by Emerson Rose
“I told you she can’t fire you for that. It doesn’t even make sense to. She’d be losing a great connection to a story it sounds like she wants to tell. She needs you.”
“But I lied to her face, and I just lied to my boss about a family emergency. I don’t even have family in Montana, but my aunt just fell ill and is on her deathbed there.”
“They let you off for two days for a dying aunt? I couldn’t even get one day when my grandpa died to go to his funeral. Something about that smells fishy. Maybe Caroline wants you to go to Montana so she can prove you’re Ridge’s girlfriend and pump you for information when you get back?”
“You could be right, and that’s why Melissa was so rude to me. She’s being forced to give me the time off when we have a million things on the schedule this week.”
“Yep, you’re screwed. You guys should meet somewhere instead of going to the ranch.”
“That’s a good idea. We were thinking about going on vacation anyway. I need to call Ridge.”
“Okay, honey. Be safe wherever you go, and call to let me know you’re all right tomorrow.”
“I will, thanks, Grace.”
“No problem. Bye.”
“Bye.” I hang up and dial Ridge’s number.
“What’s wrong?” he says again when he answers.
“You know you can say hello before you go asking me that, don’t you?”
“Hello, what’s wrong?”
“Hi, and nothing, well sort of. I was just talking to Grace, and she made a couple of good points.”
“I’m listening.”
“First of all, it’s hard to get time off at work, and they gave me two days off with no questions asked. Grace thinks my boss might be trying to set a trap with the reporters to prove we are dating. If they see me leave here and arrive there, well you know, one and one make two.”
“Why do you think your boss cares if we’re dating?”
“The article… she wants to open things back up just like you thought. If she proves we’re dating, she can lean on me hard about getting an interview.”
“That does make sense. You made a couple of good points. What’s the other one?”
“She suggested we meet somewhere instead of going to the ranch. It’ll throw the reporters off.”
“I was thinking about that myself. Ash has a vacation home in California. I’ve already made the arrangements, but you’ll still need to be ready at seven, okay?”
“I will, thanks for keeping a level head. I don’t know how you dealt with all of this when you went to trial.”
“It was a miserable time in my life, that’s why I’ve worked so hard to stay out of the public eye. I don’t want you to worry about it, though. We will do our best to avoid the media until they find something else to sink their teeth into. Now go pack and get some sleep. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Good night.”
“Good night, angel.”
When my bags are packed, I peek through my peephole and see that several reporters are still sitting in the hall, but not nearly as many as earlier. I hope they enjoy sleeping on filthy, cold floors in one of New York’s highest crime areas. I sure as hell wouldn’t be caught dead out there. We’re safe behind two deadbolts, two regular locks, and a chain, but they aren’t.
In the morning, David and I eat a quick breakfast, and at seven o’clock on the dot, there is a knock at my door. We were ready to go, coats on, bags by the door. I thought we would have to deal with the reporters, but Ridge sent a huge and very intimidating man to escort us to the car.
The reporters weren’t quite as verbal this morning, but the cameras were flashing like we were on the red carpet at the Grammys. It was ridiculous. Once safe inside with dark windows to block their view, I look at David, and he is smiling ear to ear. “What’s with you?” I ask.
“It’s kinda lit. Like we’re celebrities or something.”
“Were you smiling like that all the way out?”
He smiles even wider if that’s possible, “Yep,” he says proudly.
“You’re such a goof.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
I pull him against me in a side hug. “I’m your sister. It’s a requirement.”
“Gee thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” It’s a quiet ride to the airport. I’m thinking about what I’m going to tell my boss when she calls because it’s only a matter of time until she does. By the time we’ve boarded the jet, I have decided to tell the truth. I wanted to protect his privacy, pure and simple. It’s none of their business who I date anyway.
The five-and-a-half-hour flight feels like ten. I didn’t sleep well last night falling into a fitful sleep around four. But no matter how tired I am, I can’t sleep on a plane.
When we land, it’s noon, which is three o’clock in New York but may as well be midnight for me. I need a bed, but that’s not happening for a while. When we are inside the airport, I turn my phone back on, and there is a message from Ridge telling me what gate he will be at and when. We take a seat at his gate, and it dawns on me that he probably never takes commercial flights. He has a jet readily available, why would he? I wonder if he’s miserable.
We sit and people watch while we wait. The people in California are so different from New Yorkers. Strangers smile and make eye contact, people aren’t in such a rush like they’re at home, and everyone looks fit and tan. I think I love California.
“Do you think we’ll see any celebrities?” David asks in a hushed voice.
“Celebrities are just people like you and me,” I whisper back unsure of why we are lowering our voices.
He answers in his normal voice when he realizes there’s no need to be quiet. “No they aren’t, I can’t act or sing, and I don’t have a million dollars like they do.”
“Yeah, but they don’t know how to play football like you do, and they aren’t as handsome as you are.”
“Stop it. You’re just saying that because you’re my sister.”
“Maybe so, but it’s still true.”
“Hey, the door’s opening. I think your guy’s flight landed,” he says pointing at the door to the jet way.
“Oh good, wait here, I’ll be right back.” I stand and walk to the area just outside the door. When I see him in a baseball hat, jeans, and a MU sweatshirt, I grab his hand. He’s trying to blend in, his identity may be safe, but it’s fruitless to try to hide his presence. A definite air of authority and masculinity surrounds him everywhere, and that doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by the female population—six or seven of which are already gawking when he steps into the airport.
I haven’t had to deal with this before. We have always spent time together on the ranch or in the small town nearby. It’s weird seeing him anywhere else.
“Hey there, stranger, do you want to come home with me?” I ask as he wraps his arms around me. He doesn’t answer, but instead, he stares at me reverently as if he hasn’t seen me in months or years instead of a week.
“You, beautiful woman, are a sight for sore eyes. I’ve missed you.”
“I just saw you last weekend, Ridge.”
“So? That was four days ago, and I’ve done nothing but worry about you since the damn reporters started hanging out at your door.”
“Well, I’m here now all ready to be protected.”
He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and caresses my skin along my jawline with the back of his knuckle. “You’re even more beautiful than you were four long days ago.”
I make a pfft sound, and he quiets my disbelief with a kiss that will make all of the hot and bothered gawkers want to go straight home to get into bed with their husbands or boyfriends. When he moves away, I whimper, and the corner of his mouth tips up in a satisfied smirk.
“Come on. My brother’s probably dying of embarrassment after watching that kiss.”
“He’s sixteen, isn’t he? It would have taken a lot more than that to embarrass me when I was his age.”
<
br /> “Yes, but I’m his sister. I think it’s different.”
“You’re probably right, where is he?”
“Right here,” David’s voice comes from behind Ridge where he is now standing with our bags. They have been introduced on the phone and spoken a couple of words to each other, but this is the first time they’ve met in person.
“Oh, David, I thought you were still sitting down.”
“Nope, I thought I might have to break you two up. The flight attendant looked like she was going to pass out and those two over there…” He nods his head to his left across the aisle, “… they haven’t stopped talking about you since you came through the door.”
Ridge laughs. I love the sound of his deep, sexy laugh. He doesn’t do it enough. “I guess I should thank you for saving me from these wretched women.”
“No problem. Let’s get outta here. I want to go to the beach.”
“I don’t know if we’ll have time to go to the beach today, David. It’s getting late, and I’m dead on my feet.”
“Oh, he can see the beach whenever he wants. Ash’s house is right on the water. The sound of the waves will put you to sleep at night.”
“Cool, let’s go.”
“Those waves can put me to sleep right now.” I can’t remember ever being so tired.
“Okay, let’s get going. There’s a car waiting outside.”
“Don’t you have any other bags?” I ask not wanting him to forget his luggage in this huge airport.
“No, I travel light and buy anything I forget.”
“My sister doesn’t think like that. She brought everything she owns,” David says rolling his eyes.
“Women need more things than us guys, and I didn’t pack that much. One suitcase and a carry-on, that’s it,” I defend myself.
“One heavy-as-hell suitcase and a carry-on that feels like it’s full of bricks.”
“It’s all right, let me.” With his duffle slung over his shoulder, he takes my carry-on bag and suitcase from me and starts pulling them toward the exit in true alpha-male style. I like that he’s a take-charge kind of man. It makes me feel safe and loved. After the last few days, I could use some pampering.
David and I hurry to follow Ridge, and David gives me a look of approval. Without a doubt, I knew they would like each other. Ridge is easy to respect, and David is laid back and easy going.
When we are outside, the driver of a sleek black town car hops out and opens the back door for us. The three of us sitting in a row would feel awkward, and David realizes this. “Can I sit up front? Sitting in the back makes me want to hurl.”
The driver looks panicked and quickly opens the front door for David who sits down and winks at me. When Ridge and the driver have our suitcases in the trunk, and we are on our way, I rest my head on Ridge’s shoulder.
“You are tired, aren’t you?” he asks reaching across to cup my cheek and tilt my face up to his.
“I couldn’t sleep last night, and I don’t sleep on airplanes so yeah, I’m ready for bed like yesterday.”
“I can arrange for that to happen in approximately,” he looks at his Rolex watch that I have never noticed until now. “Twenty-eight minutes barring any major traffic problems.”
“Thank you, Ridge, I know I keep saying it, but I am grateful for the rescue effort. I need a vacation. It’s been…” I think back to the last time I had a vacation, and I can’t remember ever going on an actual vacation. I’ve had plenty of stay-cations where I use my vacation time to deep clean the apartment or do errands that I never have time to do, but no actual time away somewhere nice where I can relax.
“You haven’t gone on vacation since you started taking care of me,” David says from the front seat. “And before that, I think we only went to visit Granny with Dad one time for a week when she was sick. That wasn’t much of a vacation, though.”
“You’ve never been on a real vacation?” Ridge asks.
“I guess not now that David pointed it out.”
“Wow, and I thought I was a workaholic.”
“We don’t all get to work for billionaires who have private jets and summer homes in California.”
“The jet is a great perk of the job. Stella doesn’t know about the house yet, though. They came out and looked at places but couldn’t find one they liked enough to buy. Stella would like to live in Malibu someday. She’s enamored by the ocean and beach.”
“Stella hasn’t seen the house yet? Shouldn’t they stay in it first before we do?”
“Ash told me to consider it work. We are officially here to make sure it’s a place Stella will love.”
“I don’t know Stella enough to know what she will love.”
“That’s okay, I do. And if it’s as close to the ocean as it looks in the online pictures, she’ll adore it.
Well, I’ve only seen the Atlantic Ocean from the city and once when my dad took me to the New Jersey Shore for a weekend, and I wasn’t wild about it. Maybe the Pacific will be different.”
“I’m sure you’ll think so, especially from this house.”
The guys chat about this and that during the rest of the drive, and I doze in and out trying to keep up with the topic of discussion and failing miserably.
“Here we are,” Ridge announces. I open my eyes as he is opening the window. “Smell that ocean air?”
All I can see from where I’m sitting are bright blue skies and puffy white clouds. It looks like pure heaven. David hops out as soon as the car stops, and I hear him outside oohing and ahhing about the ocean.
“This is where we’re staying?” David asks with disbelief.
“Yes, and the beach is private,” Ridge adds sliding out of the car and holding his hand out for me.
When I step out, I hold my hand over my eyes shielding them from the sun. This place is breathtaking, far from what the ocean looks like back home. There is blue for as far as the eye can see—blue water, blue sky, even the house is a pale shade of blue. The beach is like a tan line drawn down the center of a blue canvas.
“Ridge, it’s beautiful. And the house, I thought we would be staying in a small cottage near the beach. This is another mansion.”
“Ash doesn’t do cottages.”
“I can see why Stella loves this ocean. I would want to live in Malibu, too.”
He turns to me with a look of intense curiosity. “You would? I thought you loved the city.”
“I live in the city. I never said I loved it. I had no idea what I was missing.” I push my hair back away from my face and hold it back behind my head. The wind is whipping it every which way making it hard for me to see. “This place looks like how I imagine Heaven.”
He looks out over the water and leans against the open car door. “Yeah, I think you’re right, but I’d add one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Horses, I’d ride them on the beach every morning if I lived here.”
“You might talk like an English major and wear fancy suits, but you’re a cowboy at heart, aren’t you?” He smiles and pulls me in for a long hug.
“Yes, I guess I am.” He kisses the top of my head, and when he moves away, I sag against him. “Let’s get you inside.”
“Okay.”
With the help of the driver, we make it inside and abandon our bags at the front door. If I was impressed with the outside of this home, I’m taken aback by the inside. The entire back of the house is made of glass. It’s built on a cliff, and you enter high up, and inside there is a long landing with a winding staircase that takes you down into a wide-open concept home. The living room, kitchen, and dining room are sprawled out to our right, and a set of massive glass doors open out onto a deck with stairs that lead to the beach. It’s beautiful and lavish and over the top, but knowing Ash and Stella own it, makes it less flashy.
“I can show you to the bedroom if you want to nap for a while,” Ridge offers, but I am drawn to the ocean like a magnet. Without stopping, I head straight to the glas
s doors and open them wide making the muffled sound of the ocean loud and clear. I step outside and take a deep breath of sea air, and every muscle in my body relaxes.
“Or we can come out onto the deck,” he says with a chuckle. David is already down on the sand taking off his shoes and rolling up his pants.
“Be careful, David!” I call out. He may be sixteen, but he’s only been in the ocean two or three times. I’m not sure he knows how powerful it can be. Hell, I’m not sure if I know how powerful it can be.
“He’s fine, the water’s calm,” Ridge says rubbing circles on my back. “Why don’t you stretch out on a lounger, and I’ll go make us some drinks.”
“Okay.” I do as he suggests and plant my butt on a lounge chair near the glass barrier that keeps a person from plummeting down the rocks to the beach so I can watch David.
“How’s the water?” I call when he wades into his knees.
“Cold, but doable,” he yells back. The soft lull of the ocean and the sound of seagulls makes me feel like I’m melting into the lounge chair becoming one with the soft cornflower blue cushions.
“Here you go,” Ridge says handing me a martini.
“Thanks. I can’t believe I was in the cold, dark city just a few hours ago. It feels like two different worlds.”
He sits in the chair next to mine watching David on the beach. “That’s because it is. Money might not be able to buy love, but it makes the world more beautiful that’s for sure.”
“How much does a house like this cost?” I ask purely out of curiosity. I wouldn’t even bother to dream of affording something like this.
“I think he gave ten million for it,” he says like it’s nothing.
I sit up sloshing a little of my martini on my shirt. “Ten million dollars? And they aren’t even going to live here?”
He smiles and takes my drink to set it on the stone table between us. “It’s going to be a gift for Stella.” He shrugs like that should explain how someone buys a ten million dollar beach house and leaves it empty most of the year. “And it won’t sit empty. He’s going to let Charlotte and Beau use it when they want and rent it out occasionally.”