by Alice Raine
‘Or perhaps I should say we have an announcement.’ Taking her hand, I pulled her to her feet and watched as she quickly slipped her engagement ring on – it had been hidden in her pocket all night.
‘I’m extremely proud to announce that I asked Allie to marry me last week, and she has agreed to be my wife.’
After a split second of shock, the room exploded into cheers and whoops as Allie’s mum – Bethan – who had had no idea about any of this, burst into happy tears and rushed around the table to embrace Allie and myself in a trembling hug.
Next was Cait, who threw a fake look of annoyance at Allie and narrowed her eyes. ‘I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!! If I wasn’t so happy for you, you’d be in big trouble!’
After congratulations were given all round, and everyone had ooh-ed and ahh-ed over Allie’s ring, we finally got around to eating the delicious spread. I couldn’t help but tuck Allie at my side at the table and grin like an absolute buffoon for the rest of the meal.
Fifty-four
Jack
I was staring at Caitlin again, watching her across the table as we ate, and not even caring if everyone here could see how bad I had it for her.
This girl had fast become my whole life, and ever since Sean had announced his proposal to Allie I hadn’t been able to get the idea out of my head. I desperately wanted that level of commitment. She was my soul mate. I had no doubts in my mind that she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Lambert’s attack had allowed me to see with complete clarity just how important Caitlin was to me, and it had unleashed an urgency to solidify that bond that was so powerful I could almost feel it as a tangible thing.
Mel reached across and touched Caitlin’s arm, breaking me from my thoughts. ‘I can’t believe you two are really together!’ Her eyes were wide and flicking between Caitlin and I with a gleeful twinkle. ‘I mean, Lisa and I had seen you together at the coffee stand but we thought you were friends–we had no idea you were dating!’
Caitlin gave a chuckle and glanced at me, her cheeks pink with a blush from either the wine or the unexpected attention, I couldn’t be sure which.
‘She didn’t make it easy,’ I commented dryly.
‘Keeping him on his toes!’ Mel giggled.
Leaning across, Lisa gave us a speculative glance. ‘You’ve kept it so quiet, how come we’ve not seen an announcement?’
This question seemed to get the attention of the entire table as everyone went silent and turned their gaze towards us.
‘Ummm...’ Caitlin fidgeted and just when I thought she was going to flick her elastic bands she reached across and linked her fingers with mine. Such a simple action, but it had my chest compressing with the intimacy–she was turning to me for support.
Licking her lips, Caitlin let out a low breath and shrugged. ‘Everyone around this table knows what’s happened recently with my ex...’ She paused, seeming to work through her words before she spoke, and I gripped her fingers in silent support. ‘He’s still not been caught, and I...I didn’t want to put Jack at risk. Greg might be nuts enough to target Jack.’
There were a few murmurs around the table and Sarah nodded. ‘So you guys are going to go public once Greg’s caught?’
Caitlin blinked then shrugged. ‘Yeah, I guess so.’
‘It’s so exciting!’ Mel chipped in. ‘It’s like the celebrity magazines but real life! How are you going to do it? Be seen in public? Or make a statement? Attend a big glitzy event hand in hand?’ Mel was getting really excited. The added atmosphere seemed to be having the opposite effect on Caitlin, and I watched as she squeezed her lips together in a tight line. ‘We haven’t really thought that far ahead yet.’
She hadn’t, but I had. I wanted a press release and then I’d use every opportunity to have Caitlin on my arm in public.
Caitlin smiled and stood up as she turned towards the kitchen. ‘Right, I’ll get the puddings.’
Something about her voice didn’t sound quite right, and as she walked away I saw her hands clench into fists by her side. Hmm. I excused myself from the table and followed her into the kitchen, where I found her leaning on the counter with her eyes closed.
‘Hey, what’s up, sweetheart?’
Caitlin’s eyes sprung open as she jumped in surprise. ‘Hey. Nothing, I’m fine.’
Crossing my arms, I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. ‘You’re a self-confessed bad liar, Caitlin, don’t try to fool me. What is it?’
Caitlin swallowed and leant back onto the kitchen surface again with a sigh. ‘I’ve spent the last three years trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. I’ve had no social media, barely taken any photographs, hardly even used my e-mail account.I...I guess the idea of going from that to the polar opposite is just freaking me out a little.’
Her words reassured me, because of course she would be nervous about joining me in the exposed life that I lived. ‘You’ll be at my side, though, sweetheart, we’ll deal with it together.’
‘Yeah.’ Caitlin set her gaze on mine. ‘I think I’ve been in a bit of a bubble up until now. I mean, I know you’re famous, but I hadn’t really considered the long-term meaning of that. Then announcing us as a couple to everyone and seeing how giddy they all got...it’s just given me an insight into what the future might be like.’ Drawing in a stuttering breath, Caitlin averted her eyes. ‘I guess...occasionally I just wonder why you’re with mewhen you could have an actress on your arm. What if you meet someone glamorous? It’d be so much easier for you.’
Easier? Wow. Her words had stunned me into silence. I couldn’t believe she could doubt my commitment like that, let alone how shallow her words made me out to be.
‘I can’t believe you could even say that,’ I blurted. ‘Do you really think so little of me? That I would just drop you if someone “perfect” came along?’
‘No, I mean...I don’t know. I’ve never been in a proper relationship before, and now I’ve met you and... you know I’ve fallen pretty hard, pretty quick.’ Even through my irritation my heart swelled at her words. ‘If you left me it would be awful enough, but if we go public and then you leave it would be even worse because I’d have the whole world watching...’
Jesus. I couldn’t bear to listen to another word, so I covered the space between us in two steps and gripped the tops of her arms. ‘Enough. Where has this come from, Caitlin? You know I love you, I’m not leaving you, sweetheart, ever.’
I want you to marry me. I only just managed not to say the words out loud.
‘Let me be frank with you. I’ve been in this industry a long time, I’ve met and dated “perfect” women, and if I wanted to be with one of them, I would be.’ She blinked, hurt expanding in her pupils at my words. ‘But I don’t, Caitlin. I want to be with you.’
Unable to bear the gap between us for a second longer I dragged her against my chest and felt my shoulders relax when her body melted into my embrace. Lowering my lips to her ear, I kissed the hair there, inhaling her scent.
‘You are perfect.’ It was simple. She made me whole. ‘This doubting needs to stop. I don’t care how long you want us to remain a secret, but I need to know that you understand that you are it for me.’
Caitlin pulled back, and then she nodded
‘I’m sorry I freaked out... Again.’ Rolling onto her tiptoes, she placed a kiss on my lips. ‘I still can’t entirely believe this has happened, but I promise I won’t doubt it any more. I love you, Jack. You’re it for me too.’
Fifty-five
Cait
Once Jack had finally let me go, we walked hand in hand back to the dining room, grinning like idiots and carrying a dessert in our free hands.
‘So, while you were in the kitchen, we decided how you should out yourselves to the press,’ declared Sarah.
Oh God. Here we go. Sarah always had a hair-brained scheme up her sleeve.
Jack caught my eye and smiled at me, but then squeezed my hand reassuringly.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I turned to Sarah but Jack intervened again. ‘I’m sure it’ll be a great plan, Sarah.But I think we’ll let Caitlin decide when she’s ready to have her picture in the papers.’
‘Oh. But my plan was really elaborate...’ Sarah commented with a fake pout.
‘Actually, I think I’ve decided,’ I announced, much to the delight of my friends and the surprise of Jack. Even Sarah seemed to lose her disappointment and looked perky again. ‘Spill the beans then!’ she urged.
‘My parents are here for a few weeks, so let’s use that time to settle into things and see what’s happening with the police investigation, and then...I’ll go out for dinner with you anywhere you like and the press can take as many pictures as they want. We can even make a statement.’ I looked directly at Jack and watched as a smile of delight spread on his lips and extended all the way up to the crinkling corners of his eyes.
‘Really?’
‘Yep,’ I nodded.
‘No disguises?’ he continued.
‘No disguises, I promise,’ I whispered with a grin.
‘Sounds like a deal,’ said Jack, nodding proudly and sealing it with a kiss, and even though all my friends and family were watching I couldn’t help but join in.
The evening passed in a lovely, warm blur, and in no time, my parents and Mr and Mrs Shaw were piling into a car and being driven to their hotel. Mel and Lisa were going to get a cab later, Sarah was sleeping on the sofa, and Jack and I had got lucky and been allocated the spare room.
Leaning out of the door to wave them off, I returned to the lounge to find Jack waiting for me. ‘As always, I’ve got an early shoot in the morning, so I’d better get to bed.’
‘Aww, look at his face! He doesn’t want to leave his girlfriend!’ Sarah teased, her drunken state making her even more candid than usual and causing her to pronounce it like ‘guurlfrieend’. ‘You can go to bed if you want, Cait, we promise not to listen to your rampant shagging!’
My mouth dropped open. Mel and Lisa giggled, looking a little embarrassed, and Allie and Sean melted into a fit of laughter before disappearing into the kitchen to mix some birthday cocktails.
God, Sarah could be so embarrassing.
Grimacing, I looked up at Jack, expecting him to look mortified, but he seemed totally unfazed, and to my utter shock he closed the gap between us with a purposeful expression on his face.
‘In that case...’ He winked at me impishly, scooped me up and tossed me over his shoulder, resulting in a cheer from my friends and a shriek from me. ‘I shall have to take her to the bedroom and have my wicked way with her,’ he remarked, before giving my bottom a resounding slap, causing laughter to echo around the room.
Jack got about halfway down the corridor towards the bedroom and then carefully placed me on the ground before giving me quick peck on the lips. ‘As much as I would love to worship you, I won’t. It’s your birthday party, you should stay up with your friends and celebrate in style.’
Hmm. Being worshipped sounded pretty good, but Jack was right, it was fairly early and I did have a room full of people here who had all come across for my birthday.
Once Jack had given me a lovely goodnight kiss and disappeared into the spare room I briefly fanned my face and stepped back into the lounge. As my gaze travelled over my friends, an expectant grin spread on my face. I knew they’d all want to deliver their verdict on Jack, and they certainly didn’t wait long to deliver it – they liked him, a lot, and thought we made the perfect couple.
I had to say, I wholeheartedly agreed.
Fifty-six
Jack
Thankfully, ever since the party, Caitlin had stuck to her promise and been far more relaxed; she’d stopped doubting herself, and had promised me several more times that we’d go public once there was more news on Greg.
She was now cradled against me, snoozing after we’d spent the evening lazing with a movie. Her parents were staying with us before flying home at the weekend, but they’d opted for an afternoon out shopping and still weren’t back – which I suspected was their discreet way of giving us some privacy, something we’d both appreciated and made immediate use of by spending two-and-a-half hours in bed.
For the movie we’d chosen a release I was actually looking forward to seeing, but we’d barely gotten past the intro when she’d started kissing me, and obviously I was never going to try and stop her when she pounced like that. Caitlin was becoming much braver with initiating things, telling me exactly when she was horny and often just walking in and dropping to her knees if she fancied giving me a blow job.
Her new-found boldness was a real fucking turn-on.
Predictably, our kisses had turned to another round of lazy lovemaking, and the lovemaking had ended with us dozing on the sofa and missing pretty much the entire film.
Her fingers were rhythmically trailing back and forth across my chest and it felt so good that there was no way I was going to disturb her. The movement was hypnotic, lulling me toward sleep even though it was only just gone 8 p.m.
The noise of my phone caused her to jump, before she gave a laugh and sat up, pushing her wayward hair from her face and looking so adorable that it made me want to start kissing her all over again.
‘I almost fell asleep,’ she said, her face still looking warm. I loved the way she flushed when she was aroused. The fact I knew I was the only man to ever make her look this way was an even bigger turn-on, and I couldn’t help the satisfied smile that spread on my lips as I sat up and reached for my phone.
Seeing the number on the screen made my smile die on my lips and I felt my heart accelerate until it was pounding in my ears. It was Edward Pearson, one of the private detectives working with Flynn, and there could be only one reason he would be calling.
‘Hello?’ I tried to sound casual, but it was bloody difficult with my entire body on full alert.
‘He’s still in L.A.’
Fuck. Edward’s words caused my blood to turn to fury in my veins.
Cait
I wasn’t entirely sure what had happened in the last ten seconds, but Jack had gone from relaxed and happy to radiating tension.
I fidgeted on the spot, unsure whether I should leave him to his call, or wait for him to finish.
‘You’re sure?’ Jack demanded, the flush in his cheeks seeming to drain away, leaving him looking pale and drawn.
‘When?’ Seconds later, Jack’s eyes closed; presumably he had heard an answer he didn’t like, and I found myself getting frustrated. What the hell was wrong?
‘Where?’ Nodding, Jack began to awkwardly shrug into his shirt. ‘Text me the address and stay there, I’ll be straight over.’
Quickly pulling on his jeans, Jack ended the call and immediately dialled another number, leaving me practically bouncing on the balls of my feet in irritation.
Shoving his foot into one of his Converse, he didn’t even bother to tie the laces, just pushing them under the tongue instead. ‘Flynn? Get the car here now, I’ll be out in a minute.’
Dragging my dress on, I stepped backwards, bumping into the couch and resting my thighs on it to support my wobbly legs as I found myself flicking at my elastic bands nervously. Whatever the call had been about, it was obviously important.
Hanging up, Jack pocketed his phone, fastened his jeans, and turned to me. His eyes immediately went to my wrist and I saw him wince and soften his tense expression.
‘Hey.’ Coming over to me, he brushed the backs of his knuckles across my cheek so gently it was as if he thought I was going to flinch away. Which, after witnessing his bristling anger, I nearly did.
‘Enough of this,’ he whispered, taking a loose hold on my wrist to halt my flicking. Lifting it to his lips, he dropped several soft, slow kisses on the reddened skin, before lifting his head and looking into my eyes.
‘I’m sorry if I scared you, I’ve just had some news about a situation that I need to attend to, but it’s absolutely nothing for you to worry a
bout, OK?’
Just seeing his confident look reassured me a little and I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding. ‘OK. But you looked really pissed off. Is it something to do with Greg?’
‘It’s work stuff, but I don’t have time to explain now. We can talk about it later, I promise.’ His left eye flickered into a wince just slightly, and I began to wonder if that was a sign that he was lying. ‘I have to go, sweetheart.’ Picking up an old hoodie that he usually wore for running, he dragged it over his head and gave me another look.
My stomach twisted with nerves even though I didn’t know what it was I was feeling anxious about, but I nodded anyway and followed him to the front door.
‘Stay here and relax with your parents when they get back. I’m not sure how long I’ll be but I promise to come back tonight.’
Surely if it was to do with Greg he would have told me? Something in my gut told me that whatever it was wasn’t good, so instinctively I found myself reaching out and gripping his arm as he tried to leave.
‘Be careful,’ I whispered, my voice reedy and thin and infinitely pathetic.
Jack turned back, his face creasing with worry, and in a split second had me hauled up against him in a tight embrace.
Placing a firm kiss on the top of my head, he leant back and repeated the action on my lips. He pressed his tongue into my mouth where it massaged against mine until I moaned and then he stepped back. ‘Hold that thought. We can pick this up as soon as I get home.’
Just like that, he was gone. Hurrying out of the front door and down the path, Jack didn’t even glance back at me once. If he had, he’d have seen me flicking my elastic bands again.
Jack
‘That was longer than one minute,’ Flynn grunted by way of greeting as I jogged to the car and practically threw myself into the passenger seat.