North Star (15 page)

Chapter 13

Graham woke first and glanced at the beauty sleeping next to him. She’d astounded him last night. Caresse laid against his chest peacefully, with one of her legs draped possessively over his. He cast his gaze at the ceiling as he replayed the events of last night over in his mind. Never in his life had a woman captivated him like she had. The way she looked, smelled, and felt intoxicated him, and the passion of their lovemaking blew his mind.

They’d made love twice last night, and this morning he basked in the thought of knowing the raw sexual femininity of her. When she let go, something primitive in him snapped, and he had to quench the fire of wanting her. It was a sexual want he’d tried to contain due to the situation with Yvette, but Caresse had made it obvious she didn’t want that. Graham remembered how she’d taunted him to take her naked, aroused body. She had no shame in her desire, and her playfulness in bed had sealed his belief that she was made for him.

A sudden stirring next to him caught his attention as Caresse shifted herself closer to his body. When he searched her face, she returned his gaze with warmth and a hug.

He kissed her forehead, then her soft lips as she shifted her body on top of his.

“Are you trying to drive me crazy?” Graham groaned as she rocked her hips and caused his body to react eagerly to hers.

“No,” Caresse purred as she nuzzled his neck. “I had no idea it we could be like that.”

“Me neither, sweetheart, but there one thing I do know.”

“What?”

“You’re meant to be in my bed, Caresse. And no one else’s.”

Caresse sat up and straddled his body. “Is that right?”

Graham reached up and traced her nipples with his fingers, causing her to inhale deeply. “Yes, baby. See how our bodies respond quickly to each other. Everything that’s in you, wants me, and I have no problem complying.”

Graham reached for another condom and placed it in her hand.

Caresse tossed it onto his chest. “Sorry, but I happen to enjoying walking normally. My body may want to go another round, but my head thinks a break is needed.”

“Nonsense, let me change your mind.” Graham tore the condom from its wrapper and moved her upward so he could cover his manhood. Once properly sheathed, he lowered her wet, slick body onto his hardness. As her body filled with him, he sat up and widened his legs allowing her body to rock back and her thighs to lift on the sides of his chest.

When Caresse locked her fingers around his neck and looked up at him, Graham placed his hands on her hips and moved her gently up and down. The motion caused her desire to increase, and the smell of lust and lovemaking made his body harder. The sway of her breasts and the soft moans from her lips made it difficult for him to keep the slow, methodical pace. And when she began to meet his thrust with her own, he came undone.

Graham clenched his teeth and cursed when Caresse leaned forward and pushed him back onto the feather pillows behind him. She grabbed the headboard above his head and rode him, causing him to surrender, again and again, with deep, long strokes, Graham marveled at the power of her.

“Graham!” she panted as her body began to convulse around him, triggering a climax of his own. Seconds later, he basked in the knowledge that what they shared was only the beginning. He knew without a doubt that Caresse was definitely a woman he could love.

A few hours later, Graham was standing before an emergency meeting with his
Psyche
editors. Yvette’s accident made the marketing of the upcoming Mason Ball even more pressing. Since he’d personally promised Yvette and her father that the article would be finished soon, he needed his best staff members on the project.

“Okay, people. I know the August issue is complete, but a special Mason Center insert is needed for the New York tri-state bound copies. The Masons are special friends of mine, and since their CEO is in the hospital, I need this completed this weekend. I want to go to press next week.”

The editorial staff groaned at the thought of working on a Saturday. Gray Ryley, the marketing editor for
Psyche
inquired, “Are we starting from scratch, or is there a preliminary insert draft?”

“The photographers have already captured all the photos you’ll need, and Kathy is handling out the feature article on Mason Community Center and the Mason Ball, but I need a commitment from at least two of you to spearhead this getting done right. Any volunteers?”

Suddenly the boardroom door swung open and an impeccably dressed and stylishly coiffed Laila strolled in.

“Count me in, Graham.” She beamed as she found her seat between Graham and Gray. “Forgive my tardiness everyone. I had to drop my brother at the airport.”

Graham nodded. “Anyone else available to assist Laila with this rush project?”

Gray glanced at the playful warmth in Laila’s eyes and smiled. “Hell, boss, I guess I’m in, too. Someone needs to make sure the ads remind the readers about volunteering and not only shopping for the Mason Ball.”

Everyone laughed as Laila elbowed Gray. Graham knew their resident fashion editor had a reputation of being a little over-concerned with fashion advertisement placement.

“Fine, fine, I want everyone to give these two your suggestions and see Kathy in regards to RSVPing your attendance for Mason Ball. I’ve reserved four tables, so you and your guest will be able to attend. That’s all, people. I need to speak to Laila and Gray alone.”

As the staff filed out, Graham thanked them for their time and closed the door behind them. When he reclaimed his seat, he stared intensely at Laila. “So what did you do to Latrell to drive him back to the ranch without a goodbye to me?”

Laila smirked and leaned back in her seat. “He called you three times last night, but that silly grin on your face must mean you were too busy with a certain someone to think about talking to family. Am I right?”

“Don’t deflect. Why are you here, Laila? I thought we agreed you would take some time away from the office.”

Laila sighed. “I’m fine, Graham, and work is the best thing for me right now. When you call Latrell, he’ll tell you the same. I need to focus on something other than my love life.”

Gray gripped Laila’s hand to show support. “The Mason insert is a great project to focus on, if you ask me.”

Graham nodded and took in Laila’s appearance. She seemed better than he had seen her in weeks. The bags under her eyes had disappeared, so he had no physical reason to be concerned about her, but her return to
Psyche
still worried him.

“Okay, you two get to work. I need that insert on my desk first thing Monday morning.

Caresse warmly welcomed Nyla and Messina home as her cousin, Diane, and her Aunt Jacqui watched closely. She told Diane about Yvette’s accident as she served them lunch.

“Yvette has more tests scheduled for Thursday. I’ve decided the girls shouldn’t go,” Caresse whispered to Diane as Nyla and Messina talked happily to each other about their trip.

“Do you think that’s a good idea? The girls will want to see her, too.” Diane stared at her, baffled.

“I have no intentions of overshadowing one of their best summer with seeing their Auntie Vette in the hospital. I have to wait until she’s looking and feeling more like herself. Besides, Messina is too young to understand why it happened.”

“Doesn’t Yvette hate hospitals?” Diane asked before she sipped her lemonade.

“With a passion,” Caresse said. “I think it’s because she’s used to having the ability of handling her business affairs her way and having complete control.”

“How are you holding up?” Aunt Jacqui Aldana Price cut in when the girls were excused from the table. “You look like you didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Caresse blushed at the thought of her reason for not sleeping and chose her words carefully. “A lot happened yesterday, but you’re right, I need more sleep.”

“Don’t worry about the girls. Diane and I will watch them and prepare dinner tonight, so you go upstairs and get some rest.”

Caresse never could ignore her father’s younger sister. Aunt Jacqui had a way of taking over a family crisis and making it manageable for all concerned. Her gentle face reminded her of the elegant Lena Horne, while her determined spirit was reminiscent of her father.

“Okay, Aunt Jacqui. I’m going, but if you need anything, let me know.”

“I most certainty won’t. That’s not what resting is all about, young lady. Besides, my sweet Diane will make sure I have everything I need.”

Diane nodded as she began clearing their plates. “We’ll be fine, Carè. Get some rest.”

As the women worked diligently in the kitchen, Caresse walked upstairs and entered her bedroom. Once the door closed behind her, she began making a list of things to make Yvette feel at home in the hospital.

Graham stared intently at Rick as he revealed that a guard and cook were paid a substantial amount of money to cause serious accidents at the center.

“What do you mean, they don’t know who paid them?”

“I know, I know. It baffled my mind, too, but apparently the mastermind made sure money was enough of a deterrent to keep anyone from asking too many questions.”

“How much money was offered?”

“About four thousand per accident to scare Yvette and her staff, but after that, the trail runs cold. I’m hoping forensics will give me some new leads.” Rick rubbed his hand over his clenched fist and stared out Graham’s office window. “I hate being in the dark.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Keep your eyes and ears open. Maybe Caresse or Mr. Mason will stumble across something that won’t mean much to them, but may shed some light on this case for me. I’m scheduled to give Mr. Mason an update at the end of the week, but I’ll wait until I have a chance to pay Yvette a visit.”

“Good idea.”

Caresse walked quietly down the hospital corridor with a box under her arm and wheeling an overnight Channel bag behind her. She’d gathered some things from Yvette’s home to make her recovery pleasant, and she hoped her friend was awake to view them.

As she approached Yvette’s private hospital suite, there seemed to be a lot of people gathered around. Caresse wasn’t sure what had happened, but Yvette was definitely the focus of attention. Her voice carried down the hall.

“This is not chic, Andre! I look so ordinary in this...what do they call this?” Yvette snapped.

“It’s a cotton blend hospital gown,” Yvette’s hairstylist answered. “It’s what they give everyone.”

“Do I look like everyone?” Yvette bellowed. “This isn’t me. Is it?”

The other people in the room ignored the question and continued watering her plants, hanging new artwork, and installing remote control curtains. Caresse was the sixth person to enter the room.

“I guess we’re feeling better?” Caresse asked as she entered the suite.

“Carè! I knew you would come. What did you bring me?” Yvette purred as she put one hand out like a child asking for a piece of candy.

“First, what are you doing here? This place looks like a home improvement show.”

“You know how I feel about feng shui. The colors were all wrong, and I can’t sleep with my feet facing the door. They call that the ‘death position’ for a reason, girlfriend. The decorator of this place did some dreadful work.”

Caresse sighed and shook her head as she watched a few men install a lightweight folding screen to hide the hospital monitors near her bedside. “Wow, I have a feeling when everything is done, it will look like a spa retreat in here. Does the hospital administration know about all of this?”

“Of course not! I paid a few people to keep their mouths shut, and everyone’s happy. Well, almost everyone. My doctor is a real sour sack. I don’t think he knows how to smile. Can you see if I can get another doctor assigned to my case?”

“Yvette, he saved your life.”

“I know that! But I need a doctor with a decent bedside manner. Can you blame me for wanting my own McSteamy?” Yvette demanded as Andre held a hand mirror to show her new hairdo. “I look too good to only see Pollyannic hospital aids, overworked nurses, and Doctor Doom.”

“I brought you a few things to make you feel better. It’s not a good-looking man, but I think you’ll like them.” Caresse placed the box on the bed beside Yvette and suitcase on a chair.

Yvette motioned Andre to open the box. He did, revealing some of her personal toilettes and books, while the suitcase contained an assortment of nightgowns and robes.

“Yes, yes! This is what I need. Everyone take a break. I need to change into some real clothes.”

The workers and Andre happily stopped their tasks and left the room. Caresse locked the door and started to help her friend get out of the hospital gown when the bandages halted her. Her stomach twisted at the thought of what her friend had been through.

“Are you in pain right now?”

“Not much. They give pretty powerful stuff in here. Don’t worry, it looks worse than it feels.”

They placed her in a beautiful royal purple silk gown with a matching robe. Caresse adjusted the pillows behind Yvette’s head so she could see the fragrance calla lilies and white roses that decorated her room.

“Are those from your parents?”

“Yeah, William and Sadie know what their daughter likes.” She nodded. “Dad came in here and said, ‘Yvette Mavi, you better listen to these doctors and get better because we have too much to do, while mom instructed some florist to place flower arrangements on different surfaces in the room.”

Caresse laughed. “And I wondered where you got this flare from.”

There was a soft knock on the door. Caresse answered as Felicia, one of the community center secretaries, strolled into the room with a large Louis Vuitton bag.

“Did you bring him?”

“Yes,” Felicia said nervously.

Caresse didn’t like the way Yvette squeaked in delight as she demanded Felicia open the bag. And, as if on cue, Yvette’s white Persian cat strolled onto the hospital bed.

“You got to be kidding me? You can’t have him in here.” Caresse sighed as the workers and Andre returned to the room.

“Why not? He’s family, and if they want me to get better and sashay my curvy hips out of here, they will give me what I need to recover. Where’s my laptop, iPhone, and iPod?”

Felicia produced them from another bag and began looking for an electrical outlet.

“See Carè, I’ll have my own command center by noon.”

“You need to be resting.”

“I am resting, and happy. You haven’t seen my feet touch the floor once.”

Then Graham entered Yvette’s hospital suite. “I thought I would find you here. What’s going on? Are you expecting President Obama?”

“I wish.” Yvette answered quickly. “Do you like what I’ve done with the place?”

Graham rubbed his chin and surveyed the work until he noticed a puff of white fur moving at Yvette’s side. “Is that...?”

“Yes, it is,” Caresse answered. “I’m trying to make her see Cleo shouldn’t be in here.”

“It looks like you already lost that battle,” he said as he placed a comforting arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

It had been days since she had seen him, but nightly phone calls to console her as he worked hard to complete the latest issue of
Psyche
had helped.

Lowering his head to hers, he whispered, “Hang in there, you’re doing fine.”

Caresse smiled weakly and turned her gaze to a portrait of Yvette, taken from the Masons’ home, prominently displayed by the window. The photo was one of Yvette’s Christmas gifts to her parents last year. She sat elegantly in a lavender dress as her radiant eyes shone with joy and laughter.