Authors: Moira Callahan
Chapter Three
Cateline drew her car to a stop before the large, slightly ominous gates
leading into Victorious’s compound. Rolling her window down, she dug out her
driver’s licence to hand over to the approaching guard. When she’d called to
let him know she was on her way, Shade had warned her she would need to show
ID.
She was grateful the last picture the DMV had taken didn’t make her look
like she belonged on America’s Most Wanted. She’d had to fight hard to get a
new picture taken, and had gotten lucky when the gal at the DMV had been
sympathetic.
The guard took the ID, and checked on the list before comparing her
licence picture to her face. He finally gave the card back, and then nodded to
someone she couldn’t see. “Straight up the lane, and park in any available
spot. Mr. Benson will meet you in the lot. Have a lovely evening ma’am.”
“Thank you,” she said. Tucking her licence away, Cat rolled the window
up while she waited on the gates to slide open. When she had room, she pulled
forward slowly. Unable to help herself, she watched the gates slide shut behind
her with a discernable clang.
The sound sent a chill down her spine. She didn’t know why she was
jumpy. This was Shade. The boy she’d loved grown into a man. A man she didn’t
know. Shaking off that insidious little voice in her head, she eased along the
path between the trees to the parking lot. She pulled into the first available
spot, and parked.
After wiping her sweaty palms to her slacks she climbed out. And nearly
came out of her skin. “For the love… Fucking hell, Shade.” Cateline pressed a
hand over her thundering heart in an attempt to keep it in her chest.
“Sorry, I thought you saw me.” He didn’t look sorry in the least, the
smug little shit.
So she did what she’d always done when he’d given her that look, and
smacked his arm. Only it hurt a lot more now than it had back in the day. “Damn
it. Are you wearing body armor under that shirt?” If that was muscle she might have
to revise her fantasies a bit.
Shaking his head at her, Shade took her hand in his and rubbed his thumbs
to her stinging palm. “Nope, all me. Come on, let me get you over to my place,
and I’ll get you a drink to help soothe the pain away. Though you deserve it
for hitting me.”
She narrowed her gaze on him. “You deserved to be smacked for scaring
the pants off me. That was not very nice, Shade.”
“I know, but I couldn’t resist.” He grabbed her bag from the back seat
before looping his arm through hers. “It’s a short walk from here. You going to
be okay in those shoes?”
Cateline looked down at her heels. They were only three inches, but she
needed them since she was damned short. “I walk in these all day, every day.
I’ll be fine.” She would be kicking them off at the first opportunity she had
available, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Good enough, let’s roll.”
Cat shifted until she was the one with her arm hooked through his. It
provided her the opportunity to check out the new, more muscular Shade Benson a
little. At least his arm. She knew he’d beefed up given she’d seen him live on
stage not that long ago. But she actually hadn’t been paying all that much
attention to his body at the time. Cat had been a little more focused on his
face, cataloguing all the little changes she’d noticed and the passion he
showed while playing.
Cateline didn’t attempt to make conversation while they walked. She was
much more interested in checking out the compound. Like many who followed the
band, she’d heard a bit about the place. There were no pictures beyond a few
fuzzy images from through the gates, or over the fences. Long lens shots from
the helicopters couldn’t get through and showed next to nothing. The men had
planned well for such things from what she could see. They’d left the older
trees trimmed up the trunk to not clog the views from the windows while leaving
a heavy canopy to prevent aerial pictures.
Shade moved slowly, likely to allow her to gawk as they went. She was
thankful for that. The last thing she needed to do was twist an ankle. She’d
never live it down if she did it while he was watching, especially after he’d
questioned her footwear choice.
There were seven houses total. Five she knew belonged to the band
members, and if the rumors were true, the other two were guest houses for when
their family members came to visit. Those who had family that was. All the
houses faced the same wide asphalt path and backed up to the high fence that
circled the land they owned.
“This place is amazing,” she told him when he stopped before a walkway.
“It vaguely feels like a gated community. Which I suppose it is when you think
about it.”
Shade grinned, and gave a shrug. “Pretty much how we wanted it to feel.
We all need our own space when we’re not touring to do our own shit. This way
we’re all close enough to work when someone gets hit by the muse, but can still
lead our own lives.”
Cateline stepped through the front door into his home and stopped.
“Wow,” she whispered. She couldn’t seem to decide where to look first.
The house had an open floor plan which circled around a wide staircase
leading to the second floor. Right above the entry was a skylight two stories
up, providing beautiful natural lighting to the space. Dark hardwood floors flowed
throughout the main floor, and carried up the stair treads. Shaking her head,
she took another couple steps in.
The living room to her right had windows for one wall with gauzy blinds still
lowered to mute the day’s blinding sunlight with heavy drapery tied back on
either side framing it. Large comfortable furniture filled the room that
centered on a fireplace with polished stone surround over which a big screen TV
hung currently showing an ocean view. Beyond that appeared to be a dining area.
Turning the other way she found numerous green plants, and a desk tucked
near a window. She let Shade pull her jacket off as she started to wander
through to touch a few flowering plants that caught her eye. “How do you keep
it all alive when you’re away?”
“There’s always security on the property, and they come in to check on
things and water the plants. They have warned me to stop getting them, though.
Apparently they fear we’ll come back one day and I’ll find this room enveloped.
It’s fine by me, I like having the green indoors.”
So did Cateline. She had to have a couple plants no matter where she
was. She’d smuggled in a couple to her office space. Simon had noticed, but he
hadn’t said anything yet about her attempt to bring life to the austere office
space. One day soon Cat figured he’d pipe up.
Pausing near a large reading chair she smiled. Shade always had loved to
read. That he’d made himself a nook surrounded by nature didn’t surprise her in
the least. It was a cozy spot with a chair large enough for two.
She shook off where her mind seemed determined to lead her and continued
through the green space into the next area. Which turned out to be an in
kitchen eating area. The kitchen itself was massive with a door through to the
dining room. There was also a small hallway that she guessed held laundry, and
likely a half bath for guests to use.
Cateline moved to the door that led from the kitchen, and stared out at
his large back yard. Heat at her back warned her Shade was close. She wasn’t
surprised when he reached around to open the door. “Go on out,” he told her.
With a quick look up at him she stepped out onto the deck. It was a
large area with seating, a dining table, and the prerequisite barbecue area
that appeared to have everything an outdoor kitchen needed. Taking the three
steps down off the deck, she looked around and smiled. It was extremely green
with brightly colored flowering bushes providing splashes here and there to
break up the monotony. The air was warm, but not hot. The tree canopy overhead
filtered the light and heat to keep the area at a comfortable temperature.
“This is an amazing place you have, Shade.” Standing out there, it was
easy to forget she was in Los Angeles, well the outskirts technically. She knew
there were neighbors somewhere beyond the thick brush that covered the wall surrounding
the property, but even they seemed far away in the quiet.
“We did rather well I like to think. My biggest thing was having
someplace quiet when I needed to decompress.”
“You definitely have that here. You can’t hear anything but the birds
chirping, and the occasional bee zipping around.”
“I’ve been considering putting in a little fountain. Nothing huge, but a
little something to add another layer to the area. But I’ve been
procrastinating about it since I’m not sure if it’s what I want deep down.”
There was something in his voice that made her turn to look up at him.
Licking her suddenly dry lips, Cateline fought for her next breath. “Is there
something you want more than anything else?” She couldn’t believe she’d blurted
out that potentially loaded question.
His hand came up to trace a finger down her cheek. “Maybe.”
Not exactly the answer she wanted. Cat wasn’t ready to push for more
yet. Instead she let her gaze drop to his t-shirt covered chest. Clearing her
throat, she shifted her weight. “Do you have someplace I could change? I hate
to be an ungrateful houseguest, but if I don’t get these nylons off in about
ten seconds I may have to throw a fit.”
Shade let out a laugh, and nodded. “Yeah, I’ll show you to the
guestroom. You can get changed in there.” He slipped his hand into hers, lacing
their fingers together.
It was familiar, and comfortable. Cateline likely should have pulled
back but she couldn’t. She needed that small moment with him before they got to
talking. Before she admitted the mess her life had been for a time, and that
she was continuing to work on. She only hoped he wouldn’t ask her to leave.
Squeezing his fingers she fought not to tear up. Cat wasn’t quite as sure she’d
survive losing him again, but this time it would be all her own fault.
Chapter Four
Shade stood outside the room he’d given to Cateline for longer than he
likely should have. Resting his hand to the door he was attempting to puzzle
out why she’d looked forlorn when he’d brought her back inside the house. Their
brief conversation in the yard played over and over in his head, yet he
couldn’t figure out what he was missing.
Finally he turned, and headed back down to the main level. He needed to
get dinner from the oven and feed her. Maybe all she needed was some food.
Could be something as simple as low blood sugar that he was misreading her
expressions. Shade didn’t know her as well as he’d like to any longer. He hated
that he didn’t.
Blowing out a breath, he grabbed the oven mitts, and pulled out the
lasagna. When he turned to set it on the counter he nearly dropped it. Setting
it down, Shade pressed a hand over his pounding heart, and moved to the door.
“What the hell are you guys doing here?” he demanded, barely remembering to
keep his voice down.
“You made lasagna, why wouldn’t we be here?” Chase asked.
Shade kept his body firmly planted in the doorway attempting to keep
them from coming in. “Because I have company, and therefore no lasagna for
you.”
“What? Come on man,” Mark pleaded. “You are going to deny us gooey
goodness because she’s swayed you with her gorgeous face?”
“Damn straight I am.” A warm hand on his back made Shade tense up.
“Let them in, Shade,” Cat told him quietly.
“Yeah, Shade, let us in,” Chase said with a quick nod. He pushed up on
his toes to try see over Shade’s shoulder, but it was a futile move given how
short Cat was and how close she was to his body. “Good Lord, is she sitting on
the floor?”
Knowing he wouldn’t get them back out without at least introducing
Cateline, Shade let out a groan, and shifted enough for her to peek around his
arm.
“No, not sitting on the floor,” she told them. “Sadly, I’m vertically
challenged, though.”
“Well, hello there,” Mark said in a purring tone that put up Shade’s
hackles. “Shade never told us you were gorgeous.”
“I have a feeling Shade hasn’t told you jack shit about me, and you are
attempting to fish for information. Poorly, too, I must tell you.”
Shade grinned at her words. He couldn’t help it. That was the Cat he
remembered, always ready to call bullshit if the situation demanded it.
“Oh, burn,” Chase said, slapping Mark on the back. “The crispy critter
here is Mark, and I am Chase. We didn’t mean to be intrusive, at least not in
an obvious manner, about finding out who you were. But the lure of Shade’s
lasagna proved too much, and it did provide the perfect opportunity to get some
information to take back to share with the others.”
“Nice to meet you, Chase,” she said. Then she gave Mark a frosty look,
and sniffed delicately. “I think we might be able to spare you a slice or two.
But you won’t be staying,” she told them.
When she gave him a look. he knew she was worried about overstepping.
Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, Shade drew her into his side tight.
“I’ll throw in beers if you clear out in under two minutes.”
The two men shared a look, and nodded. “Deal,” they both agreed.
“Fine.” Stepping back, Shade drew Cat with him to keep her from get
trampled. Mark and Chase strolled inside, and went straight to the cupboard to
pull out plates. “Sorry about this,” he whispered to Cat. He’d hoped, obviously
in vain, his bandmates would leave them be for at least the evening. It was
clear he needed to have another talk with them about boundaries. Especially
when he had already told them to stay the hell away from his place.
Chase stopped before Cat, and tucking his beer bottle under his arm held
out his hand to her. “It was lovely to meet you mystery lady. If Shade doesn’t
treat you right you let us know, and we’ll take him out for you.”
“Get out,” Shade said. He was all for joking around, but the guys were pushing
his buttons big time.
“When you report back to the other two, make up something wonderfully
indecent if you would,” Cateline told him. “Perhaps something that managed to
shock you. But I wouldn’t go back to report until you’ve eaten. If they smell
the lasagna on you they’ll know you’re pulling their legs.”
“She has a point,” Mark said. He gave her a once over, and nodded. “Be
good to him.”
A sad look slid across her face for a moment before she banished it.
“I’ll try,” she whispered.
Frowning, Shade hugged her closer to him, and gave a single shoulder
shrug at his friends’ look. When they were finally gone, Shade closed and
locked the door before lowering the blinds to keep any others from getting any
other bright ideas.
Then he turned her to face him, and cupped her cheeks. “What’s going on
in your head, kitten?”
She looked away, and gave a small shrug. “I don’t want to discuss it
yet, please.”
“Okay, we’ll table it for the moment. But we are going to talk about
what’s bothering you, Cat. I hate the thought that you’re hurting for any
reason. I can’t help if you don’t talk about it.” Pressing a kiss to her
forehead, Shade drew her in for a hug. “Food first, heavy discussion topics
after we’ve had some drinks.”
He felt her nod against his chest. Holding onto her for a moment longer,
Shade rubbed a hand slowly up and down her back. Only when she relaxed, and let
out a breath did he loosen his hold. One way or another he’d get her to talk to
him. He could only hope his old bag of tricks would still work where she was
concerned.
****
Dinner began a little awkwardly, but by the time they were halfway
through, it was like old times. They teased, they talked about mundane things,
and basically found their connection again. It was great. Until he began to
clean up.
Then he felt Cateline’s anxiety ratcheting up. Shade hated the helpless
feeling that swamped him as he put the last dishes away. Drying his hands off,
he turned to look at her. She had a faraway look on her face, one that cut
right to his heart with the sadness it showed.
Grabbing his beer, he moved to her side to pick up her wineglass, and took
her hand. He tugged her from the room, turning lights off as he went, until
they were in his greenery room. Shade settled down in the reading chair, and
tugged her down into his lap. “Shh, we’re not going to talk unless you want to.
I need to hold you, kitten.”
His words seemed to relax her, and she curled up in his lap like she’d
done many times in the past. Easily, and with easily given trust, all Shade
could do was wrap his arms around her to hold her closer. Lifting a hand he
began to stroke her hair. It was something that soothed them both. For her, she
relaxed more into his body becoming nearly boneless in her posture, and for
Shade, it eased his protective urges where she was concerned.
He knew the moment she fell asleep. The little snuffle snort made him
grin. Still the same odd sound as always, another reassurance she wasn’t all
that different. Moving slowly he pulled a blanket off the footstool to cover
her with, and then reached out to turn the lamp off. He slipped his feet up
onto the stool, adjusted the chair slightly, and settled in for the night.
While he might regret sleeping in the armchair come morning, it didn’t
matter. He knew better than to attempt moving Cat once she was out. He hadn’t
given her the kitten nickname merely because it was a play on words given her
name. His little kitten truly did have claws on her. Something he’d discovered
quite by accident.
A soft buzzing noise pulled him from his thoughts. Stifling a curse
Shade shifted her enough to slide his cell from his pocket. Pulling up the text
he shook his head.
SongBird:
All good?
Shade thought for a moment on his answer. Then he sent back:
She’s
asleep, all good.
It wasn’t an answer, but it was all he could give Jeremy
in the moment. Since Shade didn’t have any answers to all his questions, it
wasn’t like he could give anyone else anything either.
Setting the phone aside, he made sure the vibrate feature was off, as
was the sound. He didn’t want anything disturbing Cateline’s sleep. He had a
feeling she wouldn’t be sleeping for long, at least not in his lap. She’d
eventually want to stretch out, not easy when in a chair.
With that thought in mind Shade tucked the throw around her followed by
his arms. Dropping a kiss to her hair, he turned his cheek to rest against her
hair for a moment before letting his head rest to the chair back. He let out a
breath, and closed his eyelids, allowing the day’s events to drift away. It
left him with her soft breathing the only sound in the room, and her soft
comforting scent to ease him into sleep.