When Angels Cry (19 page)

Rosie slipped the board into her pocket.
  “There are reasons for everything.”

“Yeah, well, she has more than enough reasons to want me out of Kaylee’s life.” 
He nodded and looked away. 

“So it would seem.  But are her reasons for wanting you to leave stronger than your reasons for wanting to stay?”
  Rosie looked back at the painting.

Bastian closed his eyes and, without trying, could see Kaylee’s face.  He knew the soft curve of her lips as she smiled, and the harder line of her frown.  He knew the gentle slope of her shoulders and the curve of her waist.  He knew the swell of her hip, and the feel of his body inside hers.  The only thing he didn’t know was how to let her go.

“You can keep silent, but I’m willing to bet you know the answer.”  She paused for a moment and looked back at the picture.  “I think the painting is crooked.”
  Rosie stepped toward the doorway.

Bastian
frowned. 
“I think you’re right.”  He reached to straighten it and heard the insistent approach
of
a woman in heels tapping across the stone floor.  Half expecting it to be Kaylee, both Bastian and Rosie turned to find Denna Renard standing in the doorway.  She stared at the drawing and then looked at Rosie, but her gaze avoided Bastian.

“Have you seen Kaylee?  She held her handbag like a dangling weight.

“Not this morning,” Rosie said, edging toward the door.

“I left her at the house after your brunch date,” Bastian offered quietly, stepping back and double-checking to see whether the painting still hung crooked, which it did.  He’d never been very good at straightening things.

“You’d do well to leave permanently,” Denna snapped.

“Really?”  Bastian tried again to straighten it.  “Funny, I wasn’t the one who made her mad enough to fly out of a restaurant before she’d even eaten.”

“This is none of your concern.” 
Denna tapped her heel on the floor angrily.

“Wrong
.
” Bastian seethed, stepping away from the painting.  “Kaylee is my concern--whether you like it or not.”

“I think I can take care of my daughter without your help.” 
She folded her arms across her chest. 

Bastian laughed hollowly. 
“You don’t even know
your daughter
.  You live outside the states and fly in every so often to kiss her on the cheek.  That makes you an expert on Kaylee?  I don’t think so.”
 

“Get out.” 
Denna pointed to the door. 

“You didn’t hire me, so I’ll be damned if you’re going to fire me.”
  Bastian looked back at the painting
, which
appeared to be hanging more level now. 

“I do as I please.” 
She kept pointing at the door. 

“Maybe you do most of the time.  Maybe your money says you can treat other people any way you want, but not this time.  I’ll leave whenever Kaylee tells me to.  Not a minute sooner.  So quit wasting my time and your breath.  I’ve got a supply order to get ready for Rosie.”
Bastian walked
to the desk and pulled out a pad and pen, scribbling whatever came to mind so he didn’t have to look at the woman standing before him.

“We’ll just see about this,” she huffed and stalked down the hallway.
  The front bell jingled, signaling to both Rosie and Bastian that Denna had vacated the premises.

“That went well,” Rosie said, giving him a two-thumbs-up gesture.

Bastian shook his head. 
“Compared to what?  Hiroshima?”
 

“Nobody’s ever stood up to her like that,” Rosie said and headed back to her desk.

“What a shocker,” Bastian muttered as he glanced around the room.  In the corner by his desk, he saw a large sketchpad.  Although he didn’t have any chalks, he did have a pencil.  That, he mused while turning to a blank sheet, was enough to create magic.

* * *

Bastian’s vision began to blur.  He rubbed his eyes and glanced from the sketch of Kaylee’s profile to his watch and found it was already 10:30
.  T
he day had slipped past as he worked.  Peering out the studio windows, he saw a row of evenly spaced lamps glowing against the darkness, and he longed to hold Kaylee.

“That’s quite enough for today,” he said, tossing the pencil on the desk and getting up.  For just a split second
,
he wondered if he should stay elsewhere tonight, but he figured the storm must have passed, even
the
one created
by
Denna Renard.

All the way home, Bastian drove on auto-pilot.  He pulled into the drive, switched off the engine, and walked up to Kaylee’s door.  He thought about knocking but instead twisted the handle and found, as always, that it opened at his touch.  Slipping inside, he quietly walked through the foyer and into the living room, where Kaylee slept on the couch.   One hand propped her head up, and the other rested on her abdomen.  Her chest rose and fell peacefully with each breath, and her face looked calm.  Her lips parted slightly, and Bastian heard the faintest whisper escape.  He walked over to the couch and knelt
before
her, leaning close enough to hear whatever she dreamed about.  He would have, had she repeated it.

He gently kissed her cheek near her earlobe.

“Bastian?” she whispered as her eyelids fluttered open.

“The one and only,” he replied, kissing her again.

“I’m sorry about earlier.  I didn’t mean to snap at you and make you leave.” 
Her eyes opened
fully
, and frown lines etched themselves into her forehead. 

“You didn’t make me leave, silly.  I was just giving you space to cool off.  I figured you could do without me underfoot.”
  He brushed his fingers across her face and kissed her nose.

Kaylee kissed his cheek. 
“I didn’t know if you’d come back.  I shouldn’t have acted that way.”

Bastian sat beside her.  “I’ll always come back,
b
aby.”

“My mother called earlier.  She said she fired you.”

Kaylee laid her head in his lap.  Her fingers traced the rough fiber of his jeans.

             
“She tried, except I wasn’t exactly a willing victim.  I told her she hadn’t hired me and
w
asn’t qualified to fire me, either.” 
Bastian laughed.   His hand drifted to her hair, and he absently stroked it. 

             
“Yeah, she mentioned that, too.” 
Kaylee slipped one arm beneath his knees and wrapped it around them. 

Bastian looked down at her.  “And what did you tell her?”

“That you were right and I wasn’t about to fire you.  I told her she needed to go back to Paris.”

“And did you talk about anything else?” 
Bastian buried his fingers in the silk of her hair. 

Kaylee glared at him.  “Do you mean did I tell her I’m dying?  No, I didn’t.”

“So you just want her to get a phone call from a doctor telling her what you couldn’t?”
  Bastian’s hand stopped moving.

“No, that’s not what I want.  What I want is to be well.  I want to grow old with you.  I want to have children.  That’s what I want.  But nobody asked me.”
  Kaylee sat up and rested her head in her hands, ignoring the way her hair slipped into her eyes.

“I want that, too, Kaylee.  God, how I want that.”

Bastian set his palm on her back and rubbed. 

Chapter Thirteen

As morning poured into the room, illuminating the bed, Kaylee opened her eyes to find Bastian sitting beside her, holding a lap tray laden with a plate of French toast, a glass of milk, and a single red rose.

He nodded at the tray. 
“Your breakfast, m’lady.”

“It’s winter, Bastian.  Where did you get this?”

Kaylee picked up the flower and brought it to her nose, closing her eyes and savoring
its
perfume.

Bastian brushed the bangs from her face.  Bending
,
he kissed her forehead.
 
“I made it,
s
illy.  I can cook, you know.”

“Not the breakfast
—the
flower.” 
Kaylee opened her eyes and grinned, flushed.  She sat up and stacked the pillows behind her back.

“Oh, that.
  I’ll never tell.  A guy has to have some secrets, after all.  How about I feed you?” 
Bastian set the tray in her lap and helped her adjust the pillows
. 
Kaylee leaned
back,
and he picked up the silverware. 

Kaylee watched Bastian cut a bite.  “How good are you at aiming a fork
?
”

“Perfect.”  Bastian slipped a bite onto the
tines
.

“Why
n
ot.” 
She laughed. 

“Now open the hanger
. 
H
ere comes the airplane.”
  He moved the fork toward her mouth. 

Sizing up the bite he planned to feed her, she shook her head and  caught his hand.  “I can’t eat that much in one bite
.
”

“Sure you can.”  Bastian moved the fork closer to her face.  “Be a good girl and open up
.
”

Kaylee’s lips parted despite her doubts, and Bastian managed to get all but a morsel in her mouth.  He watched as it slipped off the fork and down the front of her nightgown.

Kaylee’s eyes
wide
ned
.  “
Eww
.  T
hat feels...slimy.
  I thought you said you could aim that thing.
”  She looked at the streak of butter and syrup the toast had left in passing.

“I lied.”
He, too, looked at her slick skin and grinned wildly.  “Lucky food.”  He shrugged  and sighed in mock exasperation.  “Oh, well.  I guess I’ll have to go in after that.”  He placed the fork on the plate and set the tray aside as he unbuttoned her nightgown with his teeth.  With each newly freed button, he licked the syrup from the freshly exposed skin.  The warmth and wetness of his tongue left Kaylee breathless.

Reaching the last button, he found the bite he’d dropped and lifted it into his mouth with his tongue.  He tugged open Kaylee’s nightgown, exposing her breasts.  Leaning closer, he kissed one taut peak and felt a shudder run through her.  His tongue flickered across it, forcing a gasp from her mouth.

“
Mmm
...nothing like maple syrup--unless it’s maple syrup on you.  What a way to start the day.” 
Bastian laid his head upon her chest and
took in
her pleasure-glazed expression. 

Kaylee’s eyelids fluttered open.  “Maybe I should feed you,” she said in a husky voice.

“Maybe you should.  I’m hungry, all right.” 
Bastian picked up the fork and offered it to her.
Despite her trembling hands, Kaylee accepted
it and
managed to
fork
bite on
to
the
tines
.  Lifting the bite to Bastian mouth, she lightly smeared the syrup around his lips.

“Oops,” she said in a sultry whisper.  “Maybe I’d better clean you up.”  She set the plate on the nightstand, leaned close, and tri
lled
her tongue
across
the skin,
lapping up
the syrup.  Her tongue teased his lips, parting them until she could thrust her tongue deeply into his mouth.

His arms slipped around her and brought her closer.  They tasted each other’s passions as Bastian lowered Kaylee to a prone position.  As he touched her velvet skin, he forgot about everything except what it felt like to be one with her.

Long after they’d made love, Kaylee lay in his arms, her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.  She enjoyed the reassuring strength of it and relaxed so her own heart rate matched his.

“So what are your plans today?” she asked.

“I thought I’d go down to the studio and try to prepare for next week.  Did you have something in mind?” 
Bastian propped an arm behind his head and shifted slightly under the covers.  A draft chilled his toes, and he shifted the comforter to seal the air leak.

  Kaylee shook her head.  “I was going to visit my mother to see if she’s calmed down.”

Bastian laughed humorlessly.  “I can already tell you the answer.”

“I’m sure you’re right, but that doesn’t mean I want to leave things status quo.  I don’t appreciate the way she’s judging you.”
  Kaylee draped her arm around Bastian’s mid-section. 

“I don’t mind.  It’s not like it matters what she thinks.”
  He settled his hand over hers. 

“I mind.  She doesn’t have the right.”  Kaylee slowly sat upright and stood, curling her toes in the plush carpet.  She walked away from the bed and ended up in front of her open closet, choosing an outfit.

“I know better than to argue with you.
  You’re more stubborn that I’ve ever dreamed of being.
”  Bastian sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. 

Bastian walked to the closet and grabbed his jeans and a shirt.  He kissed Kaylee’s shoulder in passing
an
d clean clothes in hand, headed toward the guest bathroom.
  
Kaylee waited until she
’d
heard the water running in the shower before she picked up the telephone and dialed
for
information.

When the operator answered, Kaylee said, “I need a listing in Trenton for Angie Connelly.”  She nodded her head, picked up a pad and pen from the night stand, and scribbled a phone number.  “Thanks.”

She hung up the receiver, picked it up again, and punched in the digits she’d just written.  After two rings, a woman’s voice answered.

“Hello?”

Kaylee took a deep breath.  “May I speak to Angie Connelly?”

“This is she,” a
guarded voice replied.

“Angie, my name is Kaylee Renard
—”

“
I’m not interested in buying anything,” Angie replied.

“That’s good, because I’m not selling anything.”  Tension knotted Kaylee’s shoulders.  “I’m a friend of Bastian’s.”  She twisted the phone cord around her fingers and prayed Angie would listen.

“Is he there?”  The words came out so quickly it sounded like a single word with lots of syllables.

“No.”  Kaylee shook her head.  “He doesn’t even know I’m calling you.”

“Is he all right?
”

“He’s fine.  Stubborn as hell, but fine.”  Kaylee leaned against the headboard.  “I’m sure you want to talk to him, and that’s the reason I’m calling.”

“What do you mean?”  The guarded tone returned.

“He’s not going to return home for a visit of his own free will, and let’s just say I know what it’s like to feel far away from family.  If he’s not going to come to you, the best I can do is try to bring you to him.  I mean, I know he’d like an opportunity to talk to you, even if he won’t admit it.  He’s too damned stubborn to arrange it without help.”

“What do you suggest?”

“
I’d like to invite you to fly here to Chicago for a few days.  It would give you a chance to see and talk to him.”  She paused, wondering what else she could say.  “I know it’s short notice, but if he means as much to you as he does to me, maybe it’s possible.”

“You’re right,” she said slowly.  “I miss my brother, and it’s possible.  What airport is closest to you?”

“O’Hare
,
” Kaylee said, untwisting the cord from her fingers.

“I’ll call and get a flight for tomorrow.  How can I contact you once the arrangements have been made?”

Kaylee smiled and mouthed the word, “Yes
.
”  Then she forced her lips into a more neutral line.  “E-mail me.”  Kaylee waited a few seconds, giving
Angie
a chance to get a pen
,
and rattled off her email address.

“I’ll do that.  Can I reach you at this number if there is an emergency?”

“Of course, but Bastian is here, and I’m trying to keep this a secret.  If he knew what I’m doing, he’d be angry.” 
Kaylee heard the shower shut off, and she knew her time was up.

  “I understand.  I’ll e-mail you with my plans and my flight number and time.  Please reply so I’ll know where to go from there.”

Kaylee nodded
.
“Of course.  That sounds great.  I’m looking forward to meeting you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”  Angie paused.  “Thank you, Kaylee.  I’ve been worried about him.”

“You’re welcome.  I’ll reply to your message this evening.” 
Kaylee smiled and felt a warmth in her cheeks.   She wondered how quickly Bastian would dress and return. 

“Okay--thanks.”

“Bye.”  Kaylee placed the receiver on the hook as Bastian opened the bathroom door down the hall.  A moment later, he slipped into the room and looked at Kaylee.

“Are you still in bed, young lady?” 
He arched an eyebrow and rested his hands on his hips. 

“I’m being lazy.  And what are you going to do about it?” 
Kaylee folded her hands behind her head.    She sighed contentedly despite the fact that her heart pounded in the wake of the phone call she’d just made.

“What am I going to do about it?” he repeated.  “I’m going to tickle the laziness right out of you,” he threatened, quickly swooping upon her and running his fingers down her sides as he kissed her neck. He pinned both
her
wrists with one hand.

“Stop it.  Let me up.” 
Kaylee bucked her hips and thrashed her legs in protest. 
She
tried to free her hands, but couldn’t budge.

“Not on your life,” he retorted.  “I haven’t seen you move like this since...ever.  Not to mention how thrilled I am to get to
watch those hips bucking.   Mmm
-
mmm good.”

Kaylee continued to struggle
,
and her hair fluttered in her face, tickling her nose.  Bastian finally stopped tormenting her and gently brushed the strands from her eyes.

“You’re so damned beautiful you take my breath away.”

“Do you need CPR?” she asked in a husky voice.  As she
smiled, dimples appeared in her cheeks, making her look even younger than she was. 

He looked in her eyes and whispered, “I just might.”

Kaylee lifted her head and brought her lips to his, caressing them softly, flickering her tongue across them before
darting into
his mouth.  Her hand slid down his side, stroking softly until he groaned.

Kaylee kissed his neck. 
“You’re never going to make it to the studio at this rate.” 
 

“What studio?” Bastian asked in mock stuptification.  His eyes closed.

“The one you’re going to be teaching at next week.”

Bastian’s eyelids fluttered open and he smiled wickedly. 
“Oh
—that
studio.” 
He slid off the bed, dragging Kaylee with him.  As his butt hit the floor, she landed on his stomach.

“What did you do that for?” she asked between fits of laughter.

“It got you out of bed, didn’t it?”

Kaylee straddled him.  “And I thought you wanted me on top of you.”

“That’s later,
d
arlin’.  Right now
,
I’ve got to figure out which end of the paintbrush touches the canvas, and you’ve got a mother to visit.”
  Bastian lifted her from atop him. 

Kaylee let out an exasperated sigh.  “Yeah, there is that.
  Lucky me and all that jazz.
”  She wiggled just enough so that he set her back on the ground. 

Bastian kissed her neck.  “I’m heading out, Kaylee.  I’ll see you later, okay?”

She nodded, walked to the bathroom, and turned on the hot water.  As steam filled the air, she replayed the conversation with Angie.  She leaned against the shower door, panic filling her.  Bastian would be furious.