Famous (Famous #1) (40 page)

Her feet were moving in what looked like choreographed steps, her hair swinging across her back as she moved…
Hmmm,
I thought,
when did she learn to do this?

She was singing to a Jennifer Lopez song and then she set down the knife as she continued to dance, really getting into it. I smiled and raised a hand to my mouth to stifle a laugh, leaving the other crossed on my chest as I watched her.

She did a pivot turn and froze when she saw me standing there. My grin split into a wide smile.

Her face lit up when our eyes met, and then she covered the ten feet separating us and threw herself in my arms. I caught her easily as she jumped in my arms, her legs winding around my waist.

I crushed her to me as my mouth took hers in a hot, wet kiss.

“Mmmmmm,” I moaned into her mouth. “I’ve been waiting a hundred years for this.”

My hand went to the back of her head to bring her mouth back against mine as I continued to kiss her for several more minutes.

Finally, she pulled her head back to look into my eyes and then raised her right eyebrow at me. “How long have you been here?” she asked accusingly, but she was smiling.

“Not long enough.” I grinned back. “Where did you learn to do that? It was very sexy.” I started to kiss down her neck lightly with my open mouth. I felt her tremble as the goose bumps appeared on her skin. My hands were holding her to me, at her waist on both sides.

“My trainer insisted that Latin rhythm was good for my core. She said it tightens the stomach muscles, your ass and legs,” she said as her head tipped up to rain kisses on my jaw.

“Remind me to send your trainer a gift,” I teased. “As long as it’s not
Noah
.”

She laughed and tightened her arms around me, her face twisting wryly. “Ah. You aren’t jealous of Noah, are you?”

I inhaled the scent of her skin, but ignored the question. “Mmmm, you’re so delicious. I’ve missed you, babe.”

I walked over and sat her on the marble island in the middle of the kitchen, pulling her tight against my body. Her legs were on either side of me, heels digging into the back of my thighs, and her arms still around my shoulders; felt amazing. I kissed her again and again, as my hands pulled her pelvis flush against mine. I couldn’t stop. I was starving for her. My hands skimmed her body and wound in her hair as I slanted my mouth across hers in a deep kiss.

I felt myself start to throb and tighten in my jeans. I pushed into her heat, my hands at her hips pulling her closer.

She moaned on my mouth. “God, Cade, don’t start,” she begged.

“Why not?” I whispered against her open mouth as she gasped.

“Because I’m making dinner now, and,” She kissed me again deeply, “I’ve got plans for you later.” She drew back and looked in my eyes. Her lips quirked as she rubbed the tip of her nose with mine then placed a series of feather light kisses on my face and mouth.

“You do, hmmm?” I smiled and pressed against her again, taking her mouth softly with mine, sucking on her lips, first the top, then the bottom. My arms wound around her, pulling her close to my chest. “That sounds perfect.”

“Ugh…” Against her will she pressed closer to me and nipped at my lower lip with her teeth. “Yes,” she said softly. “So why don’t you go get a beer, a shower and relax while I finish up?”

“Do I have to?” I asked, practically begging, my hand going to the side of her face as I kissed the opposite cheek and temple, moving back to the curve of her neck where I licked her skin and then breathed softly where it was damp.

She shuddered against me, as my other hand pressed her more firmly against my hardness as I moved on her. I breathed in her scent and moaned. God, I love those sounds.

“Yes! You have to. Please?” She placed a soft kiss on my mouth. “Pretty please, with sugar on top?” Another kiss. “I promise it will be worth it.” More little kisses… as her mouth ghosted against mine. She was driving me wild, and I wanted more.

I took her mouth, my tongue diving into the warm orifice and hers coming to meet mine. I was starving for her, my hands roaming up and down her back, pushing on her ass to bring her tighter against my body. The heat radiating from her was literally burning me alive as her hands went to my hair and she pulled my mouth even closer to her own. The intensity of her response sent fire trailing through my veins.

I broke off the kiss and moved away abruptly, kissing her hand.

“If you insist.” I smiled wickedly as I knew she was left panting for more. I’d be bloody well damned if I’d be suffering the next couple of hours alone.

I grinned at her. She was so beautiful, her eyes alight with passion, her hair wild, and her breasts heaving as her breath came in spurts. I left her sitting on the counter with her bare legs spread on the edge of the counter her hand moving to her hair.

She was so gorgeous. I wanted to go back and take up where I left off, who was I to not give her what she wanted.

I watched her with intent eyes as I walked to the refrigerator to get a beer. I knew she could see the naked longing in my eyes, but I was going to enjoy every last moment with her.

It had been so long since we’d had anytime to just hang out, talk, or share a meal alone. I wanted to savor every second of this weekend.

“What are you making for dinner?” I leaned my back against the counter by the refrigerator, as I looked that the herbs and various types of greens she was chopping on the board.

“Um, Grilled steak with béarnaise sauce, roasted new potatoes with parsley butter, mixed greens with dried cranberries, almonds, feta and poppy seed dressing,” she said offhandedly as she hopped down off of the island.

I smiled at her. “Sounds good, love, but I’m more interested in um, what’s for dessert?” Her eyebrows raised as her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes lit up with a devilish gleam.

“Fresh strawberries and cream,” she said softly then ran her tongue across her lips and then her teeth came out to bite her lower lip as she raised her eyes to mine.

She resumed her chopping as I watched. She was an amazing cook on top of it all.
Mmmm,
I thought.
Strawberries and cream just like her skin.
What more could a man want in a woman? She was beautiful, smart, funny as hell and she cooked; in more ways than one. Am I a lucky sod or what?

I smiled to myself.

I let out my breath in a small huff as I shook my head slightly and then took a drink of the beer.

“What?” she wanted to know.

“Nothing.” I grinned. “Did you get my gift?” I walked up behind her and kissed her shoulder softly. Goose bumps ran down her arms as I moved to kiss her neck.

“Mmmmm.” She put down the knife and turned to face me. Her hands went to my chest as she leaned into me and my arms moved around her. “Yes, it’s just gorgeous. I love it.” A seductive smile on her lips, her eyes limpid with love. “Jeanne said you designed it for me, it’s so insanely romantic. You overwhelm me.” Her arms slid up my chest around my neck and into my hair, before tugging gently. It drove me crazy, and Brook knew it.

“No, I’m going to be overwhelmed when you wear it,” I whispered as I bent to her mouth and brushed it with mine.

“Um,” she began and then returned my kiss, her mouth as soft on mine as mine was on hers.

“Yes? What is it?” I murmured as I trailed my mouth across her cheek.

“It looks,” she hesitated. “Well it looks…”

I nuzzled her neck and breathed in her scent, a heady mixture of soap, shampoo and musky perfume. I knew what she was asking. “Like a bride?”

“Yes.” She looked in my face and raised her hand to my jaw.

“That’s the idea,” I said softly. I was drowning in the blue depths. “Can we pretend a bit?” I begged against her mouth as I gave in to kissing her again. “It’s my highest wish.” I sighed and rested my forehead on hers, sliding the back of my knuckles along her cheek.

“Anything you want, you know that,” she said in return as she surrendered her lips to mine. After another series of intense kisses, she finally pulled back and put her head on my chest, and kissed it softly.

“Why don’t you get a shower while I finish up? I’ll get ready before we sit down for dinner.” She placed another super soft and sensual kiss on my mouth, her tongue darting into my mouth as she teased me, pulling on my lips with her own.

“Brook.” My arms tightened around her as I buried my face in the curtain of her hair. “I love you.” I pulled back and shouted into the room surrounding us. “I love you!”

We laughed together, then sobered, our eyes intent on each other’s.

Brook kissed my neck and then ran her mouth down my chest, trailing a path with her tongue and it scorched my skin through my shirt, her breath hot on my skin. Her hand moved around to squeeze my ass as she smirked playfully up at me. I smiled down at her as her eyes flirted with mine.

“You’re so damn sexy, I don’t know if I’ll be able to wait until after dinner.” My thumb traced her lower lip as I stared at her mouth.

She offered a sexy smile and raised her lazy, half-lidded gaze to mine.

“You
will
wait. And be glad you did,” she promised as she raised her right eyebrow and patted my butt once more, smiling slightly. “It’s just as difficult for me, I promise. Now, off to the shower with you, babe.” Her hand ran down my arm as she turned back to her work on the meal. “Maybe you should make it a cold one?” she suggested.

“Bloody hell! No way,” I moaned as I picked up my bag and made my way down the hall, her soft laughter following me as I went.
Brilliant.

Chapter 21

Dreams Fulfilled

Cade came out of the shower shirtless in black silk pajama bottoms and my heart skipped a beat.

“You’re hotter than hell, do you know that?” I asked him in astonishment as I stared at his perfect form. His body called to me like a siren song. His muscled arms, chest and the six pack across his taut stomach.

M
mmm
…
It was all I could do not to go to him and touch every inch of his skin. His beautiful face was so
intense with desire, my skin burned as he looked at me.


Holy fuck
,
I thought. Cade’s mouth quirked and I thought he was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.

“As long as
you
think so,” he said softly; simple words made sensual by the man saying them. “Can I help with anything, love?”

“You can open the wine so it can breathe for about an hour before dinner.” I nodded toward the bottle of Cabernet on the counter. I had a bottle of Dom Perignon in the refrigerator for later and I smiled to myself at the thought of the evening to come.

“What are you thinking about?” Cade asked, his eyes following every move I made. He moved to pick up the corkscrew and the wine.

I had the sauce ready for the steak, the salad was done and the potatoes were in the oven roasting. “I’m just happy to be here with you like this.” I lifted my gaze to his.

“It’s a dream,” he agreed, his blue eyes smoldering.

My heart lurched. He always said the most perfect things. “Cade,” I shook my head in wonder. “You’re so perfect.” My shoulders shrugged. “I can’t believe you love me,” I breathed.

He put down the wine and took me in his arms, whispering into my hair.

“Of course, I do. More than anything.” He kissed my lips softly and then took my face in his hands as he stared down at me. “More than my career, or even my life. I don’t want you to ever doubt that, Brooklyn. I know you think I’m this star, but I’m just me. All of that isn’t who I am, and to me, it’s
you
. You’re the perfect one.” Then his mouth closed over mine in the sweetest, softest kiss I’d ever felt.

I sighed dreamily. “I love you more than that.”

“Hardly,” he murmured against my mouth, distracted slightly by the direction of his thoughts. “Don’t you have something to do about now, beautiful girl?” He smiled sheepishly and squeezed my butt with one hand.

“Before dinner?” I was surprised, despite the touches, kisses and love words.

“If you don’t mind.”

“Okay.” I blushed and nodded as he brushed his knuckles against my cheek.

“Can you handle watching things? The potatoes have a timer and will need to be taken out when it goes off. The steak needs to go on the grill in about thirty minutes, then four minutes on each side for medium rare. Can you handle that?” I teased.

“Yeah. Of course.” He kissed me again and brushed his thumb along my jaw. “Down the hall with you now. Go make my dreams come true.”

“I’ll try,” I breathed as my hand came up to touch his face. “You might also want to find some music. There is an iPod dock so I’m sure you’ve got some favorites, huh?”

I hugged his waist and placed a few open mouth kisses along his chest, my mouth soft on his skin. He shuddered.

“I have something in mind for tonight, yes.” His hand at the back of my head ran through my hair making me tremble. I left him and walked down the hall, my heart pounding in my chest.

After my bath, I found some clips and bobby pins and pulled my hair up on top of my head, leaving some tendrils falling on both sides, a soft pile of curls at the crown. I took a large open white rose and some baby’s breath from one of the arrangements in the bedroom and pinned it to the left side of the upsweep. Placing a few more pieces of the baby’s breath here and there throughout my hair, I was satisfied with it and knew Cade would appreciate the extra effort.

I took special care with my makeup as well, choosing some silver eye shadow to sweep underneath my brows and some smoke grey to outline my eyes. Soft pink blush and shiny gloss on my lips made them look wet. Cade’s diamond bracelet shimmered on my wrist, and diamond drop earrings were my only other jewelry.

He wanted me to look like a bride, so I’d do my best for him. I didn’t wear a necklace so my skin would be unobstructed to his exploration. I had some new Giorgio Armani perfume, and I sprayed it lightly over my whole body. My skin was smoothed with matching body lotion, the delicate, but musky scent floating all around me.

I needed to be everything he wanted. To assault all of his senses, touch, sight, smell, taste and give him everything I had.

I put on the gown and looked at myself in the mirror.

It was completely sheer except for the lace inset that shimmered around the waist. The translucent fabric glowing against my skin, where it skimmed my curves. Every part of my body was clearly visible underneath. My nipples, the blonde curls on my sex, like I was completely naked… yet, better somehow.

I smiled as I realized he’d designed this nightgown. It was so flipping intimate.

My heart stopped in my chest, and swelled at the thought of his tender and passionate lovemaking. My stomach tightened and the heat rushed lower between my legs. I took a shaky breath as I took the duster and slipped it on.

Completely made of lace, except the sleeves until midway between my elbow and wrist, it would cover the nakedness beneath during dinner. There was a white satin ribbon that was woven in and out of the shimmering lace around the empire waist, and I tied in a bow beneath my breasts. The deep V of the neckline echoed that of the nightgown underneath, giving a hint of what was to come when it was removed.

I smiled as I looked at my reflection. I removed all of my rings and bracelets, letting the gown be the focus. The princess seams fitted to my body below my breasts, through the waist and skimming the hips before flowing out, and a little longer in the back to sweep the floor.

Wow.

Incredibly, he thought of everything
.
 My stomach fluttered as I lit the candles in the bedroom and the bathroom. I went to the door and
hesitated. I felt the butterflies in my stomach and took a deep breath.

As I opened the door, I heard soft strains of music coming down the hall. He had chosen a soft, romantic play list, and the candles flickered throughout the rooms.

The steaks were done and resting on the counter and Cade was at the glass sliding doors, looking out on the ocean view as the sun went down.

“Hey…” I said softly, my heart thumping loudly in my chest as he turned to me.

I wanted to find the perfect moment.

The engagement ring that I’d gotten on my trip to New York last month was in my pocket, waiting. A three-carat oval solitaire surrounded by smaller brilliant diamonds, in platinum, the band thin and also encased in the smaller diamonds. The stones were flawless. I thought a diamond that size would look bigger and on seeing it, considered a larger one, but realized that Brook might even consider this one too much. Besides, it wasn’t about the ring, and I was certain she wouldn’t care if it were made of glass. Still, considering my situation and success, and I didn’t want her to think I wasn’t serious.

It was simple, yet exquisitely beautiful. Just like Brook. It was perfect for her. I’d known right away when I’d seen it, that it was the one.

“Hmmph,” I let out my breath; it had been similar to the moment I saw Brook for the first time. I ran my hand through my hair as I stared out toward the beach. It was a beautiful evening, which I knew would only get better.
I was uncharacteristically nervous.
I shook my head at myself. Crazy. I’d been with more sophisticated women; older, too. Yet, Brook had me in knots.

“Hey…”

Her voice, so sweet, seductive, and beautiful, sounded behind me. I braced myself for the sight that would hit me when I turned around, but nothing could have prepared me for the vision she made.

My breath stuck in my throat, and my hand went to cover my wildly beating heart.

She was simply incredible. Her hair was piled up with flowers in it, whispering tendrils that were soft and sexy, falling down the sides of her perfect cheekbones to her chin. The white silk and lace gown flowing and glistening around her, the hint of her small, perfectly round breasts showing from the deep V of the neckline, my bracelet shimmering as she gently touched her hand to her throat. The shadows from the candles dancing around her collarbones and her beautiful face left me breathless.

She was perfect; love shining in her shimmering blue eyes, her lips glistening as she licked them nervously, and a becoming blush on her cheeks.

I just stood frozen to the floor and stared, trying to speak, but no words would come out, and then my vision blurred as tears filled my eyes. The emotion I felt for her, was almost more than I could bear. She turned slowly so I could see every part of her.

When she faced me again, I found my voice.

“My God,” I said finally, my hand lifted and then returned over my pounding heart, my throat tightening as I struggled to find adequate words.

“Brook. You’re more beautiful, than I ever imagined possible. Just— indescribably breathtaking. Thank you.” She was the only woman I’d ever shed a tear for and I blinked as one rolled down my right cheek, despite my attempts to keep them at bay.

She moved toward me with her arms opening as she got closer.

“Oh, Cade, I love you, so much,” she whispered as her arms went around me. I gathered her close against me as the soft scent of her perfume enveloped me. I bent my head to her shoulder and held her heart to mine, as emotions overwhelmed us both.

I drew back and saw that she was crying, too. I wiped the errant tears from her face.

“I wish we were married already. If I lose you now, I won’t survive,” I whispered as I took her lips in a soft kiss, both of my hands gently cradling her face. My mouth lifted and I nuzzled her nose, my open mouth hovering over hers. “So, so beautiful,” I whispered.

“In my heart, I’m yours already. I’ll always be with you, if you want me,” she whispered against my mouth as her hands crept around my neck into my hair. “You’re like a dream. I never thought…” Her words trailed off.

I caressed her back, and arms, and then let my hands cup her face as I kissed her. The kiss started with gentle tenderness, but became deep and passionate, both of us holding the other with reverence. It was surreal.

I felt my chest constrict, so full of love that it physically hurt.

“
If
I want you?” More tears squeezed out from my closed eyes. “I’ve never wanted anything or anyone so much in my life. I love you, Brook. Only you; from the moment I laid eyes on you. I’m lost.”

My arm shifted underneath her knees and I lifted her to carry her with me to the couch. Her arms went around my neck and she looked into my eyes.

I sat down and settled her onto my lap, just holding her and looking at her for a time, before my forehead came to rest on hers briefly. I savored the moment before I moved back so I could look into her eyes, gently playing with a tendril of hair at the side of her face. “I want to give you something.”