“Sounds like you did.” Calvin chuckled and turned up the television.
“Speculations are running wild. There are reports claiming that Michael Himes had some pull on the committee and pushed the change at the last minute. Even more speculation is going around about the validity of Miss Rothschild’s claims that Michael Himes was the aggressor in their very public feud. This reporter thinks that the police might want to look into why Mr. Himes left the gala tonight shortly after Bella and Calvin were seen leaving the theater.”
Calvin lowered the volume. “Well, guess it’s all out there now.” He turned to her.
She was still staring at the television. Then she turned to him. “I won!” She jumped up and down on her sofa. Calvin laughed with her and joined in the fun.
It took her almost two hours to settle back down. Of course, another call was taken from her brother, but this time it was a congratulatory call. Even her parents called her. They were a little upset that she hadn’t called them to let them know that she had been shot at or that she was okay, but still, their main focus had been her big win. She imagined it was one more thing they could brag to all their friends about.
When she finally did fall asleep, her dreams were filled with blood, broken glass, and Kenny’s body.
She woke with a start when Calvin shook her, then pulled her close. “It’s just a dream,” he whispered into her ear.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, holding onto him. “I couldn’t stop it.” She sighed. His arms tightened around her and then he was kissing her, and she forgot everything except him.
“Better?” he asked as his hands moved over her hips, pulling her closer.
“Getting there.” She moved until she straddled his hips. Leaning up, she pulled the T-shirt over her head and watched his eyes heat just before his hands cupped her. Rolling her head back, she moaned at the feeling of him touching her.
“Calvin,” she sighed. “I love your hands on me.”
He leaned up and placed his mouth where his hands had just been. “I love the taste of you,” he said, trailing his mouth over her heated skin. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”
She smiled into the darkness and held him to her as he teased her skin with his lips.
Then he was spinning them around until he hovered over her. The bed bounced while he pulled her sweats off her legs, then he disappeared beneath the sheets as he kissed his way down to where she wanted him. Where she’d dreamed of him being. When his mouth found her, she cried out and arched her back, needing more.
“Please,” she cried out and balled her fists into the sheets. “Now, I can’t wait. I don’t want to.” She tugged on his shoulders.
She waited as he slid off his shorts, pulled on a condom, and moaned as he entered her slowly. She’d never imagined loving someone as much as she loved Calvin. Just being with him, having him fill her, complete her… As she felt herself build, she sighed and told him once again how she felt. “I love you,” she said against his skin.
When she woke, she could hear Calvin talking to someone in the next room. Glancing at her phone, she frowned at the late hour. How had she slept past ten o’clock? She never slept past eight. Getting up, she quickly dressed in dark yoga pants and a long sweater before heading into the next room.
Maggie stood in her kitchen eating a large muffin with a cup of coffee in her other hand.
“There you are.” Her manager set the food and drink aside when she saw her and rushed over to her and hugged her. “You worried me.”
The large black woman engulfed her in a hug that felt so good, Bella almost cried again.
“I’m okay.” She held onto her friend.
“You scared the shit out of me.” Maggie leaned back and looked down at her. “Your man here”—Maggie nodded her head towards Calvin, who was standing in the kitchen holding out a fresh mug of coffee towards Bella— “has been keeping me company.” Maggie smiled and moaned slightly. “He’s even better looking in person,” she whispered, but not low enough that Calvin didn’t chuckle when he heard it.
“Now.” Maggie dropped her arms and picked up her muffin again. “I brought you food.” She motioned towards the basket of muffins and fruit. “Oh, and the entire lobby is full of flowers and gifts waiting to be delivered up to you.” She set the muffin back down and walked over to a large box sitting at the end of her kitchen table. “And I brought this…” She held out the box as her smile grew.
“What’s…” Bella started to ask, but then noticed the HHMA sticker on the side of the box. “My award?” She gasped and lifted the lid.
The silver and glass award sat nestled in black velvet. Pulling it out slowly, she smiled as she held it up to the light. “Oh my…” She hugged it to her chest as she twirled in circles while Calvin and Maggie laughed.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Over the next few days, the only time they left the apartment was to head to the small coffee shop at the end of the block. Even then, Calvin tucked her body between the building and his. He made her wear a hat and a large jacket as a disguise.
Two undercover police officers followed them, keeping an eye out for Bella. He’d met the woman and man, who were practically camping out in the lobby. The glass door had been replaced and everything was almost back to normal, with the exception of the makeshift memorial set up outside for Kenny. Bella had insisted on hitting the flower shop and laying a large wreath on the spot herself.
He’d grabbed a bunch of flowers as well. After all, he owed the man his and Bella’s lives. They’d attended his funeral and had been plastered all over the news the last few days.
The video of him pulling her out of the way and dragging her to safety was everywhere he looked. The hardest part was watching Kenny drop each time. Even though some media sources blurred out his image, Calvin could still remember seeing the man’s eyes.
Maggie seemed to visit them every day. Because of her new fame with the award and all the attention the shooting had gained, Bella had several new interviews scheduled for that week.
He didn’t like her being out in the open but knew there was no use hiding away forever. Each time they went outside, either the undercover cops or the security company Maggie had hired was right there. Still, he knew that if someone wanted to, nothing would stop the bullets except a body, like they had before.
He sat back and watched her do interviews for a few morning shows. For one of them, she even brought along her award and showed it off.
He enjoyed seeing her get up on stage and sing with the band that she worked with for all her recordings and stage events. He liked the three guys and ended up talking to them backstage while they waited for their segment.
There were pictures of them plastered on every tabloid cover at every checkout stand. He was starting to get used to seeing their faces everywhere they went.
He never left her side and was thankful she seemed to be enjoying his company. Of course, he would have liked to be able to melt into the background so they could go out and do some sightseeing. He’d only been to California a handful of times in his youth.
Before he knew it, two weeks had passed without any further incidents. Even the police were beginning to think that Michael Himes, who had been brought in and questioned, had decided to back off. Even though there was no proof the shooting had been him, the man’s career had taken a huge hit.