Fade to Black

by Unknown

  “Were your ears burning?” Monica asked.

  “You were…talking about me?” He could hear the speculation in her voice.

  A feminine giggle was followed by, “Well, not you really.”

  “Oh.” Comprehension. Monica filled Kate in on their discussion with regards to Jesse. Rich could almost hear the blush he was sure was on her cheeks. “He is pretty amazing, but sorry girls, he’s a one-woman man.” Rich winced.

  “Damn. Well, it was worth a shot.” Another round of giggles disappeared as the door closed.

  He released the breath he’d been holding and stared down at the hustle and bustle of the street below.

  “Rich.” His name on her lips was the soft sigh of an angel. His body warmed from the inside out. He leaned down so that his forearms now rested on the ice cold railing, but didn’t turn around or acknowledge that she’d said anything.

  The whispers of shifting silk and the crunching of her heels on the salted concrete was heard as she took a step closer to him. “Rich.”

  He took a deep breath to compose himself and turned to face her. “Kate, I…” His heart leapt into his throat and kept him from finishing what he was saying. She looked remarkable; a black shawl hung across her shoulders and wisps of hair blew in the light breeze. “You look absolutely amazing.”

  Kate could feel the color tinting her cheeks at his praise. But it was the way he caressed her with his eyes that really made her self-conscious; like the delicate fabric of her dress didn’t exist. Her hands itched to touch him and she wrapped them tighter around the ends of the cotton shawl to make them behave. Encouraging him would only make things worse—for both of them.

  “So are you having a good time?” She took a step closer to him, but forced herself to stop before getting too close.

  He looked at her like she’d just sprouted wings and said quietly, “Not really.”

  His answer shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Had she expected him to lie? As far as she knew, he’d never done that, so why would he now? “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  “Like I said before, Kate, it’s my problem, not yours.” He sounded so deflated. “You didn’t ask me to fall in love with you.”

  Fall in love with me. He’s in love…with me? Dammit! A shiver started at her toes and worked its way up her body. He must have thought she was cold because the next thing she knew he’d shrugged out of his jacket and was placing it gently on her shoulders. His fingers made contact with the back of her neck, and it felt like he was touching her with a lit match. She hated that he had this affect on her. She wanted to stay away from him, needed to, but couldn’t bring herself to do the smart thing.

  “Are you having fun?” he asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

  “Not really.”

  His eyebrows furrowed and his mouth dropped open a little. Her answer had obviously surprised him. “Why?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

  “I hate that I’m hurting you.” Kate’s voice was no more than a breath.

  He lifted her chin so that she was looking into his face. “You can’t control how you feel, any more than I can. You love Jesse.” His jaw clenched, the muscles in his jaw flexed, as he said the last three words.

  Kate could read the pain in his eyes and despised herself for being the one who caused it. Her every cell ached to comfort him. Her hand reacted without permission and ran a finger from his temple to his strong jaw.

  He leaned into her touch as his lips pulled into a tight line, meant to be a smile. “It sucks, and I have to get over it.” His palm left the rail and was cold against her cheek as he cradled her face.

  Her eyes drifted closed at his touch and her lungs stopped working. “Rich,” she whispered what was meant to be a warning, but it sounded more like a breathless invitation. She tipped her head deeper into his hand, and his warm lips met the skin of her cheek. Kate’s mouth opened and, before she could censor it, she was confessing to him. “I care for you too…more than I should.”

  She wrapped her fingers around the hand that was still holding her face, and pressed a quick kiss into the palm. Emotions of every conflicting kind were at war in her system. She had to remove herself now, before she did something, said something, she couldn’t take back. She’d already said too much.

  “I have to go. Thanks for the use of your jacket.”

  His breathing was heavy, and his muscular chest filled out the starched cotton shirt with every deep breath. She wanted to run her hands across the fabric just to feel him underneath. This was very dangerous territory. She couldn’t—she wouldn’t let herself do this.

  “Mmm,” she groaned which sounded just like the hungry sigh it was. “I really have to go…now. Goodnight, Rich.”

  As she turned, her heel got stuck in a crack of the sidewalk, sending her plummeting toward the ground. She squeezed her eyes shut and braced for impact, but it wasn’t the ground she slammed into. Her heart beat out of her chest, but not because of her near date with the cement. It was Rich. He was holding her, rubbing his long fingers against the exposed skin of her back. She felt like she was on fire. He smelled so good. She took a deep breath just to fill her lungs with him.

  “Are you alright?” His question was in stereo, above her head and next to her ear.

  She broke out in nervous laughter. “Yes, I’m fine. I never should have worn heels this high. It’s a good thing you were here, Rich, otherwise I would have been picking myself up off the ground.” She gathered what was left of her dignity and smoothed out her dress.

  His lips lifted mischievously at one corner, and she knew she was in trouble. “I’ll always be here for you, Kate. Always. In whatever capacity you’ll have me; friend, confidant—” He paused, his eyes meeting hers pointedly. “—lover…”

  The air rushed out of her lungs in a gasp. Did he really just volunteer to be my lover? This had to stop. “Rich,” she warned.

  He raised a suggestive eyebrow, and she knew he was going to push it a little further. “Husband.”

  Yeah, well… “It appears you already hold that title,” she reminded him softly. “Goodnight, Rich.”

  His face was emotionless as she turned, leaving him alone on the balcony. She cautiously tiptoed toward the door and, after a quick glance over her shoulder, opened it. The noise and heat hit her in a wave. She scanned the crowd for Jesse. Getting out of here was the best idea she’d had all night, and it couldn’t come to pass soon enough. What had just happened with Rich was too much. She worked her way through the warm bodies, smiling and saying ‘hi’ to those who made eye contact.

  Chills covered her skin as a voice spoke from behind her. “Hi, Kate.”

  Kate turned slowly. “Um, hello…Shea.”

  “Beautiful Kate,” she sneered as she reached up and brushed a lock of hair from Kate’s shoulder. “I can see why Rich is so taken with you.”

  Kate just stared at her, praying that someone—anyone—would rescue her. She’d settle for an earthquake that would cause the ground to crack open and swallow her whole. But the crowd was oblivious to the drama unfolding.

  Shea looked over Kate’s shoulder then glared at her with vengeful eyes. “So where have you been off to?”

  Kate’s palms started to sweat. Shea was deadly calm, and Kate’s terror was taking over. “I was just…looking for Jesse.”

  She smiled, her eyes flashed with an emotion Kate didn’t recognize. “Oh, yes, that Jesse of yours is quite a catch. Tell me—” She leaned in close. “—is Rich really better than your beloved Jesse?”

  “Excuse me?” Kate nearly choked on the insinuation.

  “Surely Jesse is that…muscular all over.”

  Kate’s fear flew to anger in less than a second. Shea had crossed the line. “You know, Shea, Rich is a great guy. If you’d get over yourself, and cut him some slack, you might just find out how wonderful he is.”

  Shea seemed completely unaffected by Kate’s words. “Are you in love with my husband, Kate?”

  “Not
that it’s any of your business,” Kate hissed. “But I am in love with Jesse, and he is the only man who has given me his heart.”

  Shea laughed. “You’re wrong, my dear.”

  “Whatever,” Kate snapped, taking a step away from her.

  Shea grabbed Kate’s arm. Hard. Acrylic bit into her flesh. “You can delude yourself if that makes you sleep better at night. But Rich does love you.”

  “Kate,” Jesse’s voice called from a few yards away. “Hey, baby, you okay?”

  Shea stepped away from Kate and turned to smile at Jesse as Kate said, “Yeah, Shea and I were just talking.”

  He gave Shea a cautious glare, and smiled at Kate. “You about ready to get out of here?”

  Kate nodded. “More than ready.”

  “Okay, I’ll grab our jackets and be right back.” He kissed her just below the ear. “Be careful, I don’t like her,” he whispered.

  Kate weaved her fingers through his, holding on to him as a buffer against the brewing storm. “I’ll come with you. Goodnight, Shea.”

  “It was nice to finally meet you, Kate. Jesse.”

  There was nothing nice about their meeting. The woman was a nasty human being. Tucked into Jesse’s side, Kate’s heart hurt now more than ever for Rich.

  “Well, this evening has certainly been interesting.” The voice of Nate’s gorgeous fiancée, Roxanne Reynolds, stated the obvious. They were some of the few people who still occupied the room that only a few hours ago had been filled with party-goers and drama.

  Roxy leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Rich has bigger problems than just divorcing Shea. Did you see the way he was looking at Kate?”

  “Yeah,” Nate grunted.

  She lifted her head and asked the question with her eyes before she voiced it. “What do you know?”

  “Nothing,” he lied.

  “Okay, go ahead and lie to me.” Her fingers fiddled with the cloth napkin that she pulled from the table. “You could be blind and deaf and still know that he’s in love with her.”

  “You think?”

  She tipped her head, narrowed her eyes, and continued, “But that’s not really his biggest problem now, is it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Her lips brushed his jaw. “Come on, Nate, think.” She paused. “She loves her boyfriend, it’s written all over her face. And holy hell, what’s up with Shea? If Kate didn’t realize Rich had a thing for her before, she does now.”

  “Shea’s nuts.”

  “That may be, sweetie, but there’s no way she’s going to let go of him without making him miserable first.”

  “I think he’s aware…”

  “Welll, if it isn’t Naat-te with hiz bootifool laadee.”

  “You’re drunk, Clayton.”

  “Of courssse, I’m drunk,” he slurred. “Two wordz.” He reached out to slap Nate on the shoulder, but missed by a mile, and his hand swatted awkwardly through the air. “Open. Bar.”

  Nate wrapped an arm around Roxy as she snickered and buried her face into his shoulder. “What? Don’t they pay you enough to afford your own alcohol?” Nate knew he was encouraging him, but a drunk Clayton Tate was an animal worth provoking.

  “Why buy what you cannn get for fwee.” He swayed and grabbed on to the table to keep himself upright.

  “You’re not going to drive, right?” Roxy asked.

  He raised his eyebrows and attempted an intoxicated smile, but even the muscles in his face were drunk. “You wanna piece of thisss?” He ran his hands down his chest and grabbed his crouch.

  Roxy’s eyes widened and she laughed out loud. Clayton wrapped his fingers around each side of this shirt and ripped it open, buttons flew everywhere. “Oh, yeah, baby,” she encouraged him. The shirt came off and then he started with the pants.

  The band, which had started to put their stuff away, stopped and began playing stripper music. A plastered Monica and her equally inebriated friends appeared out of nowhere and the catcalls began.

  Roxy leaned into Nate. “This would have made Rich feel better.” Nate laughed and pulled out his cell phone. Recording this for posterity was the least he could do for mankind—and it would be great blackmail.

  The scene was surreal as Clayton climbed up on the table next to them and began with hip gyrations that weren’t even close to the sexy he was going for. With his SpongeBob boxers and his black socks, his feet were wide and the booty drops nearly sent Roxy into hysterics.

  “You like thaaat, sweeet thang?” Clayton mumbled.

  “Give me more,” she pleaded through her laughter. “I need more.”

  Another drop to the table, and he shimmied back up with his tie in his hand. He twirled it and then slipped it over his head like a headband.

  “What the hell is going on in here?”

  Their eyes shot to the doorway in a collective stare. “Damn,” Nate whispered humorously to Roxy.

  “Greg…Clayton!” Dale shook his head then scrubbed his face with his hand. “Get off that table right now! And where the hell are your clothes?”

  Chapter Nine

  The first rays of the morning poured through the cracks of the blinds. Kate fought against the realization that it was time to get up. Instead, she cuddled closer to the man who would be leaving in a few short hours.

  A low laugh rumbled under her ear. “I will miss waking up to you, KC.”

  “Shh! If we pretend it’s not morning, we can just go back to sleep, and then you won’t have to leave.” The burning sensation started in her eyes again. Damn traitorous emotions!

  His arms pulled her tighter against him. “I don’t want to leave either, but my dad…” His voice was thick with the emotion. He cleared his throat. “I need to be with him right now.”

  She rolled out of his arms and sat with her feet dangling over the side of the bed. “I’m sorry. I’m being horribly selfish and making this harder on you.” She forced her lips into what she hoped was a convincing smile and turned to face him. “Have a good trip,” her voice cracked.

  He laughed and held out his arms. “Come here.”

  She tucked herself back in next to his body and sighed. “Hey, I’ll make you a deal.”

  “What kind of deal?” She could hear the skepticism in his tone.

  She lay on her stomach so that she was looking into his eyes. Her finger ran along his dark brow, down his nose, across his full lips. His eyes drifted closed and he kissed her finger. She giggled through a smile.

  “While you’re gone, I’ll spend my time finding the perfect negligee for our reunion sex.”

  His brows shot up and a smile spread across his face. “Oh, yeah?”

  She pressed her lips to his. “Do you have any requests?”

  He chuckled. “The smaller, the better.”

  “Of course.” Her lips found his again for a sweet kiss. “Would it be okay if… I need you to hold me.”

  Despite his excited, ready-for-some-action, lower region, he pulled her into an embrace and simply held her. He didn’t react when the tears rolled from her cheek, down his bare chest, except to whisper, “I love you.” His fingers were pure comfort as they ran through her hair.

  The bright red numbers kept changing, noting the passing minutes, no matter how hard she wished for time to stop. “I really need to get up, KC.”

  “No,” she groaned. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want you to go. I’m selfish, and I want you to stay with me.” The words spilled out in a frantic plea.

  He kissed her forehead. “You’re not selfish, and you would never forgive yourself if I stayed. Although, I must say that I love that you’re going to miss me, and I will miss you more than I can even put into words. You mean the world to me, Kate Callahan.” He pressed his lips to hers for a sweet moment before letting the sheet drop from his hips as he left her alone in the bed.

  **

  Even though the airport was its normal crowded craziness, Kate refused to recognize any of that. She was where she want
ed to be, wrapped in Jesse’s arms. It was taking everything she had to hold on to some semblance of composure. He tipped her head up with his finger and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss that made her knees go weak, every cell in her body begged for more.

  “Have a safe trip,” she whispered.

  “Of course.” He kissed each of her cheeks. “I’ll call you when I get on the ground.”

  “Give Tony my best. Tell him I’m so sorry I couldn’t get away.”

  “He’ll understand. He loves you.”

  “I love him, too.” Her brain kept telling her arms to release the death grip they had on his waist, but it didn’t do any good. He seemed to be the only thing holding her together at the moment.

  Jesse pressed his lips to her forehead and reached around to take her hands in his. “I have to go—” He kissed her knuckles. “—or I’m going to miss my flight.” His lips brushed hers for a moment before he pulled away. He blinked quickly, fighting his emotions too. “I’m going to miss you, KC. Please keep yourself safe. If you need anything, Josh said he’d be around.”

  She nodded, refusing to give in to the tears that wanted to fall.

  He smiled tightly. “Don’t forget that Josh will be around. Call him if you need anything. Call Josh.”

  “I will.”

  “I know you’ve got other friends at the station, but I’d feel more comfortable if you’d…”

  “Call Josh. I got it.” She leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. “Please come home as soon as you can.”

  “I promise.” He kissed the top of her head and entered the rope dividers that would lead him to security. He turned one more time and waved before riding the escalator up to the gates.

  When he was no longer in view, Kate melted into a chair and gave in to her overactive emotions. She and Jesse had been together every possible moment since high school—almost ten years. Even when she went to camp, Jesse snuck up to bring her a teddy bear. “I didn’t want you to be alone,” he’d told her, before running off into the woods. The memory made her smile.