Deepest Kiss (Stark Trilogy #3.10/Stark Ever After #6)

by J. Kenner

  As I’d intended, Damien laughs. “I’ll have him call you for an appointment. In the meantime,” he continues as he pours us both cups of coffee, “what about you? What’s filling up your plate today?”

  “I’m prepping for tomorrow’s meeting with Preston,” I tell him, referring to Lisa’s fiancé and the head of acquisitions for Stark Applied Technology. I recently licensed a web-based app I’d developed to the company, and I’ve been working with Preston on customizing the app for Stark International’s particular needs. “And then I’m meeting Jamie for lunch—she’s covering a story at the CityWalk, so she’s just down the street from my office. And after that I have a meeting with a new client.”

  “Who’s the client?”

  “Frank somebody—I don’t recall offhand. He emailed me. New to Los Angeles. Has an idea for an app he wants to develop but no skills. Wants to talk to me about the cost of putting it together for him.”

  “Busy woman,” he says, taking my free hand and pulling me close. Then he takes my coffee from me and sets it aside so he can pull me even closer. “My wife is taking the tech world by storm.”

  “I don’t know about that,” I counter. “But my balance sheet is looking pretty good these days.” I don’t bother to add that most of this year’s profit is coming from the license to my husband’s company.

  “Worth every penny,” he says, and I have to laugh.

  “Damn right,” I say. Damien had been wanting to license the app ever since I told him the idea, back when I’d barely even written a line of code. I’d held off, though, wanting to get my business off the ground on my own first.

  I’m glad I did, too. I proved to myself that I have the talent to build my own business, and that’s just rounded out the whole package of what has turned into an exceptionally good life. A business that challenges me. Good friends. A roof over my head that can only be described as amazing. And a view of the world from the peaks that Damien has climbed that I can’t deny I like.

  All in all, it’s more than I ever expected.

  But what I am most grateful for is the man beside me. A husband who loves and cherishes and protects me.

  I think about my mother and my scars and all the demons that have tormented me. Sure, I’m still fighting them, but they really are mostly in the past. And that’s because of Damien. Because he fights with me, not for me, just like he said.

  He understands me, and that simple reality is so, so precious.

  “Damien,” I say. It’s enough—I can see in his eyes that he knows where my heart has wandered. And when I rise on my toes to kiss him, he holds me close and kisses me long and deep and slow.

  “Me, too,” he says, when we pull apart.

  “I could cancel everything,” I suggest, only half kidding.

  “Don’t tempt me. Then again, you always tempt me.” He kisses me again. “Go. Before I take you up on that very appealing offer.”

  “I’ll see you tonight.”

  “And every night after,” he says, making me smile.

  I’m still smiling as I pull Coop, my bright red Mini Cooper, into my parking space by my office. The building went condo recently, and now my unit is all mine. And that simple fact makes me grin even wider as I head into my personal, private space.

  The morning flies by, and when I finally take a breath and look up from the code I’d been tweaking after a conversation with Preston’s assistant, I realize it’s already after noon and I’m supposed to meet Jamie in ten minutes.

  I’m late, of course, but she’s even later, and when she slides into the booth across from me she’s overflowing with both excitement and apologies.

  “Don’t worry about it, James. I was late, too. And I don’t even have a full hour because I have a client coming. But what’s up with you?” Honestly, she’s bouncing so much it’s a wonder people aren’t staring.

  “Two words,” she says. “Weekend. Anchor.”

  My eyes go wide, and then I lean across the table and grab her hands, forcing myself not to squeal. “Jamie, my god, that’s huge.”

  “I know, right?”

  I’m not surprised—Jamie’s not only camera-ready gorgeous, she’s also incredibly talented. She’d tried her luck as an actress, but despite her hard veneer, she has a soft heart, and the sharks that swim in the Hollywood waters smelled blood and attacked. Journalism is different, though, and I really think she’s found her niche.

  “Are you still going to get the reporting gigs? Or will you just be behind a desk?”

  “Hopefully I’ll end up in the prime-time anchor spot—that’s where I’d like to be one day. But right now, I’ll file stories for the weekly edition and anchor the weekend.” Her smile practically lights up the room. “It’s really cool, right?”

  “Cool? It’s amazing. I’m so proud of you,” I say, and I swear she actually beams.

  “So how about you? Anything notable since I saw you? Normally, I’d assume it’s same-old, same-old, but in the last eighteen hours, I have a whole new job description. Considering your financial means, you might own Australia this morning.”

  I roll my eyes. “No new real estate,” I admit as the waitress brings the Cobb salads I’d ordered for both of us before Jamie arrived. “But my mom called yesterday,” I add once the waitress is gone.

  Jamie had been drizzling dressing over her salad, but she stops in mid-pour. “After you got home?”

  I grab my fork and stab at a hunk of avocado. “On the island, actually. Sunday morning.”

  Jamie puts the dressing down. “Okay, what? Wait, let me rephrase—what the fuck?”

  My instinct is to keep poking at my salad, but I force myself to look up. And when I do, I see Jamie gaping at me, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open.

  “You didn’t tell me?”

  “It wasn’t—” I drag my fingers through my hair. “I’m okay, James,” I finally say. “Damien was there when she called, and so—”

  “Yeah, I get that. But come on, Nicholas. This is me.”

  I lift a shoulder, feeling oddly guilty. Because Jamie is my best friend and has been forever. But more and more, I don’t need her the way that I used to. I’ll always need her, of course. But I’m finally in a place where I can either work through my crap on my own, or I have Damien there to hold my hand and help me cope.

  “I’m sorry,” I finally say, apologizing not for my silence, but for this gap that I fear is growing between us.

  Her chest rises and she draws a breath and then noisily exhales. “Oh, god, Nicholas, there’s nothing to be sorry about. You’ve got Damien now, and you guys are so good for each other. And I have Ryan, and I know I’m dumping more of my shit on him than on you, and I guess that’s good, but—”

  I reach across the table and snag her hand. “You’re still my best friend.”

  Her shoulders dip as her whole body relaxes. “I know. You’re mine, too. But it’s different now. We’re both in relationships and you’ve got this whole family now with Syl and Jackson and Ronnie, and pretty soon you’re going to start having kids, too, and—”

  “Whoa, there, cowboy,” I say, laughing. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

  She looks sufficiently contrite. “Sorry. But you know what I mean.”

  “I do. But different isn’t bad. It’s just different, right?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “So we’re good?”

  Her smile is wide and genuine. “We’re great.”

  “Excellent.”

  “So rewind—back to your mom. She called? Why?”

  “I have no freaking idea,” I admit. “Said she was thinking about Ashley and my dad.”

  “Huh.” From her expression, I can tell she’s as befuddled as I am. “Any particular reason she was thinking about them?”

  “Not that she told me.”

  “She’s up to something.”

  I grimace. “Wouldn’t surprise me.”

  Jamie violently stabs at her salad. “Well, fuck her.
I mean, where does she get off calling you out of the blue and messing up your mojo.”

  “Mojo?” I can’t help but laugh. “Seriously?”

  “I’m just saying forget her.”

  I wave my hand over my head as if shooing a swarm of gnats. “Already done.”

  “And the rest of it?” Jamie asks, a mischievous lilt to her voice.

  “Rest of what?”

  “Duh. Hello. Babies. Following in Sylvia’s footsteps. What’s going on there?”

  “What is up with you and the baby questions? I told you at Christmas that I’m overwhelmed enough with my job. It’s not exactly the best time to start a family.”

  “And that’s the only reason you and Damien are waiting?”

  I put my fork down. “You know it’s not.”

  Jamie sighs. “You’re not your mom, Nik. For that matter, you’re not your sister or your dad.”

  Leave it to Jamie to understand all my neuroses. My mom is bad enough as a role model, but my sister killed herself when things got so bad she couldn’t cope. And, of course, my dad just disappeared, letting my mom have everything in the divorce and leaving his kids behind.

  “I know. But it’s not just them. It’s me, too. You know damn well I have issues of my own.”

  “Had,” Jamie says firmly, because I haven’t cut in years despite coming close several times.

  “Have,” I say firmly. “It’s still in me. I still fight it. You know that.”

  “Yeah, but you have Damien now.”

  “I’m not ready for kids, Jamie,” I say flatly. “But I do want them. So if all of this is about you being an aunt, there’s hope, I promise.” I take a sip of my sparkling water and lean back. “For that matter, when are you going to have a little one?”

  “Excuse me? Not even married yet.”

  I make a dismissive noise. “Like you ever bothered with all those cultural niceties. Seriously, have you and Ryan talked about it?”

  The blush that rises on her cheeks lets me know that they have. “Don’t you have someone coming to your office pretty soon?”

  With a laugh, I point my finger at her. “Turnabout is fair play. Remember that the next time you bug me about babies.”

  “Fine, yeah, whatever.” She motions to the salad. “Hurry up and eat so you can go meet your client. Lunch is on me. My new job comes with a new salary.”

  “I’m so proud of you,” I say, which makes her start beaming again.

  “It’s cool, I know. And I’m proud of me, too.”

  Despite staying and talking for another ten minutes, I still manage to get back to my office with five minutes to spare. I give a quick wave to Marge, the new receptionist for the office suites on my floor, then hurry inside to clean off my nightmare of a desk before Mr. Frank Dunlop arrives.

  My timing is perfect, actually. I’m shoving the last of the clutter on my desktop into a file drawer when Marge’s voice wafts over the intercom announcing the man.

  “Send him in,” I say, then walk around to greet him at the door. He’s older, probably in his sixties, with an attractive but weathered face and hair that’s gone gray at the temples. He looks to be in good shape, though, and I guess that this is a man who spends a lot of time outside, probably doing something physical. I have absolutely no idea what type of app he wants, but already I’m curious.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say, extending my hand.

  He hesitates before taking it, but when he does, his grip is firm and he holds on to me for what feels like a second too long, then smiles and shakes his head, as if he’s a little befuddled.

  He must realize, because he laughs awkwardly, then heads to one of the guest chairs on the other side of my desk to take a seat. “Sorry. My mind’s already on how I’m going to explain my project to you. I actually drew up some notes, but this, ah, app is so important to me that I still don’t feel prepared.”

  I take a seat behind my desk and offer him what I hope is an indulgent smile. I’ve never had such a nervous client, and I have to admit I find it oddly endearing. He cares, obviously, and he’s handing me the reins to a project that means the world to him, and I make up my mind right then to prove to him that I’m worthy of the job.

  “Why don’t you show me the notes?” I suggest. “You don’t need to worry about a formal presentation. We’ll figure it out together.”

  He nods with approval. “You have a good bedside manner, Mrs. Stark. And from what I’ve read about you, you know your stuff.”

  “I try.”

  His chair swivels as he looks around, taking in the whole room. “Nice office.”

  “Thanks. I could work from home, but I like getting up and going to an office. Keeps the workday separated from my home life better.”

  “That must be difficult, what with a husband like Damien Stark. I imagine a man like that works almost twenty-four/seven.”

  I cock my head, considering. “He works a lot, and all hours. But I’ve never felt slighted. Just the opposite,” I admit, though I don’t go so far as to tell this virtual stranger that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will always come before work for Damien.

  “I’m very glad to hear that,” he says, and I’m surprised by the genuine sincerity in his voice.

  He must see that on my face, because he chuckles. “So many young couples now put work first and don’t make time for themselves. It’s an epidemic, I think. And a shame. Family matters.” He sighs. “It’s a lesson I learned too late in life.”

  “I’m sorry.” I’m not exactly sure what to say, and I shift in my seat a bit. The truth is, I like Mr. Frank Dunlop. But I’m not entirely sure why he’s telling me these things.

  He must be having similar thoughts, because he waves his hand over his head, as if brushing the conversation aside. “Anyway, my notes.” He reaches into a battered leather messenger bag and pulls out a yellow pad, which he puts on my desk. He scoots his chair forward and starts to flip through the pages, showing me the sketches he’s made of various sample pages for his app.

  “I’m a travel photographer, you see. I’ve traveled the world for years—seen a lot of things—but I’m ready to settle down in one place.”

  “Los Angeles?”

  “Exactly. I’m looking for a studio space. Someplace I can work out of—use it as a gallery and retail front to sell my landscape and travel prints, and also as a studio for portraiture. I haven’t found the place yet, but even when I do, I know it’s going to be a slow start. And that’s where the app comes in. At least, I hope so. Here, let me show you.”

  He bends over the paper again and starts to discuss his vision in more detail. Basically, he wants his collection of images on the app and for sale as digital postcards into which people can insert themselves. But on top of the fun factor, he’s envisioned a little store. With mouse pads and mugs and T-shirts made from the various images. It’s not a bad idea, actually, and the kicker is that when he shows me some of the photographs, they’re stunning.

  “These are amazing,” I say. “You have an incredible eye.”

  He beams. “That’s very kind of you to say.”

  “I love photography,” I admit. “I’m nowhere near as talented as you, but it’s been my hobby since my sister gave me a camera when I was in high school.”

  “Your sister,” he says, and I’m sure I’m projecting, because to me he actually sounds a little sad, as if he knows that she’s gone from me forever.

  I clear my throat. “At any rate, I think we can make this work, Mr. Dunlop.”

  “Please, call me Frank.”

  “Only if you call me Nikki.” I press my hand to his tablet. “Can I keep your notes for a day or two? And maybe we could plan to meet again on Friday? I should have something rough for you to take a look at by then.”

  “That would be great,” he says. “I’ll spend the time between now and then looking for a space.”

  “Are you familiar with Los Angeles?”

  He shakes his head.
“Not really. But I know I want to be near the beach.”

  “You and everyone else in the city. That’s going to be significantly more expensive. I could probably hook you up with a commercial real estate agent who might know of a sublet or—oh, I have a brilliant idea.”

  I hold up a finger as I reach for my phone with my other hand. “I have a friend who’s looking for someone to share space with. He’s in Santa Monica, and just a few blocks off the beach. Shall I call?”

  “Well, I—yes. Yes, why not?”

  “Great.” I dial Wyatt Royce, a photographer Damien has known and worked with for years, and from whom I’ve taken a few photography classes myself. He answers on the first ring, and when he picks up I explain the situation, and he assures me that he’d love to meet Frank.

  “I haven’t seen you or Damien in a while,” he adds. “Why don’t we all meet for drinks. That’ll give Frank and I a chance to see if we feel like we could share a space.”

  I check with Frank, and since he’s enthusiastic about the plan, I ask Wyatt where we should meet.

  “I’d love to check out Q,” he says, referring to a trendy bar and restaurant in Santa Monica that’s just a block from his studio. “But it’s a bitch to get into.”

  “Damien can manage,” I say with certainty. I smile at Frank as I add, “Damien can manage pretty much anything.”

  Chapter 5

  Q is jam-packed when we arrive, and it’s clear that this is the current place to see and be seen in Los Angeles. Wyatt and Frank show up within minutes of us, and as we wait, the two of them immediately start talking about composition, contrast, and various editing tools. They’re so deep into their conversation that I have to tap Wyatt’s elbow when the hostess arrives to show us to our table in a quiet corner of the bar.

  I recognize at least two television stars as we navigate the room, and since I rarely watch television, that’s saying something. As usual, camera phones surreptitiously snap Damien and me as we navigate the maze of tables and decor, finally ending up at what is clearly one of the best locations in the bar.