by Carla Krae
“Thanks. This way,” he said.
I nodded.
“Come back to the hotel with me.”
“I…”
“Please. We need to talk, Beth.”
True enough.
****
Outside, there was a lot of commotion. The roadies were loading the equipment into a truck. The paparazzi snapped shots of the band getting into their limos. Celeste and Bob were putting on a show snogging for the cameras.
Jacob veered off to the left around the truck, taking advantage of the distraction. His driver waited with a Town Car with the rear door open.
“Where to, sir?”
He nudged Beth in ahead of him. “My hotel, and make sure we’re not followed.”
“Was this the plan all along?” she asked as they pulled onto the street. “To kidnap me?”
He rolled his eyes. “Flying by the seat of my pants, love, like always with you.”
She opened her mouth to speak, when his cell phone rang.
“Yeah?”
“Get away alright?”
Bob was a good friend. “So far. Thanks. Don’t get too crazy tonight. We have a show tomorrow.”
“Hey, I’m the level-headed one, remember? So, any progress?”
His eyes flicked to Beth. “Doubtful. Tomorrow, mate.”
“Yeah. Good night.”
He put the phone back in his pocket. The space between where they sat might as well have been a chasm.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“Just Bob.”
“Oh.” She looked out the window. “It’s starting to rain.”
“It does that.”
They lapsed into silence for the rest of the drive.
****
Jacob didn’t speak to me, just expected me to follow through the hotel. Old habit, or deference to his temper, I did. We hadn’t stayed here before, so I didn’t know the staff, but they were courteous and professional. Must have been the dress, because no one opened doors for me when I was a PA.
Once inside his room, he locked the door. I waited while he set down his belongings and checked his messages. He finally looked over to me and pointed at a chair.
“Sit.”
I sat.
“You don’t believe my feelings for you. Do you?”
“Sometimes,” I answered truthfully.
He got a beer from the fridge and sat on the bed. “Why not? I haven’t lied to you.”
“I know.” I paused. “I hadn’t seen you in months. We were already in a weird place, then you show up saying you love me? In present tense? What am I supposed to do with that?”
“I didn’t want you to go in the first place.”
“I had to.”
He frowned. “You still haven’t explained that. How does a broken leg trigger a life change, Beth?”
I shook my head. “It didn’t.” The head injury did.
“Then what? You’ve been holding something back this whole time and I still can’t figure out what the hell went on in your head.”
“It was personal.” I reined in my temper, not wanting another argument.
“Yet, it made you bail on your best friend.”
“My boss. We hadn’t been best friends in years, Jacob.”
He shook his head. “You said you wanted to be my girl. Has that changed?”
“I don’t know…. I don’t want to fight with you.”
His temper deflated. “Guess we’re at an impasse, then.”
I sighed. “Guess so.” I slumped in the chair.
We sat there in silence.
“Wanna watch TV?” he finally suggested.
Worse things to do than that. “Okay.”
He moved to sit propped up by the headboard and patted the bed. I hesitated a moment, then sat beside him like old times. Like always, it was a king-size bed with the finest linens, and comfy.
****
Jacob awoke first. He tried to stretch before his eyes were open, and discovered a weight on his arm. Beth was sound asleep, her head on his shoulder. The TV was still on, showing the early morning news. He brushed her hair off her face and smiled at how peaceful she looked.
Vulnerable.
He rarely saw her vulnerable. Hell, he didn’t even know how she felt about him. She wanted him, but so did most women in the world. She used to like him, at least. But, that wasn’t enough anymore, not with how he felt now.
Her eyelids fluttered open. She tilted her head up and gave him a tentative smile.
“Hi.”
“Good morning.”
She glanced at the TV. “Guess we nodded off.”
“Mm-hmm. Hungry?”
“Yeah.”
****
I waited for him to go first. My leg was draped over his, my curves pressed against his side. In his arms like this, I could pretend the world consisted of just the two of us, safe and warm.
“Beth…” he whispered, longing in his voice.
Gazes locked, we migrated closer to each other until our lips touched. Gently, at first, then with more passion. He tightened his arms around me. I gasped for air. He dipped his head to nip and suck on my neck.
“You make the most gorgeous little sounds,” he said, and kissed me again.
“You keep saying that.”
Our passion escalated until his hand slid under my dress along my thigh. I pulled away when his hand reached my scar.
“No. Don’t!”
He removed his hand. “Okay, love, okay… I’m not going to rush you into anything.” He stroked my hair in a soothing way. I tried to calm down. “I’m happy havin’ you right here.”
“Thank you.”
He smiled. “I do have a bit of self-control.”
I blushed. “I know this dress is a temptation.”
“You in anything is a temptation, sweetheart. But, I’d rather be with you some place less…anonymous.”
“Oh. You’ve thought about…?” Were we really going to talk about sex first thing in the morning?
He grinned, his expression a cross between a leer and tender affection. “Yeah. Haven’t you?”
I dropped my eyes, my cheeks turning a deeper crimson. It was the one part of our past I could never forget, but I’d been avoiding thinking about it for years except in my dreams, and those haunted me until recently.
****
He chuckled, knowing she wasn’t nearly as innocent as people thought, and tilted her face up to kiss her again, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Mr. Lindsey! The car will be here for you in an hour. I’ve already ordered your breakfast. Mr. Lindsey!” His PA rapped on the door again.
“Bloody runt can’t just make a simple wake-up call,” he grumbled, detaching himself from Beth.
He stomped to the door and threw it open. “Keep it down! Couldn’t you have tried using the phone!”
“I-I…you’re dressed… Uh, I didn’t think you’d hear--”
“Well, try it next time if you want to keep your job. Clear?”
“Yes, sir! I’ll just…go away, until the car arrives.” The PA ran away down the hall.
Jacob tried slamming the door--it was the type on a slow hinge so he couldn’t--then muttered something under his breath and came back to her.
She giggled. “I think you made him wet his pants!”
He grinned, seeing her so amused. “Probably. Wanker deserved it. I was in the middle of somethin’.”
She was a vision, sitting on his bed looking thoroughly snogged.
“You should probably get ready for your appointment.” She put a hand on his chest to halt him from crawling back on the bed.
“Got an hour. Plenty of time,” he said, waggling his brows.
“Thought you weren’t going to seduce me here.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t mean I can’t make you very happy, oh, at least twice before I leave.”
“You’re not the only one that has to work this morning.”
“Alright
… Stay for breakfast?”
“I can stay.” She swung her feet off the bed and stood. “I’m going to use your bathroom.”
He swatted her ass as she walked away, laughing when she glared at him.
****
Room service arrived while I freshened up. I came out in my glasses, having stowed my contacts in my purse, and it felt really good to give my eyes a break.
“There isn’t technically enough for two, but there’s plenty of coffee, so eat what you want,” Jacob offered.
I shook my head. “It’s your breakfast. I’m sure I’m going to have more time to eat today than you will.”
I did snag a strawberry and one of his pieces of toast.
He wolfed down the omelet, letting me have the bowl of fruit while he took a quick shower. I almost choked on another strawberry when he came out in nothing but a towel to grab fresh clothes from his suitcase.
“Jacob!”
The towel rode low on his hips and his chest still glistened with water droplets. Memories of riding him in the shower came to mind.
“What? Pffft…you’ve seen it all before.”
“Yeah, but…”
That was before he looked at me like he did now. Before I knew he loved me.
****
He waited for her to finish her sentence, delighting in the way her eyes couldn’t get enough of him. It took all his restraint to not say to hell with waiting and take her right there.
“I should… I should go, before the puppy catches me here.”
“You don’t have to, Beth.”
“I know…but we don’t know if we can trust him, yet. I’d rather be on home turf before going public, you know?”
He embraced her and kissed her forehead. “I know. Are you coming to the show tonight?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea what Celeste has up her sleeve. I’ll call you or pass on a message.”
“Are we good?” he asked. She was in a much better mood this morning, but he still didn’t know where they stood.
****
I’d almost forgotten our fight. I smiled. “Yeah. This morning was nice.”
“Mmm. Very nice.” He kissed me, slow and sweet. “I love you.”
“I know.”
He helped me into my coat. We lingered at the door. I felt reluctant to part when things had gone so well since we woke up together, but finally pulled away, peeking out into the hallway before stepping out to leave.
While I waited for the elevator, I checked my phone. One voice mail and one text message, both from Celeste. I sent a message saying I was fine and on my way back to the hotel.
She pounced on me the moment I opened the door to our room. “Tell me everything!”
“Good morning to you, too,” I teased.
“Come on! Don’t torture me. So, how was it?”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but we didn’t have sex.” I grabbed clothes and toiletries to take into the bathroom.
“Why not!”
“Because it wasn’t the right time. We…talked, then fell asleep in front of the TV.”
“And this morning?”
“Was still PG. He had an appointment, so I stayed while he ate breakfast, then came back.”
“Tell me he at least liked the dress!”
“He loved it. You were right. And now I need a shower because I have a client to meet. Can you order me some scrambled eggs and a waffle?”
I shut the door to the bathroom, turning on the water a second later.
In the shower, I thought about the past twenty-four hours and the contrast between how I felt with Jacob and apart. The doubts and fears in my head were much quieter in his presence. Perhaps the simple solution lay in attempting to spend as much time together as possible until I felt reassured in my decision to try again.
CNZ reports: Sources say a young brunette was seen leaving Jake Lindsey’s hotel this morning. The juicy part? She exited his floor.
Chapter Sixteen
Celeste didn’t have tickets to tonight’s show, so I picked up food and took it over to Jacob’s suite around the time we’d left the venue last night. I dressed casually, adding a plain baseball cap, and entered the hotel the same way as before. Sent a message earlier saying I’d drop by, but dinner was meant as a surprise. He wasn’t there, yet, so I waited on a bench down the hall.
Jacob stepped out of the elevator maybe ten minutes later accompanied by his bodyguard and the PA. “Hi,” he said with a smile.
“Hi.”
He opened the door and held it for me. “Go on in, love. I’ll just be a minute.”
“Sir…”
“It’s alright. She brought me food. Goodnight, gents.” He shut the door and dropped his gear on the floor. “What have you got for me, love?”
“Calzones, garlic bread, and canolis for dessert. Should fill you up for a couple hours.” I started placing the containers on the table.
“Well, I’m starving!” He gave me a quick kiss before sitting down and pulled the other chair close to his. “Sit.”
I handed him a plastic fork. “How was the gig?”
“The usual. What did you do today?”
“Worked in the morning, then went sightseeing in the afternoon. Saw the Statue of Liberty.”
“You know, I’ve flown over it a dozen times, but never seen it up close. Listen… My month off starts Monday.”
“Oh?”
“And I want you to go with me.”
“Go? Where?”
“Anywhere. Some place quiet. I want to get to know you again, Beth.”
“I have a job, Jacob. I can’t go away for a month.”
You can, you’re just afraid to.
Shut up!
“Think about it--you, me, no photographers, no interruptions… I won’t even tell my staff.”
“Isn’t it a bit early to be going away together? Why the rush?” I felt the panic welling up in my stomach again.
“I’m not rushing. I just want to extend what we’ve got goin’ right here.” He took my hand. “You were right about staying under the radar for a while. You know what it’s going to be like at home.”
“I guess I can try to get time off. But I’m not promising anything! The more time I’m away, the more likely they are to hand my assignments to another photographer.”
“Even if they did, I believe you’d have plenty of offers.”
“Thanks. Eat.”
“Yes, dear.” He took a big bite of garlic bread. “I liked waking up with you this morning.”
“It was nice.” Heat crept up my neck.
“You know, we could do that every day if you come with me.”
I nearly choked on mozzarella. “Share one room?” I shook my head. “I’m not ready for that.”
“I’ll keep my hands to myself if that’s what you want, Beth.”
“I trust you to try, but that’s too much temptation. I-I can’t.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, I’m sorry.”
I sighed, feeling guilty now. “You didn’t say anything wrong.”
“Yeah. Alright.”
He dropped the subject, but his good mood had dimmed. For all my progress since the accident, I was still a coward. When we were done eating, I went back to my hotel.
Jacob had a grueling schedule ahead for his last day in New York, so we made plans to spend some time together Saturday before Celeste and I flew home. Tomorrow was a travel day, the crew moving the show to Boston while the band got to rest for Sunday’s concert.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Sending a note to myself not to book you for the month of October,” Celeste replied, fiddling with her phone.
“I didn’t say I want the time off.”
“Look, all you have to do is call and I’ll find you a job. Call it a perk of being best friends with the photo editor. But you have to take Jacob up on his offer.”
“Will you stop pushing me? I want this relationship to go at a normal pace.
You’re not helping.”
“Honey, it’s never going to be normal as long as Jacob is in the limelight. Take the good where you can get it.”
“Even so, I could do with a minimum of meddling,” I threatened.
“Okay, okay. Let’s get out of here while the rain has stopped.”
****
The rain left overnight, leaving a cool, but pleasant, autumn morning. Since Jacob’s hotel sat along Central Park, he arranged for a carriage ride.
“A buggy tour?” I asked.
“Just another normal couple in the city, right?”
I smiled, and accepted his hand to help me up. “Right.”
He hopped inside after me and sat close, draping his arm around my shoulders. The driver signaled the horse to walk.
“Since you don’t fly out ‘til late afternoon, I asked for the full tour.”
I glanced around. “Looks like we got away unnoticed. Can you ever go outside without wearing a hat?” He wore a newsboy cap today.
“Not often. Not if I don’t want the attention. The fans, I don’t mind. They’re mostly okay, just wanting a photo or an autograph and lettin’ me go, but the paps… It’s getting uglier out there all the time. I get why some of us are recluses.”
“I just don’t comprehend why a photo of someone going to the grocery store is that interesting. It’s one thing to look for a story, tacky as it is, but why follow someone on mundane errands? What happened to class in this country?”
“Try not to dwell on it, love. It’s a nice day, the scenery is beautiful, and you’re in excellent company.”
“You are so full of yourself,” I teased.
“But you love me, anyway.”
“It helps I don’t have to pick up your dirty laundry anymore.”
He clutched his heart. “Ooo, ouch! ‘Be kind, fair lady, or I will deny you chocolate’.”
“’Oh, please, sir, not the chocolate!’” I collapsed into a fit of giggles. “God, that is still the worst play I’ve ever seen! I can’t believe you still remember the lines.”
“I wanted to ditch so badly that day, but I needed the credit. What was that insane bat’s name?”
“Mrs. Brambleberry, the chocoholic. Whatever she was on when she wrote that disastrous thing, I hope it was worth it! You know, I think I still have the program in a box somewhere.”
