Catch My Breath (22 page)

Alastair eased the car down the street leading to Dayna and Andrew's place. A little tug of sadness pulled at me.

"Here you go. Back in one piece."

He offered his hand. I clasped it, letting him help me out of the car and guide me down the walkway.

"I had a great time tonight. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure." He stepped closer. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'll pick you up around eleven. Sound good?"

“Sure.”

“Eleven it is then. Sleep well, Amelia." He ran his thumb along my jaw and neck. "I'll see you in a few short hours."

Tilting my head up, I welcomed his kiss. He parted my lips with his tongue and melted into me. I was so close to the door, I leaned against it, pulling him with me.

"I should go."

"I don't want to you to leave," I whispered against his lips.

He grinned. "You'll see me soon enough. Get some rest. We have a busy weekend ahead of us."

"Good night, Alastair."

"Good night, love.”

A lazy grin played at my lips as I watched him walk back to his car. He moved with such fluid control, it was mesmerizing. After he drove off, I went inside and found my sister typing furiously at the kitchen table.

"Hey. How was your date?"

"It was good."

"He's really nice, Lia. Andy and I both liked him." She stopped typing. "The way his eyes light up when he looks at you is incredible."

I smiled so widely it almost split my face in two. "He took me on the London Eye. We had champagne and looked at the city lights." The words gushed out of me like a teenager with a crush.

"I'm not just saying this to blow sunshine up your ass or anything, but he really does adore you. And from the look on your face, the feeling is mutual."

I stared at Dayna, swallowing hard.

“He’s a big step up from you-know-who.”

She started typing again, glancing at me from over the screen.

"You know,” she continued, “he was on the society pages at Christmas. Some big charity holiday party or something. The only reason I remember it is because the restaurant that catered the event is a favorite of mine. In case you're wondering, he was dateless."

My curiosity perked up. "Is he in the papers often?"

Dayna laughed.

"Not a whole heck of a lot. Only when he's at official company social functions. Even then he avoids the cameras. At least that's what the articles say. He's generally described as stand-offish and private. If you ask me, it only adds to his allure. The girls in the office think he's so mysterious and handsome. All they talk about is wanting to meet him."

"I'm not surprised."

"Oh my God, Lia. It's sickening to listen to them. Wait until they find out you’re dating him.”

"Maybe you should hold off on announcing it to the office."

"Are you nuts? And miss out on watching those crazy bitches freak?"

I panicked. "Dayna, I'm serious."

"Okay, okay. I won't say anything." She searched my face. "Are you excited about the party tomorrow? It's supposed to be the social event of the summer."

"Thanks. That makes me way less nervous."

"You'll be fine. His aunt and uncle will love you. So will his grandfather. Just turn on the Meyers charm and you'll have them all under your spell."

"We shall see. Is Stephanie back yet?”

“Yeah. She got back about twenty minutes ago and went right to bed.”

“I should do the same. Thanks for letting us stay here.”

I stood up, pushing in my chair. Dayna got up and gave me a hug.

"Anytime. Our house is always open to you."

"You staying up for a bit?"

"Yeah. I want to finish this article. Polish it up. See you in the morning."

"Good night."

I tiptoed into the guest bedroom to change. Stephanie was fast asleep. The green notification light was blinking on my phone.

11:38pm Thank you again for a lovely evening. Sleep well. x

I curled up under the blankets and fell asleep with a big, stupid grin on my face.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The car slowed, turned right and stopped at an iron gate. Stone markers on either side boasted the name Holden. Alastair leaned out the window and entered a code into the security keypad. Peering out the window, I saw nothing but a small, tree-lined road.

"Ready?" He flashed me a hundred-watt smile and drove through the gates.

Oak trees arched their branches overhead, providing a lush green canopy. The leaves were dusted in gold from the mid afternoon sunshine.

Out of nowhere, a massive gray stone mansion rose out of the grass, dwarfing me, the car and anything else in its way. The road, which I quickly realized was the driveway, snaked around to the front of the imposing structure, curving into a circle. Sections of the stone front were covered in ivy near the windows.

It's not a house, it's Harvard.

“It’s just a building,” Alastair reassured me. “It won’t bite you.”

“I know,” I glowered. “I just wasn’t expecting it to be so, you know, big.”

Chuckling, he squeezed my knee. “Let’s go, Meyers.”

Shaking off my ridiculous nerves, I stepped onto the gravel, smoothing down my blue cotton dress.

It was quiet. The air smelled like fresh cut grass and flowers. White clouds pulled across the sky like massive pieces of cotton. A gentle breeze sent goose bumps running over my exposed shoulders. Looking to my left, I noticed a lone tree, its branches stretching toward the sky.
I wonder if that’s where he was sitting in that photo.

“Come with me.” Alastair’s warm breath tickled my ear.

I looked up at him, struck by his confident smile and relaxed demeanor. If I didn’t know any better, I’d have thought he felt right at home here. But I did know better. His eyes betrayed him. It was subtle, but I saw flashes of dread.

“Sure.”

He took my hand, leading me to the front door. It had the same iron as the gate covering a pane of thick glass. Seconds after Alastair rang the bell, I heard muffled footsteps approaching. The door swung open and a tall, attractive woman smiled warmly at us.

"Alastair. You're here." She engulfed him in a hug, pulled back and looked at him. "You look wonderful. And you must be Amelia. I've heard so much about you."

She hugged me a bit too tightly for someone I’d just met.

"I'm Katherine, Alastair's aunt. Please, come in." She led us through the entryway, through another set of doors and finally into the marble foyer.

Katherine Holden’s elegance blended right in with our surroundings. She fingered a piece of her short, light blonde hair before addressing us.

"How was the trip down?"

I followed a couple steps behind them, soaking in every inch of the place. She led us into a spacious sitting room. Even with all the luxurious furniture and priceless paintings, it was lived in and welcoming. I couldn’t help but compare it to the sterile, museum-like quality of Alastair’s house.

Sitting in the far corner of the room was a baby grand piano. The wall behind it boasted window after window after window.

Tinny sounding voices lured me back to reality. My hand warmed at Alastair’s gentle squeeze.

"Why don't you two get yourselves settled? Alastair, your uncle and grandfather are in the study if you'd like to say hello. Your old room upstairs is ready and waiting for you. Do you need help with your luggage?"

"No, thanks. I can manage."

"Alright, darling.” Katherine turned toward me. "You are every bit as lovely as my nephew said you'd be. Please make yourself at home and don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. I'll see you both later at the party." She smiled and walked out of the room.

"I'll go grab the bags from the car. Wait here." Alastair walked toward the front door.

As soon as he left, I explored the room. Bypassing all the ornate decorations, I stopped near an end table holding various framed photos. I recognized his aunt in a few of them, along with his parents. There weren’t many pictures of him as a boy, which disappointed me. Moving on, I noticed a beautifully framed photograph hung above the fireplace.

"Do you like it?”

Alastair's voice scared the bejesus out of me. I spun around.

"Sorry, didn't mean to sneak up on you.”

“Do you walk on air or something? I didn’t even hear you come in the room.”

“You were rather lost in the photo,” he grinned. “Come on. Let’s go upstairs.”

He lugged the suitcases to the main staircase. I followed him, strolling down a long landing before stopping at the last door.

“Did you ever get lost in this place when you were a kid?”

“Not really.” He pushed the door open. “After you.”

I walked in, struck by the massive floor to ceiling windows that dominated an entire wall. Looking out, I was greeted by a breathtaking view of rolling green hills. A reflection pool cut through a portion of the backyard. I could also see the party tent and various staff making final preparations.

“Are you sure it’s okay for Darren and Stephanie to stay here tonight? My sister offered for us to stay at her house again if it’s a problem.”

“Of course they’re welcome to stay. We obviously have the space.”

I turned, confused by the distant tone in his voice. He stood in the middle of the room, watching me. I could tell by the look on his face something wasn’t right. Sympathy pains rumbled through my stomach.

He sat on the edge of his four-poster bed, keeping a steady gaze locked on me. Surrounded by everything that reminded him of his childhood, he chose to focus on what I was doing. My heart wept for him.

“Big fan of the color gray?” I asked, motioning to the carpet and bed linens.

“I suppose,” he shrugged. “It’s non-threatening. Neutral. I don’t know.”

“Does it make you uncomfortable that I’m in here?”

“No. Quite the opposite.”

Hearing that rustled a few sparks in my stomach.

“So, it feels good to be home then?” I asked, sitting next to him.

“This was never home for me. It never will be.”

A cold, hard layer snapped into place over his already rigid exterior. He tensed when I rested my hand on his arm.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s not your fault,” he sighed. “It’s this place. I try not to come here unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

Pulling me into his side, he rested his chin on my head.

"Let's go to the study so you can meet my uncle and grandfather."

We walked down the main staircase, passing through the sitting room. Alastair paused at a large set of wooden doors, tapping on them.

A booming voice told us to enter. Moving cautiously across the hardwood floor, I noticed it was scuffed and well worn. Rich, dark wood-paneled walls surrounded the room. Two men sat stoically in front of a fireplace.

The one who appeared to be in his mid-fifties stood. Smoothing down his tie as he walked, he was next to Alastair in a couple of long strides.

“Good to see you, Alastair.” His voice was deep and rich, with a slight rasp. He regarded his nephew with a cool gaze before embracing him in a wooden hug. Extending his hand to me, he introduced himself as Jason Holden.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Amelia.” His sapphire eyes were guarded.

“You as well, Mr. Holden.”

"Yes. It is quite an honor to finally meet you, Miss Meyers. My grandson speaks very highly of you." Deep-set gray eyes darted over my face as Samuel Holden walked toward me with authority. His presence commanded attention. I held my ground, meeting his probing stare.

"You are far lovelier than the photos led me to believe.”

Air exploded out of my mouth in a ragged gasp. I clutched my stomach, desperate to untie the knot that squeezed and tortured my body. I couldn’t breathe.
What photos?
My head spun at a sickening speed, blurring the room.

“If you’ll both excuse us,” Alastair growled, securing his arm around my waist. I melted into his side, shell-shocked. I didn’t know how I made it upstairs. A thick fog coated my vision. Closing my eyes helped, but didn’t make the horrible twisting in my stomach go away.

“Lia, look at me,” he commanded quietly, cupping my cheeks. I cracked my lids open to discover I was sitting on the bed. “That’s my girl. I need you to relax, love. Can you do that for me?”

“Relax?” I lashed out. “Are you fucking kidding me? What is going on?”

I was being stalked again. How? My panic transformed into a deep-seated anger that burned from the inside out.

“I’ll tell you. I need you to promise me that you’ll calm down,” he said evenly, pulling our foreheads together. “Please.”

His soothing tone extinguished some of the flames licking at my skin. I wanted to run. My legs tingled with the urge to escape. The only thing stopping me was the look in his eyes. Behind the soothing tone was a man paralyzed by fear.

He dragged in a shaky breath. "I have…I have a rather testy ex. For the most part, she leaves me alone. But every now and again she does something crazy. This time she's hired a private investigator to follow me around."

My mind raced.

“How long has this been going on?”

“It started about a week or so before we met.”

Ignoring my anger and disbelief, I tried to start putting a few pieces together.

“Those phone calls that you got,” I mentioned, “Is this what they were about?”

He nodded, brushing the pad of his thumb over my lips.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I really didn’t think it was something you needed to be bothered with.”

“But I’m in the photos,” I said, my voice rising.

“I know. I’m sorry. I was trying to protect you.”

“How many are there? And don’t lie to me.”

Leveling a hard stare at me, he scowled. “The night we met. The football match. The cocktail party.”

Fighting off the coiling panic, I swallowed. “So, since the beginning…”

“Yes.”

“Nothing from Orlando? What about the kiss seen round the city?”

“No, that one was all tabloid fodder,” he smirked. “I’m not the only one with paparazzi issues.”