Guilt washed over him. He’d had to trust Sophie for what he’d thought would be a short timeframe in order to keep up appearances for his career. He never expected to fall in love and have the situation with Sophie put his new relationship in jeopardy.
It was only after getting to know Kristin that he realized what it truly meant to start over. Her first tentative steps in the wake of her husband’s death showed his own to be meager at best.
David rolled his head in a circle attempting to dissipate the tension that had knotted the muscles in his neck. Kristin’s stance was tense as well, her shoulders rigid. “I’m sorry, Kristin. Please believe me that I never thought in a million years that Sophie would have gone after Haven.” He blew out a long breath. “If it weren’t for your involvement with me, she wouldn’t have been introduced into your life for any of this to happen.”
Her shoulders visibly relaxed a little. “At least you don’t think I’m crazy, now.”
David spanned the distance between them in one long stride and traced the line of her delicate face with his finger. “I never thought you were crazy, I just didn’t think Sophie would try to ruin your business over me.”
“I think she would actually do a whole lot more than that to keep you.”
He continued his gentle caress. “I won’t let her do anything else to hurt you. Or us.”
Kristin took his hand and peered up at him through her dark lashes. The rosy scent of her perfume invaded his senses. “At least you’re through pretending you’re a couple.”
David swallowed as his blood pumped a little faster. “Uh, about that, actually. Bernard and I discovered something in our meeting today.”
Kristin stiffened as she eyed him skeptically. “What?”
David cleared his throat while he fought to find the right words. “Well, Sophie and I are booked to host an awards ceremony together in Glasgow the day after tomorrow. I actually need to fly out tomorrow afternoon for the rehearsal.”
She jerked her hand nimbly away. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Displeasure was thick in her voice.
“Please understand, actors book things months in advance, years even, in some cases. Sophie and I agreed to this months ago, before any of our troubles started.” David placed his hands gently on Kristin’s shoulders as he pled with her.
“And before I met you.” He kissed her forehead gently.
Kristin tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and crossed her arms in front of her as David’s hands remained on her shoulders. “I don’t know if I can take this, David. It was so difficult for me to take this plunge with you. You asked me for everything, even pulled it out of me by force at times, and it feels like you’re not willing to risk as much for me when you stay involved with Sophie.”
David’s chest constricted in disappointment and anger at himself. If he lost her, he would lose a part of himself. She was right about everything.
He had demanded she share everything with him, knowing full well what it took for her to do so. And here he was, telling her to stand on the sidelines one more time while he took care of his business.
David moved his hands from her shoulders to cradle her head. Her hair was silky against his skin. “You’ve shared deep places with me and I can’t even tell you what that has meant to me, lass. I only have this one last thing to do. You are my heart.” He kissed her soft cheek not wanting to break the physical contact with her.
“Bernard is working with Sophie’s agent on a statement that will be issued to the press about the breakup for later. Then, like my heart, all of me will be with you and only you.”
Kristin covered one of his hands with hers while she pressed her cheek further into the nest of his palm. “You promise? No more pretending? No more Sophie?”
Her fair skin was so soft and warm against his hand. “I promise. And, I’ll make sure she leaves Haven alone.”
Kristin sank into his arms as her soft curves melted into him. “Do you really have to leave tomorrow?” Her voice was muffled by his chest.
“Aye, I really do. But it will only be for three days or so.” David tightened his arms around her. “You could come with me.”
Her head bounced back and forth against his chest. “And watch you pretend with that woman again? I really don’t think so. Besides, I need to repair what she’s done to the gallery.”
David brushed the top of her head with his lips. He tried to memorize the scent of her rosy shampoo. “How do you want to spend the last night we’ll have together for a few days?” Images of the passion from the day before brought parts of his anatomy to attention.
“Well, we could watch a movie.” Kristin walked out of his embrace and took his hand, batting her eyes seductively.
“Uh huh.” His lips curved into a smile as she sashayed away from him.
“Or, we could make some dinner.” Kristin gently pulled him across the room, into the bedroom.
David tugged on her hand and brought her body tight against him. “Or, we could…” His mouth illustrated his point while it devoured hers in a kiss.
Kristin’s soft contours molded into his body as he deepened the kiss. Her tongue twisting around his ignited a fire within him as only she could. David reluctantly released her mouth, and he nibbled along her neck to her shoulder. The taste of her skin permeated his very being making him want more of her.
His fingers fumbled with buttons and zippers while his hand slid her shirt over her skin. Exploring her curves, her smooth skin rippled under his touch. This is what heaven must be like.
He craved her passion and his mouth crushed hers, his tongue darting past her teeth to trace lazy circles around hers, savoring her taste.
David eased Kristin softly back onto the bed, holding his body taut above hers. His lips tasted a path over the curve of her neck to her pert breasts. He encircled each bud with his lips and tongue, pulling small whimpers of pleasure from her, the sounds driving him on further. He wanted to sample every part of her, every soft curve. He etched every touch, every taste of her into his mind forever.
When he could hold back no more, David closed his eyes and slowly sank into her moist heat.
“Oh, David,” she moaned and arched her back.
His name on her lips while he was inside of her was the most erotic thing he had ever heard. He wanted to extend her pleasure and moved inside her deliberately, excruciatingly slow, enjoying the sensation of being encased in her molten core over and over. Kristin whispered his name with each thrust, arching her back to take him deeper, though nothing would ever be deep enough. He would never have his fill of her.
David clung to her desperately, coming closer and closer to the edge of pleasure, thinking of nothing more than falling over that edge with her. With one final thrust, he cried out her name and tumbled over, his body tensing with his release. Kristin cried out as well, spasming around him. Nothing else in the world mattered, except where his body and soul was joined with hers.
He held her fiercely, feeling the beat of her heart keeping pace with his own. His breathing slowed as he withdrew and pulled her close. David buried his face in her hair and inhaled deeply. She always smelled like roses. Red roses.
Kristin sighed and her body melted against him. Fulfilled, David fell asleep.
~~~
David yawned and glanced at his watch as he trudged up the staircase of the large hotel. His flight to Glasgow had been delayed, so now he had to drop his luggage off in his room, and rush to the rehearsal.
Sophie was staying at this hotel as well, to continue with the whole idea of keeping up appearances one last time. David hadn’t actually spoken to her since that night at the theater. Her agent had been acting as the go-between, relaying the necessary information back and forth. That left the assumption that Sophie was still furious. It didn’t matter and made it easier for him.
Saying goodbye to Kristin at the airport earlier had been difficult. Being apart from her actually caused him physical pain, like a kick to the gut. He w
anted her know how much she meant to him and had repeated his promise that this would be the last time they would have to deal with the charade of an engagement, and the last time they would have to concern themselves with Sophie.
David yawned again while he perused the room numbers as he walked the hallway of the third floor. The light cast from the sconces along the walls was swallowed up by the glossy cherry woodwork and hunter green wallpaper. Even the carpet was a dark burgundy, muffling his footsteps as he searched for his room number. Finally, he found room three-twenty-four, opened the heavy door and entered.
The room was probably bigger than he needed, with a king size bed, love seat, and small dining area. He adjusted the tightness of his pants caused by images of Kristin lying naked on the massive bed.
David dropped his luggage by the bed and walked to the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, he splashed some cold water on his face to jolt him out of his tiredness. The cold water stung enough to achieve the desired effect.
His reflection in the mirror looked a little haggard. The flight that was supposed to have taken two hours ended up taking almost four. Paired with the stress that ate at him about seeing Sophie again, he was knackered.
After drying his face with a fluffy hotel towel he returned to the main room. His gaze froze on the small table near the foot of the bed. A bouquet of yellow roses in a faceted crystal vase adorned the table, and a small piece of paper with his name on it leaned against the base.
Had Kristin sent him flowers? David crossed to the table, picked up the note and opened it.
David,
Delighted to see that you aren’t completely daft after all. I was afraid you would try to back out of this commitment, and that would have been a big mistake. I look forward to your touch. Enjoy the roses. They reminded me of that time in Paris.
Love, Sophie
Furious, David crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it against the wall. Didn’t she understand they no longer had a relationship? That her actions had tarnished any pleasant memory he had of her?
David tossed the roses, vase and all, into the waste basket and glanced at the clock on the bedside table. The car that would take him to the rehearsal at the Royal Concert Hall should be downstairs now. He rubbed his temples and left the room, the door swinging shut behind him.
~~~
Kristin stared at her watch again. Ingrid was late for their lunch date, as usual. She shifted in her seat and looked around the brightly lit interior of the restaurant. Couples shared meals at every table, enjoying an afternoon together.
Soon she would share every day with David. Building a life together, maybe even starting a family. Excitement coursed through her, making her want to jump up out of her seat. She didn’t want to get too ahead of things, but she could barely sit still from the sensation.
She missed David so much. He had been in Glasgow for two days, and his flight was due back tomorrow night. Nervous energy bounced around inside of her, so Kristin had left the gallery to window shop. Ingrid’s call with a lunch invitation was a welcome diversion. If her friend ever showed up, that is.
Finally, Ingrid breezed into the restaurant wearing a bright blue dress and large, floppy hat to match. “Sorry I’m late, love.” Her hand touched her chest as she tried to catch her breath.
“I had one of those clients that just wouldn’t belt up. I swear, some people just adore the sound of their own voice.” Ingrid settled herself into the chair across from her and finally looked directly at Kristin. “How are you, then?”
Kristin smiled at her friend. Ingrid was always a breath of fresh air. She could always count on Ingrid for an honest opinion, even if it might be blunt. “I’m doing all right. I just had to get out of the gallery for a bit. I was feeling like I was going to crawl out of my skin.”
Ingrid arched her eyebrows as she removed her hat. “Any particular reason for that?”
Kristin’s fingers tapped out a nervous rhythm on the table. “David is in Glasgow, hosting an award ceremony with Sophie Miller.”
Ingrid’s mouth grimaced into a thin red line. “You’re bloody kidding me, right? You must be off your trolley, allowing him to be alone with psycho woman.”
Kristin exhaled a shaky breath. “You’re right, but I’m hoping he will keep his promise. That this is the last time their schedules will ever meet. Besides, he also has to address her meddling.”
Ingrid straightened in her seat, her attention immediately captured. “Meddling in what?”
Kristin’s fingers ceased their incessant noise. “Psycho Sophie has been busy trying to ruin my gallery in an attempt to keep David under her thumb.”
“How so, love?” Ingrid’s bright blue eyes narrowed.
Kristin’s shoulder’s sagged. “I had an artist back out of a show because of an offer from a larger gallery, whose best patron is none other than Dorothy Miller, Sophie’s mother.”
“Go on,” Ingrid urged.
“That gallery uses the same printer I do, and suddenly refused to extend me any credit, even though I’ve been a good customer for almost two years. And The Guardian let someone cancel an ad I placed, giving them a full refund of my money.”
Ingrid shook her head back and forth as she folded her arms across her chest. “And Psycho Sophie has been behind it all?”
“Apparently.” Kristin nodded. “I told David I thought she was, but he didn’t believe me until right before he left for Glasgow.”
Ingrid absently fluffed her hair in an attempt to undo the damage from her hat. “Couldn’t you have gone with him?”
“He asked me to, but I didn’t want to face psycho. Ingrid, I trust him.” Voicing her trust out loud for the first time was a huge step for her.
Ingrid placed her hands on the table and leaned forward in her seat. “And now he’s possibly alone with that crazy woman in Glasgow, hosting some event?” Her clear blue eyes were direct as she searched Kristin’s face.
Kristin blinked rapidly, a little stunned. “When you put it like that…”
“How else can you put it? He may be well prepared to leave her for good, but psycho has put a lot of effort in ruining your business. Could she not try and do the same to ruin David’s love for you?”
Kristin moved her hands to her lap, as her pulse throbbed with sudden alarm. “But I…I trust David. Do you know how hard it is for me to admit that? I love him, and I trust him.” The words did little to calm her anxiety. Would Sophie get David to betray her? Would he no longer believe in his love for her? “It’s Sophie I worry about.”
Ingrid propped her elbows on the table and laced her fingers together. “I’m not trying to throw a spanner in the works and make you doubt him. I am happy that you found love again, I really am. I just worry about you, that’s all.”
Her blue hat tilted as Ingrid smiled and shrugged. “I know how hard it is for you to trust. I just have a niggling feeling something is wrong. Plus, I’ll probably never think there’s any bloke really worthy of you, no matter how much I pressed you into putting yourself out there. I wanted you to spend some time meeting new people and dating around, not fall madly in love with the first chap you fancied.”
“It wasn’t like that, Ingrid.” Kristin leaned forward as her anxiety receded, switching to a small bristling of irritation. “You know how I have struggled with my feelings for David.”
Ingrid held up a hand, her bracelet catching the light. “Calm down. You know how my mouth can botch things at times.”
Kristin’s lips quirked with the beginnings of a smile as her friend apologized. “And to think that your job is representing people in public.”
“Oy!” Ingrid’s voice carried exaggerated disdain. “I’m good at my job, and you know it.” She waggled her finger.
Kristin giggled. It was nice to have fun with her friend, even if the conversation got heavy at times. She opened a menu. “What are you going to have?”
Ingrid pulled open her own menu. “Why didn’t you tell me about the problems a
t the gallery before now?”
Kristin’s head shot up in surprise at her friend’s sudden change in subject. “What?”
“I could’ve helped you if you’d told me about the problems you were having. Bugger that, I still can help.”
Kristin closed the menu. Ingrid had a point. Why hadn’t she leaned on her friend for support? “I really didn’t understand what was happening until it was too late.”
Ingrid cocked her head to one side. “Still, I’m a public relations agent, as well as your friend. So why didn’t you tell me?”
Kristin hadn’t intended to shut her friend out. David and Sophie had taken over entirely too much of her life. She sighed and threw her hands in the air helplessly. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want to feel like I was taking advantage of you or anything.”
Ingrid took Kristin’s hand across the table. “I’m your friend. Asking for help is not taking advantage. It’s what I’m here for, love. And you would do the same.”
The words of her friend touched Kristin’s heart. “You’re right. Two brains are better than one when tackling a problem.”
Ingrid’s head bobbed in agreement. “Now, I have something I need to take care of.” She sat back and rummaged through her purse.
“What’s that?” Kristin crinkled her nose at her friend.
Ingrid fished out her cell phone and held it up. “I have to call the airline. We’re flying to Glasgow tonight.”
“Huh?” Kristin’s blinked in confusion and disbelief. “I can’t do that. I can’t afford it, for one.”
The phone stayed clamped to Ingrid’s ear by her shoulder while she opened her wallet and plucked out a credit card. “Corporate card, love. Anything is possible with this little piece of plastic.”
Kristin shook her head back and forth in awe of her friend’s brazenness. “Won’t you get into trouble?”
Second Chances Page 16
