Page 4 of A Little Christmas: Star
“What?” He blinked, that sexy little line that always appeared between his brows when he was confused, in full evidence. “CVS?”
I leaned closer and sniffed at the base of his throat. “Your cologne. I’d have thought you’d be wearing something more expensive now.”
His eyes shone, lower lip trembled. “You bought me the first bottle for Christmas that year. Before that, I wore nothing at all.”
An image of him wearing “nothing at all” flashed in front of my eyes before I could stop it. But I had to calm down. He was here for a reason. And it wasn’t because he missed me so much, he still wore the ten-dollar fragrance I’d loved on him that Christmas Day. Our only Christmas together. “Okay, so you’re on your way…somewhere. And ended up here, how? I get that you were being chased, but why did you come to my office? Did you look it up?”
A rosy hue colored his cheeks. “You’re going to hate me.”
“No, I don’t think that’s possible.” Miss him, be mad at him, wish things had been different. But hate? No.
“I didn’t know you were here. I hadn’t been back to town in all these years, and after we lost touch”—after he stopped returning my calls, texts, and emails—“I didn’t know where you worked or anything. They kind of chased me here, and I’d tried three other doors. Yours was unlocked.”
Whoever had left it that way was getting a double Christmas bonus.
A bang at the front door had me off the couch and heading out there. I scribbled a note and held up my phone and a piece of paper withCalling the policeon it in thick black Sharpie. And, to my shock, it worked. At least they all backed off and seemed to be heading away. When the last one cleared the parking lot, I returned to where I’d left Star in my office.
He’d abandoned the sofa to pace back and forth across the floor. “I’m so sorry. I should go before you have any more trouble. They can be aggressive.”
“I suppose so.” I grabbed his hand and stopped his frantic steps. “But they’re gone now.”
“Really? You did that?” He flung his arms around me and mine followed suit, bringing him in for a hug. “You did that for me.”
Chapter Four
Star
It felt so good to be hugged. Held. I’d forgotten how warm Caelum was. His chest rumbled with approval as I snuggled in deeper.
“Are you okay?” he asked, looking down at me with deep-brown eyes, surrounded by full, inky lashes. Daddies always seemed to have lashes and hair us littles would die for. “Star?” He pressed with his deep voice.
How had I ever walked away from this man?
“I am now. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?” He pulled back, bracing his hands on my shoulders, and let his eyes roam my form. I could’ve ducked into any office or restaurant or café around here but instead, I’d sprinted into his office, his place. The whole place smelled of his musk, surrounding me in safety and security. And he’d noticed that I wore the same cologne he’d bought me.
“I’m sure. I’m sorry about all of this. I didn’t know what to do.”
“That’s okay. You’re safe now.”
Now. The word throbbed in my head. As much as I enjoyed being in Caelum’s arms, reality was just outside his door, waiting for me. The clicks of photogs getting their fill, making stories of any movement or small detail no matter how miniscule.
“I thought I could come back here, and they would forget about me.”
Caelum chuckled and damn it, how I missed his smile.
I’d steeled myself from thinking of him too much since I’d been gone. Missing him made me cold and sooner than later, I forgot how good it felt to be warm.
“How could anyone forget about you, Star?” He brushed his knuckles down my cheek, and I surrendered to a shudder.
I looked over his shoulder at the windows, knowing my fate was on the other side.
That was, unless I took a chance.
“I know that I just crashed into your life and you’re busy and have your business to run, but would it be okay if I went to your house tonight instead of the hotel? They know I’m staying there, and no amount of discretion will get me there without being noticed. Maybe there’s a back door to this place?”
“I don’t mind at all. I have an idea.” He pulled out his phone and made a quick call. He spoke for a moment, listened, then hung up. “Oscar owns the café down the road. He’s going to create a distraction so we can get you out the back.”
