Come Away With Me (10 page)

“It’s not like that…”

“Natalie…” Jules steps forward, but I pin her in her place with a glare.

“So, I was a joke. ‘Let’s see how far I can get with this girl before she figures out who I am’? Well, you fucked her, Luke. Good for you.”

“No!” He comes around the bar, ignoring my warnings of staying back and grasps my shoulders in his hands.

His eyes are glacial, his face taut as if he’s in pain.

“No, Natalie. Nothing about us is a joke. And I did not fuck you, I made love to you.”

I’m just so embarrassed.

“Everyone in the country knows who you are, Luke.”

“Not everyone,” he replies.

“You’re right; apparently I’m the only one who isn’t bright enough to recognize you.” I pull out of his grasp and back away. He drops his arms to his sides.

“Natalie,” Jules tries again, “Why would you know who he is? You never saw his movies.”

“His face is on millions of t-shirts, Jules! There are action figures in his likeness.”

Luke grimaces and turns away.

“Girls of all ages squeal just the way you did five minutes ago and lose their fucking minds! It’s my fucking job to know faces!

“God, I’m an idiot.” I’m so embarrassed, I just want to run. I want him gone. I want him to hold me and tell me it’s not true.

What the fuck would he ever want with me? He can have anyone in the world. Literally.

“Nat…” Luke reaches out for me, but I pull away, ignoring the pain in his voice.

“Just go.”

“No, I don’t want to leave.” His beautiful face is in agony, mirroring mine. I fold my arms around myself to keep from reaching out to him.

“I don’t want you here. I can’t be with someone who lies to me.” Oh, just go.

“I didn’t lie! Natalie, that’s not my life anymore. Let’s talk about this.”

I’ve heard enough, and I just need to get away from him.

“I have a session in an hour, I need a shower, and I want you gone by the time I come out.”

“You’re overreacting!” His voice is manic, his eyes pleading with me.

“Get the fuck out of my house!” I scream at him, hot tears falling down my face.

“Natalie, don’t do this…”

I turn and run up the stairs, through my room and into the bathroom, locking myself inside. I lean against the door and slide to the floor, my body convulsing as huge sobs wrack my body.

“Natalie, open the door.”

Fuck, he followed me.

“Just go away.” There’s no strength left in my voice. I just want him to go.

“I’m not going away, Goddamnit!

Open the fucking door!”

“No!” I stand and lean my forehead on the door, my hands in fists and braced on the cool white wood.

“Natalie, so help me God, if you don’t open this door, I’ll break it down. Come out here and look at me.” His voice sounds ragged, and close to mine. And he’s really pissed. But so am I! I don’t respond, and suddenly Luke hits the wall to the left of the door.

“OPEN THE MOTHERFUCKING

DOOR!”

I still don’t respond; hot tears are rolling down my face.

“Fine, Nat, if you want to act like a child, fine. I don’t need this.” I hear him stomp out of my room and down the stairs.

How did I get myself in this mess?

How did I not recognize him? His hair is longer, and it’s been a good five years since the last movie came out, so his body has filled out more, and he’s older, but how could I not recognize that beautiful face?

Suddenly, I’m reminded of our talk when we had drinks at the pub.
If I have to see one more movie trailer about vampires I’ll kill myself.

Oh God. Could this be any more humiliating?

Luke starred in three vampire movies that not only did well, but became such a huge sensation that you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing news about the stars, or merchandise of all kinds.

And I’ve just spent the past forty-eight hours falling in love with a man that is not only completely out of my league, I don’t even play the same sport.

Why didn’t he tell me? Why did he let me tell him all of my secrets, and he didn’t tell me any of his?

I sulk over to the tub and turn on the water. I have to pull myself together for my session. I cringe. Today’s client is a couple, and I’m going to have to take intimate photos of them, encourage them to love each other, be romantic.

Shit.

I shower quickly, but let the water spray on my face for a few extra seconds. I’m going to look horrible with red, puffy eyes.

After I’m dry and dressed, I blow my hair dry and secure it back in a bun. I examine my face. Yep, red, puffy eyes.

I don’t bother with makeup and pray that my eyes calm down in the next thirty minutes. I just have to get through this session, then I can ball up in my bed and cry for days if I want to. Just two hours to get through and not think of Luke.

I poke my head out of the bathroom but the bedroom is empty. Thank goodness. The wall next to the door where Luke hit it is unscarred. He didn’t hit it that hard. I go into the spare bedroom and peek out the front-facing window. Luke’s car is gone from the driveway.

He left.

Downstairs, Jules is still in the kitchen, a coffee mug in hand, tears in her eyes.

“Natalie, I’m so sorry.”

I hold my hands up in surrender. “It’s not your fault. I can’t talk about this right now, Jules. I have a session in a few minutes.”

“He’s a wreck, Nat.”

“Just stop.”

“You have to talk to him.”

“Stop! Jules, I can’t talk about this.”

My voice catches and I take a deep breath, willing the tears to stay at bay.

“Okay, we’ll talk after the session then.”

“Don’t you have work?” I ask.

“I called out. I’m going to be here with you.” She gives me a small smile.

“I love you, Jules.” I turn to leave, but a thought occurs to me. “Do me a favor?”

“Of course, what is it sweetie?”

“Strip my bed and wash all the bedding?” I couldn’t stand to have to smell him later when I’m wallowing in self-pity.

“Sure.”

***

It was the worst session of my life. I was scattered, sad, and edgy. The couple was great, they were very much in love, sexy, and I know that I got some great shots, but I feel badly that it wasn’t the fun session I usually provide, so I’ll refund the session fee. It’s the least I can do.

I change into khaki shorts and a blue tank top, thanking the Lord above for my best friend when I see my bed has been stripped, washed and remade. My muscles have been reminding me all morning of last night’s activities, and with every turn and stretch my heart breaks just a little more.

Downstairs, I grab my iPhone to check messages and return calls, snag a tall glass of sweet tea from the fridge and join Jules on the back patio.

“How did it go?” she asks.

“It sucked,” I reply with a shrug and sink into a red plushy chaise lounge.

“Sorry.”

“I’ll refund their money, but I think they’ll still be happy with the photos.” I turn my phone on and take a deep breath.

“Are you sure you want to check that?” Jules asks from the chaise beside me. Her eyes are closed and she’s drinking in the sunshine.

“I have to see if any clients called.

I’ll ignore him.” I refuse to say his name out loud.

I have seven missed calls, five voice mails and three texts waiting for me.

There is absolutely nothing waiting for me from Luke, and I can’t help but be disappointed. He said he didn’t need this, so does that mean that we’re just over, just like that? Most likely, yes.

Luke Williams can have anyone, why would he want me?

I turn the phone off, slam it on the table beside my drink and pull my knees up to my chin, rest my forehead and let the tears come full force.

“Oh, honey, don’t cry.” Jules climbs on my chaise with me and wraps her arms around me.

“I just feel so foolish,” I mutter into her shoulder.

“You really didn’t know who he is?”

“No. He looks a little different now.”

I reply defensively.

“Yeah, he does. He’s aged well.”

Her smile is in her voice and I can’t help but agree.

“He has.” I sigh. “Of course, now I see it. I should have known as soon as he mugged me at the beach.”

“Maybe you were just too surprised.”

“I guess, but what excuse do I have after that? I spent almost two solid days with the man, Jules.”

“Hey, stop beating yourself up. You have been enjoying a sweet, sexy man for two days. There’s no crime in that.”

“I told him so much. I told him about mom and dad, the rape, everything. I even showed him my studio.”

Jules looks down at me with wide eyes. “And you had sex in your own bed.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“How did he react to all of it?”

I sit up and take a sip of tea. “He seemed sad for me that mom and dad are gone. The rape infuriated him, and he wants to kill that slimeball. He was really cool about the studio, and said that it was sexy and I’m talented.”

“Well, that all sounds encouraging.”

“And last night was just…” how do I describe it? “Amazing and wonderful.

He loves my curves and when he touches me, just… wow.” I can’t stop the smile on my lips and Jules smiles back.

“You made it with Luke Williams.”

And my smile is gone.

“I’m sorry, but give me five minutes to gush. Is he as hot naked in real life as he is in the movies?”

“He was naked in the movie?” I squeak.

“From behind, yeah. It’s my favorite part.”

Oh I definitely don’t like it that all of America has seen Luke’s ass.

“I think his ass is better in person.” I reply.

“Oh, you’re killing me!” Jules sounds fifteen and I giggle. “You know, he hasn’t had a new movie since the last Nightwalker five years ago.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.” Jules shrugs and climbs back onto her chaise, taking a sip of my tea. “Rumor had it that some crazed fan broke into his house and hurt herself.”

I gasp. “Was he hurt?”

“No, I don’t think so. I don’t think he was home. But who knows how much of the television tabloid stuff is true? I heard he just left LA and stopped acting.

I had no idea he’d moved here.”

“He’s from here,” I tell her. “His family lives around here.”

“Oh, cool.” Jules looks at me speculatively. “Are you sure you’re done with him, Nat? You should have seen him after you ran out this morning.”

“What did he do?”

“Well, he has quite a potty mouth, but then, so do you. He paced and swore, and I tried to stop him from running after you because I knew that wasn’t going to be the way to smooth things over.”

“No, I didn’t want to see him.”

“He was a mess. He’s mad about you. I think you should get to know him, the real him, better and give it a chance.”

I frown at her. “Besides, I’ve never seen you act this way about a man before. Don’t give up on this yet.”

“He lied to me, and you know how I feel about that!”

“Oh, Natalie, think. Have you stopped to think that maybe it was a nice change for him to be around someone who didn’t want anything from him?

Who didn’t recognize him and squeal and ask him stupid questions? He was just a normal guy hanging out with a normal girl. I wouldn’t want to ruin that either.”

I think hard about what Jules is saying, and yes, it makes sense.

“He still should have told me, at least yesterday.” I am now sulking, and I don’t care.

“You’re right. Let him apologize.

Maybe you’ll get some good gifts out of the deal. Jewelry? Wine? Flowers?”

She laughs when I stick my tongue out at her.

“Not today.”

“Don’t play games with him, Nat.”

I scowl. “I’m not playing anything.

He hurt my feelings. I just want to hang out with my best friend and do girl stuff today. Besides, when he stormed out of my room, he said he didn’t need this, so I’m assuming he’s no longer interested.”

“Oh, he’s interested,” she waves the thought away with the flick of her wrist.

“Wanna

go

shopping?”

she

asks

hopefully.

“No. Ironically, I want to go to the movies. But nothing with Luke Williams in it.”

“Okay, there’s nothing with his name on it there anyway. I think we deserve extra butter on our popcorn.”

“And no diet soda. And because you recognized him before I did, you’re buying.”

Jules pouts as we gather our things and get in the car, headed to the movies where I can lose myself in someone else’s story for a few hours and spend time with the one person in this world that I trust completely.

It’s late when Jules and I get home.

The high-paced action-adventure film we caught - with Vin Diesel no less –was exactly what I needed to escape reality for a few hours. And I ended up giving in to Jules to go shopping afterwards. How can I, Natalie Conner, pass up new shoes? They are my vice.

“Those red Louboutin’s you found are to die for,” Jules and I are pulling bags out of the back of my Lexus.

“I know. I love them. I don’t know when I’ll get to wear them, but I couldn’t resist them.” I reach for the bag of shoes and we head for the front door.

We stop abruptly when we see what’s waiting on our doorstep. Dozens of bouquets of roses, in all different shapes, sizes and colors, are covering the porch, the front steps, every surface possible. The aroma is amazing. There must be fifty dozen roses here, minimum.

“Oh, Natalie.” Jules eyes are wide, and her face gets all gooey, taking it all in.

I can’t help but get just a little gooey with her.

“Wow.” It’s all I can say, and I’m just so relieved. Maybe it’s not over?

We walk up the steps, careful not to knock anything over, and I see an envelope taped to the door with my name written on it.

“Here!” Jules pulls it off and hands it to me. It’s too dark to see well, so we step inside and drop our bags. Jules starts hauling bouquets in.

“Where should I put these?”

“Um… I don’t know. Just put them throughout the house.” Her smile is huge.

“He gets mad props for this, girl.”

“Yeah, he does.” I feel my own wide smile and stare down at the envelope and then carefully rip it open.