North Star

by Angeline M. Bishop

  Caresse pulled into her driveway and saw a limousine parked in front of her home. As she exited her car, the lady driver held up a name placard that featured her name. “Can I help you?” Caresse asked as she approached.

  “Are you Ms. Aldana?”

  “Yes.”

  “I was instructed to take you downtown by Mr. Graham Sheridan. He told me to give you this number to call before you come with me.”

  Caresse used her cell phone to dial the number and Graham’s voice filled her ear. “I see you made it home on time.”

  “Yes, I did, and talk about a surprise. Where am I going?”

  “I can’t tell you, but there’s a hint in the limo, and I promise to escort you to the center on time. So will you get in?”

  “Aren’t you cheeky tonight?”

  “I need you to trust me like you have before. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  “Okay, I’m getting in the car, but if I hate this experience, you’ll have hell to pay.”

  “From your father and brother, right?”

  “No, mister, from me!” She ended her phone call and entered the limousine. As the driver headed down the street, she noticed the large white box with a pink ribbon next to her. She opened the box and discovered a floor-length, white terry cotton robe. On the left side was a hot pink crest with Victoria Secret’s initials.

  So this is the hint. She lifted the robe and matching slippers from the box. She thought back to their conversation last night. “Pampering,” she whispered. “He wants to pamper me. But how, and where?”

  When the limo stopped about a half an hour later, she gasped at the sight before her eyes. She picked up her gift and walked into the lobby of Avanti Salon and Spa. The surroundings made her feel like she’d walked into a European oasis. The hand-painted silk Venetian lamps, Roman-inspired frescos, and Moroccan tile work made her feel like a princess in a different lifetime.

  Caresse was directed to an elaborately decorated private room where tiled thrones fit for royalty and an enchanting star-encrusted ceiling greeted her. A spa attendant showed her where to disrobe and instructed her to prepare to be painted with an assortment of colorful wet earth to drawn toxics from her body.

  At first, Caresse was nervous because she never had such an experience, but the colorful mud started to remind her of playing in mud as a child. The thought brought a childlike giggle to her throat. The “Razul” experience felt like a full body mask and when the mud began to dry and harden, she felt like a statue. The attendant started a warm rainfall shower to wash the dry earth from her body. Caresse closed her eyes. This experience was the closest she had ever come to bathing under a waterfall.

  When she finished her shower, she had an intense deep tissue oil massage, nicknamed Thunder. When the massage began, she thought the knots and tension in her back and neck were too tight to be relieved in one session, but the therapist was persistent in his technique, and soon Caresse’s muscles felt warm and relaxed. After the kneading, she was wrapped in a soft pack bed. She closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

  “Wake up, beautiful,” Graham whispered in the dimly lit room. “Don’t you want the rest of your surprise?”

  Caresse reluctantly opened her eyes. “There’s more?”

  “Yes. These lovely ladies need to make you even more beautiful. We have to see Yvette tonight, right?”

  Caresse remembered her promise. “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Let the beauty treatments continue, ladies,” Graham stated as he dialed his cell phone and left the room.

  The women worked fast as they gave her a manicure, pedicure, styled her hair, then gave her a professional makeup application. As Graham waited, he worked diligently on his laptop, his Bluetooth headset in his ear. Apparently, an upcoming issue of Psyche had taken the wrong editorial direction, and he had to make sure everyone was on the same page.

  Every time there was a break in his conversations, he would stare intently at Caresse, surveying the progress. When the ladies finished her hair, he wrapped up his work and motioned the driver to bring in another gift for Caresse. When she opened the box, her face lit up at the beautiful red Versace sundress and matching high-heeled sandals he’d picked out himself. When she glanced up at him, he held up the two smaller bags in his hand, one from Victoria Secret, the other from Tiffany’s. “Do you want to open these in the salon, too, or in private?” he asked as he gently swung the gift bags from side to side.

  Caresse sashayed toward him, kissed him gently on the lips, and lifted the lingerie bag from his fingers. “I’ll open this bag alone, Mr. Sheridan.”

  Graham frowned as she exited with an attendant to get dressed.

  When Caresse entered the dressing room, she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw herself in the mirror. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair had never been styled so well. She loved the light brown highlights framing her face. She opened the Victoria Secret’s bag and gasped at the beautiful red lace bra and thong set that matched the sundress perfectly. She dressed quickly, and when she emerged from the room, Graham stood up, and the other patrons smiled in appreciation.

  Graham handed Caresse a box from the Tiffany’s bag and watched again as her face lit up when she saw the beautiful platinum star drop earrings with the matching diamond star drop pendant. “Graham, I can’t take this.”

  “Of course you can, and you will,” he stated as he unclasped the necklace and draped it on her neck. She put the earrings in her ears with shaky hands and tears-filled eyes.

  “Don’t ruin your makeup,” the beautician gently scolded. “You deserve to have such a gift. Mr. Sheridan says you give so much to your daughters and the community. Enjoy, enjoy.”

  Caresse struggled to control her tears as she let the lady blot her eyes. “You’re right,” Caresse whispered as she fanned her face with her hands. “I do deserve some pampering.”

  “Are you ready to go?” Graham asked as he paid the bill.

  “Yes, I believe I’m ready for anything.”

  In the limousine, Graham and Caresse sat across from each other and stared at each other for a long time. They didn’t say a word until Graham closed the privacy window. “If I don’t kiss you right now, I’ll lose my mind,” Graham breathed as he took in her beauty.

  A seductive smile softened her lips. “You can’t, you’ll ruin my makeup.”

  “I can, and I will,” he moaned as he got on his knees and started nuzzle her neck. He pulled her close as her heart began to race.

  “Let me kiss you, Caresse,” he whispered when he gazed into her eyes.

  “If you get us all hot and bothered, the night will be frustrating for both of us.”

  “What if I promise that I can kiss you, not disturb your makeup, and we’ll both be thoroughly satisfied?”

  “Not possible,” she answered as she ran a perfectly manicured finger down his chin.

  “Want a bet?”

  “Okay.”

  “Are you sure? You know I don’t like to lose,” Graham chided.

  “I’m sure, and you forget that I defeated you before.”

  Graham leaned closer. “Prepare to be kissed, Caresse.”

  Graham began stroking her arms and whispering softly against her ear. He told her how beautiful she was and how she was consuming his every thought and need. His hands began to stroke her legs and calves as he told her how he loved her sexy skin. He began massaging her thighs and slowly began inching his way up her legs to see the red thong he’d purchased for her this afternoon.

  When he trailed his fingers along the lacey edge near her stomach, she started to stiffen. He stared deep into her eyes. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  Once the word left her mouth, he inched the lingerie down her legs and began stroking her intimately. Caresse’s body jumped at the touch and a rush of wetness soaked his fingers. She watched him breathe in her scent, then meet her gaze with passion-filled eyes. “Relax,” he commanded softly.


  Graham turned up the stereo and lowered his head between her legs and kissed the most intimate part of her. As he lavished her, her hips bucked. He moaned his contentment as each lick of his tongue and suck of his lips caused Caresse to spin out of control. She gripped the soft leather around her and tried to stifle her moans, but he wouldn’t stop. To heighten her experience, he placed one of her calf on his shoulder and lifted her hips securely to his mouth.

  She trembled and moaned from the sweet torture of his tongue going deeper and deeper into her feminine folds as he held her. Pleasure began to radiate through her body as she shivered uncontrollably. Seconds later, Caresse climaxed and his name tore from her lips.

  When her breathing returned to normal, Graham took his handkerchief from his pocket, wiped her moistened thighs, lowered her legs, and eased her thong back up into place.

  When she appeared the way he found her, he lowered the stereo and poured two glasses of champagne. “Did I win?” he asked as he handled her a glass.

  Caresse adjusted her position, took a long drink of champagne and gasped, “Hell, that kiss may have broken records.”

  The community center was a blur of activity and people due to the return of the ever-popular Cooking for Couples class. Graham escorted Caresse to an aisle seat near the front, and draped his arm around the back of her chair. He loved the way she would look at him, almost in awe of what had transpired.

  He had wanted her to have a memorable experience and had no preconceived notion of making love to her, but then she transformed into the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She looked like she had stepped off a Hollywood movie screen, and her raw sexuality had almost made his breathing stop. All he could think of was kissing her, and when she refused, something in him wanted to make sure she felt the same lust she stirred in him. He had to make her heart race the way she was making his heart pound with her walk, her smile, and that ‘I want you, too’ look that tore through him.

  Yvette touched Graham’s shoulder as she welcomed them to the class. “For a second, I wasn’t sure you two were going to show, but your photographer told me otherwise.”

  “I hope Marc wasn’t in the way, but I really need some exterior and people shots for the article.”

  “He’s been great.” Yvette beamed. “In fact, Rick made sure he photographed the children in some of the newest additions of the center.”

  “Graham hasn’t met Rick yet. You should make the introductions,” Caresse suggested as Yvette waved Rick over.

  “Rick, this is my best friend, Caresse Aldana, and this man is the owner and editor-in-chief of Psyche magazine, Graham Sheridan.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. Rick, was it?” Graham asked.

  “Yes, Detective Rick Baylor, it’s nice to meet you, too. Wow, you two look great. Shouldn’t they be the sweetheart couple?” Rick asked Yvette.

  “What’s the sweetheart couple?” Caresse asked as she touched Graham’s thigh.

  “It quite innocent, really. See that table right there, we need a couple to sit at it and enjoy the dinner everyone is learning to prepare. The couple will be eating the chef’s version and be photographed for the Psyche article.”

  “Oh, I don’t know if Graham wants to see his own face in a feature article.”

  “Actually, it’s not an article featuring us, but the center. Our photo will be one of many. I don’t mind if you don’t.”

  Caresse grabbed his hand and stood up. “Since I’m outvoted and I’m looking camera-ready, let’s take our seats so the class can begin.”

  They moved to the sweetheart table at the roar of the class. The chef happily reassured them the meal would be one of his best as he started the class. Graham tried to pay attention to the cooking instructions like the rest of the class, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Caresse. Red was definitely her color.

  When the meal was finally finished, Graham and Caresse were able to enjoy the food and all the preparation that went into it. And by the end of the class, they posed with the chef for photographs while the class participants ate their creations or packed the food to take home.

  It was a marvelous success, and everyone made sure Yvette knew how much fun they’d had. Caresse stole away from Graham when the chef began pitching a barbeque sauce recipe for an upcoming issue of Psyche. She began clearing the tables and straightening the chairs as Yvette checked the cooking stations to make sure all burners were turned off and the appliances were unplugged.

  “You two look good together, Carè. So is he treating you right?” Yvette whispered as she took the mixer from one of the cooking stations and walked toward the cabinets.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been treated so properly.”

  “He’s laying it on thick, huh?”

  “Yeah. How’d your dad use to say it?”

  “Like paint on a fence!” they recalled together, then roared with laughter.

  “Good for Graham,” Yvette said as she began taking apart the Cuisinart mixer the chef had used. “He better treat you right. You deserve nothing less, girl.”

  “Oh, he is. I don’t know if it will be anything more than a few dates until this article is done.”

  “If it is, or isn’t, you shouldn’t worry about that. You need to enjoy the moment and realize that man wants you.” Yvette walked toward the sink. “You would think you put it on him with the way he’s tracking you around this room.”

  Caresse blushed as she brought a serving tray over and placed it on the counter. When Yvette saw she couldn’t meet her gaze, she grabbed her hand.

  “You didn’t?”

  “Didn’t what?”

  “Don’t ‘what’ me.” Yvette leaned closer so no one could hear them. “Did you?”

  Caresse smiled and shook her head. “No, no, we just met, Vet.”

  “You’re full of crap, Carè. I know something happened. You don’t have to tell me tonight, but you will tell me, trust me on that.”

  Caresse laughed as she hugged Yvette warmly.

  “Hey, get me that empty platter from that table over there.”

  “Sure.” Caresse walked over to a table and retrieved the tray. When she spotted Rick surveying the movement of the crowd out of the demonstration room, she showed him the empty cookie platter as she walked back to rejoin Yvette. He frowned, then a sudden flicker of light made him look upward.

  In a split second, the overhead lighting grid broke from the cables and hurled toward Yvette. Rick yelled to her as she walked toward Caresse to take the platter, but the room suddenly went black with a loud crash.

  Chapter 10

  Caresse began to shake as panic knotted her insides. Broken glass and china covered her body. Yvette consumed her thoughts. She tried to lift her legs and arms, but something encased her. She heard moaning and cries in the darkness, and she began to breathe in quick, shallow gasps.

  “Yvette?” her hoarse scream broke over the mayhem. The lack of response chilled her as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. “Yvette, can you hear me?”

  “Caresse?” Graham called. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m pinned down by the table, but I’m okay.”

  “Rick, Caresse is over here,” Graham yelled. The light of his cell phone flashed over her as Graham surveyed her injuries. Relief flooded through her at the sight of him. Except for a few red slashes across his face, he appeared okay.

  “We’ve got to get this table off you, honey.” Graham’s gaze pinned hers. “It may hurt, but we have to move it.”

  Tamping down the jolt of fear, Caresse nodded. Rick took one end, Graham the other, and they lifted the table off of her body. She bit her bottom lip to prevent a moan of pain from escaping. When the unbearable pressure had eased, she met Graham’s gaze. “Where’s Yvette?”

  “She’s not answering.”

  Tears began to fill her eyes at the fear and uncertainty on Graham’s face.

  “It’s okay, Caresse,” Rick whispered. “We’ll find her. We have to.”

  Rick and
Graham left her to try and locate Yvette. The place was almost pitch-black, except for the pinpoints of light coming from various cell phones around the room. The cries of pain sent chills up and down Caresse’s arms. She strained to pick out Yvette’s voice in the mayhem, but she couldn’t hear her friend. It wasn’t until the emergency generator was activated that she saw Yvette’s lifeless body partially buried under the weight of the light panel. Feeling helpless, Caresse got shakily to her feet and watched as everyone worked quickly to get Yvette to the hospital. She desperately wanted Graham by her side, but he was busy helping the injured. Tears silently streamed down her cheeks as Yvette was placed on a stretcher and wheeled from the center.

  Upon arrival at the hospital, Yvette was taken directly into surgery, due to the significant blood loss. Caresse wandered down the hall with Graham’s jacket draped over her shoulders. She hadn’t heard any news, and she needed to know something soon, before she lost her mind. When she rounded the corner, she ran into Graham.

  “Where are you going, Sweetheart?”

  “I can’t sit here. I need to know how Vet is.”

  “I asked the nurses a moment ago, and they said the doctors are only halfway through the surgery. We need to give them more time to tell us something. Did you call her parents?”

  “Yes, they’re visiting her uncle in Texas, so they’ll be home first thing tomorrow morning. They want me to keep them notified if anything new develops. Where’s Rick? He was around here a minute ago.”

  Graham wrapped his arm around her shoulders and walked her back the waiting room. “He’s outside talking to the officers about the incident. Here, honey, why don’t you lay on this couch, and I’ll wake you when the doctor has any news.”

  “I can’t sleep, Graham. I’m too worried.”

  “Then rest your eyes, Caresse. We may have a long night ahead of us.” He could see she was trying to think of another reason to stay awake as she glanced at the clock. “I promise to wake you when the doctors give us an update.”