Starstruck (30 page)

Jesse lowered his hand.

“I don’t really feel up to flying back to your place so
soon. Maybe I can see you when you come to Sydney in a few months? Do you think
you could get some time off then?” she asked.

“Ah no, I don’t think so. It’ll be a tight schedule so I
doubt it. Hmmm…let me think. Hey, I’ve got an idea. What are you doin’ right
now?”

“Ha! Right now I’m slowly but surely getting drunk with my
cousin, confidante and partner in crime. I’m not flying anywhere tonight.”

“Well, what if I come to you?”

“You want to impress me, rock star? Jump on a plane and I’ll
meet you at the airport. I’ll be the one with bells on.”

He moved to the front of the boat, speaking softly into the
phone. “Back to your cheeky self, I see.”

They pulled alongside her boat. Rick tied a slack rope
securing them together at the back rail and lowered the anchor as quietly as he
could so they wouldn’t drift or bang into the
Arteest
. The loud music
pouring from the cabin helped his cause.

“Listen, I gotta go, darlin’. I’m sorry, but Ricky’s here
and we need to go over a few things before tomorrow. It’s really important.
I’ll ring you later, okay?”

He hung up without another word, his heart thumping madly in
his chest. Happiness returned full throttle and smothered him in all its glory.
Sam was talking to him and that’s all that mattered. He was whole again.

“He hung up on me! He didn’t even say goodbye, he just hung
up,” Sam’s highly irritated shout came from inside the cabin.

He stealthily jumped aboard the
Arteest
and crept to
the open doorway. She was seated at a large table, her back facing the cabin
entrance, but the woman he assumed to be Caitlin stared directly into his eyes
as if she had been expecting him.

He held his index finger to his lips, asking for silence.

“Well, Cuz, bathroom’s calling me. Be back in a jiffy.”

Caitlin walked toward him until she brushed his shoulder.
Craning her neck, she whispered, “I’m glad you’re here. But you hurt her and
I’m comin’ after you with a shovel, you hear me? I’ll make myself scarce for a
while so you two can get reacquainted.”

“Yes ma’am,” he whispered.

She smiled and kissed him gently on the cheek. “Don’t worry,
rock star. I like you.”

With that short piece of advice, she disappeared into the
bathroom.

He stepped farther inside and spied the bottle of Jack on
the kitchen bench, quietly swiped it and a fresh glass from the open cabinet
above the sink. He stalked behind Sam, hovering for just a moment to inhale her
scent before continuing to the chair Caitlin had vacated. It was still warm. He
put the glass on the table and poured his drink.

Sam appeared lost in a world of her own, staring at her lap.

The CD on the stereo came to an end. He swigged from his
glass and placed it down on the polished tabletop a little harder than normal,
causing her to jump in her chair.

He raised a cocky brow. “So…you impressed yet?”

* * * * *

She had to be seeing a ghost. With her hand over her
pounding heart, she allowed the overwhelming shock to pass as she gazed across
the table. He seemed so confident sitting there, sipping his drink with that
smirk on his face while she tried not to have a coronary.

Her shock soon turned into a smile as his liquid-blue eyes
seared her all over, heating her blood. She bathed in the power of that
familiar heavy-lidded expression. This was the face he displayed when he was
just about to ravage her, his eyes a deeper shade of blue.

Pushing her chair back, she sprinted around the table and
straddled his thighs. She embraced him with her arms and legs, enveloping him
with every part of her being. Nudging her face into the concave hollow of his
collarbone, she wept. “I’m sorry, Jesse.”

He cupped her jaw in his hands, wiping her tears away with
his thumbs. As he trailed kisses over her damp cheeks, his words hummed against
her skin. “I’m sorry too.”

He covered her face with frantic kisses and her pulse
quickened, seeming to charge his desire. “I’m aching for you, Sam. It’s been
too long.”

She pushed his shoulders into the back of the chair, forcing
him to still. She needed his lips on hers and he willingly obliged. The
newfound taste of him was intoxicating, leaving her breathless and wanting
more. She moaned when his hands smoothed over the curve of her back, pressing
her closer. Arching to greet the heat of his body, she breathed a sigh when
their centers met. He grew pleasantly harder inside his jeans as she snaked her
hips over the length of him.

Caitlin!

She reluctantly parted from his lips and turned in his lap
in search of her cousin. She was nowhere in sight. A soft triangular glow
spilled onto the cabin floor from the open bathroom door.

“Maybe she found Ricky.” He smiled wholeheartedly and it lit
up his entire face.

“What? Ricky’s here too? Hang on…rewind. How did you even
find me? Where’s Ricky, exactly?”

He kissed the hollow of her throat and traveled his lips up
her neck. “He’s next door.”

She shoved him back against the chair once more and his eyes
widened with surprise. She went straight for his neck, licking him as she held
him down.

She rediscovered the spot where he always groaned and he
didn’t disappoint. She sucked hard and grazed her teeth over his flesh,
bruising the surface just below his skin with a love bite.

She breathed heavily into his ear. “You’re branded now, rock
star. You’re all mine. Now are you going to tell me how you found me?”

He groaned again when she blew cool air over the hot red
blemish that flourished on his neck. “You know me. I have my rock-star ways.
You seem to like reminding me of that,
bella
.”

“Why do you call me that sometimes?”

“Beautiful?”

“Yes…I mean no, when you speak Italian. You don’t do it very
often, but when you do, I don’t think you even realize you’re doing it.

He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her slowly,
and she savored the tingles his lips sent down her spine.

She didn’t remember leaving the chair, but at some point
he’d picked her up and carried her into the master suite, closing the door with
a kick of his boot. She tangled her fingers into his soft blond locks as he
placed her gently on the bed and smothered her, pushing her deep into the
mattress, his lips at her neck.

He slid his hands under her short t-shirt, his moans growing
more urgent when he caressed the skin of her stomach. He hooked his thumbs
inside the waistband of her long skirt, pulled it down her hips as she reared
to assist him. He didn’t linger. He pushed her shirt higher, swept it over her
head and refocused his attack on her neck.

When his lips reached her ear, he whispered, “You’ve been
away from me too long. Never again,
amore mio
.”

He ran his mouth down her throat, his breath hot and
desperate. Like a hungry animal, he captured her breast between his lips,
suckling her nipple and rolling his tongue. As he crossed to the other, she
hissed her appreciation, the glorious suction jolting her back into an arch.

She wouldn’t last. From the moment his first touch
electrified her skin, she’d wanted to come. The sensation of velvet lips loving
her breasts intensified when he slid his hand sinuously down her belly and
rubbed the small triangle of cotton between her thighs. He pressed her clit,
stroked it through the fabric with the ball of his thumb, making her breath
hitch.

Jerking her panties down her legs, he flicked them over her
feet with a growl. “Won’t be needing those.”

She whimpered shamelessly as his fingertips tickled the
inside of her legs on their return journey. She parted her thighs, willing,
inviting him to nestle between them. His smile was sinful as he lay on his
stomach and slid his fingers through the soft wet folds of her pussy, coating
his digits with the evidence of her need.

He blew a gentle kiss over her clit and her body cried out
for him just as his silken tongue dove into her. “Too long,
bella
.
Please, Sam, never leave me again.”

He wound his arms around her legs, lifted them higher and
rested his palms on her hips to keep her from bucking. He lashed his tongue
over her and sucked her flesh between his lips, moaning. Slight vibrations
buzzed along her nerve endings like the tail of a rattlesnake.

“Ohhh.” Her eyes popped open and she was pinned by the sight
of his blond tufts between her legs.

She shook all over with a riptide of pleasure when he raised
his eyes as if he’d sensed her watching him. He lifted his mouth off her and
his smirk widened as he slowly licked his lips. Careful not to break eye
contact, he dipped back down to taste her again, loving her with his beautiful
mouth, caressing her with his tongue.

Against her sex, he murmured, “Love with me,
amore mio
.
Ti amo con tutta l’anima. Il mio cuore é per voi
.”

His words were like pure honey pouring from his lips.
Engulfed by the moment, she threw her head back against the pillow as she moved
her hips to join his rhythm, her fingers entangled in his hair.

He gently bit her, nibbling and sucking as she cried out,
pleading for him not to stop. But he did, for just a moment, and the slight
hesitant tease was enough to send her over the edge when his lips latched down
on her once more.

She quivered beneath him, rocking her hips against his mouth
as he smoothed his hands over her ribs and cupped both her breasts, squeezing
firmly. He continued his long, gentle licks until her shakes subsided to light
tremors.

Longing for what came next, she gazed at him as he moved off
the bed to slide his jeans over his lean, muscular legs. He locked the door and
removed his shirt and boxers, throwing them behind him as he stalked toward
her. The filtered moonlight played along his muscles as he lowered to the bed
and eased himself between her legs.

She swept her hands down his strong chest and stomach,
forging a gap between their bodies, burying her fingers in the soft curls
around the base of his cock. She stroked his full, hard length and his
eagerness lubricated her hand as she slid up and down, lingering at the tip
with her thumb. The moans he emitted revealed his desperation and his need
apparently exceeded his desire to allow her to linger for long.

Answering his call, she pushed against his chest and rolled
them over, positioning him at her entrance. She released her hold as she
lowered her hips. His half-lidded eyes wandered over her body as she slowly
rode him.

His lips parted and his breath deepened. His hands squeezed
her hips. “As much as I adore watching you move above me, I need you closer.”

She dropped her chest to his, his heavy heartbeat thumping
against her breasts as she held his face and kissed him deeply. His eyes were
clamped shut, concentration dripping from him as if he was struggling to let
her go slow.

She smoothed the lines worrying his face. “Just love me,
Jesse.”

He rocked her hips faster with his hands and unleashed the
true extent of his desire. He sprang up and flipped them over, his pace
ruthless and hard as she dug her fingers into the flesh of his back. The
intense rhythm and power of each loving stroke left her breathless. With every
grind he rubbed against her clit, still sensitive from his tongue. He
overloaded her with pleasure.

A long-drawn-out moan leaked from her throat and she clung
to him, wishing she could crawl inside him, be absorbed by him. She couldn’t
get close enough.

She gazed up at his face and their eyes locked. He groaned
and bit his bottom lip, hooking one elbow under her bent knee to open her legs
farther. The next thrust was excruciatingly slow, barely a crawl but so deep.
He massaged her spread folds and pressed her clit with tight circles of his
groin. All of her muscles clenched as she held her breath and came around his
cock, her legs shaking, begging to close tightly around him.

He released her aching thigh and wrapped it high around his
back, his pace switching to fast and furious. “Ahhh…I’ve missed you…so fuckin’
much,” he panted, his warm breath washing her face.

His arms trembled as he held his weight above her and
stilled his hips, pulsing inside her with a loud grunt. Sublime contentment
cleared the crease from his brow and turned the corners of his mouth into a
slight smile.

Breathing heavily, he collapsed beside her, pulling her close
and winding his legs and arms around her.

She was blissfully sated, the lazy patterns his fingertips
drew on her lower back as gentle as a feather’s caress. Her eyelids grew heavy
as she melted into his warm embrace.

“I love you, Sam,” he whispered so softly she barely heard
the words. His breathing slowed and the hand gripping her hip went slack.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sam rolled over and blinked, bringing the room into focus.
Jesse’s breathing was deep and slow, fanning across her cheek, his eyelids
closed. She slipped from between his arms and dressed quickly before shooting a
brief glance out the small window. It was still fairly dark out and a moderate
layer of fog coated the calm lake like a cloud.

She sat on the edge of the bed to put socks on her cold feet
and Jesse tugged on her shirt, dragging her back into his warm arms.

“Where do you think you’re goin’?”

With a passionate good morning kiss, he slid his hands
beneath her shirt, trying to remove the clothes she’d just put on.

She slapped him away. “As much as I’d love to stay in bed
all day, we have guests, remember?”

He kissed the nape of her neck, silken touches with his
lips.

“I need to save Caitlin from Ricky. If he’s corrupted my
cousin, there’ll be hell to pay,” she said with a laugh.

Jesse’s chuckle shook the bed. “Somehow, darlin’, I think
that one can take care of herself. You should’ve heard what she said to me last
night.”

“What? When did you speak with her?”

“Just before I surprised you. She caught me at the door when
I first came in. Told me if I hurt you she’d come after me with a shovel. A
shovel!” he repeated, wide-eyed.

“Yeah so, what’s your point?”

He slapped her butt as she sprang from the bed, easily
escaping his sleepy embrace. She strolled outside, stretched and yawned.
Looking over at the slightly larger, buoyant house attached to the back rail
with rope, she listened for any signs of life. The occasional birdcall sang
from the treetops on shore, but the cabin next door remained silent.

The deep blue sky was brightening, the sun barely peeping
over the horizon. She wanted to watch with a hot cup of tea and a blanket, so
strolled back inside to switch on the kettle.

“Feel like draggin’ your arse out of bed yet, rock star?
There’s a perfectly good sunrise on the way if you’re interested.”

A loud yawn came from the bedroom. “A strong cup of coffee
might persuade me, baby. It looks cold out. Want me to grab a blanket?”

She smiled when he appeared in the doorway dressed in only
jeans, his hair spiked in all directions. “Even with bad bed hair and puffy
eyes, you’re still so goddamned sexy it should be a crime.”

He sauntered to her side, kissing her as he passed, smirking
and scratching his head as he swung a blanket from the bed over his shoulder.
“And I’m all yours.”

She trailed behind, carrying their hot mugs to the back
deck. She carefully placed them on the table, lifted the hinged wooden bench
seat and grabbed one of the beach towels stored inside so they wouldn’t get
their butts wet. The sun rose slowly and illuminated a bright blue Australian
sky as she snuggled against Jesse under the blanket. Birdlife rejoiced as the
warm rays filtered through the trees, their sweet cries calling to kinfolk
nearby.

“It’s beautiful here, Sam. So peaceful. I can see why you
like to come here.”

A cool breeze brushed the lake and she shivered, pulling the
blanket tighter around their shoulders. Jesse turned his head and stared at
her. His lips parted slightly and he inhaled a little louder than normal, as if
he was about to speak, but then closed his mouth. She gave him the time he
seemed to need, rubbing his leg reassuringly after his third attempt to voice
his thoughts had failed.

“You know, I’m really sorry about…well…everything, Sam. I
never should have taken you to that damn party to begin with. If we hadn’t
found you when we did…if—”

“Hey, it wasn’t your fault. None of it. Once again, my
stubbornness prevailed. Caitlin warned me something was wrong, but I didn’t
listen. If I had, maybe—”

“Shhh…” He hushed her with a kiss.

“One good thing did come out of it though,” she teased
against his lips. “I finally met my favorite pirate.”

Draining their mugs, they stayed under the blanket. Sam
rested her cheek against his shoulder and hugged his biceps, taking in his
wonderful scent with each breath. As she closed her eyes his muscles tightened
again.

“Sam? I…” A deep furrow etched his brow. “Last night…I
forgot. I feel like such an idiot. I left home in such a rush to get here I
didn’t even think about packing them.”

She touched the side of his neck with her lips. “I know.
It’s not the first time.”

“What? You’re kiddin’ me, right? Fuck! See what you do to
me, woman? We’ll have to be more careful from now on. I don’t suppose there’s a
drugstore nearby?” His eyes scanned the small stores dotting the opposite shoreline.

She touched his cheek, turning his eyes back to her. “It
doesn’t matter. Actually, it’s probably time we had this discussion anyway.”
She was nervous and fidgety, untangling her arms from the blanket before she
stood. “Do you want another coffee?”

Unsure how to proceed and yet unable to turn back, her hands
grew clammy even with the cool breeze. She rubbed them on her denim-clad
thighs.

* * * * *

“Baby, what is it?” he asked softly.

She paced the wooden deck, twisting her fingers together.

“What do you mean it doesn’t matter? Sam, what are you
talking about? Please, you’re starting to scare me.”

She stopped in front of him and lowered her eyes to his
feet. “Jess, you want kids of your own one day, right?”

He leaned forward on the bench, and when she still wouldn’t
meet his eyes he grew thoroughly confused. The level of pain on her face
tortured his soul and splintered his heart. He stood and raised his hands to
touch her. “Yeah, of course. Don’t you? Why—”

She held up her hands to stop his advance. “Last night,
before you went to sleep…”

He stepped closer and opened his arms, enclosed her inside
the blanket and held her firmly against his chest. “You mean when I told you I
loved you? I meant it, Sam. With all my heart. I know we haven’t known each
other very long, but it feels…right. Like I’ve known you forever and yet it’s
still not long enough. I’m not lettin’ you go again. No one’s ever made me feel
like you do. That’s what you do to me, Sam. You make me
feel
.”

She buried her face in his chest. “Jesse, I can’t have
children.”

He traced her chin with his finger, turning and lifting it.
As she raised her tear-filled eyes, the wind kissed the water’s surface and
blew a long, honey lock of hair across her face. He brushed it behind her ear
and caressed the blush of her cheek. “It’s all right, Sam.”

A tear rolled down face. “No it’s not all right. It’s
important to you. It’s important to
me
. I won’t stand in the way of what
you truly want. More than anything, I want you to be happy.”

“And I want
you
,
bella
.
You
make me
happy.”

“But eventually you’ll want more. I just know it, Jess. You
want kids and you
should
have them.”

“I don’t want that life if you’re not in it. I won’t—”

She put her finger to his lips to silence him. “Let’s just
enjoy the short time we have together. I don’t want to think about anything
else just yet. I don’t want to think about goodbyes. Not until I have to.”

He wiped the tears that stained her cheeks and answered her
with the touch of his lips. He stayed gentle at first, lightly brushing,
teasing her, but when she tangled her tongue with his, pure lust tore through
his heart, pure love. Pressing her back against the cabin wall, he deepened
their kiss.

He held the blanket closed around them with one hand, his
other exploring her curves before coming to rest on the small of her back. He
ran his hand under the hem of her shirt and stroked her soft skin.

“
Amore mio
.” He gently leaned his
forehead against hers. “You are a star…my star. I can’t live without
you. I love you, beautiful.”

The blanket clenched in his fists at her back. He squeezed
her tighter, lifted her off the ground as she pressed against him. Without
taking his lips from hers, he slowly walked into the cabin to her bedroom. He
kicked the door closed behind him and showed her just how much he wanted her,
even if it meant not having children in their lives.

He was still exhausted, but he didn’t want to miss a moment
he’d been given. When the time was right, he planned to ask Sam to return home
with him. There was a good chance she might say no, but for now he didn’t want
to think about that possibility. And if having Sam meant not having biological
children, so be it.

* * * * *

Sarah had finally landed in Sydney. The flight was so damn
long her thigh muscles ached, both from sitting and anxiously bouncing her
knees for hours on end.

The line at customs had moved quickly when she first tagged
on the end, but the elderly tourist group ahead of her—roughly twenty
gray-haired men and women dressed in similar bright colors—caused major delays.
By the time she was fed through the entire process and spat out the other end
she was ready to stab the next person who dared stand in her way.

The young male trainee at the car rental desk was lucky
there weren’t any sharp objects within reach. He took his sweet time, using two
uncoordinated fingers to type her details into their system. Twenty agonizing
minutes later, she’d secured a small sedan. She switched on her phone and paced
the sidewalk, waiting for her car to be delivered from the back lot. Her phone
beeped with the message she’d been praying for—the last two places Jesse
Maurello and Rick Bradshaw had used their credit cards.

A sinister smile crept over her lips. Knowledge was power.