by Kathryn Shay
Other words of dissention.
But more officers flooded the room. It took a while, but they eventually silenced the protestors, kept people seated or assisted those on the floor up to chairs. The police wandered through the tables, searching for the injured. Every so often, Paul heard the crackle of a radio, and he assumed the cops were finding those hit by stray bullets. From what he could tell, the gunman only got off shots into the ceiling.
From where he stood, he looked for Hayley and Finn. He couldn’t spot them and felt helpless. The adrenaline was also wearing off and his stomach pitched.
Then somebody touched his shoulder. He turned and was unprepared for the barrage of people with cameras and microphones descending upon him.
* * *
“Paul, this is Hayley. Finn and I weren’t hurt at the gala. Please call me no matter what time you get this. I have to know you’re safe.”
She’d called twice before: once when she and Finn found their waiting limo and crawled through Madison Avenue traffic, and once an hour ago after she arrived home. Now, at midnight, he still hadn’t answered.
Finn came to the doorway of his suite. “Come see this, Hayley. There’s a news report on TV.” They’d already heard on the set in the living room that miraculously no one was killed, ten people had been injured in the crowd fighting its way out, five were shot from ricocheted bullets, but they weren’t releasing any names. Visions of Paul, trampled or bleeding, plagued her as she hurried into Finn’s sitting room.
A newscaster gave information. He described the attack, which was maddeningly repetitive. “They keep giving the same statistics we already know.”
“Hold on, there’s supposed to be more.”
“We have confirmation of the rumor that a civilian tackled the gunman at the doorway on the left side of the ballroom. However, his identity has not been revealed.”
“That’s more.” Hayley began to pace. “The chances that Paul was the hero are miniscule, right, Finn?”
“Given that two hundred people attended, add in staff for the establishment, and yes, I’d say it’s small.” Finn studied a diagram the station had put up. “The shooter came in the side entrance that the servers used. So more than likely, staff disarmed him. Not that I don’t want them to be safe, but again the chances of Paul being on that side are slim.”
“I wish I’d hear from him.”
They both settled in chairs in the sitting room, watching the broadcast, until Hayley stood up. “I can’t stand this anymore. I’m going to shower and change.” She’d reached the door when she heard, “The identity of the gunman is being released in a press conference. We go live to the Central Park Ballroom.”
Hayley pivoted. Watched the TV from the doorway. “I’m Police Chief Gregory Thomas. Here’s what happened. When the gunman first entered the ballroom, he shot at the ceiling, presumably to get everybody’s attention. Before he could rob anyone, he was tackled by civilian Paul Covington, a local lawyer at the firm Cook, Cramer and Cromwell. Covington was twenty feet away, and defused the situation by taking the gunman down from behind. Police arrived while they were still on the floor and took control of the scene. There’s no information on Mr. Covington’s condition.”
Hayley wilted into a chair by the door. Unbelievable.
Rising, Finn came over to her. Squatted down. “You all right?”
“God. This is worse. What if he was hurt, or shot, or dead?”
“Don’t go there. They reported no deaths. Why don’t you change? I’ll keep an eye on the TV to see if there’s any more news.”
Not wanting to leave, but unable to stay and listen to nothing new, she left the room, and crossed into her own suite on the other side of the kitchen. She sat down onto the bed, smoothing over the covers. Would she ever get to make love with Paul in this bed? Would they get to go out on the boat again? Had they been foolish to end their relationship before it got started?
Driven crazy by her rumination, Hayley went to the bathroom, stripped and tied up her hair. She stepped under the hot spray coming from three nozzles and worried. After the shower, she dressed in simple pajamas and left the room.
Just as the buzzer from the concierge rang. Hayley flew to it. “Yes, Robert?”
“Mr. Covington to see Ms. Casella.” More quietly, he added, “I wouldn’t have called so late, but I think he’s the man who saved all those people at that big party you were at.”
“Yes, yes, send him up. Please.” She flung the front door open.
Finn had come out of his suite. “Do you want me to disappear?”
“For a bit, if you don’t mind.”
“No worries. I’m happy he’s all right.”
The elevator opened. She ran to it. He’d just stepped into the hall when she threw herself at him. He caught her and held her close. She hugged him tight. He held on, too, circling her back with his hand. “Shh, baby, I’m safe, and unhurt, except for a few bruises and sore muscles.”
Finally, she was able to ease herself back, she kept hold of his hands. Exhaustion showed in every feature of his face and his shoulders slumped. He’d taken off his tux coat, and his pants were ripped. “Why didn’t you call me? Let me know how you were?”
“When I finally could, your inbox was full.”
“Damn, I never thought to check that.”
She hugged him again, unable to bear the thought of what he’d been through. When someone from another apartment started down the hall, he said, “Let’s go inside.”
Leading him by one hand, she went down to the apartment and he followed her silently. They went to her suite where she shut the door and closed out the world. He faced her. Lowered his head. And kissed her. It wasn’t gentle, Hayley thought, but it was exactly what she needed. Then he ended the kiss and drew back.
He stripped off his clothes, let them fall to the floor. Then he sat on the edge of her bed. She stood before him. Reaching for her pajamas, he unbuttoned them, and the top fell to her feet. He pushed down the pants.
And touched her everywhere. The weight of his hands on her was exquisite, and when he pushed on her thighs, she parted them. He took advantage of that, explored her, invading every sensitive place: inside and out. Then she pressed on his shoulders for him to lay back, his legs still hanging over the bed and his feet on the floor.
She knelt and grasped onto his penis. She rubbed up and down, up and down. It was already hard but turned to stone with her ministrations. She licked the tip.
He stood it as long as he could then he choked out, “Straddle me.”
This time she knelt on the bed.
Then she took him inside.
He thrust up.
She came down hard. Her mind clouded, her vision blurred. She felt the spasms begin low inside her and she rose up again, came down again, and the world dimmed, then burst into flames of color.
Next, it was his turn.
* * *
Paul held her close in the big bed and pulled up the sheet. He brushed his fingertips down her arm, letting her sweet scent fill his head. He tried to block the images of tonight, of the gunshots and the gunman swearing at him, but couldn’t.
He was almost glad when she whispered, “Why’d you do it?”
He had to get some of this out.
“I’m not exactly sure. It was more primal than forethought. I knew he’d kill people, maybe you or Finn, and I couldn’t let that happen so I took him down.”
“I was so frightened when we heard the shots. We didn’t run and had the sense to drop to the floor. But the sounds of gunfire ricocheting around the ceiling were horrific. The screams that came afterward were awful. Were you scared? At all?”
“Terrified.”
He felt her lips on his chest. “Firefighters say a hero isn’t somebody who’s not afraid. A hero is afraid and does what’s right anyway.”
“So, I’m a hero to you?”
“Are you kidding? To the entire city.”
“Hmm.” He turned so his groin
bumped up against her. “Then I guess I have a lot to live up to.”
She giggled like a girl. “You already have, Superman.”
“I want to. Again.”
“Right away?”
“Right away. Danger, adrenaline, life and death is having an…effect on me.”
Gently turning her to her side, he held her gaze. Then she gave him a slow smile. He sought out her neck with his lips, brushing them there. As if in slow motion, his mouth went lower, teasing her breasts.
Hayley felt her skin tingle all over. His talented mouth moved to her abdomen, kissed her there, nipped. Her heartbeat escalated and she swore she could hear it. When he nuzzled into her curls, she bucked.
“Easy,” he whispered. “I’m not nearly done.”
“I don’t want to come this way.” But she already felt her body flush. And despite her protest, she spiraled, but easily this time, and went over like a shimmering waterfall. “Paul.”
Then he did it all again.
When she came down, she felt him hard against her. For a few precious moments, she reveled in the intimacy. Then, she pushed him, still gently, onto his back.
Paul let it happen. Her mouth at his neck, nicking, soothing with her tongue. Her hands roamed his chest. He felt the blood rush to his groin. She grasped him there, then, and massaged. Leaning in, she touched the tip of him. And he almost went off.
“Now,” he said, but it was a plea, not a demand.
He moved her to his side and faced her. Brushed the damp hair off her cheek. Scissored their legs, locked their gazes and entered her.
This time, they came together.
When they both settled, he drew her to him.
They slept.
* * *
The sun shining through the wall of glass in her bedroom woke Hayley. It was heaven to feel her body entwined with Paul’s. She lay still, remembering last night. Wondering about today. And what would happen tomorrow. In the hours before she’d seen him, she’d made all kinds of promises, mostly contradictory ones. But in the light of day, she knew only one thing.
She wasn’t losing Paul.
Eventually, nature called so she got up, grabbed her pjs that had pooled on the floor and went into the bathroom. After she dressed, she tiptoed out. And found Finn in the kitchen, dressed for work, pouring a coffee to go.
“Hey, Finn.”
“Hey to you, too.” He turned and leaned against the counter. “I take it you had a good night.”
She laughed. “A wonderful night.”
“Look at you. I’ve never seen you so happy.”
“Not sure I ever have been.”
“What’s it going to be like, do you think, loving a hero?”
“I don’t know. We have a lot of things to figure out.”
He covered his travel mug. “You will.”
“Going to work so early?”
“Yes. Millie and I talked last night at the table about changes to the rare book site.”
“That trip feels like eons ago, not a week.”
“Yeah. Everything pales in comparison to that.” He kissed her cheek. “Have a nice day.”
When he left, she poured some coffee into a mug with a happy face, sat on a stool and picked up her phone. Her mailbox was indeed full. She began deleting voicemails, until she heard, “Good morning, sweetheart.”
He was a sight to see—dark hair mussed beautifully, sleepy blue eyes. And he wore only his boxers. “Good morning.”
Gesturing below his waist, he said, “I tore my pants and they’re filthy anyway. Think Finn has anything I can borrow?”
“Why? I like you as you are.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “I bet you do.”
She poured coffee and handed him a cup. “Want some?”
“Yeah, thanks.” He bent over. Kissed her lips. Then took a gulp.
“So.”
“So.”
“Is it too early for serious talk?”
“Not for me. Let’s sit at the table by the windows.”
They crossed to the windows and pulled out chairs. He sat and took in New York’s skyline. Great place.”
“Yeah. My father left it to the three of us.”
His brows rose.
“I, um, come from money, Paul.”
“I guessed you did from a few things you said.”
“What did you want to talk about?”
His face turned serious but sincere. “This can’t be it, Hayley. Only one night. Not now. Not after the last twelve hours.”
“I feel the same.”
“Thank God!”
They luxuriated in the moment.
Then, reaching out, she put her hand over his. “We have to hide our feelings for each other, Paul. At least for a while.”
“I agree. But it’s going to be harder now to keep it secret.”
“Because of what happened at the gala?”
“Yeah, I had to turn my phone off. The press, everybody seems to have tracked down my number. They kept calling. And the mayor wants to meet with me.”
“I imagine your heroics are all over the news.”
“I’m going to hate this,” he said staring out at the beautiful day. “Sneaking around. Avoiding the press. We’d have to be lucky not to be seen going in and out of each other’s places.”
“I have an idea.”
“Go ahead.”
“We own a lake house in Hidden Cove, too. It’s about an hour from here. We can spend weekends there for the rest of the summer.” She smiled. “And afterward, before we have to decide anything.”
“I’d like that. How long have you had it?”
“It’s been in my family since I was born. My father bought it because his brother and my cousins live in Hidden Cove. Recently, my mother decided to sell it, so Ronan bought it from her, anonymously, and signed it over to me and Finn.”
“I’m glad you have all this, Hayley.”
“What about you? How did you grow up?”
“Poor.”
“There’s not much about you on the Internet.”
“No?”
“Are you still reluctant to talk about your background? You said you needed to know me better.”
“That’s not it anymore. I need time, now, to internalize last night and its repercussions.”
“Of course.” But the notion bothered her. Then she reminded herself that she hadn’t known him, in the sense they were now, for very long. A week. If he needed time to tell her his secrets, she’d give it to him.
* * *
When Hayley went to the bedroom, Paul slipped his phone from his jacket pocket which lay on the floor. He also dressed in the t-shirt and sweat pants she laid out for him. Once back in the kitchen, he decided to tackle the messages he’d received since last night. He clicked into them as he waited while Hayley packed to go to Hidden Cove.
Hell! His box was full now, too. He scrolled down ten names of people he didn’t know. Then he came to one that took his breath away.
He stared at it. For a long time. He thought about deleting the contact information, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he clicked play.
“Paul, this is Matka. I saw the news and know you are in town. Please call me. Kocham cebie.”
I love you. In Polish.
“Też cię kocham, Matka,” he said aloud.
And despite his best efforts not to, he thought about his family, his mother especially, right before he left the house.
Guilt came, fast and ugly as he listened to the recording again. He abandoned his own family.
No, actually, he hadn’t. Pa had abandoned him first.
Hayley came back out, all sunny in a yellow dress, straw hat and sandals on her feet. But her smile turned into a frown. “What’s wrong?”
“More calls and emails than I can answer.” He gave her a once over. “You look like a daisy.”
She held her phone. “We’ll have to rent a car.”
“I have one, in B
rooklyn.”
“You have a car in New York City?”
“Yep, for days like this. Let’s go to my house and let me change and pick up a few overnight things.”
Blanking his mind of his family, he followed her out the door, just the sight of her cheering him up. They took the subway to Brooklyn so they wouldn’t have to deal with traffic and walked the block to his condo.
Paul had chosen a place on the first floor in the tall condo complex. She asked about that as they walked inside. “I was tired of high-rise living. That’s all I had in California. So, I bought a first-floor unit. I can walk to restaurants, but come see my favorite spot.”
They went in through the kitchen, filled with stainless steel, granite and hardwood floors. Open space continued through a living room with leather, and a wall of sliding doors. A patio with a teak floor stretched twenty feet long. Black and gray cushions covered chairs for the table and chaises. “Paul, this is wonderful.”
“A compliment from the woman who lives in a glassed-in apartment with a view of the city.”
“I can like yours and mine, too.”
He kissed her nose. “I like you.” He tipped her chin. “More, than that, I think.”
She didn’t respond right away. Then, “I think I more than like you, too, Paul.”
“That’s a relief.”
“So, come to my bedroom while I get clothes. I’d like to shower, too.”
“No, if I go in there, we’ll never get to Hidden Cove. I’ll sit out here and do some email. I haven’t checked mine since last night.”
He made quick work of showering and throwing a few things in a duffle bag, then found Hayley stretched out on a chaise, reading her phone. She looked up. “I checked CNN for the news. The headline is, “Gotham has another Batman.”
Fuck.
She smiled when he frowned. “It’ll pass.”
“Not before they find out everything about me.”
“Are you hiding skeletons?”
He shook his head, but inside he admitted he was lying.
Chapter 5
* * *
Hayley was determined to enjoy the weekend despite her knowledge that Paul’s background seemed a problem for him. She told herself it was fine with her, he was entitled to his privacy, and she’d simply enjoy today and tomorrow.