Things Lost In The Fire (38 page)

In response he swept her up out of the chair, his arms encircling her waist. His eyes held hers as his humor faded and something darker, deeper, replaced it. “What was that last line again?”

“When all else fails me, you’re the only one,” she murmured, unable to help the smile that curved her lips. It was true, after all. Every last word of it.

“God, that’s good.” He crushed her mouth with his, overtaken by the feel of her body pressed tight against his own. She molded into him, as lost in the heat as he was. As driven by it.

He broke the kiss and scooped her into his arms, his pulse hammering beneath his skin. She laughed brightly as he carried her into the house and to her bedroom. When he reached the bed he laid her down upon it and crawled over her, his mouth finding hers again.

She tore at his shirt, pulling it over his head so she could run her hands along the smooth skin of his chest and shoulders. All her senses were heightened, the world around her surreal. Every touch sparked an intense reaction that shimmered over her skin. Every glimpse of his face, those dark eyes, brought her back to the moment and sent her heart soaring with ecstasy.

Soon her dress and everything else was on the floor and nothing mattered except that he not stop, that he kiss her again on the tender spot by her collar bone that promised heat and dark delight. As he did, her arms came around him, welcoming him in. Her breath caught in her throat as he hovered over her, his eyes intense on hers. For the briefest of moments, she saw the beast he held at bay and thrilled in it.

She cried out when he drove himself into her, losing all reserve. All sanity. She held on to him in desperation as he took her, her hands in his hair and her mouth roaming eagerly over his. When the shockwave hit and stunned her breathless, all she could do was whisper his name and hope he knew, hope he could understand, just how much she cared for him.

How much he mattered. And just how desperately in love with him she was.

S
ADIE WATCHED the installer test the new security lights, grateful the system was finally in. To her right, Brody sat at the dining table with his laptop, knee-deep in emails and the gossip column.

When she glanced over at him he met her eyes, his mouth twisting in a charming grin that had her insides fluttering. She had to turn away before she blushed, wishing she knew better how to play it cool after what they’d shared the night before.

A swift knock on the front door followed by Tess breezing in brought her back to reality. Her friend went straight for her, ignoring Brody completely.

“Hey. Is everything almost ready?” Tess asked, pulling Sadie in for a hug.

Sadie nodded, motioning out the window. “They’re just testing the lights now. The alarm system is done.”

“Great. I’ll have a look before they leave, but if I know Marc he’s pulled out all the stops for you. Almost all his clientele are celebrities.”

“I’m still not used to that word…celebrity.”

“Well, get used to it because I booked you a show for next week.” Tess threw her hands out to her sides and smiled brightly. “Surprise!”

Sadie’s mouth fell open. “Oh, God. I’m not ready.”

“Shut up, yes you are.” Tess turned to Brody, as if just noticing he was there. “Back me up on this. She’s ready, isn’t she?”

One of Brody’s eyebrows lifted, his gaze shifting to Sadie. “She was born ready.”

Sadie snorted out a laugh and fell into the dining chair across from him, shaking her head. “You guys are going to be the end of me.”

“No, we’re the ones making sure you actually
live
, honey,” Tess defended, taking the seat beside her. She rested her chin in her hand and eyed Sadie seriously. “So, anything new with this stalker creep?”

Sadie shrugged, wondering if she should mention the message painted on the driveway that Chase had covered up. She decided against it, not even wanting to think of it herself. “Not really. The police didn’t find any fingerprints on the letter left on my car and the security cameras nearby didn’t catch anything. So basically we’ve found out nothing.”

“Well, the offer’s still open for you to come stay at my place,” Tess reminded her, glancing over at Brody with a sly smile. “Though from the looks of it, you’re shacking up with the enemy these days.”

Brody’s eyes narrowed as Sadie shot her friend a warning look. “Tess.”

Tess held up her hands in an offering of peace. “All right, all right. I’m sorry, I take it back. At least you’re out of Valerie’s house, though. I can’t believe that woman had the audacity to file a lawsuit against you.”

Sadie softened, leaning back in her chair. “I know. I should probably go try and reason with her. I haven’t talked to her since I found out.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Tess began, reaching for Sadie’s hand. “It’s only going to upset you more than you already are.”

“She’s right, Sadie,” Brody cut in, brows creased with concern. “You need to let the lawyers duke it out first. Anything more you say to her is just going to fuel the fire.”

Sadie pursed her lips. “I know better than anyone how to deal with her. Besides, it’s not like I’m some fragile little lamb. I can handle getting upset once in awhile.” She rose to her feet, frustrated. “I’ll just run over there real fast and check on her. It won’t take long.”

“I’ll come with you,” Brody offered, standing up.

Sadie shook her head. “Please, don’t. I need to do this on my own.”

“You sure?” Tess asked, worry in her eyes.

“Yeah,” Sadie replied, grabbing her purse and keys from the kitchen counter. “This is my burden to bear, not yours. I can handle it.”

Without another word, she left.

AS IF by fate, on the short drive to her mother’s house Albatross’s “Dying In The City” came on the radio. Sadie smiled, remembering the thrill of performing with her father and the band. It was by far one of the greatest nights of her life. And soon, she’d get to perform again. This time without the mask of Piper Gray or the prestige of her father’s band. She’d perform, at last, as Sadie McRae.

The thought put her in a better mood as she pulled into the driveway and parked, then ascended the short steps and knocked on the front door.

When it opened to reveal someone completely unexpected, Sadie thought she was hallucinating. Or at the wrong house.

“Drew?”

“Hey, Sadie. Long time no see.” Drew grinned, reaching out to take her hand and tug her inside. “Come in. Your mom’s been hoping you’d stop by.”

She let him lead her through the parlor, struggling to find words to say. “What are you doing here?”

He chuckled. “After lunch the other day, I offered to drive Valerie home. Since you’d left, she didn’t have a ride. I didn’t mind, of course. In fact, I was honored to help. I’ve been keeping her company ever since.”

Sadie flushed, annoyed that he’d taken advantage of the situation like that. Then again, she
had
left her mother in a bind. “Well, thank you. I guess.”

“No problem.” He flashed that bright smile at her again before bringing her into the music room with its wide windows and piano. Valerie was seated on one of the ornate sofas, a glass of iced tea in her hand and Coco in her lap. Her smile fell the instant she saw her daughter.

“I was wondering when you’d be back,” Valerie said, stroking her dog’s white fur.

Sadie crossed her arms, inching away from Drew. “I needed some time to cool off. I’m sure you can understand that.”

“I suppose.” Valerie’s chin lifted in a haughty gesture. “That’s how I felt after finding out about that little performance of yours.”

Sadie’s jaw clenched as she fought back the words she so desperately wanted to say in favor of civility. When Drew left her side and went to sit with Valerie, Sadie watched in horror as her mother caressed his hand with hers.

Valerie spotted the shock on Sadie’s face and smiled indulgently. “While you’ve been off making a fool of yourself in public with that reporter, I’ve been in the presence of a true gentleman.” She tilted her head to look at Drew, adoration softening her features.

Disgust filled Sadie, only to be followed by confusion. “What do you mean, making a fool of myself?”

Valerie giggled. “Didn’t you see the tabloids this morning? They’re all abuzz about it.” She leaned over and snatched a magazine from the coffee table in front of her, holding it out for Sadie to take. “Really, darling, I thought you’d have better sense than to put yourself out there like that. Gossip like this isn’t good for the reputation.”

Sadie stepped forward and took the magazine from her mother’s hands, filled with dread. There on the cover were three shots of her with Brody at the Pier and the beach—snuggled close, exchanging a heated kiss, laughing. The headline read:
Sadie McRae’s Disturbing Love Affair With Shameless Paparazzi
.

Dizziness swept over her as she tossed the magazine back onto the table, not wanting to look at it any longer. She knew better than to be surprised, but part of her regretted being so careless. And now Brody had been dragged into the spotlight, making everything more complicated.

“Look, I came here to talk to you about the lawsuit,” Sadie began, trying to keep a level head. “My personal life is none of your business.”

“Your life is everybody’s business now,” Valerie reminded her. “You wanted fame and fortune. This is the price we pay.”

Sadie grimaced. “No I didn’t. You forced me into the spotlight against my will when you exposed my alias. I never wanted any of this.”

“But now that it’s here you’re sure taking advantage of it, aren’t you?” Valerie argued. “The first chance you got you stole my song, my look. You paraded around with the band
I
made legendary and made a mockery of me. Did you know some people
dared
to say that you’re better than me?”

Her mother tried to laugh off the thought, but Sadie could see she was really hurt by it. Instead of dwelling on the guilt that sliced through her, she turned back to anger. “I’m sorry, okay? It’s done. Now what can I do to get you to drop this lawsuit?”

Valerie’s brows lifted as she considered. “Promise you’ll never wear my outfits or copy my style without permission again, and I’ll drop it.”

“Done.” Sadie exhaled, feeling the weight lift off her shoulders. “I’ll contact the lawyer so he can draft up some kind of agreement for you and Brody’s dad to look over.”

“Max Odell is the reporter’s father?”

Sadie frowned. “You didn’t know that? Brody and I were friends in school. I can’t believe you don’t remember.”

Disapproval flashed in Valerie’s eyes. “And now you’re dating him? Is it serious?”

“Again, it’s none of your business.”

Valerie waved away the comment. “All right, darling. I get it.” She turned to Drew, leaning into him and running her hand over his thigh. “I do think you’ve missed out on a much better man, though. Drew has a real appreciation for music.”

Drew smiled, those startling blue eyes of his shifting to Sadie. “Valerie’s going to teach me to play the piano.”

“It’s the least I can do.” Valerie beamed. She patted his knee and shot Sadie an amused look. “Poor thing had such a troubled home life. No one ever gave him the time of day.”