“I’ll come back to New York another time. It’s just that I haven’t seen him in so long. I’m really sorry to wreck our trip.”
“It’s just strange, running off with some random guy you barely know.”
“He’s not some random guy. We were close. I was in love with him,” Caitlyn argued.
“Yeah, and that’s clearly in the past tense. People hop across the Atlantic all the time for guys they’ve actually known, what, two months and one passionate night?” Melinda stood and headed to the kitchen with both cats flanking her.
“I don’t love him anymore,” Caitlyn protested as she followed. “I don’t know him anymore. But I’d like the chance to get to know him again, and in between films is really the best time for that. I’m sorry to bail on you.”
“Hon, I don’t care about that. What I care about is that you’re dropping everything for what amounts to a stranger. I know you say you were close.” Melinda bent over and doled cat food out. “But he lied to you then. He lied about everything, didn’t you say? How can you trust him now? How can you say you even knew him before?”
Caitlyn paused to think about that. “Maybe I didn’t. But I can’t help how I felt.”
“How you feel,” Melinda corrected.
“I…” Caitlyn pushed a hand through her hair. “I’m going, Melinda.”
“Yeah. I got that. Just be safe, okay? Let us know where you’re supposed to be, and…” Melinda stroked one cat’s back before straightening up and coming over to Caitlyn. “Protect yourself. I know he’s a movie star and a prince, but the way you acted toward him before tonight. Girl, he hurt you. A lot.”
“I know this. I lived it.”
“Well, just don’t let him do it to you again. If he starts his bullshit, if you think he’s lying to you again, get out of there. You’re worth a lot more than some guy with an ego the size of Mars discarding you like a used condom.”
Caitlyn smiled a little and accepted a hug from her friend. She knew she couldn’t keep herself from going with Emrys. The pull was too strong. But she was going to have to make sure that she put up a better guard for her heart than she had been in college.
Chapter Five
Caitlyn was like a little bird, peering owlishly out of the jet window with her lips forming a rosy bow. Her feet touched the floor with the tips of her red sneakers, and she pushed her glasses up slightly. Emrys could imagine her thoughts. It had been some time since she’d had this view. Her little trips within North America were undoubtedly adventures, but nothing could, in Emrys’s mind, compete with the age, the depth, or the richness of European history and culture.
Just now, they were flying over southern France in the private jet Emrys’s father had made available to ensure his son would come home safely. They’d spent the trip talking and drinking and fooling around on the bed in the back. In an odd way, Emrys felt like they were kids again. Petting and teasing, with no promise or demand of further commitment.
He moved over to her seat and rested his hand on her shoulder before handing her a cocktail.
“I’ve completely lost track of the time,” Caitlyn said. “Is it an appropriate hour to be having a drink?”
“It’s almost eleven PM in New York.”
“What time is it in Cabeau?”
“Five AM.”
Caitlyn smiled and shook her head. She knocked back the drink and leaned into his chest. Pleased, Emrys wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her neck. As she snuggled into him, pleasantly buzzed, Emrys slipped a hand under the loose, pink baby doll blouse she was wearing. The top was made from lace, and while it seemed to be comfortable, it made her perky breasts seem fuller. His hand cupped one of those breasts over her bra and stroked it with his thumb.
“Why did you invite me here?” Caitlyn murmured after a moment.
“I told you. I don’t want to part from you again so soon.” His lips made a path along the curve of her neck.
“This is like a vacation for you, isn’t it? Time off from Roughhousing?”
“And having you by my side will make it all the better.”
Caitlyn sat up suddenly and moved his hand away. “I know. I feel the same way, but…don’t misunderstand here. I don’t want to get hot and heavy right away. Maybe we could just enjoy our time together and not worry about what it means.”
“If that makes it easier for you.” Emrys held back his frustration at her words. He could manage; he was an actor. Still, there had to be more that he could do to quell her fears. “My Cait, all I want right now is you. Your presence. If I have that, and I do, I’m happy. We’ll let the rest sort out itself.”