Cassie hurried out to an empty lobby. Ken had mentioned that the studio booked the entire theater for the premiere. She assumed everyone attending sat on the edge of his chair, waiting to see how Ken would get out of his last, spectacular predicament before leaving for the after parties to gossip about his potential on the big screen.
Cassie knew she couldn’t be a part of that.
Ken would’ve invited Rhett to Pomodoro and she couldn’t stand to face his accusatory glances. With her recent behavior, she couldn’t blame him if he chewed her up and spit her out—after stomping on her for good measure.
She’d finally decided tonight wasn’t the right time for that kind of confrontation. Cassie wouldn’t do anything to detract from Ken’s night. If she and Rhett were spotted together, it would be impossible to have a private conversation while she apologized in a meaningful way. She must protect him—and Ken—from any bad publicity. Rhett had already been skewered as it was by every talk show host and tabloid on the planet.
Cassie headed toward the restrooms, hoping the old-time theater might have a pay phone in that area. She doubted it with the way even four-year-olds had a cell phone in this town. Phone booths had become a thing of the past. Poor Superman would be hard pressed to find a place to change in order to save the world. Unfortunately, she was stuck without a cell since she’d left the one Rhett gave her when she’d fled.
As she suspected, she didn’t find a phone in the lounge area. Cassie pushed open the door to the ladies’ room, glad to find it empty. She needed a quiet place to think. Maybe she could hide out here while the audience vacated the premises. Then she could Uber back to the Camerons. It was time to retrieve TJ and her things and leave for good.
Out of habit, she went into a stall and locked the door before pulling out her small wallet, having once been a victim of a robbery inside a small restaurant shortly after her arrival in Hollywood. She counted twelve dollars and some change. Thank goodness Uber had her credit card on file. She tried to think about the surroundings as she’d gotten out of the limo and thought she’d seen a coffee shop across the street. Maybe they’d have a phone she could use, especially if she ordered something to go.
She heard the door open as she placed her wallet back inside the small, black clutch Melanie had loaned her for the evening. Melanie had been a lifesaver these past couple of days but Cassie couldn’t allow her problems to spill into the Camerons’ lives any longer. Their first allegiance was to Rhett and Cassie’s heart told her she’d outstayed her welcome. She had to move on before her heart got trampled even more.
The film would probably end in the next couple of minutes. She could easily slip from the theater just as the crowd poured out and become lost in it. The paparazzi would be waiting for the big names in attendance. That would keep Rhett busy, fending off questions about his very public breakup with Randi as the cameras flashed.
Cassie unlocked the stall door and stepped out.
Right into Rhett.
Rhett clamped strong hands down on Cassie’s shoulders and backed her up a few feet, returning her to the stall she’d just vacated and turning her sideways so he could close the door. He spun her quickly so her back was to the door. It was a tight fit, but he didn’t want her going anywhere.
Her blue eyes widened. “Rhett, I’m—”
“—Sorry? Is that what you were going to say, Cassie? That you’re sorry you left me without saying goodbye? That you’re sorry you left me in the lurch without an assistant? That I have no one to work on the charity event? That you’re sorry about all the bad publicity and how Randi’s trashed me on TV?”
She winced but looked him directly in the eyes. “I deserve all that. And more.”
He stared at her a long moment. “What you really deserve is this.”
His mouth came down on hers, hard and possessive. She tasted better than he could have imagined. Rhett found himself drowning in the scent of her perfume, the silky feel of her bare skin, the soft curls of her hair as his fingers spilled the pins holding it up.
His hand moved to her breast and he heard a soft moan as he stroked the nipple through the black lace of the dress. Cassie’s arms entwined around his neck, her clutch falling to the floor. Rhett deepened the kiss, unable to get enough of her taste. He finally slid his lips down the long column of her throat, nipping lightly. She pushed her fingers into his hair, murmuring something that set his pulse racing.
Rhett forced his lips from her and stared into her deep, blue eyes.
“I want you, Cassie Carroll,” he whispered, seeing her shiver. “I have missed you every second of every minute since we’ve been apart.” His voice was thick with emotion as he added, “I never knew I could fall in love with my best friend.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I’ve been miserable without you. I thought you hated me.” She swallowed. “I ran before you could kick me out.”
He tightened his grip on her. “Do you still want to run?”
A mischievous smile lit her face, melting his heart.
“Only if you want to chase me.”
He pushed her against the door. “Let’s see if you can get away.” Rhett slid his hands down her arms and grabbed her wrists, raising them above her head. He caught them both in his left hand, leaving his right free.
He held it up to Cassie. “This is the hand that will now drive you insane.”
Rhett lived up to his promise.
Cassie enjoyed the sweet caresses of the back of his hand to her cheek as he nuzzled her throat. But, oh, the rest of the things that hand could do.
Her pulse sang as he skimmed it across her breasts and teased her nipples until she throbbed unmercifully.
“Rhett—”
“Shut up, sweetheart, and let me work here.” He silenced her with a bone-dissolving kiss, and the hand’s trek continued down her body.
Rhett stroked her stomach and Cassie sensed it clenching and rippling in response. He slipped it along the curve of her hip and onto her thigh as he continued his drugging kisses. She tried to pull her arms down but Rhett tightened his hold on her wrists.
His eyes had a dangerous gleam to them as he told her, “Be still, sweetheart.”
Suddenly his hand slipped beneath her skirt and under the lace of her thong. A finger pushed into her and Cassie almost exploded at the intimate touch.
He grinned. “Nice and wet.” He traced the outline of her lips with his tongue as his finger continued to excite her. The pulsating was a deep ache now, causing her to whimper.
“Are you feeling miserable?” Rhett asked softly.
“Yes. No. Oh, Rhett,” Cassie sighed.
With a quick jerk, he ripped away her black thong, the dangerous look back in his eyes. He pocketed the panties.
“I’ve been miserable two whole days, Cassie,” he said softly. “You haven’t even made it ten minutes.”
“Oh, Rhett. Stop. I can’t take anymore,” she moaned. His hand now cupped her, his finger stroking her sensuously. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” he teased, his fingers entering her and speeding up, driving her into a frenzy.
“Sorry I . . . I . . . dammit, Corrigan, I can’t think with you doing that!”
“Then don’t. Just go with the flow, babe.”