Seduced by His Song

by Abby Gordon

With a groan and eye roll, Sean reached out and caught her hand to pull her across the seat. Laughing, she cuddled up to him.

  “We should reach the MacLauren Building by seven,” Sam said from the front. “Traffic going into the city is a bit lighter as people get off the streets before the storm.”

  “What storm?” Jessica inquired.

  “Not too big,” he answered. “Just a few inches.”

  “Inches of what?”

  “Snow,” replied Tony. “You get snow in London.”

  “Sorry,” she murmured. “It’s just been…” She shrugged. “A bit of a whirlwind.”

  The two talked business. When Jess realized he was going to London immediately, she smile. Handing over her flat key, she emailed the landlord and laughed as he teased Sean about taking care of people. With a happy sigh, she relaxed against Sean.

  “Baby?”

  “Mm?” Jessica opened her eyes.

  “You dozed off,” Sean murmured. “We’re just a couple blocks away.”

  “Sorry,” she murmured, blinking.

  “Not all,” Tony told her with a smile before looking at Sean. “So, the first promo is in three days.”

  “Harry has the details?” Sean checked.

  “He’s got everything,” confirmed Tony, who hesitated, glanced at Jessica, and plunged on. “The press don’t realize you’re in the city. Yet. I give them a day. Two if you’re very lucky. But Garry and Javick have been talking up the new stuff you sent them. I don’t know if you’ll have that.”

  “Thanks, Tony,” Sean replied, hand extended as the car came to a smooth stop.

  “The MacLauren Building,” Sam announced. “And it’s six-fifty.”

  “Excellent,” Sean said with satisfaction. “Maisie won’t be in bed yet.”

  Jessica felt panic as she followed Sean and the bodyguard out of the car. “Bye, Tony,” she managed as the door closed on him.

  Sean tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and guided her inside. The doorman tipped his hat as he held the door for them. “Evening, Mr. Livingston.”

  “Hello, Al. How’s the family?”

  “New grandbaby due next week.”

  “Congratulations, well done. That will be six, now, isn’t it?”

  “It is, sir,” the man replied, beaming. “We’re hoping for another girl to even things up.”

  “Marvelous. Let us all know how things go.”

  “Will do, sir.”

  Jessica stayed silent, panic rising along with the elevator that lifted them. The bodyguards got off, saying “good night.” The doors slid closed and she gave Sean a startled glance.

  “Where are they going?”

  “I keep an apartment for them,” he replied. “They and Harry share it. There’s a fourth bedroom in case Adam needs it. He’s out in LA right now taking care of something.”

  “And where are we going?” she asked as the elevator stopped again.

  “To my apartment, of course.”

  “Sean,” she muttered as he pulled her out of the car. “Details. Please.”

  Contritely, he stopped and looked down at her, then gestured to their left. “Sorry. I’m in that apartment and Charlotte and Maisie are in…”

  “Daddy!”

  Jessica turned and quickly stepped out of the way. The little girl streaked across the wide hall, dark curls streaming behind her. She flung herself into Sean’s arms as he knelt. Standing, he swung her around. Memories hit Jessica, and she smiled through the tears in her eyes.

  Maisie wrapped her arms and legs around her father, chattering nonstop. All his focus was on her.

  “You okay?”

  The serene melodic voice startled Jessica, and she turned to look at the statuesque willowy brunette. Charlotte Jacobs was, Jessica decided, more beautiful in person without a scrap of make-up on than any photoshopped ad.

  And she told her that. Charlotte beamed and hugged her.

  “Oh, you’re so sweet for that. My demon child has been running me ragged since she got home from school and I told her you and Sean were coming in early.” Charlotte sighed then smiled at the sight of the two. “She absolutely adores him.”

  “Little girls should adore their daddies,” Jessica whispered. “And be adored right back.”

  “And back to my original question,” Charlotte murmured. “Are you okay?”

  Blinking back the tears, Jessica nodded. “I was twelve when my parents died. So I know how precious that bond is.”

  “I’m so sorry,” the model said quietly. “Well, let’s get you inside and something to eat and drink before Sean channels his inner caveman and drags you back to his apartment.”

  “Big he-man stuff,” Jessica murmured, then covered her mouth.

  Charlotte blinked, then laughed. “Oh, I do like you,” she told her. “Come on, Maisie. Daddy’s been traveling and he and Jessica need a rest.”

  “Okay, Mommy.”

  Sean put Maisie down long enough to kiss Charlotte’s cheek. His daughter caught his hand and tugged him into their apartment.

  “Daddy, I’ve made all sorts of new drawings for you to choose from to put on your fridge.”

  “Wonderful. Any masterpieces?”

  “A couple,” she replied confidently as they went through the door.

  Inside, Charlotte helped Jessica with her coat while Sean trailed after Maisie down a hall.

  “Give him about fifteen minutes,” she advised Jessica. “We’ll have some tea. Or would you like some wine?”

  “I think tea would be better right now,” Jessica replied.

  Maisie’s excited chatter floated down the hall, and Charlotte smiled as she headed in the opposite direction.

  “Let me know if you need something stronger in about half an hour.”

  Jessica let herself be shooed onto a stool at the breakfast bar, while Charlotte poured the water from kettle into the pot.

  “It’s chamomile mint,” she replied. “If I drink anything with caffeine, I won’t get to sleep until two.”

  “Sound and smells delicious,” Jessica told her with a smile. “I have to thank you for everything. Calling Sean about what was happening, meeting him on his way over with clothes. And again today. When I told Pippa I was wearing a Charlotte Jacobs original, she squealed until I thought my ear drum would burst.”

  A pleased smile curved and Charlotte carried the tray over. “My pleasure. Although meeting Sean gave me another chance to rake him over the coals for putting you in that position.”

  Jessica laughed. “He said he thought that was part of your motivation.”

  The other woman unwrapped a plate of sandwiches. “Help yourself quickly. There won’t be anything left when Maisie lets him come back down this way.”

  Contenting herself with half a chicken sandwich, Jessica smiled. “You do know him, don’t you?”

  Propping an elbow on the counter, Charlotte met her worried gaze with a frank one of her own. “Jess, that was over before we realized it and ended the marriage. The two of us together were more like a shooting star. We flamed brightly but burned each other out. We had Maisie and that was what kept us together an extra year. I’d like to think we would have still been friends if we hadn’t had her, but…”

  “She’s a gorgeous little girl,” Jessica told her.

  “Thank you,” Charlotte beamed, pouring the tea. “I wish I had her energy.”

  “I think she gets it from her father,” murmured Jessica.

  Charlotte laughed. “He does have an endless supply, doesn’t he?” She winked and laughed again as Jessica felt heat rush into her cheeks. “I told him he has three redeeming qualities.” She held up fingers for each point. “First, no matter which side of him comes out, he’s an amazing lover. Two, he’s an absolute, exceptional professional whether singing or acting. And three,” she smiled as the sound of her daughter’s voice grew closer. “He absolutely adores his daughter.”

  “He does that,” Jessica agreed.

  “At everythi
ng else in life,” Charlotte sighed. “He can be an absolute disaster.”

  “He does have his moments, doesn’t he?”

  The women shared knowing glances then burst into laughter. Maisie appeared at Jessica’s side and tugged on her arm, scowling.

  “I have a mother,” she announced.

  “Maisie,” both of her parents scolded.

  Jessica held up a hand for silence and focused on the little girl.

  “You do. And she’s absolutely brilliant at it. I have to tell you something.” She leaned down to stage whisper. “You’re bigger than the last time I saw you.”

  “What?” Maisie gasped. “I’ve never met you before.”

  “Well, your mum probably doesn’t remember either,” Jessica told her, straightening to smile at Charlotte’s stunned expression. “When your book came out and you were in London. I was at your book signing.”

  “Are you serious?” Charlotte stared at her. “That was four years ago. Do you have it with you?”

  “You really bought Mommy’s book?” Maisie demanded. “Where is it?”

  “Still in my flat in London,” Jessica told the little girl. “When your daddy came over, he barely gave me time to get my passport and cell phone, let alone pack a comb, toothbrush, or anything else.”

  Maisie sighed dramatically and looked at her father while leaning against Jessica’s legs.

  “Honestly, Daddy, what are we going to do with you?”

  Sean blinked and looked down at his daughter, then her mother, then at Jessica. “I think I’m now seriously outnumbered,” he muttered.

  “Got that right,” Charlotte grinned, winking at Jessica who helped Maisie onto the stool next to her.

  If he had to be out-numbered, Sean decided, then having it by the three females sitting at the breakfast bar in his ex-wife’s kitchen wasn’t such a bad thing. When it was time for bed, Maisie insisted Sean tuck her in. She skipped off to put on her pajamas, came running back for goodnight hugs and kisses from Charlotte and Jessica then tugged her father down the hall.

  “We’ll be in the living room,” Charlotte called after him. He waved a hand in reply. Laughing softly, she guided Jessica to the formal room. “He could be down there five seconds or half an hour.”

  She paused at the door, reached out, and flipped the switch. Various lamps on tables came on, as well as arranged lighting for the paintings that lined the wall. Jessica’s eyes went to one in particular.

  “Oh,” she breathed, crossing the room.

  “I just bought that one,” Charlotte said after her. “It was sold by some English lord or something like that. It’s my first one by that painter. I’m hoping to get more, but they’re hard to come by. He died over ten years ago. Tragic plane accident with his wife.”

  Tears streaming down her cheeks, Jessica stood in front of the painting. Charlotte joined her and stayed quiet.

  “You haven’t told him, have you?” she finally asked.

  “How did you know?” Jessica whispered. “What do you mean?”

  “Because you look too much like photos of his wife to be anything other than his daughter,” Charlotte said gently. “You are Henry Longworth’s daughter, aren’t you?”

  Wiping the tears away, Jessica nodded.

  “I don’t understand,” Charlotte told her with a frown. “Where did Munroe come from? I remember the Longworth daughter going to France with her mother’s family. Why are you passing yourself off as a bartender?”

  “Well, she wore herself down despite her excitement over our arriv…” Sean paused two steps into the room and frowned when he saw their expressions. “Okay, what did I miss?”

  Jessica looked at Charlotte who nodded. “Tell him the truth. All of it. He can handle anything but lies.”

  “She knows that,” Sean said, crossing to them. “Just as I know she has some secrets.” He took in Jessica’s tear-stained cheeks. “I was hoping you’d tell me when you trusted me enough with them. What had you telling Charlotte so soon?”

  “She figured it out,” Jessica told him, taking his hand. “And I do trust you. I was going to tell you tonight. And especially after what Tony said about the press.”

  “About the press finding out we were in the city? So fear of being found out…”

  “Sean, please,” Charlotte scolded gently. “She was going to tell you anyway. Leave it at that.”

  Jessica winced at the glare he sent them both.

  “Munroe was my paternal grandmother’s last name,” she explained, glancing at Charlotte who nodded. “My father was Henry Longworth.” She gestured at the painting on the wall. “The painter. And I’m the little girl in many of his paintings.”

  She watched Sean’s face as he put pieces together and his brows lowered.

  “I didn’t lie to you,” she told him earnestly. “I just…”

  “Didn’t tell me everything.”

  She closed her eyes at the coldness. “I’m sorry, Sean.”

  “The rest you told me? Was that all true?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, nodding. “Mostly.”

  “What did you leave out?”

  “My mother’s father is Monsieur Comte de la Lavendal de Provence.”

  “The…the…”

  She heard footsteps and opened his eyes to see him walking to the wide floor-to-ceiling window.

  “So why would a comte’s son need a rich backer for his business, who required marriage to his niece to secure the loan?” Sean demanded.

  “What?” Charlotte gasped.

  “Because he was Grandmama’s son from her first marriage. Mum was her child with the comte.”

  Sean turned and stared at her a long moment. “Meaning he is not the Comte’s son?”

  “No, he is not the son. Nor can he inherit anything from the estate besides a small legacy.”

  Slowly, deliberately, Sean crossed back to her.

  “Spit it out,” he told her. “Jessica, enough of the fucking games. Tell me all of it.”

  “When Mum married Papa, Grandpapa threw her out.”

  “Sounds familiar,” he murmured. “If he can’t control you, he tosses you out and expects you to come crawling back begging for help?”

  “Something like that,” Jessica sighed. “But Mum didn’t, and neither will I.”

  “The uncle,” breathed Charlotte. “The tabloids said there was a man claiming to be your uncle outside your building. Was that really him?”

  “It was,” Jessica confirmed. “He hasn’t changed much. Well, he’s lost quite a bit of hair and gained some weight from what I could tell. And all his drinking hasn’t improved his looks at all.”

  “Why hasn’t he told everyone your story?” Charlotte wondered. “He hasn’t said a word.”

  “That would probably be because Grandpapa and Grandmama stopped him somehow,” Jessica guessed, shrugging.

  “And the rest of it?” Sean interrupted their musings. “Tell me the fucking rest of it.”

  “Rest of what?” Charlotte asked.

  Sean stood in front of Jessica. “Why did Tony tell me a French comte and his wife were in New York City and wanted to see me at my earliest convenience to discuss their granddaughter’s future?”

  Jessica was so stunned she staggered back against the bookshelf. “What?” she breathed. “I don’t know.” She saw the disbelief on his face. “Sean, I don’t.”

  “If the comte’s wife’s son is not the heir, who is?” prompted Sean.

  Charlotte inhaled in understanding. “Oh, my God,” she breathed.

  Jessica swallowed, bracing herself for the temper she’d heard of but never seen much less expected to have directed in her direction. “I am,” she whispered.

  “You are,” he murmured. “You are. I don’t fucking believe any of this. You’ve lied to me. Deceived me. Hell, for all I know, that night two weeks ago was planned by you. And now you’ve dragged me into what could be an international scandal.” He paced back to the window and glared at the snow swirli
ng outside. “I don’t fucking believe this.”

  Her heart broke as much from his words as his tone. Gathering the remnants of her pride, Jessica glanced at Charlotte.

  “Can you give me the name of a good hotel?” she whispered. “I’ll stay there out of everyone’s way and…”

  “The Franklin,” Charlotte murmured. “I’ll call and tell them to take care of you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Jessica ran out of the room, snatched her coat from the stand, and was pushing the latch down when Sean caught up with her. He caught her arm and spun her around to face him.

  “What the hell are you doing?” he snarled. “Running away? That seems to be what you and your mother do best.”

  “You’re seeing only what you want to see,” she raged back at him. “Forget about the fact that they first threw my mother out then me. Forget about the fact that the first time I saw them was at the funerals for my parents. Remember me telling you about that?” Jessica stepped toward him. “Remember? I had a horrible cold or I would have been with them. Papa set up a radio by my bedside and I heard them die. I heard the plane crash that killed my parents. Four days later, I meet my mother’s parents for the first time. The next day, they tell me I’ll be moving to France with them and that my dog Georgie has to be put down. In one week, everything I loved was torn from me! My parents, the dog I’d had since birth, my home, everything! I wasn’t even allowed to take a single photograph or painting of my father’s. Everything was packed up and I’ve no idea what happened to any of it. It was as if I had to start a brand new life dictated by them. And it…” Sobbing, she turned blindly back to the door, but Sean’s hands caught her shoulders. “Leave me alone! Don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me again after some of what you just said in there.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sean ignored her demands and held her close amidst her grief and fury. The more she wept and beat at his chest with her fists, the tighter he held her. God, what a colossal ass he was. The fury that had been building up since Tony had mentioned the comte had exploded before he could stop it and now he was left with absolute regret and recriminations. Shit. This was not what he’d originally planned for tonight. As the emotional exhaustion took its toll on her, Sean cradled Jessica’s still body, resting his cheek on the top of her head. He glimpsed Charlotte’s movement and glanced at her as she propped a shoulder against the arch to the living room.