“What can I do to help?” I asked.
“Other than stop dating Jackson—which you told us wasn’t an option—nothing. Lauren, I want you to continue to live your life as you normally do. Don’t concern yourself regarding David. He’s been informed you’re like a daughter to me. It would not be in his best interest if anything else were to happen to you.”
Victor did treat me like a daughter, and Blake and Cary would add a spoiled, rotten daughter. Victor gave me everything I wanted, which might explain why he wasn’t pushing his opinion about Jackson. He indulged my every desire.
“Victor, do you think David would try something?”
“He would be very foolish if he did.”
I looked over to Cary. “Well, this kind of explains what I overheard you talking about with Joel at your place.”
“What are you talking about, love?”
“When I overheard you and Joel talking about the shooting that night . . . I was confused as to why you were discussing it with him. It seemed you were blaming him for what happened.”
He stared at me, shifting his eyes over to Victor.
Victor nodded. “Joel works for me, Lauren. He’s one of my security personnel for the network. Cary informed me about the masquerade ball. I thought it would be wise to have you and Blake looked after.”
“I don’t understand.”
Cary became upset. “Maybe that’s because you only heard a few pieces of our conversation?”
“Cary, I’m sure Lauren didn’t intend to listen in on your private conversation.” He stared sternly at his son. “Lauren, we should have been up front with you. I didn’t want to alarm you if it wasn’t necessary.” Victor sounded apologetic. “Things seem to happen with certain people in the mix. Call it overreacting, but I agree with Cary in saying that I will do everything in my power to keep my family safe.”
I knew Victor had security at family events and any public functions Cary attended. However, I never thought there was concern over attending a masquerade ball. Specifically since, Cary wasn’t present.
And why was Cary so upset?
I had been trying to remember the whole conversation, and I wished I could. I did remember Joel asking him . . . .
Wait a minute.
My palms started tingling. I turned and spoke directly to Cary. “There wasn’t another woman. You were talking about me!”
He sat there expressionless. He was concerned about me the whole time. I should have been relieved the woman I feared he cared so deeply about didn’t exist, but the possibility he cared for me more than I knew was mind-boggling. The reality that he wouldn’t act on his feelings was paralyzing.
Victor touched my hand. “Lauren?”
I took my eyes off Cary. It was apparent he wasn’t going to admit anything there, especially in front of Victor, but I would pursue it later.
“I understand, Victor. I’m just trying to process this threat. I’m no one, and—”
“Never say that, Lauren! You have no clue—”
“Cary!” Victor stared him down, then turned back to me. “Lauren, you know you’re like a daughter to me.”
I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “I know. Thank you.”
“Here’s your binder, Victor. Sorry it took a while. The valet was slow, for some reason. What did I miss?”
Cary’s eyes darted to mine. “We were telling Lauren that we would put out a statement regarding the photos.”
Blake stuffed his mouth with a piece of bread. “Will that help control this crap?”
“It should take care of this PR leak.”
“I don’t plan on having another leak, Cary.”
“You never know. We have to be proactive. You were snogging a famous bloke who has a girlfriend.”
I wasn’t going to dignify a response. “Thank you, Victor, for doing this, all of this, for me.”
Blake broke the ice when he clapped his hands together, as the waiter placed a massive steak in front of him. “Who’s hungry?”
When we stepped outside the restaurant, there were fans waiting to ask Cary for pictures and autographs. It was interesting to watch their reactions. Their excitement was all over their faces, many of them grinning from ear to ear, unable to speak. I could tell their hearts skipped a beat or two when he flashed a smile their way.
As he signed, he would look over at me, and I felt my heart skip a beat. All I could do was stand there and watch him work the crowd. Charming wasn’t the right word for Cary. He oozed a special kind of charisma and had an unexplainable allure.
My body started to go limp as he swaggered toward me. Cary looked incredible in anything he wore, but Cary in one of his signature suits was mouthwatering. The dark green suit made his eyes smolder. The look he sent my way was new, flirtatious in a way. The mood changed between us when he placed his arm around my waist and began speaking animatedly to Blake. He might not have realized he was caressing the small of my back, but I felt every stroke from his fingers.
Blake wanted Victor to listen to his final mix at the studio. Cary seemed pleased with that. He whispered to me that Victor’s interest in Blake’s career could steer Victor away from his for a while. As much as Cary hoped, we both knew Victor would always be overly involved in Cary’s career.
Victor and Blake decided to head over to the studio immediately, since Victor was only in town one more day. We said our goodbyes, and Victor and Blake left.
Cary stayed with me. “Do you want to go home, love?”
“Do you want me to go home?” I meant to sound witty, but it came out breathy.
He tilted his head with a crooked grin. “Dessert?”
“We had dessert.”
He started shifting from side to side. He looked uncomfortable, and that made me nervous.
“Coffee?” he asked.
I was mentally drained from everything they told me. I didn’t want to go over it again with him, but apparently, he had more to say. I had a few questions of my own.
“I can do coffee.”
Cary walked over to Ruben, and he told him he would take me home. Then Jonathan and Cary started to talk in low voices. Jonathan gave him a concerned look, but nodded, and signaled the valet to bring around the cars. We took Cary’s clunker car, and he drove off, fast. Cary had several cars at his disposal, but that vintage one was his favorite.
“Can your car survive going this fast? I mean, you paid what, two thousand dollars for it.” The man made millions, but he was cheap.
“Funny, love, but the place closes soon.”
“What place?”
“It’s a surprise,” he said, clearly pleased with himself. “What?”
“Nothing.” I turned on the radio and fidgeted with the dial. “Thanks, for being . . . you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He glanced over to meet my eyes.
“For being all, you know, overprotective. Oh, and I understand why you told Victor.”
“We’re good then?”
“I know you care for us and would do anything to make sure we’re safe. I get that.”
“I told Dad because I had no choice. I never wanted to break your trust.”
“I still trust you, Cary. Who would’ve thought dating was such a hazard for me.” I giggled.
“At least he wasn’t your first.”
I was quiet.
“You have dated before, haven’t you, Lauren?”
“Um, I went on dates, with friends, but I never really dated, dated, before Jackson.”
His mouth dropped. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Tons of blokes fancied you—”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“No. In fact, Blake had to threaten many of them.”
“Huh. That would explain a lot. Anyway, most of my guy friends were actual friends; guys who had girlfriends.”
How ironic.
Was that going to be my pattern? I wondered.
I looked at Cary, who seemed to find tha
t quite humorous.
“They never saw me as anything but a friend. Well, a couple did, and it was awkward.”
Cary suddenly flipped open his ringing cell phone and started listening to whoever was on the line. “Thanks, Madison.” He shut his phone and placed it on the console. “Sorry. My PA, Madison. My agent booked me for a show in Manchester next week. One of the groups had to bow out. I would’ve refused, but it’s for charity.”
“Why would you refuse?”
He shifted in his seat and ran one hand through his hair. “I don’t want to leave you.”
I gasped, and instantly, I felt the atmosphere shift, as I tried to calm down my heart.
Don’t over think this, Lauren!
“I’ll be away for a few weeks, but I’ll be back.” He glanced over at me.
I took a deep breath. “Cary, you worry too much. I’ll be fine.”
“I would feel better if I were close by.”
I wanted to reach over and touch him, but I knew I couldn’t. No matter how hard I fought, gravity kept tugging me toward him.
“Lauren, while I’m away, could you look after my flat?”
“Won’t Sabrina be there?”
“I thought I would give her some time off. Wouldn’t you want to have a place to yourself for a bit?”
“That would be nice. Blake is going to be mad that you didn’t ask him.”
“Always selfless, aren’t you?” He smiled. “Actually, I was going to see if he wanted to come along and be my opening act.”
“He’s going to lose his mind over that!” I chuckled, anticipating Blake’s reaction.
“It may do him some good. He needs a change of scenery.”
“I would say he doesn’t deserve it, but I can’t. I wish I could go.”
“Lauren, you can go. I kinda thought with your job maybe you couldn’t, but I bet Ashley would be fine with it.”
“I couldn’t do that to her. The production is winding down, and it’s getting busier. They’re scheduled to wrap up the final scenes next week.”
We pulled into a familiar driveway, and Cary couldn’t contain the huge grin plastered on his face.
“Coffee, huh?” I asked.
Cary stepped out of the car.
He drove us to our bakery. The place he took me as a kid. He would drop by and surprise me, telling Blake he needed quality time with his little sister. I loved the bakery, and the great times we had there.
A slew of emotions rushed over me. It was our place.
“They’re still open?” I asked.
He opened my car door, grabbing my hand, with a cunning smile. “For us they are.”
As we approached the front door, it swung open. “My angels. It’s been a long time, chil’rens.”
There stood the owner in her bright purple housecoat. “Ms. Brooks. Thank you for staying open.”
“My, my, suga,’ you sure have grown into a handsome young man.”
Cary’s ears turned red. “Thank you.”
He had no problem with young girls fawning over him, but older women made him lose his cool.
“Lauren? Child, that’s you? You’re skin and bones.” She gave me a hug. “Suga,’ you grown up to be a beautiful young lady.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“What a mighty handsome couple you two are. I knew you chil’rens would get together. Come in now.” She shut the door behind us.
Both Cary and I were silent.
“I laid out y’alls favorites, and there’s a fresh pot of coffee on the stove. Sure enough, a handsome couple you are—can’t wait for those babies.”
Our heads shot toward her as she smiled brightly. I was embarrassed, and Cary looked slightly ill.
“Ah . . . thanks again, Ms. Brooks,” Cary escorted her out the door.
“My pleasure, child. Lock up when you finish, and don’t be a stranger, you hear.”
“We won’t.” I waved goodbye.
Cary walked with her over to her home across the street from the bakery. When he returned, he went to the counter and poured two cups of coffee.
“Cream and sugar?”
“Yes,” I answered, sitting in our favorite round booth.
He placed the cups down along with two slices of caramel cake—my favorite—and sat close to me.
I couldn’t wipe the conspicuous smile off my face.
“So, this?” I pointed to the goodies placed in front of me.
“What?” Cary feigned innocent.
“When did you plan this?”
“I told Dad I wanted to do something different for dessert. We were on the same page until the waiter passed by him with his favorite dessert—that traitor.”
“That’s why you kept glaring at him while he was eating his bananas foster.” I laughed.
“I knew you loved this place, and thought you might have forgotten it was here.”
All laughter ceased.
“How could I forget, Cary? It’s our place.” I stared into his dazzling, blue eyes.
Cary smiled back at first, but started fidgeting. He began to play with his hands, then ran them through his hair. I watched as he hypnotically pulled at his silky, messy, sexy-as-hell hair.
He began to lean closer, as I focused on his mouth pronouncing my name. Entranced, I sat and watched as the corner of his mouth curled up.
“Lauren, where did you go?”
Snapping out of it, I stuttered. “I-I . . . I’m blown away by what you did.”
He looked at me slyly. “If I’d known this was going to get that reaction, I would’ve done it sooner.”
“What reaction?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. He started fidgeting, again. “Eat.” He pushed my plate closer toward me.
“Why are you always pushing food in my face? Do you think I need to gain any more weight?”
“You look fine.”
“I’m trying to stay that way. I worked hard.”
“I want you to enjoy tonight.”
How could I resist with the puppy eyes he threw my way. I took a big bite of the caramel cake.
“Mmmm, so good.” I licked my lips. “I’m really going to miss you. I always miss you when you’re away.”
He was silent. Too silent. Until he said, “Not since Jackson arrived.” His words were cold.
“What does Jackson have to do with you?”
“A lot, Lauren! You’re dating him, and you think . . .”
“What?” I raised my voice.
“It’s because of him that your life is turned upside down.”
I needed a moment. If we continued on, one of us would say something we might regret. I knew I would. I had numerous choice words already in my head that would blow things out of proportion.
“Look, Cary. I had a part in that, too. I chose to go out with Jackson, and we did kiss that night.”
Why did I say that?
Cary took a deep breath, and his eyes rolled back. “I’m not blaming you. It’s his fault for putting you into that situation. He knows how things work. If he cared about you, he would’ve protected you better.”
“Like you?”
“I don’t get what you see in that bloke. For Jackson, there’s more to it.”
“Maybe, or maybe you’re feeling this way for another reason?”
“What other reason is there? I care about what’s going on with you and your family. You know that.”
“I did, but now, I’m wondering if you feel strongly about my situation for another reason? Perhaps something more like . . . you and me.”
He examined my face closely. Knowing him as I did, I could tell he was going back over our conversations. Turmoil filled his eyes, as I watched his anxiety build—like mine.
Jackson’s earlier question then came to mind. What did Jackson see in my eyes regarding his innuendo about Cary and me?
There were scattered hints of jealousy that flashed in Cary’s eyes every time someone mentioned Jackson’s name in relation
to me. I owed it to myself to find out if what I felt between us was real.
The air around us felt heavy, the anguish amplified. Yet, what was strange, was that I could clearly feel all that.
“Cary. Am I wrong? Can’t you feel it?”
His eyes were darker than I’d seen before, and his face exposed with torment. But, he didn’t respond.
The lock that held my feelings for Cary and acted as a shield from the heartache that always seemed to follow me concerning him cracked.
He slowly leaned closer, and I followed, not taking my eyes off his. I could feel his warm, jagged breath on me. His eyes kept darting back and forth over mine.
My eyes tried to tell him everything I couldn’t express with words.
“Cary, I know you feel this connection, too. Or am I imagining it just like that night?” So long ago it seemed, but always fresh in my mind.
“Lauren, if you would have let me explain, then you would finally know that fear was the reason I froze during our kiss.”
“Fear of what?”
“I was a boy. A teenage boy with raging hormones, and I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“I was that hideous to you?”
“How many times do I have to tell you that you’re beautiful, no matter what you look like? You can be strong and confident in certain areas, yet timid with this? Why can’t you see?”
“I try, but it’s hard being confident when I had people constantly making fun of me!”
“You didn’t think they might have been jealous, love?”
“Of what, Cary? What could they have been jealous over? You just admitted that I scared you from kissing me back!”
“You were like my little sister. And I wasn’t going to allow my hormones to mess that up.”
“Then explain what you said to Joel.”
“I didn’t know you were listening!”
“I told you I didn’t mean to, but I know what I heard. I may not remember much, but I know you said you cared for me.”
A deep groan escaped from within him—his glare intense, almost carnal. “Lauren, there’s too much you don’t know about me.”
“I’ve known you since we were kids. We may be older, but I knew you then, just as I know you now. I know your favorite flavor of ice cream is peppermint. I know you have to brush your teeth before you wash your face, and it has to be in that order. I know the line that pops out on your forehead is reserved for when you’re really angry. You take two spoonfuls of sugar in your tea, with a dash of cream that you start pouring from the rim of the cup, stopping only when you reach your imaginary stop line—about two inches above the rim. Shall I continue?”
The Devil has a British Accent: Book One: Jackson (White Carpet #1) Page 19
