North Star

by Angeline M. Bishop

  “She said, what?”

  “You must leave, sir,” the officer explained as two additional officers approached the unit. “That won’t be a problem, will it Mr.—I didn’t catch your name?”

  “I didn’t throw it,” Malcolm spat out before pushing past the officers and heading back to his car.

  Graham waited as Mr. Mason finished reading the tribute article on Yvette and the center. Psyche needed to put the latest issue to press this evening, so his final approval made the difference in his team doing a rush re-edit or celebrating a job well done.

  “Nice.” Mr. Mason exclaimed with intense pleasure. “Yvette will be elated with such a fine article, son. Your team out did themselves.”

  Graham straightened as Mr. Mason commanded his full attention. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, sir. If there’s nothing you wish to correct or add, I need you to let me know now. I must get this to press so I can send my people home at a decent hour.”

  “Of course, Graham. These eyes are too weary to see any errors. I loved the content, photos, and the sense of community pride Psyche gave the center, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.” Mr. Mason rose and extended his hand.

  Graham felt bottomless peace and satisfaction as he shook his hand and rose to walk him toward his office door. The old man straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat as he studied Graham intently.

  “Tell me something, Graham. I’ve watched you and Caresse over the past couple days, and I was wondering if you’ll be escorting her to the Mason Ball next weekend?”

  Graham stopped mid-stride and turn to meet his piercing gaze. “I hope so, but I’ll be speaking to Caresse about it over dinner this evening.”

  “Good, so that means you two are a couple?”

  “We’re dating, sir, if that’s what you mean.”

  Smothering a groan, Mr. Mason stepped back and folded his arms over his chest. “Graham, a man doesn’t casually date a young mother. If you have honorable intentions with Caresse, I can tell her father to rest assured.”

  “You’re putting me on the spot. Caresse and I are taking each day as it comes.”

  “Son, I’m putting you on notice. I consider Caresse and her daughters my family, especially in light of Yvette’s accident. I won’t tolerate any Tom foolery, you hear me?”

  “I never would.”

  “Good, you know Caresse’s heart is beautiful, and as fragile as a crystal rose. You hurt her in any way, and I’ll come looking for you!”

  “I don’t doubt that, sir.”

  Just then Graham’s intercom rang and Kathy alerted him to Rick’s arrival. Graham suspected he had news on the investigation, so he invited him inside.

  “Graham, Mr. Mason, the two men I needed to see.” Rick walked grandly to the nearest chair and sat down. “I have news, not the kind suitable for your publication,” he added, grinning at Graham, “but news all the same.”

  “Let’s have it, young man,” Mr. Mason stated, refusing to sit down.

  “After intense questioning of the cook and a guard employed at the Mason Center, it seems a final accident has been planned to occur at the Mason Ball. I’m afraid the event has to be cancelled for the safety of the invited guests and the staff.”

  “Impossible,” Mr. Mason yelled as he stormed toward Rick.

  “Do you want a death at the center?”

  “Of course not, but I refuse to cancel one of our biggest fundraisers because the police can’t do their job effectively!” he shouted, red-faced, as Rick rose to his feet to meet his gaze.

  “Back down, Rick!” Graham commanded. “This ball means too much for the center’s revenue. Would increased security deter a fatal accident?”

  “It may, but we don’t know who is behind this and how many accomplices there are.”

  Graham returned to his seat. “I think I may know someone with motive to hurt Yvette and who would want the doors of the Mason Center to close.”

  Rick and Mr. Mason moved closer and sat in the chairs in front of him. Each had curiosity etched deeply into their faces.

  Graham told them of Keith’s appearance at the hospital and his attitude regarding Yvette’s part in his divorce.

  “Keith never forgave Yvette for helping his wife serve him with divorce papers at the Mason Ball years ago, but attempted murder—” Mr. Mason exclaimed.

  “I’m not sure his intent is murder, but it could be the result,” Rick interrupted him vehemently. “I’ll put a trace on him and see if anything suspicious occurs.”

  “You might want to ask your uncle what kind of employee he is. According to Caresse, her ex-husband works for BaylorMead Pharmaceuticals. Unless you already knew that little piece of information,” Graham stated as unbridled anger tempered his voice.

  “Are you implying I’m involved?” Rick asked as his temper flared.

  “He works for your family’s company.”

  “So does an eighth of the residents of Ocean County. I don’t know Keith, and even if I did, Yvette would be the last woman I would want to harm.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, Graham, it is! Some of us know love when they are blessed enough to receive it,” Rick replied with contempt. He raised his powerful body from the chair and stormed toward the door. “I’ll handle the tracking of Keith personally. If you insist on having this ball, make sure the Toms River police handle all additional security.”

  Before either man could respond, the door slammed shut behind him.

  Caresse listened carefully as Graham explained how Mr. Mason had laid down the law with him that afternoon. She smiled, hoping to relieve some of the tension on Graham’s face. “You have to understand, he’s always been overprotective since he learned my parents live in Atlanta. I guess you can say he’s my father’s eyes and ears in New Jersey.”

  “You’re a long way from home, Sweetie. Why didn’t you go home after the divorce?”

  Caresse dropped her eyes quickly to read the dessert menu in an attempt to hide the hurt she knew Graham would see in her eyes. “My daughters needed to have access to their father, even if I didn’t want him in my life. I stayed for them.”

  The waiter came to the table and removed their dinner plates. “Can I bring you any dessert? Or coffee?”

  Graham nodded. “Coffee for me.”

  “And the lady?”

  Caresse glanced over the menu, and her eyes widened at the large variety of chocolate treats. It had been quite some time since she’d indulged her chocolate addiction, and the realization caught her off guard. “I haven’t had anything chocolate for weeks!” she exclaimed, looking up at Graham with surprise.

  “I guess that’s a bad thing?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “No, I mean yes. I can’t remember a week where I haven’t sipped some hot chocolate, instead of coffee, eaten a chocolate chip cookie, or even had a small bite of dark chocolate since I moved into my home.”

  The waiter replied in a low voice. “Since you love chocolate, may I suggest the Death by Chocolate? In my opinion, it’s the best dessert we create.”

  “Go ahead and order it,” Graham encouraged. “We’ll share.”

  “I probably seem a little silly, huh?”

  “Not at all. Some people lean on work, wine, or cigarettes to cope with life transitions. You prefer the comfort of chocolate.”

  Caresse was touched by the tenderness in his expression and the warmth of his hand as he covered her own. She knew the reason for her lack of desire for chocolate was her craving for him. She sought his strength, passion, and power when her own world seemed to spin out of control. He had a way of making her heart turn over every time he gazed at her.

  “I have great news. The article on the Mason Center is done. Mr. Mason gave his final approval this afternoon.” Graham beamed as Caresse sipped her water.

  “So everything will be done before the Mason Ball, like Yvette wanted.” Relief eased some of the tension in her shoulders. “That’s great. Thank you for all of y
our hard work.”

  “It was more than my pleasure. If you ask me, I got more out of the deal than anyone,” Graham said as his gaze roved over her and lazily appraised her breasts.

  “Hello, my eyes are up here.”

  “I know,” he said with a grin. “But can’t a man appreciate all of your beauty?”

  “Not when you’re undressing me in public,” she stated as she deliberately toyed with her necklace and obstructed his view.

  The waiter placed the chocolate dessert and coffee in front of them as Graham asked, “So, do you have an escort to the Mason Ball?”

  “No. I always go alone because I’m usually assisting Yvette with whatever she needs help with. Why?”

  “I was hoping to be your date this year, Caresse, if you’ll let me.”

  There was a tingling in the pit of her stomach when she watched him take a bite of the chocolate cake without diverting his eyes. Something intense flared through his gaze, making her extremely aware of his masculinity. Her cheeks flushed with warmth as excitement built within her.

  “I’ve let you do a number of things, haven’t I?” she whispered as she began feeling like a breathless college girl again.

  “And I intend doing them over and over again before I drop you back at home.”

  Graham and Caresse entered his home and headed quickly toward his staircase. As he watched the gentle sway of Caresse’s hips in front of him, he felt an intense aching to take her right there.

  “Caresse, stop,” he groaned, causing her to halt her ascent and meet his gaze. As she stood on the step ahead of him, he noticed the added height gave her the ability to look him right in the eye. For a while he stared at her and enjoyed feeling the whisper of her breath near his lips and her breast gently brushing against his chest.

  He backed her against the stairwell wall and kissed her passionately as he quickly removed his dress shirt. When his body was free, he combed his hands over her body, then reached under her light blue sundress. He began stroking her inner thighs, causing her to moan loudly into his mouth.

  Soon he broke the kiss and removed a condom from his pocket as her hands undid his belt and released him from his trousers. “I have to have you right here, right now. The bed is too far away.”

  He covered his throbbing arousal, then lifted one of Caresse’s legs and rested it on the banister on the opposite side. As she held onto his shoulders for balance, he nudged aside her thong and entered her wet, slick heat. As he rocked inside of her, he got lost in the sensations and the erotic smell of her passion. She tilted her hips to meet his thrusts, and he wrapped his arms around her midriff and locked their bodies together.

  “Say you’re mine,” Graham demanded as soft moans came from her lips. “Say it.”

  “I’m...yours...Only...yours.”

  Graham could feel her trembling as he entered her, over and over again. They found a tempo that bound their bodies and caused her to cry out in sweet agony. He couldn’t explain it, but she was tearing apart something in his soul with each kiss, touch, and gyration of her body. The pleasure was pure as he lost himself in the beauty of her, and a hungry desire spiraled through him as she moaned again.

  He entered her harder and faster, and hot passion raged through his veins as their bodies vibrated and shattered in ecstasy.

  He lowered himself, still joined with Caresse, onto the stairs, and leaned back, marveling at the hunger she stirred in him. She had brought him to a height of wanting that he had never known. He’d taken her on the stairs in a raw act of possession. And he was more determined than ever to keep her safe.

  Chapter 15

  The annual Mason Ball was the highlight of the summer for many of the town’s citizens. It was a time for new money and old money to dress like movie screen sirens and the legendary Rat Pack. Some average community citizens could enjoy mingling with the wealthy, too, if they could afford the hefty two hundred dollar price tag. The Masons believed in making this fundraiser the most talked about event of the year. From the valet parking to the catered menus to the silent auction, every part of this event had a touch of elegance and style.

  Caresse watched from the wings, scrutinizing the ladies wearing Versace, Vera Wang, and Gucci gowns. It wasn’t the designer labels that caught her attention, but whether the women brought a whimsical individuality to what they were wearing. She loved to see which woman was putting on airs, or being authentically true to themselves.

  Her heart started beating faster as Graham and his family headed toward their table. From the look on Roland’s face, he didn’t like his tuxedo, but his wife was a vision in her navy Carolina Herrera floor-length dress. The young woman with Graham’s protective hand on her back, wearing a stylish, show-stopping, gold Valentino had to be Laila. She seemed as radiant as the bold diamond earrings and massive diamond bracelet adorning her caramel skin. And, looking at Graham, she didn’t have to guess he was wearing an Armani tuxedo that fit him perfectly. From his constant scan of the room, she knew he was looking for her. She’d told him she would meet him at eight sharp, so she turned and headed toward the stairs leading to the auditorium below.

  Caresse checked her hair in the mirrored wall panel in the hallway and was once again astonished that Yvette had given her a Reem Acra dress for the occasion. It was a far cry from the simple Calvin Klein cocktail dress she’d worn last year.

  She remembered when Yvette reprimanded her for looking like the wait staff after the finalization of her divorce. You need to stand out at the Mason Ball. As far as I’m concerned, you’re Mason, Yvette had chastised her. Today, she wore a designer dress, like the rest of the rich ladies being escorted to their seats. The dress was soft white, and the delicate diamond bracelet around her wrist was a gift from her parents. The Tiffany earrings Graham had given her completed her look.

  Graham was already seated by the time she reached his table. They locked eyes, and he rose to greet her. “Everyone, this is lady I was speaking about, Caresse Aldana. Caresse, you know Janet and Roland, but you’ve never met my baby sister, Laila, or my marketing director, Gray Ryley.”

  “Hello, everyone.” Caresse was surprised to discover her mouth had gone dry. Why did it matter so much what Graham’s family thought of her? “It’s a pleasure to have you here. I hope this table is to your liking. I wanted to make sure you could see the wonderful entertainment provided by the students, but not be overwhelmed by the music of a Latin band.”

  “It’s perfect, Caresse,” Janet said as she surveyed the room. “I couldn’t pick a better table if I wanted to.”

  “So you’re the woman that put my brother in such a wonderful mood. Well, Hallelujah and Praise the Lord to that!” Laila announced as she and Gray clinked their wine glasses together.

  “She also makes killer cinnamon rolls, right Graham?” Gray added.

  Graham straightened his tie and grabbed Caresse’s hand. “All right, enough,” Graham almost growled. “I need to talk to Caresse alone. We’ll be right back.”

  “But she just got here!” Laila called after them, then watched as they exited the auditorium.

  “What was that about?” Janet asked, concerned.

  “Didn’t you see Graham’s face? I have to give it to her, she knows how to command his undivided attention,” Laila said, and Gray nodded in agreement.

  “Graham?” Caresse called as she lifted the hem of her dress and tried to keep up with his long stride. “What’s wrong?” she breathed as Graham took her past Rick and into the front office.

  Once the door closed behind them, he claimed her lips and crushed her to him. The caress of his lips gave her a heady sensation that took her breath away.

  When he lifted his head, she saw the lust in his eyes. “You could have warned me about this dress.”

  Caresse recalled his initial expression, changing from shock to appreciation to passion. “Are you trying to steal my fun?”

  “Tempting. Too tempting,” Graham mumbled as he shook his head and rubbed his ha
nd over his face.

  Caresse wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “You can’t keep me in here all night. I have a job to do, Mr. Sheridan.”

  “Couldn’t you find another dress first?”

  “I happen to love this dress!”

  “So will every man here. I’ll be busy trying to scare off every man that tries to dance with you tonight.”

  “What makes you think I want to dance with anyone but you?”

  “A man can’t assume anything when it comes to women, Caresse.”

  “Let me set the record straight, I’m not any woman, I’m your woman. Big difference.” Caresse kissed him gently and walked toward the door. “I have to check on my students backstage, so I’ll see you after their performance.”

  She felt him watching her retreat, so she glanced back and waved. Yvette, you were right. The right outfit can make a big difference.

  Rick leaned against the wall next to the front office door as Graham watched Caresse strolled down the hall.

  “I didn’t think it was possible for a woman to look that good. Damn, what does she see in an ugly cuss like you?” Rick said as Graham started to move pass him.

  “Rick, don’t you have work to do?”

  “I do, but answer me this. Does she know you aren’t the commitment type? Maybe I should fill her in on your wining, dining, sexing, and leaving.”

  Graham grabbed Rick’s tuxedo jacket and brought his face inches closer to his own. “Don’t pretend you know me, Rick. And if you’re wise, you’ll stay away from Caresse.”

  “Are you threatening an officer of the law? Nothing would make my day more than putting you behind bars and escorting Ms. Caresse home myself.”

  Graham released his collar and stormed down the hallway toward the auditorium. The last thing he needed was to let Rick get the better of him.

  Rick enjoyed making Graham fume. It was payback for his accusation that he’d had anything to do with Yvette’s accident. He’d been so mad that day he couldn’t see straight after their meeting. He’d sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel as he peered at Yvette’s photo on her Mason Ball invitation.