you'd prefer a more private location, we can go back to my apartment in the Vieux Carre."

Aeryn's eyes lit up. "That one I know. You live in the French Quarter."

"Oui," Nick agreed. Recapturing her hand, he questioned, "Shall I escort you back to your hotel? Or would you like a tour by a native?" Aeryn picked up the beer he had offered her earlier and quickly drowned half of it before Nick could stop her. "If you get drunk I'm just taking you back to your hotel," he cautioned her.

She handed him the bottle. "Sorry. I'm just a little nervous."

Nick stood up, taking his t-shirt from where he had tucked it into the back of his jeans and pulling it on. A stylized red crayfish stretched across his chest with the words suck da head, squeeze da tip now you eatin’ crayfish written across it in black. Aeryn let her eyes drift over his body as he consciously posed for her. His t-shirt and jeans clung to his body; outlining firm and well-defined muscles. "Why don't we take a walk through the Quarter? Then if you want to go back to the hotel, I'll take you. Or I can show you my place."

"I'd like that," Aeryn said.

They drifted through the streets leading to the Quarter; Nick pointing out the sights that he thought might interest Aeryn. As they strolled, he began to make his move on her. He started by taking her hand so he wouldn't lose her in the boisterous crowds that still poured through the streets. A few blocks later, he slipped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him. When she glanced up at him, he motioned to the press of people around them. "I don't want to lose you," he pointed out.

With a nod and a smirk, she slipped her hand into his back pocket. "Good idea."

* * * * * * * *

When they reached the corner by his apartment about half an hour later, Nick stopped her. "Decision time, Aeryn. Do I take you back to your hotel or do we continue?"

Aeryn looked around, taking in the rambunctious sounds of the night. As they had moved farther into Vieux Carre, the costumes and sights had gotten raunchier and steamier. This was not the family side of Mardi Gras that attracted the tourists. This was Nawleans at its basest; it’s most primal. The beat of the city was in Nick's blood, had infused him from the moment the party had started, and he knew what he wanted. If Aeryn chose the hotel, he would escort her there and leave her to prowl for a more willing partner. But he had a feeling; Aeryn was ripe for adventure and his city was calling to her.

He could see the moment the decision was made, when Aeryn decided to stop being the good little girl, and just take a chance. She turned to him, and in a move that was bolder than he expected, pressed fully against him. "I'd like to see your place," she said, raising her voice enough to be heard above the music and noise of the streets.

Nick grinned, a slow sexy movement that somehow took over his entire body as he turned her in the right direction. "My place it is," he agreed.

* * * * * * * *

Nick admired the pert ass in front of him as she led the way up the stairs. He had told her to just keep going until she reached the top so he could make sure the doors locked behind them. Besides this way he had a great view on the way up. Reaching down, he adjusted himself in his jeans and resisted the urge to grab a handful of what was in front of him. It had taken some convincing to get her here and he didn't want to scare her away. Glancing over her shoulder, she asked, "Which door do I head for at the top?"

"There's only one, Aeryn," he replied, grinning at the shiver his words invoked. "Take these." He held his keys out to her with the door key out. When Aeryn reached back to take them, he was careful to slide his fingers over hers, invoking another shiver from her. He smiled as she turned back around.

Aeryn opened the door, the key Nick handed her turning smoothly in the lock, then stepped inside. As he came through the door behind her, he crowded up against her; pressing his lean body against her. "Would you like a tour, chéri?" he whispered in her ear as his fingers found the gap between her tank top and jeans. "Or would you just like to see the bedroom?"

She arched automatically into his touch, allowing him to press her body back against his. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she replied.

"Changing your mind now?" he asked. He slid one hand up, carefully keeping to the outside of her shirt and cupped her breast. Gently, he rubbed her nipple, bringing it to a peak. "I promise," he breathed softly, "nothing you don't want." As he slipped his other hand underneath her shirt, he continued, "But I can make you feel so good. So, so good." He waited as she almost melted in his arms. When there was no response, he jostled her gently, "You have to tell me yes, Aeryn. I won't take an unwilling woman."

Reaching behind him, she grabbed his ass with both hands, pulling him flush against her. "Yes," she answered strongly.

Nudging her hair aside with his face, he sucked lightly on the side of her neck, drawing a moan from her, then kissed a line down her neck as far as he could reach. "The bedroom's through that door." He indicated the only door in the open floor plan directly across from them. "Unless you'd rather have that tour."

"You offer me sex and then say you'd rather give me a tour?" Aeryn replied.

Nick grinned as she pulled away from him. "No. I'd rather toss you down on the floor and have you right here, but it wouldn't be very comfortable for either of us." He nudged her in the right direction. "I'm going to lock up." As she started to move, he rubbed his hand down her back and across her ass. She turned to look over her shoulder at him and he winked, giving her a crooked smile.

Aeryn glanced around as she walked through the apartment. The open floor plan; all one room except for the bedroom, was surprisingly neat for a bachelor. There were no dirty dishes piled in the kitchen, nothing scattered around the living room. A few books were stacked on the table, but they were piled neatly with folders stacked beside them that Nick had obviously been in the middle of grading when he had to get ready to go out for Mardi Gras.

Not expecting the neatness to last past his bedroom door, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that although it was cluttered; everything had its place. The bed dominated the room; a massive king sized monstrosity bound on three sides by thick mahogany boards. The headboard was also mahogany, but carved with images of a bayou rising above the bed. A scarlet spread splashed across the bed, bringing a bold amount of color to the otherwise plain room.

Glancing behind her, Aeryn noticed Nick had disappeared into the kitchen portion of the outer room. Reaching down, she slipped her sandals off since her feet were bothering her and decided to take him up on the unintended invitation to poke around his bedroom. A set of bookcases were crammed full of not only books, but also knickknacks; including something she was pretty sure was a crocodile tooth. The top of his dresser held a couple of pictures of people she could only assume where his parents and other family members. One was clearly his graduation picture, although from what, she wasn't sure. In addition, there was the typical detritus that came out of a guy's pockets when he took off his pants at night. Aeryn turned away from the dresser as she heard footsteps from the other room. She didn't want to get caught poking around his room.

Sinking down onto the bed, she squealed as she rocked from side to side. Nick grinned from where he leaned against door jam. "Not expecting a water bed?" he asked.

Aeryn tried to balance herself so she didn't fall over. "Not exactly," she answered.

Nick sauntered across the room, stopping as he reached her legs and leaning down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss. Bearing her down as he deepened the kiss, he pushed them back on the bed until they were lying together. Aeryn clutched his arms convulsively as the bed shifted under their weight. Nick smiled into the kiss as she tightened her grip on him. Murmuring to her in French, he tried to loosen her fingers. Finally he drew back from the kiss and sat up, straddling her legs. "Aeryn, the bed is going to wiggle, but you aren't in danger," he soothed.

"It’s just a little unnerving," she replied.

Nick lay down next to her, lazily playing with the edge of her tank top. "Is it going to be an issue?" he asked. "I'm sure we could find some place a little more...adventurous to continue this if it is."

Aeryn raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'more adventurous'?"

Nick eased his hand under her shirt and then under her bra, drawing a gasp from her. "There's my balcony, the dining room table, the couch. I mean take your pick."

Aeryn wiggled, trying to get him to move his hand higher, then gave up as he simply cupped her breast. "I think we're good here. I mean this is adventurous enough for me. We can just try it here," she babbled.

Nick grinned, delighted at her discomfiture, dipping his head and kissing the rise of her breast just above her top. When she relaxed beneath him, he licked the same spot and then drew back. Sitting up, he removed the t-shirt he had put on for their walk to his apartment. Aeryn's eyes widened, although she had seen the show before. Slipping his hands under her shirt, he pulled it up and over her head, tousling her hair. For a moment, he just gazed down at her, admiring the sight of her firm breasts encased in a pale pink bra. Aeryn began to feel self-conscious and brought her hands up, attempting to cover herself. "Oh, no, you don't," Nick said. He pulled her arms away. "You're gorgeous. There's no reason to cover yourself up." Dipping his head, he sucked her nipple into his mouth; causing her to arch and moan. Grasping his head, Aeryn wove her fingers into his thick hair, pressing him closer to her.

Reaching underneath her body, his practiced fingers undid the clasp. He broke the seal of his mouth just long enough to pull the bra off and then resealed it before tossing the undergarment away. Sucking gently, he pulled back from her, then trailed his tongue down her body until he reached the edge of her jeans. "What're you doing?" Aeryn asked as she raised her head to look at him.

Nick dipped his tongue under her jeans and then grinned up at her. "Aeryn, if you don't know what I'm doing, we need to have a serious discussion."

Aeryn twisted one of the shorter locks of her hair nervously. "Well, I mean I know what we're doing or, well, sorta what we're doing, but I'm..." she trailed off.

He crawled back up the bed, making it sway with his movement, and stretched out beside her. He kept contact with her, trailing his fingers up and down her torso, cradling her against his body. "Chéri, its fine. You're doing just fine." He nuzzled the side of her neck for a moment, then brushed her hair away from her face. "If this is making you too nervous, we can stop," he offered, although it was the last thing he wanted to do.

She snuggled up against him, pressing skin to skin, and accepted the kiss he bestowed on her. He slid his tongue inside; inviting hers to come and play. When he pulled away, she smiled shyly at him. "I want this."

Nick nodded. "Okay. Then relax." He took her hand, guiding it to his chest and then drawing it downward, finally stopping at the tattoo that was half-in and half-out of his jeans. "Why don't you do some exploring?" he suggested.

Hesitantly, she traced the edges of the tattoo that were visible above his pants. When he inhaled so she could dip her fingers below the waistband, she paused, then, after glancing up at him, she undid the button. His breathing stuttered to a stop for a moment as she held still, then slowly eased the zipper down. She locked eyes with him as she did it, never looking away. Finally he reached out and grasped her hand. "You're killing me, Aeryn."

"I don't mean to," she replied.

"I know, belle fille, and you're so sexy in your innocence, but will you trust me to lead?" he asked. "Before I explode from anticipation?" He didn't think she was still a virgin, and he didn't want to ask and offend her, but she was obviously not very experienced.

Aeryn rolled onto her back, her hands at her side; stiff as a board. "Do what you want," she said resignedly.

Nick wanted to pound his head against the headboard, but knew he would regret the impulse. She went hot and cold so quick, he wasn't sure what to do with her, but she wasn't telling him no and he was determined to see if he could draw the reactions from her he wanted.

Starting at her collarbone, he placed open-mouthed kisses down her body; drawing first gasping breaths from her and then, as he reached her breasts, full-bodied moans. He sucked first one nipple and then the other into his mouth, laving them with his tongue, until she was writhing beneath him and begging for more. He reached down and pinched the base of his cock as her cries began to get to him, trying to starve off the intense feelings. Continuing down with his mouth, he trailed one of his hands down and twisted the button on her jeans, freeing it. Slipping his fingers inside, he pushed them in until he found the wet center of her. She tensed up for a moment as he slid his fingers inside her, then suddenly opened up to his touch. Murmuring to her in a mixture of French and English, he encouraged her to relax at his touch.

Nick sat up for a minute so he could pull her jeans and underwear off. Grinning he traced, then kissed, the Celtic triangle tattoo on her right hipbone. "Now this I never would have expected," he informed her. He studied the red and black triangle for a few moments.

Aeryn lifted her head far enough to see what he was talking about. She blushed. "I got it when I turned twenty-five."

Nick lay back down, running his tongue over the tattoo and smirking when she jerked under his attentions. "Now see that's hot. You are completely ruining my image of you, Aeryn."

"Is that a bad thing?" she asked apprehensively.

Writing Meeting Stop Here

He shook his head as he parted her folds. "Not at all." Dipping his tongue inside her, he lapped at her juices. She tensed under his ministrations for a moment, then relaxed and groaned as he moved deeper, aiming for her clit. Nick loved going down on a woman; loved the taste of a woman at the core of her; the sounds she made as he coaxed a climax from her. The bed wavered beneath them as Nick pushed her towards the heights and then over.

Aeryn smiled lazily at him as he crawled back up her body. "Wow," she murmured. She tried to lift her hand to stroke the skin that was right next to her, but couldn't summon up the energy. "Wow," she managed again.

Nick pressed against her, trying to rouse her enough to see he still needed attention. It took a few minutes, but she finally opened her green eyes. "Ready?" he asked.

She threw her arm around his waist, pushing at the jeans that just barely clung to his hips. "Yeah. I want you inside me," she told him.

Reaching across her, Nick pulled open the drawer of his nightstand and fished out a condom, tossing it onto her stomach. "Open that," he instructed as he lifted his hips and wiggled out of his jeans. Aeryn's eyes widened as she realized he wasn't wearing anything beneath them. He grinned when he realized what had caught her attention. "Annoying things, boxers," he explained, "but, yes, I wear them when I'm teaching." He leaned down and kissed her deeply, taking the condom from her and sliding it on. "But not the day I did that lecture," he whispered in her ear.

He used the distraction of his words to slip inside her, the wetness of her climax easing his way. She was open and welcoming; her surprise not giving her time to tense up. He was seated fully in her almost before she realized what he was doing. She gasped, then groaned as he filled her completely.

Nick waited a moment, although the temptation to move was almost too much, trying to give her time to adjust to his size. When she wrapped her arms around him and moved her hips into his, he thrust shallowly. Aeryn bucked back in response and he pulled out, gliding back in easily. She braced her feet on the bed, spreading her legs wide and giving him more room to move. Brushing her hair aside, he whispered, "You're so tight and you feel so good."

Almost shyly, Aeryn kissed his neck and it was all Nick could do not to lose control. She was naked and willing in his bed and she was still acting so shy. Bracing himself, he began to move with more rhythm; driving himself into her over and over again. Sooner than he expected he could feel the tightening at the base of his cock that signaled his climax. He shifted slightly, trying to push Aeryn over with him, but could feel himself lose control before she went. "Oh, god, Aeryn," he ground out as he toppled over the edge. Just as his vision grayed out, he felt her tighten around him and heard her moan low and long.

When he was aware of his surroundings again, Aeryn was trying to wiggle out from under him. He threw an arm over her and pulled her against his side. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked sleepily.

She tried to fight him for a minute, but gave up after he only tightened his grip. "To find my clothes and call a cab," she explained. "Isn't that normally how these things go?"

Nick forced himself awake so that he wouldn't say something that would completely ruin this. "Normally I don't kick a woman out of bed right after I've made love to her," he said. "If you need to go, lemme get up and get dressed and I'll take you. Otherwise, go to sleep and I'll make you breakfast and take you back tomorrow."

Aeryn looked down at him. "You are not at all what I expected, Nick Gauthier."

"Yeah. I get that a lot. Sleep, Aeryn. Tomorrow I'll show you more of my Lady." He nudged her until she rolled over and he could spoon against her, settling down to sleep. Aeryn was still trying to puzzle out the dichotomy of the man when she drifted off.




Nick’s shirt: http://t-shirts.cafepress.com/design/11387136

Thanks to Dawn☆Embers for her help with the title.

French/Cajun:
chéri--darling
Bonjour--hello
Oui--yes
Laissez les bon temps rouler!--Let the good times roll!
Vieux Carre--French Quarter
belle fille--beautiful girl