by Conn, Claudy
“I guess you'll find out soon enough,” she whispered playfully.
He raised a brow at her, but said nothing.
They had to listen to forty minutes of endless babble from the instructor. About halfway through, Marly Jean's fiancé showed up. He took his place next to her. Sasha could tell she wanted to go off on him, but put on a show and acted like it didn't bother her. Interesting, those two. What was the deal with them?
Finally, they were able to move out of their seats and get a little action. Why did they have to listen to that whole boring spiel to begin with?
“Like this. One two three, one two three.” The instructor weaved around the couples, watching each of them.
Kevin slid one arm around her. He led her through the steps. It had been a long time since Sasha danced. She lowered her eyelids, taking in the moment.
“I got my answer. You're a great dancer,” he whispered, pulling her closer. “I think I'm in for a good night. I picked the perfect date.” His tone was gentle.
Sasha could easily get lost in the fantasy, but she wouldn't allow it. Guilt grew in her gut. She should tell him and get it over with, but she was stuck.
“If anyone wants a perfect example, watch these two here.”
Sasha snapped her eyes open. The instructor was talking about them. He nodded in approval at her before moving on.
“See? Didn't I tell you I picked the perfect date? Now everyone gets to watch us.” Kevin winked, flashing one of those gorgeous grins she'd neglected to pay attention to before. The last few days, she'd paid better attention.
“You're not so bad yourself,” she replied, getting all gooey inside when he drew her closer to his body. He held her like he didn't want to let go. Sasha sure as hell didn't want him to let go. Could they go on dancing like this for a long time? Forget her troubles and the world around her. At the moment, this was where she wanted to be.
“Oooh, she kinda gives me a compliment. I'll take it.” The music stopped, and Kevin ran the tips of his fingers gently across her face. “I never told you this before, but you caught my eye in high school.”
She reeled back. “I did?” Seriously? She'd caught Kevin Wright's eye? No, he was messing with her. All part of his act. It had to be. Why didn't he say anything?
“Yeah, you did. I thought you were way out of my league, so I watched you from afar. You were always lost in a book.”
“They were my escape.” The library was her second home.
“You were mine,” Kevin whispered. “I wondered what it was like to be in your shoes. You didn't have crazy expectations to live up to, and you weren't scrutinized over every little thing. Plus, you were pretty, spunky, and had a style of your own. Still do. I like that about you.”
She stared up into his eyes, dizzy with emotions. “Why are you telling me this now?” Did it matter? She was already lost in a mental fantasy that he would take her away from her hellish world, and Sasha wanted that thought out of her head ASAP.
Kevin shrugged. “I'm not sure. Spending the last few days with you brought up those feelings. I didn't want to stay silent any more.”
*****
If Kevin had to hold Sasha's body against him much longer without getting a chance to kiss her, he'd die. She had an effect on him that only amplified as the night dragged on. Watching her dance...holy hell that woman could move, and each shake, thrust, and swing of her body went straight to his groin. When he held her close, her breasts brushed up against him, and he imagined his mouth all over them- all over her bare skin.
She'd become a hit five dances in. In fact, Marly Jean and a few of her bridesmaids joined Sasha in a freestyle dance to break up the class, and Kevin fought hard not to jump up, grab Sasha, and escort her out of the room to do some things with her not appropriate in front of his family.
When her eyes lit up and her smile was real, he could only watch in awe. Sasha Moretti was a true beauty. She was full of hope and fears, and she didn't let her past define her. Kevin never would have known about the year she'd slept in her car if she hadn't told him.
“That's a wrap! Fantastic dancing, everyone!” The choreographer clapped his hands together before swooping Marly Jean in a hug.
“Thanks for coming out tonight!” his sister said after pulling away. She waltzed over to Kevin and Sasha. “You guys were amazing. Sasha, I never knew you could move like that. I'm glad you made it.”
“It was fun!” Sasha said with real enthusiasm. “I needed to let loose a little.”
“Well, I hope to see you at more of the events. Don't let my big idiot brother scare you away.”
“Hey!” he protested. Well, at least she was being nice to Sasha. Good.
Sasha laughed. “He doesn't scare me.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him. Kevin grabbed her hand, eager to get her out of here.
“Come on, let's take a walk before I drive you home,” he said quietly.
“I'd like that. See you later, Marly Jean.”
It wasn't too cold outside. Kevin led Sasha to the backyard, which was all lit up with his mother's lanterns and various Christmas lights.
“This is beautiful. It's so much more than a backyard.” Sasha took in the sights, her voice full of awe.
“That's one thing my mom takes pride in- making her yard perfect. It's been featured in several magazines before,” Kevin said, leading her down one of the paved paths. He headed toward the waterfall and gazebo, a place he always found peaceful and calming.
“I guess a beautiful, large house isn't much when you have too many expectations thrown your way, huh?” Sasha asked.
“It's definitely not all its cracked up to be,” Kevin admitted. “Don't get me wrong, I'm lucky to have grown up without some worries, but I never felt like my parents loved me for who I am. They wanted to mold me into someone I'm not. Mom loves her lifestyle. Half the time she can't be bothered with anything else. I think deep down, she knows Dad doesn't show her the love she deserves, but because she can buy anything she wants, she settles. Dad...Well, he's a whole other story.”
“I had it all wrong about you,” Sasha said softly. The lights cast a colorful glow on her face.
“What do you mean?”
“I thought you were more like your family. I've learned quickly that you aren't.”
Kevin tugged on a lock of her hair. “I always thought you were too good for me,” he blurted.
She laughed, the sound coming out a little bitter. “How could I be too good for you?”
“Because you're real. People look at me and think the same things you did. It didn't help that I never showed my true side. I just went with it until I could get away from here and start over. Ha, so much for that. Life as an actor puts me back in that same spotlight. I'm open for people to speculate about me.” He let out a sigh.
“If you never found a love for acting, what would you do?”
Sasha's question caught him off guard. It was a good question, one he didn't have an answer to. “I'm not sure. I'd like to think I would have found a calling, but for all I know, I'd have given in and worked for my dad until he turned the company over to me.” He shuddered at the thought. “What about you? What are your dreams?”
She stiffened, then looked away. A long stretch of silence followed.
“Sasha?” What was she thinking about? Her father?
“If I had the chance, I'd love to go into fashion design. It's silly-”
“Whoa, there's nothing silly about it. You do have a natural flair for it. You can't go because of your dad, huh?” He hoped the gentle push toward that conversation wouldn't make her run.
“I can't afford a place for my dad, and that means I won't be able to afford school, either.” She blinked back tears. Kevin wiped one away with his thumb.
“Doesn't he get medical help?” Was this an intrusive question?
“He gets enough. He gets the day center paid for, but so far he doesn't qualify for a full time facility.”
“That's bullshit! How c
an they say that? If what I walked in on today is any indication...” He shook his head.
“I'm stuck. My job doesn't cut it, but it's all I can do right now.”
His heart hurt with this. Sliding his arms around her, Kevin pulled Sasha close. “I wish I could do something for you.”
“I didn't say it to get any kind of pity,” she huffed.
“I know you didn't. That's another thing I like about you. You're not looking for a handout. You've worked your ass off, with plenty of consequence. It doesn't change the fact that I'd love to help.”
Sasha leaned against him, giving in. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head right on his chest. Kevin hated these long stretches of silence. “You really liked me back then?”
He laughed. “Was that a delayed reaction?”
“I can't grasp the concept of popular Kevin Wright liking me, and you thinking I'm out of your league. It baffles me.”
“It's true. I was careful to never let on I was watching you.”
“Okay, now you sound like a stalker!”
He chuckled, letting go of her. “I've played the role of a stalker before. Maybe I pulled it off so well because of you.” Wiggling his fingers, Kevin chased her.
She bolted, then whirled around laughing and let him catch her. When Kevin grasped her hand, tugging her up against his body again, Sasha blinked. “I've seen that movie. I know how it ends.”
“Not everything is like the movies,” he whispered, inching his lips close to hers. “Just because I played the evil killer in that movie doesn't mean you're going to die. I need you alive. I want to know what you taste like. Your body has been taunting me all night.” Without another word, he kissed her. He closed his eyes and savored the kiss. Sasha deepened it, wrapping her arms around his neck. She tasted divine. Sweet, sensuous, and so into the whole thing. There were a few crumbs of a sugar cookie she'd eaten earlier on the corner of her mouth. Kevin flicked out his tongue and gently touched the corners of her lips before he slipped it inside, meshing with her tongue. Her hands were all over his face, hair, and neck. Kevin drew her body even more up against him, his erection pressing right up against her pelvis.
Much to his dismay, their kiss was interrupted by Sasha's phone ringing. She pulled away quickly to reach into her purse.
Kevin knew right away something was wrong.
“What do you mean he's missing? How could that happen?” Sasha yelled into the phone.
Chapter Ten
Hearing those words from Arlene was like a thousand different sharp things being thrown at her at once. Sasha's brain was still in a foggy daze after the kiss with Kevin, and to have to actually think immediately put her in a tailspin.
Kevin drove her home right away. Sasha couldn't say a word. He didn't push her to, but the entire way home he held her hand in a silent gesture of comfort.
Missing. Her father had up and left the apartment, and Arlene didn't realize it right away. She thought he'd been asleep. When she went to check up on him an hour later, she found the bed empty.
An hour wasn't a crazy long time, but for a man with no sense of time whatsoever, it could mean a lot of things.
Way too many bad scenarios flooded through her mind. Sucking in a sharp breath, Sasha attempted to keep her imagination at bay.
Try, try again.
And failed.
Her imagination was in overdrive, and it wasn't helping.
She sighed again. Why did it feel like this ride was taking double the time to get home?
“Sasha.”
Kevin's voice was low and soothing.
She blinked her tears away and glanced at him.
“We'll find him.” Another squeeze on her hand. She gripped his tight.
“I don't know how much more of this I can do on my own,” she whispered. “Maybe it's too much on Arlene. I shouldn't have left.”
“Then it would become too much on you. You're just one person. Your dad needs around the clock care. You can't stay awake and home 24/7.”
She knew this, but it didn't make her feel any better. Plus, how would all this work out? The more time she spent with Kevin, the guiltier she became about snapping a few photos and sending them to his publicist Jack.
She had good intentions, really she did. So why did the whole thing leave a sour taste in her mouth?
“He's my dad. I owe it to him. It's the right thing to do,” Sasha argued.
“The right thing to do is get him the adequate care he needs. No, I'm not saying you aren't adequate, either. Wearing yourself down isn't going to help your dad,” Kevin said gently. He parked, and they both bolted out of the car, heading toward her apartment.
Arlene was beside herself, in tears and trembling. “Should I call the police?”
“Did you already search the apartment grounds?” Sasha barked, realizing she should calm down and not jump all over her. Kevin's words repeated in her mind. Arlene was doing her best.
“Some. I was afraid to go too far, because he could have come back.” Her friend reached for Sasha's hand. “I'm so sorry.”
“Sorry isn't going to do anything.” The harsh words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them. “Arlene, I didn't mean it that way. I'm scared.”
“I know you are. I am too.”
“Go ahead and call the police. Sasha and I will search the apartment complex, and you stay here. Call Sasha's cell when either the police arrive or her dad does,” Kevin instructed.
Arlene nodded. “Got it.” She picked up the phone and dialed.
Sasha was prepared to go with Kevin, but he stopped her by placing his hands on her shoulder. “You might want to get a jacket. I noticed you were cold earlier, and you're shivering now. I know part of it is your state of mind, but we want to keep you warm.”
She didn't protest. Touched by his concern, Sasha forced her tears away and replaced them with a small smile. “Got it,” she echoed and grabbed a jacket. She picked up her purse from the coffee table on the way out, unsure why she needed the whole thing.
Outside, Kevin reached for her hand. “This might be a stupid question, but is there anywhere your dad likes to go around here? Something he might have found comforting and maybe needed that tonight?”
“That's not a stupid question.” But Sasha understood why he might think so. “He likes the hot tub sometimes, and he loves the park. For some reason, watching the younger kids play on the playground with their families keeps him occupied for hours. Maybe he remembers his days of that kind of thing, I don't know.”
“Okay. Let's start with those places.” Still holding her hand, Kevin let her lead the way.
With each passing step and no sign or word about her father, Sasha's unease grew. As they passed by the pool and spa, two cop cars pulled in, driving back toward her apartment. She wanted to run and beg for them to find him, but the best thing she could do was continue to search the premises with Kevin. Arlene easily had it handled at the apartment. She knew her father just as well as Sasha did.
The pool area was empty, as was the park. So far, there'd been no signs of her father at all. Dread grew in her heart. They searched more of the complex. Kevin peeked through car windows.
After searching the grounds a second time, he suggested they go back to her apartment and report in.
Sasha nodded, unable to see or think clearly. Kevin wrapped an arm around her waist. She clung to him as he took her home.
*****
At midnight, there'd still been no word on the whereabouts of Sasha's father.
Then the call came in.
“We found a man matching the description you gave us walking down the highway. He's dehydrated and confused. We're taking him to the county hospital.”
Sasha shot to her feet. “Dehydrated? How could he be dehydrated?”
“Easily. You can still get dehydrated if it's not hot out,” one of the officers said gently.
“Come on. We'll drive to the hospital and make sure it's him.” Kevin rubb
ed her left shoulder, feeling how tense her muscles were. He didn't plan on leaving her side until he knew she was okay, even if that meant keeping her close to him all night.
“I'm coming, too.” Arlene also stood.
The police said they'd meet them there. Sasha locked up the apartment once everyone was out.
The car ride to the hospital was tense. Arlene went on her own, and because Sasha was too shaken to drive, Kevin offered to take her.
The hospital was chaos, which Kevin hadn't expected. But they located Sasha's father. They were treating him for dehydration. When the police questioned his whereabouts and he couldn't tell them anything, Arlene fumed.
“For your information, he's got Alzheimer's! He very well may not remember what he was doing, only his on version of things!”
Sasha breathed out a hiss when one of the cops asked him another question about what he thought he was doing. “This isn't working. Can we just let him rest and try to figure it out? I appreciate the help finding him, but you're only adding to his confusion.”
That seemed to do the trick. As they left, the officers sent a second glance Kevin's way, probably trying to figure out if they should say anything about their suspicions that it was him or not. They'd barely said anything to him all night. That was fine with him. He didn't want the attention, especially since Sasha's father needed to be found.
“We're going to keep him overnight for observation,” the doctor tending to Sasha's father informed her. “Nothing to worry about. This is standard procedure, especially since he can't account for his whereabouts.” Then the middle aged man handed some papers to Sasha. “Some things for you to consider.” The hint was subtle, but Kevin caught on right away.
“Why don't you go home and get some sleep? I'll stay with him tonight. If you want me to, that is. After what happened...” Arlene started.
Sasha threw her arms around the woman. “I never meant anything by that earlier. You're doing a great job, but I panicked. Are you sure you don't want to go home and get some sleep though?”