“Hmmm. That right?” She studied Jordan. “He’s not going to want me to fix him anything, is he? Because I don’t mind topping up your condiments, because you’re helping me out, but I’m not a short-order cook.”
“Funny. Your mom says you’re quite the foodie for a sixteen-year-old brat.”
Hannah scowled. “All right. So I like food. Still, I’m not making him breakfast.”
“Like I said, brat, I don’t expect you to wait on him. I’ll be right back, okay?”
Hannah heaved another belabored sigh. “Sure. Just fix her, please.”
“I’ll see what I can do, kiddo. Hang tight.”
Jordan made her way across the alley to Audrey’s Notions & WhatKnots. The bell jangled above the door when she entered.
“Hey, Audrey,” Jordan hailed the woman on all fours, whose hair hung in wild curls around her head, as she went to town cleaning the tiles. She looked like a mad woman, frothing from the toothbrush she wielded in her hand.
Audrey looked up. Her brow creased. “What are you doing here? You’re usually opening the café about now.”
“Oh, I am. Thought I hop over and see how you’re doing.”
Audrey’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Where’s Hannah? Did she tell on me?” She polished the floor with a dry towel, pushed herself up, and walked to the back of the store. “You’d think she was my mother. Damn daughter of mine. Sixteen going on thirty-five, I swear.”
“Come on, Audrey. She loves you and you worry her when you get like this.” Jordan followed her to the back of the store where Audrey had an electric kettle plugged in.
Audrey pushed the button to bring the water to a boil and pulled out two mugs and tea bags.
“I know, but I just can’t help it.”
“Maybe you need to go talk to Doc Halliday.”
“That quack?” She shook her head, lips pursed. “No way.”
“He’s not a quack. He knows his stuff. He’s a licensed psychiatrist. He’s really good. Used to be a doctor to the rich and famous.”
“Yeah, if he’s so good, why is he in Serenity?”
“Come on, that’s not fair. Why are any of us here?”
“He’s too young to be a good psychiatrist.” Audrey plopped the tea bags into the mugs, playing with the string.
“You know that’s not true. Anyway, the man’s at least forty.”
“Like I said, too young.”
“Come on, Audrey. Give him a chance. It would do you some good to talk about what’s going on. Maybe work through some of these OCD tendencies you get when you’re upset.” Jordan grabbed Audrey’s hands and squeezed. “Sometimes we can’t figure things out on our own. Trust me, I know. Sometimes we need professionals.”
Audrey sighed. “But it just seems wrong for me to talk about my issues with Tom—his predilection for much younger women—with a hunky doctor who’s at least ten years my junior. It would make me feel wrong.”
“Rubbish. Go. Talk. He’s a professional. And so what if you find him attractive? Would serve Tom right if you found yourself a young wealthy doctor. Maybe shake him up a little.”
“Stop.” Audrey hip-checked Jordan then moved to pour hot water into their teacups. “Speaking of McHottie’s, what’s the story with the stud on your roof?”
Jordan emptied a sugar packet into one tea cup. “Promise me you’re done scrubbing the floors and let me help you put the merchandise back, or I won’t tell you a thing.”
She knew the threat would move Audrey quicker than anything else. Audrey loved nothing better than gossip, like most of the villagers of Serenity.
“All right.” The older woman sighed, sounding so much like her daughter that Jordan could see the apple hadn’t rolled far from the tree. “I swear.” She lifted her hand in the air, three fingers raised.
“You were never a boy scout. Cut it out.”
They both giggled.
“No, but my first boyfriend was an Eagle Scout. Does that count?” Audrey sipped her tea. “Spill it. Who is he and what is he doing here and are you going to sleep with him?”
“Ho! Hey. Ugh-uh. Way too fast for me.” Jordan shook her head at Audrey’s rough-and-ready ease about talking sex.
“Come on, J.D., I saw him with my own eyes. You’d be a fool not to entertain thoughts of jumping that man. Fast.” Audrey stared her down until Jordan’s cheeks heated with another blush.
“I will not jump anyone.” Jordan placed her clay-fired mug down on the counter. She busied herself with straightening the buttons and ribbons attached to cardboard backing Audrey had thrown in a small basket. She looked up. Audrey considered her with a knowing grin. “What?”
“I don’t believe you for a second. You’ve thought about it. But go on.” Audrey hid a smile behind her cup as she sipped her tea.
“His name is Josh Nicodemus. He’s the front man for a band called Nicodemus. He bought the café. And he’s here to write an album. So he needs alone time. Lots of quiet time to write music and lyrics. No time for me.”
Audrey shook her finger at Jordan. “And that’s where you’re wrong. Every musician needs a muse. You could be his muse.”
“I don’t want to be anyone’s muse. And I certainly don’t want anyone to depend on me for anything creative, connected to or apart from the entertainment industry. I’m so not interested.”
“You are absolutely no fun.” Audrey fiddled with the toothbrush on the counter. “And you’re such a liar.”
Jordan began to carry furniture that had been stacked in the corner back to the front of the store. Audrey followed. “Nope. I might find the man attractive, but I am not interested. I know what that kind of lifestyle produces and I know the trap it can be. I want nothing to do with it whatsoever.”
They worked in silence a few minutes, moving items back into place in the storefront window. Tony walked by the front window and waved to them. He carried his new guitar case. “Well, I don’t think you’re going to have a lot of say in the matter with that music-crazy nephew of yours. He’s Luke’s son through and through.”
“Tony is not going to be a professional musician. Not if I have anything to say about it.” The ferocity of her response had Audrey pulling back in surprise.
“You do realize that he’ll make his own decision, right? Forcing your will on him in this matter will only push him in the direction you don’t want him to go—he’ll run off to L.A. or Nashville—or you’ll alienate him. It’s a no-win situation. Realize that before it brings you heartache, honey.” Audrey put an arm around Jordan and pulled her close. They stood hip to hip.
“That may be true, but I can do everything in my power this summer to discourage Tony, to help him see the pitfalls of pursuing that career.”
“He’s not you, J.D.”
And wasn’t that the shitter of the matter? He wasn’t. He was his own person, with his own strengths and weaknesses. And just because she’d chosen the party life and couldn’t handle show biz, didn’t mean that Tony would make the same mistakes. However, she had to do what she could to protect him.
“Well, if you’re going to show him the errors of his ways, then you’d better make some progress before the hunky rock star over there charms him right into the business.” Audrey nodded across the alley.
“Shit.” Josh and Tony stood on the sidewalk. Josh had clapped Tony on the shoulder and pumped his hand in a guy handshake. “Gotta go, Audrey. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Will do, girl. Looks like you might need more help than me right now.”
“Yeah, maybe right this moment, but what about fifteen minutes ago?”
“True enough.”
“Consider visiting Doc Halliday.”
Audrey chewed on the corner of her mouth. “Maybe I will. But I’m not making a
ny promises.”
“I’ll take the maybe for now.” She hugged Audrey. “Bye.”
“See ya. Be careful over there. Don’t get burned, he’s too hot to handle. Szzzzz.” Audrey laughed.
Jordan rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
“Now you sound just like Hannah. Send her back over here, would you? I’ve got some shelves that need stocking.”
“Right. Ciao.”
Josh clapped Tony on the back, glad to see the kid. Even happier to see him clutching the guitar case he’d given him the other night. “How are you, man?”
“Good,” Tony said.
“You been playing?”
“Yep. As much as I can.”
“You headed inside The Down Dog Café?”
“Yeah, I’ve got a summer job here. Heard you just bought the place. You’re not going to fire me are you? Bring mainlanders in to work?”
“Nah. We’ll keep things as is. Your job is safe.” Josh opened the screen door. “You want a coffee or hot chocolate or something?”
“Sure.” Tony smiled at him, interest lighting his dark brown eyes that looked so much like Luke’s. The corners titled down, giving him a sleepy, sloe-eyed expression. But Josh knew better. Even when Luke seemed disinterested, his mind was buzzing with activity. Tony would be no different. “A mocha coffee would be good.”
“Great. Let’s grab a seat and chat.”
They’d just found an empty booth in the corner when Jordan came running through the door. “Hey, Tony. Whatcha doing?”
“Just catching up with my man, Josh, here.” He waved a hand toward Josh. “I’d like a Café Mocha. Josh did you want coffee?”
“Yeah. That’s good. Cream, no sugar. Please.”
“Sure.” She turned to go, but then reconsidered it and turned back around to face them. “I’ll give you fifteen minutes, Tony. Then I need you to punch in. I’ve got a list of things for you to do.”
“You’ve got a list of things for me to do? Really?” Tony peered around the café. “There’s no one here.”
“That’s not true.” Just then Hannah walked out of the back kitchen carrying the ketchup bottles.
Tony stilled, then tracked the cute blonde’s movements before he spoke. “Who’s that? Replacing me already?”
“Heck, no. That’s Hannah, from next door. Her parents are divorced. She splits her time between the two. She’s been with her dad since you arrived a few weeks ago. She was covering for me a few minutes while I ran over to speak to her mom. Let me grab those drinks. Then you need to get to work.”
“Seriously, there’s nothing to do. This island is deader than a zombie in a deep freeze.”
“Watch yourself, kiddo. A café’s got to prepare during the slow times for the rush.”
“Really?” Tony looked puzzled. “I don’t think I’ve seen a rush since I got to Serenity. A rush would be three people in line at the post office. I think I’m good to talk to Josh for a few minutes.”
Jordan stared at him, then she eyed Josh like he was something repugnant a cat left on a doorstep. He didn’t like the way it made him feel self-conscious. “What? You were all smiley happy an hour ago when you greeted the sun on my rooftop, now you’re scowling at me. What did I do wrong?”
Josh was genuinely puzzled. He’d done nothing to warrant this reaction from her.
She smiled, but there was an edginess to her. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Yet.” She shrugged. “Can I talk to you a minute? Then I’ll get those drinks for you.”
“No problem.” Josh stood. “I’ll be back in just a minute, Tony. Then we’ll talk about what you’ve been working on.”
“Cool.” Tony took the guitar out of the case and started strumming a few chords. “No Sidewinder yet?” He directed the question to Jordan.
She glanced up at the clock. “He should be arriving any minute now.”
“Good. It’s too quiet here without him.”
Hannah made her way toward Tony, one table at a time as she placed the filled ketchup bottles in each condiment holder. She tried not to appear interested, but Josh saw her sneaking peeks at Tony under cover of her long dark lashes. He was a handsome kid, no doubt about it. But it was also the guitar and the music he played. The little dude had no clue what a chick magnet a guitar was or how much power he could wield as a gifted musician. He laughed. He thumped Tony on the shoulder as he stood. “You’ve got a fan.” He lowered his voice. “She’s cute. Why don’t you talk to her?”
Josh waggled his eyebrows at the boy.
The tips of Tony’s ears turned pink as he caught Hannah watching him.
“Come on.” Jordan grabbed Josh’s hand and dragged him through the café and away from the kid.
He’d hoped he had his own fan in Jordan Drake, but he couldn’t be one-hundred percent sure. There were moments he could see the attraction simmering between them, but then there were other times when she just seemed downright pissed. Like now. There was no shimmering attraction darkening her hazel eyes now. Nope. Nothing but irritation.
Determining whether that particular version of pissed was a defense mechanism or for real would be the trick.
He planned to find out. One way or another.
Because he had no problem figuring out he was Jordan Drake’s number one fan, whether she wanted fans or not.
Jordan pulled Josh down the hallway toward the bathrooms, then into the storage closet. She swatted the light switch on the wall, yanked him in, and slammed the door behind them.
“What is your problem?” she demanded, hands on hips.
“Me?” Josh raised his hands. “I’ve got no problem, lady. You’re the one who dragged me into—” He finally noticed where they were. “A broom closet? So you tell me what’s wrong. Gotta be something big if you’re so hot.”
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her reaction to Josh’s closeness. The room was big when one person ducked in to grab the mop, or an extra jar of mayonnaise. But with the six-foot sexy rocker dominating the space, she barely had room to breathe, let alone turn around. Her nipples hardened.
Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea after all.
Jordan cleared her throat, trying to get hold of her raging hormones. Damn. She needed to get laid. Quick. Maybe a short overnight to the mainland would be in order. Hell. No. Someone would recognize her in Wilmington. Too many studio types hung out there, filming the latest Iron Man or Hugh Jackman flick in the town dubbed as the east coast Hollywood.
“So?” Josh searched her face for an answer, since she hadn’t said anything. He took a step closer and bent forward, bracing his hands on either side of her head, as he whispered in her ear, “Or did you get me alone to take advantage of me?”
The heat of his breath combined with the sexy undertones of his voice melted her into a puddle. Right there in the storage room. Shit. They’d have to mop her up.
She arched her neck, then leaned into his scent, her cheekbone brushing the stubble on his jaw. He smelled warm and fresh. Outdoorsy. Rosemary and cardamom.
Her hands splayed his chest. Hot muscle radiated beneath the cotton of his shirt. He moaned at her slight caress. She lifted her face. His lips were right there. He claimed her mouth.
Hot. Soft. Sensual.
His hunger matched her own.
She pressed into him. Her hips brushed his thighs. He cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss, angling his mouth over hers to demand more. She fell into the sweet, erotic vortex he created with his mouth, his hands stroking her, coaxing her to give more.
She hadn’t felt this out of control since her worst days in the business. That thought immediately sobered her.
What the hell was she doing?
She didn’t do out of control. Not anymore. Especially with a celebrity—a r
ock star entertainer living in the fast lane.
She fisted her hands in his T-shirt and gave him a good hard shove.
“I can’t do this.” She panted, like she’d run a marathon instead of just had the stuffing kissed out of her.
To his credit, Josh backed off right away.
Hands lifted in the air, he said, “Cool. I’m cool with that.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “What the hell was that for?”
“Proving a point.”
“What point?” she gasped.
“That you’re not as unaffected by me as you pretend.” His mouth twitched and his eyes sparkled. “You’re in just as much trouble as I am.”
“Fuck.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “This means nothing.”
He laughed at her. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”
“No, I mean it. All it shows is that it’s been way too long since I’ve shagged someone. I am human.”
“Yes, you certainly are.” The husky, suggestive tone he used stoked a fire deep inside her.
He tugged at a strand of her hair that had slipped loose of the ponytail and framed her face.
“So, what’s got you so fired up that you’d risk cornering a dangerous rock star in a closet?” The humor in his voice almost made her want to smile. Almost.
“It’s Tony. You need to leave the kid alone.”
Josh frowned. “Why? What are you talking about? Tony’s a really talented musician. If anything, I need to spend more time with him. He’s got raw talent and passion.”
Every Heart Sings (Serenity Island Series) Page 7
