Idolize (Dark Storm Book 1) (16 page)

When the pulsing stopped, she gazed into his eyes.

“Are you ready?” He nodded. She moved faster and faster until he threw his head back and groaned as he bucked again and again, emptying himself into her. He breathed heavily and looked at her though lidded eyes. She had never thought she would achieve this closeness with someone.

“I love you.” The words came out before she thought them. His reaction was not what she expected. There was a tear flowing down his cheek.

He pulled her to his chest and whispered in her ear, “To give me your love is all I’ve ever wanted. I’ll not let you down.”

As they lay together afterward, she wanted to wallow in the glow of their love for each other. There was just a niggling thought at the back of her mind, saying this would not end well.

Chapter Twelve

Sasha got into panic mode as she dropped a tray of pastry shells on the floor. “Shit,” she yelled.

Cassi needed to calm her down before she started to throw the food at the walls. “Okay, step away from the counter and get yourself a cold drink from the fridge.”

Sasha stuck her tongue out, but did what she was told as Cassi cleaned up the mess on the floor.

“So tell me again why we said we would do this? I wanted to do picnic baskets and now we’re providing the food for a function at one of L.A.’s top galleries.”

“We are doing it because we were asked by Audrey. She shared one of our baskets with Tristin and he fell in love with your food. You should have messed it up, then he wouldn’t have wanted you to cater this afternoon. Now stop carrying on and tell me what else you want me to do.”

Cassi studied what they had done so far. Most of the food was finished and packed up, ready to take to the gallery. They just needed to get more pastry shells in and cooked, and make the filling. There were only forty people coming so it would not be too crazy.

“Audrey is so excited. I spoke to her earlier and she sounds ten years younger. I thought this would stress her out, but it seems to be having the opposite effect,” Cassi said.

Sasha was back at the counter making more pastry. “I reckon she’s getting laid a lot. I have only myself to blame, because I put oysters in their picnic basket. I teased her and put a packet of condoms in there as well. I thought she would get mad, but said thanks instead. I think I revved them up too much. This last month she has been seeing him every other day.”

“I think you’re right. I had coffee with Jean from the village the other day, and she says Audrey rarely comes back at night. Our little friend jumped in quick with both feet. I suppose if I were older, I wouldn’t be wasting my time either.”

Tommy came running in wet from the pool with Jack and Declan behind him. Cassi had thought it would be easier if she kept them all out of the kitchen.

“Okay, short stuff. Time to get upstairs, washed and get ready.” Nina, her child-minder was coming around for a movie show.

Nina was a lifesaver, bringing around her two kids to watch movies in the theater room. They would have popcorn and balloons. She hoped they would be back from the gallery before the kids even noticed they were gone. These days she didn’t need to use Nina to look after Tommy, but it was still good to have her as backup.

Two hours later, they pulled up outside of the gallery. Sasha went on ahead with the food to organize the catering staff. Connor pulled up and she could see the photographers and fans gathered outside. It didn’t seem to make any difference how many times she dealt with this. It was not getting any easier.

After he got out of the car, Declan put his arm around her waist and his warmth reassured her. Cassi still found herself searching for Steve’s face, but as always, there was no sign of him. She should believe the others when they said the likelihood was that he was dead. It was still sad her son’s father might be gone.

Some young woman shouted out. ‘Declan, I want to kiss you and have your baby.’ Cassi bit her tongue before she said anything.

Once they were inside, he leaned in and whispered, “She just gave me an idea. When we get home, I think we need to practice how to make babies more.”

“Who said anything about babies?”

“I was just talking about the practice.”

Sasha was next to them. “Did I hear someone mention babies? You’re not keeping a secret from me, are you? I don’t think I can deal with any more stress today,” Sasha said as she watched the serving staff make their way around the room.

“No babies and everything is going well. The food is going down a treat, though I think some of the skinny girls will go and barf it up unfortunately,” Cassi added.

They started to walk to the back of the gallery where Tristin and Audrey were standing. Audrey’s paintings adorned the wall and most had red dots below to show they were already sold. Some were her classic flower paintings with the unusual and somewhat freaky twists. Others were of people around Los Angeles. Snapshots of the rich and poor alike, but in paintings instead of photographs. Cassi saw Kirsten and waved. Kirsten’s son was at the house playing with Tommy.

“This is fantastic and the food is delicious,” Kirsten said. “I’ve bought one of her paintings, too. I hear Tommy has an original on the cast from when he broke his arm. If she keeps going this well, it could pay for his college education.”

“That would be good. I’ll phone home in a minute and make sure Nina hasn’t gone insane with the kids.”

James came over and took Declan and Kirsten off to meet someone. Cassi called home. Nina was fine. The kids were chowing down on popcorn and soda. Deanna stopped her along the way and kissed her on both cheeks as the official photographer snapped them.

“I believe I have to thank you for something. Audrey has just donated one of her paintings. I hope to see you at the fundraiser next month when we auction it off.”

“I’ll be there. I really want to help, so let me know if there is anything else I can do.”

“You may regret offering. I see someone I need to chat to, but I will call you later.”

Cassi took a deep breath and headed over to Declan. He was talking to the director they had met at the restaurant. They were chatting about New Zealand. Going there was something she would never consider happening in her lifetime. If he did go, she got the impression it would be in the next month or so while they were not filming
Dark Storm
.

Audrey came over and kissed her on each cheek.

“I can’t believe this is happening. I loved my husband when he was alive, but he always said this was just a hobby. He said no one would want to buy them.” She motioned for Sasha to come and join them.

“I want to say something to you both before I burst into tears and can’t get the words out. I would never have done any of this if not for you both.”

Sasha hugged her. “If you told any of us where we would be today, and in Cassi’s instance, who she would be with, I’d have asked what you were on.”

“I think Audrey’s giving me a run for my money in the relationship stakes. Speaking of the handsome Tristin, here he comes.”

“I think he’s expecting me to make a speech, but I don’t want to. If I start babbling, cough so I know, and I’ll shut up.”

“Hello ladies, I need to claim the wonderful Audrey back from you.”

Tristin took her away and the speeches started. Declan came over as Sasha went off to check on the food again. When the talks were over, Cassi thought she would check and see if anyone was inquiring about the gourmet picnic baskets.

Stephanie stood at the front desk writing the details of the people buying the paintings. The pile of flyers on the desk for the baskets and the women’s refuge fundraiser were gone. Cassi hoped Stephanie hadn’t just shoved them in a drawer because she thought they lowered the tone of the place.

“So did all the flyers get taken then?”

“They were gone as soon as people sampled the food. Plus Deanna’s fundraisers are always a success. Sasha can really cook. My sister’s getting engaged and I think she should cater for it.”

“I should cater for what? My ears are burning. What’s she saying about me, Cassi?”

“She loves your food and our business could get bigger than ever after today.” Sasha carried on talking to Stephanie as Cassi glanced around the room and back outside. The crowd was less, but there were still some diehards who were going to wait until they left, so they could get another glimpse of the celebrities.

Cassi felt the blood drain from her face as her body went cold. It couldn’t be him, surely, but the man at the back of the crowd looked just like Steve. She ran to the door and burst outside. People were screaming at her and cameras going off in her face. Connor was beside her and touched her arm.

“Is there something wrong?”

“No. I must have imagined it. I just thought I saw someone I used to know.”

“Perhaps it would be better if you went back inside.”

“Yes, of course.” She peered at the people, but there was no sign of anyone who looked remotely like Steve. To be honest, so much time had passed, who knew what he would look like now anyway? When she got back inside, Declan came over and stared her in the face.

“You look as white as a sheet. Are you okay? I saw you run outside.”

“I must be a little edgy. I thought I saw Steve, but he wasn’t there. I’ll be fine.”

“Just stay close to me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Cassi nodded as he bent down, kissed the top of her head, and gave her a hug. For once, his touch didn’t reassure her like it usually did. People were starting to leave so she needed to say goodbye to Audrey and head home to relieve Nina. Kirsten came over.

“I’ll be following you in about ten minutes and I’ll pick up my little rascal. I hope they haven’t wrecked your place.”

Cassi said her goodbyes to Audrey and they made their way back out to the car with Connor watching over them. As she walked through the crowd, she glanced around, but there was still no one there who looked like Steve. She needed to get her nerves back under control. It was insane that after all this time just the thought that he might be here could have such an effect on her.

Back at the house, the kids were having a wonderful time. The little rascals enjoyed the movie and the popcorn. Now they were building robots out of Legos. Tommy ran over when they came in, proudly showing her his creation that was a big yellow and black robot. Its arm fell off.

“It’s okay, Mommy. You can plug it on again and he can kill all the nasty robots. Jason made one, too. We’re champions of the universe.”

“I’m sure you are,” she said. She put on a brave face, but for the rest of day it felt as if there was shadow looming over her.

As she lay in bed that night with Declan’s arms around her, she realized she needed to let the past go, or she would never move on with this new relationship. It would be destructive to spend all their time together looking over her shoulder as if Steve was there. She turned over and peered at Declan sleeping. Her heart swelled as she gazed at him, tears coming to her eyes. She reached out and touched his cheek. He opened his eyes and kissed the palm of her hand, sending a small tickle down her arm. Had she really tempted fate by telling him she loved him?

“What were you thinking?” he asked.

“Just that I’m so glad I went hiking and you came into my life.”

“Well, I’ll be in it for as long as you’ll have me, and as you’re awake, I’ll be inside you too.” He pushed her onto her back and they were a tangle of bodies within seconds. The passion of their lovemaking was almost desperate in their need for closeness. She wanted to hold onto him and never let go.

****

Three weeks later, everything was going well and she convinced herself it was all anxiety. There was no sign of Steve and the business was starting to take off. Declan asked the security firm to check out Steve again, and they couldn’t find any record of him anywhere. Maybe he was dead after all.

Life was busy with picnic orders and Stephanie’s sister still wanted to go ahead with them catering the engagement party. The refuge fundraiser was a success and Cassi said she would help Deanna with the next one. They would even put a couple of gourmet baskets up for auction.

Audrey started to look for premises for them to use. She said there was one in particular she wanted them to have a look at with her. The next day, while Declan was filming, Cassi and Sasha agreed to go with her. It was in a good part of the city without being too flashy. The downstairs was an old thrift shop and was huge with a small kitchen in the back.

“I was thinking we could split this area so one section was for the catering and the other was an art studio. I wanted to get other people my age interested in doing painting. So many think they are thrown out and useless and I want to prove them wrong.”

“No one could say that about you. I don’t think you’ve stopped since we met you. I’m surprised Tristin can keep up with you,” Sasha said.

“Sometimes he can’t,” Audrey said with a wicked smile.

They both cracked up as they followed her upstairs. There was a three-bedroom apartment that was dated, but in good condition.

“This is just a bonus. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it. I have a builder coming in next week. It would be good if you’re both here then, so we can work out what we will do downstairs.”

It didn’t take long to look around, so they then made their way out of the building and up the street to a small café. It would be a way of taking in some of the local feel of the area. They were chatting away when Cassi shivered and the hair on her neck stood on end. She rubbed her arms to get rid of the goosebumps.

“You okay?” Sasha asked.

“I’m fine, but just felt as if someone was watching us. Sorry.” Cassi looked around the café and everyone seemed friendly and minding their own business as they ate or chatted with friends. She glanced out to the street beyond where traffic was flowing by. Her gut tightened. Unlike the time at the gallery when she had been unsure, this time she knew it was Steve standing across the street. He must have noticed her staring out the window because he waved and blew a kiss. Her stomach turned over and she could taste bile in her mouth.