by Kahlen Aymes
I glanced at Cade and he was smiling from ear to ear and shaking his head in disbelief. As if he’d never experienced this before, but it seemed like every woman in the world wanted him.
After a few minutes, the producer came up and told the fans they needed to let us get to our photo calls and interviews. We stood separately as the photographers swarmed around us. What seemed like hundreds of flashes hurt my eyes as I waited for them to finish. Jeanne, who was standing off to the side waiting to move with me from one reporter to the next, motioned for me to remove my sunglasses.
Finally, they asked us to come together. As Cade’s arm went around my waist, I wanted to melt into him, but did my best to stand there, smile and not stare up at him as much as I wanted. I did allow myself the occasional glance, and he leaned down to speak to me so no one would really hear him. “Love you, Brook. You look gorgeous.”
My breath caught and my smile widened as cameras flashed at a frenzied pace. My hand squeezed his waist a little tighter.
The interviews went pretty well, Cade and I standing close together, I held the microphone so he’d have to lean in a little to answer his questions. At least we got to touch a little that way and I could smell his cologne; musky, salty and fresh. They asked about the filming, whether we were both aware of all of the Dr. Ryan hoopla, if we’d read the book series, what we thought about it and also how it was to work with Martin. No problem. This is cake.
“We heard that you might be working on some music for the score. Tell us about it,” the interviewer asked. I held the mic toward his face, my other arm crossed over my body under the other elbow, as I waited for his response.
I remembered the day we sat on set for hours talking about music, and what artists we hoped would be involved in the soundtrack. I loved how much music was part of him, and it was just another connection between us.
“Oh, no. Maybe for one of the films, but it’s not official. We’ve barely had a conversation about it.” he finished his answer.
“What about you, Brooklyn? Have you heard him play?” she wanted to know.
“Oh, yeah. Um, I mean, sure. I’ve heard him play, and he’s… spontaneously brilliant, so I hope we will get a song out of him.” I glanced up at him, and he was watching me. His mouth lifted at the corner, and I knew my words brought him pleasure. If he wanted me to get through this damn interview, he’d have to stop dazzling me like that. “I’m sure it would be amazing, actually.” I was flustered.
Then it happened, she asked the question we’d hoped to avoid.
“We’ve all heard about how hot your onscreen chemistry is and how that is what clinched Brooklyn being cast. Cade, you had input with the director, right? Is there anything going on between the two of you off screen?”
I couldn’t speak at that exact second, so I held the mic up for Cade and waited. He was the experienced one, and so I just clamped my mouth shut and concentrated on not smiling.
“Oh yeah,” he said. My eyes widened behind my glasses. “I liked her in the beginning. I even asked her to marry me a few times, but it didn’t go anywhere.” He tried to make a joke of it, but it wasn’t, not at all.
“Oh, I’m so sorry about that. Well,” she directed the comment to me now. “Maybe you’ll reconsider?”
I flushed. Fuck!.
“Oh um, I’ve learned a lot from Cade and he’s become one of my closest friends.” I stammered uncomfortably, pushed my hair back and glanced at Cade through my peripheral vision. He was looking away, behind my head and I felt my heart sink. “I hope we’ll stay that way.”
I knew my words hurt him, even though he knew the game we were playing. With David standing less than ten feet behind us in the camera’s eye line, I had no choice. I had to do what we’d agreed to do in order to protect our contracts.
I tried to get him to look at me so I could convey something with my eyes, but he would never meet my gaze after that. He looked sad, and my heart was breaking that I couldn’t clarify but surely he knew why I said what I did.
We went in to the awards venue and Cade, with his agent, were seated a few rows behind David and me. I could feel Cade’s resentment radiate toward us. David kept holding my hand, occasionally leaning in to speak in my ear and at one point put his arm around me.
It was the longest fucking two hours of my life.
I could feel his gaze on the back of my neck like a white-hot poker, his resentment seeping through my skin. I couldn’t wait to get out of there, to go home, be alone with him and try to soothe him in whatever way he would let me.
When I finally got to my house, I jumped on the phone to Jeanne. “Okay. When is he coming?” I asked, slightly out of breath.
“Listen, Brook, I’m not sure if he is. His agent said he was upset and wanted to go back to his hotel.”
“Yeah, it was hard on him seeing me with David. I’m gonna try to call him,” I said sadly.
“I’m really sorry. Didn’t you guys talk about this? Surely Denise briefed him.”
“Yes, but it’s harder than we thought to carry this off. Listen I really have to call him. I’ll call you back.”
Cade didn’t answer, so I texted him.
Get your sexy ass over here now! I love you and missed you so much. Please?
I pushed send. My nerves were shot and my hands were shaking as I waited for the response.
My phone buzzed about ten minutes later as I was pacing back and forth out by the pool.
Okay.
Obviously he was still brooding, but at least he’d be here soon.
Call Denise. She has this worked out with Jeanne.
I’m counting the minutes until I’m in your arms.
I let out a huge sigh of relief as tears came to my eyes.
Okay, time to take his mind off all that bullshit.
I went upstairs and peeled off my clothes, piled my hair on top of my head, and put on a sexy black bikini with gold metal rings at the hips and between my breasts. This was by far the most revealing of any bikini I had ever owned, so I pulled a black gauze sarong around my hips and tied it on the left. I had butterflies in my stomach as I wondered if Cade would like it.
My dad was out of the country for work, and I’d asked my mom and Nate to give me some time at home alone this afternoon with Cade, before coming back for dinner. I planned to make Pasta Carbonara for everyone.
My house was in a private neighborhood in Toluca Lake, so Jeanne would meet Denise, and on a side street in a nearby neighborhood, he would get in Jeanne’s car and then she’d bring him to the back entrance to my house. Her car was often seen near my house, so the paparazzi would be much less suspicious that way. I was getting used to the attention, and slowly more aware of how to avoid them. I was still relatively unknown, but the minute the speculation of Cade and me together got a foothold, all bets were off and it was sometimes impossible to avoid the press.
My heart was beating so fast when they finally pulled up, and when the back gate in the twelve-foot brick wall around our pool opened. The path from the garage side door was hidden behind part of the wall, and it felt like it took them forever to open it.
Jeanne came through first, and then he followed her.
There he was, standing right in front of me, and all mine.
He took his sunglasses off and shoved them in his pocket. I could see by his tight expression he was still upset, but I didn’t let that put me off.
I got up and walked around the pool to him, touched his chest as both arms slid around me. He took a possessive hold on me and it was what we both needed.
“Thank you, Jeanne. This means the world to me.” My eyes never left his face as I spoke to her. I bit my lower lip as he looked into my eyes.
Then the talking was over, his arms turned my body to his and we were kissing like we were starving, my arms going around his neck and into his hair, his arms around my back and one clutching at the sarong on my hip.
“Mmmmm…” I murmured against his mouth. Jeanne was getting a
good show, but neither of us cared. “You taste so good. Not being able to touch you like this earlier, just hell.” I wanted him to know that it was just as difficult for me as it was for him. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He was still holding me tight, his face turned into my neck, breathing me in. For a long time, he didn’t say anything, just continued to hold me and kiss the side of my face, shoulder, and neck. My hands went to his hair and I stroked it back off his face. “I’m sorry about before, babe,” I said into the curve of his neck.
He kissed the top of my head and finally placed a finger under my chin to lift my eyes to his and he finally spoke. “I didn’t like it. Seeing him touching you like that when I couldn’t, hearing you say I was your ‘good friend’ was worse, and having to stand there and smile like some stupid sod through it all…” He trailed off, disgust in his voice. I saw the pain in his eyes, and my heart ached.
“Cade, you’re here with me, David isn’t. You know it’s all for show, and besides, you are my friend.” My eyes pleaded with him when his face tightened. “You’re my best friend, my lover, the love of my life… you’re everything.”
I stood on tiptoe to kiss his mouth. “Come on, don’t you know that yet?” I heard the gate close behind Jeanne as she left. I felt some of the tension ease from his body.
“It’s easier to believe when you’re in my arms like this.” He hugged me tight.
“Did you bring a suit?” I giggled as I yearned to get him at least semi-naked. “We can get a little sun now that the filming is over.” The movie was set, mostly in Boston, which was a far cry from sunny L.A.
“I did. But I’d rather just look at you.” His eyes were soft as he looked at me. “You’re so beautiful, love.”
“Well, now that it’s finally here,” A big smile split my face. “I want to see that sexy ass.” I teased him. “Go change, and I’ll get you something to drink.” He started to walk away, but his eyes never left me, raking up and down my body. He grabbed me and pulled me back into his arms.
“How am I supposed to hang out with you all day, when you look good enough to eat?” He smiled then bent to shower my shoulders and neck with hot, openmouthed kisses.
“Ugh! You’re killing me! Just change, please? My bedroom is at the top of the stairs, to the left. You can put your bag in there. Go!” I pushed him away and went to the bar on the patio.
He came back down after a few minutes and I had opened a beer for him, and gotten a soda for myself. He was in black swim trunks, his chest bare, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him.
“Am I staying with you in there?” He was sheepish, a blush rising on his high cheekbones. “I really like being in there; it smells just like you.” He stretched out on one of the loungers, and I looked at his body, he was so gorgeous. He was muscular and solid. Mmmm, I thought as desire made my heart beat faster.
“Unless you’d rather not?” I smiled as his eyebrow raised and he shook his head with a grin. He knew I was kidding as he shook his head. “My mom’s cool. I’ve told her how madly in love with you I am,” I was teasing him now. “She understands how difficult it will be for us to get any time alone unless we can be at home.”
“I think I love your mum,” he said.
“Hmmm. Well, I’m not great at sharing.” I sat down next to him on the lounger, and realized how stupid I was for saying that considering what had just happened at the award show.
“Yeah, I know the feeling.” His mouth quirked with irony, and he ran a hand up and down my arm in a feather-light caress. I placed my hand over his as his eyes met mine. “It’s bloody killing me.”
“Hey. It’s you and me now. Always.” I leaned in to kiss him, my mouth open, gently sucking on his lips. Just as his tongue came into my mouth, I pulled back and sucked on it a little more, then Cade groaned and took my mouth in a deep kiss, his tongue moving into my mouth and his hand around the base of my head, pulling me closer. Oh, God… he tastes so good.
“Mmmm…” Cade groaned as our mouths parted reluctantly.
“How did we make it through all of those months without all of this yummy stuff?” A full smile split my face. I was so content and happy to be with him.
“I died a thousand deaths, and you were blissfully oblivious!” He laughed at me, ruffling my hair as I hugged him.
“No, I wasn’t. Not at all.” My voice softened. “I was fighting it, confused by my feelings.” A sad smile found its way to my face, and he brushed his knuckles along my jaw. “I’m sorry I wasted so much time.”
“It wasn’t wasted time.” His eyes were soft on my face. “We were still together most of that time, and we became so close. However, I’m certainly glad you’ve finally had an epiphany.” He grinned at me, and raised my hand to kiss my palm. “Are we alone?” he asked hopefully, looking into my face, his brows rose in the way I adored. “I can’t stand not touching your body. You’re sexy as hell.”
“We are.” I smiled as Cade’s eyes widened a little. “Surprise!” I raised my hands and moved my fingers like they were a sparkly expletive, then reached down to touch the big bulge in his trunks. “Is that for me?” I teased as I felt it rise under my hand, emboldened because I knew he wanted me.
His eyes burned into me, and his mouth twitched into a little smirk. “Did I tell you how much I love you?” He was just so damn hot he made my body react just looking at him.
I felt my mouth fall open slightly as I stared in his eyes, my tongue darting out to run over my upper lip. I saw the desire and the love behind his lashes, and knew it had to be mirrored in my face. Want rushed through my veins, and my stomach tightened as I gazed at him through hooded eyes. I bit my lower lip.
“God Brooklyn, you drive me insane with wanting you.” He put his arms around me and dragged me to lay over his body, his hand insistent on the back of my head as his mouth came down hungrily on mine. His other hand slid to my hip, grasping it to pull my lower body closer to his. Oh, God, I thought, as my hands slid around his body.
After a minute or two of kissing, he stopped suddenly. His lips twitched up with a mischievous grin, and then stood up from the lounger and swooped me with him in one movement. “You’re going to get it for teasing me this way!”
Instantly, he rushed forward and jumped, plunging both of us into the pool. “No! Cade! Stop! Ahhhhh!” I screamed as I clung to him, just before we whooshed under water.
We surfaced, gasping and laughing, still clinging to each other. “Oh, now you’re gonna get it!” I said, my arms still around his neck. I felt his hands slide down my back and shivers ran up my spine, but not from the cold water in the pool.
Our movements turned into slow motion. I was mesmerized as his eyes turned serious. My hands slid up to brush his hair back and then to the back of his head as he bent toward me. He was so beautiful as his blue eyes bore into me, his lids heavy, his lips hovering just above mine. The desire so potent, it made me gasp. I closed my eyes and reached for his mouth with mine. He brushed my upper lip with his lower one.
“Really?” he whispered against my lips. “Then please, please give it to me,” he said, his eyes closing. His tongue flicked my upper lip and then sucked it in between both of his. “I beg you.” His hands on my body felt like warm silk. “I want all of you, Brook.”
His mouth opened over mine and I was lost. He was moving to the side of the pool without breaking the kiss, pressing me up against the side. His knee moved up between my legs to rub and press on the center of my desire, pinning me to the side of the pool.
“Oh, God. You’re sooo hot,” he breathed as he took my mouth in another onslaught of deep kisses. I couldn’t get enough of him, couldn’t get close enough to his body, but he moved slowly, making the most of every kiss, and every touch between our bodies. I trembled in his arms.
“Uhhhhh… It’s you. You make me hot.” I gasped as his hand moved to my breast, lifting the brief material of my bikini top aside to massage and tease the nipple. It was already taut, but I felt
it grow in his hands. He groaned, and pressed against me as he took in the meaning of my words.
“Oh, God, Brook, I want to make love to you. Is it okay? Here? Right now?” His breath was coming in short bursts.
“Mmmm… Now…” I breathed as I raised my eyes to look into his. My lids were heavy, and I could see the same desire reflected in Cade’s expression. He was intense, serious, and in love. My breath caught in my throat.
I knew my mother and brother wouldn’t be back for a couple of hours. He hoisted my legs around his waist as I pressed my pelvis into his. I could feel his rock hardness against my burning softness, and I wanted him inside me. He lifted me a bit higher, his hands under my ass so that he could suckle my breasts. My hands buried themselves in his wet hair, my nipples were screaming under his ministrations, until he had me gasping.
“Oh, I missed you,” I whispered into the top of his head, as he bent to my breast. I felt his arm around my body tighten and the one under my rear, moving forward, searching, seeking for the flesh beneath the bikini bottoms. He pushed aside the material and slid two fingers into me. “Ahhhh… uhhh…” He had me gasping.
“Tell me what you want.” he whispered against my skin. “I want to give you everything, love.” He was sucking on my breasts and moving up to kiss my collarbone; upward to the column of my neck, his mouth was hungry for the taste of my skin. His fingers thrust inside me under the water and I wanted more.
As I sank to be on eye level, he took his fingers out of me, and started rubbing tiny circles on my sensitive flesh. “Oh, God.” He had me gasping. “You’re so good, I just want you so much,” I whispered in his ear, and then drew the lobe into my mouth, sucking and nibbling. Mewling little sounds broke free as he continued to torment me.
“God, Brooklyn,” he moaned. “You can’t talk like that. I’ll die if I don’t have you.”
I felt like I was on fire, and I wanted to feel all of him. He slid me down and I was pressed against his hardness, as he lifted me to rub our bodies together back and forth in delicious friction, his mouth locked on mine. My hands searched between our bodies for the string closure of his trunks, I wanted to touch him, feel him. I freed him from the confines of his suit, and my hand closed around his length. I moved my fingers up and down and gave a little squeeze with each downward motion.