Stone Cold (15 page)

He laughed at her enthusiasm.
Silly girl
. Didn’t she realize a few thousand dollars was nothing compared to the value he placed on having her back in his life?

Drake punched his code in to the room’s safe and withdrew a rectangular velvet box. “If you like the dress, I’m hoping you’re gonna love this.”

“I can’t possibly accept all this,” she said, looking at the box as though it might contain a toxic substance. “It’s way too much. We’re not even—” She blushed. “I mean, I don’t want to take advantage of your generosity.”

He opened the box, hoping to halt her protest.

“Oh,” she breathed, looking up at him. Her eyes were filling with tears as she said, “It’s so beautiful.”

The black pearl and diamond necklace with matching earrings paled in comparison to her natural beauty, but Drake knew she would never believe that so he simply extracted the necklace from the box and slipped in behind her to fasten it.

She lifted her hair and he could tell she was holding her breath in anticipation.

“Do you like it?” he asked, kissing her neck before she let her hair tumble to her shoulders.

She touched the precious gems reverently as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror across the room. “I love it.”

“I love you,” he whispered. Looking at their image in the mirror, he smiled at her look of awe. “I mean it, Cassidy. I love you so much more now than I did the first time I asked you to be my wife because this time I realize how empty my life is without you.”

“That’s not true,” she said, casting her eyes down. “Your life is rich and full without me. You’re out every night rubbing shoulders with the richest and most famous people in town. There’s no way you could yearn for quiets nights at home when you have a beautiful woman on your arm every night.”

Drake hadn’t been a saint since they broke up. He hadn’t been looking for his soul mate when he bedded another woman. He’d already had and lost the woman he knew was the one. The others drifted in and out of his life just to fill the dull ache of loneliness. “Those women aren’t you,” he said, turning her into his arms. “Combined, they could never have given me what you did.”

A tear slipped down her cheek and she brushed it away with the back of her hand. “That’s just it, Drake. I have nothing to offer you, not yet. Maybe someday I’ll be a woman you could be proud to call your wife, but I haven’t found myself yet.”

His stomach clenched when he thought about the striking diamond engagement ring sitting in the safe. Was she telling him she wasn’t ready to wear it, that she wasn’t ready to be his wife? The first time he’d proposed, he knew she would say yes, but she wasn’t the same woman he’d fallen in love with back then. She was stronger and more confident now. She’d endured so much, and months of therapy and recovery and obviously taught her who she wasn’t or couldn’t be.

“I want you exactly the way you are,” he whispered, stroking her face. “You don’t need to change to impress me. You never have to prove yourself to me.”

“Maybe not,” she said, her lips trembling as she forced a smile. “But I do have something to prove to myself.”

“You’re scaring me,” he said, pulling her in to a hug. He couldn’t let her go again. It would kill him this time. “Don’t tell me you can’t evolve into the person and the musician you want to be while you’re my wife.”

“Drake,” she said, pulling back to look him in the eye. “I’m sorry, but I’m just not ready to make that kind of commitment right now.”

She stepped out of his arms and he had to clench his hands at his sides to keep from reaching out to her again. “Damn it, Cassidy. I could help you. I could give you everything you’ve ever wanted. You could do whatever the hell you want… with my support. Write music, get your record deal, be a mother…” He uttered the last words quietly, knowing how much the old Cassidy wanted a baby. His heart would break if she told him she didn’t want that anymore.

She started pacing the floor at the foot of the bed. “When I met you, I honestly felt like I’d met my Prince Charming. I know it sounds silly, but you swept me off my feet and made me believe in happily ever after.”

He could kill his brother with his bare hands for putting them in this position. Cassidy would already be his wife, perhaps even carrying his child by now if not for Lee. And he wouldn’t be fighting the fear that she was getting ready to walk out of his life all over again.

“You made me believe that someone like you really could fall in love with a girl like me.” She stopped pacing and looked up at him.

The conviction he saw in her eyes shook him. She wasn’t wavering or second guessing her decision. She knew exactly what she wanted and he feared it wasn’t him.

“I did. God, I do love you. So damn much.”  His voice was shaky, his insides quivering. If she told him to leave her here to care for her mother without him, he didn’t know how he would deal with it. “Whatever the issues, we’ll work through them.” Panicking, he did the only thing he thought might salvage his dream. He went to the safe to extract the ring box.

She looked at the box in his hand as he walked toward her. “No,” she whispered, holding her hand up. “Please, don’t do that.”

Stunned, he clenched the box in his fist. “You’re saying you don’t want to marry me?”

“I can’t let you rescue me, not again. I have to learn how to stand on my own two feet and figure things out for myself. Please, just tell me you understand.”

He didn’t understand any of this. He’d shown up here to support the woman he loved. He wanted to take Cassidy and her mother home with him and now he was faced with the prospect of returning to a shell of a house containing memories of the brief period she made it feel like a home.

“Is this because I blamed you for what happened with Lee?” He felt sick to his stomach. The only other time he’d ever felt like this was the last time she left him. Only then his grief had been laced with rage, which somehow made it easier to let her go. Now he was just feeling this immense sense of loss and sadness he hadn’t experienced since he found out his parents would never be coming home again.

“No,” she whispered. “That wasn’t your fault. You had every reason to assume the worst of me under the circumstances.” She took a step forward, taking his hands in hers. “That’s just it, Drake. I’m so glad you sent me packing that night. You gave me something I’d never had before: the will to fight.”

“Fight for me now. Jesus, Cassidy, you gotta fight for us.” Drake knew he was begging and he didn’t care if it made him seem weak or vulnerable. He’d wasted too many years being the tough guy, pretending he didn’t need anyone and he’d wound up alone. He didn’t want to be alone anymore. He wanted her, only her, and he’d do whatever it took to make her realize that.

She reached up to stroke his face. “I love you.”

“Then don’t…” He cleared his throat when his voice broke. “Don’t do this.”

“I can’t marry you. I’m sorry.”

He let her words sink in for a minute, felt the disappointment move through him, but he wasn’t ready to give up just yet. “Fine, take all the time you need. You can move in with me and we’ll get your mama set up in the guest house. I’ll hire a nurse and—”

A sad smiled teased her lips as she touched her fingertips to his mouth to silence him. “You’re doing it again, trying to rescue me. I can’t let you.”

“Please,” he said, grabbing her waist. “Just tell me what the hell I need to do to make things right.”

“You need to let me figure that out on my own.” She stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I don’t expect you to wait for me to figure things out because, honestly, I don’t know how long that might take, but just know that you’ve changed my life in ways you can’t even begin to imagine.”

“So you’re staying here?” He couldn’t even imagine returning to Nashville without her.

“Yes. This is where I need to be right now. My mama needs me, and I need to figure out where I go from here.”

“What about your music? You’re telling me that you’re just gonna give up on your dream so you can play at being your mama’s nursemaid?” He cursed himself when she winced at the resentment she must have heard in his voice. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Look,” he said, gripping her shoulders. “Maybe I’m being selfish, but I really felt like this was our second chance. Please don’t walk away from that.”

“I’m not walking away from anything, Drake. I’m gonna try to rebuild my life from the ground up. Maybe I’ll even be able to forge a healthy relationship with my mama for the first time in my life. I really want that.”

He couldn’t blame her for that. He’d give anything for just one more day with his own parents. “But where does that leave us?”

“I’d like to think we can be friends,” she said, cautiously. “Maybe we can call or email to touch base now and again?”

Drake couldn’t imagine being her friend when he wanted so much more, but if that was the only offer on the table, he had no choice but to except it. Shoving the ring in his pocket, he leaned in to kiss her forehead. He knew if he tasted her lips one more time, he wouldn’t have the strength to tear himself away. “You know where to find me if you need me.”

Cassidy had been caring for her mother for almost six months and during that time, her life had changed in ways she could never have imagined. They’d forged a healthy mother/daughter relationship since Elizabeth quit drinking and they’d moved in to a small two-bedroom  apartment across the hall. Cassidy had painted and convinced the landlord to replace the carpet before they moved and she’d budgeted for new furniture and window coverings. She wanted to know that her mother would have a place she would be proud to call home when Cassidy finally left to pursue her own dream.

Selling her songs had been difficult at first, but then she had the satisfaction of hearing one of her songs on the radio, even topping the country music charts, and it gave her a sense of pride she’d never had before. Her earnings had allowed her to pay her mother’s rent until they were able to arrange for a long-term disability pension and set up a repayment plan with the hospital.

Everything was falling in to place in her life and she was finally heading back to Nashville for a meeting with Evan Spencer, the president of Titan Records. He wanted to discuss the possibility of hiring her as a staff writer and she was hoping his proposal would give her the freedom and flexibility to move on with the next phase of her life.

Her cell phone rang and she glanced at the screen as she pulled up to a traffic light. Katie. She and her sister had spoken several times since her mother’s stroke, but their discussions had been focused on Liz and her recovery.

“Hello,” she said, pushing the button to connect the call.

“Hey, Cass, do you have a minute to talk?”

“Yeah, I’m just on my way to Titan Records to meet with Evan Spencer about a job.” Glancing at the digital display on her dashboard, she said, “I should be there in about fifteen minutes.”

“I called the apartment first. Mama told me you were going to a job interview. Good luck.”

“Thanks.” There were able to manage cordial, but Cassidy didn’t know if they would ever bond as sisters again. “What’s up?”

“Um, I have some news I wanted to share with you.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Oh, wow…” Cassidy didn’t know why that news felt like fire spreading through solar plexus. Perhaps because she was the older sister and her biological clock had her looking at every baby she passed on the street. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, sis.” Katie drew a deep breath. “I really want you to be a part of my daughter’s life, Cass.”

“Your daughter? You’re having a little girl?” The image of a little girl with big brown eyes and dark ringlets popped in to her head. The Ross sisters had looked so similar as children that people often mistook them for twins. Would her niece look like they did when they were babies? Cassidy didn’t know, but she was certain she wanted to find out.

“Yeah, can you believe it?” Katie half giggled, half sobbed. “I just know she’s gonna be a daddy’s girl. You should see how excited Lee is.”

“Then you two are…” She didn’t know how to voice the question, but she suspected she didn’t have to.

“We’re both still clean, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m telling you we’re not the same people we were back then. Can’t you and Drake give us a chance to prove that?”

“I can’t speak for Drake, but I’m willing to think about it.”

“Speaking of Drake, have you seen him lately?”

“No, I haven’t.” They’d exchanged phone calls and emails since he left the hotel, but he had been respectful of her decision and hadn’t tried to convince her to come back to Nashville. She had no idea whether he’d moved on with someone else and didn’t feel she had the right to ask.

“Are you…” Katie cleared her throat. “Still in love with him?”

Cassidy had never stopped loving Drake and knew she never would. “Yes.”

“Then what are you waiting for, Cass? Put the poor guy out of his misery already.”

“What are you talking about?”

Katie sighed. “Mama told me he calls the apartment at least once a week and he’s sent you flowers a bunch of times. Apparently, he even asked if he could come and visit you a couple of months ago, but you said no.”

“I wasn’t ready to see him then.”

“But you are now?”

She’d considered it, but she had no idea how he would respond if she just invited herself to his home. “Maybe.”

“What the hell are waiting on, girl? Mama’s fine now. She tells me you’ve even helped her start a new business.”

Much to Cassidy’s surprise, her mother had been interested in graphic design for years and since the physical therapist suggested typing could help her to regain mobility in her hands, she’d started working on the new laptop Cassidy bought for her as soon as they returned home. Within four months, she was working almost full-time designing everything from book covers to ads and promotional material for clients. She’d been sober since before the stroke and Cassidy could tell she was finally happy and proud of her accomplishments.

“Yeah, it turns out she’s really talented. In fact, she’ll be able to live off her own earnings soon.”

“That’s great. So back to you and Drake.”

“Please don’t push.”

“Fine, but will you at least call the man while you’re in Nashville?”

“If I agree, will you back off?”

“Yes!” Katie giggled. “But only if you promise to call and let me know how it goes, Auntie Cassidy.”

For the first time in years Cassidy felt like she had a sister again. “Fine, but don’t wait up.”

“Does that mean what I think it means?” she asked, squealing. “Are you planning to spend the night with him?”

“Mind your own business.” Cassidy pulled into the parking lot of Titan Records. “I gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait. Hey, I love you, sis.”

Cassidy smiled. “Me too.”

***

Drake cursed the ringing phone that pulled him away from his computer. He was tempted to ignore it, but curiosity got the better of him. His heart nearly stopped when he saw the name on the call display.
Cassidy.

He reached for the phone. “Hey, pretty lady. What’s up?”

“Hey yourself, stranger. I was wondering if you’re too busy for company.”

Drake stood up, thrusting his hand through his hair. “You’re here, in Nashville?”

“I’m turning down your street in fact.”

He looked out the window, hoping to see her car. If she was playing some kind of joke on him he would never forgive her. “You’re serious?”

“Of course, I am.” She laughed. “I was just gonna show up on your doorstep, but I… uh, thought you might be entertaining and I didn’t want to intrude.”

He chuckled. “You thought I had another woman over?” He hadn’t been with anyone since he left their hotel room that night. She’d told him not to wait for her, but moving on without her wasn’t an option. So he’d thrown himself in to his work and tried to be satisfied with the occasional phone call and email from Cassidy.

“Do you?”

“No, I’m alone.”

“Is Dora there?”

“No, I gave her the day off.” He smiled. “Why do you ask?”

“I thought it might be nice to see her. How about Caleb? Is he there?”

“Now why the hell are you asking me about him?”

She laughed. “Just to see if I could still get a rise out of you.”

Oh, she could. In more ways than one, but he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of admitting it. “Just get your sweet little self over here already. Have you had dinner yet?”

“No, maybe I could take you out?”

“You know what, I’d rather have you all to myself. Dora made some homemade pizza. Why don’t I pop that in the oven and open a bottle of wine?”

“Sounds perfect.” She hesitated. “I can’t wait to see you, Drake.”

His heart did a crazy little flip-flop in his chest. “Me too, sweetheart. I’ll call the gatehouse to let them know you’re coming. See you in a few.”

Drake was whistling for the first time in forever as he walked out to the kitchen to turn the stove on. He punched the button to contact security and told them he was expecting a guest. Taking the pizza out of the fridge, he popped it in to the oven before wandering over to the mirror in front of the door.

He grimaced when he saw his reflection. Faded jeans, graphic print T-shirt, not exactly the way he wanted to present himself tonight, but the hum of a car engine told him a shower and change of clothes were out of the question.

She bounded up the steps, her enthusiasm apparent as she threw herself in to his waiting arms. “I’ve missed you so much,” she said, squeezing him hard around the neck.

Drake was speechless as he buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent. He’d waited so long to hold her in his arms again, it almost felt like a dream he never wanted to wake up from. “I missed you too, angel.” It was another minute or two before he finally released her. Holding her at arm’s length, he said, “Damn, you look good.” He hadn’t seen her look this happy or content… ever. He couldn’t quash the fear that she was here to tell him in person that she’d finally found the place she belonged and it wasn’t with him.

“Thanks, I had a job interview today.”

He pulled her farther inside before closing the door. “You did? Why didn’t you mention anything to me about it when we spoke last week?”

“I wasn’t sure it was going to go anywhere and if it did, I kind of wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Okay, so fill me in. How did it go?” He took her black wool trench coat off and hung it in the closet. She was wearing a trim two piece black suit with knee-high boots. The high heels were tipped with silver and he couldn’t help but wonder what she would look like wearing those boots and nothing else.

“Oh,” she said, her eyes travelling to the wood burning fireplace in the living room. “It’s nice and warm in here. You mind if I get comfy before I give you all the details?”

“Be my guest.”

She leaned on his shoulder as she unzipped the tall boots and set them against the door. “Better,” she whispered, before biting her lip and reaching for the buttons on her blazer.

He swallowed as his eyes followed her movements.

Sliding the blazer off to reveal a lacy black camisole, she reached around him to hang her blazer on the nickel door handle behind him.

He nearly groaned when her full breasts brushed against his arm, but it wasn’t until she lifted her hair, stretching her arms above her head that he grabbed her by the waist. “You’re killing me here. You know that, don’t you?”

“I’m just wondering what a girl has to do to get a little kiss from you,” she whispered, licking her lips.

“You sure as hell don’t have to ask me twice,” he muttered before taking her mouth. He teased her lips with his, relishing the taste he had been fantasizing about for months. “God, I’ve missed this.”

“Me too,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Really?” He wanted to believe that, but things seemed to be going so well for her lately he feared she may be coming to the realization she really didn’t need him to make her life complete. Too bad he couldn’t say the same.

“Of course.” She stood on her toes to press a quick kiss to his lips. “I’m famished. Is that pizza ready yet?”

“Yeah, it should be.” He took her hand and led her into the kitchen.

“Can I do anything to help?” she asked.

“Um, I think Dora left a salad in the fridge. I’ll open the wine if you could toss that.”

“My pleasure,” she said.

He watched her move freely around his kitchen without asking where he kept the items she needed. Obviously, she and Dora had spent a lot of time together in this room when she’d been staying with him. It was so easy for Drake to imagine her living here, building a life with him.

He peeked into the oven, turning it off when he was noted the cheese was bubbling and the crust was nicely browned. Reaching for a bottle of her favorite red wine from the built-in rack at the end of the breakfast bar, he reached around her to get the corkscrew from the drawer. He couldn’t resist dropping a quick kiss on her neck, making her smile and squirm in response.