Authors: MK Harkins
A few moments later, I hear pounding and Sophie yelling from the other side of the elevator doors. “Get this thing open before I become violent! You don’t understand. There’s a medical situation going on in there. If those doors aren’t opened in ten seconds, I’m calling 911 and having you arrested!”
It takes all of five seconds, and the doors open.
“Thank God! Laurel, are you okay?” Sophie runs in and takes her by the elbow, leading her out. She gives Harvey a glare, ripping off the ‘Closed for Maintenance’ sign as she passes him.
Harvey looks down at the floor and winces. “Sorry, Cade. She threatened me.”
I laugh. “No problem, Harvey. I’m sorry to put you through that.” I look over to make sure Laurel is doing okay. “She has an
elevator phobia I didn’t know about.”
Harvey’s eyes widen as he shakes his head. “Only you, Cade,” and breaks out into loud guffaws.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” I respond while giving him a playful punch in the arm, which might have been a little hard.
“Ouch! Don’t blame me. I can’t wait until everyone hears about this. You finally get a girlfriend then go and blow it by torturing her in an elevator.” He can’t stop laughing.
“I didn’t blow it.” At least I hope not. I look again at Laurel. Her coloring looks better.
She looks over at me and gives a little wave. “See? She’ll be okay. Thanks again for trying to help. I do appreciate it. Sorry about facing the wrath of Sophie. She can be a bit much when it comes to Laurel. You know, best friends and all that.”
“I would have thought they were sisters by the way she was acting, except they don’t look anything alike. They are both gorgeous though. Good job Cade.” He punches me back on my shoulder.
I shake my head and make my way over to the girls. “Are you feeling better?” I ask Laurel.
She nods. I can tell she’s still trying to get her equilibrium
back.
“She’s a mess!” Sophie exclaims.
I take a closer look at Laurel. She looks gorgeous with her messy hair and clothes. “What are you talking about. She looks beautiful.” Our eyes connect, and we smile.
“You didn’t take advantage of her vulnerable state did you?” Sophie questions me.
I laugh. “More like the other way around.”
Sophie shakes her head. “No way. You’re forgetting the fact I’ve known Laurel a lot longer than you. She would never do that. She has her golden rule about not having sex unless she’s in love.” She stops suddenly, realizing what she’s just revealed.
I smile over to Laurel. “Did Sophie just tell me you love me?”
Laurel
No she didn’t. She didn’t just out me to Cade. I look at his handsome, smiling face, and I decide I don’t care. I grab Cade by the hand and say to Sophie, “We have some catching up to do. See you later!” I giggle at her surprised expression.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“Anywhere, as long as we can be alone. Are you okay with that?” Cade questions as he opens the car door for me.
“More than okay.” This time, I get into the passenger seat. I’m so happy, I can hardly contain myself.
“I’d like to bring you to my house.” He gives me a sidelong glance. I’m unable to hide my momentary expression. I remember the shape his house was in last time I was there.
He smirks, knowing exactly what my conflicted features revealed. “I cleaned it up the day after I met you. Actually, it was right after our lunch at the pier.”
I remember that day and
that
kiss in the darkened corridor all too clearly.
“Really? Right after? Why?” This is curious news. By the way his house looked, it appeared it hadn’t been cleaned in…well, maybe never.
“I was embarrassed you saw it, and me, like that.” Cade’s driving, but he looks out the window, his cheeks pinking a little.
My heart takes another tumble, jumping out of my chest to
joins his. He has it now. I hope he’s gentle with it.
Cade seems to recover, looking over at me. “You’re good for me, Laurel. I don’t think you know it yet, but I think I’ll be good for you, too. We’ll be good together.” His smile goes straight to his eyes, crinkling them. I love his eyes. I love him. I have to laugh at myself because, thanks to Sophie, he already knows I love him.
Thank goodness I’m almost completely over the elevator scare. I can now spend my time focusing on Cade. This has been a long time coming, and I’m going to enjoy every minute.
∗∗∗
I wake up slowly, knowing exactly where I am. I haven’t moved in four days. Well, maybe for food and showers, but that’s about it. Both our cell phones have been turned off, something we’ve never done before. We did warn everyone we were going to be off the grid, but I’m sure they thought we were kidding. We weren’t.
I roll over and stare some more at Cade, my new favorite pastime. My eyes linger on his lips, which are full and soft and just delicious. I contemplate giving them a little lick when I notice Cade’s mouth curve up into that heart-stopping smile.
He suddenly pulls me into him, whispering into my neck,
“Again? You were serious when you said we were making up for lost time. Are you trying to kill me?”
“Are you complaining?” I tease.
He leans in to kiss a trail of fire up my neck. “Me? Hell, no. I’d die a happy man.”
I giggle and turn toward him. He starts to slowly raise my t-shirt when a sudden pounding on the bedroom door stops him in his tracks.
I sit up, holding the blanket to my chest. “Does anyone have the key to your house?” I don’t think a burglar would knock on the bedroom door, but the sudden noise has my heart racing.
“A few people. I was wondering when this would happen. I’ll go see if I can get rid of them.” He hops out of bed and throws on a worn pair of jeans. No shirt.
He looks like a fantasy, my fantasy. He’s mine now. Mine. I let the joy spread over me like warm honey on a hot scone.
Cade looks back at me. “Just one more kiss before we have to face the world.” He runs and takes a leap at me, almost jostling me off the bed. Once our laughter subsides, he looks at me, suddenly
becoming serious. “These past days have been the best of my life. My entire life, Laurel.” He kisses me softly, sweetly.
I thought I couldn’t love him more, but he keeps proving me wrong. The sensuous, soft kiss starts to become heated. I don’t think we can do anything soft for too long. I smile as I bury my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling him.
“Okay, you two lovebirds, time’s up!” Scott yells from behind the door.
Cade smirks. “Scott should be easy to get rid of. Give me ten minutes, and we can finish what you just started.” He winks at me, momentarily hiding his gorgeous blue eye. Everything he does is playful, fun, and sensual. I’m in a dreamy haze of love and lust, and even though I know this type of happiness can’t last forever, I’m going to savor every second.
Opening the door, Cade is shoved to one side as Scott barges in. I scurry to make sure I’m all covered up.
“I knew it!” Scott bellows. “Sophie wouldn’t tell me anything except that the two of you needed ‘alone’ time to work things out.” He looks Cade up and down then turns to me sitting in the disheveled bed and remarks, “Yeah, I’d say you’ve done a good job working
things out.” He shakes his head, muttering, “It’s about time. What took you so long?” he questions.
Cade and I look at each other, and we break out laughing.
Cade pats Scott on his shoulder. “Actually, Scott, we still have a few details we need to go over.”
Good God, he’s smiling at me with those dimples. I put my hands over my face in an attempt to hide my embarrassment.
“Cade, did you forget? It’s Sunday.”
“So?” He looks confused.
“Mattie is having the brunch for us? Before we head out on tour. You can’t do a no-show. She’s gone to a lot of trouble. We’re all going, remember?”
“When do we need to be there?” Cade asks.
“One hour. You’d better hurry.”
“We’d better hurry you mean. Laurel? Can you do it, get ready in an hour?”
“You mean you want me to come?” I’m glowing. I’m so excited, I have to contain myself from jumping up and down. Will we go as a couple? I guess I can go with the flow. If Cade wants to keep
his distance, I can be okay with that. I hope. “Sure. As long as I can have the shower first?” I ask.
Cade walks over and takes me in his arms. He nuzzles my neck while whispering in my ear. “I like you just like this, but yes, you can shower first.” He licks my neck, takes a nibble from my earlobe, and says, “Yes, you’re luscious all right.”
We’ve been like this for four glorious days. I wonder what will happen when we step back out into the real world. I wish we could hide here forever.
Cade
“I wish we didn’t have to go,” I complain.
“I wouldn’t either if I were you. Shit, Cade, I thought she was good looking before, but with her hair a mess and that rumpled t-shirt, I don’t think I’d leave my bedroom for at least a year.”
I give Scott a good punch in the arm. “You’re talking about my Laurel. Cut it out.”
Scott laughs. “I knew that would get to you. Seriously, I’m really happy for you. She’s perfect for you.”
“I know, I know, and now you’re waiting for me to say you’re right. But you know what? Finally, I don’t mind. You were right, Scott. Ah, that actually felt good.” We laugh together.
“Hey, now that you and Laurel are together, can you put in a good word for me with Sophie?” He’s back to looking serious. “Now that’s a woman I could settle down with. Although, I don’t think anything would be domestic with her. But, it would make for an interesting life. How about it, do you think you can sway her to me?”
I know what he’s asking. He wants to make sure Ayden doesn’t get to her first.
“There’s no way I’m getting in the middle of this, Scott. This has all the markings of a huge, drama filled mess.
His shoulders slump. “I thought you’d say that. Hell, it just means I’ll need to work harder.”
I know I’ll need to sit down with both Scott and Ayden. Laurel and Sophie will be touring with us, and I don’t want them so distracted by their infatuation with Sophie that it creates unnecessary drama. Sophie needs to pick one or the other. Preferably neither. I’ll need to ask Laurel about this later.
Laurel exits the bathroom exactly fifty-five minutes later,
looking exquisite. She’s more beautiful than yesterday. How is that possible? She’s wearing a pair of tight black jeans, spiky black sandals, and a white t-shirt. Her light brown hair is loose, flowing down over her shoulders. Her streak remains pink, as it has been these past four days, her happy color.
We get rid of Scott and head for the garage. Laurel looks over at me with a gleam in her eyes. “Would you consider letting me drive?” She smiles sweetly at me.
“My baby? You want to drive her?”
“Yes! Yes!” She takes the keys from my hands before I can change my mind.
“Do you know how to drive a stick?” This could be a long drive.
“Of course. My dad had a Lexus 460 Sport when I was younger. He never allowed me to drive it. Let’s just say I gave it a little exercise when he was out of town.”
“I didn’t know you were a rebel, Laurel,” I tease.
She tips her head back and laughs. I love this carefree side of Laurel. She looks so young as she buckles the seat belt.
“Ready?” she asks.
I cover my eyes and pretend I can’t watch. She laughs again as she revs the engine.
When we arrive in the driveway at Jeremy and Mattie’s house, I make a quick exit from the car. Bounding up the steps two at a time, I make my way through the twisty path to their front lawn. I flop down on the grass, like I just risked life and limb allowing her to drive. She follows me, giving me a little nudge with her scandal. I grab her foot, and she loses balance, tumbling onto me, breaking her fall. I switch places with her so I’m on top.
She squirms beneath me. “Cade! You’re getting grass stains on my shirt!” She tries to wrestle me off.
This is too good to pass up, so I slowly, leisurely, bring my lips to hers. We could have been kissing for seconds, minutes, or hours. All I know is, I never want to stop. I take the wayward pieces of her hair that have fallen over her face and tuck them behind her ears. I cup her face in my hands.
“Laurel,” I whisper, and our eyes connect. “I’ve never felt like this before.”
∗∗∗
I need to act quickly. Cade’s car is parked at the end of the driveway, out of sight of the yard and house. I’ve studied the Lexus 460, and I know just what to do. The trick is to orchestrate a sudden failure that looks like it occurred with normal operation. The brake system is split, left front/right rear and right front/left rear. If I slightly puncture two hoses with precise depth, it will hold pressure for, at the most, ten miles.
I get under the car and make the necessary cuts. Getting up rapidly, I remove the Slim Jim I purchased off the Internet from my case. Unlocking the car door easily, I put the second part of my plan to work – disabling the driver airbag and SRS dash light. I don’t want any warnings indicating what will ultimately happen. There’s no going back now. I wipe the tears from my face. I didn’t want it to come to this, but I can’t bear to see my dad’s disappointed face again. I know once this is taken care of, my dad will proud of me again. I’ll be successful, just like he always wanted. No one will ever know what I’ve done.
Chapter 23
Laurel
All the fight has left my body. “Me either,” I respond. Cade leans down to kiss me again when I hear someone clearing their throat. “I guess your status has been upgraded from business associates?” Jeremy asks.
Cade laughs. “You better believe it!” He grabs my hand and pulls me up.
Jeremy smiles at us both. “Mattie said this would happen. She saw it last time you were here, even though you both denied it. She’s smart like that,” he says proudly. This is a man who loves his wife.
Cade puts his arm around me. “I knew it also. I just needed to convince her.”
I elbow him in his side.
“Hey, can you move your car? I’m off to get the famous scones. I haven’t missed a Sunday yet.”
I throw him the keys. “Why don’t you take Cade’s baby? He’d love to have one more person drive his car today.” That will serve him
right for giving me grass stains.