“I know.”
Caulder escorted Velia back to their room. He had a lunch date with the guys, and on the ride back to the arena, he found his thoughts on his two-week break. Two weeks without seeing Velia’s smile? How would he cope? Again, he would ask her to come home with him. There was so much he still wanted her to know about his life.
He didn’t feel the need to take it slow now. I’m being selfish not wanting her to go home to see her own family. “Screw it,” he whispered. The cabbie glanced in his rear view mirror. He decided to plant the seed, let her know the invitation is open if she wanted to come, but he wouldn’t push the issue, at least not verbally.
More importantly, he worried about her whacked ex-husband. She wasn’t safe alone. For sure he wouldn’t scare her by telling her of his concern. Knowing her father, she’d be safe, or at least he’d have Justin and his firecracker lawyer watched. Did the man have people all over the country? Best not ask questions like that, when in fact, Caulder suspected Mr. Armano probably had men all over the world.
Justin lived with her for six years, beat her, and they didn’t know. Justin Waters would have been better off dead if they had known at the time. Caulder slapped his fist down on the seat. Why didn’t she tell them? Dammit, she might as well have dug her own grave to live like that.
“We’re here, Mr. McCutchen.” The cabbie pulled up in front of the arena.
“Thanks for the ride.” Caulder tipped him and went inside. A couple of the guys staying behind and not going to the invitational, waited.
“Thought you wouldn’t make it,” said Stan, one of the gate men.
“I told you I’d be here. Where we eating? I’m starved.”
“Where do you think, man?” said Trent. “Our usual steak and potatoes hangout.”
“I’m not going to a strip club.”
They all stared at him as if he had just said he was taking a rocket to the moon.
“What?” said Foley. “That woman has you pussy-whipped, dude.”
Caulder grabbed him by the front of the shirt. “No woman will ever have me pussy-whipped and never forget it.” He pushed him away.
“Aw, damn, Caulder. You always go with us. Go for an hour. Eat then leave instead of hanging around with us for our lap dances.”
Caulder looked at his watch. Early enough. He still had time to take Velia to the opera house. He’d call and ask her to be ready by 8:00. “Okay, dinner and that’s it.”
“That’s the way to go, but hell yeah, first call the woman with the chains.”
Caulder hauled off and slugged Foley in the face, dropping him to the ground. “I expect you won’t be saying anything like that again?”
“For Christ sakes, Caulder. He was joshing with ya,” said Stan, giving the other man a hand up.
“Everyone has this straight now, right? Leave. Velia. Out. Of. This.”
“Sure,” said Foley, dusting off.
Caulder handed him a towel to wipe the blood off his face. “I’m sorry, but goddamn, just stop.” He pulled out his phone. “Let me make a quick phone call and I’ll catch up with you out front.” He glared at them all.
No one said a word.
* * *
Velia had no idea Caulder would be taking her to the opera house. Enthusiasm ruled now. This was a part of her life she wanted to share with him, to see if he could stand sharing her favorite things like art museums and operas. Tonight would be a great test. If he liked it, she would be thrilled. A part of her life she hated giving up in her marriage was her cultural visits. “Oooh, I hope he likes it.” She almost skipped to the closet to dig out the best black dress she brought on her tour. She went online to see about getting an appointment to have her hair done up. Luckily, she was able to schedule one in an hour.
“Where did I put my diamonds?” She went through the bag in the room safe, found what she wanted, and locked it back. She threw on her black jeans, a light blue top, and a denim jacket then black flats, and this time she carried protection. Blake Pemberton put a fear in her, and she was determined to take care of herself. She headed to her appointment not far away. They still had tomorrow to themselves. Her spirits were high, knowing they had a whole day to spend together with no schedule or interruptions.
* * *
When Caulder returned, the room was empty. Immediate fear kicked in. Was she okay? He looked around for a note. Nothing. Panic set into his muscles and they tightened. He got his phone out ready to call and saw a text message. He fumbled trying to open it, not liking this side of him at all. “I’ll be back beautiful. Wait for me!” Caulder took a deep breath. Is this how it would be when she was out of sight? His own fault for not taking his phone off silent after leaving the club.
Speaking of which, he needed to take a shower to get rid of any smells he might have picked up in the place. He wasn’t going to lie about where he was if Velia asked, although he hoped she didn’t. There was no reason for him to ever go to a place like that again. He had all the woman he wanted, and she could give him all the lap dances he needed. A smirk remained on his lips until the cold shower hit him in the face.
When he came out, Velia sat at the small table touching up her nail polish. “Hey. Wow! You’re beautiful.” He stumbled over his words. “I mean you’re always beautiful, but with you all fancied up like that, you’re beautiful in a different way.”
Velia giggled. “Thanks, cowboy. You better quit while you’re ahead.”
Caulder went up behind her and set his hands on her shoulders. “Umm, you smell magnificent. Something new?”
“No silly. My usual. You’ve smelled it before, like when you walked into the photo studio. Remember? Are you so full of barn smells your sense is clogged?”
Caulder closed his eyes and recalled the memory. “It’s something different, not the other.”
“Must be my hair.”
He nuzzled the cleft in the back of her neck. “If you ever think I’ll forget how you smelled the day I met you, think again. I get hard thinking about it now.”
“Caulder! Don’t tell me you had that problem when we met.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you.” He tipped her head back and kissed her forehead? “About ready?”
“Umm hmm. I’m starving, though.”
He hit himself upside the head. “I should have told you to grab something to eat. I ate with the guys, but we can stop and get you something.”
She stood and kissed where he hit himself. “Now stop. I’ll see what’s in the fridge.”
When she moved away he noticed she wasn’t wearing a dress, but some other lingerie to wear under her dress. “Oh, sexxx-yyy.”
She knelt down to get something from the bottom shelf. “Okay, don’t start talking about sexy. We’re short on time. I won’t be late for an opera.” She ripped the top off a container of Greek yogurt. “Getting there in the beginning is an experience you don’t want to miss. Everyone is so decked out, both men and women. You better get dressed. But, everyone is full of joy and excitement. You have to be there in the beginning to experience the whole thing.”
“I know. We won’t be late.”
“What do you mean, you know?”
He grabbed his tux off the rod and closed the bathroom door.
“He acts as if he knows what I’m talking about. Maybe it’s the side of him I don’t know yet.”
Caulder came out wearing his black tuxedo pants and a white T-shirt, suspenders draped at his sides. “See, the steam took the wrinkles out.”
“Lucky you.”
She fluttered around the room, applying make-up and making sure every hair remained in place. When she walked by him, he casually took her hand and drew her close, planting one of his famous kisses on her lips. She pressed her palms to his chest. “Oh, no, if we get involved in this, we won’t get to the opera.”
He turned her around and zipped the back of her dress. “I’m almost ready, throw a shirt on, and I’m there.”
“Don’t forget your jacket.
You’ll stand out in the crowd without it.”
“Woman, I wasn’t born in a bull pen.”
Velia turned toward him and rested her fingers against his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“This isn’t the first opera I’ve been to.”
She drew her hand back. “I didn’t know, didn’t—”
“Think I had brains enough to go to an opera?”
“Not at all.”
He took his shirt off the hanger and slammed his arms into the sleeves then struggled with the top button. “Want me to run downstairs and get you something to eat?” He took the bow tie and went into the bathroom. “You’ll be starving by time we get out.”
“I’ll grab some cheese out of the fridge and have some crackers. It’ll hold me over.” She knelt at the fridge again, removing a block of cheddar cheese. “See?”
He didn’t expect her to turn back after walking away, and catch him eyeing her backside. He sheepishly smiled. “Sexy with that slit up to your ass.”
Velia smirked. “Oh, no you don’t. I know how easy it is to get distracted.” She smiled as she sliced the cheese. “Want some?”
“No, but I’m pouring a glass of wine. You?”
“Sure, but not too much. I’m excited now and it will go right to my head.” She layered a slice of cheese between two crackers and leaned over the table to catch the crumbs. “By the way, where did you go for dinner?”
Caulder froze mid pour. A zillion red flags ran through his mind. Then he remembered what Foley said in the arena—how he was pussy-whipped. “We went to a club downtown. A usual place when we’re here.” Dammit, that wasn’t the right thing to say.
“Umm, was it good?” Velia wrapped up the cheese and crackers and took the wine glass. “What’s wrong?”
“Ah, nothing.” He took a big drink. “Just not as good as in the past.”
“Oh, I see.” She downed the rest of the wine. “I’m about ready, babe. I’ll brush my teeth and we can take off.
Whew! No more questions I hope. He adjusted his jacket along his shoulders and noticed it fit tighter than before. His working out and pumping weights regularly paid off. When the sexy, finished package walked out of the bathroom, he sucked in a breath. Stiletto heels extended her height by three or four inches, with a dress fitting like a glove over her curvy hips. The front of the dress showing just enough cleavage to allow one to imagine what lay underneath. Her hair was up showing off her thin neck and beautifully shaped jaw line. Her lips were glossed with dark lipstick. Those provocative full lips drove him mad. “You’re so sexy. You prove Italian women are exquisite and naturally gorgeous.” He swallowed a lump, the damn thing always catching at times like this.
“Thank you, Caulder. And I must say you look nothing like a cowboy tonight. You look so handsome in a tux.”
“Great because I’m not a cowboy, you know.”
She grabbed her clutch bag and circled her arms around his neck. “Caulder McCutchen, I’m really not sure what you are.”
He lifted his head and looked down at her, squinted. “I’m a man. Enough said?”
Velia smiled and looped her arm through his. “Yes, sir. Shall we go?”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
By time Velia opened her eyes, it was ten and sunlight poured through the windows. Caulder remained asleep. Sneaking out of bed as quietly as she could, she flipped on the coffee pot and went to the bathroom to get ready for whatever the day held. Checkout would be about twenty-four hours from now, so today would be a free day. The hotel claimed to relax and rejuvenate its guests, but she wanted to tour, not stay at the hotel all day, though a trip to the spa would be fabulous.
“Hey, you let me sleep again.”
“What’s wrong with sleeping in a bit?”
He poured some coffee then headed for the bathroom. Velia poured his favorite flavored cream into it. By time he came out, it was drinking temperature. He sat in the chair and pulled her onto his lap. “Want to go to the exercise room? I’ll kick your ass pumping iron.”
“Hah, no doubt!” She squeezed his bicep. “I’ll take you on.”
“I’m teasing, Velia. I’m not competing with a woman in the weight room. Are you crazy?”
“No, not the last time I checked anyway. Before you walked in the door, I worked out at least four days a week.”
Caulder squeezed the muscle in her arm. She tightened it. “Oh, baby.”
“I’ll kick your ass on the treadmill, or maybe you’d like to try beating me at spinning.”
“I’ll go by myself, thank you.” He took a big gulp of coffee. “Mm, thanks for adding hazelnut flavor.”
“No you won’t go alone. This is our day together.” Velia got off his lap and poured more coffee. He wasn’t awake until he had two cups at least.
“Let me drink some orange juice and we’ll be off.” He went to the fridge. “Maybe we should go jogging.”
“We should have jogged in San Diego on the beach. I vote for the gym. I need it.”
* * *
Half way into their workout, Caulder found himself sweating more from watching Velia than from his own workout. Something about her breathing hard and sweating excited him. He’d like to take her back and drop her in the Jacuzzi more than anything. “Hey, babe, how ‘bout we make a bet?”
“I’m kind of busy here,” she said, resting the fifty-pound weight bar back on the rack. She sat up. “What is it?”
“Whoever lasts longer on the treadmill, at five mph, gets in the Jacuzzi first.”
Velia lay on the weight bench and started lifting again. “Jacuzzi? Think I’ll pass.”
“Scared?”
“Of the Jacuzzi? Yes.”
“Why? You don’t have to swim in it.”
“Very funny.”
He pretended to work his forearms while watching her continue. Let her wear herself out and I’ll beat her on the treadmill. Running wasn’t his favorite thing, and there was a good chance of her kicking his ass since she jogged more often. He dropped his gaze to her legs spread apart on the weight bench. Her toned quads and tight calf muscles showed she jogged. He continued staring from her calves to her thighs and beyond. He took a deep breath. I better stop now or I’ll never be able to stand up.
When finished with another rep, Velia set the weight on the rack then sat upright. Sweat dripped from her face and beaded on her chest, trickling between her breasts. Her chest sparkled with dampness and her pink sports bra became drenched. Caulder’s gaze lingered on her mouth then rose to her eyes.
“I see that wanton look in those baby blues. What’s on your mind?”
“You don’t want to know.” He attached a heavier weight to the bar and lay across the same bench she vacated.
She rested her knee on a nearby bench and picked up the ten-pound weight. Kneeling with one foot on the floor, she did a repetition to strengthen her forearm.
“I knew you didn’t want to know.”
“Caulder, I’m losing count. Go pump your iron somewhere else.”
“Look around, there is nowhere else.” He laid the weight bar on the rack. “Dammit, I can’t concentrate when I work out with you. Are you about ready?”
Velia stopped what she was doing, dropped the weight on the floor, and stood, straddling him as he sat on the bench. “I thought you wanted to work out.”
“I do, but not here and not doing this.” He licked his lips.
“This is our whole day together. I’d rather get out of the hotel and do something.”
Caulder patted the bench and looked around. “Sit closer, and we’ll do something and it won’t be in the room.”
She leaned forward, rested her hands on his shoulders, and whispered, “Noooo. I’m going to the locker room to take a shower. Do what you will.”
He grabbed her arm. “We can take a shower back in the room. I promise not to ravish you. We’ll get ready then go sightseeing.” He wrapped a towel around his neck. “I’ll give you this day.” H
e stared into her eyes. “Come on,” he said, holding his hand out for her.
She accepted.
By time they got back to their room, the rest of the guys had left the hotel. Caulder didn’t feel bad about not going to the Invitational’s. If he never visited Brazil again, it would be fine with him. Thinking about the accident gave him chills, and he couldn’t get rid of the horrid memory. Taking a deep breath, he sat at the table and flipped through the brochures.
Again, he couldn’t concentrate. Pictures of the wrecked car flashed through his mind as if he were watching it on a big screen. Viewing their bodies, untouched on the outside, was the most difficult thing he ever had to do. Going through the funeral, the smell of flowers, the mournful music, the tears, his mother’s arm around him ran through his mind as if it happened yesterday. Another deep breath. He went to the balcony and took in some fresh air. If only he could burn the memory from his brain.
Hearing a sound behind him, he turned to see Velia with a towel on her head and wearing a robe. He couldn’t hold it back. He slid the screen open and stepped inside, immediately taking her into his arms and crying on her shoulder like a child.
“What is it?” Velia held him tight, caressing his shoulders and running her hands up and down his back. “What is it? Your own demons?” She patted his back. “I feel your pain, hon.” She cried with him.
He lifted his head and looked directly into her eyes. “Calli, Christy, it still hurts. It’s almost two years to the day. I’m sorry, so sorry.”
“It’s okay, baby. Let it out. I know this has been building inside.”
“I don’t want to miss them… I want to forget.”
Velia drew him against her. “It’s okay. Forgetting isn’t going to happen too soon. Acceptance will come in time.”
“It’s time—it’s time. I want a life with you.” He pulled back. “I, Velia, I...”
She stared into his damp eyes and smoothed his hair away from his face. “Shh, don’t speak now.” A trail of tears remained on her cheeks.
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