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He had lost his wife and unborn child in an accident, and the rumors had been vicious about the paternity of the baby. Of course, she did not know the whole story because she did not like the idea of diving into celebrities’ lives. She firmly believed that they are entitled to privacy when it comes to that.
And she would never want to introduce another life into a messy situation. Dragging her hands over her face, she used them to hold back the tangle of hairs from her face. What now? She had no idea, and she would have to talk with David. Something she was not looking forward to.
She could not tell her friends about any of it. She, who had always spoken about not needing a relationship and that her career was enough for her, had fallen under the spell of a man who would never feel the same. With a shaky laugh, she climbed out of bed and reached for her robe.
Even though it was a Saturday morning, she was going to run into the office for half a day, and then she was supposed to meet her friends for a shopping spree, something she was suddenly not looking forward to. But she committed to shopping and dinner afterward and would keep it.
With that in mind, she headed into the bathroom.
*****
Inside his loft, Deacon was having a rather difficult time of it. He was not pleased that he had crept out of the house like a common criminal because he was afraid of facing the woman; he left in the bed sleeping.
His relief on noticing that the alarm had not been reset had been palpable because he would have had to go back upstairs to wake her to let him out, and he had not been up to facing her – not just yet. He was too vulnerable, too weak, and he had berated himself as he stood there looking at her slender curves.
He had been reaching over to brush the hairs off her cheek when he stopped himself just in time. And the hollow feeling in the pit of the stomach almost had him climbing back into bed with her. He would go to the club, he decided as he wandered into the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee.
His housekeeper did not come in over the weekends because he was rarely home, and even if he was, he was not one to eat breakfast. A cup of coffee and he would retire to his home office to work on some proposals.
Today was different. He was not in the mood to read the contracts he had brought home with him. Perhaps a workout in his well-equipped gym downstairs and several laps in the pool at the back of the building. He was pretty isolated and miles away from the nearest neighbor, which suited him completely.
Downing the coffee, he strode out of the kitchen and upstairs into his suite to change into shorts and a tank. He was stepping out of the room when his phone rang. Ignoring the unsteady beating of his heart as he wondered if it was her, he picked it up and looked at the LED, his disappointment sharp as he answered.
“Jake, bad timing.”
“I need to see you.”
“Why?”
“I just- “The man sighed. “I am in a bit of a spot.”
Deacon’s mouth tightened. “Gambling?”
“No. I already told you that I am done with that. I am a washout, and I realize that. An actor who has not acted in five years. We are family- “
“Second cousin.” Deacon reminded him coldly.
“Still family, and you promised Mother you would be there for me. Just as she was there for you when you lost your parents.”
“Are you trying to make me feel guilty?” His voice was icy with displeasure.
“No. No, it’s just that I am broke, Deacon. I am trying to get work, but it appears I am yesterday’s news.” There was a trace of bitterness in his voice. “I hate asking for handouts, but you are the only person I can turn to.
I know you tried to help me by giving me a job at your fancy office, but I am not cut out to be corporate. Look, there is a small play in the making – an off-Broadway deal, and I hope to get a part, even a small one. I am just asking for another loan.”
“When?” Deacon clipped.
“Today, if possible. I am going in for a callback, hoping that means I have been chosen for the part.”
“I will wire some money into your account. Good luck.” Deacon hung up, a frown touching his brow. Shoving the phone into his pocket, he headed towards his office.
*****
“God! I love shopping. I thought I should not have gone with that black cocktail dress in that cute little boutique, but I could not resist. Now I am starving. Where to?”
“Maggie’s,” Delores suggested promptly. “They serve the best crab cakes I have ever tasted.”
Sara peered at her. “If this is a working trip- “
