One Special Moment - Brenda Jackson [36]
He told her about his home in Malibu and the one in North Carolina, saying the latter was the one he considered his real home, although he commuted back and forth between the two while filming. He briefly mentioned his father’s death, and the tone of his voice and the flash of pain that appeared in his eyes confirmed just what Edward Stewart had told her—Sterling and his father had been close.
Not once did he mention his mother and after his acrid words earlier that day, she knew it was not a safe topic for discussion. But still she couldn’t help being curious. She also noted he didn’t bring up anything associated with Wingate Cosmetics or the subject of a baby. She was very appreciative of that.
“We can leave now,” Sterling said, calling for their bill.
“I’m surprised you didn’t have a cup of coffee before leaving,” Colby said as he escorted her out of the restaurant. “You appear to be someone who’d love to drink a cup after such an enjoyable meal.”
“Really?” Sterling asked, raising a darkened brow as he led her outside and waited as the valet brought them their car. “You’re right. A meal such as that should be followed by a good cup of coffee. But I would like to have my coffee without an audience even if I wasn’t so lucky with my meal. Whether you realized it or not the two of us were the center of attention tonight.”
“Yes, I noticed,” she answered. And you gave them a performance worth watching, Colby thought, remembering his attentiveness during dinner. To anyone looking at them, they appeared to be a couple very much in love. She had hung on his every word, and he hers. Several times he had reached across the table and had captured her hand in his. His touch had been warm, gentle, assuring. It had stirred feelings in her she’d only been introduced to since meeting him.
When they arrived back at the hotel they again found themselves caught in the midst of reporters. Colby noticed they were not the same ones from the restaurant. Evidently news traveled fast. Once again, Sterling provided them with the same information he had given the others. Nothing more, nothing less.
Afterward, he ushered her across the hotel’s plush carpet and well-lit foyer to the elevator and up to their rooms. Colby was mildly surprised when he followed her inside her suite.
“Would you like to join me in a cup of coffee?” he asked.
She felt tired, but more than anything she felt the need to distance herself from Sterling. If nothing else, the reporters tonight had reminded her of just who he was. Sterling was a Hollywood superstar, an acclaimed macho man accustomed to a glamorous lifestyle that included beautiful women who would jump at the chance to be a part of his life, including sharing his bed. And as he had told her on their way to the restaurant, he could do anything he wanted. She knew that included taking advantage of her if she let him. But she had no intention of letting him do that.
“No, thank you, I don’t want any coffee,” she declined hastily.
Sterling nodded then picked up the phone and ordered coffee to be delivered to her suite. Afterward, the room was quiet for several minutes before Colby finally spoke.
“If you don’t mind, Sterling, I want to call it a day. I’m tired and have a plane to catch in the morning.”
He met her gaze. “No, you don’t.”
“Excuse me?”
Sterling ignored her question as he walked away to open the door for room service. When they were alone once more Colby again asked what he had meant by his earlier statement. It wasn’t until after he had poured a cup of coffee and had taken a few sips that he answered her. The silence had been unnerving.
“You don’t have an early plane to catch. I’m taking you home day after tomorrow. In my private jet.”
“You’re what!”
“I said I’m taking you home.”
“Wait a minute. This is the first I’ve heard of this. And just who made that decision?”
“I did.”
“And who gave you