A New York Love Story (17 page)

“Is there something wrong?” Clover was perplexed.

“I hope not…”

The guy in the white car was now taking pictures of some buildings. Maybe he was just a tourist after all and not a paparazzi. He shifted into reverse and turned into the street. Until now he had been able to hide his presence in New York, in spite of his wanderings with Clover. He began to really enjoy his holiday away from the media, and hoped that the journalists wouldn't spoil it.

After a few miles he noticed the white car in his rear view mirror. “Fuck!” he mumbled, pressing down hard on the accelerator.

“What's happening?”

“I think someone has recognized me and he's following us. It's the same car that was in the parking lot.”

“God! I'm sorry…” Clover sighed.

Cade felt guilty. The evening might risk ending badly because of his famous movie star face.
Why don't they leave me alone?
Fucking paparazzi!

Upset, he abruptly made a U turn. “What are you doing?” Clover sat straight up.

“If that guy wants a scoop, I can make it easy for him… he can look me in the face!” he grunted angrily, now driving in the wrong direction, straight towards the other car!

Clover held onto the door. “Don't you think it would be simpler just to stop the car and talk to that guy?”

“If he's a journalist and I stop, tomorrow
everybody
will know where I am and who is with me… do you think it would be wise?”

“… no… of course not…”

Cade was staring at the white car. The street was almost deserted, so he wasn't taking a big risk. When he felt he had scared the other driver, he turned back into the proper lane. He almost had the impulse to open the window and flip him off, but thought the better of it.

Clover had a different idea. Quickly she opened her window, stuck her head out and shouted, “Too bad! Better luck next time! And Merry Christmas!”

Then she was quiet for a moment. She looked embarrassed. “I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. I hope he didn't have time to take a picture of me…”

Cade shrugged. “A photo of somebody's head out of a car window – and not even my car – would get him nowhere. Also I'm not sure he was a paparazzi. He just had a cell phone, probably not a great photo quality anyway… also it's dark and it's snowing. Even if he did take a picture, you wouldn't be recognizable.” He was talking mostly to himself.

But he suddenly thought,
of course, if that guy had been watching them since they arrived at the pizzeria, it would be a totally different story.

“Well, if he got a picture of me, the worst case scenario is that we'll have a huge clientele tomorrow at the store!” Clover said, jokingly. Then laughing, she added, “My mother would die of envy, if she saw me tomorrow on the cover of one of her favorite tabloids! It would be almost worth hoping it—”

Cade felt suddenly uncomfortable at her words. When he had first met Clover, she seemed to be totally indifferent to publicity and gossip – actually, quite the opposite. Now she sounded much less worried than he was at the idea of being on the cover of a tabloid.

Was it possible that she was starting to enjoy it? Perhaps taking advantage of his celebrity didn't bother her after all. Maybe it was a way to get back at her mother, or get publicity for her store.

An inner voice spoke to him, while he observed her sweet profile.
What are you thinking? She's not like the others. She's probably simply playing down the episode to reassure you.

He sighed. He didn't want to think about that and ruin this evening because of some paparazzi or because of his paranoia – clearly they were the result of his previous bad experiences with women. He wanted to continue to enjoy his vacation in New York, especially on this particular evening, and most of all with
this
woman.

He grabbed his phone and quickly dialled a number.

“Are you calling in reinforcements?” Clover asked.

“Hmm… yes, in a way…”

“Do you have you a policeman or a professional assassin at your service?”

Cade laughed. “No, but I have a good friend who is a pastry chef. He could help in another way. Didn't you say that chocolate is the best cure for any pain or trouble?”

She giggled, “But it's one o' clock in the morning! Your friend will be sleeping…”

A gruff voice answered the phone, “What the fuck do you want in the middle of the night?”

“Good to hear your voice, too, Zack! Did I disturb you?” Cade was laughing.

“What do you think?”

“You picked up after a few rings, so maybe I didn't disturb you enough. Listen, in a just a few minutes I will be near your bakery. Can you open it for me?”

“Give me a good reason for not telling you to go to hell,” Zack yawned.

“Some paparazzi just nearly scared me and a friend to death. We need some chocolate to cheer us up, plus my friend here just turned twenty-eight and she hasn't had her well-deserved birthday cake yet.”

He caught the sweet and warm look that Clover flashed at him and all his tension and worries vanished.
God – he would do anything for that smile!

“Are you especially interested in this woman?” Zack was asking, as if he were reading his mind.

“Yes,” he answered, locking eyes with Clover.

“Ok, I think I have something ready that could work. Send me a text with the girl's name and some information about her. But you must promise not to keep me up too long! You know how crazily busy we are during the holiday season…”

“I swear we'll be quick! Thanks, Zack.”

As soon as he hung up, Clover giggled, “I'm impressed, Mr Movie Star! Your power must be incredible if you can get a pastry chef out of bed at this hour of the night! That guy must really be a good friend… or does he owe you money?”

Cade laughed again. “Actually, both! My fame helped him when he opened his bakery in New York, and I did loan him some money when he started out. I've known him for two years, and yes, I consider him a good friend.”

Zack Sullivan was one of the few people he could definitely trust and that who hadn't approached him because of his public persona. Zack knew very well that if Cade wasn't having some serious and personal troubles, he would never have asked for his help.

“Still, you're a slave driver, Cade Harrison! Waking up a friend like this is inhumane…” Clover was amused and excited by the whole situation.

“But it was for an important cause! Any self-respecting birthday party must end with a birthday cake, and Zack is the best baker I know…”

“So, are you doing all this for
me
?”

“For you… and also for me. My forced
exile
has become a fantastic vacation that I won't forget, thanks to you. So, you deserve a magnificent birthday cake!”

Clover didn't say anything.

Cade had wanted to tell her so much more, but he felt he had already exposed himself too much. It wouldn't be wise. Really. They hadn't known each other for long, and he was just recovering from one of the most stressful periods in his life. And he couldn't forget that his life was miles and miles away from New York.

He took the opportunity of a red light to send a text to Zack, then he turned near TriBeCa and headed towards the bakery. “Get ready to taste the most voluptuous dessert you can imagine!”

“I can't wait!”

Chocolate
Sins
Bakery was near Battery Park, not far from the port, with amazing views of the Hudson river and the Statue of Liberty. Cade parked in front of the store. Zack lived above it, so it shouldn't be too complicated for him to get downstairs.

Clover stared at the elegant sign, “Chocolate Sins!… It sounds good!”

“Zack is a real magician in the kitchen! I met him in San Francisco at a restaurant where he was the chef. But desserts have always been his passion, and a year ago he decided to open his own bakery here.”

“I've never seen this place before, otherwise I would have remembered it… Oh – my – god! Look at this chocolate sculpture!” She was admiring a giant chocolate Christmas tree covered with a colorful sugar praline, standing in the window.

Cade knocked lightly on the glass and a few seconds later a tall young man with dark hair opened it.

“Hello, my friend! I know you hate me right now, but I am truly very happy to see you again…” he shook his hand.

Zack Sullivan hugged him. “Next time you come to New York give me a shout – maybe when the sun is up!”

“I promise…” Cade gently pushed Clover ahead. “This is Clover, the birthday girl. She has already had two birthday celebrations today – but not a single cake!”

“She can make up for that right here…”

“I'm sorry to barge in here in the middle of the night – but your VIP friend wouldn't listen!” Clover was very apologetic…

“No worries, lady. I was still awake… Come on in.” He led them towards the back of the store.

The sweetest of smells welcomed them, a mix of cane sugar, cinnamon, cocoa, marzipan and candied fruit… Clover was in total ecstasy! Cade noticed the way she inhaled deeply and looked around almost as if she were in a dream.

“Ok, leave me here forever, pleease!” she mumbled and Cade squeezed her hand, enjoying her contagious enthusiasm.

A huge cake, shaped like a Christmas star, was sitting on a table. Zack lit the twenty-eight little golden candles. Their glow illuminated the sugary surface where Clover's name was spelled out in chocolate.

“With my best wishes!” Zack handed them two champagne flutes.

Cade thanked him with a smile, but was looking at Clover's eyes, misty with tears. “Is this an optical illusion due to the candle light, or are you really crying?” he whispered in her ear.

She smiled warmly at Zack and her adorable dimples appeared, “Thank you, Zack!”

Cade felt a pang of jealousy. He knew this didn't make any sense – Zack deserved that smile and thanks, yet still he couldn't help feel… but he immediately relaxed when he felt Clover's slender arms around his waist. He was so happy that he forgot the paparazzi, his doubts about her reaction and their
unlikely
future together. What he really cared about right now was making her evening unique!

He embraced her tightly with his free arm and got lost in the sweet scent of her that was mingling with the bakery's even sweeter aromas. Only when he caught Zack's curious look, did he remember they weren't alone.

He kissed her on the cheek, “To Clover! Many happy returns!” They made a toast and Zack joined in.

After a sip of champagne, Clover walked round the cake, looking at it from every angle. “It's a masterpiece… it's a pity to eat it!” But in spite of her words, she extended a finger to get some of the chocolate crème and put it in her mouth. “Mmm…” Her little moan of pleasure excited Cade.

“Wait a minute – should I stay here watching her eat the cake, while you're eating her with your eyes?” Zack said under his breath to Cade.

“What?” Cade mumbled distractedly, while staring at Clover's tongue licking the cream from her full lips. He thought of tasting the cake directly from her mouth and hearing her moan – this time for a different kind of pleasure…”

“Man, you've really got it bad!”

At Zack's words, he could only manage a soft grunt in reply.

At that moment Clover grabbed her cell phone. “We need a photo now!”

“I'm afraid it's your turn, movie star…” Zack said to Cade in a low tone. He knew how these things worked… every woman eventually wanted a picture with Cade Harrison.

But Cade nodded, and whispered proudly, “She's different…”

Clover asked a surprised Zack to pose behind his amazing culinary creation, and took his picture. Then she picked up a spoon and threatened to shock everybody with the quantity of cake she would be able to eat…

“Wait!” Cade, amused, stopped her. “You must blow out the candles and make a wish.”

“Right!” She bent over the cake and seemed to focus seriously on her wish. She smiled at Cade, who stared at her, mesmerized. The soft glow of the little flames created beautiful shadows on her elfin face. Her flamboyant red hair seemed alive and her big hazel eyes were glittering.

He felt a pulse of heat going through his body. Zack was right, he had really
got it bad
.

“I have a massive sugar high.” Clover sighed, leaning back in the car seat. “Sugar must… have a strange effect on me, I can't stop giggling!”

Cade tried to focus on the road, it had snowed heavily. “You should have shown more self-control… I can't believe you had three huge slices of cake!”

“You can't bring a child to a candy store and expect any moderation! I've never had so much birthday cake in my whole life. I can still feel waves of pleasure and that sweet chocolate taste in my mouth…”

“You should feel light waves of nausea…” Cade laughed.

“The meringue looked like nimbus clouds… and the white chocolate… divine! I found everything a woman could want in that bakery: sublime ingredients, a fantastic smell and a gorgeous pastry chef who makes the best cakes in the world with unmatched elegance and sensuality…”

“Everything a woman could want! I'll tell Zack he has scored himself another victim!” he said, frowning.

Are you jealous?
She thought, and the idea made her even more euphoric. “Well, he's a handsome man – it's difficult not to notice it. Tall, dark, mysterious… if I had met him on the street, I would think he was a fashion model. I would never imagine that a man like that was dealing with flour, eggs and ovens every day in the back of a bakery!”

“Ok, enough already… I get it!”

“Please, tell me he's not gay!”