by Harkins, MK
“The stairs are locked. They are only used for emergencies.” Cade looks at me quizzically.
Note to self, never try to bargain with God. It doesn’t work.
This is a huge decision for me, and I need to make it fast. Do I confess my phobia to Cade, or should I face certain death in the elevator. I choose death.
“Okay, let’s go.” I can already feel my body start to rebel. My heart rate kicks into high gear, and the sweating has begun. I start doing the calm, deep-breathing I learned in yoga.
We enter the elevator, and Cade immediately opens a panel. I haven’t been on an elevator since I was a child, but it seems strange that technology hasn’t caught up a little more than this. It seems labor intensive to have to open a panel just to get it to go. I see buttons. Hmm, why isn’t he pushing one of those? He takes out a key and turns it then immediately takes it out.
“One hour. No matter what you hear, do not open this door.” And he throws the keys to Harvey. The doors close.
Even though my brain is on overload dealing with the terror I feel in the elevator, I know what just happened.
“What have you done?” I ask softly.
“We’re going to spend the next hour working this out, Laurel. I don’t want you running off if you hear something you don’t like or if something scares you. I can’t go on like this anymore. First, I want you to know the girl you saw on Saturday was my sister, Allix. I don’t have a girlfriend.” His voice lowers. “You are all I think about, Laurel.”
The walls are closing in on me, sliding closer together. My body is still on full panic alert. My mind is racing, racing. I’m in an elevator. Cade doesn’t have a girlfriend. Cade thinks about me. I wonder if he thinks about me in a good way. My brain is getting fuzzy, I think from lack of oxygen. The long fingers of claustrophobia slowly begin to claw their way up my body, gripping my throat. I don’t think I can breathe. Have we been cut off from air? I can feel my panic attack start to build.
“I’ve prepared a song for you.” Cade pulls out his guitar and starts to tune it. So far, he’s oblivious to my imminent meltdown. He strums, making a few adjustments. He closes his eyes and launches into the song. I don’t recognize it right away, but when the first few words softly tumble out, I know exactly why he’s singing it. Happiness is displacing all my fear – pushing it, stomping on it, putting it in a blender and ripping it to shreds. I hope this wonderful feeling can last for an hour until I can escape.
I love Cade’s voice. It has a low soft rasp, but yet is so powerful when it needs to be.
“Say something. I’m giving up on you.” He pauses and sings, whispers, “I’m really not giving up on you, but I will if you tell me to.”
I close my eyes tightly so I can focus. I need to remember all the words to the song he’s singing. Say Something is one of my favorite songs. It has a beautiful, yet sad melody and lyrics.
I breathe in again, trying to calm my mind. I hold my trembling hands together and concentrate. Say something, I’m giving up on you. Oh no! Don’t give up on me! Now that I know Cade doesn’t have a girlfriend, I don’t want him giving up. Not when we’ve come so close. I need to stop him now.
He continues to sing. “And I will swallow my pride. You’re the one that I love.”
“Cade, stop!” I shout.
His eyes get wide then shift to concern.
What do I say. I need to get my point across now. “Something!” I yell.
I’ve startled Cade. He takes a step back, bumping into the wall.
“Something. Something. Something!” I repeat. Tears start leaking from my eyes, dropping to the floor. “I’m saying ‘Something’ Cade. Please don’t give up.”
Cade’s back is against the wall as he stares at me. I can’t gauge his expression. Finally, what I’ve been telling him registers. His beautiful smile starts to pull up at the edges. He removes his guitar and edges toward me. Every step closer, his eyes darken and become heated. He takes my hands, linking our fingers, and raises them above my head. He hesitates for a moment, looking intently into my eyes. I’m breathing hard, probably more than is usually called for in this situation, but I haven’t passed out yet, so I’m good.
“God, Laurel.” He places his full, soft lips on mine, gently. Too gently.
I need a distraction. The fear is starting a war with happiness, and I’m concerned this perfect moment will be broken by the anxiety building back up. I close my eyes and let the sliding sensation of his tongue take over. This is too much, too good. I grab onto his shirt with all I’ve got, bringing us closer. Cade likes this new development and moans his appreciation.
“So much time wasted.” He tightens his hold on me, deepening the kiss even more.
I’m practically exploding with emotion – passion, surprise, terror, happiness. Unfortunately, terror is starting to take over. I realize we’re still on the first floor, but I didn’t notice when we entered the building if there was a parking garage beneath. We could still plummet four or more floors. I take a step back from Cade and say, “I’ll just need a moment here.” I bend over, placing my hands on my legs, and take in huge gulps of air. Not good.
Cade
This is not good. I knew she might be a bit overwhelmed, but not to the point of hyperventilating. This isn’t like Laurel at all.
“Laurel, are you all right?” I hope she is, because I really want to continue what we just started. I can’t remember ever feeling so good.
“Cade?”
“Yes?”
“I have something to tell you.” Shit. I don’t think I want to hear it. I nod, not wanting to speak.
“You remember all of our long talks on Skype? I kinda neglected to tell you something.”
If she’s together with Douglas, I seriously don’t think I can handle it.
“Go on.”
“Um. It’s a little embarrassing.”
“Yes?”
“I have this thing with elevators.”
“A thing?” This is good. I can deal with this.
“Yes. I believe it’s called a phobia. Yes, it is a phobia.” She leans over, placing her hands back on her knees, and starts breathing erratically.
“Oh, shit, Laurel. How bad is it?” I feel terrible. We have at least another forty-five minutes in here.
“Pretty darn bad. I haven’t been in one since I was a child.”
“Really? How do you get around?”
“Cade? Can we talk about this later? Right now, I just need to get out of here.”
I bring her back into me, hugging her tightly into my body.
“Laurel, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I told Harvey not to open this elevator for an hour – no matter what.”
Her body tightens, and she pushes away from me. I study her face. Yes, she’s about to lose it. She gets an idea.
“I know, I’ll call Sophie! If anyone can get me out of here, she can.”
She dials quickly. “Sophie? Cade didn’t tell you his plan, did he?” She looks at me with a slight grin. “Yes, it’s very romantic. Sophie, he has us locked in an elevator.” I can hear her shriek “No way!” loudly from where I’m standing.
Obviously, I should have clued Sophie in on my plan.
“I need you to get me out. Right. Now. Can you do that? Yes, here’s Cade.” She hands me the phone so I can give her the address.
After I hang up, I look at Laurel. Embarrassment, fear, and something else dominate her expression.
“I’m so sorry, Laurel.”
“You’re going to have to make it up to me.” She smiles as she shoves me back against the wall. “I’m going to need a huge distraction. You up for that?”
I laugh and draw her close. I wrap my arms around her back and pull her to me, the scent of her perfume drawing me into a delightful haze. “This feels really nice,” I tell her.
Laurel grasps my shirt and pulls it off over my head. “I’ve been dying to do that for so long.”
I laugh again. “Are you do
ing okay now? Is this distraction enough for you?”
“Not by a long shot. I think the pants will need to come off next.”
Laurel’s always been funny, but when she’s fighting a panic attack, she’s downright hilarious.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. If Sophie is working her magic, they should come busting through the door any minute.”
Laurel’s mouth moves down into a pout. She leans over, rubs my chest, and says, “I’ll risk it. Don’t you think this would be a fun story for our first time?”
I shake my head. “Who would we tell?”
She’s thoughtful for a moment. “Each other?”
I’m pretty sure she’s trying so hard to hold it all together that her thinking process is being affected. I’ve never seen this side of her, and I love it. Actually, I love everything about her, but I’ll wait to say the words when she’s not about to go into a full blown panic attack.
I reluctantly slip my t-shirt over my head, take her in my arms again and start to rub her back. I can feel her trembling, and now I’m starting to feel panicked myself. I hope she can get through this without any lasting trauma.
A few moments later, I hear pounding and Sophie yelling from the other side of the elevator doors. “Get this thing open before I become violent! You don’t understand. There’s a medical situation going on in there. If those doors aren’t opened in ten seconds, I’m calling 911 and having you arrested!”
It takes all of five seconds, and the doors open.
“Thank God! Laurel, are you okay?” Sophie runs in and takes her by the elbow, leading her out. She gives Harvey a glare, ripping off the ‘Closed for Maintenance’ sign as she passes him.
Harvey looks down at the floor and winces. “Sorry, Cade. She threatened me.”
I laugh. “No problem, Harvey. I’m sorry to put you through that.” I look over to make sure Laurel is doing okay. “She has an elevator phobia I didn’t know about.”
Harvey’s eyes widen as he shakes his head. “Only you, Cade,” and breaks out into loud guffaws.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” I respond while giving him a playful punch in the arm, which might have been a little hard.
“Ouch! Don’t blame me. I can’t wait until everyone hears about this. You finally get a girlfriend then go and blow it by torturing her in an elevator.” He can’t stop laughing.
“I didn’t blow it.” At least I hope not. I look again at Laurel. Her coloring looks better.
She looks over at me and gives a little wave. “See? She’ll be okay. Thanks again for trying to help. I do appreciate it. Sorry about facing the wrath of Sophie. She can be a bit much when it comes to Laurel. You know, best friends and all that.”
“I would have thought they were sisters by the way she was acting, except they don’t look anything alike. They are both gorgeous though. Good job Cade.” He punches me back on my shoulder.
I shake my head and make my way over to the girls. “Are you feeling better?” I ask Laurel.
She nods. I can tell she’s still trying to get her equilibrium back.
“She’s a mess!” Sophie exclaims.
I take a closer look at Laurel. She looks gorgeous with her messy hair and clothes. “What are you talking about. She looks beautiful.” Our eyes connect, and we smile.
“You didn’t take advantage of her vulnerable state did you?” Sophie questions me.
I laugh. “More like the other way around.”
Sophie shakes her head. “No way. You’re forgetting the fact I’ve known Laurel a lot longer than you. She would never do that. She has her golden rule about not having sex unless she’s in love.” She stops suddenly, realizing what she’s just revealed.
I smile over to Laurel. “Did Sophie just tell me you love me?”
Laurel
No she didn’t. She didn’t just out me to Cade. I look at his handsome, smiling face, and I decide I don’t care. I grab Cade by the hand and say to Sophie, “We have some catching up to do. See you later!” I giggle at her surprised expression.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Anywhere, as long as we can be alone. Are you okay with that?” Cade questions as he opens the car door for me.
“More than okay.” This time, I get into the passenger seat. I’m so happy, I can hardly contain myself.
“I’d like to bring you to my house.” He gives me a sidelong glance. I’m unable to hide my momentary expression. I remember the shape his house was in last time I was there.
He smirks, knowing exactly what my conflicted features revealed. “I cleaned it up the day after I met you. Actually, it was right after our lunch at the pier.”
I remember that day and that kiss in the darkened corridor all too clearly.
“Really? Right after? Why?” This is curious news. By the way his house looked, it appeared it hadn’t been cleaned in…well, maybe never.
“I was embarrassed you saw it, and me, like that.” Cade’s driving, but he looks out the window, his cheeks pinking a little.
My heart takes another tumble, jumping out of my chest to joins his. He has it now. I hope he’s gentle with it.
Cade seems to recover, looking over at me. “You’re good for me, Laurel. I don’t think you know it yet, but I think I’ll be good for you, too. We’ll be good together.” His smile goes straight to his eyes, crinkling them. I love his eyes. I love him. I have to laugh at myself because, thanks to Sophie, he already knows I love him.
Thank goodness I’m almost completely over the elevator scare. I can now spend my time focusing on Cade. This has been a long time coming, and I’m going to enjoy every minute.
∗∗∗
I wake up slowly, knowing exactly where I am. I haven’t moved in four days. Well, maybe for food and showers, but that’s about it. Both our cell phones have been turned off, something we’ve never done before. We did warn everyone we were going to be off the grid, but I’m sure they thought we were kidding. We weren’t.
I roll over and stare some more at Cade, my new favorite pastime. My eyes linger on his lips, which are full and soft and just delicious. I contemplate giving them a little lick when I notice Cade’s mouth curve up into that heart-stopping smile.
He suddenly pulls me into him, whispering into my neck, “Again? You were serious when you said we were making up for lost time. Are you trying to kill me?”
“Are you complaining?” I tease.
He leans in to kiss a trail of fire up my neck. “Me? Hell, no. I’d die a happy man.”
I giggle and turn toward him. He starts to slowly raise my t-shirt when a sudden pounding on the bedroom door stops him in his tracks.
I sit up, holding the blanket to my chest. “Does anyone have the key to your house?” I don’t think a burglar would knock on the bedroom door, but the sudden noise has my heart racing.
“A few people. I was wondering when this would happen. I’ll go see if I can get rid of them.” He hops out of bed and throws on a worn pair of jeans. No shirt.
He looks like a fantasy, my fantasy. He’s mine now. Mine. I let the joy spread over me like warm honey on a hot scone.
Cade looks back at me. “Just one more kiss before we have to face the world.” He runs and takes a leap at me, almost jostling me off the bed. Once our laughter subsides, he looks at me, suddenly becoming serious. “These past days have been the best of my life. My entire life, Laurel.” He kisses me softly, sweetly.
I thought I couldn’t love him more, but he keeps proving me wrong. The sensuous, soft kiss starts to become heated. I don’t think we can do anything soft for too long. I smile as I bury my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling him.
“Okay, you two lovebirds, time’s up!” Scott yells from behind the door.
Cade smirks. “Scott should be easy to get rid of. Give me ten minutes, and we can finish what you just started.” He winks at me, momentarily hiding his gorgeous blue eye. Everything he does is playful, fun, and sensual. I’m in a dr
eamy haze of love and lust, and even though I know this type of happiness can’t last forever, I’m going to savor every second.
Opening the door, Cade is shoved to one side as Scott barges in. I scurry to make sure I’m all covered up.
“I knew it!” Scott bellows. “Sophie wouldn’t tell me anything except that the two of you needed ‘alone’ time to work things out.” He looks Cade up and down then turns to me sitting in the disheveled bed and remarks, “Yeah, I’d say you’ve done a good job working things out.” He shakes his head, muttering, “It’s about time. What took you so long?” he questions.
Cade and I look at each other, and we break out laughing.
Cade pats Scott on his shoulder. “Actually, Scott, we still have a few details we need to go over.”
Good God, he’s smiling at me with those dimples. I put my hands over my face in an attempt to hide my embarrassment.
“Cade, did you forget? It’s Sunday.”
“So?” He looks confused.
“Mattie is having the brunch for us? Before we head out on tour. You can’t do a no-show. She’s gone to a lot of trouble. We’re all going, remember?”
“When do we need to be there?” Cade asks.
“One hour. You’d better hurry.”
“We’d better hurry you mean. Laurel? Can you do it, get ready in an hour?”
“You mean you want me to come?” I’m glowing. I’m so excited, I have to contain myself from jumping up and down. Will we go as a couple? I guess I can go with the flow. If Cade wants to keep his distance, I can be okay with that. I hope. “Sure. As long as I can have the shower first?” I ask.
Cade walks over and takes me in his arms. He nuzzles my neck while whispering in my ear. “I like you just like this, but yes, you can shower first.” He licks my neck, takes a nibble from my earlobe, and says, “Yes, you’re luscious all right.”
We’ve been like this for four glorious days. I wonder what will happen when we step back out into the real world. I wish we could hide here forever.
Cade
“I wish we didn’t have to go,” I complain.
“I wouldn’t either if I were you. Shit, Cade, I thought she was good looking before, but with her hair a mess and that rumpled t-shirt, I don’t think I’d leave my bedroom for at least a year.”