Unforgotten Passion (Dirty Sexy Fairy Tales Book 4)

by Erika Wilde

  “Do I want to use it? No,” she said a bit stubbornly, then sighed. “Should I be a good daughter and at least let my mom know I’m okay? Yes. So, I will.”

  Her reluctance was palpable as she approached the phone, and while he finished up the pancakes, she turned on the device, typed out a text instead of calling, then quickly turned it off again. Clearly, Raevynn didn’t want to give her mother the chance to call the number back and listen to it ring.

  “There, it’s done,” she said quietly, putting the phone back down on the counter.

  “What did you tell her?” he asked as he carried their plates to the table, followed by butter, syrup, utensils, and a refill of his own coffee before sitting down across from Raevynn.

  She shrugged. “I told her I was with you, because I’m a grown woman, it’s my decision, and I’m not going to lie about it. I also told her I was safe and doing just fine, but that I needed a few days away without being harassed or bothered, and when I was ready, I’d meet her at the hotel where I was staying.”

  Collin couldn’t imagine having to constantly check in with anyone. He liked his independent life, the freedom to come and go as he pleased without asking anyone’s permission, and while he called his parents occasionally to see how they were doing or texted his sister, he never felt obligated to do either. But Raevynn had an entourage of people who looked after her, and if she went missing, they probably wanted details. Which she hadn’t supplied.

  “I’m sure my mother is going nuts right now, trying to call the number back and not getting an answer,” she said, and ate a bite of her pancake. “She doesn’t like being ignored.”

  He arched a brow at her. “Do I hear a bit of delight in your tone?”

  “Maybe. Just a little.” She gave him an impish look as she ate half a slice of crisp bacon. “I’m feeling all kinds of rebellious right now, and I kind of like it. But I’m absolutely fine here with you, and my mother needs to learn that I need my own life, too, that doesn’t include her dictating my every move.”

  He glanced across the table at her, meeting her gaze. Last night had been fueled with emotions on so many levels, but now that things had settled somewhat, he wanted to know what had prompted Raevynn to run away with him. It was a question he’d wondered since the moment they left the fairy-tale ball together.

  “So . . . want to tell me why you asked me to kidnap you yesterday evening?” Even though he was fairly certain he understood the gist of her reasons, it had been an extreme act on her end to beg him to take her away from her chaotic life when she had enough money and the means to disappear on her own.

  A half smile tipped up one corner of her mouth. “I suppose saying I was excited to see you won’t suffice?”

  He chuckled. “I’ll take it, but I know it goes a lot deeper than that.” He took a drink of his coffee, wanting to be let into her head and her life. “I’m also assuming I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

  “Yes, that’s true,” she agreed, her gaze softening. “When I saw you last night, I was overcome with this desperate need to just feel like a regular person, like I always did when we were together. You were like this lifeline I needed so badly, and I grabbed hold.”

  He was humbled that she still harbored that depth of trust when it came to him, despite how he’d ended things all those years ago. “Lifeline from what?” he asked.

  She shrugged and absently pushed the rest of her pancake around on her plate. “From this life I’m living.”

  His eyes widened in surprise. “You’re not happy being a famous singer?”

  She sighed and sat back in her chair, her expression introspective. “That’s a hard question to answer. There are aspects of my life and career that I love and that make me happy, but it’s not all the touring and performing and interviews and ad campaigns. Or even the obscene amount of money I’ve made. None of that brings me the kind of joy that it should.”

  His shock multiplied. “No?”

  She shook her head. “I’m living my mother’s dream, not my own,” she said, the words painfully honest. “You saw how it was for me growing up. My mother directed and controlled my entire life and decisions, giving me little choice in the matter, and like a good kid, I did exactly what she said, even though it wasn’t always what I wanted. And that need to please her just kind of carried on into me being an adult and her being my manager. And now . . . I don’t know who I am anymore.”

  Her voice cracked on that last sentence, and Collin tried lightening the moment and grinned. “You are Raevynn Walsh, acclaimed pop star.”

  “But that’s not all I want to be.” Sadness flickered in her blue eyes. “Don’t get me wrong. It was very exciting in the beginning. And even fun . . . until I was surrounded by agents and managers and teams of people seemingly pulling me in so many different directions, all for monetary gain. Then it became stressful and overwhelming and mentally and emotionally exhausting. And I’m not sure it’s what I want anymore.”

  Her misery was so palpable it made Collin’s heart ache for her. “What do you want, Rae?”

  “I want . . . normalcy,” she said, which was something Collin knew regular people took for granted. “I want to walk out in public and not be ambushed by paparazzi. I want my private life to be kept private, instead of my every move written about in articles and splashed across celebrity sites. I’m tired of living up to everyone else’s expectations. And the worst part? Even being surrounded by dozens of people on a daily basis, I hate that I still feel very alone and lonely because I don’t know who to trust beyond superficial friendship.”

  He nodded in understanding, even though it was hard to imagine anyone living in that kind of bubble. “Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate everything,” he suggested, even though he knew it was easier said than done in her situation.

  “That’s what I have to figure out,” she agreed with a nod. “All I know right now is that I need balance, and I need to be happy.”

  Yes, she definitely deserved that. “What would make you happy today, sweet girl?” He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh, and whatever her heart desired, he’d find a way to give it to her.

  She thought for a moment, then a beautiful, genuine grin lit up her face, chasing away all those other conflicting emotions for now. “What would make me the happiest is spending the day with you. Out in public. Holding your hand and enjoying your company. Let’s go to the Ocean City Boardwalk, like we used to when we were younger and before everything changed.”

  Her request was a delightful surprise and one he could easily make happen. He stood up, walked to where she was sitting, and gave her a playful bow. “Your wish is my command.”

  Chapter 8

  Even though it was a Sunday afternoon and the Ocean City Boardwalk was packed with adults and kids enjoying a weekend out in the warm sunshine, Raevynn managed to disguise herself enough that she blended into the crowd as she and Collin strolled along the wooden walkway, hand in hand, looking like every other couple around them. Her entire demeanor was at ease, her mood upbeat as she enjoyed the shops and sights.

  As she stopped to look at a window display of sterling silver jewelry, Collin cast a glance in her direction, amused by the big, floppy hat she had on her head, which she’d found in the guest bedroom closet. He remembered his mother using it years ago, but Raevynn managed to wear it like a fashion statement, and it also served the purpose of shading her too distinguishable features. As soon as they’d arrived, he’d purchased a pair of sunglasses from a sundry shop for her and she’d put them on. The large, white plastic frames covered her blue eyes and concealed half her face.

  Despite all the attempts at camouflage, the one thing Collin could easily recognize was the unfettered smile on her lips that told him how happy she truly was in this moment, how grateful to just be herself and enjoy the day like any other tourist. She wasn’t the center of attention or being rushed by fans or trying to avoid people attempting to take a photo of a superstar. Clearl
y, that privacy and ability to let down her guard a bit and relax for a while meant so much to her.

  “See something you like?” he asked, following her gaze to a specific part of the window display they were still standing in front of.

  “Actually, I do,” she said, a wistful note to her voice. “I’ve always wanted a toe ring, and I love that one right there.” She pointed to a band that was etched with a floral design.

  “Then let’s go into the store and get it for you,” he said, not thinking twice.

  “I don’t have any money on me,” she reminded him ruefully. “And I’m not going to keep spending yours even though I intend to pay you back for everything you’ve bought so far.”

  Collin realized that everything about today that involved money was going to become an argument with her about repaying him, and there was one way for him to put an end to that. “For the sake of me being able to treat you for the day without you feeling obligated to reimburse me for every little purchase, let’s consider today a date.”

  “A date?” she repeated, a thread of melancholy infusing her tone as she glanced at him, making Collin realize that he wasn’t a fan of the sunglasses, because it kept him from seeing her expressive eyes and really knowing what she was thinking and feeling. “We never had the chance to go on a real date back in high school.”

  “No, we didn’t.” Being alone with Raevynn those few months they’d been together had taken effort and planning and sneaking around her mother’s back. “So, let me take you on a date now.”

  She smiled softly. “I’d like that.”

  “So that means today is on me, no paybacks,” he said, making sure she understood so they didn’t have to revisit this conversation.

  “Collin—”

  “Nonnegotiable, Rae,” he said, cutting off her protest. “Let me do this one thing for you and make your day special and fun, please. I’m not as rich as you are, but a day at the boardwalk with you isn’t going to put me into debt. Neither is a twenty-dollar sterling silver toe ring.”

  She laughed and finally conceded. “Okay, fine.”

  They walked into the shop, and a few minutes later, they exited with her first souvenir circling one of her middle toes. She looked ridiculously delighted over the inexpensive trinket as they continued on their way, strolling in and out of various shops before stopping at Jilly’s Ice Cream Factory, which offered more than just the frozen treat. Instead of ordering cones, they shared a funnel cake topped with crushed sweet strawberries, and at the adjoining candy factory, Raevynn went a little wild, grabbing gourmet jelly beans, Swedish Fish, Pixie Stix, and Sour Patch Kids, all childhood favorites.

  Before they left, the two of them took a selfie together in front of the Sweet Spot, and with no one around, Raevynn quickly removed her sunglasses and kissed his cheek as he snapped the photo, her lips curved into a flirty smile. At the arcade, she challenged him to a game of air hockey. A table was set up in the back of the building, and with Raevynn facing away from any passersby, she shed her disguise and pretty much kicked his ass point-wise. He didn’t remember her being so competitive, but he liked the challenge, and he especially enjoyed her cute little victory dance when she won.

  There was so much to see and do, and the afternoon flew by, filled with carefree fun and laughter, reminiscing, and making new memories, too. When the sun finally went down and dusk settled in, she daringly took off her glasses and hat and stuffed them into a beach bag he’d bought to hold her things. Though she received a few curious stares, no one pointed, approached her, or identified her. The fact that her signature long blonde hair was pulled into a braid instead of being worn in soft waves down her back helped keep her identity more ambiguous.

  “This is so liberating,” she said a bit giddily, lacing her fingers through the hand he’d rested across her shoulders to keep her close. “We just had dinner in a restaurant and no one noticed me.”

  He glanced at her smug smile and laughed at how pleased she was with herself. “That might be because I strategically asked for outdoor seating, where the lighting was much more subdued and the area more private. And I made sure you faced away from the other customers.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Being able to crack open those crab legs and dip the meat into that drawn butter with my fingers was wonderful.”

  “Yeah, you were a bit savage,” he teased, though he’d thoroughly enjoyed watching her decimate her meal.

  “I was a savage,” she agreed unapologetically, flashing him a beaming grin. “When I have a meal out in a public place, I usually have to be so careful about what I order and how I eat it. I don’t think you understand just how wonderful and relaxing it was not to have to watch my etiquette for fear of someone taking an unflattering photo of me and posting it online for everyone else in the world to pick apart and critique.”

  He winced at the unpleasant picture she painted. “That’s really happened?”

  “Oh, my God, yes,” she said, her lips pursing in frustration. “If I have a bad day, it’s documented everywhere and speculated upon. If I have a piece of salad between my teeth, the paparazzi are going to zoom in on it and make sure the world sees, too. If my clothing is too loose, I’m anorexic. If my pants are too tight, I’m getting fat or I’m secretly pregnant. It’s brutal.”

  He shook his head in disbelief because it was so foreign to him that she had to constantly worry about those things. He couldn’t imagine how difficult it had to be living her life under a microscope, always being judged and scrutinized.

  “But I don’t want to think about that today,” she said, the annoyance in her voice shifting to a more cheerful tone, which he preferred, too. “Before we head back to the house, there’s one more thing I want to do.”

  He smiled down at her upturned face, knowing he’d try his damndest to give her the moon and stars if she asked for them. “And what’s that?”

  She pointed ahead of them on the boardwalk to Playland’s Castaway Cove and one of the amusement park rides that was lit up like a giant kaleidoscope of neon colors. “Now that it’s dark, I want to ride the Ferris wheel with you.” Her finger lifted to the very top of the apparatus. “I want to see what the city looks like from up there.”

  “Okay.” That request he could easily fulfill.

  They strolled in that direction, and after purchasing two tickets, they got onto the ride, sitting side by side. As the wheel slowly rotated upward, Raevynn cuddled up to him, and he put his arm around her, everything about the moment intimate and romantic. At the very top, she gazed out at all the twinkling lights of the city, her expression reflecting awe before she turned and met his gaze with a wealth of gratitude shimmering in the blue depths.

  “Thank you for the most perfect day ever,” she whispered softly, appreciatively. “It was easily one of the best days of my life.”

  He tipped his head in amusement. “I would think winning one of your many Grammys would top that list.”

  “All those awards are a nice validation . . . but you gave me something I haven’t had in a very long time. The ability to be and feel normal. Today meant so much to me, and I loved spending this time alone with you, without a bodyguard hovering nearby,” she added with a bit of humor.

  Collin felt the same exact way, and he was glad that he’d been the one to provide all these memories, and not some other guy. “It was my pleasure, sweet girl.”

  With her looking at him with such adoration, he lifted a hand and cupped her cheek, turning her chin a bit more so he could lower his head and kiss her. Their lips met, soft and reverent. So achingly sensual, yet there was no denying the slow burn of desire that quickly rose between them.

  “I lied,” she murmured against his mouth a few moments later. “There’s one more thing I want.”

  He pulled back a few inches to see her beautiful face. “Anything,” he said, meaning it.

  She bit her lower lip for a moment. “I want to spend the night with you in your bed, and not just to sleep.”

&nbs
p; Heat sluiced through Collin’s body at her brazen request. There wasn’t a single reason he could come up with to say no, and the truth was, he didn’t want to. They were both adults, and as much as he didn’t relish having just a short fling with Raevynn, he’d take whatever he could get with her, for as long as it lasted. A few more days and she’d return to her high-profile life, and he’d return to his quiet, solo one.

  But until that time came, she’d be all his, and he’d make damn sure she knew it.

  Chapter 9

  Raevynn took a quick shower when they returned to the house to rinse the sea salt from her skin, and Collin did the same in his bathroom. The separation gave her a few minutes to switch her brain into a more seductive mindset, which was something she wasn’t used to.

  Up on stage, performing in front of thousands of people, she was confident and fearless, her provocative dance moves all choregraphed and second nature because she did them hundreds of times. There was nothing to think about because all those routines were memorized, her sultry onstage persona all an act that she shed the moment she ended a concert.

  In her own private little world, she was actually quite modest, and it had been seven years since she’d been intimate with a guy. Despite her three years with Zane and how they’d been linked romantically, their relationship had been purely platonic. They’d never slept together. Hell, they hadn’t ever kissed with tongues involved. It had all been a publicity stunt, mostly to benefit Zane’s image.

  Collin was her one and only when it came to sex, and despite her overwhelming desire for him, Raevynn couldn’t help but be a bit nervous about pleasing him. The explicit way he’d spoken to her last night led her to believe he hadn’t spent the last seven years being celibate, not that she’d expected him to be a monk. But he was probably now used to being with more experienced women, and despite the perception surrounding her as a singer, Raevynn wasn’t a vixen or a temptress.