Forever My Soldier Page 8

  “It’s funny you brought it up because Derek and I were talking about Christmas too. His parents are in Florida, so we were debating what we were going to do since it’s just the two of us.”

  “You’ll come to our house.”

  She smiles. “Sounds good to me. I’ll let Derek know when I get home tonight.”

  “Mother?” I ask, and she looks at Richard.

  “Sure, what time?” Richard says happily.

  “How’s four? That way we can all relax a bit before dinner. We’ll eat around five or five-thirty.”

  “That’s perfect.”

  “Good. Now that that is settled, I’m going to work. I want to get to the courthouse early because I need to meet my assistant before we go into court.” He leans over to kiss my mother and says, “Have a good afternoon, darling, and I’ll see you for dinner this evening.”

  We both get up to give him one more hug and thank him again for lunch and the dresses. He leaves as our waitress returns with the bill. Mother signs for it, and as the waitress leaves, she says, “Aren’t I the luckiest woman in the world? He has seriously forgotten all of my mistakes and is giving me a second chance.”

  “You’re very lucky, Mother. Please don’t blow it. It’s clear he loves you, and this vacation is the perfect chance for you two to have a fresh start.”

  She shakes her head. “Patricia, I meant it when I said I was sorry. No more secrets. I seriously don’t know what I would have done if I had lost him. That’s why I was behaving so poorly. I didn’t know what to do.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’ve seen the error of your ways and are behaving now. We both like Richard,” I say as I look at Bella. “He’s good to you, and we want to see him stick around.”

  My mother gets a bit emotional and stands to hug us both. The three of us slip on our jackets and make our way to the door, but as we approach Bella’s car, the media is waiting for us.

  “Ms. Fitzpatrick, why won’t you discuss what happened between you and Ben? Are you hiding stuff from Carter?”

  “What? No, and how did you know I was here?”

  “Will you write about it in your next book?”

  “I’m going to tell you one last time. I do not want to discuss the situation with Ben. I will not write about it. I’ve paid my respects to his father. Now it’s time that I move on.”

  “Was his father angry when you showed up to the wake?”

  “No. He appreciated me being there. We have had a very close relationship over the years. He has told me it’s time to move on as well, and that’s what I’m doing. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m having a girls’ afternoon with my mother and Bella. Please do not follow us.”

  As I climb into Bella’s car and take a deep breath, I hear them trying to ask Bella questions as she rounds the car to climb in herself.

  “Damn Joan! This is all her fault,” I say once Bella is securely inside.

  “Your agent did this?” She looks pissed.

  I tell her how Joan is no longer my agent and has been fired for getting out of line with the media. She was using my status to boost sales by telling the media my whereabouts.

  “Bitch,” Bella says as she beeps the horn, letting them know she’s pulling away.

  “I know, right? Anyway, Elizabeth is my agent now. She fired Joan on the spot.” I bite the inside of my lip. “I wonder if Joan tailed me and told them I was here. She knows how much I hate having the media in my face.”

  “You need to watch your back.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. God only knows what that woman is up to.”

  Chapter 8

  Patty

  I’m really excited for a morning at the spa with my mother. We’ve been getting along so well lately, and I love it. I quickly kiss Carter goodbye. “I love you and will see you in a few hours.”

  “Okay, baby. Have fun at the spa with your mom.”

  “I will.”

  He hands me the keys to his Jeep. “Here, take my car. The roads are not all that clear from last night’s snow showers, and my car handles better than yours.”

  “Thanks. I love you.”

  “Love you too. Drive carefully, please.”

  I slip on my coat and hurry out the door. As I get into the car, I receive a text from my mother.

  Mom: Excited to spend the afternoon with you.

  Patty: Me too, I’m on my way. I’ll see you soon.

  Mom: See you soon.

  I pull out from Carter’s spot and drive toward the salon. Along the way I get a feeling I’m being followed, but I haven’t been paying attention. I look in the rearview mirror, making a quick note of the cars behind me. I decide to take the long way to see who stays behind me and who doesn’t. I notice there is still one BMW following behind me, and I think it’s Joan. I dial Carter on the Bluetooth system.

  “Hey, baby. What’s up?”

  “Carter, I think I’m being followed by Joan. I took the long way to the spa and there’s one car that stayed behind me. I can’t tell for sure, but I think it’s her.”

  “Do you think she’s stalking you because you got her fired?”

  “I guess. I can’t imagine why else she’d be following me.”

  “We need to do something about this. I won’t have you walking around in fear because of this woman.”

  “What should I do?”

  “Derek lives up the street from the spa. Let me see if he can meet you to be sure you get in safely.”

  He cuts the call without giving me a chance to respond. I circle around, frustrated that this woman is really following me. This is such a waste of time and gas.

  The phone rings. “Hello?”

  “Pull over. I want to talk.”

  “No. I have nothing to say to you. Stop following me.”

  “You need to help me get my job back. None of the agencies in the area will hire me. I’m sorry I crossed the line. I won’t do it again.”

  “Joan, the trust has been broken. I can’t take your apology and let you become my agent again.”

  “I gave you your big break,” she screams into the phone. “Elizabeth didn’t even want to take you on, but I told her you could be big. I’m the one who pushed for the agency to take you. You’d be nothing without me.”

  “I appreciate you giving me the shot, but I’m not going to tell Elizabeth to take you back. I haven’t been able to prove it, but I’m willing to bet you told the media I was staying at Carter’s.”

  “You’re right, you can’t prove a thing, so get me my job back.”

  Carter’s number comes up on the screen. I hang up on her. “Hey, honey. She called me, confirming she’s following me.”

  “Go to the salon. Derek will be there waiting for you. Pull right up to the front door. He’ll walk you in and then park my car.”

  I turn the corner, and as I do, I see Derek walking up to the door. I pull up, shutting off the Jeep. He comes around to my side of the car and opens the door for me. As I’m stepping out of the car, we hear tires squeal as Joan takes off, pissed that she wouldn’t get to talk to me further. He ushers me inside, where I find my mother waiting for me.

  “Patricia, it’s not like you to be late. I’ve been worried.”

  “Sorry, I should’ve called you. Joan was following me, and when I called Carter he arranged for Derek to meet me outside so I wouldn’t have to deal with her. He’ll be in with my keys any minute.”

  “Why would Joan be following you?”

  I go into all the details of what happened the other day. I tell her how Joan is pissed at me and now wants revenge. My mother gasps. Derek walks in, hands me my keys, and tells me to text him as we’re wrapping up and he’ll make sure I get to my car okay. He has nothing better to do since Bella is already at the fashion show getting ready. She wasn’t allowed to have her hair and makeup done by anyone other than their artists.

  Tina comes out and tells us she’s ready for us, so Derek takes off and we follow her into the back for our mother/daughter massag
e. As we’re getting set up, my mother asks me what I’m going to do about Joan. “I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to process it yet. I’ll have to talk with Carter about it and figure something out.”

  I lay with my face buried in the pillow and the blanket up over my back as I wait for the girls to come in and start. “Make sure you take care of this. You’ve been through enough. I don’t want her getting to you.”

  “I will. Now can we drop it so we can both relax and get ready for a nice night out?”

  “Sure,” she says as she too gets situated on her bed.

  The two girls walk in and get to work on our massages. It feels so good to relax while all the knots in my body are worked out.

  Forty-five minutes later, our massages are done and I’m happy to say my mother did not say another word during my massage. If she had, I would never get one with her again. That is the biggest pet peeve of mine. Do not talk during a massage. It’s a time to rest and relax, not gossip or talk about what’s going on in your life.

  We both get dressed and move to the next room, where we’re getting pedicures and having our toes done. Tina has two girls ready for us with the tubs filled to the brim with nice warm water. We both relax into our chairs and soak our feet.

  “I was thinking while I was lying there. Maybe we should hire you some security.”

  “Let’s not jump the gun, Mother. If she continues to be an issue, I may have to agree, but this could have been a one-time deal.”

  “Okay, but if it happens again, I want you to promise me you’ll get some security.”

  “Fine, but I don’t want to talk about it anymore today. It’s supposed to be a fun day, and I don’t want her running my life.”

  ***

  Two hours later my mother and I are ready for our night out. We’ve had a massage, pedicure, manicure, and our hair and makeup are done to perfection. My mom loves this spa so much she's made us another appointment for New Year's Eve. As we walk out to the lobby, Derek is standing there, waiting for me.

  “Hey, pretty lady. Are you ready to go home to your man?”

  “Absolutely,” I say as I hug my mother and thank her for a fun afternoon.

  “Remember, the limo will pick you two up at six sharp, so be ready and waiting.”

  “We will, Mother.” I want to roll my eyes.

  “Be prepared. There will be media there.”

  I sigh. “I will. See you a little later.”

  “You really don’t like the media, do you?” Derek says as he looks around. After making sure we really are alone, he walks me to my car.

  “I don’t typically mind them, but right now they’re driving me crazy over this stuff with Ben. I need to get them onto a better topic.” I smile as it dawns on me.

  “What?” Derek asks.

  “I need to call Elizabeth and tell her I’m announcing the release of my next book.”

  “That’s a great idea,” he says as we’re walking.

  When we approach the Jeep, he opens the door for me and I scoot in, careful not to mess up my hair. “See you in a little bit,” he says as he shuts my door.

  I start the car and send Carter a quick text.

  Patty: On my way.

  Carter: I will meet you in the garage.

  Patty: Thank you.

  Next I dial Elizabeth’s direct line. “Hello, Elizabeth. This is Patricia Fitzpatrick. How are you?”

  “I’m well. What can I do for you?”

  “I’m still being followed by the media about the Ben situation, and I need it to stop. I wanted to let you know I’m announcing the release of my next book at the Fashion Show tonight.”

  “That’s fine. Hopefully that will get them onto better news, and it will still give the book publicity. Go for it.”

  “I also want to give you a heads up that Joan followed me today and then called, begging for me to talk to you. She wants her job back and she thinks I can convince you to give it to her.”

  “It’s not going to happen. There’s more to it than what she pulled with you and she knows it.”

  “I figured there had to have been more to it, but she blames me.”

  “That’s because you’re the straw that broke the camel’s back. I’m done with her.”

  “I’m not trying to convince you; I’m letting you know what she’s up to.”

  “I understand, and I appreciate it. Let me know if you need security. Watch your back. I don’t trust her.”

  “I don’t either. I have a feeling she’s the one who told Ben I was staying at Carter’s after he broke into my apartment. I’m not sure if she figured the media frenzy would be good publicity, but my mother swears it wasn’t her.”

  “Do you have any proof?”

  “No, I wish I did. My stepfather's the DA, and I would be talking to him instead of you right now.”

  She chuckles. “Fair point. Well, try to have fun tonight and stay safe.”

  “I will. Have a good night.” I cut the call as I pull into the garage, and sure enough Carter is standing there, waiting for me. I park his car. Immediately, he opens the door for me.

  “How was your day?” he says as he pulls me in for a soft kiss.

  “It was nice minus the Joan incident.”

  “She didn’t call you again, did she?”

  “No. I talked to Elizabeth and filled her in on the situation. Be prepared. There’s going to be media there tonight, and I’m announcing the release of my next book to try and get them onto a new topic.”

  “I already have my clear earplugs ready.”

  He takes my hand and we hurry inside, hoping no one followed me home. When I get upstairs, I quickly eat the small snack Carter prepared for me. I devour the fruit salad, cheese, and crackers and then rinse my plate and place it in the dishwasher.

  When I get to the bedroom, I find Carter half naked. He’s getting ready to put on his tux.

  “Hello!” I lean against the door. He turns to me. “I’m suddenly very hungry.”

  “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not going to be responsible for messing up that hairstyle and beautiful make-up your mother probably paid a ton of money for.”

  I laugh. “No problem. I’ll take a rain check for after the show, but don’t expect me to keep my hands to myself.”

  I slowly walk across the room, unbuttoning my shirt and slipping it off my shoulders so it falls to the floor. I pause to slip my leggings and panties off before I saunter over to the bureau to get my bra and panty set for tonight. Very slowly, I slip my thong on. Then I remove the bra I’m wearing and change into my strapless.

  Carter suddenly clears his throat. “Woman, you’re making it very hard for me to control myself right now.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m simply getting dressed.” I feign innocence as I walk over to my dress, which is hanging in the back of the closet. While still half naked, I slip into my new Louboutin shoes. When I stand, Carter is behind me. He pins me to the door. He bites my earlobe and says, “I’m going to fuck you in those shoes tonight, so be prepared.”

  I lick my lips. “I really like the sound of that.”

  “If you don’t watch it, I might fuck you in them right now.”

  I squeeze his cock, which is now hard as stone. “I’d really like that.”

  “You would, huh? You want to go to tonight’s event smelling like hot sex? I can take care of that.” He pulls his boxers down, showing me his impressive length. He wraps my legs around his waist with my back to the door. Pulling my thong to the side, he slips himself deep inside of me. “We don’t have a lot of time, so this is going to be quick. Give me what I want,” he says as he starts to slam his cock inside me. It feels so good and so naughty. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but I love our sex, and he turns me on so much I feel like I’m an entirely different woman.

  He continues pounding into me when suddenly my orgasm shakes my entire body and my pussy is milking him for every drop. He slams into me one last time a
nd says, “Lean into me, baby.” When I do, he carries me into our bathroom.

  He sets me down on the counter and then pulls out a washcloth. Turning on the warm water, he wets it and cleans me up. He wets it one more time and cleans his now semi hard cock and then helps me off the counter. We both hurry back into the room to finish getting ready for tonight’s show.

  “Thank you. I needed that.”

  He smiles at me. “Baby, you don’t have to ever thank me for making love to you. It’s always my pleasure. That little show you gave me was quite sexy, and I’m dead serious about fucking you in those heels again tonight.”

  I bite my lip. “Twice, huh?”

  “Oh yeah. Next time they’ll be up by my ears,” he says as he zips the back of my dress for me. He quickly dresses and knots his tie. Fifteen minutes later, we go into the living room and the phone starts ringing. Darryl is on the other end, and he lets us know our limo is here. Carter slips his earplugs in his pocket as I slip on my coat and we’re off.

  As usual the limo driver is standing outside the car, waiting for us. As we approach, he opens the door so we can slip in. I take a deep breath and start to think about what exactly I’m going to say to the media when we arrive. Maybe they’ve forgotten about Ben, and I won’t have to say anything. I take another deep breath because I know full well that isn’t going to happen.

  “What’s wrong, baby? Are you nervous?”

  “Yeah, I’m trying to figure out how to approach the subject of the new book.” I feel a smile spread across my face, and that’s when it dawns on me.

  “You’re good now, aren’t you?” Carter says as he lifts my chin.

  “I am,” I say, excited to get this over with.

  “Good. Remember, I’ll be by your side the entire time.”

  A few minutes later, we pull up to the fashion show and the driver lets us know we’re third in line to be let out at the red carpet.

  “Here we go,” I say to Carter as he puts his earplugs in. He really likes these earplugs because they dull the noise, but he can still hear me. Our car comes to a stop, and we hear the driver climb out. Once the door opens, Carter slides out and then takes my hand to help me.