“I’m awake now.” Nick glanced over at the clock on his bedside table and groaned. It was just before seven, not particularly early, but he and Cassie stayed up past two watching a movie, so he had hoped to sleep at least until noon.
“Listen I’m sorry to get you up so early, but we’ve got a problem.”
“This better be good, Tyson. Cass and me were up really late last night.”
“Cassie’s there?! I didn’t know she was planning a visit.” Tyson Gray was Nick’s regular bodyguard, a thirty-year-old gentle giant who stood close to seven feet tall and was built like a WWF wrestler. He had been guarding Nick for over a year and most fans were scared to death of him. They jokingly compared him to Mike Tyson and he had the smile to prove it.
“She got in yesterday and I don’t think I have to tell you every time I have company.” Nick said, shifting the phone between his ear and shoulder.
“I can’t wait to see her.” Nick wasn’t sure he liked the pleased tone in his bodyguard’s voice. It was no secret that Ty enjoyed Cassie’s visits.
Nick sighed. “Well, you’ll be seeing a lot of her. She’s going to be my Assistant for this tour.”
“Well, now that’s something to look forward to. You guys are still only best friends, right? I can ask her out sometime?” Of course you can ask her out, but then I might have to kill you. “I’m not her keeper, Ty. Now, what’s so important?”
“Your life.” He stated simply.
“Come again?” Nick pushed himself up in the bed and felt an eerie chill sweep through his body. “What happened now?”
“There’s been another threat on your life. Management is putting me with you round the clock and we need to have a meeting this morning to discuss strategy.”
“Strategy?” His voice cracked. “What strategy? This is ridiculous, Ty. We get death threats all the time. What’s so special about this one?”
“I’m not going to go into it over the phone, Nick. I’m on my way over. You might want to wake your new Assistant. Protecting you is going to be part of her job now, too.”
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Nick ran his fingers through his hair, brushed his teeth and walked across the hall to knock on Cass’ door. She slept like a log, so he didn’t expect her stir. He waited a minute and then stepped inside.
He tiptoed to the edge of the bed and looked down at her. She was sleeping so peacefully in the sleigh bed he bought for her room in his house. He had the room decorated in lilac and white, too – her favorite color combination. Cass would never let him spoil her with expensive gifts, so putting her dream room together, in his house, was the next best thing he could do. He smiled as he remembered the look on her face when he showed it to her. He’d never forget that or the hug of appreciation that followed.
“Cass?” He sat down on the edge of the bed and gently shook her shoulder. Why he had to disturb her sleep so they could listen to Ty ramble he had no idea. She snuggled deeper into the soft comforter and didn’t open her eyes. She stirred again when his fingertips grazed her shoulder as he straightened the tiny strap on her camisole. He leaned closer and whispered softly in her ear, “Wake up, baby.”
“Hmm.” She sighed softly, rolling onto her back. Then she slipped her fingers behind Nick’s neck and into his hair. “You feel so good, Carter.”
Nick’s eyes widened. She’s dreaming. She doesn’t realize what she’s doing. He wanted to laugh, but he was curious to see what she was going to do next. He didn’t have to wait long. She may have been dreaming, but she was enjoying every minute of it.
With her eyes still closed, she pulled his head closer and closer until their lips were barely touching. Nick held his breath as she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into the kiss. Their lips brushed very lightly at first, just a gentle swish back and forth. She was so soft and warm, but when the intensity increased, it wasn’t funny anymore. “Cassie,” he murmured against her lips, “you’re dreaming.”
Her eyes flew open and Nick was so close that she could see the flecks of yellow in his eyes. “Oh God,” she slapped her hands over her cheeks, “did I just kiss you?”
“Why yes, you did.” He giggled and pursed his lips. “We’re not done, are we?”
She smacked him on the shoulder and dove beneath the covers to hide her bright red cheeks. “I’m so embarrassed.” Her voice was muffled beneath the comforter.
“Cassie.” Nick rubbed her back. “It’s just me, baby. I liked kissing you.”
“You did?” She peeked at him from beneath the covers.
“Sure, you’re my best friend. We’re allowed to kiss on the lips, right?”
She shrugged. “Yeah, sure. No big deal.” She didn’t want to be rude, but she really wanted him to get off the bed and leave her alone. “Why are you waking me up so early? I thought we were sleeping in this morning?”
“We were, but Ty called and he’s coming over for a meeting. He insists my new Assistant be there, too.”
“Okay, give me a few minutes to get dressed and I’ll be down.”
“Sure.” Nick stood up and walked towards the door, then stopped and turned back to her. She looked so lonely sitting in the middle of the bed. “Cass?”
“I’ll be right down, Carter.”
Once the door clicked behind Nick, Cassie dropped her face into her hands. They were cold and trembling. She was mortified that she had kissed Nick that way. Sure, she was half-asleep, but she could just imagine what he must be thinking. She wished she could call her best friend and talk about it. Trouble was, her best friend was the problem.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
As Nick was walking down the stairs, confused as hell over what took place in Cassie’s bedroom, Ty was ringing the doorbell. He shook his head, still wondering if he was as clueless as he felt. The woman was having a dream – probably about that Mark/Mike dude and he just happened to be there in his place. Cassie didn’t feel like that about him, yet she was clearly embarrassed and he didn’t understand why. He would talk to her about it later.
“Jesus, were you at the gate when you called?” Nick muttered when he opened the front door.
“Yeah,” he grinned, “but I brought breakfast.” He held up a bag of fresh bagels. “I had them throw some of that fancy cream cheese in there, too. I know Cassie likes it.”
“Well, you’re good for something.” Nick snatched the bag from his hands and dug through it for his favorite – chocolate chip. He took a big bite and motioned with his head for Ty to follow him into the kitchen. He made coffee, poured some juice and set the bagels out on a plate. Just as he sat down next to Ty at the breakfast bar, Cassie walked in looking fresh and bright-eyed. He never could figure out how women could do that. She didn’t look mad or upset and she seemed ready to face the day. He was still wearing his just rolled out of bed look.
“Tyson!” Nick rolled his eyes when she practically screamed the man’s name and jumped into his arms, arms that looked more like chocolate brown honey-baked hams. She looked so small compared to him, and in Nick’s opinion, she was too good for him. Nick poured her a steaming cup of vanilla-flavored coffee and the pungent aroma must have brought her back to her senses.
“Coffee!” She smiled at Nick and held her hand out to take the cup he offered. “Thanks, Carter. You’re so good to me.”
“Your welcome. Would you like a bagel? Tyson brought them.”
“Ty, these look fantastic.” She said looking at all the choices in front of her. Decisions. Decisions.” She grabbed the largest cinnamon sugar on the plate and slit it with a butter knife. “Cream cheese, too? Ty, you are going to make some woman very happy one of these days.”
“Isn’t he something?” Nick tapped his fingers on his plate and waited for them both to finish eating.
“I hear you’re coming on tour with us, Cass?” Cass? He doesn’t call her ‘Cass,’ I do.
“Yes, I am.” She licked her fingers and took another bite of her bagel. “I’m excited.”
Ty pushed his plate away and put on his business face. “Well, the tour is one of the reasons I stopped over so early this morning.”
“Something’s wrong?” She looked back and forth from Nick to Ty. “What’s this all about?”
“I don’t know, baby. Big lug wouldn’t tell me on the phone, but I guess there’s been some kind of threat on my life.”
“What?” Cassie’s hand went to her mouth. “What’s this all about, Ty?” Her eyes darkened and she laid a protective hand on Nick’s arm.”
He cleared his throat. “It seems that The Firm received a letter yesterday. There was no return address or postmark.”
“What was in the envelope?” Cassie tightened her grip on Nick’s arm.
“A photograph of you.” Ty indicated toward Nick.
“Lots of people take pictures of me.” He shrugged. “What’s the big deal?”
“They do, but not many send copies to your management company with your face crossed out in black Sharpie and a message beneath that says, WATCH YOUR BACK.”
“He’s right, Carter.” Cassie downed the last sip of her coffee. “We can’t fool around with this.”
“Bottom line is that we have to take this seriously.” Ty explained. “All the people around you need to be carefully screened and we all have to be on our toes.” He nodded towards Cassie. “You’re going to be with Nick a lot, so you’re going to have to keep your eyes open, too.”
“Of course I will. What about security here?”
Nick shook his head. “I don’t need security here, Cass. This is my home.”
“You do need security, Nick and that’s why I’m moving in.”
“Moving in?! No way, Ty!” Nick shoved himself away from the table and practically threw his plate in the sink.
“Nick, be reasonable. I’ll stay out of sight and I promise not to interfere in your private life. I can use the guest house out back.”
“Ty, you’re attached to my hip when we’re out in public, I sure as hell don’t need to see you when I wake up in the morning in my own house. I’m safe here. It’s the one place where I feel safe.”
“Look, you really have no choice in the matter. You have to take this threat seriously, Nick. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.” He stood and rummaged through his back pocket for his car keys. “I’ve been told to report back here this afternoon. Management wants you guarded around the clock and I agree with them this time.”
“Jesus.” Nick leaned his forehead against the cabinet and closed his eyes. “Fine. Whatever. I don’t care.”
“I’ll see you both sometime this afternoon. Please don’t go anywhere without me.”
“Fine.” Nick stomped upstairs. Now I’m a prisoner in my own home.
Table of Contents
Chapter Three