Trying To Right the Wrong

Sarah steeled herself for what she was about to do. She had to be prepared for the fact JC could have easily decided she wasn’t worth his trouble. After all, he was young, wealthy, and attractive. He had plenty of reasons not to settle for a woman who had more complications than Einstein’s Theory of Relativity! She was glad to see only a minimum of people were milling around the hotel, waiting for the group’s return from the concert. Stepping out of her rental car, she grabbed her shoulder bag, overnighter and laptop. If JC kicked her out, she’d more than likely have to stay at the hotel. Since her face had been plastered all over the Internet hate sites, she wasn’t exactly anonymous to the younger generation. And if she were well received by JC, she’d most certainly be staying the night!

The outfit she wore had been chosen with great care. She wanted to look business-like enough to pass by the heavy hotel security as a full-fledged adult – without looking like ‘the Sarah Chase’, which would alert the rabid fans and media. JC certainly would not want that persona in his life.

As luck would have it, the desk clerk was a woman perhaps ten years older than Sarah. That made sense for the hotel. Younger female clerks would be drooling over the group. When Sarah stepped up to the front desk, the woman raised her eyes –and they immediately glowed with recognition.

“Miss Chase!”

Sarah gave the woman a warm smile. “My reputation precedes me.”

“I’ve read all your books. I’m one of your biggest fans.”

“Well, thank you.” Sarah read the woman’s nametag. “Carol, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“For an autographed copy of your next book – anything!” the woman chuckled.

“Done!” This part was easier than she had expected. “Make sure I have your full name and address before I leave and I’ll see to it personally.”

“Then maybe I should have asked for an autographed copy of every book you publish.”

It was Sarah’s turn to laugh. “That can be arranged.” A chance to make things right with JC was worth much more to her than that!

“Okay. I’ve taken the bribe.” Carol leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You want to get into Mr. Chasez’s room and surprise him.”

Sarah’s eyes went wide. “Well, yes. How did you?—“

“I saw you two at the premier of ‘Left Unspoken’. Couldn’t miss they way the two of you looked at each other.” Carol winked at Sarah. “Can’t decide who’s luckier. Him – for all you know. Or you – he’s so handsome.”

“Me,” Sarah assured her. “He’s more than good looks.”

“I just bet he is.” Carol winked again, then slid a key card to Sarah. “Room 7020. Top floor.”

“Thank you, Carol. You’re a life saver.”

JC was exhausted. It was more than just the grind of the tour. He had become used to it in the past six years. It was Sarah. She was constantly on his mind. He was still smarting from the way she had kicked him out of her life. He’d been through the wringer for that woman, and then she ups and tosses him out like so much trash, his love along with him. There was no time now, but he had every intention of confronting her and asking her just who the hell she thought she was to treat him that way.

Letting himself into his hotel room, all he really wanted was a hot shower and the oblivion of sleep. He couldn’t believe the vision that greeted his eyes. Sarah was sitting against his headboard in a business suit, tapping away at her laptop like she belonged there!

Sarah looked up and smiled. “Oh, good! You’re here.”

It took a moment for him to find his voice. “I’m supposed to be here,” he said curtly.

That didn’t bode well. Sarah set her laptop aside and rose from the bed. “You look tired,” she said softly. She couldn’t recall seeing dark circles under his eyes before.

“I’m sure as hell too tired to play games with you,” he announced harshly.

Sarah’s mouth made a tiny ‘o’ and she knew he was not in the mood to forgive her. “I understand.” Grasping the hem of his tank-top, she said, “Arms up.” And stripped the shirt off when he lifted his arms.

He had obeyed but repeated, “I’m not in the mood—“

“Yes, I heard you.” Kneeling at his feet, she removed his shoes and socks.

When her hands went to his belt, he felt a sort of panic. If she put her hands on him, he’d be lost. As hurt and angry as he was, Sarah still had power over him. He held on to his negative emotions as a shield when his pants and shorts were shoved to his ankles.

“Step,” she commanded.

Once again, he did as he was told and stood naked before her.

Sarah rose to her feet and took his hand. She led him to the bathroom. Leaving his side, she turned the shower on, adjusting the water temperature until it was the way he liked it. “In you go, big guy.”

JC was too surprised to do anything more than acquiesce. Once he had stepped in, she closed the shower doors, leaving him to close his eyes and lean wearily against the wall while the hot spray pummeled him.

Sarah went into the bedroom and gathered her things. Going to the door, she looked back at the bathroom. “Good-bye, Joshua,” she whispered, then left.

The heat of the water seemed to clear JC’s mind. What had Sarah just done? His eyes popped open. The same thing he had done for her any number of times when she was feeling tired and defeated. She had taken care of him while asking nothing. She had been trying to say she loved him!

Straightening from the wall, he called, “Sarah!”

No response.

“Sarah!” he shouted as he twisted the taps off. “Oh, God, baby, please, still be here,” JC murmured as he grabbed for a towel. Stumbling towards the bedroom, he saw she was gone. Grabbing a pair of jeans, he yanked them on. Hopefully, he could still catch her.

Sarah stared helplessly at the crowd outside the lobby. She’d never get to her car through them – and what if one of those seemingly innocent faces had been the one who had written she’d rather see Sarah dead than with JC? Tears welled up in her eyes. First JC’s rejection – and now she couldn’t even escape her arrogant folly. She had pushed JC away one too many times and he’d had enough. Giving herself a moment for a deep breath, she blinked back the tears and headed for the front desk.

Thank goodness Carol had been replaced by a young man. She plastered on her most engaging smile. “Hello. I’m Sarah Chase.”

The man looked up with an appreciative male smile. “Hello. Miss Chase. I believe I have something for you.”

“You do?” It took a moment for her to realize Carol had probably left her address. “Would it be possible for me to get a room tonight?—“

“You won’t need it,” came a familiar male voice from behind her.

Sarah turned to see JC standing there – bare-chested, bare-footed, and hair dripping. He had never looked so good to her. His hulking bodyguard stood directly behind him, looking anything but happy. “I won’t?” she asked uncertainly. Oh, God! She wanted to melt in a puddle from the way he was looking at her.

“No.” He held out his arms to her. “C’mere, Sarah.”

Without hesitation, she went to him, never happier than when his arms came around her. “I’m so sorry, Josh,” she sobbed.

“Shh…I’ve got you now, baby.” Nuzzling her hair, he pressed her close. “Hush, sweet thing.”

“I’m not asking for anything more than a second chance,” she told him softly as she raised tear washed eyes to meet his deep blue gaze.

“You got it, Sarah, as long as I get one, too.”

“You? You’ve never done anything to make you need one.”

He grinned. “Then I guess I’ll have to save it as a spare for the next time you’re mad at me.”

“You realize you’re half-naked and still wet?” she asked. “Any fan looking into the lobby can see you?”

“Then they’ll see me do this.” JC lowered his mouth over hers for a soothing, healing kiss that lingered until she was breathless.

“Mmm…I love you, Joshua,” she whispered.

“Then stay with me, Sarah.”

“Oh, yes!”

Releasing her, he took her laptop and overnight bag. “This way, Miss Chase. I have a shower to finish.”

“Do I get to help?” she asked naughtily.

JC laughed. “I was counting on it!”

JC couldn’t remember when he had been this sated and happy at the same time, he decided as he lay in bed the next morning. Of course, a few extra hours sleep would have been nice.

Once he had reached the room with Sarah the previous night, his fatigue had all but vanished. Sarah loved him! Those words were what he’d waited all these months to hear. They’d made love in the shower and again before they had fallen asleep in each other’s arms. Before she had drifted off, once again Sarah had told him she loved him.

“So, JC, what are your plans for today?” Sarah came out of the bathroom, wearing one of his tee shirts.

“Well, as much as I’d like to say being in bed with you, that’s not possible.” He smiled and held out a hand for hers. When she took it, he tugged her down on top of him. “We got a promo to do in two hours. Then sound check and meet and greet. A little down time, dinner, and the concert.”

“Sounds like a full day.”

“It is.” JC toyed with a lock of her silky hair. “What will you do?”

“Fly home.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Can’t you give me couple days, Sarah?”

“I’d be happy to,” she told him with a smile.

“You mean you’d come with me?”

“I do have a fairly portable career, Mr. Chasez,” she reminded him. “I can be with you as long as you want me.”

“Forever?”

Sarah pretended to consider this option. “My editor and publicist will probably ask for some time, too.”

“Was that a ‘yes’?” he demanded incredulously.

“Mmm-hmm.”

JC flipped her over on her back and came above her. “I don’t have time right now, but can I make an appointment to freak you all night tonight?” he asked, laughing.

“As long as I get to do the same for you.”

“You got yourself a deal, sweet thing!”