by Donna Fasano
Chapter 16
“Not in the mood? Oh, come on. Not this again. For the past couple weeks all we do is play cute in public. But in private it’s always no.”
Jenna glanced at Sean, the same man she’d only minutes ago been kissing during today’s shoot for Sunrise Lane. She’d put her all into the kiss for the camera, just as she’d done her best for that stupid lovebirds campaign their publicist had arranged. But ever since she realized she had feelings for Aiden she couldn’t bear the thought of being intimate with Sean.
Today after they finished shooting their scene and Jenna was crossing the parking lot to her car, he approached her again. And once again she refused his advances. Making sure there were no spectators, Jenna said, “We need to talk.”
“So talk.”
“From now on I think we should keep our relationship strictly professional. Otherwise it will only create problems.”
“Problems?” he said, moving in for a nibble on her ear. “I don’t have any problems with it.”
“Yeah, well, maybe I do.” Jenna pushed him away. “Let’s chill out. For the sake of the show.”
“In other words, you don’t want to sleep with me.”
“Right.”
He sneered, an expression she’d seen more often on him since they’d recently been forced to spend so much time together. Two weeks that gave her a chance to discover she didn’t like him very much.
“Let me guess,” he said. “Sophie told you about my list. Well, she’s just jealous because you moved her down to number three on my active file.”
List? Active File? Why am I not surprised? “No, Sean. It’s more than that. Look, you and I never agreed to be exclusive, anyway. And let’s be frank—we’re just not a good fit as a couple.”
“Fine. Then I’ll be frank—you don’t put out, I’m not taking you to the Aftermath premiere. A shame. I was going to introduce you to a lot of important people.”
His quick retaliation stung, but going to the premiere wasn’t worth selling her soul, despite the glorious dress Lexi had made for her. And after the last couple weeks, the thought of spending an evening glued to Sean wasn’t exactly on her happy dance list. “Guess that’s the way it goes.”
“You got somebody else, don’t you?”
“No.”
“It’s Pacca.”
“Tony?” Tony Pacca was the director of Sunrise Lane and very married.
Sean’s hand closed in a fist. “That sonofabitch. Always competes with me. Every time I reel in a top of the line catch, he wants a piece of it.”
Oooh. “You’re way off base, Sean. Tony never made any moves on me.”
“Who is it?”
“Nobody. Look, we had a good time for a little while, but now it’s over.”
“Oh, it’s over all right,” Sean said, with a tone as icy as freezing rain.
Chapter 17
The private kitchen in the back of the farmhouse was part of the extension her brother Parker had built when he created a ground floor apartment for her mother separate from the B&B. That evening, Jenna sat at her mother’s dinner table eating a bowl of vegetarian chili and regretting the fact that she’d opened her mouth about Sean.
“If you ask me, Jenna, you made a big mistake. This was a chance you may never get again.”
“I’m still on the show. It’s only my romantic relationship with Sean I’ve ended.”
Lauren Richardson shook her head. “So you can what? End up marrying some nobody?”
“Who said I was going to marry Sean?”
“I had my hopes. And the newspapers didn’t exactly disagree.”
“I told you that was all an act for publicity.”
“But you did like him.”
“At first. Until I got to know him better.” Jenna walked to the dishwasher with her empty bowl.
Lauren slumped in her chair. “What am I going to tell all my friends? And for the first time I actually got invited to Suzanne Wenliss’s anniversary party. I know your dating a movie star was the reason.”
“Your daughter’s still on TV. Doesn’t that matter? Don’t I count?”
Lauren gave her an apologetic smile. “Of course you do. You’re the most important one of all.”
Whatever that meant. Jenna could feel her mother’s mood sinking, and that same old childhood fear lodged in her gut. “Don’t worry, Mom. It’ll be okay,” she said, not quite certain what she was reassuring her about. Or even if this was for her mother or for herself.
“I’ll bet if you changed your mind and called Sean he’d take you back.”
With an inward groan, Jenna said, “I’m going upstairs for a rest.” She’d started her day so early on the set of Sunrise Lane that by the time seven in the evening rolled around, she was more than ready to chill.
Up in her room, Jenna lay across her bed, taking in the silence delicately shrouded by the soft light of the old brass lamp on the night table. A faint rush of cool night air swept over her from the rear window with the merciful daintiness of an angel’s fingertips.
Things were slow this time of year at the rooming house. Since Aiden left, there had been just two visitors. A sweet young couple from Philadelphia staying on the third floor. She’d met them once at breakfast and had only spoken a few words with them. Even so, their having checked out early this morning left Jenna blue.
Maybe it was about watching the couple sharing life’s simple pleasures, reminding her of when her dad was alive and he used to fawn over her mom. And about her memories of when the three-story farmhouse had been filled with the noisy presence of her siblings and their friends.
The gloomy winter emptiness brought back that period when grief and worry had overwhelmed her family, transforming it into something her seven-year-old self hardly recognized, right down to a mother whose drinking and dark moods had left her abandoned. She rolled onto her side and pulled her knees toward her chest. Great. Now I’m going fetal.
Rather than succumb to any preliminary symptoms of withdrawal, she rose from her bed and went to the window. It was a clear, starry night. She gazed up and recalled Aiden pointing out the constellations. She thought of the wondrous moment when she saw a shooting star and made a wish. And sealed it with a kiss.
Her gaze shifted downward, and she spotted something that made her heart leap.
The silhouette of a telescope perched on the roof’s adjoining deck.
Could it be? Had Aiden returned?
Hearing a knock on her door, she turned and rushed toward it.
She opened it and saw Aiden standing there.
“Remember me?” he said.
~*~
Aiden drank in the splendid sight of her. Wide brown eyes in her delicate, childlike face, her tousled hair hanging loose over her shoulders. Skinny jeans and bare feet. A dark green long sleeve tee that hugged her lithe and graceful frame.
She didn’t look annoyed, but was she happy he’d come back? Or only surprised?
“Got a question,” she said. “If you’re this teacher you say you are. How come you’re not teaching? It’s the middle of the week.”
“I used to be a teacher, but now I work for a charitable educational foundation.” Which I happen to have created and funded.
“Oh.”
“I saw you and Sean in the tabloids.” Why did he let that come out of his mouth? Maybe because he needed to know whether or not he had a chance.
“That’s just PR. My relationship with Sean is over. Not that it was ever anything serious.”
A more thorough answer than he expected. As if she were trying to make it clear she was available. “Wow. Had me fooled.”
“Guess people aren’t always what they seem, are they?”
A barb aimed straight for him. He noticed she hadn’t invited him in. “Are you still angry with me?”
“You’re the one who was angry.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too.”
For a few moments they both seemed froze
n in time, unable to speak.
Jenna whispered, “I missed you.”
And suddenly they were in each other’s arms.
Aiden’s foot pushed the door closed behind him, but his hands and mouth belonged to Jenna. Kissing and clutching with a frantic need, tugging at each other’s clothing, they stumbled to the bed.
Aiden was on fire. He’d never known a desire like this. Every cell in his body needed her. Naked on the bed, she was a goddess. His mouth and hands worshipped at her lips, her breasts, and the smooth skin of her belly. Her long dark hair fell over his chest as they rolled about, laughing and sighing and moaning. Aiden teased her, relishing the way she mewed and whimpered.
He wanted this to last forever, wanted Jenna to belong to him and him alone.
He loved how responsive her body was. He loved smoothing his hands down her long, muscular frame, and the way her brown eyes smoldered when he touched her. He loved the feel of her hands on him, her fingernails raking his back, her hot breath on his face, her scent of coconut and roses surrounding him.
Every single thing about her hypnotized him. He was certain he could fall deeper than ever for Jenna. And wondered if he already had.
“Aiden?” she said afterwards when they lay snuggled together, her head on his chest, his arms around her.
“Hmm?”
“You seem so far away. What are you thinking about?”
“You. Your eyes, your hair, your silky skin and the sweet sound of your voice. The way you move, whether you’re rushing across the room or straddling me in bed.”
Jenna sighed, and even the way she did that mystified him and made want her more.
“I couldn’t stop thinking of you,” she murmured. With a short giggle, then added, “You’re not just a pretty face. You have such a keen intellect and you see things other people miss.” She looked up at him and brushed her fingers along his jaw. “And you always say what I need to hear. Don’t ask me how, but you seem to know and understand the deepest part of me.”
They spoke hardly any words after that, and when they did, they were simple, sexy words of teasing or tender admiration. Jenna refused to let him go back to his room, and they made love throughout the night.
Aiden could hardly believe it was really happening. Who was this wondrous creature? Was she an ambitious power seeker who was merely enjoying a good romp in bed with her neighbor?
Or was she someone who could love him for himself?
Chapter 18
Jenna’s two-star, a trailer with private accommodations for two actors, was part of a small base camp of other trailers for the cast of Sunrise Lane and located in a parking lot about a half mile from the set. She’d arrived early, giving herself plenty of time to prepare before the mini-van shuttled them to the mansion where today’s scenes would be shot. No sooner had she placed her tote bag on the counter than the second assistant director appeared at her door with some blue papers in his hands.
“A few changes,” was all he said, as he passed her the five pages of script. Jenna pulled the door shut and took a seat on the couch.
What?
There were a “few changes” all right. And one in particular on the third page that caught her attention big time. Jenna’s character, Cassandra, is found dead from a mysterious drug overdose.
“Nothing mysterious about this little changeroo,” Jenna grumbled to herself. She’d sensed it coming since her tiff with Sean. Something about the way he’d said, “Oh, it’s over all right.”
Seconds later, she was on the phone to Marvin Davitz, her agent. He explained the circumstances. “There’s nothing we can do. You were hired on the basis that you were to do a full season with the option to discontinue at anytime providing they pay you for the whole nine yards.”
“In other words, even though I only completed six of the twelve episodes they hired me for, I still get paid for the rest of the season.”
“Right,” Marvin said. “Of course I can put the word out and see what else is available. Not to worry. This kind of stuff goes on all the time in this business. Gotta stay flexible and hang in. I’ll see what I can find for you.”
But what would Jenna do? A blanket of isolation engulfed her. She wanted to run back to the familiar world of ballet. But China was a little too far away and the ballet company would be on tour there for some time. Besides, was she really ready to go back? Or was she overreacting to Sean’s game-changing power play?
Then there was her mother. How would she handle the news? Jenna’s unexpected good fortune and potential bid for stardom had Lauren Richardson walking on a cloud with a new lease on life. Would this sudden reversal in Jenna’s fate send her mom into a trough and back to the bottle?
~*~
At least this time Jenna wore a coat and pants as she paced back and forth on the deck outside her room.
Where was Aiden? She really needed him now. Was he hiding something? Maybe he wasn’t the sweet person she believed him to be. Had she once again been the gullible, starry-eyed romantic?
Only this time the stars were in the sky, not next to his name.
And in his eyes. Oh, how she loved Aiden’s sparkling eyes. She couldn’t imagine real emeralds were more beautiful.
But why hadn’t he given her his mobile number?
Of course they were rather preoccupied the whole time they were together.
Whew. She’d spent all of last night in a luscious, delirious state the likes of which she’d only imagined existed in novels and movies, not in real life. Then, after their wild night, they fell into another round of lovemaking this morning. Luckily, she’d remembered what day it was and that she had to be on the set, or they might’ve continued until her mom came knocking on her door.
Definitely not cool.
She chewed her lip and paced. She considered looking through the telescope. That’s what Aiden said he did to calm his jitters. But aside from the fact that the sky had turned cloudy, Jenna doubted she could hold still without bringing on a panic attack.
She heard sounds in Aiden’s room. Her heart soared.
Whoa, girl. Slight over-reaction. This is a man you don’t completely know yet.
And how odd for her to want only him right now. Him more than anyone else. It had always been Parker or Casey she went to when she was confused and troubled.
Jenna told herself to have some pride and wait. But she couldn’t do it. She hopped the fence divider and knocked on his balcony door.
“Jenna.” Aiden didn’t hug her or give her a sexy eye or the big smile she expected. He looked pretty upset himself.
“Where were you? Is something wrong?”
He nodded, obviously fighting for control. “I was at North Cove hospital. A man who’s been my best friend—and like a father to me—had surgery for possible bowel cancer. They did find some. Not too much, but you never know with that stuff. I’ve seen how it sneaks up on people and takes their lives away. I’m just scared I’ll lose him.”
“Aiden, I’m so sorry.” She opened her arms, and he stepped out the door and into them. Jenna held him, stroking his back.
And feeling like a self-centered baby.
Not that her mom’s depression issues were a piece of cake, but compared to this? Jenna knew firsthand how devastating it could be to watch someone you love die. In fact, she was sure her dad’s death was what had sent her mother over the cliff.
They sat on a bench near the railing. “Want to tell me about him?”
He leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, his gaze on the ground. “I was a real bad kid. Headed for an early death or a life in prison.”
“You?” She couldn’t have been more shocked. But then she remembered the Dorchester history and the way he handily took out Nick. “And here I was getting used to you being a nerd.”
He smiled. “I’m that, too. Because of Coty. Buster Cotes. He was my Correctional Officer when I did time as a teen. He was the first person to ever tell me I was smart and that it was worth trying to make a rea
l life for myself.”
Stunned at this revelation, Jenna masked her reaction. “And?”
“Coty convinced me books were worth reading and that going to college was a way out of hell.”
She could sense his old wounds and wished she could kiss them all away, but some things just weren’t possible. “If this was all in Massachusetts, how did you both end up here?”
“After Coty had a stroke, he couldn’t live on his own anymore. So I searched everywhere for a place where I thought he’d be happy. The one out in Greenport is beautiful, overlooking the water and all. That’s how I first came to the North Fork.”
“Then Coty is the reason you come out here.” Not a CIA assignment.
“That’s right. Although, I do have an additional reason lately.” He placed a finger under her chin and lifted.
Jenna felt her cheeks go hot. He gave her a grateful look of such tenderness it pierced through to some place deep inside her. “I’m just glad you happened to pick my mom’s B&B to stay in.”
“Me, too.” He kissed her. Then his hand dropped to hers and held it. “You’re like an angel. A special creature too wonderful for this world.”
“No, Aiden. I’m a goofy, muddled mess, who is not always as thankful as I ought to be for my unbelievable good luck.” She leaned her shoulder against his.
“I hope you didn’t yawn through all your lines today after I kept you up all night.”
“As it turns out, I had very few lines today. The script was revised. My character had a drug overdose. And died. Not hard to play when you’re a tad sleepy.”
Aiden’s brows knit. “Are you saying they cut you from the show?”
“Yes.”
“Risk did this, didn’t he? Because you dumped him.”
She shrugged. “That’s the most logical conclusion, but I have no proof. And my contract says they have to pay me for the whole season anyway.”
He studied her. “You must be upset. You had a whole new career planned. And here I am hogging all the attention.”
