Leave Yesterday Behind (14 page)

He gently laid his hands on her shoulders, kneading her like a small kitten. “I was never good with girls back in high school. And then women flung themselves at me when I hit the big show.”

He closed the gap between them, his hands encompassing her waist. “It was always about sex. Quick, painless, meaningless sex. Almost like I wasn’t there. Not involved. Just watching from a distance.”

Nick brought a hand to her cheek and stroked it. “Then I met Vanessa and thought it was love. We did it fast, slow, every way in-between. But I still seemed like an observer. I thought something was wrong with me.”

He bent and brushed a kiss along her jaw. “And then I found out she didn’t love me. Never had. Just used me to become someone famous. She never took the time to know me. Never even tried. I was just her meal ticket to the A-list.”

He nibbled her earlobe. Shivers bolted through him at the contact, and he knew Callie felt the same way as she gasped.

“In the end, she meant no more than a one-night stand with an unnamed groupie.” His eyes met hers. “I only realized that just now. I didn’t then. I thought the things I felt tonight came from made-up stuff in books and fairy tales.”

“Me, too,” she whispered.

Nick cupped her face in his hands. “Callie, there’s something between us. I don’t know what. I don’t know what it may lead to. But you have to give it—give us—a chance. Please.”

He watched her open her mouth to speak. Nothing came out. And then her words cut him like a knife.

“I’m damaged goods, Nick.” Her voice was flat. Void of emotion. “You wouldn’t really want to be with me.” She turned to step away.

A physical pain darted through him. He couldn’t let this happen. He couldn’t live with regret and what might have been.

“No.” One word, full of anguish, escaped. He whipped her around so fast she lost her balance. She reached out to steady herself, and he did what he’d always wanted one of his heroes to do—he literally swept her off her feet.

She squirmed as he carried her into the cottage and slammed the door with his foot. He eased her to her feet, pushing her back against the door, his body blocking her escape.

“No, Callie Chennault. You’re not damaged goods. You’re beautiful both inside and out—and I’m going to do whatever it takes to convince you of that.”

Chapter 19

He couldn’t believe the scene that unfolded before his eyes. He watched Nick sweep up Jessica in his arms and march inside like a caveman dragging his woman back to his lair.

He stood from the awkward crouch in the shrubbery, thankful that he finally could. His leg muscles screamed in protest as the blood began circulating again. He brought a hand to his mouth to stifle the fit of giggles lurking, waiting to escape. He couldn’t afford to make his presence known.

Yet.

He’d left Jessica a little surprise and thought to do the same for Nick when they’d come home in the sleek convertible. Although he’d discovered that amazingly, they lived within a stone’s throw of each other, he hadn’t expected to find them together. Especially in that way.

Anger mixed with curiosity caused him to spy on their romantic interlude. They made out in the car like horny teenagers on a first date. And then for some unknown reason, she’d fought and clawed her way out of the car, away from Lover Boy.

He’d actually thought for a moment to take Nick. Bent over and obviously feeling major discomfort as he hobbled to his doorway, he would be an easy target. But easy didn’t interest him. Fun did. He hadn’t planned thoroughly. He could spend days—even weeks—amidst his plans. He knew he didn’t want to rush this.

And with Nick, he wanted to get it right. Wanted the Golden Boy to suffer as he had those years growing up. He needed more time to decide how he would end the superstar’s life.

And he needed to be sure Nick understood why.

All this would require much thought. He refused to go for the quick way out. And he had begun to toy with the idea that it might add to the fun to take the two of them into Death’s arms at the same time and place.

Now that would be a true masterpiece. And since it seemed as if these beautiful people were having, or about to embark upon an affair, it would be easier to catch them off-guard as they spent time together, exploring the newness of their relationship.

He felt the stiff erection spring to life with just the thought of this marvelous plan.

No, they had more time because he had much to think about.

But their days were numbered.

Chapter 20

Nick’s words hung in the charged air. Callie swallowed hard, afraid to even breathe. His eyes were dark as night, pinning her against the door as much as his athlete’s body.

He leaned down, his mouth hovering mere inches from hers. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I’m game for either.”

He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking her cheeks, his eyes burning with what she recognized as passion.

“Nick—”

His mouth stopped her from saying more. Her head spun as wave after wave assaulted her mouth. No coherent thought came, and she certainly couldn’t have voiced it if it did. Her body’s fire flamed higher with his every touch. Her knees began to buckle. She thought she was falling, but she never hit the ground.

Because she was in Nick’s arms again. Somehow he’d caught her, laying her gently on the bed, then sitting next to her. Concern etched his brow.

“You okay?” he asked softly, brushing the hair back from her face.

“I . . . guess. Why?”

He grinned. “You fainted on me.”

“I did not!”

A smug look crossed his handsome face. “You did. I must say, Miss Chennault, that in all my experience in kissing, I have never caused a lady to pass out from sheer delight.” He winked at her. “I must be very, very good. Despite the fact that I’m way out of practice.”

She was dumbfounded. Yet it would explain how she got from one room to another without remembering the short journey. And her body still felt heated from his drugging kisses.

Of which she wanted more.

Her eyes must have betrayed that thought. She noted a subtle change come over him. And yet he remained where he was, his large hands wrapped around her smaller ones.

“I think you should rest a little while.” He stood, but he seemed reluctant to release her. Finally, he dropped her hands and backed away from the bed.

The thought of him leaving brought an ache to her heart. “Don’t go.” Her voice shook with who knows what emotion she felt. She didn’t dare put a name to it.

“Okay.” He took a step over to a club chair sitting in the corner. He sat on its edge, never taking his eyes from her.

An emptiness filled her. The distance between them was a gulf wider than the Grand Canyon. She sat up, unwilling to pretend the void didn’t exist.

He sprang to his feet and crossed the space between them in two strides. He knelt beside her, a hand gently resting on her knee.

“I feel . . . a little shaky,” she told him. Would you . . . lie down with me?”

An unreadable look passed across his features. “Okay.” He moved to the foot of the bed as she lay back against the down-filled pillow. He leaned over and slipped her sandals off and placed them on the floor. He did the same with his shoes before he eased onto the bed.

“Hold me,” she whispered, not believing what she’d asked. She barely knew him, and yet she needed him now. Him and only him. The why and the how? She’d think about those tomorrow. Hey, it worked for Scarlett O’Hara.

Nick pulled her into his arms. Her head rested against his heart. A sense of total relaxation came over her, mixed with a few stray butterflies still floating around inside her stomach.

He kissed the top of her head. “Go to sleep, Callie. You’re safe.”

She knew that. As she closed her eyes, she realized this was the only place in the world where she wanted to be.

In Nick’s arms.

Callie stirred. Nick sensed his time in paradise was about to end. Never had he been as content as he had for the past two hours with Callie next to him.

At first, he’d reveled in her very nearness. The subtle scent of honeysuckle wafting up, teasing him. When she moaned softly in her sleep, his arms tightened around her, wanting to ward off the bad dreams.

But most of all, Nick had come home. He was in Aurora, which had become a state of mind as much as an actual spot on the map. He knew this small town would always be home to him, no matter where his travels took him. He ran here to heal the emotional wounds Vanessa inflicted. Aurora was the refuge that gave him new life and confidence to emerge in the literary world as Nick Van Sandt.

And now Aurora held Callie, and she was here, in his arms. He spoke the truth when he told her that although he had sexual experience, he didn’t have much experience knowing women—or knowing anything about love.

But Callie was a woman he wanted to know. And love. The revelation didn’t frighten him as he would have suspected. Instead, he longed to spend time with her. Talk to her. Make her laugh. Have her read what he wrote. Enjoy meals together. Make love.

He smiled to himself and brushed a kiss on her temple. Hell, he wanted the whole package–his writing
and
Callie. He wanted to learn everything about her. See her perform. And become one with her. He wanted happiness and kids and a dog and a cat and a big house so they’d all have plenty of room to grow. And love.

Thoughts of a lifetime commitment with someone he’d barely met should have scared the hell out of him. He’d sworn never to get seriously involved with a woman again, much less marry one. Especially another self-absorbed actress.

Yet it was happening just like Tom told him it did. Tom said the first time he spoke to Pam, he knew.
He just knew.
And the feeling only grew stronger the more he got to know her. Nick remembered Tom shaking his head in wonder as he recalled the magic. And now Nick was experiencing the same certainty regarding Callie Chennault.

Already he knew Callie was smart, accomplished, sensitive, beautiful, and she had a sense of humor. And their sexual chemistry was the stuff men dreamed of. If plain old kissing could light the kind of heat they’d had going earlier, making love would ignite the covers in a four-alarm fire.

Or at least set off the smoke detectors.

But he knew this was different from anything else he’d ever experienced because simply holding her close seemed enough. If that’s all the gods of fortune gave him for the rest of his life, he could die a happy man.

Now to convince her of all of this. That was a tall order. He figured out that she was skittish around men. He couldn’t blame her. Plus, she had the hang-up about her appearance since her attack. He had to try and find a way not to scare her off and let her know that no matter what physical imperfections the assault caused, she would always be perfect in his eyes.

Callie sneezed. She started in his arms and then began scrambling wildly. He held on, not enough to hurt her, but enough to guarantee she wasn’t going anywhere.

“It’s me, Callie. Nick.”

She forced herself back to reality, which turned out to be almost as good as the dream she’d awakened from.

“We were in Cancun,” she murmured, calming as she curled into his rock-hard chest.

“We were?” She heard the surprise in his voice.

“Yep. Pina coladas. A big blanket unfolded on a pristine, secluded beach. Lots of hot sun beaming down on us, warming our skin.”

She caught the amusement in his eyes and smiled. “You just know those kinds of things in dreams.”

Nick stroked her arm. “So we were vacationing together. Maybe our honeymoon?”

She laughed. “Aren’t you taking things a little fast? We haven’t even been on a date yet.”

“Hmm.” He pressed a kiss on her brow. “We could count tonight. I mean, we rode in the same car. We shared dessert.”

“That is pretty personal,” she agreed.

“And we had the obligatory first date good night kiss,” he added.

She grinned. “Which one?”

He grinned right back. “It’s not like we have to single out a particular one. And here we are in bed. I guess the night turned out better than either of us expected.”

The thought should have appalled her. She didn’t take relationships lightly. But she found herself enjoying the idea. Of being with Nick. Of being in bed with Nick. Really in bed.

“I can’t tell you what a relief it is not to be afraid of you,” she confessed. “Besides Detective Waggoner, I haven’t been easy in a man’s company in months. Well, until tonight. Being around Eric and Tom seemed like old times again. Pam’s idea of a barbecue was a good start.”

“And being with me?”

She reached up and placed a finger against his lips. “You’re talking too much. Shut up and kiss me.”

She knew it was a cop out, but she didn’t want to keep analyzing herself when she had an unbelievable hunk of hotness next to her.

“Maybe tomorrow.” Nick sat up, taking her with him. He released her, bent and slipped on his shoes and then picked up her sandals.

She took them, a frown on her face. “So I guess this is good night?”

Nick smiled. “Well, I suppose there’s always the obligatory goodnight kiss . . .” His voice trailed off as he studied her mouth. Her stomach lurched in that funny way, so she cut her eyes to her sandals and concentrated on putting them on.

She stood slowly, not wanting a repeat performance from earlier.

“Walk you home?” he asked, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“Okay.”

She walked into his small den and picked up her purse from the floor, sliding it onto her shoulder. Nick opened the door. As they stepped onto the porch, he entwined his fingers through hers. Callie went giddy with the contact. It was like sixth grade all over, when a boy would hold your hand for the first time. Once upon a time, that had been the best feeling in the world.

She considered their linked fingers and smiled. It still was. They strolled slowly to the main house, no words necessary. Nick guided her to the back porch.

He gazed into her eyes, and Callie knew things had changed between them. It was a good change, but she didn’t understand the depth of it. For now, they had formed a bond. She wouldn’t question it. It was enough to know Nick was in her court.

He brushed a quick kiss against her mouth. It made her long for more contact, but he stepped back from her, dropping her hand.

“See me tomorrow? For dinner?”

“I can’t think of anything I’d like better.” Her reply surprised her. She usually censored her feelings, especially at the beginning of a relationship. If you could call this a relationship. “Will we kiss?”

Nick’s eyes met hers. “I’d like to think we could manage a little of that.” He gazed at her longingly. “I’d like to make you dinner. I’m no Essie, but I can grill a steak better than Bobby Flay. Plus, I toss a mean salad. Seven?”

“Seven,” she echoed. They stood looking at each other. Suddenly, Nick pulled her into his arms for a quick, searing kiss. Just as quickly, he released her.

“That was a preview. Like coming attractions at the movies.”

She giggled. “I would give that preview a thumbs up.”

“Where’s your key?” he asked. “You need to go to bed.”

She raised an eyebrow at him.

“I need you to go in and go to bed. For your sake as much as mine.”

She dug in her purse and pulled out her house key. He took it and inserted it into the lock.

“Damn,” he said softly.

“It wasn’t locked?”

“No. I’m going to have to have another come to Jesus meeting with Miz C and Essie.”

He handed her the key. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” She stepped into the dark kitchen. She turned to close the door and impulsively blew Nick a kiss. He caught it and tucked it into his pocket.

Callie shut the door and turned the deadbolt before she placed her purse down on the counter. She was emotionally wrung out. She opened the refrigerator and took out a bottled water, downing almost half of it before closing the door. She took the bottle with her as she went up the back staircase to her room.

A single light glowed on the nightstand. Essie must have left it on for her. She stepped into the room and shut the door, noticing that Wolf wasn’t on her bed. Aunt C had probably spoiled him rotten all night, and the dog had opted to sleep with her instead.

As she turned, her eyes went to the single, long-stemmed red rose lying across her pillow. Curiosity filled her. Why would Essie put a flower on her pillow?

She walked to the bed and picked it up. The flower had just begun to open. Its sweet, heavy aroma filled the air around her. She wondered if she still had a bud vase somewhere. If not, she knew where Essie collected them downstairs.

Then her eyes fell to an envelope on which the stem had rested. A creepy feeling edged up her spine. Her mouth went dry. Still, something compelled her to open it. Her hands shook as she did so.

She pulled out a single sheet of stationery. She held her breath as she unfolded it.

Thinking of you, dearest Jessica.

Fondly, Lipstick Larry

(No, not the fool you encountered. Your REAL and BIGGEST fan. Surprise!)