Further topic was my age and speculation about our age differences. The buxom blonde, thought it was horrible and said it would ruin Cayden’s career. One host, the auburn beauty, saying who cares if I was older. After all, it has been socially acceptable if the man is older, therefore that archaic belief, it being taboo for the woman to be older, should be thrown out with the bath water. The male host shot out the fact of hunky Hugh Jackman, who’s in his early forties, and his wife Deborra-Lee, who is in her fifties. “Look at Deborra-Lee Furness,” he said. “She is older but no one seems to focus on that fact.”
The blonde commentator snickered, flipping up her hand. “Oh my God,” she uttered as if she were going to gag at the comparison. “This is Cayden Cain we are talking about; he needs a Demi Moore if he is into older women, not some recluse romance writer.”
The third host, who by the way, looked like a Sport Illustrated swimsuit model, had no real opinion, only felt the need to cry if Cayden came off the market, so to speak, having fantasized about him. But before the program ended, there was further speculation regarding Cayden’s recent bombshell about the possibility of hanging up the acting career. One of the female commentators tied the whole thing up in a nice little bow stating it could be possible Cayden’s announcement was really due to me. While the press was not accurate in their predictions or their assumptions they were eerily close, which made me very anxious.
I was beginning to think I shouldn’t watch TV any longer. Altogether avoid it. I would suffer less anxiety.
“How is my lovely fiancée?” Chandler asked in his booming husky voice from somewhere behind me, making me jump up from the couch.
“Chandler, crap!” I yelled. I heard him laughing. “Do you always need to scare me? Can you not enter into a room properly and make yourself known?”
I shifted around to see him. Chandler’s hair was wet as if he had just taken a shower. It looked as though he had thrown on his clothing instead of putting them on. Actually, I wasn’t quite sure he was finished dressing. Chandler was wearing low-slung jeans, a dark navy blue shirt, unbuttoned, and he wasn’t wearing any shoes. In his right hand, he held a mug, probably coffee, and had a paper tucked under his arm.
“Sorry,” he said, smiling. The familiar crinkles returned around his jade green eyes.
I was fairly sure he wasn’t sorry but Chandler would be Chandler.
“Um, Chandler, do you think you should actually finish dressing?”
He peeked at me from the side, his bad boy grin appearing. “Why, does my sexual magnetism and rocking hard body bother you, Winter?” He chuckled wickedly.
“Ch…right, Chandler,” I said, rolling my eyes. “So you’ve seen the latest?”
“Yep,” he replied, plopping down on the large leather couch beside me, seeming quite undisturbed.
“I am getting worried,” I admitted.
Placing his feet onto the rustic log-looking coffee table, Chandler smirked. “Relax, Winter, you are always worried. You are going to go prematurely gray from all the worry.” Chandler opened his paper and started reading the sports section.
“Chandler, they had pictures of my hand. My hand,” I emphasized. “And from what I can tell I am going to need to start wearing sunglasses so no one can see where I am looking. And then you have got to love those long-range lenses.”
“You would look good in sunglasses.”
“Chandler!”
“Winter, stop. You need to relax. Right now it’s all speculation. Unless you and Cayden snap and stick your tongues down each other’s throats while out in public, they have no real proof of your relationship. And I will give you the same advice I gave my little brother.” Chandler looked directly into my eyes and said quite seriously, “When you are out in public stop groping each other with your eyes.”
I felt the expression on my face turn to surprise.
“Groping?”
“Yes. Can you not get through a day without eating each other up with your eyes?” Chandler chuckled. “Sometimes I get nauseated watching you two look at each other. Cayden looks at you like he wants to take you up against a wall, and you look like you are going to drop to your knees and—”
“I get it, Chandler.” I interrupted his lured commentary.
I started blushing at his accuracy. I remembered the little endeavor in the restroom of the restaurant where I did indeed drop to my knees, and Cayden did take me quite expertly against the wall. Okay, door not wall but door, wall, it’s semantics really.
“You have got to be kidding me?” Chandler blurted out with amusement.
“What?”
“By your blush, I’m assuming it’s too late. It was at the restaurant, wasn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about, Chandler.”
“I can’t believe what my brother can get women to do,” he mused. “I knew something was going on that day. My brother looked far too happy when he came back to the table.”
“You are letting your dirty mind speculate.”
“Uh huh…,” he said taking a sip from his mug, eying me. “You need to be careful. The paparazzi are lurking everywhere so no more restroom breaks for the two of you.”
While Chandler’s advice was borderline pornographic, he did have a point. Cayden and I would need to be much more careful. The paparazzi and their invading cameras seem to catch everything. Of course they tend to catch things when they hang out in alleys, by trash cans, lurk in back rooms, hallways, hang off rooftops, and perch themselves in the bushes ready to ambush you with their long-range lenses.
“You always have a unique way of looking at things but you are right, we need to be careful. But I am not admitting to anything by saying this to you, Chandler.” I clarified with a laugh.
He chuckled. “Well at least you are laughing now and not a crabby ass.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“I’m going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?” I offered.
Chandler shook his head. “I’m good, thanks.”
My cell phone rang. I glanced down to see it was Zander’s number. I smiled, stood up and headed for the kitchen.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hey baby, what are you doing?” Cayden’s voice was upbeat.
“Hey,” I said, relief washing over me as it always does to hear his voice. “I just finished watching a nice little program about all of us on the Reelz channel.”
“Yeah, I hear it was quite interesting. I have not seen it yet. Are you okay?”
“I am fine. But the verdict is out. If you want an older woman, it needs to be a Demi.”
He broke out into a chortle. “Baby, you are a Demi, even better, you are my Winter.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your announcement in the French interview?”
Cayden’s low even laugh vibrated across my ear. “I didn’t get the chance to tell you much of anything. I believe you sexually harassed me while I was doing that interview. And then you made me weak in the knees after the interview was over.”
I laughed. “I couldn’t help it. You were so frickin’ hot, I had to.”
“Speaking of the sexual harassment I suffered. Have I ever told you how much I love your lips?”
“I think you have mentioned my lips before,” I admitted.
“Well, your mouth and tongue is quite impressive. In fact, you have an extraordinary talent, an artist really. I would also like to say, just for the record, anytime you would like to sexually harass me like that again I would be happy to oblige.” He laughed wickedly.
“Well, an artist is only as good as the subject she chooses and just so you know, for the record, you are very, very good.” I giggled. “I think we better change the subject.”
“Why? Are you blushing?”
“Maybe, but speaking of being naughty, did you know that you and I, eye grope each other?”
Cayden laughed harder.
“Baby.” He was still laughing. “You’ve been talking to Cha
ndler.”
“Yeah, but in his own weird way he has a point. The pictures they have on us are very eye opening,” I said.
“Well I will work on it, but I can’t promise to stop groping you with my eyes. It is hard enough not being able to touch you when we are out. I’ve got to have something. Besides, a little eye groping never hurt anyone. We’ll wear sunglasses so we can continue our eye groping.”
I giggled. “I love you, Cayden.”
“I love you, too. You be good and stay out of trouble while I’m gone. I will call you later tonight.”
“Okay. I miss you. Please be careful, keep Langdon close.”
“I will, baby, don’t worry. You are the beating of my heart,” Cayden said before he hung up.
I wandered around the kitchen trying to decide what I wanted to eat. I settled on making some chicken noodle soup, not really sure if my stomach could handle much more. My stomach issues from the flu wanted to linger. With my mug of soup in hand, I took a seat at the bar in the kitchen. I heard someone coming in through the front doors of the estate. I knew it had to be either Zander or Melissa.
“Hey, Winter,” Melissa called out as she entered into the kitchen.
“Hi, Melissa, how have you been?”
“Good, how are you feeling? You looked a bit peaked on the flight back to New York.”
I shrugged. “I feel much better. My stomach is still a little iffy from time to time, but I’ll be fine. How are things going with the shoot in the city?”
“Pretty good, it looks like the movie might even make the original completion date.”
“That’s good to hear.” I paused wondering where Zander was. Melissa and Zander seemed connected at the hip most of the time. “So I am a bit surprised to see you here without Zander,” I commented.
Melissa smiled sheepishly. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you this.” She paused glancing down at her hands briefly. She traced eights on the surface of the counter with her finger. “I’m going to tell you anyway.” She looked up at me with her bright blue eyes flashing the color of denim.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m here, cause Cayden asked me to come keep you company, make sure you stay out of trouble and to help you get ready.”
“He did, did he?”
“Are you upset?”
I chuckled. “No, it doesn’t surprise me. He knows I have a tendency to go a bit….” Nuts seemed like a good description and the correct word choice for this conversation. “Nuts when he is gone,” I said as I looked at Melissa who giggled at my answer. “From my past behavior, I would imagine Cayden is worried.”
“He does worry about you,” Melissa confirmed.
Melissa said to keep me company so I stay out of trouble and to help me get ready. Help me get ready. What does that mean?
“Wait a minute. You said to help me get ready, what does that mean?”
Melissa laughed as though I was mental.
“Winter…it is Cayden’s movie premiere. Memories of a Dream, it’s out this weekend. We will be going back to California for the red carpet premiere.”
“Melissa, there is no way I can go. Did you see the lovely little piece of journalism this morning? If I would go, it would only make things much more interesting to the press. I can only imagine what they would be saying next. I don’t….” I was ranting.
“Winter.” Melissa stopped me. “Relax. You are all stiff and rambling. It will be fine. Chandler will be there which is to be expected, therefore you, too. Anyway, do you really believe Cayden would let you stay here? If you don’t go, Cayden would miss his own premiere and trust me that would make an even bigger scene with the press.”
She was right. If I refused to go, Cayden would stay here with me.
“I know,” I whispered. “He would stay here if I don’t go.”
“So what are you doing tomorrow?” Melissa asked.
I laughed. “Hum…well let me think…hiding out here?”
Melissa shook her head in disagreement. “Nope, you are going with me into the city. We are going to have a spa day.” Melissa took in my current tired and shabby condition with an expert eye. “You need a relaxing day of pampering.”
I pulled my hair back into a tangled knot on the back of my neck.
“We are going into the city?”
“Yep, it has all been arranged. You and I will be enjoying a massage along with various other tempting little treats for our body.”
“When you say it has all been arranged let me guess….”
“Cayden’s orders and you know I always follow my boss’s orders.” Melissa giggled her girlish tinkle of a laugh that was like the popping of bubbles.
“You have a great laugh,” I told her. It was infectious.
She smiled then turned. She obviously heard someone behind her. I watched Melissa blush as Chandler sauntered into the kitchen, still in disarray, shirt unbuttoned, exploiting his muscles.
“Lissa, Lissa, Me…Lissa.” Chandler greeted with a wide smile.
“Hi,” she said rather sheepish. Melissa was trying hard not to stare at Chandler, but I caught her ogling his ass when he turned for the coffee pot.
****
On Thursday morning, Richard drove Jayden, Melissa, and I into the city. We made our way to a spa in SoHo where Jayden did a security sweep of the facility before he took a seat outside each room Melissa and I went in to. As usual, we were not very inconspicuous. We stuck out like a third thumb by having a large and scary man wearing a dark black military looking coat over his dark brown sweater, dark black sunglasses, sporting a buzz cut, and looking more like a pit bull than a person, follow us. But Jayden was necessary, and in all honesty, it did not take me long to admit his necessity to myself after my last outing without him. I promised to be good, so I would be good. I made a promise to myself never to upset Cayden in such a way again.
Melissa and I started with a detox treatment, followed by an organic lavender body scrub, aromatherapy, a deep tissue massage, a hydration treatment, an oxygen facial, and ended with a manicure and pedicure. Our fingernails and our toenails sported elegant white french tips. Losing the usual tense feeling, I felt very much pampered perhaps even a bit squishy. I was completely relaxed for the moment. This sense of relaxation reminded me of what I feel like after making love with Cayden, only if I had to choose I would choose making love with him over the pampering I endured.
“Come on, girlfriend,” Melissa said then took my hand and headed for the door of the spa, Jayden of course leading the way.
“Where are we going now?” I asked.
“Hair and makeup, then a little light shopping,” she returned.
“Melissa, I don’t need to go shopping. I have enough clothes to last me a life time,” I said, rather exasperated.
She giggled. “No pouting, Cayden’s orders.” Melissa looked at me for a moment with a slight scowl.
“What’s wrong?”
“You know, I have never seen a woman so opposed to letting a man spend money on her or so unhappy about shopping or allowing someone to pamper her. You should really take better care of yourself, Winter; you seem tired,” she said as she patted my hand, but she perked up again as we scooted into the backseat of the car.
“I don’t need pampering. I just need Cayden.”
“If Cayden wants to spoil you, let him,” she said.
I smiled. There was no use to argue. If Cayden wanted to spoil me, no one, not even I could stop him.
Richard drove us to a high-end exclusive salon. They were expecting us. Jayden became ridged when people recognized me. With speed, he maneuvered himself to the front of me. I assured Jayden everything was fine and spoke to three ladies who wanted to discuss my books, not Chandler or Cayden. It was nice to speak with them but even nicer to be able to speak to someone without being asked about the Cains.
By the time our day at the salon was done, I looked different. My hair had some shimmer of blonde highlights, and it
was pretty. My make-up had been applied by a professional, so my eyes were done in a smoky way that highlighted the green in them. The entire lot of make-up along with the hair supplies came with us, and Melissa reminded me once again not to pout.
Our next stop, a late lunch. We picked an out of the way café, sat in the back of the room where we ate our salads in relative peace and quiet away from any crowds or cameras. Melissa was telling me about the last premiere when her cell phone binged. She received a text message. She picked it up then huffed. She was obviously unhappy about something.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
Melissa looked irritated.
“No, Shawn’s being a pain in the ass. He loves to bother me. This week he’s been sending blonde jokes.”
“Shawn, the cameraman?”
“Yeah.” She took a drink of her raspberry tea.
“Maybe he likes you, Melissa.”
She shrugged.
Jayden was again much more conspicuous than Melissa or I. Something caught his attention. I watched as he stood. He decided to discourage some looky-loos. Once on his feet, they scattered like leaves in the wind. Jayden could be very intimidating.
On our way out of the café a large man tried to approach, he called my name. It was hard to see his face covered by the shadow of a green hooded sweatshirt, not to mention Jayden who stopped him firmly before he reached me.
“Winter,” he said in a low voice, “I need to speak with her. It’s urgent,” the man said to Jayden.
“Ms. Wells, get into the car,” Jayden ordered, never breaking his stance from the man.
Melissa took hold of my arm. Without hesitation, we scooted in the back door of the automobile. When Melissa and I were in, Richard hit the automatic locks. The click resonated as four locks moved in unison into the downward position on the doors. I saw Jayden talking to the man outside the car. Jayden’s back was placed between the man and the car door. The man threw up his hands, obviously arguing but he made a smart decision, he left.
“Jayden, what was that all about?” I asked once he entered the car.
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