Melting The Ice

by Amy Leigh Napier

  “Good Morning.” He whispered against her mouth, his lips moving lightly over hers for a tender, coffee-flavored kiss. When she felt his tongue teasing at the seam of her lips and his hands sliding beneath her skirt, she had laughingly wrestled free. Of course, she was not suffering under any delusions that she could actually have gained her freedom without his full cooperation. “Where are you off to?”

  “I have an early meeting with my attorney.” She stated, sipping at the cup of coffee he handed to her. He smiled at her and took another drink of his own coffee. “We could go out to dinner this evening…”

  “Actually I would like to stay in with you tonight.” He interrupted with a quick grin, looking uneasy for a moment. “We have some things we need to talk about.”

  “Okay.” She glanced at her watch before setting her cup in the sink and giving Cian a quick kiss. “I’m gonna be late if I don’t leave now. I’ll see you after while.” She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

  “Ava?” He called. Looking over her shoulder to find him smiling at her, she raised an inquiring brow.

  “Hmm?”

  “I love you.” The words had her smiling brightly at him.

  “I love you too.” She had responded, the words not surprising her nearly as much as when she had said them the night before. That had carried her throughout the interminable meetings and now she just wanted to get home and see him. She had driven her Vanquish today, loving the way her flashy little sports car hugged the winding curves. The windows were down, the sunroof open and Creed was blaring from the speakers. Her hair was blowing in the breeze while she and Scott Stapp sang about being a freedom fighter. The chiming of the IPhone had her glancing down to see who was calling. Seeing Macy’s name on the screen, she decided not to answer since she would be home within a few minutes. She would just drive over to Macy’s before going home to see what she wanted. No sooner had the call disconnected than it began ringing again with Macy’s name flashing on the screen. Ava almost ignored the call a second time since she was within sight of the walls but fear that something was wrong had her hitting the button to connect through her speakers, shutting off the music.

  “Hey Mace, I’m almost home…”

  “No!” Macy shouted frantically. “Ava, don’t come home!”

  “What? Why?” Ava asked in confusion as she rounded the last curve before the gates. “I’m already here…what the hell?” Her voice drifted away when she saw the drama unfolding at her front gates. Multiple news vans with satellite dishes on top and a large crowd of people with cameras on their shoulders or microphones in their hands had not only blocked the gates but the main road past their compound. Locals trying to get home or to town were out of their vehicles, some giving interviews, some watching and some arguing with the news crews and various law enforcement who were trying to disperse the crowd. Several state troopers were inside the gates consulting with an infuriated Mike who was waving his arms wildly at the encroaching crowd yelling questions and shoving their cameras through the wrought iron rungs. Ava was dumbfounded as to why the media had gone on the attack again and it looked like more than ever before. What could possibly have brought this to their door, she thought, a feeling of dread settling low in her stomach. The problem had always been the local media badgering them, not national media and damn sure not the gossip rags that seemed to be represented. As soon as her car was spotted, the crowd surged in her direction, surrounding the vehicle. Flashes were going off non-stop while the reporters yelled over each other to ask questions. She couldn’t even make out what was being said at first. The crowd was pushing against her car, shoving microphones through the open windows into her face while the flashbulbs blinded her. All she could think about was hoping her car wasn’t getting scratched at first. The state troopers were shoving their way through the rabid pack trying to get to her but it was slow work and suddenly, the questions being yelled at her started penetrating her brain.

  “Ms. Talbot, what exactly is your relationship to Cian Secord…”

  “How does your son feel about you sleeping with one of his friends…?”

  “Did you know you were sharing Cian with Lani Mason…?”

  “Are you supporting Cian’s drug habits…?”

  “Are you sleeping with Maxime Brooks too…?”

  She hit the gas as soon as the state troopers cleared a path and sped through the gates. She was in a complete state of shock when she pulled up in front of her house. Leaning her head back to rest against the headrest, she stared straight ahead through the windshield trying to make sense of what had just happened. The local media had been fairly aggressive with them since they had won the money but nothing of this magnitude…and all they had asked about was Cian…and his drug problems…and Lani Mason? The supermodel? Who the hell had she let in her life? None of it made sense. She saw Macy rushing towards her, her face tight with anger and worry, but Ava couldn’t seem to get out of the car.

  “Ava, are you all right? I called as soon as I found out what was going on…” Macy’s words faded away when Ava slowly turned her head to look up at her through the open window, her eyes haunted.

  “What is going on?” Ava asked quietly, trying to maintain a tight rein on her emotions until she knew the facts. Macy opened the car door and motioned for her to get out of the car.

  “Come inside.” Macy coaxed gently. The sick feeling of dread that had started at the sight of the press at her gates felt like it had grown inside of her until there was room for nothing else. She slowly followed Macy into the kitchen. Macy quickly poured Ava straight vodka and placed it in front of her on the table, alarming her even further. If Macy was going to tell her something she was going to need Stoli to cope with, it couldn’t be good. She didn’t reach for the drink, but just sat quietly waiting for Macy to tell her what the hell was going on. Macy sat across from Ava, letting out a sigh of defeat when she met her eyes. “I don’t know everything…”

  “Tell me what you know.” Ava demanded softly. Macy took a deep breath and launched into a factual account of what she had learned.

  “Apparently Cian is a professional hockey player from Boston who was dating that supermodel, Lani Mason. They got busted in Miami a couple of months ago for drug possession…”

  “Oh my God…” Ava groaned and put her head in her hands, her emotions in complete turmoil. She didn’t know if she was going to cry, yell like a crazy woman or a combination of both.

  “The charges were dropped against Cian but the media has been stalking him. The model is saying Cian didn’t get in trouble because he’s a professional athlete. I Googled him and he’s like some hockey superstar.” Macy fell quiet and let Ava absorb the information. After several minutes, Ava removed her hands from her face and reached for her drink, tossing the drink back in a couple of gulps. Macy continued to regard her with concern, not knowing what else to say. Ava stared at the table, incapable of further action while she tried to wrap her mind around the fact that everything she knew about Cian was a lie…and she had told him she loved him. She was in love with a liar…again.

  “How could I be so stupid?” Ava murmured, a single tear sliding slowly down her face.

  “You’re not stupid…” The chiming of Ava’s IPhone startled them both. Ava glanced down at the phone, seeing her son’s name on the screen. In that moment, it hit her that her son had to have lied to her as well. Her baby had let her blindly step into this situation. She connected the call. “Jameson?”

  “Mom! I’m sorry. I should never have lied to you…” Jameson’s frantic voice came across the line. Ava felt like her entire world crumbling apart.

  “How could you, Jameson?” Ava asked brokenly, more tears following the first.

  “Mom, I’m sorry…”

  “I can’t talk to you right now.” She choked out, disconnecting the call as the door was thrown open and Cian came barreling in, Max close behind him. He froze when his worried gaze settled on Ava setting at the table, tears runnin
g down her face. The crushing pain of his betrayal settled on Ava, a sob catching in her throat as he warily started for her.

  “Ava…”

  She came to her feet so suddenly, the chair she had been setting in overturned noisily. She snatched the empty glass from the tabletop and hurled it at him, barely missing his head when he ducked. The loud crash of the glass against the wall seemed to light the fuse on her rage. “Get out!” she screamed, the hurt and anger overwhelming her. He looked from the broken glass to Ava, his expression pinched with worry and fear.

  “Ava please…let me explain…” He entreated, his eyes beseeching her for understanding.

  “Explain how you made a fool out of me?” She choked out, her blue eyes blazing with accusation as the tears continued. He was furiously shaking his head in denial, but she ignored him. “Or are you going to explain how you used me…”

  “I never used you.” He said his voice low and urgent. “You have to believe that…”

  “Why would I believe anything you say?” Her mocking voice rang out. “Everything you’ve told me has been a lie from the beginning…”

  “No!” He was adamant as he took another step towards her. “I didn’t lie about everything…”

  “You shouldn’t have lied about anything!” She shrieked as she backed away from his advancing form, putting the table between them. He came to a halt, running his hand through his hair in agitation, his eyes pleading.

  “Ava please…let me explain…”

  “Just go.” Her voice hitched on a sob, her blue eyes swarming with emotion. His tormented gaze switched from Ava to Macy, looking for an ally but Macy stood with her arms crossed over her chest eyeing him dispassionately. There would be no help from that corner.

  “I love you…”

  “Get out!” she wailed, pushing through the kitchen door to disappear into the house, her fleeing footsteps the only sound. He hesitated then made as if to follow her but Macy stepped in his path at the same time Max grabbed his arm to yank him back.

  “No, Key, let her go.” Max said in a low, urgent voice, his grip on Cian’s arm tight. He whirled on Max, spoiling for a fight until he saw his friend’s pitying expression watching him. “She is not going to listen to you right now, mon ami.” Cian shook Max’s grip off his arm and plunged his fingers into his hair again, mussing the smooth dark strands. He closed his eyes as if in pain, a low growl escaping his throat. He had freaked when Macy had reached him with the news of the press’s encampment at the gates, knowing that Ava would never believe he had planned to tell her all this very day but some part of him had hoped he was wrong. Unfortunately, he had been right. He had screwed up everything by not coming clean with Ava and had lost the only woman he had ever loved. He had always been self-assured but this situation stole his confidence…the knowledge there was nothing he could do or say that would convince Ava he had not used her made him feel helpless and defeated. He hated it. He looked at Macy.

  “Macy, you have to believe me. I didn’t use Ava…”

  “I do believe you, for all the good that will do you.” She responded softly, her eyes full of sympathy. The sound of a door slamming somewhere in the house, had Macy glancing at the closed door of the kitchen apprehensively. “Come on; let’s go over to my house where we can talk.” Cian looked from Macy to the door, seeming to be undecided on his course of action. She laid a hand on his arm, immediately gaining his attention. “She’s hurt and angry right now. You will only make it worse if you don’t give her some time, Cian.” He looked as if he might argue but changed his mind, nodding his head in resignation. Macy knew Ava best and if she said Ava needed space, she needed space. He hadn’t thought anything would ever be harder than having to call his parents after the Lani fiasco, but he had been wrong. Leaving Ava’s, knowing he had hurt her and she believed that nothing between them had been real was even worse. Seeing her cry over something he had done made him feel like the lowest piece of shit on earth. How would he ever get her to forgive him?

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  “What on earth possessed you two to pull a stunt like this?” The utter stupidity of these men had Macy angrily pacing back and forth in front of her desk. Her nephew scowled at her from the large monitor. “And you can wipe that look off your face, Jameson Talbot. You have a lot to answer for so I would suggest you drop the attitude.” She admonished, turning to find Max lounging on the leather sofa, watching the proceedings like he was watching a tennis match and Cian on the edge of the chair with his head in his hands “Now who wants to go first?” She stopped her pacing and leaned against the desk with her arms crossed.

  “Aunt Macy…” Jameson began but his words faded away as the magnitude of his mistake hit him. “It was a goddamn stupid idea.” He muttered more to himself than his Aunt.

  “You’re damn right it was a goddamn stupid idea.” Her scathing voice had all of them wincing. She started pacing again, her fingers rubbing at her temples as she muttered under her breath about dumbass men that didn’t have the sense to get in out of the rain.

  “It’s my fault.” Cian’s deep, angry voice interrupted her diatribe as he came to his feet. “Jay was just trying to help out me and my family.”

  “I knew if I was straight with Mom she would freak and not let Cian stay. How was I to know Mom and Cian were going to hook up? That never even crossed my mind as a possibility. I never meant for any of this to happen.” Jay looking so sad and upset was another jolt to Cian’s angry guilt.

  “Damn it, Jay! None of this shit is on you.” Cian practically roared before dropping back into the chair. He leaned his head against the back and stared at the ceiling. “I should have told Ava the truth when I became involved with her if not sooner.” He paused, his look introspective. “I knew if I told her, she’d dump me flat on my ass…so I didn’t tell her.” His eyes closed in pain. “I am so screwed.” No one disputed his claim.

  “Do we know who called the reporters?” Macy was back to leaning against the desk regarding all of them as if they were some strange species she didn’t understand.

  “My bet is either your father,” Cian motioned to Jameson with a raised eyebrow. “Or Tiffani with an ‘I’.” Cian rolled his eyes at Max. Max looked crestfallen at the idea he might have contributed to this mess.

  “How do you plan to deal with the reporters?” Macy inquired with a raised brow of her own. Cian looked thoughtful before shrugging.

  “I’m gonna have to do what I should have done from the beginning and tell my side of the story.” He laughed without mirth. “Only if I had done that, I would have missed out on Ava.”

  Jameson looked distinctly uncomfortable when Cian spoke of his mother. “If you care anything about my mother…”

  “I love her.” Cian stated bleakly. Jameson gaped at his friend in utter surprise at his avow of love for his mother. Jameson cleared his throat, but Macy jumped in before Jameson could come up with anything to say.