Starstruck (15 page)

As quickly as it appeared, the vision vanished.

This was the same figure she’d dreamed of on the flight to
New York. Her dream had quickly faded when Jesse woke her, but she’d been left
with terrible dread, fear and the same dark image she’d seen just now. The
details had been fuzzy, but her bones told her it was a woman—she could sense
it—feline and ferocious.

She stirred sugar and milk into her tea and wandered back
into the living room.

So…what am I supposed to do now?

She looked at the cold fireplace. Maybe she could build a
fire. Jesse had central heating, of course, but there was something about an
open fire, its ambience—aside from the fact it reminded her of their time in London.

With the flames crackling high, she slowly paced the
perimeter of the large room. Photos and paintings adorned the walls, smaller
framed photos sat on a large Japanese chest. There were candid shots of Jesse
with the band and just as many of him with his family.

Well, he’s not adopted. Looks just like his dad.

A custom-made, cherry-red Takamine acoustic guitar sat in
the corner of the room and she was drawn to it. She had one just like it at
home in standard black. Admiring the fine Japanese craftsmanship, she picked it
up, familiar with the lines of the body and neck. She strummed it gently,
checking it was in tune. Of course it was.

* * * * *

Soft music met his ears as he rubbed the sleep from his
eyes. The spot beside him was empty and cold and, for a moment, he thought he
had dreamed up Sam…that she didn’t really exist. He slid into his jeans and
crept down the stairs, stepped across the foyer and leaned his ear against the
closed living room door.

Sam?

Ever so quietly, he twisted the knob. She sat on his couch,
her back to him. He stood completely still. What she was playing, singing, was
beautiful…magnificent. He didn’t know the tune, but it seeped into his skin and
soothed his soul. Her voice was sweet, yes, but there was a raw, sexy quality to
her tone. A natural sound that couldn’t be practiced. It was just…there.

Shivers ran down his spine.

He stood in the doorway until the last note faded. If she
started up again, he would wait and listen in shadow. He wanted nothing more
than to go to her, but he also liked watching while she was unaware of his
presence.

She fiddled with the chromatic scale and then quickly delved
into an instrumental piece. She plucked the strings like a master and, this
time, he was familiar with the tune—
Maria-Elena
. Buddy Holly had written
it for his wife of the same name and Jesse’s mother often requested he play it.
It was one of her favorites. Music played a big part at their family
gatherings.

Before he even realized it, he was halfway across the room.
She spun around and bounced from the couch, quickly replacing his guitar on its
stand in the corner.

“Hey, you didn’t have to stop. I was enjoying that.”

“And just how long were you spying?”

“Not long enough, I’d say. What were you singing before,
anyway?” He backed onto the leather cushions and pulled her onto his lap.

“
Songbird
?”

He stole a kiss. “Yeah, it was real nice. Why didn’t you
didn’t tell me you could really sing?”

She shrugged. “You didn’t ask. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“Don’t be. I’m glad you did. I’m hungry. Do you want to go
out for dinner or stay in? I’ve got a fridge full of food if you trust me to
cook, and I really don’t mind if it means I can have the same dessert again.”

She laughed when he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “How
about
I
cook this time and you can amuse me?”

“Go for it, darlin’. I love a woman who can cook.” He lifted
her from the couch and carried her into the kitchen.

* * * * *

They must have gone back to Jesse’s place. Samantha Raven
hadn’t shown up during the hours of waiting at the hotel.

Sarah couldn’t sleep. Her rage was still building so there
was no point trying. She grabbed her jacket and headed out the door, then
hailed a cab, intent on finding them that night.

She never backed down from a challenge. It wasn’t in her
blood.

* * * * *

Sam was asking about his upcoming tour when the oven timer
buzzed. The aroma of baked cheese and red sauce wafting throughout the kitchen
was very enticing.

“If this tastes half as good as it smells, my parents are
just gonna love you.”

It was a beautiful clear night on the patio overlooking the
gardens. The intimate outdoor living room was the perfect spot for a romantic
dinner for two.

Jesse lit candles, poured red wine and they both sat to eat.

“Where did you learn to cook?” He inhaled a second mouthful
of baked ziti straight after the first. “Man, this rivals Pop’s cooking. Might
even make him jealous, I bet.”

“Mum’s a good cook, plus I learned a lot from my cousin,
Caitlin. She’s a whiz in the kitchen.”

“Well, I might just have to try to keep you around a bit
longer then. You’ve got many hidden talents it seems.”

“Eh, I do what I can,” she said nonchalantly, smiling
cheekily when their eyes met across the table.

Dinner was more than enjoyable, it was comfortable. Time
stood still for Jesse when he was with Sam and this scared him. His mind and
body experienced feelings he’d never expected—nor did he think he’d wanted—but
it was so easy being with her.

Is she the one I’ve dreamed of all these years?

He stared down into the huge in-ground pool below the
terrace patio. Swimming was something he did almost every day when he was at
home, weather permitting. The dream he’d had on the plane rose to the surface
and threatened to dissolve his joy. As dread trickled down his spine, he pushed
it away, caged it and tossed out the key, blocking everything from his senses
except Sam.

But that same chill rushed over him when unease flickered in
her beautiful green eyes. If he’d blinked at that moment, he would surely have
missed it. She, too, had been staring toward the pool.

For a split second she appeared almost frightened, but she
turned back to him smiling, raising her wineglass to her lips. He thought of
asking her what she’d been thinking, but quickly became distracted by her mouth
yet again.

“So tomorrow when you’re done with the suits, ring my cell
and I’ll pick you up, okay? I’ll be kinda busy most of the day, but I should be
finished by mid-afternoon.”

He wanted to get the ball rolling with the Murphy Graphics
contract. He was scheduled to meet with the band and their manager at lunch so
he’d bring up Sam’s involvement then. Maybe he could even organize a gathering
so she could get to know the boys a little before she submitted her ideas.

“I’d like to take you to my folks’ restaurant for dinner
tomorrow night.” He put down his fork, unable to eat another bite after his
three helpings.

“Ah…I’m not sure what time I’ll be done. It could be early
afternoon if all goes well. Much later if it doesn’t. Depending on the
technical side of things, I could be meeting with them for a few days yet.
Maybe you should go without me.”

Discomfort tightened the muscles in his chest. A trickle of
sweat ran down the back of his neck.

Sam fidgeted with her napkin and then tucked her hair behind
her ear, but she refused to meet his gaze.

“Sam?”

“Um…Jess, are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked.
“Right now, I mean?”

He loved when she called him Jess. He wasn’t just a rock
star when she did that. Did she have any idea how something so simple could
make him feel so good…so normal?

“What? You don’t want me to pick you up?” He clasped their
hands together across the table and forced a smile.

“No, that’s not what I meant. Are you sure you want me to
meet your parents? We haven’t known each other very long. Though I’m sure
they’re lovely, it’s a bit soon, don’t you think?”

He affected his poker face, the one he often used when
dealing with his management team.

“I live on the opposite side of the world, Jesse. As much as
I’d love to stick around and spend more time with you, I have a life back home.
I need to keep this thing—whatever it is—between us realistic or it’ll drive me
crazy. And then there’s
your
life. You’ll be going on tour again soon
and you’ve got huge commitments. We
both
have commitments and…anyway,
besides that, I’m not so sure what it is you want from me. I love being with
you, but the fairy tale’s almost over, isn’t it? Where I come from, a person
doesn’t meet the parents when they won’t be sticking around. That’s all I’m
saying.”

She ran her fingertip around the rim of her glass,
apparently waiting for him to say something. Maybe she was thinking of calling
the Comfort Inn to rebook her room. He didn’t like the coldness that crowded
his chest at the thought of her leaving.

She sighed. “Jesse. If we lived in the same town…the same
state…shit, the same
country
a real relationship might be possible.
Well, I’d like to think so anyway. But that’s not how it is and I don’t think
either of us would be willing to change. We just wouldn’t work the way things
are.”

She stared into her glass, shielding her perfect eyes from
view.

But he was offended. “Look, Sam, I don’t know if I can make
this
thing
work either, but right now I just wanna be with you, for
whatever time we have left. And yes, I’d like you to meet my family, but that’s
all it would be. Nothing more. I just know they are gonna love you. It’s not
hurting anybody and I have no expectations. This is just a friendly dinner with
some good people. I’m not asking anything more of you. I’m more than aware you
have a life of your own.”

His tone was on the chilly side, but he didn’t know how else
to react. He shouldn’t have a sick stirring in his stomach or be yearning for
her approval. He shouldn’t care for her to blend in so seamlessly with his
life…and stay there.

He was Jesse-
fucking
-Maurello! He could have almost
anyone he wanted. Why should he care about
any
of this? Women begged to
be this close to him. And meeting his folks? Well, that rarely
ever
happened…with anybody.

Then why wasn’t she excited? If he didn’t know better, he
could’ve sworn she wanted to leave. Was this rejection? If it was, he didn’t
like it. Toss it in the trash along with that other piece of shit, jealousy.

He cleared his throat and started to clear the table,
blowing out the candles.

She followed him, taking the remainder of their meal to the
kitchen counter.

“Jess, please don’t be angry with me. I’m just trying to
keep it real. I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m sorry if I upset you.” She
timidly hugged him from behind as he stood at the sink, rinsing their plates.
“I’d like to meet your family if you really want me to.”

His irritation drained away with her words and the gentle
squeeze around his middle. She was right and he was acting like a spoiled
child. What the hell was wrong with him?

He turned and encased her in his arms, kissing the tension
away. Eventually he withdrew from her lips, resting his chin on her shoulder.

He exhaled with a slight huff. “I’m not angry. A little
confused maybe, but not angry. It just might take me a while to get used
to…your ways. You’re very independent, you know.” He nuzzled the soft cavern of
her neck.

“Like you said, let’s make the most of what we’ve got. Come
on, I bet you’ve got a wicked movie collection. Let’s watch something.” She
tried to pull him toward the living room, but he steered her through the foyer
instead.

“All the movies are in my bedroom.” Sweeping Sam off her
feet, he cradled her in his arms and carried her upstairs.

When he dropped her on his bed, he kissed her before letting
go and delved into the DVD library that filled half his walk-in-closet.

“So, what do ya feel like watchin’?” he called.

“Something funny. Nothing too serious.”

He grinned, selected the first title that caught his eye and
quickly returned to the room. Sam had changed into a t-shirt and gotten into
his bed. She looked perfect in both.

He dove onto the mattress and fished a small remote out of
the nightstand drawer. With the click of a button, the abstract painting on the
wall facing them glided over to reveal a large screen. As soon as the painting
stopped moving, he hit the small remote again to start the movie, then stripped
to his boxers and joined her under the covers.

“What did you choose?”

“
Pirates of the Caribbean.
I know you like pretty boy
Depp,” he said with a cheeky grin. “And if you’re lucky, one day I might even
introduce you.
If
you think you can behave yourself long enough.”

She sprang to her knees and pushed against his chest, so
hard his head hit the far side of the bed.

“Get
out
of here. You know
Johnny Depp
?” she
shouted, jumping to her feet and standing on the bed.

He laughed as he pushed up, rubbing his chest. “Go easy,
woman. You nearly threw me right off the bed.”

She peered down at him with a kitten’s scowl. “You’ll do
well in the future to remember I’m a black belt, so don’t torment me.”

“You are not.”

“Am too.” She dropped back under the covers and snuggled
into his shoulder.

“Just sit still and watch the damn movie…and try not to
drool on me.”

He really did attempt to watch the film, but having her so
close, half-naked, proved to be too much temptation. What started as an
innocent brush of skin on skin led to gentle kisses, more kisses and more
urgent kisses, which led to more sensual caresses and lingering touches.

He loved her slowly, taking his time to lick almost every
inch of her. He worshipped her body well into the night, until they collapsed
into one another’s arms, minds and bodies thoroughly, satisfyingly, exhausted.