Falling Stars

by J. L. Brooks

  It definitely helped that they were both avid fans and in tune with my fan base as well as living for social media. I gladly set them up as administrators and told them to go to town because I needed the time to write. At night I would scour the internet for tourist information on Vancouver and imagined all of the things that I would do. With my plane ticket bought, I knew there was no turning back. New York no longer held the same appeal for me, although I loved it very much. As the taxi passed the Waldorf Astoria, it was hard to believe everything that had transpired since that summer night just a few months prior.

  Hunter still crossed my mind occasionally, yet he had still made no attempt to contact either me or Eli, which just solidified my need to be over it. Grant had appeared at just the right time when I needed him most. He did not have a life that would keep him away from me or place me in dangerous situations. He was feral enough to satisfy the beast within me, dominant enough to keep me under control, and smart enough to know when to let me go. Thinking back to the conversation at the lodge, when he told me he felt like he was supposed to help me, I thought he was slightly crazy. Little did I know how much he would change my life.

  I crossed the continent again and arrived in Vancouver late at night. On the way to customs, gorgeous Native Art surrounded me everywhere. Massive water displays and intricate wood carvings amplified the image of what we called the Pacific Northwest. All of the shops were closed and the world was sleeping. After passing through customs, I made my way to the rental stop and navigated my way to the bustling party spot known as Granville Street. With the hotel just a few blocks up, I was able to check out the local nightlife and soak in the city.

  As the morning came, I dressed myself carefully and tried not to drink too much coffee. My nerves were already shot and I had a twenty minute drive to the school. Sitting in traffic, I wasn’t bothered knowing who I was about to see. When I pulled up to the gorgeous glass and timber building, it appeared more of a work of art versus a school. I had to convince myself for an additional twenty minutes to get out of the car and go inside. Opening the door, I was greeted by a receptionist with an impeccably clean office for a children’s school. Then again the Montessori philosophy did maintain a clutter free environment.

  “Hi, can I help you?”

  She was very friendly and did not appear concerned there was no child with me.

  “Um, yes, I am here to see Grant Kulik. Is he available?”

  Looking at the computer, she gave an apology.

  “Mr. Kulik is at our other campus for a meeting. If you want I can take a message, but he will be back soon.”

  Confused I thought he was just a teacher so her response did not make sense.

  “Oh, does he not have to teach today?” I asked innocently.

  The woman laughed and looked at me like I was an idiot.

  “No, he isn’t a teacher. I mean, he does teach occasionally and the kids adore him, but he’s the founder of the school. We have seven campuses and he runs them all. How is it that you know Mr. Kulik if you don’t mind my asking?”

  I smiled and introduced myself.

  “I am a writer that met Mr. Kulik on vacation. He said if I ever happened to be in Vancouver to stop in and say hello. I had some free time and thought I would pop in. I don’t have to stay I can just leave a message.”

  I walked over to the desk and asked for a piece of paper. My hands shook while thinking of what to say.

  The note was completely generic but would not offend the random reader until it reached his hands. As I slid the pen across the counter and handed her the note, the door chimed. Walking in quickly, he was taken off guard by my presence.

  “Lila.”

  I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

  “I was in town, so I stopped by, but I was just getting ready to leave. It seems you are busy so I won’t bother you.”

  I clenched my jaw tightly hoping that the woman would not see the tears fighting their way out. The room was closing in and all I wanted was to run and forget about my stupid idea.

  “Sandy, can you please clear my schedule? I won’t be in for the rest of the day.”

  His eyes never left mine, although he was speaking to her.

  “Of course. Enjoy your day. It was nice to meet you ma’am.”

  I turned to smile and nod my head before walking towards the door. Grant walked beside me, placing his hand against my lower back and sending shivers through my body. Without a word he led me to his truck and opened the passenger side door. Conscious of the curious eyes, he pulled over in a lot just out of sight from the school and turned off the keys to the ignition. I could tell he was fighting just as hard as I was inside.

  “I should have called you to tell you I was coming. I wanted to surprise you. I’m sorry.”

  Suddenly I felt guilty for intruding on his life. Thoughts that it was all a lie slammed through my soul. He could be married, and have a family for all I know and I just popped up out of the blue. My breathing grew heavier the longer he was silent.

  “Grant, I said I was sorry. Just take me back and I will never bother you again.”

  He shook his head and reached out for my hand, rubbing it firmly between his fingers.

  “No, don’t leave. I’m just in shock, that’s all. I never thought I would see you again. I just want to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

  Pulling his hand up to my mouth, I kissed it gently and started to cry. Scooting his seat back, he dragged me over the console and straddled me on his lap, curling his head into the curve of my neck and holding me close. With my face damp, he swept away the strands of hair sticking to my cheeks and kissed my salty lips. With my palms pressed to his chest, I could feel his heart beating rapidly. I backed away slightly to rest my forehead on his.

  “So does this mean we can have dinner tonight?”

  “How long are you staying?” Grant asked with a cracked voice.

  The air grew humid with our bodies pressed so closely together yet I dared not move away.

  “That depends on how long you want me to.”

  Pulling away to catch his reaction, he still appeared weary of my intentions.

  “Are you serious?” he questioned.

  Shrugging my shoulders, I gave a sideways grin.

  “I am kind of homeless right now, so if I do not drop anchor here, who knows where the wind will take me.”

  Quirking his brow, he cocked his head and smiled back.

  “A millionaire vagrant? Hardly.”

  With my abandonment from technology, it never stopped surprising me how connected people were in knowing everything about you.

  “Are you stalking me?” I asked playfully.

  “A little. It’s hard not to be curious about you.”

  “And why is that?”

  “You obviously did a little investigating of your own on me or else you wouldn’t know where the school was. Tell me what else you found.”

  I shook my head and ran my thumb back and forth across his soft lips. Closing his eyes and leaning into my palm, I dared another kiss.

  “You’re avoiding the topic, but if you must know, the only thing I wanted to find was you.”

  Grant’s fingers threaded through my hair and pulled me closer, claiming my mouth and neck with a tongue so fevered I imagined flames with every sweep.

  “Fuck,” he growled against my skin. Looking around, he gave a devilish grin and unsnapped the top button of my jeans. Sitting up slightly, he was able to slide his palm down the front and slip two fingers inside of me as his thumb began gentle circles over my clit. Rocking my hips, I gripped the back of the seat behind his head and savored his touch.

  Only two weeks had lapsed since our last embrace, yet felt it like an eternity. My body yearned to belong to him and hummed reverently with every caress. I was a fool to think that I could ever go back to who I was before. Climbing higher into ecstasy, even the spiraling guilt of Vegas was not enough to hinder me.

  “Let go baby,” he growl
ed while twisting his fingers more aggressively.

  Instantly I reacted to the sound of his voice and the familiar warmth crept through my abdomen and down each limb, momentarily blinding me with pleasure that never lasted long enough.

  Collapsing on his chest, Grant laughed lightly.

  “Does this start to make up for leaving you with Mark?”

  Sitting back on his knees I gave a sour look.

  “I know why you did it, and I am not saying I am not still pissed about it. I am actually quite livid. But I know I do things too that might not be considered the right thing, so who am I to hold a grudge? I know you don’t like goodbyes and I don’t blame you. You have been through a lot.”

  Tightening his jaw, he stared out the window and avoided my gaze.

  “Can you forgive me?”

  My heart broke for this beautiful man and all the tension he held in. Gently bringing his chin towards me, I wanted him to see my sincerity.

  “Look at me, I’m here aren’t I?”

  He chuckled lightly while bringing his fingers to his mouth and licking off the wetness.

  “Indeed you are.”

  Lightly brushing my lips against his, I bit the bottom playfully.

  “Good, now that we are settled are you going to show me this city or what because I am starving.”

  “Okay, okay, you are going to have to leave my lap though. I am quite happy the way you are, but if food is what you want, then food is what you shall get.”

  I scooted back to my seat and buckled up as he started the truck, pulling away slowly. He found my hand again and brought it to his lap possessively, lightly stroking my palm with his thumb. Using his onboard phone, he called the school and told them he would be out for the rest of the week with personal matters. I tried to protest yet he insisted.

  “It’s one of the perks of being the boss, besides I don’t think I would be able to work very well knowing that you’re here. A few days won’t hurt anything, they can manage.”

  Feeling feisty I challenged his remark.

  “There you go again with your perks. Weren’t you the one that told me that a few days can change everything?”

  Smirking back he just smiled and squeezed my hand.

  We stopped a short while later at a hip eatery called Acme Café in the historic Paris Block of the city. Rubbing his belly, he opened the door letting me pass by. After being seated and given the specials, I settled on their notorious variation of eggs benedict per Grant’s recommendation and waited patiently for the dish to arrive. It felt strange to be sitting in a restaurant with him, a very common experience being a first for us.

  “Is this our first date?” I asked smugly behind my cup of coffee.

  Stirring the raw sugar crystals into his tea, he tapped the small spoon over the top and smiled contently.

  “Do you want it to be?”

  I nodded and set my elbows on the table.

  “So Grant, tell me more about yourself. What is your favorite color? How long have you lived in Vancouver? Do you ever fuck on the first date?”

  The woman behind us choked on her water, spewing it across the table on her husband and started coughing violently. We both covered our mouths to hide our laughter as the waitress rushed over to see if she was okay. Waving the server away, we knew that I was the source of her discomfort.

  I put my hands into my lap and looked at the ceiling feigning remorse. Grant coughed and took a sip of tea before replying.

  “My favorite color is yellow. I have lived here for ten years, and yes I have, today being the first.”

  His eyes shot over my shoulder to watch and see if the woman was still listening to our conversation. Grant’s eyes twinkled with mischief and in that moment any doubt I had about coming withered away.

  “Glad I could be your first something.”

  Shaking his head, the dishes arrived and distracted me from anything else other than devouring the delicious food before us.

  I moaned with each bite loudly and Grant was forced to turn his head away. Slipping off his shoe, he grazed his foot along my leg and in between my thighs, tickling with his big toe and causing me to squirm.

  “You better stop that mister! It’s a miracle I am eating right now.”

  There was no need to explain why. The shadows under his eyes and hollow cheeks told me he too was under duress. I didn’t want to think about him sad, especially over me. Determined to keep the mood from dropping, I picked a piece of sausage off of his plate and popped it in my mouth.

  “So, can we go whale watching today?” I asked seriously.

  Grant chuckled loudly and rolled his eyes.

  “Do you really want to go see whales today?”

  I could feel my self start to pout as if my request was ridiculous.

  “What’s wrong with going to see whales? I am sure your school does it all the time. Oh…”

  Once I thought about it, I did start to feel foolish, but I didn’t care. Straightening my back I took another bite of his sausage.

  “Yes, I want to see whales, and I am going to keep eating your damn sausage if you don’t get it out of my face.”

  Wagging his brows, he pushed the plate towards me and jested.

  “You know you want my sausage in your face.”

  At that point, the woman behind us stood and walked directly in front of our table. Shaking her finger, she was absolutely appalled by our discussion.

  “You two should be ashamed of yourselves. Have you no respect? If I wanted to hear that kind of language we would have eaten up on Granville, and even there I doubt that I would be exposed to such filth. Thank you for ruining our lovely breakfast.”

  With a huff, she turned on her heel and left without waiting for her husband who moved at a much slower pace. Sliding on his jacket, he too came over to us but with a much different demeanor. Placing his hand on Grant’s shoulder, he patted it a few times before looking at me.

  “The longer you keep laughing together, the longer you will stay together. Don’t ever forget that.”

  Walking over to me, he reached for my hand and gently kissed the knuckles and gave a wink.

  “When you get sick of this one, you come find me you hear?”

  I loved the tenderness and humor the old man had and scrunched my face at his impatient wife who finally realized he wasn’t behind her. Standing alone at the entry, she hollered for him once again to depart. He made no rush to meet her demands, instead seeming to take his time to spite her.

  “Don’t let her piss and vinegar fool you two. It’s the reason I married her,” he said while making his way towards her. Bringing my attention back to Grant, he grinned knowingly.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You’re full of piss and vinegar too Lila. There’s something to be said about women like you I guess.”

  Taking one last mouthful of hash browns, I pushed the plate away finally satisfied.

  “I hope I never get offended by crude language. If so I am thoroughly fucked.”

  Without missing a beat, I should have anticipated his reply.

  “Thoroughly fucked isn’t a bad thing, especially when it’s something I’m counting on.”

  I pulled on my coat ignoring his comment and grabbed the bill before he could pay it. As he followed me to the counter and I handed over my card, I reminded him there were more pressing matters.

  “Well you better hope I get to see a whale today.”

  Throwing his head back, he put his hands together in a prayer pose and closed his eyes.

  “Dear God, please let this woman see a damn whale so I can lock her away in my house for a few days. Amen.”

  The cashier looked at us both strangely as she handed me my receipt. Shaking my head, I grabbed his hand and walked out into the warm fall afternoon back to the truck.

  “Hey, we should stop by the hotel since we are close and get your things. There’s no point in you going back since your staying with me.”

  “Um, we don’t ha
ve to. It’s in the trunk of my rental.”

  “Were you planning on staying with me tonight?”

  I started to bite my lip nervously as he drove past the hotel and circled into a different direction.

  “I wasn’t sure. I hoped to, but then also thought if you weren’t happy to see me, I would want to get on a plane as soon as possible.”

  Squeezing my hand in comfort, his voice grew determined.

  “Well obviously I am thrilled you are here, and you are not leaving, I will stop you this time. But I have a feeling I won’t need to. So let’s go see your precious whale and then I will be able to show you everything else. Sound like a plan?”

  I breathed out a sigh of relief. It was going to be okay.

  “Plan.”

  For all of the spectacular things I had seen in my life up to that point, nothing could touch the majesty of a fiery sunset as a pod of orcas played all around us. Although he pretended to poke fun at my desire to do everything touristy, a smile never left his face as I placed a new mark on my imaginary checklist. I wanted to see a troupe of Mounties, and was thoroughly disappointed that they only wore regalia for special occasions. In addition I had the strong desire to taste the best pancake syrup Canada could offer.

  "You do realize that is like me going to Idaho and asking for the best hot dog in America. Just because you are in Canada doesn't mean we all shit maple leafs and say ‘eh’”.

  Waving him away with a grin, I continued to browse the aisle at the small grocery store and stock a basket full of my staple writing snacks. Returning with a few wine bottles in hand, I raised my brow curiously.

  "Plan on getting me drunk tonight?"

  Grant leaned down hovering over my mouth and hot puffs of air curled across my face. Leaning in to meet his lips, he simply laughed and backed away a bit.

  "I plan on doing lots of things to you tonight, and have every intention of taking my time. If a glass or two of wine helps you slow down, so be it."

  The thought alone sent a surge of warmth through my core making me dizzy. Knowing I would fall asleep and wake up next to him saturated my soul in bliss. The sex would be amazing, yes, but the moments in between would be just as sweet.