North Star (11 page)

“First of all, there’s nothing boring about you. I see the way people look at you. They light up when you walk by. Honestly, I think you stopped my breath when I first laid eyes on you.”

“Looks fade, Graham. I meant that I live a very normal life. I work hard and take care of my responsibilities.”

“What do you do for fun? Or to pamper yourself?”

Caresse hadn’t had a day of pampering since her parents had taken the girls last summer. As she pick up her fork and twirled the pasta for her next bite, she glanced at Kiro gazing nearby.

Graham interrupted her thoughts. “It’s been that long, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess it has been.”

Graham rose to his feet and extended his hand. “We’re going to have to fix that. You deserve to have fun and pampering, too.”

Caresse placed her hand in his and let him lead her into his arms. They danced under the stars and enjoyed the moment he’d created for her.

“I’m going to make sure you have fun while your girls are away.”

“I think you’ve already done that. Today has been wonderful.”

He tipped her head up toward his. “Caresse, you haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow’s Thursday. We both have to work.”

“Yes, that’s true, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves after five o’clock.”

Caresse nodded and let him pull her closer to his chest. She never felt so safe in her life. She enjoyed the protection of his arms, but was still apprehensive about his motives.

“Hey, look at the stars tonight,” he said as he twirled her around and wrapped his arms around her to hug her tightly from behind. “This is one of my favorite things about spending time outdoors. The stars look like diamonds on a night like this.”

“I used to know the constellations, but my Girl Scout days were a long time ago.”

“If I may? I still remember a little from my astronomy course in college. Right there is the constellation Ursa Minor and if you look closely, you can see the Little Dipper with the North Star at the end of its handle.”

“I see it. The North Star was used by explorers and navigators, so it was very important to learn that one in Scouts.”

“I bet. Do you know there’s a myth about the Sun, Moon, and the North Star trying to win the hand of a fair maiden?”

“No. Really?”

“Yes, can you guess which one she picked?”

“The Sun because of its radiance?”

“No, she selected the star because he could lay with her every night and always watch over her. The Sun and Moon couldn’t promise her that.”

“I see.”

Graham turned her around. “I hope you know I have no intentions of sleeping with you and walking away. I want to be with you always.”

“That’s if you get that far.”

“I already told you I don’t like to lose,” he whispered as he kissed her. “It’s getting late. I better get you home, Cinderella.”

The most difficult aspect of their last conversation was the fact that Malcolm had degraded her like some trick. They had been together for almost a year, and he’d walked away, leaving her with a mess.

In that final phone call, Laila went from being shocked to being angry, then to being utterly broken. She yelled, pleaded, and cried, all the while Malcolm spoke with no emotions. She felt like his words launched white-hot daggers into her body. Every sentence she’d uttered in response to his questions had caused him to sigh, as if hearing her voice had grated on his last bits of sanity.

He was cold and distant, making it very clear that he wasn’t her safe place to fall. When they hung up, she waited until she was alone to cry. Long streams of hot tears cascaded down her face as her heart pounded in her ears. The realization that he had no concern for her made her throat tighten and her body shake as she sobbed. Laila felt foolish for loving him when he could cast her aside in her vulnerable state.

After few hours in the darkness, there was a soft knock on her bedroom door, followed by its squeaky opening. She heard her name faintly whispered, and then the door closed again. Laila didn’t have to look up to know who it was. She heard him take off his shoes and wristwatch and then join her on bed.

He sat on top of her covers and stroked her hair as she trembled beside him. He knew the things she couldn’t bring herself to say. The pain was too raw for words. He didn’t ask for permission to hold her. He just did it. He let her salty tears cover his shirt as he rocked her. They had been here before, but this time was different. This time had changed her. Her heart closed shut.

Latrell continued cradling Laila until sleep captured her. He knew instinctively that she didn’t sound like herself at work yesterday. Their sibling bond had been forged in their mother’s womb. They were different as night and a day, yin and yang, yet being fraternal twins gave them a heightened awareness of each other that was almost symbiotic. Still, Latrell was surprised at Malcolm’s lack of respect. It was three months ago when he had observed them at his home. He’d seen the genuine happiness and love in Laila eyes as she watched Malcolm talk about their first encounter. Malcolm lovingly held her hand and even brushed a stray hair from her eyes while he expressed his intentions to make Laila his bride.

At the end of their brief visit, Laila was apprehensive about Graham or Janet knowing about Malcolm’s intention of marriage. She knew Graham’s aversion to nepotism would hurt Malcolm’s chances at being published in
Psyche
, so she begged Latrell to keep the secret until Malcolm’s proposal. Everything seemed fine until Laila had called Latrell last month at midnight.

She sobbed as she explained that Malcolm said he wasn’t sure he loved her. All warning bells had sounded in his head as she spoke about Malcolm’s expectations and views on relationships. As she spoke, Latrell searched his mind for a plausible explanation for his sudden rigid stance. But the only conclusion was that he wanted freedom and, like many cowards, he would break the heart of the woman who adored him to get it.

He’d wanted to come to New Jersey and knock some sense into Malcolm, but instead he reassured Laila that Malcolm loved her and needed time to think straight. A couple days later, she called him saying everything worked itself out and that they were seeking a therapist for pre-marriage counseling. Most people would have been relieved, but it bothered the hell out of Latrell.

He didn’t believe they needed to see someone. Malcolm needed to be honest and say he wanted all the comforts of a wife, without any sacrifice on his part. During one of their arguments, Malcolm implied that he’d placed a down payment on an engagement ring for Laila at their favorite jeweler, but Latrell’s connections with the vender told him Malcolm had never even inquired about any piece of jewelry.

Thinking about Malcolm was making his blood boil. He should have spoken to Malcolm alone to see if he was capable of loving Laila unconditionally. He should have warned Laila to not get sucked in by false pretenses, but every time he called her, she beamed through the phone.

Yet this evening she laid beside him with swollen eyelids and a broken heart. He hadn’t done his job as her big brother because he’d been so wrapped up in his ranch out west. Braking in new stallions took up the bulk his time, and he still had to find a new veterinarian since Doc Roberts was retiring next year. Two sleepless nights told him he had to get on a plane and see Laila. The only other time he’d felt that uneasy was when she’d broken her leg as a high school cheerleader.

He was in the locker room horsing around with the guys when he’d felt her soul crying out. It shook him to the core, and he suddenly found himself pushing past his classmates to be by her side.

Their parents always joked that Latrell had been protective from the womb, saying, ‘he came out first to make sure the world was ready for the princess.’ And he knew they were right. Laila’s happiness was tied to his own...he loved her spirit, her kindness, her laughter, and her spunk, so anything that hurt her caused him agony.

A slight stirring jarred Latrell from his thoughts. Laila turned over on to her stomach and hugged her pillow in her sleep to comfort herself. He knew this movement was her way of finding solace. He rubbed her back and kissed her head before walking quietly out of her bedroom to call Graham.

“How is La La?”

Latrell sat on the couch and stared at the empty space that had housed her fish tank. “She’s finally resting. I don’t think she cried that much since Mama died. Are you expecting her at work tomorrow?”

“No, she needs to get the locks changed and take an inventory of her belongings, so she shouldn’t worry about
Psyche
for now. Besides, she’s already three issues ahead of us as far as fashion layouts go.”

“Good, I think she should take some time off, so I’m going to suggest she come back with me to the ranch.”

Laughter roared over the phone. “That will
never
happen. She might be depressed, but a few days roughing it on a working ranch will make her suicidal. I agree she needs to get out of Jersey for a while, but let me think of a place that will rejuvenate her and bring back the sassy La La we both know and love.”

“Okay, I’ll leave it up to you, but I want everything arranged before I leave Sunday night. I want to place her on a flight myself.”

“You got it! I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon.”

Latrell hung up the phone, relieved that Laila would be out of here soon. He knew this place held memories that would haunt her for months.

Graham disconnected the call as he continued to drive home. Today had been a real high for him, but a terrible low for his baby sister. He was glad Latrell had scheduled a brief visit, but he knew it would take weeks, if not months, to get Laila back to her old self. First thing tomorrow morning, his staff would be aware that Malcolm was not allowed in the
Psyche
offices and his work will not be featured in any upcoming issues. The last thing he needed was to have that jerk making Laila uncomfortable at work. Malcolm had made the choice to break his sister’s heart, and Graham was going to do everything in his power to make sure he never hurt her again.

Chapter 9

Graham walked into Psyche with the scowl of a pit bull looking for a mailman to terrorize. After his date with Caresse, he found several articles from Malcolm stuffed in his mailbox for his review. The nerve of the man to wreck his sister’s life and expect him to do business with him.

“Good morning, boss,” Kathy said as he glared in her direction.

“Hold my calls,” he growled as he entered his office and slammed the door. He knew he shouldn’t start his day in such a foul mood, but between his lust for Caresse and his hatred for Malcolm, last night had been quite a restless one.

The soft knock on his door caught his attention. “Yes?”

Kathy entered timidly as she placed layout proofs on his planning table. “Is it safe to enter, or should I back out quietly and hold my breath?”

Graham shook his head and glanced out the window. His mood veered sharply toward anger as his cold eyes narrowed.

“You have a visitor, but I can tell Ms. Aldana that you are in a meeting.”

He sat up in his seat. “Caresse is here?”

“Yes.” Kathy’s anxious gaze flickered over his face. “Apparently you missed her in the lobby. Should I send her in?”

Graham straightened his tie and rose to follow Kathy into the hallway. The smell of cinnamon and brown sugar encased the corridor as he took in the sight of Caresse passing out breakfast goodies to his magazine staff. He leaned against the doorway as Kathy caught her attention and motioned her to Graham’s steady gaze.

She boldly met his eyes and headed in his direction with a small plate of cinnamon rolls in her hands. “This is for you. I hope you like cinnamon rolls. It’s my way of thanking you for the picnic lunch, horseback ride, and star-studded dinner.”

“I see you made quite a hit with the staff. You know, if you feed them, they will be expecting more of the same.”

“That’s good to know because sleepless nights make for early mornings of baking.”

Graham welcomed her into his office and closed the door behind them. He took the plate from her hands, bit into a cinnamon roll, savoring its taste. “Wonderful. Are you sure you didn’t go to some little gourmet bakery to win me over?”

“No way! Go ahead and check me for receipts!” she stated, placing herself in the
frisk me
position against the door.

Laughter roared from his lips. The thought of touching her in search of a small piece of paper was ludicrous, considering what he really had in mind. “If I touch you, Caresse, I promise I won’t be feeling your pockets.”

Face flushed, Caresse lowered her arms and walked into his arms, “I have to go to work, but I had to see you before I did. I hope I didn’t make too much of a disturbance.”

“No way, baby. You were exactly what I needed.” He kissed her, enjoying the taste of cinnamon and sugar on their lips. When she moaned into his mouth, he felt his body change and knew he needed to deepen his craving. He lowered his hands to her hips and pulled her closer. He cupped her hips and positioned himself between her thighs to let her know how much he yearned for her. The tantalizing smell of her perfume and the welcoming spread of her legs made him want to strip her business suit from her body.

When he lifted his head, he noticed the quickening of her breath. “You better get going, beautiful. It’s almost nine.”

“I will, once you stop wearing my shade of lipstick.”

Graham grabbed the napkin near the roll and wiped his face. “I’ll call you after lunch.”

“Okay.” She winked as she opened his office door and strolled down the hall. As he watched her walk toward the elevator, he noticed Kathy beaming in his direction.

“So that’s the woman you didn’t want to stand up last week?”

“Yes, that’s Ms. Caresse Aldana.” As hard as he tried, he couldn’t keep the grin from his face, suspecting he looked like a lovelorn teenager.

Kathy nodded. “She sure knows how to put you in a better mood.”

“And if I have my way, she’ll be doing that for the rest of my life.” Whistling, Graham walked back to into his office and pick up the phone.

Yvette Mason watched diligently as Detective Rick Baylor instructed the old and new members of the Mason Community Center security staff. She hoped increasing the guards from thirteen to twenty would deter any additional accidents on the property. Since Caresse’s near rundown in the center parking lot, two cooks had been locked in the deep freezer, and the swim coach had been injured due to the diving board being mysteriously loosened. Rick’s investigation indicated someone was trying their best to make them seem like accidents, but the evidence proved otherwise. The additional guards were no longer a luxury. Yvette had to make sure her staff and patrons were safe.

“Follow your schedules carefully, ladies and gentlemen. We want to ensure Ms. Mason’s piece of mind,” Rick ordered as he released the guards to their post, then started toward Yvette sitting on the bleachers.

Yvette watched as Rick approached. She didn’t want him to make her problems his, but that is exactly what he did. Once she’d called him, he took the same protective stance he had in high school. After all these years, she still remembered how he drove her home after discovering her prom date in the boys’ locker room with another girl. She’d never forgotten the kindness of the resident DJ of Toms River High School South or how her father had shaken Rick’s hand for protecting her. She’d called Rick last week for advice, but here he was, trying to help her shoulder the burden.

“Everyone knows their responsibilities, Yvette, but I won’t feel one-hundred percent confident until the security cameras are up and running. I guess I can say you’re in good shape for a while,” Rick said, extending his hand.

Yvette took it and rose to her feet. “Thanks again for handling the screening and rotation schedule of the security staff. I don’t know how to repay you.”

“C’mon, you know how to reward me.” He pointed to his cheek and closed his eyes.

She laughed and started toward the exit. “You’re as fresh as ever, Rick. I meant a monetary payment.”

“I’d rather have a ticket to that fundraiser you’re throwing next month.”

“I tell you what, you help me map out the proper security plan and two tickets are yours, free of charge,” Yvette bargained as they neared her office.

“Deal. I’ll come by after my shift tonight and we’ll work out the deal, pretty lady.” Rick paused at the threshold of her office. “Should I pick up something for us to eat? I’ll be starving at nine.”

“No, there should be plenty of leftovers from the cooking demonstration tonight. You’re covered.” She entered her office and quickly closed the door behind her.

It had been a long morning of security details, and with the after-school children scheduled to arrive any moment, she had to get her head together. She walked over to her window and gazed at the traffic below.
Please don’t let anything bad happen today, Father. I don’t know what I’ll do if one of the babies gets hurt.

The intercom sounded. “Yes?” Yvette answered.

“Ms. Mason, you have a call on line four.”

“Thank you.” She hesitated answering the line, then she squared her shoulders and picked up the phone. “Ms. Mason speaking.”

“Vet, you never believe what happen to me yesterday,” Caresse squeaked into the receiver. “Graham took me out on two dates, and he wants to have a photographer come to the center to take pictures for his article. Is that great news or what?”

“Yeah, Carè, it’s great.”

“Hey, are you okay? You don’t sound like yourself. Usually publicity for the center makes you happier than a cat with catnip.”

“I’m fine. I’ve been working so hard to get the security up to speed with Rick.”

“Rick? The sexy cop you have a thing for, Rick?”

“I don’t have a
thing
for him.”

“Hey, don’t snap at me. I’m telling a truth you’re too stubborn to admit. I guess we can leave that subject alone for now.”

“Yes, let’s do that. Are you still coming to the cooking class tonight?”

“Of course, I hope to convince Graham to tag along for the article. But if not, you know I’ll be there.”

“Great. I’ll see you tonight. Tell Graham he can bring a photographer to the center tonight if he’d like. We’re scheduled for a full house.”

“Will do. Promise me we’ll get together Sunday and get caught up. We won’t have a chance to talk at the center, and I have so much to tell you.”

“Okay, ‘til tonight.”

Caresse was so busy at the law firm, she hadn’t noticed it was already a quarter to five. She thought the day would drag because of her lack of sleep last night, but the opposite had happened. Seeing Graham this morning had lifted her spirits and when the afternoon slump would normally have her reaching for a piece of chocolate, his phone call had made her spirits soar to new heights.

As she turned off her computer and straightened her desk, she noticed her image in the decorative mirror on the far wall. For a second, she didn’t recognize her reflection. She saw a glow on her face that radiated to her eyes. It was then that she realized the effect Graham was having on her. A terrifying thought struck her. Was she falling in love?

No. No way
.
My feelings are about the article and the center. Besides, love isn’t instantaneous.

Caresse headed toward the parking lot and jumped into her car. Graham had agreed to go to the center this evening, but only if she got home by five-fifteen. He said he would have an amazing present waiting for her.

Caresse pulled into her driveway and saw a limousine parked in front of her home. As she exited her car, the lady driver held up a name placard that featured her name. “Can I help you?” Caresse asked as she approached.

“Are you Ms. Aldana?”

“Yes.”

“I was instructed to take you downtown by Mr. Graham Sheridan. He told me to give you this number to call before you come with me.”

Caresse used her cell phone to dial the number and Graham’s voice filled her ear. “I see you made it home on time.”

“Yes, I did, and talk about a surprise. Where am I going?”

“I can’t tell you, but there’s a hint in the limo, and I promise to escort you to the center on time. So will you get in?”

“Aren’t you cheeky tonight?”

“I need you to trust me like you have before. I promise you won’t regret it.”

“Okay, I’m getting in the car, but if I hate this experience, you’ll have hell to pay.”

“From your father and brother, right?”

“No, mister, from me!” She ended her phone call and entered the limousine. As the driver headed down the street, she noticed the large white box with a pink ribbon next to her. She opened the box and discovered a floor-length, white terry cotton robe. On the left side was a hot pink crest with Victoria Secret’s initials.

So this is the hint.
She lifted the robe and matching slippers from the box. She thought back to their conversation last night. “Pampering,” she whispered. “He wants to pamper me. But how, and where?”

When the limo stopped about a half an hour later, she gasped at the sight before her eyes. She picked up her gift and walked into the lobby of Avanti Salon and Spa. The surroundings made her feel like she’d walked into a European oasis. The hand-painted silk Venetian lamps, Roman-inspired frescos, and Moroccan tile work made her feel like a princess in a different lifetime.

Caresse was directed to an elaborately decorated private room where tiled thrones fit for royalty and an enchanting star-encrusted ceiling greeted her. A spa attendant showed her where to disrobe and instructed her to prepare to be painted with an assortment of colorful wet earth to drawn toxics from her body.

At first, Caresse was nervous because she never had such an experience, but the colorful mud started to remind her of playing in mud as a child. The thought brought a childlike giggle to her throat. The “Razul” experience felt like a full body mask and when the mud began to dry and harden, she felt like a statue. The attendant started a warm rainfall shower to wash the dry earth from her body. Caresse closed her eyes. This experience was the closest she had ever come to bathing under a waterfall.

When she finished her shower, she had an intense deep tissue oil massage, nicknamed Thunder. When the massage began, she thought the knots and tension in her back and neck were too tight to be relieved in one session, but the therapist was persistent in his technique, and soon Caresse’s muscles felt warm and relaxed. After the kneading, she was wrapped in a soft pack bed. She closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

“Wake up, beautiful,” Graham whispered in the dimly lit room. “Don’t you want the rest of your surprise?”

Caresse reluctantly opened her eyes. “There’s more?”

“Yes. These lovely ladies need to make you even more beautiful. We have to see Yvette tonight, right?”

Caresse remembered her promise. “Yes, that’s right.”

“Let the beauty treatments continue, ladies,” Graham stated as he dialed his cell phone and left the room.

The women worked fast as they gave her a manicure, pedicure, styled her hair, then gave her a professional makeup application. As Graham waited, he worked diligently on his laptop, his Bluetooth headset in his ear. Apparently, an upcoming issue of
Psyche
had taken the wrong editorial direction, and he had to make sure everyone was on the same page.

Every time there was a break in his conversations, he would stare intently at Caresse, surveying the progress. When the ladies finished her hair, he wrapped up his work and motioned the driver to bring in another gift for Caresse. When she opened the box, her face lit up at the beautiful red Versace sundress and matching high-heeled sandals he’d picked out himself. When she glanced up at him, he held up the two smaller bags in his hand, one from Victoria Secret, the other from Tiffany’s. “Do you want to open these in the salon, too, or in private?” he asked as he gently swung the gift bags from side to side.

Caresse sashayed toward him, kissed him gently on the lips, and lifted the lingerie bag from his fingers. “I’ll open this bag alone, Mr. Sheridan.”

Graham frowned as she exited with an attendant to get dressed.

When Caresse entered the dressing room, she couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw herself in the mirror. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair had never been styled so well. She loved the light brown highlights framing her face. She opened the Victoria Secret’s bag and gasped at the beautiful red lace bra and thong set that matched the sundress perfectly. She dressed quickly, and when she emerged from the room, Graham stood up, and the other patrons smiled in appreciation.

Graham handed Caresse a box from the Tiffany’s bag and watched again as her face lit up when she saw the beautiful platinum star drop earrings with the matching diamond star drop pendant. “Graham, I can’t take this.”

“Of course you can, and you will,” he stated as he unclasped the necklace and draped it on her neck. She put the earrings in her ears with shaky hands and tears-filled eyes.

“Don’t ruin your makeup,” the beautician gently scolded. “You deserve to have such a gift. Mr. Sheridan says you give so much to your daughters and the community. Enjoy, enjoy.”