by Kahlen Aymes
"What are you saying, Julia? I shouldn’t send you roses or get you gifts?” His American accent easily fell over his voice as he took on his role as Ryan.
I raised my eyebrow and shook my head gently. "I only need you."
He smiled softly at me and pulled my hand across the table and up to his lips. We weren't supposed to have any PDA's, but the touch of his lips on my wrist made my pulse speed up.
"Besides, Cade; material stuff doesn't mean anything. I already have my bracelet, the guitar, and the ring," my free hand went to my shirt to cover the chain that held my engagement ring under my sweater, "and, I do have you. That’s something every woman in the world between the ages of twelve and sixty-five will gladly kill me for." I waggled my eyebrows playfully causing Cade to roll his eyes.
“Whatever,” he dismissed in amusement.
Martin called places and we made our way back to the set. Cade released my hand, and walked behind me. I was acutely aware of the absence of his hand in mine, my skin still burning in memory of his touch.
"Happy birthday, honey. I love you." He leaned down and whispered in my ear, his hot breath washing over the skin of my cheek and neck. My heart stopped.
"See? That's perfect. All I need,” I said with a smile.
THAT EVENING, AFTER we left the restaurant, Cade and Dawson planned on getting together for one of our jam sessions in my hotel room. Nathan and Dad were staying in the same hotel, and Daniel Mayfield, Cade's good friend, who was also in Vancouver, joined us for dinner as well.
I'd had a great time after I could stop staring at Dawson's hair. He had a pound of hair gel spiking it up, which looked odd considering his hair was pretty long. When I'd joked with him about it he said he was trying to take some of the press off of Cade and me. Either way, it looked hilarious. I'd never seen anything like it, and I never expected Dawson to do something so weird with his style.
Cade left the restaurant with Daniel and Nate after he'd signed a bunch of autographs outside on the street. Dawson took me, and my dad, with him. Cameras flashed as I walked out with his hand in mine and he threw me a wink. I answered by squeezing his hand.
"Big mistake, Dawson. First thing in the morning the gossip rags will say we’re hooking up."
"Probably before the evening ends," he agreed, with a nod.
"Well, they should know I could never sleep with you tonight. Your hair would poke my eye out!" I teased him as he hunched down in the cab so his hair wouldn't crack on the ceiling.
He just laughed out loud.
Jennifer had a commitment in L.A. so she was unable to join us and Ethan had fallen ill with what we thought was food poisoning and was in his room recuperating.
Cade told Wendy she wasn't allowed to show her face at my birthday party. He was still pissed about the “overnight” innuendo of the previous weekend. Of course, she’d said she just overslept and missed her plane. I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but Cade was less forgiving and didn't want to deal with her at all.
He ordered wine with dinner. The drinking age in Canada was only eighteen and I could join him in a glass. I felt mellow and relaxed but not intoxicated from the effects. His eyes oozed over me all evening and heat flushed my skin with his every glance. No, I didn't want to be drunk tonight because the look in his eyes said the celebrations were only just beginning; later when we were alone would be very special. He was so beautiful and I was on fire for him. I was looking forward to the time when everyone left, but I wasn't going to deny that the time we spent playing music was always a blast.
When we all flooded into my suite, I removed my jacket and called room service to order some snacks and dessert. Cade played bartender; taking everyone's drink order acting the gracious host. I wandered over to him and leaned on the bar.
"Hey sexy," I said in a quiet voice only he could hear. He looked up from what he was doing and smiled.
"Have you had a good birthday so far, my love?" The dimples in his cheeks appeared and his eyes glowed, echoing the small smile that played on his lips.
"Mmmm... So good. I've been able to look at my sexy man all night, and he is gorgeous. What else could a girl ask?"
"I can think of a few things. It's only going to get better, babe. Is your dad going to stay long?" Cade asked suggestively. I couldn't help but smile as heat rushed through me and my body quickened at his unspoken promise.
"As long as the others, I suppose. Actually, I'm hoping he'll leave earlier so you don't have to pretend to go back to your hotel." He handed me a glass of white wine, and my fingers brushed against his as I took the glass. "What are you going to sing for me?"
"It's a surprise.” Cade leaned unperceptively toward me, but I could feel every breath of space that separated us. “I want to kiss you so badly it hurts." He leaned on his folded arms; his eyes dropping to my mouth. He bit his lower lip and my heart pounded wildly and heat built between my legs. He reached out and delicately brushed his fingers along my cheekbone. Electricity shot through me at his slightest touch.
"Okay, are you going to torture me all night? Is this what you're giving me for my birthday?" I couldn’t help staring hungrily at his mouth, my eyes silently begging for him to kiss me.
"Hey, you two! Let's get the party started." Dawson came over to get a beer and interrupted our private conversation. "Come on, birthday girl." He put his arm around me and led me over to the couches. I handed Nate the beer I'd brought for him, and Cade walked over to hand my dad a glass of Crown Royal.
"Dawson; I'm sorry man, I just have to ask. What the fuck were you thinking in regard to your hair tonight? I mean, if we point you into a stiff wind, you'll bloody take off!" His blue eyes sparkled with laughter.
Dawson shoved Cade’s shoulder in retort. "I didn’t have time to shower before dinner and so just put some water through it. Big mistake with all that glop in it.” He grinned. “You're just jealous because you don't have the guts to do it."
"Right." Cade shook his head then he strapped on his guitar and took a seat across from me, and my dad.
Throughout the course of the evening they played some of Dawson's songs from his band as well as a couple Daniel and Cade were working on.
Cade wanted me to sing something too, but I was tired and I was enjoying just watching him.
He was just so flipping amazing. I would’ve been happy to watch him all night, and the three of them together were spectacular. I’d spent a good part of the evening sitting beside my dad and snuggling into him. I could smell the cinnamon candies and tobacco emanating from him as I rested my head on his shoulder. My eyes were starting to get heavy from the wine I'd drunk and I was on the verge of falling asleep.
"I think I'm going to head back to my room, honey. I have some calls to return and it looks like you need to go to bed."
"Huh?" I raised my head from his shoulder. "Okay, Daddy. Will you and Nate join me for breakfast before you go back to L.A. tomorrow?"
I stood up to walk him and Nathan to the door and hugged both of them goodnight.
"Sure, sugar. We'll call you in the morning. Thanks for your hospitality tonight, Cade," he said as he reached out to shake the younger man’s hand.
"It was my pleasure, sir. Anytime. I'm glad you were able to join us."
"You're a very talented musician, son," he said as he patted Cade on the shoulder.
I wasn't sure if the pleasure on Cade's face was from the compliment or because my father had called him ‘son'. Either way, I felt proud. My heart swelled at the realization my father was beginning to love him, too.
It felt natural to say goodnight to my family with Cade by my side.
"Happy Birthday, sis." Nathan slugged me in the shoulder lightly then ruffled my hair.
"Thanks. I'm glad you came up with Dad, Nate. I love you, I guess," I teased.
After they left, Cade wrapped his arms around me and led me back to the couches where Dan and Dawson were waiting.
"Honey, I know you're tired, but we have one more
song to do tonight, and then we'll call it a night, yeah?"
I put my hand around his bicep just above his elbow and rested my head on his shoulder as we sat together on the couch.
"Okay. Is this my present?" I beamed at him.
"Yes. Daniel and Dawson have graciously offered their extraordinary talent to make it as special as possible. The song is called, Everything."
Everything. How apropos, I thought.
I'd just told him last weekend that I wanted to be everything to him, and here he was singing me a song about it. It was impossible to believe that someone so wonderful and thoughtful could really exist.
My eyes welled up, but I smiled and snuggled closer in behind him on the couch as they started to play; the three guitars blending, each one playing a different strain of the music, all of them composing the delicate strains.
Cade started to sing to me, his voice strong and clear. I listened to the lyrics that were so perfect, my hand tracing lightly up and down his back.
When the song ended, Cade put down his guitar and pulled me forward across his lap.
"That was just beautiful, thank you. I love you so much." I lifted my hand to the side of his face and stroked his jaw as his mouth descended softly on mine, tasting my lips so gently. I felt his hand at the back of my neck under the curtain of my hair as he kissed me.
“Not as much as I love you." His deep voice was low.
Dawson and Daniel were putting their guitars away and discretely getting ready to leave when Cade pulled away when we finally registered what they were doing. He stood, lifting me with him and setting me on my feet, so we could walk them to the door.
“Thank you so much for coming tonight, and for the song. It was amazing. I love you both."
Daniel hugged me and kissed my cheek. "Thanks for making my mate so happy, love," he whispered in my ear.
"He makes me happy. He's a gift." Cade’s friend smiled and hugged me again.
"Hey mate, no putting the moves on my girl." Cade gave Daniel’s shoulder a squeeze while I was kissing Dawson on the cheek.
"You're a good friend, even if your hair is off-the-charts bonkers." I nudged Dawson’s shoulder as he passed me on his way out the door of my suite.
Dawson laughed as he went out the door with Daniel.
The minute the door closed Cade was putting one arm around my waist and the other under my knees as he lifted me and carried me to the bedroom. I snuggled into him and placed several kisses on his jaw and neck on the way.
"Baby, do you want a bath or just sleep?" I ran my hand down the back of his head and pressed my mouth to his.
"Neither. I want you."
"Honey, you're dead on your feet. We have all the nights in the world to make love, Brook. Let me just hold you tonight, hmmm?" He laid me on the bed and sat down beside me.
I ran my hands up his chest enjoying the feel of the solid muscles beneath his shirt, as he leaned over to turn on the lamp next to the bed.
Cade took both of my hands and kissed first one wrist, then the other, before getting up and peeling off his T-shirt and coming back to me.
I was tired, but I tried to fight it. The wine made me so sleepy, but I wanted to be with him so much it hurt. He quietly undressed me as I watched his face, softly kissing my shoulders, neck, and stomach as he exposed each portion of my body.
Soon, I was left with only my blue silk bikini panties on, and he pulled me up to put the shirt he'd just taken off, over my head. I smiled up at him.
"You're so sweet to me all the time. How do you do that?" I ran my hand up his bare arm and over his shoulder to the back of his neck. I pulled his mouth to mine and he gave in and slid his tongue into my mouth and kissed me hard. We hadn't really kissed like this since that morning, and he tasted amazing.
"I missed you a lot today. Even though we were together, not being able to touch you and kiss you like this… I miss it."
Cade groaned against my mouth, our breaths mingling. He sucked my lower lip into his mouth as he pulled it from mine. I felt myself moving forward to try to reclaim his mouth.
He kissed my temple, and then pulled the covers back.
"You've got an early call tomorrow and I don't want you tired, baby. You need sleep, but I do have one more surprise for you," he whispered against my mouth and then nudged my top lip with the tip of his tongue.
"Cade, if you're refusing to make love tonight, you shouldn’t kiss me like that. It's mean." I put a teasing pout on my face.
"Hmmmph!" He snorted. He reached out and cupped the side of my face and then kissed the side of my mouth.
I heard the bedside drawer slide out and he was placing a small flat box wrapped in sliver paper and a burgundy ribbon in my hands.
My eyes widened as I looked at him. "But I thought you weren't getting me a gift."
"Well, I did. Open it, my love. I've been dying to give it to you for the last two weeks."
I sat up a little in bed and took his hand in mine as I looked into his eyes. They were aquamarine pools that darkened as he watched me. I could see the pleasure in his face as he waited for me to open the box.
The ribbon gave way and I peeled back the silver paper to reveal a white jeweler's box. My hand hovered over the top.
"Cade, what did you do?"
"Just open it already, Brook."
I flipped open the top of the box and nestled inside was a beautiful braided chain bracelet. The chain was very delicate in platinum or white gold and sparkled just slightly. In the center, opposite the clasp was an infinity symbol in the same metal. The sideways figure eight was filled with two pear shaped gems. A diamond on one side and an emerald on the other, one my birthstone and the other, his.
"How are you always so perfect?" My fingers ghosted over the bracelet. It was so beautiful and meant so much. I raised my eyes to his, and once again, he'd brought me to tears with his incredible love.
"Do you know what it means?" Cade asked. His hand came out to cup my face.
I nodded as a tear fell on my cheek. "It means you love me forever; that we are forever."
He took the bracelet from the box as he fastened it around my left wrist. It fit perfectly and it was gorgeous as it glistened on my skin.
"Yes. We are forever, Brook." He kissed the bracelet on my wrist and then removed his jeans, turned off the light and got into bed next to me. “I know you have the other one, but that’s Ryan and Julia’s. This is you and me.”
I curled into him and his arms enfolded my body.
"I know. Thank you. You’re a miracle," I whispered against his chest. "I love you so much."
His thumb was rubbing over the symbol on my wrist. I turned my face into his neck as my arm slid around him, to snuggle in close. His hand moved to my hair and I felt his breathing increase.
"Are you sure you don't want to make love tonight?" I whispered, dragging my mouth up to his.
He flipped me over instantly, his hand moving my hair off my face as his mouth hovered over mine.
"No. I'm not sure at all."
In the next second, his mouth smashed down hotly on mine and we were wildly devouring each other, his body pressing into mine and mine surging up to meet his.
No more words were spoken for the rest of the night. Both of us gave everything of ourselves to the other; endless, searching kisses, gentle caresses, breathless gasps, and passionate climaxes.
At the end of it, our hands were twined together, our breaths mingled as our mouths clung together, and our bodies were left trembling. My heart was bursting at the worshiping way he breathed my name.
"Brook. I love you. I love you."
He was everything. I was everything. We were everything.
Just—everything.
I WAS SO tired. The time on set was flying by and I was acutely aware. Cade and I spent every minute together that we could, and there were appearances or events that the studio arranged that included us with one or more of the others almost every night we weren’t filming. I cringed.
Last night it was a concert with Wendy and just her. It was an ordeal and Cade had been on the phone ripping into Denise the minute we realized it. We were used to the routine of not touching and keeping our relationship quiet, but last night was brutal. I tried to be civil and maintain the illusion of our friendship, while Cade, on the other hand; ignored her completely.
I'd just left Cade sleeping in my bed, and was on my way to meet Noah in the lobby to take us to set. We had a few retakes to do today. I wondered if the lack of sleep would affect my ability to work today.
After the late night, Cade didn’t try to make love to me and we snuggled all night. My body reacted automatically to his nearness and my mind was racing about his desire to confront the studio about their policies, so my mind wouldn't let me sleep. I probably didn't fall asleep until 3:30, and I had to be up at 5:15. I blinked my eyes. They were dry and burned.
Noah was waiting in the seating area of the lobby looking totally spry and wide- eyed, dressed in jeans and a brown T-shirt.
"Hey, Brook. Are you feeling all right? You look..." He shrugged and frowned.
"Extremely tired. Cade and I went to a concert last night with Wendy and I didn't get enough sleep. Stupid me, I should have stayed in and gone to bed early."
“But the studio is the studio,” Noah began and his mouth twisted wryly. “Bastards.”
I rolled my eyes and nodded. “Yeah,” I agreed, lowering my head as we passed through the hotel doors out of habit.
We walked out to the cars, and due to the early hour, the fans lingering were few. We signed a few autographs, posed for photos briefly, and soon were on our way to the set of Mike’s photo studio.
"Brook, do you think you and I can get some rehearsal time for the office scene? Maybe tonight? That scene shoots in two days."
I glanced at him and smiled. "Sure. If we get finished early enough today, I'd like a nap first, if that’s okay? What part do you want to rehearse?"
"The whole thing. It's just you and I, and we haven't spent as much time together as I think we should. Also, we have a lot in the next movie, so we should hang out more. You spent so much time with Cade on the first film getting into character, I thought you'd want to do the same with me." He shrugged. “This is new to me and I worry I’ll crash and burn.”
