He kept one eye on her to ensure she didn’t wake up while he waited for the food to arrive. The security guard from near the elevator brought the cart to the room. Thanking him, Shade took over control and wheeled it into the bedroom after locking up.
Cat was still out cold. Shade quickly ditched the sweats he’d pulled on, and slipped back under the blankets with her. Tenderly, he pressed kisses all along her spine until he felt her stretch. “Good morning, and merry Christmas, kitten” he whispered against her shoulder.
He could feel the smile through her body before she rolled over to look up at him. “Merry Christmas, Shade.” Her hand to his cheek drew him in for a slow kiss. “Is that coffee I smell?”
“And some goodies to eat, too. I thought we could do breakfast in bed before we got around to opening gifts. If you can wait a little longer.”
She bit her lip in that way that drove him more than a little crazy. “I can wait. Do we have to do anything today, or can we stay naked?”
“Only dinner with the gang tonight. Jeremy convinced the kitchen staff to allow us a corner for us to cook up our own dinner tonight. The fact he promised them they could get in on the eats likely helped. They are damned territorial of their kitchens. I’m still not sure how he managed to get them to agree.”
“All that charm he has,” Cat said. She gave a huge yawn, stretched out until she was quivering, and then collapsed. “He seems to have it in spades.”
Shade couldn’t argue with her assessment. “That he does. We’re to all gather down there at five to get things going. He’ll have the turkey already in, but the rest we’ll need to put together. You up for the challenge? Maybe make your mom’s stuffing?”
“Aha!” She gave his shoulders a shove that did absolutely nothing to move him. “I knew you had a master plan. You are trying to get Mom’s secret recipe aren’t you?”
“Me?” He plastered on what he hoped was an innocent look. From the squint she leveled at him, he didn’t think she was buying it. “You have to admit it’s the best damn stuffing ever created. I miss your mom’s cooking.”
“Me too,” she said with a soft smile. “Shit, remind me to call her when we’re finally up. We should both be dressed from the waist up, too, since it will be on Skype.”
Like he would ever forget anything she asked him. “You know I will,” he said softly.
Another kiss to her lips before he pushed up off the bed, and he went to the cart. Wheeling it in closer, he waited until Cat was sitting up before moving the tray to sit across her legs. He poured them both coffee while she removed the domed lids from the various plates, and then swapped her a cup for the lids.
Sipping at his coffee, Shade settled in at her side to eat breakfast. It was nice to relax with her when neither one had to rush off for anything in particular.
She caught him staring at her. “What? Oh God, don’t tell me I have something on my face already.”
“No,” he said with a laugh. “I was thinking about us, here, now. How nice it is to be with you, and with nothing major on our schedules for once. We can take our time to enjoy a lazy meal, schlep around naked, and do whatever we want for the day.”
Cat’s lips curled up while she nibbled on a croissant. “I wholeheartedly approve with this plan to have you schlepping around naked, Shade Benson. You have one smoking hot bod.”
Because it was Cat saying it to him Shade felt his cheeks warming in embarrassment. Anyone else he would have brushed them off, fully believing they were feeding him a line. Cat didn’t do that, she spoke only the truth. “If I’m running around naked then you damn well are, too. We’ll throw on robes for the Skype call to your mom, but other than that I want you naked until we have to go down for dinner.”
She lightly tapped a fruit slice to her pursed lips. “I think that could be arranged. And only because you are adorable when you blush.” A quick smirk, and she leaned in to press a kiss to his cheek. “Now help me eat this unbelievably amazing, if seriously dangerous for my waistline, food.”
“Yes, kitten.” With a kiss to her lips, he stole the fruit bite from the fork she held up.
****
Cat blew a kiss to her mom, and gave the woman a watery smile. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Cateline. Now go dry your cheeks while I talk to your man for a minute.”
Shade stiffened at those words. The look Mrs. Lyon was giving him had Shade wanting to squirm. Cat muted the connection, and turned to look at him brushing a kiss to his cheek. “Remember, she has always adored you, babe.”
“Not all that comforting when she’s leveling her mother evil eye on me.”
His sarcasm got a laugh from her, which made it totally worth it. Giving her a squeeze, he waited until she was in the bathroom before turning the volume back up. Shade held his tongue. Since Cat’s mother wanted to have this chat, he was going to let her go first.
“She looks happy again,” Mrs. Lyon said quietly. “For too long she had shadows in her eyes, but they are gone now. Be good to her, Shade.”
“She is my heart,” he said.
The woman who had given life to Shade’s everything nodded. “I always knew you were it for her. When you two were kids you were inseparable. I worried after your father moved you away, she was heartbroken at a level I couldn’t fix. No parent likes that feeling, Shade.”
He understood where she was going with this talk now. “I will always be there for her, Mrs. Lyon. She means more to me than the music.” Which should tell the woman everything she needed to know. Shade lived and breathed music daily, but Cateline was more important. Without her he didn’t know if he could ever play again.
With a nod, the older woman smiled. “Merry Christmas, Shade. We’ll talk again soon. One day soon I expect you two to get your asses here to visit. I plan to feed you properly, too. Be ready. Obviously you both are not looking after yourselves like you should.”
Bursting out with a laugh, he held up a hand. “I will make it happen, ma’am.”
“Good enough. Now go kiss my girl for me, and be good.” Blowing him a kiss, she ended the connection.
Warm hands pressed to his chest before Cat’s arms wound around his neck. “You survived?”
He twisted to draw her into his lap, and squeezed her close. “Yeah. I think she was being gentle, but did tell me we both have to get over there to visit her sooner than later. She plans to feed us. I am totally on board with the plan.”
Cat gave him a dirty look, ruined by the laughter he could see in her eyes. “She won’t give you the recipe either, babe.”
“Who says I want it? I miss being doted on by her.” Shade paused to chew his inner lip for a second. “After mom died I felt lost. Your mom didn’t say much, but she would do those mom-things I was missing. Fixing my hair, or my collar. Asking how school was and making sure my homework was done. She always gave me a hug whenever I left your house, too. At first it made me feel like I was betraying my mom’s memory. Your mom set me straight by telling me that all mom’s belonged to the same secret club. That when one could no longer be there, the others stepped in to care for her child.”
“God, that sounds like her,” Cat said. Her voice was choked up, and more tears rolled down her cheeks unchecked.
“Took me a few years to figure out she was pulling my leg, but I never said anything to her. I loved the fact she continued to do it right up until the day we left. It was something I’ve missed every day since.”
Cat didn’t seem to know what to say. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders and neck, she pulled him in closer. Shade let her. He always felt raw when talking about the past, especially anything to do with his mother. But Shade knew Cat would protect his hurts like he would always protect hers.
Chapter Nineteen
“Three… Two… One… Happy New Year!” The entire band shouted along with the crowd, all the roadies, and everyone else occupying the venue in Germany. Immediately Victorious began to play Auld Lang Syne with everyone jo
ining in.
Jennifer hooked her arm through Cat’s, and they swayed while they loudly sang along. Grinning at the other woman, Cat turned her attention to Shade. When he looked her way, she blew him a kiss and got a wink in return. She knew he’d be laying a real kiss on her the moment he got off the stage. Not a shocker since he did it anyway, but she knew tonight’s would be extra special. They were starting a brand new year together.
There were no expectations, no worries, and no concerns. Not that there weren’t things on the horizon, but in that instant the unknown didn’t matter. Only her, Shade, and what could be.
Exactly like she’d predicted, Shade came off stage, quickly passed his bass off to a roadie, and scooped her up into a kiss. One hand on her ass pulled her in close, and the other buried in her hair while he feasted on her mouth.
Equally hungry for him, a hunger that only seemed to grow the more they were together, Cat rocked her hips forward to rub against the growing erection she could feel. It was not the time or place for such things, but she couldn’t resist. Sucking on his lip before breaking the kiss, she panted. “Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi yourself.” Shade had a huge smile on his face. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“Mm,” she hummed. “It was amazing like always. I don’t think I’ll ever get over hearing you five playing live.”
He gave a laugh at her words. “It is a rush for sure. And you know that you will always have a pass to see us wherever we are. My personal preference would be to have you with us all the time, but I know that I can’t always get what I want. A lesson I’ve had to learn.”
She knew what he was doing. With their time coming closer to an end she was also having to face what might be. “Let’s not talk about this now. There’s still time,” she said. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Cat hugged him tight. “Go sign some autographs, babe. Then we will grab a bite, get you water by the gallon, and we will talk after.”
“I can do that.”
Another quick kiss before he lowered her back to her feet, and she watched him stride off to join the others. Moving to Jennifer’s side, she was surprised when the other woman wound an arm around her shoulders.
“Whatever is going on you know that we’re all here for you, right?”
Blinking in surprise Cat could only nod, a hefty lump in her throat preventing speech. She loved the family vibe the band had. While they all led their own lives, even on the road, they were always there to help the others should it be needed. It was something Cat wasn’t ready to let go of.
****
Curled up next to Shade after dinner, her head in his lap, Cat relaxed while he played with her hair. The sensation his fingers elicited while stroking slowly through the heavy length of her hair was incredibly soothing.
“Care to share what’s going through your gorgeous head?” he asked a few strokes later.
Cat blew out a breath, and pried her heavy eyelids open. Pushing upright, she snuggled into his side and pressed a kiss to his throat. “Thinking about what I’m going to tell Simon when I return.”
“Heavy thinking, indeed.” He didn’t ask her what her thoughts were.
She loved that about Shade, he never let her stew in her own head, but he also wouldn’t pressure her beyond a single question to talk to him. Not that he wouldn’t ask questions once she did get talking, because he did. He liked to ensure they were always on the same page, which mean he would ask a lot of questions eventually.
“I’m going to tell him thanks, but no thanks.”
Shade’s body was stiff against hers. “What?”
“It’s a great opportunity, but it’s not for me,” she told him. She’d thought about the offer a lot since arriving for the holidays. While she was intrigued by the new challenges she’d face, Cat couldn’t get beyond the fact there would be nearly two years where she’d have to put their still new relationship on hold. She wasn’t the type who needed a man at her side, but she did need Shade in her life. “I figure I’ll take some time off, travel with you, and figure out what my next step will be. I’d prefer a job that would be mobile. Then I could be with you all the time. But I haven’t quite figured out what it might be. If you are all right with me sticking around.”
“Damn straight I want you to stick around,” he said. Then he shifted to get a better look at her. “But I don’t like the idea that you’re giving up a kick ass job promotion for me, kitten.”
Looking him dead on, Cat shook her head. “It is an unbelievable opportunity. Not going to lie about that, but it’s not right for me. While I’m intrigued by the potential, it doesn’t call to me. Ever since Simon offered it to me I’ve had this sick feeling. At first I didn’t know what it was or what it meant. Coming out to be with you, and the others has allowed me to relax and figure it out for the most part. I’m happy when I’m with you. Sorry for how needy that sounds, but we’ve wasted more than enough time already, Shade. I’m not willing to waste another hour when what I want is to start a life with you.”
She blew out a breath, and then lifted one of his hands into hers, clasping it tightly between her palms. “My heart ached when you had to leave the first time. Eventually that ache lessened, but it never truly went away. Since we’ve reconnected, it’s gone completely. Thinking about going back, accepting the offer, and maybe finding a day here or there for the next two years, or more, to be together cuts deeper than back then. You are all I need to be happy, Shade.” Cat shot him a grin and chuckled. “And maybe a side project to keep me from going completely batty, but I have time to figure that out. Maybe I’ll do some online courses, or maybe inspiration will eventually strike. Whatever comes, I know that if we are together then we can figure it out as a team.”
Shade was watching her closely, his expression unreadable. “You know I’m behind you and will support whatever your decision. From a purely selfish standpoint I’m doing joyous backflips. If this is what you want, I’m on board. And I know the others would love to have you with us all the time, too.”
Lifting his hand, Cat pressed a kiss to his palm. “This is what I want. You are what I’ve always wanted, Shade.”
His cheeks creased when he finally let the smile loose. Hauling her into his lap, Shade kissed her hard. Cat threw her arms around his neck to hold him close to her. She opened up at the soft, wet demand his tongue made against her lips.
Cat moaned into the kiss, shifting until she could wrap her legs fully around his waist. Tightening her legs, she rocked against the hard length ridge behind his zipper. “Shade,” she muttered into the kiss. “I need you.”
Her man didn’t disappoint. Showing off a little, he got them both up, his hands on her ass to keep her close, and moved them to the bedroom. They parted for only long enough to shed their clothing before coming back together in a tangle. Kissing him back, Cat let Shade tumble them to the bed. When his hand wrapped firmly around her throat, it allowed him to take the kiss deeper by merely pushing her chin up.
Instantly she went from merely damp to drenched with need. Cat loved when he showed who was boss. Not that she’d let him get away with that anywhere else, but in the bedroom she was more than fine with his dominant displays.
Locking her legs around his waist again, Cat rubbed her aching clit to his hard cock. It was a silent demand for more from him. In her periphery she saw him reach out, and then he broke her hold on his waist. Knowing he was rolling on a condom, Cateline gave a shudder for what was to come.
One hand curled around her shoulder to hold her in place and his other hand guided his cock into her pussy. Breaking the kiss to let out a throaty, incoherent plea for more, Cat clutched tightly at his shoulders. His cock stretched her deliciously, and his hand settled back around her throat.
She allowed her eyelids to close, absorbing all the sensations created by his touch. Then when he began to move, Cat locked gazes with him and held on for the ride. It was, as always, wild and perfect.
Chapter Twenty
“Hey you.”
Shade greeted Cat’s image on the computer when it popped up with a smile he couldn’t stop. “How’s L.A.?”
“Same old,” she told him. Her hair was piled up on her head in a messy top knot, and behind her he could make out some boxes. “How’s the tour going?”
“We’re rocking it,” he said. At her laugh, he gave a wink. “What are you up to today, kitten?”
Her lip curled in a sneer before she shifted in her chair to show him the room at her back. “Packing, packing, and that would be right, more packing. It is un-fucking-believable the amount of crap one person can accumulate in only a couple years living in the same place.”
Not entirely sure what comment might be appropriate after that, Shade went with the safe route. “When a person settles into a place they tend to surround themselves with the comforts that turns a place from merely shelter into a home. It makes it more relaxing after a long day to return to something all your own.”
“Nice way to tell me I’ve become a hoarder, Shade.”
“I never said such a thing.” He may have thought it, but he wasn’t dumb enough to say it.
“Uh-huh.” Settling back before the camera, she shoved a stray chunk of hair behind her ear. “You will be happy to know for the most part I have greatly thinned out everything. Including my wardrobe since I won’t need my business clothing. I’m donating the majority of it, along with some casual items, and shoes. I actually have my wardrobe down to two large suitcases for the first time in forever. Bad news though, all my books are coming with me. I couldn’t bear to part with any. I’m hoping you have some room you can spare for them.”
“I’ll get you more shelving if there isn’t enough at the house, kitten. What did your landlord say about the apartment and your lease?”
“He’s fine with me getting out early. Apparently there’s been some major interest from a company to buy the building, and revamp it all for a mix living situation. He told me that he’s taking it to be a sign to retire early. It would allow him more time with the grandkids, and to travel like he’s always talked about.”
The Bass Page 10
