Chasing Stars (30 page)

“Yeah, more than when you saw me with Damon.”

“Now, that’s debatable,” he growls, but I can see he is amused.

The third knock interrupts our intimate moment.

“Ready?” His long fingers wrap around my hand and it is so familiar. I swoon and that also is so familiar.

“I’m ready.” I can feel my heart beating in harmony again. Before he opens the door, I tug him to me and kiss him hard. “I missed you like crazy.”

“Woman,
you
are the one to drive me mad.” His lips curve into a smile, doing unfathomed things to me.

Earlier tonight, when I first saw Portia strolling my way, I feared I was going to crack. Her heady presence blinds me to all surroundings. But at the moment I heard those three words flowing out of her lips, my world crashed. I am now certain of what I already knew, but was afraid to admit. I am helplessly at her mercy.

Holding Portia in my arms is the closest to what I think heaven will be like. Though I can’t bring myself to tell her I love her with all my soul, I think she gets the picture.

In the few minutes we were in the bathroom, I had a flashback of my life. To me, there is only one explanation. God is making up to me for all that came before Portia. Not that He has to, but because He probably wants to. Maybe all the loneliness and disappointments I suffered as a child were only to get me to this moment. I don’t know. But I know that I have found my soul mate. We are two bodies, but our souls are connected in such a powerful way that we are inseparable.

I unlatch the bathroom lock and swing the door open. Pam stares impassively at the two of us. Her eyes fly to our intertwined fingers. For a moment, I think I see disappointment cross her face. But Pam has always been composed. She smiles at us.

“Will, there are guests who want to speak with you.” She reaches for me.

“Sure, let’s do it.” My fingers tighten around Portia’s hand.

“With all respect to Portia, I think she will be a distraction to the guests, taking the focus away from you, Will.” Pam rocks back on her heels.

“She’s staying at my side, Pam,” my voice is gentle, but stern.

“Well, that’s not wise, but it is your exhibition.” She flashes a blank smile.

We follow Pam through the gallery full of the guests. For the remainder of the evening, I have Portia glued to me. As Pam had anticipated, Portia is somewhat a distraction, especially to me. My hand holds hers for the remainder of the night. I notice Portia has stopped drinking. Before we made up in the bathroom, she drank six flutes of champagne. Yes, I was keeping tabs.

The exhibition has started to dwindle. Before leaving, many of the guests relay to me their disappointment at not acquiring any of my paintings. I receive an astronomical offer for Portia’s childhood portrait, but of course, I decline. I can never part with that piece.

Portia hauls me to a corner and kisses me, until we are both breathless.

“There are photographers here y’know?” I whisper against her hungry lips.

“Are you ashamed to be photographed with me Will?” she teases, but I catch a glimpse of vulnerability in her eyes.

“Baby, for one thing, I am the happiest man on the universe to get to kiss your lips.”

I glance around and see that most of the guests are gone. A flash blinds me, but Pam dismisses the photographer who had lingered, thanking him for coming. Pam is perceptive when dealing with the media.

Although I have been honest with Pam regarding my feelings for Portia, I can’t help but to feel shitty for her. In all honesty, I think she had hoped to reconcile with me.

“Well, the night was a success.” Pam approaches us with her parents.

“Will, I am sure you are anxious to leave with your adorable companion, but we need to celebrate,” Garry Lee says and signals to a waiter. Handing us flutes of champagne, he tells me. “We need to start planning your next exhibition.”

“Nah, I am taking some time off.” I glance at Portia.

“When do you start your graduate studies, I hear you are going to Yale.” Alyson inquires and her pale blue eyes, which Pam has inherited, sparkle at me.

“January,” I answer.

“To you Will, and to your extraordinary ability to paint this world and to make it a prettier place,” Garry says and raises his glass.

“Cheers.” I hear the clink of the glasses. I sip from the champagne, and return the glass to the waiter, Portia follows suit.

“Thank you for everything, Pam, you were wonderful.” I hug her.

“You are welcome. It was my pleasure.”

“Nice meeting you.” I hear Portia say.

Anxious to leave, we bid good-bye to the Lees.

At the door, I retrieve Portia’s jacket and drape it over her shoulders. Outside, I notice a group of photographers waiting for us. Unbelievable, didn’t they snap enough pictures of us for the night?

A cab that Pam called waits for us. I open the door, and Portia slides in. I sit next to her and give her address to the driver. I sense Portia stiffen beside me. I glance at her and identify a pained expression crossing her face. I remain quiet. I don’t want the driver overhearing our conversation. Instead, I lean down and nibble on her luscious lips.

“God, I missed your lips.” I suck on her lower lip. She responds to me, and her warmth arouses me. We are lost in kissing each other, when the cab driver clears his throat. I pay the fare, and help her from the cab.

We enter the building in silence. Once in the elevator I ask her, “Do you want to go to Connecticut with me tomorrow?” She punches the key to her floor, and steps into a corner of the elevator, away from me.

“Why are you not taking me home with you tonight?” Her eyes are a shade of desperate.

With one long step, I close the space separating us and my hands cup her face. “Oh, baby, because I can’t lie next to you tonight, and not make you mine.” I kiss her. Again, when I surface from her intoxicating lips, her eyes glint with renewed passion. Damn, I am hard as fuck.

We step out of the elevator, into the foyer. My arms wrap around her tiny waist. I need to readjust to being with her.

“What time you are picking me up?” She grins up at me.

“Is six too early?” I ask, hopeful.

“Not early enough,” she says.

My hands draw her soft body against mine. Sensing my arousal, she trembles inside my embrace. I lean down and my mouth captures hers. My tongue enters her parted lips and meets her tongue for an erotic dance. I moan as she thrusts her hips against my erection, teasing me with her curves.

“Mmmm, I need to go; you are just too tempting tonight.” I pull back, and press for the elevator.

“If you must,” Portia sighs, when the ping of the elevator announces its arrival.

“Here. At. Six.” I moan in between kisses, stepping back, into the open elevator. I look at her beautiful, blue eyes one last time before the door closes. God, I am deeply in love with this woman.

Me:
Are u up yet? Anxiously waiting. I’m here.

Portia:
Damn slow elevator.

Me:
Wow, baby. R u ready?

Portia:
On my way.

My heart skips a beat. It is quarter to six. To no surprise, I am early. I barely slept. The excitement from the successful exhibit and the anticipation of being with Portia kept me up most of the night.

I glance up from my phone, to see as Portia gingerly step across the deserted road. I hop out of the Jeep, opening my arms as she strides, with a lovely grin, into my embrace. I inhale deeply, savoring the familiar scent of gardenia in her hair.

“Hey, gorgeous.” She gazes up, and I kiss her lips.

“God, Will, you can’t do this to me,” she says.

“What’s wrong, baby?” My thumbs skim her jaw. Her big eyes are uncommonly serious.

“Keep me away from you…” She hides her face on my chest.

The sound of my throaty laughter fills the silent Manhattan morning.

“You find me amusing, huh.” Her voice is serious, but I see a twitch on her lips.

“Oh, baby, trust me, I have no intention of keeping you away.” I kiss her again.

“Let’s go!” I open the door for her, relishing the familiarity of the gesture.

“Aren’t you the classic nature lover?” I smirk at Will.

“What’s not to love?” Kneeling in front of me, he slides the hiking boot on my foot. I lean back and relish the gentle touch of his strong hands.

“I don’t think I have ever hiked,” I muse.

“You’re going to love it.” He ties the shoelace. “Does it feel OK?” He glances up at me.

“Yeah, it feels so good to finally have you at my feet…” I give him a wicked smile.

“You’ve had me at your feet all along, baby,” he says playfully, and gives me a peck on my nose. He stands.

We are a Bob’s Store, buying a pair of hiking boots. Yep. Those are my exact words. Will decided to take me to one of his favorite place, Sleeping Giant Mountain. Honestly, I have my doubts if I am going to like it. The concept of hiking a mountain is a novelty. I am a city girl. I enjoy concrete, room service, elevators, and air conditioner. Then again, I might like it because I’ll be with Will.

“This place is a piece of heaven,” he told me. Which is why when he informed me we had to hike there, I simply smiled back in agreement. Will had a grin on his face when he invited me. He is so incredibly charming, and I just can’t refuse anything he asks me. Since the day I met Will, one of the greatest mysteries I have tried to unravel is how his stare alone can disarm me.

We head for the cashier, and a teenage girl recognizes me. Oh, no free pass today. I want to deny who I am, but her eyes glimmer with excitement, and I just don’t have the heart.

“Are you Portia McGee?” she mumbles with startled eyes.

“That’s me.” I smile.

“Oh. My. God. No one is going to believe me. Can I take a picture with you?”

“Sure.” I notice as Will steps back, allowing the girl to enjoy her moment with me.

I do my best to be discreet; I sign an autograph and hastily take a picture. But before the cashier registers our purchase, there is a group of people hovering and blinking their cameras toward us.