Chapter 22
Billie
searched through the dense crowd until she saw him walk back into the party
with A.J, Brian, and Kevin behind him. Her forehead creased in
worry. They didn't look too cheerful. As she drew near, she saw
that their eyes were a little red. Were they crying?
"Howie!"
He looked up
and met her gaze. His eyes seemed to brighten immediately.
"Billie, are you having fun?"
She studied
him for a moment before nodding. "Yes, everyone's been so nice to
me."
"Good to
see you again Billie," Brian gave her a hug, followed by Kevin and A.J.
"I must
say Howie, you've got some fine taste in the ladies department," A.J
grinned and looked at Billie appreciatively.
"A.J, cut
it out," Howie growled through clenched teeth.
"I'm just
messing' man! Don't get your shorts all tied in a bunch!"
Billie
laughed. "It's okay. I heard you were a flirt anyway."
"What can
I say? I love women!"
Kevin
chuckled. "If only Sarah were here to see this."
A.J
scoffed. "My lady love trusts me implicitly," he replied as he
walked away to find her.
Howie leaned
toward Billie. "He's whipped actually, but he'll never admit
it."
Billie
giggled. "His secret's safe with me."
Kevin and
Brian said their good-byes and left to mingle with the other guests, leaving
her all alone with Howie. She pushed her nervousness out of her
system. "Are you all right? All of you looked a little
upset."
Howie gave her
a dim smile. "Just thinking about the past that's all."
Billie knew
exactly what they were referring to and her worry was replaced with
sympathy. She watched how his face grew pensive again and she decided
right then that she was not going to let him dwell on things that could not be
changed. She took his hand. "Dance with me?"
He looked at
her stunned and then he broke into an adorable grin. "Sure!"
She led him to
the dance floor and knew instantly that she hadn't thought things through
because the up beat song that was playing was suddenly replaced with a romantic
melody and that could only mean one thing. Before she could say anything,
his arms wrapped around her waist and he pulled her close to him.
Immediately she was transported to Christmas Eve and their intimate contact...
His eyes
focused on hers and she wanted to look away but she couldn't. Those dark
eyes had already captured hers and there was no way to escape. I don't
want to escape...she thought dreamily and threaded her fingers in his curly
locks, throwing caution to the wind. Was it so wrong to want someone
this much? How can it be wrong when it feels so incredibly right?
His head
leaned in closer and she closed her eyes anticipating his warm lips.
Instead, she heard his soft voice whispering in her ear. "I want you
Billie..."
She opened her
eyes and met his smoldering gaze. And without a second thought, she
nodded.
Nobody noticed
as they weaved their way through the crowd and ascended up the stairs toward
the bedrooms...
***
"You
can't!!"
"Oh I can
and I will Kat."
"You
bastard!" Katarina cried out, anger and fear coarsing through her veins. She didn't think the
situation could possibly get any worse, but it had and it would take a miracle
to fix it.
Kris
snickered. "Ooh, when did you get so mouthy Kitten? I like
it."
"Kris,
you can't let the media find Nick. You can't!!"
"Oh?
And who's going to stop me?"
"I
WILL!!" she sputtered.
It only made
him laugh harder. "Give me a break!"
"What do
you want Kris?! What'll it take for you to leave Nick alone?!"
He
sneered. "Nothing. That blond asshole will get what he
deserves for taking you away from me!"
You never
had me! She
kept her tears in check. She refused to let him see her cry. He'd
seen her cry too many times already. But what could she do? She had
to protect Nick...she didn't want him to get hurt... Katarina
nearly cried out in anguish. She knew exactly what she had to do.
It would cost her everything...her dignity, her self respect...but she had to
do it.
She loved Nick
too much to let Kris do this to him.
"I'll do
ANYTHING Kris. Anything you want...just please don't expose Nick.
I'm begging you..."
Kris
grinned. "Anything huh?"
She nodded
tersely, feeling ready to retch again. "Anything."
He came toward
her and she closed her eyes again, hoping that it would be over quick...
"Pack
your bags Kitten."
He was behind
her. Katarina opened her eyes and attempted to
turn around to face him, but he put his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to
stay put. "What?" Her voice trembled.
"Pack
your bags. You're going back to
***
"Come on
Kristin," Kevin murmured softly as the phone rang for the fourth time,
"pick up please..." Rachel, who'd arrived to the party an hour
earlier had kept herself glued to his side almost the entire night until she
finally decided to go powder her nose.
Now that she
was gone, he had time to call his wife. It had taken a lot of convincing, but
Leighanne finally gave him the number where he could reach her at. He
heard someone pick up suddenly and his heart went to his throat.
"Hello?"
Kevin nearly
burst into tears. He hadn't heard her voice in so long.
"Kristin..."
"Kevin?!
How did you get this number?!" she responded angrily.
"Kris,
don't be mad please...I need to talk to you."
"We have
nothing to say to each other."
"Kristin..."
He could hear her weeping. "Don't cry Kris..."
"Damn you
Kevin...don't you dare act as if you care!"
"I do
honey. I miss you so much."
She didn't
respond.
"Will you
meet me tomorrow...so we can talk?"
"I don't
think so," Kristin replied shakily.
"I'm
begging you baby...please? You have to know what's going on."
"I don't
want to know anything about you anymore Kevin."
He squeezed
his eyes shut, her words stabbing him in the heart.
"Please?..." He heard her sigh.
"All
right. I will. But this means nothing Kevin. Do you
understand?"
"Yes,
yes. I understand perfectly." He praised the Lord for at least
getting the chance to see her again. "Come to A.J and Sarah's
tomorrow at
"...Okay."
She hung up
after that and he listened to the dial tone, wishing he could've told her he
loved her, but he knew that probably wasn't a good idea right now.
A genuine grin
curved his lips for the first time in ages. At least he'd see her
tomorrow. After weeks of wondering... waiting...
He'd see
Kristin again.
***
Nick looked at
the clock in the kitchen for what seemed like the millionth time in less than
five minutes. "Rina should be back by
now."
"Don't
fret darling. I'm sure she'll be here soon," Caroline replied as she
poured three glasses of champagne.
Then, as
though on cue, he heard the door open and he stood and rushed to the
foyer. His eyes immediately softened at the sight of her.
"There you are!"
"Nick!"
Katarina raced into his arms, nearly knocking him to
the ground.
"Whoa,"
he laughed and held her tightly, "I missed you too." She looked
up at him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. His face
contorted in concern. "Rina, are you
okay?" His frown deepened. "You're trembling..."
"I...I'm
fine. Just a little tired."
He kissed her
forehead. "Next time, let me get the firewood okay?"
"...Okay."
"Good,"
his grin returned, "now I also wanted you to know that I've been a very
good boy and helped Caroline set the table for dinner."
She laughed,
although Nick didn't notice how forced it was. "I see...and you were
hoping for some kind of reward?"
He nodded
vigorously. "Hell yeah."
Katarina tilted her head upward and Nick didn't hesitate to meet her halfway
and as soon as his lips met hers, his insides turned to mush. There was
no doubt in his mind as to how much he loved this woman in his arms. He'd
do anything for her...give her whatever she wanted...
And tonight he
would tell her just that.
***
It was a half
an hour after
"Goodnight
dear," she replied sleepily, "you two behave."
"We
will," Nick promised and snuck a sideways glance at Katarina.
She managed an
amused smile.
Caroline
disappeared up the stairs and Katarina turned to face
Nick. She'd never seen a more amazing smile in her life. His ocean
blue eyes twinkled brightly with happiness and she was proud to know that she
was the cause of it.
And tomorrow
she would be the cause of his pain.
She held back
tears as he took her in his arms and nestled his face in her neck. She
stroked his golden hair and breathed in the scent of his shampoo and
soap. It was such a masculine scent...nothing had ever smelled so
heavenly. It was going to be so hard to leave.
"Rina..." he murmured and lifted his head and caught
her lips in a kiss that opened the floodgate of tears that'd been building
since her encounter with Kris.
He pulled back
slightly, concern written all over his face. "Why are you
crying?"
"I...I'm
just so happy Nick...being here with you...makes me so happy."
He kissed the
trails of tears tenderly before capturing her mouth again and she returned his
fervent kisses with the same passion, letting herself drown in his
embrace. There would never be another man for her. She knew that
wholeheartedly and more than anything else in the world she wanted him to know
that...
He drew back
again, took her hand and led her by the Christmas Tree that glimmered brightly
with colourful lights. "Stay there,"
he whispered and moved toward the old radio beside the fireplace and turned it
on. Luckily, a beautiful slow song was just starting to play and Katarina smiled as he moved back to her and shyly asked her
to dance. They fell into step perfectly, their arms wrapped around each
other in an intimate embrace. Katarina closed
her eyes and leaned her head on his chest, listening to the song that had
suddenly become dear to her heart...
"Sayin'
I love you
is not the words I want to hear from you.
It's not that I want you
not to say it but if you only knew
how easy it would be to show me how you feel.
More
than words is all you have to do to make it real.
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'cuz I'd already know.
What
would you do if my heart was torn in two?
More than words to show you feel...
that your love for me is real.
What would you say if I took those words away?
Then you couldn't make things new
just by sayin' I love you..."
It was then
that she realized by the way he held her, the way he gazed into her eyes, the
way he listened to her every word when she spoke...Nick loved her. He'd
never said it before, but the fact of the matter was he didn't need to.
He proved it to her everyday.
"Rina...I--"
Before he
could speak another word, she lifted her head and pressed her mouth against
his. "I know Nick," she whispered between kisses, "I
know...and I..."
"I know
too," he responded and deepened the kiss, sending them both into a world
where only they existed...
"Now
that I've tried to
talk to you and make you understand,
all you have to do is close your eyes
and just reach out your hand
and touch me...hold me close...
don't ever let me go.
More
than words is all I ever needed you to show.
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'cuz I'd already know."*
***
Hours later,
with her suitcase packed, she left an piece of paper on her pillow...her letter
to Nick. She quietly opened the door and crept to his room. He was
sound asleep with a smile on his face. Katarina
wept at his bedside while watching the shimmer of moonlight dance across his
face. Nick... She reached out and brushed his bangs off his
forehead and then pressed her lips softly against it. "I love you
Nicky...so very much..." she whispered shakily, "don't ever forget
me..."
Minutes
later...
She was gone.
***
*"More Than Words," by Extreme.
