Feather Light (Knead Me)

by Lorenz Font

  Exhausted but content, they ended their marathon well past midnight. When she succumbed to sleep, Parker’s arms were tightly wrapped around her, and the issue of their unprotected romp had already been forgotten. The last thing she remembered was listening to the soft cadence of their hearts beating in perfect rhythm.

  A sharp ring jolted her awake. Kelly glanced around, not quite remembering where she was. A strong arm tightened around her waist, a reminder of what happiness meant. She snuggled closer, locking her legs around his, but the phone rang again.

  She jumped when she realized it was her phone causing the noise. She had no intention of answering it until she saw the name flashing from the caller ID. Jessica wouldn’t call unless it was important, and besides, it was way too early for her press junket, which wouldn’t start until late in the afternoon.

  “Jessica, what’s wrong?” she whispered.

  “You better get your ass back to your house. I’ll meet you there.” The urgency in Jessica’s voice was enough to sound the warning bells inside Kelly’s head. She was wide-awake now.

  She shot up, despite Parker’s steely arms around her.

  “Ann, go back to sleep,” he murmured.

  “It’s an important call, sweetie. Hold on.” Kelly cupped the receiver and hissed at her friend. “What’s going on?”

  “You might want to wait until you get home to ask.”

  “Tell me now.”

  “Your face is on the front of a tabloid. It looks like the exclusive work of your most hated paparazzo.” It took several moments for the words to sink in. “I don’t want you talking to anyone. Just hurry back. Dave will be meeting us there, too.”

  When Dave was involved, it meant one thing—damage control. She was starting to get worried now. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

  After ending the call, she shook Parker awake. “I have to go. An emergency just came up.”

  Parker pushed himself up onto his elbows, attempting to follow her movements as she rushed to get dressed. “Is everything okay?”

  “That’s what I’m about to find out. I’m sorry for leaving like this, but I have to hurry home. I’ll call you later.” Kelly kissed him and was out the door before he could reply.

  Chapter 11

  Kelly maneuvered her SUV into the early Monday morning rush hour traffic, feeling skittish like a bat driven out of its cave. She drove the congested 405 Freeway in a dazed rush to get back to her Brentwood mansion, where Jessica and Dave, her publicist, would meet her.

  When she turned on the small street that led to her property, she noticed an unusual number of cars parked in the available spaces. This is not good, she told herself while she negotiated the path leading to her cul-de-sac home, which was now filled with reporters and photographers. She groaned in protest, sliding on her sunglasses and plastering a stoic expression on her face.

  When she slowed down to wait for the massive gate to open, hordes of people surged closer to ask questions and take pictures. She tapped her hand with impatience on the steering wheel. Urging the wrought iron gate to open faster, Kelly kept her gaze forward, refusing to be distracted by the muted inquiries coming at her from all directions.

  “Who is the man with you?”

  “Have you gotten over Matthew?”

  “Is he in show business?”

  The questions began to make sense, and her earlier nervousness gave way to extreme anxiety. Her biggest fear had now been realized. She gave the accelerator a gentle nudge, and the car moved forward, leaving the crowd and their questions behind.

  As she rounded the driveway, Kelly saw that her resident housekeeper and all-around go-to girl, Lizzie, was already waiting for her at the door with a cup of coffee.

  “Jessica and Dave are here. Go on in, and I’ll park the Rover for you.” Lizzie handed her the steaming mug and gave her an encouraging smile.

  Kelly grabbed her purse and slid out of the car, feeling nauseous. She took a few quick sips of coffee before starting up the front steps, her muscles tightening with anxiety.

  She entered the foyer and dropped her purse on the settee, hurrying toward the sound of voices in the kitchen. When she entered the room, Dave looked up from his seat at the counter, his expression grim. Jessica was standing across from him, about to take a bite of her bagel, but she stopped as soon as Kelly flopped down onto the bar stool next to Dave.

  Dave Caldwell, a man in his late forties, had been her publicist ever since she’d made it big in Hollywood, having been introduced to her by a director she’d once worked with. He was trustworthy and direct, not one to soften the blow, but a true friend, nonetheless.

  The Natter Biz sat staring back at her from the granite counter top. On the cover was a picture of her taken two days before, on her patio and straddling Parker. The headline read, “Kelly Storm—Hormones Raging? Has she found a new love of her life?”

  Kelly winced at the sight of the snapshots, none of which showed Parker’s face. They were all of hers—some licking his face, smiling, and seeming very happy. One thing to be thankful for, though—the camera angle was such that no one would be able to identify the man right away. She picked up the dreadful magazine and glared at the intrusion into her personal life.

  “Kelly, this is not looking good,” Dave said, after giving her a few moments to digest the enormity of the situation. “The intimate nature of these pictures is going to cause a firestorm, if they haven’t already.”

  “Why don’t you eat first before we start planning,” Jessica offered before taking a bite of her bagel.

  Kelly shook her head, not in the least bit hungry. This was going to stink. Despite her attempt to protect Parker from the prying eyes of the media, the incriminating pictures had thrust him into the middle of the storm anyway. She feared they might be zeroing in on Parker any moment now.

  She turned to Dave, who was already jotting down notes. “What do you propose we do?”

  Dave put down his expensive looking pen and sighed. “You know I’m not one to pry, but I need to know the nature of your relationship with the man in the photographs so I can come up with an acceptable statement.” He watched her with his kind, gray eyes as she took a deep breath.

  “He’s my massage therapist. We’ve been seeing each other for weeks now.” That much was true. She had no inclination to say more.

  Dave pursed his lips, absorbing her explanation. “And you’re planning to keep on seeing him?”

  She nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. Jessica kept eating but kept a steady eye on her. Her friend’s body language told Kelly that she understood her disgust, as well as her frustration.

  “Are you deeply involved with him?” Dave asked.

  “We’re getting there.” It might have been overconfidence on her part to assume their relationship was going great, but she could feel they were meant to be together.

  Dave stroked his chin, deep in thought. Kelly wondered what he could do to alleviate the interest of the media and the public in general.

  “Do you think he’ll be okay to come out and be seen with you? I mean, if the media and public see that you’ve found a man who cherishes you, it’ll be great publicity, considering how everyone is so overprotective of you after what happened with Matthew.”

  Distressed, Kelly gritted her teeth in frustration at finding herself stuck in a tough situation. She had intended to tell Parker about her true identity this morning, but Jessica’s call had come at the worst time. Telling him now would make matters worse.

  Jessica came to her rescue. “The man is Parker Davis.” Dave’s expression registered recognition, but he said nothing as Jessica continued. “You may be familiar with his condition.” Dave nodded. “Kelly went to him for a massage … in disguise. Well, one thing led to another, and she hasn’t had the chance to tell him who she is. I’m sure you know why …”

  Dave nodded in understanding.

  Then all of a sudden, Jessica turned to her and raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t you supp
osed to tell him the truth last night?”

  Kelly bit her lip and mentally kicked herself for not saying anything sooner. If she had gone ahead and told him, this situation wouldn’t be as bad as it was now. “I was going to tell him this morning, but you called and I had to leave in a rush.”

  Jessica groaned. To Dave she said, “So as you can already tell, we have to protect his identity.”

  Dave rubbed his palm across his forehead and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he looked at Kelly with compassion. “Okay … I can tell you like this man. You don’t want him dragged into the limelight, correct?”

  Kelly gave a feeble smile, hating herself more and more with each passing minute.

  “We’ll refrain from commenting and won’t issue any statements until you’re ready. I’ll screen the questions this afternoon at the press junket. Any inquiry not related to the film will be rejected.” David thought for a moment. “And … I’ll call for extra security tonight. I’m almost certain there will be pandemonium because of this.”

  The last time Dave had called for a bodyguard had been during the publicity firestorm following her breakup with Matthew. For months, photographers had camped outside of her house, taking pictures with their telephoto lenses and asking too many questions.

  “There’s a bunch of people outside already,” Kelly said.

  She pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling the start of a headache. Surreptitiously glancing at the tabloid again, she noted the happiness in her face. Kelly remembered the vivid scene, recalling how surprised Parker had been when she’d licked the ketchup off his face. Now that happiness had been marred by the fear of exposure. Her private life, once again, had been exploited.

  “Yes … and there will be more. If I were you, I’d be careful. That particular pap … what’s his name again?” Dave turned a questioning look at Jessica.

  “Rigor ‘Asshat’ James,” Jessica said with disgust.

  “Yes, that one seems to be enamored with you. Be watchful. The man is relentless and might even be infatuated with you.” Dave placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder and squeezed before retrieving his cell phone and leaving the kitchen.

  Jessica looked over her shoulder while she rinsed her plate. “Why don’t you lie down and try to relax if you can? I’ll stay with you until you and Dave have to leave.”

  Lizzie came in with her car key and placed it on the counter. “I started a warm bath for you. Jessica’s right, Ms. Kelly. You should relax.” Her housekeeper smiled and shooed Jessica away from the sink.

  “Thanks, Lizzie. What would I do without you?” Kelly smiled, grateful for her housekeeper’s thoughtfulness.

  “You’re welcome, Ms. Kelly. You’re my lifesaver. What I’m doing here is nothing compared to what you’ve done for me.” The woman returned her smile and began to load the dishwasher.

  “If it weren’t too early for a glass of wine, I would share one with you.” Jessica laughed.

  When they passed the morning room on their way to the stairs, Kelly heard Dave talking to the security company he’d used for her in the past.

  The mansion, which had once brought her immense pleasure, felt like a prison to her now. With the media waiting outside, she had to stay out of sight. Bought and paid for by her acting earnings, the place had gotten a major overhaul. She’d hired an interior decorator to design a home that reflected her particular taste and style. Being a fan of minimalism, she’d opted for clean lines, subtle colors, and monochromatic artwork. Kelly held on tight to the black balustrade while she climbed the stairs, not to keep her balance but because of her pounding headache.

  “I should’ve said something right away, but I just couldn’t. He was too sweet, and I couldn’t break his heart. I don’t think I can afford to lose him.” She stopped and faced Jessica. “I’m in love with him.”

  As soon as they entered her bedroom, Jessica opened the curtains, letting the early morning sunlight drift in. Kelly sank onto her bed, feeling rotten about the pictures in the tabloid.

  “The right thing to do now is to tell the truth. If he finds out without you telling him, it’s going to be a lot messier. You just might end up losing the guy.”

  Kelly shuddered at the thought of never seeing Parker again. How he’d managed to creep through her guarded walls still amazed her. But now that he was in, she wasn’t going to let him go. She stared up at the cathedral ceiling and sighed. “I’ll call him in a bit. I just need a little time to think. I can’t just blurt it out now. I don’t know how he’d react, and to be honest, I wouldn’t blame him if he never wanted to see me again.”

  “Now, now. Stop being so melodramatic. Tell him and make him understand. I’m sure he will accept your explanation. Just don’t wait too long.” Jessica stood next to her bed. “Lizzie said she started a bath for you. Go in there and try to relax. The crew will be arriving in a few hours to get you ready. Stop worrying and let Dave handle the rest.”

  Kelly tried calling Parker several times during the next few hours, but every time she dialed his number, she ended up cancelling the call. She didn’t have a clue as to how and where to start. Maybe it would be wiser to break it to him in person instead of telling him over the phone. Checking her schedule, she saw that she was due to leave that night for a whirlwind promotion of her latest film, along with a quick stop in Milan to attend the grand introduction of her new line of handbags. She wouldn’t be back in LA until for another week. Kelly groaned at the timing, hating herself even more for being a coward.

  The press junket went as well as could be expected, with Dave prescreening all questions as promised. Swarms of paparazzi were waiting for them at the hotel entrance, taking picture after picture. Kelly waved and tried to keep her composure. She kept a smile plastered on her face, even if it felt like she was about to crack. All she wanted to do was to see Parker and get her confession over and done with. How had everything gotten so out of control? It wasn’t just herself she had to look out for now. She’d also dragged an unknowing Parker into the thick of it.

  In between getting ready for her scheduled junket and packing, Kelly found the guts to call Parker. “Hey, I miss you. I’m so sorry for leaving in such a hurry.”

  “Hi, Ann. I miss you, too.” He sounded wistful over the phone. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. I’m calling to let you know that I’ll be out of the country for a week. I was planning on telling you this morning when we woke up, but I didn’t get a chance.”

  “That’s all right. I’ll be here when you get back.”

  “Um … Parker?”

  “Yeah?”

  “There’s something I want to tell you, but I would rather say it when we’re together.”

  He fell silent for a few moments before he spoke again. “Is it sensitive in nature?”

  “Yes … it has something to do with me, but it will ultimately affect you and me.”

  “Then tell me when you get back. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Kelly hesitated. As relieved as she was with Parker’s assertion that he’d rather wait until they were together, she wanted to give him a hint just to see how he’d react.

  “But I want you to know before you find out from others.”

  “Ann, if it makes you uncomfortable discussing it over the phone, I understand. I’d rather we wait until we’re together. That doesn’t mean I won’t be waiting for your call every day.”

  “Well, okay. If you think that’s best. Don’t worry. We’ll be burning the phone lines.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, I just wanted to tell you that I had a wonderful time with you, and I-I’m so glad I met you.”

  “Me, too, Ann. Me, too.”

  Her heart leapt with happiness. All she had to do was get back from Milan and just tell him. The prospect made all her qualms disappear.

  “I’m glad to hear that. Gee, I have to go. I’ll call you once I’m settled. Take care of yourself.”

  “You’re the one who’s traveling, so take good care
of you. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”

  Kelly smiled. “Bye, Parker.”

  “Bye, Ann.”

  Webster thought she’d lose it when she saw the headlines on the latest issue of Natter Biz. She bought a copy from the corner newsstand and hurried to her desk, where she gobbled up the entire article within minutes. Her anger was at the boiling point by the time Parker and Cork arrived for work.

  She couldn’t hide her disdain at her discovery but wasn’t sure if she should meddle, or even what constituted acceptable meddling. When Parker left the room for his first appointment of the day, she went to see Cork down in his office and closed the door.

  Cork glanced up, looking amused. Since getting together a week ago, she had refused to go public with their relationship. He rose and rounded his desk to where she stood, tabloid in hand. Cork pulled her close and kissed her. She returned the kiss but with much less passion. The information she’d discovered was too distracting.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, searching her face.

  Webster drew a deep breath. She had told Cork the nature of her relationship with his brother, and he seemed to have taken everything in stride, not that he could have done anything about the past anyway. He was well aware of her preferences and had been warming up to the idea, despite his earlier reservations.

  “I drove Parker yesterday. He called to ask if I could take him shopping, and I did.”

  Cork raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Webster felt the need to explain further, even though he hadn’t asked. “He feels more comfortable asking me for help in this matter. Well … you know why.”

  “You don’t have to explain,” Cork said, keeping his arms around the small of her back.

  “As it so happened, I probed, and he told me about his mystery date.”

  “Oh, yeah. Mom grilled him about that woman the other night during dinner.”

  “I was harassing him about not knowing her well enough, so he gave me her name just to shut me up. It turned out that this woman said she was Ann Sutton. To make a long story short, as soon as I got home, I searched for whatever I can get my hands on about her. And guess what came up?”