by Seven Steps
“I’ll miss you,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He squeezed her closer, his forehead dropping to her shoulder. One large leg wrapped around hers, and his hand clasped around her back.
He seemed to be saying, I’ll miss you too.
Chapter 29
Los Angeles, California
It was three a.m. when they arrived at LAX, both badly jet-lagged and wide awake.
They’d spent the last five hours watching movies, eating themselves sick, and drinking wine and hot chocolate. He’d given her another guitar lesson and, between the silences, they shared five seconds, each kiss a lifetime of promises wrapped in a single moment.
Cassie tried not to run at full speed off the plane. Her entire body felt like a coil, ready to spring out at any second. She was down the steps and on the tarmac in an instant. It had begun to drizzle when they landed. Now it was a full blown downpour.
Instead of waiting for the stocky man with the umbrella, a body guard no doubt, she opened her arms to the warm rain, grateful to feel it drip down her face, over her tense body. A cool breeze blew the rain sideways, and she took in a deep breath. He was on her, over her, all around her. His scent. The feel of his touch. His devilish lips. His five seconds. If she could just stay out in the rain a bit longer, maybe she could get her head on straight, maybe she could steel herself against the feeling that had been growing within her since she met him.
She couldn’t stay.
“I didn’t know you liked the rain so much.” His voice was velvet, squeezing her heart, making her stomach flutter.
“It’s soothing,” she said.
He didn’t reply. A moment later, she felt him to take her hand. Together they turned their faces up to the pouring sky. She hoped that it hid the tears that poured down her face.
She couldn’t stay.
Chapter 30
Noah, Cassie, and their two bodyguards climbed into the limo, their bodies soaked. Rain sloshed in their shoes. Water ran off of their bodies and pooled onto the leather seats.
“Maybe that wasn’t the best idea,” Cassie whispered, suddenly very tired.
“It was a great idea, Farmer Cassie.”
The limo pulled away and they drove to Sepulveda Pass in Studio City, the rain pouring down the windows, the darkness like a cloud around them.
“How far is it to your house?” she asked, water dripping off her curls.
“Half an hour.”
She felt his eyes dance over her, and she blushed.
“I like your hair like that,” he said. He reached a hand to touch the wet kinks.
“Like what?”
“Big. Kinky.”
She shook her head, smiling up at him.
“You should wear it like this all the time.”
She smirked. “Okay. If you agree not to gel your hair anymore.” She reached up, touched his soft, wet hair.
“I don’t know. It gets pretty crazy.”
“I like it this way.”
“I like you this way.”
Their eyes met, their gazes heated.
He bent a little, crouching to come in low for another kiss.
A bodyguard cleared his throat.
Cassie felt her cheeks redden, and she moved closer to the window, further away from a frowning Noah.
She felt his hand move over the seat. She reached a hand back, their fingers interlocking over the hot leather.
She didn’t have to turn around to know that he was smiling.
***
Half an hour later, the car halted at a tall black fence.
Noah’s voice was light, filled with excitement. “We’re here.”
The driver leaned out and punched a code into a steel keypad. He then pulled his wet head back into the car, shaking his black flat topped cap as he pulled into the property.
Through driving rain, Cassie couldn’t see much more than the house’s stately outline. It looked to be two floors high, with a roof that came up to a point. Several lights on the ground floor were on, beacons calling him home.
The driver pulled them into a covered carport.
Noah jumped out, ran around the car, and opened Cassie’s door for her. The bodyguards followed him out, going to grab the bags as the driver cut the engine.
He led her to a side door, where he punched a key code into a pad, and turned the knob.
“Finally, I’m home. Lights on.”
The house lit up.
Noah pulled off his wet shirt and threw it onto the floor as Cassie stood, stunned to silence at the enormity of the house.
They passed through the kitchen, all white marble countertops and steel appliances. Above a large island in the center, an array of gleaming pots and pans hung from metal hooks.
The smell of new carpet and lemon cleaner floated through the air.
“Noah, this is amazing.”
Noah threw a smile over his shoulder. “I know, right.”
He led her past a bar made of the same white marble. Four red leather barstools stood in front of it. She ran her fingertips over the smooth material.
“The bedrooms are upstairs. We can get changed.”
They cut through the living room. A fireplace outlined in multicolored brown stone stood coldly at the far end, ruling over its domain of button backed couches and settees, leopard skin carpet, and hardwood floors. A grand piano sat in the corner.
They jogged up the spiral staircase to the second floor.
Noah waited for her at the top. “My room’s this way.”
“And where’s my room?”
“Well, for the past few days, my room as been your room.” He quirked his head to the side. “Has that changed?”
She narrowed her eyes at him, a small smile dancing on her face. “Just show me the room, Bronner.”
With a victorious grin, he led her to the end of the hall to an opened door.
He handed her over the threshold.
An elaborate chandelier threw rainbows and sparkles around the room. Raw wood beams crisscrossed high cathedral ceilings. Atop a white, shaggy rug were four white leather chairs, all stationed around a glass table. Behind the small sitting area, a king-size bed laid unmade. Fire red pillows perfectly lined up against the headboard. The blanket was decorated in Noah’s trademark flames, the same flames that decorated his boots and shoulders.
To her right, a claw footed tub stood proudly in the center of the bathroom. Off to the side was an enclosed shower, and on the opposite side of the room were twin sinks. A clear sliding door separated the bathroom from the bedroom.
“This is incredible,” she said with a sigh.
Noah walked deeper in the room, leaned against the bed, and began to pull off his boots.
“Yeah, it’s awesome, isn’t it? It’ll be a shame when it’s gone.”
“Gone?”
His voice was distant, cold. “I can’t afford this stuff anymore.” He pulled off his socks, threw them next to his boots. “The days of The Rock King are winding down.”
He ran his hands briskly over his face.
She walked to him. “Noah, I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
She sat next to him on the bed, leaned her head on his shoulder.
“It’s like you work your whole life for something,” he said. “And you get to this place, and you think to yourself, I’ve made it. And then it’s gone.” He snapped his fingers. “Just like that. Makes you wonder about a lot of stuff.”
“But it’s not all gone,” she said, placing a hand on his back. “Sure, maybe you don’t sell as many albums or concert tickets, but that doesn’t mean that you still aren’t an amazing musician. They can’t put a price on that.”
He scoffed.
“And that doesn’t negate all of the great things you did. You are Noah LaRock, the biggest artist of all time. Nothing can change that.”
“But nobody cares about that anymore. Now they want pop, they want fluff, they want Lesliee
Day, a girl who’s never picked up an instrument in her life.”
“And they’ll get her, but will they study her in music class a generation from now? Will she be an icon, a legend? Will people think back in awe at the greatness of her career? No.” She put her fingertips on his chin, turned his face to her. “She will never be Noah LaRock. Only one man can do that. You’re the king, remember? No matter if you live in this crazy, massive house or a shoe box. You will always be the king.”
She kissed him gently.
“Thank you, Cas.”
“For what?”
“For just being you.”
Their lips touched. His mouth was fire. The flames that he surrounded himself with seemed to engulf her. The kiss incinerated her brain, turning it into smoke and ash.
She felt it in her heart.
There was only this.
She felt it in her soul.
There was only now.
He was breaking down every wall she’d ever erected.
There was only him.
I want him.
The thought jolted her, and she pulled away quickly, eliciting a frustrated gasp from him.
She put her hands to her hot lips, turned away.
“This is hard,” he whispered.
Her heart was beating fast. Her breath tight.
“I know.”
“It’s not a good idea for you to—”
“I know.”
His eyes didn’t meet hers again.
She stood, picked up her bags, and rolled them out the door. She’d have to find another room.
Chapter 31
She stared at the ceiling until the sun peeked through her curtains. Her body was alive, electric. Her mind obsessed with Noah. He was the first man to make her doubt her vow to save herself for marriage. The first man to make her want, to need.
She wondered if any man would make her feel this way again.
Her belly seized when he peeked his head in the door.
“Hey.” He grinned.
She sat up in the bed, running her hands through her hair to control the tangled mess.
“Hi.”
“I have to leave early. I have some interviews and pre-press to do before the Grammys.”
She threw the covers off of her. “Okay, just give me a few minutes to—”
“No, sweets. Sorry, but I didn’t mean that you, uh…”
Her heart fell a little. She pulled the blanket back onto her.
“No, I didn’t mean that I was mad or anything about, uh, okay this is going terribly. Let me start over.”
His head disappeared from the doorway, then reappeared.
“Good morning, baby.”
She laughed at his comical grin, and gave him a little wave. “Hi.”
“Last night got a little, intense, so I have some people coming by to give you a spa day while I go do press and stuff.”
Her heart lifted again.
“Spa day? For me?”
“Yeah. Massages, facials, mani-pedi, the works. It’s going to be awesome. They should be here by around ten. And the chef’s downstairs, so whenever you’re ready for breakfast just give him a head’s up.”
“Wow, Noah, thank you.”
“Oh, and around three, hair, makeup, and wardrobe will be here to get you ready for the awards.”
“Noah, this is really too much.”
“It’s never enough for you, Cas.”
Their eyes met, the fire leaping between them. He cleared his throat, looked away.
“I have to get going but, uh…”
She nodded, amused at his awkwardness.
“Okay.”
He let himself fully into the room then, jogged over to kiss her on the forehead. He leaned his head down on top of hers.
“This is really hard, Cas,” he whispered into her hair. “I thought it would be easy to keep myself away from you, but it has become…difficult.”
“I’m not trying to be, uh, difficult.”
“That’s the problem.”
They stayed there for a second more before he gave her another kiss on the forehead.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
“Okay.”
She watched him take a piece of her heart with him as he walked out the door.
I can’t stay, she reminded herself. I can’t stay.
***
Chef John Sherridan’s boyish face smiled sweetly at her as he flipped her eggs.
“How long have you been working for Noah?” Cassie asked, running her bare toes over the cold metal of the barstool.
“Ten years.”
“Ten years? And this is your only job? What about when he’s touring? Do you just sit around?”
John shook his head, laughing as he plated the scrambled eggs. “I’d be a terrible chef if I only cooked when he was in town,” he said. “I actually own my own restaurant in downtown LA. When Noah’s in residence, I’m here. When he’s not, I’m there.”
“Is he in residence a lot?”
He placed the eggs in front of her, adding to her plates of pancakes and bacon.
“Sometimes.”
She took a bite, moaned in pleasure.
“This is so good.” She put another mouthful in her mouth and picked up a piece of bacon.
“You two eat the same, you know,” John said. “All of this down home food. He doesn’t give me any room to practice my craft, to give him art. It’s all pancakes, bacon, and eggs.” He turned hopeful eyes to her. “Perhaps you might consider something a little more exotic for lunch?”
“I would love that.”
John’s smile widened. “Then it’s settled. Something that is paired with a light wine, I think.”
“Anything paired with wine is perfect.”
He leaned back against the island, crossed his arms over his chest.
“So, you’re to be Mrs. LaRock, hmm?”
She choked on her bacon. “What?”
“Oh.” John frowned. “You’re not?”
“No, why would you say that?”
He shrugged. “You’re just the only girl I’ve seen around here in, well, ever.”
“Well, this is only temporary. I’m going back to college.”
“College, huh? Leaving the glitz and glamour behind to be a…”
“Doctor. I start my residency next year.”
John looked impressed. “A doctor. Wow, that’s amazing.”
She carefully cut into her pancakes.
“It’s complicated,” she said. “Being here, being around Noah. He’s such a great guy. It kind of makes me want to stay. It’s just…it’s hard, you know?”
“Do you mind if I give you a piece of advice?”
“Sure.”
“There is an old saying that my father taught me. Follow your heart, but take your brain with you. Where is your heart? Is it at school or here?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. When I first got here, it was at school, but now, with Noah, I don’t know.”
He bit his lip. “You look like a girl who could use an Irish coffee.”
He turned and began rooting around below the countertop, leaving Cassie more confused than ever.
How could she follow her heart when it led to Noah?
The bell rang, a small symphony that made her smile. It was the opening chords to “Somebody To Love” by Queen.
I guess he really does like this song.
She shoved down the rest of the food in several large, rather unladylike bites, put down her fork and jogged to the door, opening it slowly.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
A plump, middle-aged woman with her hair in a messy bun looked back at her. “Hi, I’m looking for,” she fished her phone from her pocket and scrolled, “Cassie.”
“I’m her.”
The woman looked at her phone again, then back up, her eyes roving over Cassie suspiciously.
“Cassie Washington?”
“Yes.”
Another
scan of her eyes.
“For the mani-pedi?” She looked at her phone again.
Cassie smiled tightly, swung the door wide for the woman to enter.
“I can’t wait to see what you have in blue.” Cassie smiled.
The woman’s eyes turned cold. She pushed the strap of her bag onto her shoulder and entered the house, her sneakers squeaking against the floor.
“I’m Sarah Meyers from Luxe Spa.” Her focus turned to the lobby. She took in the white tile floors, the chandelier, the colorful fresh flowers that sat atop glass tables. She then looked back at Cassie. “I guess I will be servicing you today.”
“Great.” Cassie clasped her hands in front of her. She knew what this woman was thinking. It was written all over her face.
She thinks I’m too dark to belong here, Cassie thought. She shook her head. Racism is everywhere.
“I usually set up in a living room or the, uh, sitting room.”
Cassie turned from the woman’s cold gaze, tried to keep her gait even, and her shoulders straight.
“Right this way.”
She felt eyes on her back as they entered the living room. The woman made several trips back to her car as she setup between the chestnut brown grand piano and the grey and white couches. She was careful to stay on the hardwood floor, avoiding the grey and black striped rug that sat in the middle of the room. Behind them, natural light poured in through two arched windows that stretched from floor to almost the ceiling. Between the windows, an arched door stood open, leading out to a stone covered patio and the Olympic-size pool in the shape of a guitar. Cassie stood near the door and watched several pool beds in the shape of yellow ducks bob on the water.
“Okay, Ms. Washington,” Sarah huffed.
Cassie turned and sat in a black folding chair the woman had brought with her. She placed her hands atop a black card table, also the woman’s.
“So.” Sarah rooted through her big bag next to her feet and began to line up her nail tools in front of her. “How are you today?”
“I’m great. A little jet-lagged, but okay.”
“Jet-lagged?” The woman tapped the nail file on the table, picked up Cassie’s right hand, and began to file. “Where’d you fly in from? Detroit?”