A New York Love Story (7 page)

After a moment of silence, she nodded. “Ok! Believe me, you won't regret it.”

Seeing her smile, Cade felt completely satisfied and returned her smile. Pointing at the clock, he said, “See you outside in ten minutes… or do you need more time?”

“I was ready to go with a ripped pair of tights; do you think I am the type who needs a lot of time to make herself beautiful?”

“I don't think you need it,” he replied, sincerely. He was happy to see her confusion at this.

He headed to the door, and chuckled when he heard her shouting, “Disguise yourself in a way that no one will recognize you! I don't want to be on the news tomorrow with someone signing autographs on half of New York's butts!”

He should have sued that crazy woman who had chased him on the streets of LA for that
intimate
autograph! He signed her ass just to get her out of the way as quickly as possible. He hadn't noticed the paparazzi nearby. Well, the story had really gone crazy in all the tabloids. His neighbor seemed to find it funny, and at this point he didn't give a damn about it!

Clover almost ripped her dress in her hurry to take it off. She ran to the bathroom for the quickest shower ever. No way did she have time to wash her hair… She put a band aid on her knee, cursing herself for another clumsy fall in front of the Prince of Hollywood, and went into the bedroom. She put on her lavender wool dress with funny embroidery that she always wore for the Christmas concert, and some lip-gloss. She brushed her hair and grabbed her coat. She was ready a few minutes early!

He showed up a minute later, and on seeing him again Clover felt her mouth go as dry as the Sahara Desert. He was fantastic: sexy as in
to die for
and elegant at the same time. She suddenly felt drab and insignificant. She thought of the many incredibly beautiful women he was used to seeing in California! She was sure he had never been out with a girl wearing a tacky dress embroidered with snowmen and limping like the Hunchback of Notre Dame before!

She should have worn something sexier to go out with a man like him. Wait – going out? She wasn't
going out
with Cade Harrison. He was only being charitable by driving her to the Rockefeller Center. He had probably felt sorry for her. That was all.

She stuffed the woolly hat into her pocket and wrapped herself up tightly in her coat to hide as much as possible. She kept her head up with the little dignity she had left.

But when he came over to her, with that irresistible smile, Clover forgot everything else.

“Right on time!” he said.

“Actually, I was ready a few minutes early, but I didn't want to rush you. I imagine that you need some time to maintain your movie star look…”

“Just enough to take a quick shower.” he replied.

So, you're naturally gorgeous,
Clover thought, following him to the garage, where a shiny black jeep was parked.

“May I at least know your name?”

“Clover O'Brian.”

“Nice to meet you, Clover.” Cade shook her hand. His hand was firm and warm. Incredibly warm.

Clover didn't say anything. She didn't even thank him for adjusting his pace to her slow limp. Yet, imperceptibly, something changed inside her. Suddenly, she didn't feel like she had a movie star by her side any more, but simply an attractive and true gentleman, willing to immerse himself in a sea of people, just to do her a favor out of kindness. She couldn't help being impressed. So she decided to behave as a polite and kind young lady should.

The Rockefeller Center was crowded beyond all expectation. The concert had started an hour earlier and it always attracted hordes of people – this year even more than usual.

In the past Clover was able to find a quiet corner to watch the show, but this time it was impossible.

Cade was looking around, surprised to see so many people, yet he seemed completely comfortable. Obviously he was used to being in large crowds. However, he tried very hard not to be noticed, and so did Clover.

“All the photographers are focused on the evening's celebrity guests. Mariah Carey, Rod Stewart and Billy Crystal are on the stage. They are more famous than you, right? You should be perfectly safe.” Clover said to lighten up the situation.

“Of course!” Cade answered, without pointing out that they weren't exactly the trendiest of today's stars.

But Clover knew perfectly well that right now Cade Harrison attracted more curiosity than those has-beens. She wasn't indifferent to him either. The crush of the crowd kept pushing her closer to him. In this close proximity, she could inhale his scent, which began having a certain effect on her.

She wondered if these people might think they were a couple. Just for a few seconds she imagined that some paparazzi would take a picture of them together. The photo would appear on the latest news with the title,
Cade Harrison's new girlfriend?
This would raise hell, provoking millions of questions and a lot of envy. She imagined with a certain satisfaction her mother's surprise – her mother who thought that she couldn't attract any man on earth… God! It would be really fantastic!

These impossible daydreams, the music and the excitement she felt all around made her so happy. Not even her sore knee stopped her from darting around Rockefeller Plaza in search of the best spot.

She felt Cade's arm around her waist and her heart leapt in her throat.

“Would you like to watch the show from above, away from this crowd?” he whispered in her ear. His warm breath on her neck gave her the sort of shivers she could barely remember.

Go ahead and shoot, fucking paparazzi. Right now!
She thought, in a moment of total insanity.

She didn't know why she wanted to be photographed with him, to appear in a trashy tabloid tomorrow, but at that moment it was what she really wanted. When would it ever happen again, a stroll around New York with someone like him? She would frame any photo of them together, just to remind herself – in her darkest hours – that great things could happen and not only in fairy tales.

She tried to come back to reality. Damn! This guy had more talent than a snake charmer! Even if he didn't realize it.

What had he asked? ‘Would you like to watch the show from above the square?
She pointed to a little boy on his father's shoulders, and jokingly said, “Do you have something like that in mind?”

Cade was amused. “Not exactly, but if you prefer…”

“Well then, what's your idea?”

“There's a hotel nearby, with a perfect view of the square. We could get a room and watch the show from there.”

“Can you really do that? Without booking in advance?”

“Hey! I'm Cade Harrison. I have more than just the privilege of signing autographs on butts!”

While Clover was laughing, he took her hand and led her away from the crowd. He was even careful about her sore knee! She followed him as though she were in a dream. She wasn't accustomed to having this kind of attention, especially not from a fantastic man, adored by everybody. Her sense of unreality was growing.

Her hand in his had become so hot, that she immediately understood why millions of American teenage girls had placed him at the top of the list of
the man of their dreams
. He was charismatic and sensual, but at the same time he had that nice guy look that conquered you. He was attentive and kind. It was only when he was embarrassed or under pressure in difficult situations, that one saw that cold movie star expression of disdain. It was difficult not to be won over by him.

The silence that welcomed them when they entered the hotel caught Clover by surprise. It was strange after the deafening noise of the square. She looked around, admiring every elegant detail of the luxurious hall. She had never been in here before, but she had often dreamed of staying in a hotel like this, at least once in her life.

“I'll go and see if we can get a room… be right back.” Cade invited her to sit in a comfortable armchair.

Mistaking his kindness for cautioun, Clover said, “Yes, I will behave, don't worry. I won't put on a show and ruin your reputation! Actually, let's establish a secret code so I can join you in the room without being noticed by anyone!”

“I just wanted to give your knee a rest!” With an exasperated sigh, Cade took her arm and led her over to the reception desk, behind which a man and a woman were talking quietly.

The woman immediately recognized Cade Harrison – Clover could see it from the hungry look she gave him. But the man seemed to know him too. He quickly came to attention and smiled warmly, saying: “Mr Harrison, such a pleasure to see you again!”

“Good evening, James.” Cade shook the hand of the elegant concierge. “I know that I didn't book in advance, but I would like a room, if at all possible.”

Both receptionists glanced at her in a discreet way, and Clover could feel herself stiffen.

What were they looking at? Were they finding it so strange that one of the most desired men in America was with a normal girl like her? Maybe they were just curious to check out the new prey…
Clover began to feel uneasy and crossed her arms defensively.

“We'll check right away, sir, and see if we can help you.” The receptionist looked at his computer screen. “How long are you planning to stay, Mr Harrison?”

“One hour, at the most.”

The two receptionists tried to remain cool, in spite of their surprise. But after receiving the umpteenth curious glance from them, Clover elbowed Cade who tried not to laugh.

“Can you please clarify exactly why we are here, before they get the wrong idea?” she whispered. Then, addressing the concierge, she said, “You know, these celebrities! They are always at the center of attention in their public life, so they tend to be too secretive in their private life. Don't you think?”

Amused, Cade leaned on the reception counter, “My friend and I would like to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree, but Rockefeller Plaza is too crowded for my taste… I don't want to be bothered by fans and paparazzi. Do you understand me, James?”

“Of course, Mr Harrison.”

“We would like to enjoy the show from one of your best rooms. I will pay the full price, obviously.”

“No problem. The room with the best view on the square is booked for tomorrow, so you can occupy it without any difficulty. My daughter is a great fan of yours. She would never forgive me if she knew I denied you anything!”

Cade smiled kindly and gave his credit card to the man. Everything seemed so easy when you were rich and famous. Clover was amazed by the fabulous suite with its warm tones of cream and gold and she was enchanted by the elegant furnishings.

“This room is the same size of the first floor of my house – but of course it's much more glamourous!”

“Yes, it's a beautiful space. Are you ok? I hope you didn't prefer to watch the tree lighting from the square…” Cade opened the curtains, exposing a large glass window.

The incredible view of the lighted skyscrapers left Clover breathless. She had lived in New York for several years now but she still couldn't get used to the sight of the city from above. And to watch the show from this elegant room, with a man like Cade Harrison, was almost too good to be true.

“Oh no – it's perfect!” she answered, coming over to him to open the window. The music and the choir of voices rose up and reached them. “Usually, I find a little corner in the square and cling to something, so this is definitely an improvement, Mr Prince.”

“Is it so difficult to call me by my actual name?” Cade sighed, leaning on the window sill.

“I thought I might violate some kind of celebrities' ethical code… A prince and a common woman: such proximity could be dangerous. This room might be bugged…” Clover joked to mark time. Truthfully, she was dying to say his name out loud, but she was afraid of creating any sort of bond between them. Already, just a couple of kind gestures and engaging smiles made her dream crazy dreams… she didn't want to end up like those ridiculous women who buzzed around him like flies.

And besides, Cade Harrison wasn't for her. She should remember this! But when he smiled at her – just like he was smiling at this moment – all her good intentions went up in smoke.

“Clover, if there were any microphones hidden in this room, the small detail of your saying my name would be the least interesting thing imaginable for the paparazzi!”

Hearing this and seeing the image of Cade Harrison so close to a huge king size bed started to provoke erotic thoughts in Clover. She immediately chased them away, trying to focus instead on Cade's long fingers as he leaned out of the window. But it was a mistake. Her mind began to fantasize about the feeling of those fingers on her skin… and in a flash she imagined herself in the big bed with him – a consenting victim of passionate caresses and languid kisses. She felt a jolt of pleasure at the thought.
Damn it!

She closed her eyes and concentrated on the music. Slowly the notes of
White Christmas
soothed her and reminded her why she was there.

“You've been so generous to treat me to all this. I don't think many people would have done this, especially for a crazy girl like me.”

“It wasn't so difficult. Yes, you are different from the people I usually meet, but you're not so bad…” Cade looked at her warmly.

“I assume people bow and curtsey as
you
walk by…”

Cade shrugged. “Let's say they are all more… accommodating than you.”

“So, they're all ass-kissers!”

He had a soft, low laugh and she felt another electrical charge through her body. She thought to herself,
he has a charm that slowly kills you… what a nice way to die
.

“As you obviously know, there is a downside to all this fame. Privacy is almost non-existent. Then there are the envious people, who are potentially very dangerous. You never know when people's affection is sincere. Do you think that the teenage girls that scream with joy on seeing me would do it if I were a simple mechanic?”