finding Reese.: a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2 (SAFELIGHT Series) (15 page)

I can’t help the ear-splitting grin that’s on my face right now as I stir the pasta. The steam emanating from the pot is a great reminder of the warmth and love Catalina inspires in both my heart and body. And yeah, I’m going to miss her heart-shaped mouth and tan skin when I’m gone. What’ll happen to her? Will she miss me? And just like that, the smile on my face disappears. As I’m about to lose my shit over my bullshit insecurities, I hear Catalina’s footsteps approaching. She can’t see me worrying; that would make matters worse. I take a deep breath, inhaling peace and exhaling anxiety, and try to appear normal when I’m anything but.

“What in the world are you cooking in here, Stryder?” Catalina exclaims, raising her head and taking a whiff.

Chuckling, I respond. “Oh, it’s nothing really. Just Cavatelli and sauce, and in the oven I’m toasting a baguette for Bruschetta.” Catalina moves to stand behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. I let go of the spoon and turn around to face her. Cradling her face and looking deep into her eyes, I say, “I hope you’re hungry.”

Catalina’s eyes glisten with warmth. “I’m hungry, all right. Always.”

Her response is so goddamn sexy, and the way she’s looking up at me makes my blood rush south. I chuckle as she wiggles her eyebrows at me saucily. I turn around and grab the spoon, dipping it lightly into the crushed tomato sauce. I blow on the metal spoon to cool the sauce and bring it to her mouth. Her plump lips open and when the sauce hits her taste buds, Catalina closes her eyes and moans. I exhale trying to compose myself because she always manages to make the simplest of things so damn erotic.

“Mmm, that tastes so good, Stryder,” Catalina whispers, as her tongue darts from her mouth to lick her lips. “A girl could get used to this.”

I lower my head and kiss the tip of her nose. “Hmm. Something to consider . . . I’m not a chef, but I can hold my own. Mom and Dad taught me how to cook some family staples. I hope you like it.”

“You’re talented, in more ways than one,” she says with a wink.

Smirking, I toss the spoon into the sink, then wrap my arms around her and place my lips over hers. I kiss her, nice and slow; the taste of my cooking mixed with her unique flavor has me thirsty for more. My hand grabs the back of her neck as I deepen the kiss, and her hands clutch my hips possessively. There’s a thickness between us, and I’m not referring to the one in my pants. Our never-ending need for each other is prevalent with each lap of my tongue against hers.

The oven timer beeps, and, breathing hard, I break away to remove the tray of baguette slices before they burn. Catalina runs to the refrigerator and grabs the Bruschetta mix, and together we cover the toasted bread slices with it and set them aside. After checking the pasta I shut off the stove, and strain the Cavatelli. We set the table together, exchanging little touches and smiles. Once done, I ask Catalina to tell Jackson dinner is ready. Grabbing shallow ceramic bowls, I serve the pasta and sauce, making sure to sprinkle freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese right on top.

Jax hobbles beside Catalina, and rubs his hands over his stomach. “Ah, nothing quite like good ol’ Martynus Italian cuisine. Dude, it smells fucking amazing in here.”

It’s nice to see Jax smiling after all that he’s been through, and I hope he progresses with his physical therapy while I’m gone. I haven’t said anything to him, but I’m dying for all of us to hit the slopes again like the good old days. I pull his chair out at the head of the table, and he sits, grimacing slightly. I place his supper before him and wait for Catalina to take her seat and do the same.

Once dinner is served we all hold hands and say grace. It’s something we’ve been doing since we arrived at Jax’s after the accident. Regardless of the specifics, I believe there’s a higher power watching over us, guiding our steps, and keeping us safe. If Nonna were alive, she’d be proud of me, not only for cooking but for behaving like the good Italian boy she always hoped I’d be. We dig in, and I’m satisfied with the result. Jax and Catalina have the biggest smiles on their faces as we talk about the memories we’ve made together since the day we all first met.

“ . . . The look on your faces when you realized you were working together was priceless! I just stood there wondering what the fuck happened,” Jackson recalls, laughing and pointing at both of us. Catalina throws her head back, giggling infectiously, and I follow suit because looking back, I’m pretty sure I looked like an idiot at the time.

“I knew the minute you guys were face to face there was something there, you know?” Jackson recalls, forking pasta from his bowl and putting it into his mouth. “I’m just happy you guys got over your bullshit and gave things a chance.”

Catalina looks across the table, and her honeyed eyes meet mine. One glance is all it takes; my heart is whacking furiously against my ribcage.

“Yeah,” I agree, and clear my throat from the sudden emotion lodged there. “I never imagined the world being that small. Jax, did you know Catalina and I met once before we even got to Whistler?”

“You mean on the flight, right?”

Chuckling loudly, I shake my head. “No. We met in the city. It was a month before the assignment. I bumped into her outside a jazz club. I was checking my email and wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. Catalina was walking up the ramp and didn’t see me. When we bumped into each other she fell right at my feet,” I declare smugly, and wink at Catalina across the table.

Catalina rolls her eyes. “I don’t think your date was too thrilled you helped me up either.”

“So hold up, let me see if I’m getting this straight. You guys met before Whistler? Why didn’t you tell me anything about this, Cat?” Jax asks.

“That would be because she never saw my face, Jax. She was too embarrassed to look at me. I knew she looked familiar when I saw her on the flight, but it wasn’t until we were at her apartment after the press tour that I recognized her dress lying on the floor. Jax, it had skulls,” I affirm with a wink.

“Ah. I see . . . Destiny, man . . . That just proves you can’t mess with fate and shit,” Jax mutters. As if in slow motion, his entire demeanor changes, and silence fills the room.

Catalina looks at me wide-eyed and reaches out for Jax’s hand. His face changes, and his smile is replaced with teary eyes. He tries to shield his crying with his free hand, and his heart-breaking sobs have me inching forward in my seat. Catalina abandons her chair and crouches beside him, whispering into his ear.

Jackson pushes his chair back, and allows Catalina to pull him up into an embrace. He uses his knuckles to wipe his tears away and looks straight at me trying to rein in his sobs.

“Thanks for dinner, Jupiter. It was delicious.”

In the blink of an eye, I’m standing in front of Jax with both of my arms on top of his shoulders. “What’s wrong, Jax?”

Jackson looks down to the floor, and says, “Nothing, man. I’m just tired and ate too much.”

“Then why the tears, Jax? You’re with family and we’ll listen. Just talk.”

“Nothing to be worried about, Jupiter, I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed with all the pills, the doctors, and how my body is crapping out on me.”

I shake Jackson’s shoulders gently, enough to get his attention. “Bullshit, man. Something triggered you. Just talk to us,” I plead.

Jax looks at me with reddened eyes and returns to his chair. Catalina and I re-take our seats and wait for him to speak. With a shaky hand, Jackson raises his glass of water and chugs it down. “I can’t control fate, and there’s nothing I can do to bring them back.”

Catalina gasps, and places her hand over her mouth trying to hide the smile I already saw. Hearing Jackson talk openly about his accident is a major sign of progress. Accepting what happened is an awesome step in the right direction. I was worried he’d be consumed by guilt, and listening to him accept that the avalanche was beyond his control proves he’s coming to terms with what happened that day.

“Yes, Jackson, we can’t control fate. What happened wasn’t your fault and no matter what, you need to understand there was nothing you could do to prevent it. It’s easier said than done, but trust me, please. I know what it’s like,” Catalina argues quietly, squeezing his hand.

“I agree with Catalina, Jax. It was no one’s fault, kid, and the sooner you realize it the better you’ll feel. No one needs to carry around unnecessary weight; you of all people should know that. It wasn’t your fault, man,” I assert, looking at him square in the eye.

“I know, Jup. I just need time to accept things, you know?” Jackson whispers, as two large tears roll down his cheeks.

All I can do is hug him as hard as his body will allow, and in my arms he cries. I feel the weight of his defeated hands thwack my back repeatedly and with each breath, his body shudders. I look at Catalina, who stands by us wiping tears of her own. With each wipe of her tears I know she’s recalling her own struggles. Catalina nods at me, as if agreeing with my thoughts. She takes a step forward and wraps her arms around both of us.

“I love you, guys,” she whispers, placing feathery kisses on both of us.

In unplanned sync, we reply, “We love you, too.” It takes us a nanosecond to break into riotous laughter, which has Jax leaning against me for support, and Catalina patting my ass repeatedly with each giggle. To an outsider our little moment of hysteria might be considered odd and our laughter completely inappropriate, but to us it’s healing and progressing, and if the world doesn’t understand the nature of our friendship, well, that’s their own damn problem.

We walk Jax back to his room and help him settle in for the night. He’s in good spirits cracking jokes, and asking me to grab the remote control so he can watch the adult entertainment channel.

Catalina and I close the door behind us, shaking our heads in laughter. We return to the kitchen to tidy up while listening to soft music, Catalina washes the pots and I dry them, and then put them back into the cabinets.

It isn’t until we’re done cleaning that I realize how natural this domesticity has become. With each passing second, I’m more determined to do everything I can to ensure the future I’m planning becomes a reality. The more I think about it, the more the asshole grasshopper in my stomach does its number on me.
Me? Nervous? Hell yeah.

The soft jazz tune ends, and Richard Marx’s “Hold On To the Nights”
starts playing in the background. As the opening verses echo softly in the large kitchen space, I hear Catalina’s angelic voice singing along. I quirk my head and watch her sing as she rinses the last few plates in the sink. I’m pretty sure I look like an idiot gawking at her.

As soon as she hits the chorus, I turn off the water. She looks at me confused and abruptly stops. I shake my head and whisper, “Keep singing.”

I take hold of her hand and pull her softly towards me, and she resumes singing, but this time she’s smiling as she does. I take hold of her palm, and press our joined hands against my chest. I place my free hand on the small of her back, leading my lady to dance with me. I press her close, and we move our bodies softly to the beat of the song. Catalina stops singing and our eyes meet; she’s moving alongside me, glancing now and then at her feet.

“Cat, look at me. Don’t look at your feet, baby. Just look at me. It’s my job to lead, okay?”

Catalina nods and lets out a nervous giggle, relaxing in my hold as if surrendering herself to my every move. She rests her head against my chest and lets out a happy sigh. “You smell good,” she whispers.

I chuckle softly and rub her back, giving it a gentle squeeze. “And you sing beautifully, Catalina. It’s so sweet and angelic.”

Catalina scoffs and raises her head to meet my smitten gaze. “I rarely sing ballads, Stryder. I just really like that song . . . It takes me back to Junior High.”

“Mmm. Did you go to school dances, Cat?” I ask.

Catalina shrugs, and replies, “I did . . . but I was the girl who sat on a bench while others danced.”

“Why?”

“I have two left feet, so to speak,” she replies quietly, with a shy smile marked on her heart-shaped lips.

“Well, you haven’t smashed my toes yet, and your rhythm is perfect. You just need the right partner . . . that’s all.” I look deep into her eyes, hoping she understands what I mean.

Catalina’s breath catches, and her eyes glaze over. Before I know it, she’s on her tippy toes reaching for my lips. I bow my head to make it easier for her, and our brief kiss sends a hot message to my dick. As our lips untangle, we resume dancing. I twirl her, which makes her giggle happily. When I tip her backwards, I trace my fingertips over the silken skin of her neck, past her breasts, stopping at her navel, and she quivers. Keeping her torso dipped, I kiss her sweet-as-candy neck, making her sigh.

Raising her out of the dip, I swivel my hips against her soft curves and break my hold as I turn her around, pressing her back against my chest with my hand splayed over her abdomen. My free hand traces the outline of her body, starting at her neck, past her shoulder, down the side of her ribcage, around her waist and stopping to clutch her hipbone.

I can hear Catalina’s sharp breaths with each movement of my fingers and body, and I have no doubt she feels my hard dick pressed up against her back. I’ve danced all my life, and it’s never been a problem to keep my goods in check, but with Catalina, it’s a different thing. I love how my body is so in sync with hers. Rumba is the dance of love, and while she doesn’t know it, I’m giving her all the goods with this impromptu dance.

Twirling her around a final time, I bring her back to my chest for the end of the song. I stand before Catalina dying to rip her clothes off and take her against the kitchen counter. We are both breathing heavily as we look into each other’s eyes with unmistakable want.

Yeah, I can tell she’s turned on, and I would bet all my money her panties are drenched. Without further thought, I break our gaze and walk towards the counter to grab my phone from the stereo docking station and immediately put it in my pocket. I smile at Catalina and she raises her eyebrow in question. I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder. Taking a firm hold of her kicking legs, I race up the stairs and with each step I take, her hysterical laughter grows louder.