Fade to Black

by Unknown

  “Jesse, I have to get down to the lobby.”

  “To him.” He spun her around and roughly grabbed her by the arms. He added pressure, and she wondered if there would be a bruise. “Why don’t you just say it the way it really is, KC. You can’t wait to get down to him.”

  “That’s not fair.” She jerked out of his hold. “I hate when you get like this.”

  “You hate it?” he yelled. “Imagine how I feel, Kate, always worried about the way other men look at you.”

  “Just go, Jesse. Just get the hell out.”

  He stiffened. “What did you just say?”

  “You heard me,” she whispered.

  “Does this have to do with him?”

  “I’m not discussing this anymore. You’re being irrational…”

  “This isn’t over, KC. I will not lose you.

  “I didn’t say you were going to lose me. I only said that I have a job to do, and my co-worker is waiting for me in the lobby.”

  “Fine. I’ll walk you down, and we can say our goodbyes in the lobby.”

  Kate wasn’t stupid. With Jesse’s hand gripped firmly around hers, they walked toward the revolving door. Tears burned her eyes, and her lids blinked rapidly in a pathetic attempt to keep her emotions in check. To people watching them, it would appear that they were lovers saying goodbye, but that was not the reason she was going to cry.

  Jesse pulled her into an embrace, his chin moved against the top of her head. “Have a good couple days, and I’ll see you when you get home.” He placed a hand on each side of her face and kissed her, soft at first then more intense. “Bye, KC. I love you.”

  It didn’t matter that she was glaring at him, he was looking at something—someone—behind her. One more chaste kiss, and Jesse disappeared through the revolving door. Angry tears made their way down her cheeks, and she wiped them away quickly as someone cleared his throat behind her. Another swipe across her cheeks, and she turned around to find Rich holding a tissue.

  “I thought you might need this.” He smiled. “Where we headed?”

  Despite the clean clothes and always dashing I-meant-for-my-hair-to-look-this-way hair, Rich looked like death warmed over. Dark circles stained the skin under his bloodshot eyes, and a tired expression marred his handsome face.

  “Are you okay, Rich?”

  He sighed, then lied, “Yep.”

  If he didn’t want to talk about it, then there was no need to pry. “You up for a little road trip?” He nodded and she continued, “Senator Kelley was born and raised in Casa Grande. I thought we could poke around a bit, see what we can come up with.”

  Rich’s exhaustion disappeared as his eyes twinkled. A smile flirted with his lips. “Maybe we can find his kindergarten teacher.” He tried to choke back a laugh.

  “Ha, ha. You are just so funny.” Her response only made him laugh harder. “I was hoping for his Sunday School teacher.” The warm, roar of his laughter caused the giggles she’d been suppressing to come bubbling out.

  **

  They’d spent the day in Casa Grande, sent their piece back to the station and fronted the live intro and tag. Rich was beyond exhausted as they entered the lobby of their hotel. His body would be asleep before his head hit the pillow.

  The ride up in the elevator was quiet. His brain was already beginning to shut down. When the ding sounded for their floor, Rich followed Kate to her room unsure of how his body was even still moving. More than once today, he’d nearly fallen asleep. It was a good thing when Kate volunteered to drive home.

  She stepped up to her door, slid in the key and opened it, only to pull it closed with a slam. “So, um, I guess this is good night.” Her eyes looked panicked as she tried to get rid of him.

  “Kate, what’s wrong?”

  Her cheeks tinged pink in the dim light of the hallway and her knuckles had turned white on the handle. “Um, nothing’s wrong. Everything’s just fine.”

  Rich’s head tipped to the side and he felt a skeptical brow rise. “And I don’t believe you, why?”

  “Fine,” she sighed, stepping aside while pushing the door open. On the little table was a bouquet of flowers, next to the infamous little black nightie draped over a chair. Rich supposed there was a note too, declaring Jesse’s undying love.

  Nausea threatened as his stomach rolled. “Looks like Jesse left a thank you for last night.”

  She turned on him, her eyes narrowed with accusation. “You didn’t look surprised that he was here.”

  Rich was too tired to make up any excuses. “Yeah, I kind of heard him arrive.”

  Her delicate brows pulled together. “Heard him arrive? Where’s your room?” As she asked the question, her eyes shot over to the adjoining door as if she already knew the answer.

  “Yep,” he said simply.

  It was a good thing that pink looked good on her because she was sporting it again. “You didn’t hear anything else did you?” With a great deal of effort, he was able to swallow the knot in his throat. His silence spoke volumes and she groaned. “I’m so sorry, Rich.”

  “Hey, I’m a big boy.”

  “Regardless, to hear us mak-…”

  His hand flashed out and covered her mouth. “Please don’t. It’s bad enough I didn’t sleep last night.”

  “You didn’t sleep? We were that loud?”

  “Ugh.” His head felt heavy as it moved back and forth on his shoulders. “No, I left. I didn’t sleep because I didn’t lie down for a single hour last night. Exhaustion is about to set in. Goodnight, Kate.”

  Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. Just before he pulled the door closed, she whispered, “Goodnight, Rich.”

  He made his way into his room. And after taking a quick shower, he sat down on the bed, working up the energy to sift through his suitcase for some clothes. I’ll just rest for a second, he told himself.

  Every cell relaxed as his body made contact with the bed. Sleeping in a towel was going to….

  His eyes popped open. Was that knocking? There was the sound again. He jerked upright and looked toward the door that went out into the hall. His feet met the floor and shuffled along while his fists prepared to pummel the fool who chose to wake him from the first shut-eye he’d had in over a day.

  Before he could reach the door though, another knock caused his head to twist in the opposite direction. The rapping came from the door that adjoined his room with Kate’s. The same door he’d vowed he would never open again.

  “Well, hell,” he grumbled. Sucker! His fingers plowed through his still damp hair then reached for the knob. The pounding of his heart echoed the rhythm of her knuckles against the door. He whipped it open. “Kate, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” His voice sounded frantic.

  “Yeah, um…” Her eyes drifted from his face, down his chest… “Oh,” Kate gasped as she blushed. “I should probably…”

  It was that moment that Rich realized there was only a fluffy white towel, low on his hips, between him and Kate. His body wanted her, desperately. His sleep soggy brain tried ineptly to stomp down the hunger. With hands that resembled fig leaves, he cleared his throat. “Did you need something?”

  She chuckled softly, and the pink was back in her cheeks. “Sorry to bother you, Rich.”

  He took a deep breath. His heart was beating so hard, he was sure she could hear it. “No bother.” He tried to smile, but his face was too tired.

  Her beautiful eyes twinkled. Over her shoulder, as if mocking him, was the reminder of Jesse’s visit. His thoughts took him to hell and back as they replayed the memory of Jesse saying goodbye to Kate this morning—and her tears at his departure.

  “Rich?”

  “Huh?” He shook off the horrible thoughts and cursed his lack of concentration. “Oh, sorry. What were you asking?”

  Another round of pink cheeks. “I hate to ask you this.”

  “Kate, you know there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.” Come on in. We can make love right now. Forget that I’m ha
lf asleep already. I’ll sleep better with you in my arms, anyway.

  She turned and stepped back into her room, but left the door open.

  He secured the towel, tucking the corner against his hip. Would it be so bad if it fell off? his thoughts chuckled. “What can I do to help you?” Sleep in here?

  “It’s just that I’ve tried to…” Her hands moved up and around her shoulders like she was trying out for a contortionist act. “It’s stuck.” Her breathing was heavy through grunts and groans before she finally sighed and her arms fell limply to her sides. “Will you please help with my zipper?”

  “Sure, come here.”

  She stood in front of him, the zipper down the six inches she could manage. Her slender fingers wrapped around her auburn locks and pulled them to the side, revealing even more of her elegant neck.

  The urge to press his lips to that smooth skin was almost more than he could bear. His lungs filled and he exhaled with a long, controlled breath.

  Shivers started at her lower back and made their way up her spine. Goose bumps covered her flesh and she rolled her shoulders. “Could you aim your breath somewhere other than my bare skin?”

  “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean…”

  “It’s okay. I’m the one imposing on you.”

  He pressed shaking fingertips against his cheeks to make sure they weren’t too cold before sliding one hand under the fabric and used the other to tug skillfully at the zipper. This task was proving to be much more difficult than it sounded. His body’s reaction to the sight before him promised to be his undoing.

  As the small V grew, exposing her beautiful creamy skin, his breath caught in his throat. Her pink lacy bra appeared, then the flesh beneath it and the lace of her matching panties. His fingers stretched out to caress her, only to jerk away as if she were fire. The thought of touching her…

  Rich sighed.

  Unable to control himself any longer, Rich allowed the back of his fingers to slowly move up her bare skin until they reached the top of the gaping material. His hands cupped her shoulders as his feet moved his body a step closer to hers.

  She gasped, and his lips tugged at the corners as he leaned down to press them to her neck only to be stopped by her clearing her throat. “Um, Rich….”

  “Hmm?” It came out a throaty moan.

  Her body moved one step away from him. “Well, um, thanks for um…” She looked at him, her tongue slowly moving over her lips. Was that hunger in her eyes? “Thanks for taking my dress off.” A laugh burst from her as color flooded her cheeks. “Well, not off…” She shook her head. “You know what I mean.” He nodded and she smiled. “Thanks, Rich.”

  “I’m happy to help you with anything, Kate.” And with that obvious implication, Rich retreated into his room. Her skin had been so soft, so flawless, and he wanted to touch it again—more of it. Soon.

  She walked over to close the door to her room and smiled. Her eyes moved slowly down his chest. The movement was so precise, so deliberate, that it was almost as if her hands were touching him.

  In that moment, Rich had only two options; say goodnight and close the door or take Kate in his arms and show her just how much he wanted to be the man in her life. Knowing he couldn’t handle her rejection, he smiled. “Goodnight, Kate.”

  His heart actually clenched as his hand closed the door between them. If he hadn’t been so damn tired, he’d have stayed awake stewing on it. Instead, Rich climbed beneath the sheets, minus the towel, and drifted into oblivion.

  **

  Instead of the annoying alarm clock waking Rich up, it was the even more annoying ring of the cell phone. His muscles were stiff as he rolled over to snatch the phone off the nightstand. “If that’s you Shea, I won’t have to wait for a divorce because I’ll just kill you,” he threatened, knowing that he could never really cause any harm to the psychotic woman. His thumb flipped the phone opened and he growled “This had better be good” into it.

  “Ah, Rich? It’s Dale.”

  He sat straight up in the bed, the soft cotton sheet slipping to his hips. “Oh, uh, sorry, Dale. What time is it?” His hand ran over his face, trying to clear his eyes enough to read the clock.

  “It’s 5:30.”

  “Oh. What the hell are you doing up?”

  “I’ll just tell you this real quick.” When Rich didn’t say anything, Dale continued, “I’m thinking it’s time for you guys to wrap it up.”

  His heart sank and his throat began to swell with emotions he didn’t want to deal with, a reality he didn’t want to remember. What Dale was really saying was that it was time to send Kate back to Jesse and for him to return to Shea. Neither scenario was an idea he liked. A shudder ripped down his spine and he bit back a groan. His mind began searching for a way to bring things to a different conclusion.

  “I’ve got you booked on a flight tomorrow morning.” Dale paused. “Do you think you could relay the message to Kate?”

  “No problem.” His hand ran back and forth across the stubble that had grown on his chin during the night. He couldn’t change the fact that Kate was going home to Jesse. His stomach flipped as his name crossed his thoughts.

  “Okay, well then…”

  “Hey, Dale.” But Rich could change his plans. “Are you in the mood for granting a small favor?”

  “Maybe. What do you have in mind?”

  “My parents live in Vegas. I was thinking of driving home through there, since it’s half way.” His heart thudded in his chest as he spewed out his request. “It’s a lot to ask, and I know…”

  “Go.” Rich could hear the smile in his order. “Just a couple days though, okay?”

  “Thanks, Dale.”

  Dale laughed as the phone disconnected. Rich slammed his fist into his pillow, fluffing it to just how he liked it, and settled in for a few more minutes of much needed sleep. His eyes had just closed, his body had just relaxed when someone knocked on the door.

  “Go away,” he yelled, yanking the blankets over his head.

  “Rich?” Kate’s muffled voice called his name. Her knuckles met with the wood again. “Rich, are you okay? Open the door.” She sounded genuinely concerned.

  At her request, Rich jumped out of bed only to realize he was naked as the day he was born. His eyes searched the room for something to wrap around his body. The sheet. Yes, the sheet will work nicely.With the soft cotton firmly wrapped around his waist, held in his right fist over his hip, he again opened the forbidden door.

  Kate smiled, freshly showered and dressed for the day. Her eyes focused on the top of his head and she chuckled. “Rough night?”

  His left hand ran through the hair that was sticking up in every direction, doing its best impression of a porcupine. “It’s still night,” he informed her with a heavy dose of irritation. Being awakened was not something he enjoyed, even if it was by Kate.

  “Maybe on the other side of the globe.” Her red lips pulled up at the corners as she tried not to laugh and her eyes twinkled, still focused on his out of control hair. “It’s a little after 8:00 here in Arizona.”

  “What?” He whipped around, looking for validation from the clock. 8:07. “Dammit. I’m sorry. Come on in. Have a seat. I’ll just grab a quick shower, and we’ll be off.”

  Rich ran around the room like a chicken with his head cut off, darting from side to side, grabbing various pieces of clothing. Kate couldn’t help but wonder what he was going to forget. There was little doubt it would be something.

  The bathroom door closed, the water turned on and Rich yelped.

  Too hot or too cold, she wondered with a laugh.

  Stacking the pillows up, Kate climbed on top of the bed and leaned back against them. One deep breath filled her lungs with a scent she had no right to recognize, let alone enjoy. Her thumb pressed the buttons on the remote, absently flipping through the channels.

  Rich’s phone started to buzz on the nightstand. Unable to stop herself, Kate picked it up; a blocked number. Her eyes drifted tow
ard the bathroom door. The water was still running, and she didn’t want to miss something from Dale or Jordan, so she opened the phone and said, “Rich’s phone.”

  “Where’s Rich?” the unfriendly feminine voice demanded.

  “He’s in the shower,” Kate answered without thinking.

  “What?” she shrieked.

  Shea. Dammit!

  “What the hell are you doing answering my husband’s phone while he’s in the shower…naked?”

  “Well, would you rather I was answering his phone, or in the shower with him…naked? ‘Cause that could be arranged.” Kate’s eyes squeezed shut as she realized that she’d just antagonized the crazy woman.

  Shea’s answer was a string of unintelligible screams with a few colorful words thrown in for effect, all of which ended with “two-timing whore”.

  Kate tried not to let the irrational rantings of a lunatic get under her skin, but the blood seemed to be boiling in her veins with the need to defend Rich. One cleansing breath and she opened her mouth for a rebuttal, “Look, Shea, I don’t know what you think is going on here, but Rich and I have a completely professional relationship.” For the most part, her thoughts added. “Rich overslept…by himself…and is now rushing to get ready to go.” Kate paused only long enough to breathe, then tacked on, “Trust is an important thing in a marriage.”

  “Yes, it is, and thanks to you, I can’t trust Rich at all.”

  “Thanks to me? Oh, pa-lease,” Kate mocked her. “Even if I weren’t in a relationship with another man, I doubt that Rich would ever stray from the vows he’s made to you. He’s too great of a guy. Damn, Shea, he’s too good for you, you know that, right?”

  “You little…”

  Kate closed the phone before Shea could finish the statement. Part of Kate really regretted provoking Shea. The other part, though, really enjoyed it. Rich didn’t deserve the crap Shea continually gave him. Kate didn’t understand what possessed the man to stay married to her. Shea was a horrible person, unable to give Rich the kind of love and adoration he deserved. I could love…

  Her dangerous train of thought skidded to an abrupt halt. She wouldn’t go there. Couldn’t go there.