Catching Caroline (Silver Falls Book 1)

by Megan Nugen Isbell

  Adam slid into a table in a corner and I sat down beside him. He pulled me close and put his arm around me. It wasn’t more than five seconds before one of the sirens in black came over.

  “Welcome to Venu,” the girl said, flashing a perfect white smile. “I’m Deanna and I’m here to make sure your night is perfect, Mr. DeLain. Can I get you something from the bar?”

  “Thank you, Deanna,” Adam said, smiling back at her. “I’ll take a rum and coke. What about you, Caroline?”

  “Um, a mojito is fine,” I said, saying the first drink that came to mind.

  “You got it. I’ll be right back.” Deanna flashed another smile and I was glad to see her turn and leave.

  “How’d you do it?” I asked.

  “Do what?”

  “There’s hardly an open seat in the place, but we slid right into this primo spot and we barely had a chance to breathe before someone was here taking our drink order.”

  “I called earlier and told them I was coming. It was rather easy actually,” he said, the smugness returning.

  “I take it you’re a regular here then?”

  “I like coming here if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “I guess I’m just trying to understand your life here,” I said, my eyes drifting around the club at the white walls and sleek modern feel. “There’s a lot of beautiful women here,” I mentioned. “Like our hostess.” My voice was soft and then I felt his fingertip under my chin and he turned my face until I was looking at him.

  “Please tell me you’re not insecure being here, Caroline.”

  I didn’t say anything right away and he knew my answer.

  “I’m sorry, Adam. I can’t help it.”

  “Please try not to be.”

  “I’m trying, but…this is so out of my element…it’s so far away from Silver Falls and then…then I start thinking about your past and…”

  “It’s my past, Caroline,” he interrupted.

  “I know,” I said, looking down at the table for a second before meeting his eyes again. “I can’t help thinking about it though…remembering the women I saw you in the pictures with. I’m so not like them.”

  “I’m not thinking about the past anymore. I’m only thinking about the future…with you,” he said, brushing his fingertips over my cheek and then he came in closer, pressing his lips against mine just as Deanna returned with our drinks.

  Adam only pulled away enough to mutter a thank you to Deanna and then his lips were on mine again, more forcefully this time, his tongue pushing deep inside while his hand rested on my thigh. I told myself to get control of my emotions; to not let what he was doing to cause me to end up like those people in the dark corners I’d seen when I first walked into the club. It was impossible though, not with Adam and not when his hand slid under my skirt.

  “You’re the only woman I see in here, Caroline,” he whispered into my ear. My heart was going crazy inside my chest and it was almost painful when his hand came off my thigh. “Now, let’s have a good time, okay?”

  He picked up his drink and I did the same. We tapped our glasses together and then we each took a long sip.

  “We’re okay?” he asked and I nodded.

  “Yes. I’m sorry for…for acting like this…for being so…so me,” I said, not knowing what else to say.

  “I don’t want you to ever apologize for being you. I love your innocence and the fact you have no idea just how hot you really are.”

  He smiled at me and I had to laugh as we finished our drinks. I could feel myself relaxing from the drink and I was grateful for its ability to calm me down so I could enjoy tonight.

  “Will you dance with me?” he asked when our glasses were both empty.

  “I’d love to,” I said, taking his hand and inching out of the booth.

  The dance floor was packed and the DJ was playing a techno song with a fast beat. We found a spot and I wrapped my arms around Adam’s neck. His hands were on my waist a second later as our hips started moving together. I’d always loved dancing. I wasn’t very good at it, but I didn’t let that stop me. It was my first time dancing with Adam and he was good; smooth and rhythmic. He made my subpar dancing seem not half bad with him to lead me.

  “I have to say,” he said, nearly having to shout in my ear so I could hear him, “I like dancing with you, Caroline.” He cupped my ass for a moment and I started laughing.

  “You’re getting a little handsy there, Mr. DeLain,” I said, reaching around and pushing his hand to the small of my back.

  “It’s just a little preview of what I have in store for you later.” He rested his forehead against mine so our eyes were locked and our lips nearly touched.

  “You’re awfully presumptions, don’t you think?” I teased.

  “I am, but I don’t give a damn.” He suddenly grabbed my face with his hands, kissing me fiercely, his tongue forcing its way into my mouth, my knees almost buckling at the feelings it was causing to pulse through my body. He suddenly pulled back just as quickly as he’d started and he knew at that moment I was putty in his hands. I would’ve done anything he asked of me.

  “I think you have the right to presume,” I said, breathlessly. He smiled, his arms tightening around my waist again and pulling me against him so I could feel just how much he wanted me.

  “You don’t know how happy that makes me,” he said into my ear.

  “Actually, I think I do,” I said, surprising myself when I pushed my hips harder against his groin. His eyes got wide and he swallowed hard. I knew at this moment, he was the one who was putty.

  “You never cease to surprise me, Caroline. So sweet and innocent one second and a total vixen the next.”

  “I’ve gotta keep you on your toes, DeLain,” I laughed, grabbing his collar and pulling him to me, pushing my mouth to his and not caring who saw us.

  We must’ve danced for at least a half an hour. We laughed and he held me close. He’d kiss me for no reason and touch me in ways that were modest enough for a public place, but alluded to what he wanted to do to me when we were alone. I didn’t want to stop, but the combination of the exertion, the crowded dancefloor and the warm summer air that couldn’t be completely tamed with air conditioning, had left me with a fine sheen of perspiration on my skin and a parched throat.

  “I need a break,” I finally said to him and he grinned at me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me in for a kiss.

  “Yeah, I could use one too.”

  “I’m gonna head to the ladies’ room really quick. I’ll meet you back at the table in a few,” I told him.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked.

  “A water would be great,” I said and then smiled at him before making my way to the restroom. I wasn’t surprised to see the long line and I waited my turn, surrounded by a stream of girls who made me feel completely out of place. They were chic and perfect and I glanced down at my dress, feeling very much like an imposter. Adam thought I was beautiful, but compared to these people, all I felt was ordinary.

  I finally got to the front of the line, used the bathroom and went to the sink. I washed my hands and then looked in the mirror. My hair hadn’t held up well. All the movement had caused it to look stringy instead of sleek the way I’d hoped. My makeup was fading too so I reached into my pocketbook for my brush, running it through my hair. I reapplied my lipstick and when I looked at myself again, I thought the touchup had been successful and I walked back into the noisy club.

  It seemed even more crowded as I made my way back to Adam. I took a deep breath telling myself not to hyper focus on just how out of place I was at this club; how different I felt than the people around me. That the only thing I was enjoying about Venu was the fact that Adam was with me. I didn’t like the crowd though and I didn’t like the noise. I’d rather be snuggled up together on the couch watching a movie in the quiet of his townhouse than be here. This was what Adam liked though and this night was for him to celebrate the news he
’d received from the doctor. I told myself to suck it up and get him back on the dance floor. When I was dancing with him, I seemed to forget about everyone else. It was just him and I and that was what I wanted.

  I was nearly to our booth when I looked up and stopped. Adam was sitting, his drink in his hand, but he wasn’t alone. Two women were standing at the edge of the table. They looked very much like the women I’d seen Adam with before in pictures. Tall, leggy and unusually pretty. I instantly felt my insecurities taking over at the sight of the stunning red-head and the even more stunning one with long black braids and deep mocha skin. They were perfect in their designer dresses I knew cost at least double what I’d paid for my get up. Their breasts were practically spilling from the deep necklines and I looked down to mine and shook my head. I’d only seen the women Adam dated in the past in pictures and that had been enough to make me feel inadequate. Seeing them in the flesh caused a whole new wave of messed up emotions and doubt to invade my thoughts.

  I don’t know if Adam felt me staring at him, but he looked up, meeting my eyes. I knew he could tell what I was thinking. The women’s eyes drifted to me and I couldn’t help but feel as if I was being examined. I was certain they didn’t feel threatened by me in any way.

  Adam turned away and said something to the women who glanced at me once more before walking away. He stood up and started towards me. A moment later he was in front of me, taking my hand.

  “Who were they?” I asked softly, trying not to sound too jealous.

  “Just some girls.”

  “Do you know them?” I asked and he shook his head.

  “No,” he answered and then he brushed his fingertips over my cheek and looked into my eyes. “They were trying to talk to me. Said they were fans.”

  “They weren’t just talking to you, Adam,” I said, trying to laugh and he didn’t try and deny it.

  “No, they weren’t.”

  “Is it always this easy for you?” I asked nervously.

  “Hazard of the job,” he said gently and then smiled, pressing his lips softly to mine. “I know what you’re thinking, Caroline.”

  “What am I thinking, Adam?” I asked and I watched as his face dipped.

  “That I somehow want them more than I want you. That you’re not as pretty as them. That they’re like the girls I used to date,” he said and I didn’t deny it, because I felt every one of those things. “Am I right?”

  “Maybe,” I answered.

  “I wish I could understand why you feel the way you do,” he said softly as the corners of his mouth pulled down into a frown. “I wish there was something I could do to get the idea that you’re not beautiful out of your head. When I look around this room, you’re the only woman I see. The only one,” he said quietly as he kissed me again, pulling me close as his tongue took over my mouth possessively, causing me to forget about the two women and all my insecurities for those few moments. “Try and remember that,” he whispered as our mouths hovered close. “You’re the only one.”

  I pulled away from him slowly and as our eyes met, I felt beautiful.

  “What do you say to getting out of here?” he asked softly. “I want to be alone with you, Caroline. I need to be alone with you.”

  I swallowed hard as I felt the longing for him between my legs at the thought of being alone with him at his place.

  “I want that too,” I responded, my cheeks flushing at the thoughts that had already infiltrated my mind.

  He smiled and then took my hand. He started walking quickly, leading me as we zigzagged through the crowd. I just wanted to get out of here and have him alone. I felt myself smiling at the thoughts of what I’d do to him, but then he suddenly stopped as we neared the entrance to the club.

  A dark-haired man was standing in front of Adam, a smile on his face as if he knew Adam and not just as a passerby recognizing a baseball player, but rather on a personal level.

  “Adam DeLain,” the man began as one side of his mouth crawled up into a smile. “I didn’t realize you were back in Boston.” He extended his hand and Adam let go of mine to shake his before letting go and placing his hand on the small of my back as we stood side by side in the noisy club.

  “It’s good to see you, Rick,” Adam said, almost having to shout to be heard.

  “What brings you back to the city?” Rick asked.

  “I had a doctor’s appointment and had to meet with the team,” Adam answered and Rick instantly looked intrigued.

  “About the arm presumably?” he asked and Adam nodded. “What’s the prognosis?”

  “C’mon, man,” Adam sighed. “You know I can’t talk to you until the team’s released an official statement.”

  “But you’re here and you looked about as happy as a pig in shit when I saw you walking for the door, so I’m assuming it’s good news for you…and the team, of course,” he added.

  “Wait for the press release. Should be soon,” Adam said and Rick nodded, but his eyes drifted over to me. “Can I at least get a statement from you about the beautiful woman at your side?” Rick smiled and I felt my cheeks blush again. Adam laughed and pulled me close.

  “You don’t give up, do you?” he asked and Rick shook his head.

  “You should know me by now to know that I don’t,” he chuckled and then stuck his hand out to me. “I’m Rick Stone. Sports writer for the Boston Globe.”

  The lightbulb went off in my head now. I’d found Rick’s persistence strange, but it made perfect sense now.

  “Caroline Hale,” I said, shaking his hand.

  “Nice to meet you, Ms. Hale,” Rick said and then looked at Adam.

  “Is that all I get? A name? You know how the ladies like to know what’s going on with you, Adam,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “And this lovely young lady seems different than the usual type I’m used to seeing you hang around with.”

  I felt Adam pull me closer. I didn’t like where this conversation was going. I could feel the uncertainty in myself Adam had managed to erase with his kiss only a few minutes before start to trickle back in after Rick’s words.

  “Caroline’s my girlfriend, from back home in Silver Falls,” he answered and a grin spread on Rick’s face again.

  “Well then, I’ll leave you two to your night. It was good to meet you, Caroline from Silver Falls, and I’m anxious to hear from the team regarding you, Adam.” He extended his hand and Adam shook it once more before Rick disappeared into the crowd.

  We stood silently for a few seconds before Adam took my hand again and continued to maneuver us through the crowd. This time it wasn’t as urgently though and I could feel the desire that had been boiling over before the encounter with Rick had diminished.

  It felt good to step out into the warm summer air. I felt like I could breathe again and I found Adam and I standing side by side, staring out in the street as he held my hand.

  “I’m sorry about that,” he finally said, his voice quiet as the music resonated from inside.

  “Why’d you tell him about me when you didn’t even say anything about your arm?” I asked.

  “Because he would’ve speculated then. He would’ve gone digging.”

  “Why does he care who you’re dating? He’s a sports writer.”

  “He’s a journalist. They’re all the same. They all work together. He would’ve found out and I wanted him to know the truth before he decided to run with speculation,” he sighed and then turned my body so I was facing him. “I’m sorry the night had to end with that.”

  “It’s okay,” I said, even though I couldn’t help but think about what Rick had said about me being different than the girls Adam was normally spotted with.

  “I’d almost forgotten about that part. It’s one thing to run into fans, but the press is an entirely different ballgame,” he said and then grinned at me. “Excuse the bad pun.”

  I laughed and he pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me and kissing the top of my head before letting go a second later. He looke
d at me with the same desire in his eyes that had been there before Rick interrupted our escape. He took my hand then, leading me to the car, both of anxious to be alone.

  ~~~

  It was after one when we got back to his place. I wasn’t as tired as I expected to be though. I was just grateful to be away from the crowd and in the quiet of his house. I knew Adam felt the same way.

  “This is better, don’t you think?” he asked as we walked into the kitchen.

  “Much better,” I said, turning to see him leaning against the doorframe, his eyes traveling over my body. I folded my arms and smirked at him. “Do you really enjoy ogling me that much?”

  “Actually, yes, I do.” He pushed himself off the frame and came towards me, sliding his hands around my waist so he was looking down at me, the smile still on his face. “Ogling you is one my new favorite things. Does it bother you?” He was teasing me and I felt the smile forming on my face.

  “No. I actually kinda like it,” I grinned at him and he leaned down, kissing me softly for a few moments before he spoke softly.

  “It’s late. Are you tired?”

  “A little.”

  “We should head to bed then.” He kissed me again and then I followed him upstairs.

  I was getting my pajamas when I looked up and saw him taking off his shirt. I wondered if he had any idea just how hot he was doing the simple task of getting undressed. Part of me thought he was doing it deliberately. Undoing the buttons slowly and then pulling it off in a way that caused his muscles to flex. When the shirt was gone, he tossed it into the hamper and then looked at me. There was a smirk on his face because he’d caught me ogling him this time. My hand was still in my bag, but I hadn’t moved since I caught sight of him.

  “Who’s the ogler now?” He grinned and I felt my cheeks redden. He started undoing his belt and once he’d taken care of the button and zipper, his jeans fell to the floor, leaving him in just his boxer shorts. He opened a drawer and I saw him pull out an undershirt. He was just about to slide it on when I stopped him.

  “Don’t,” I said and he turned to me, eyeing me in that way that told me he knew exactly what he did to me. “Leave it off.” I was surprised at my boldness. I think he was too, but he put the shirt back and closed the drawer.