Unexpected Admirer

by Bernadette Marie

  She’d never expect him to, but…

  At that moment, the crowd was on their feet. There was a foul on the court. Melissa’s mind was spinning, and Jesse’s hand gripped hers.

  She looked up to see he had gotten to his feet. She still sat there, but she knew what she wanted.

  When he sat back down, she leaned in close.

  “I’ll marry you,” she whispered in his ear.

  He turned. Those hypnotic gray eyes were wide, and a smile formed on his lips.

  “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  He gave her hand another squeeze. “Only because I want to tell Jonah first, I’m not going to gather you in my arms and make a scene. But know on the inside, I’m about to burst.”

  She smiled. His eyes told her that.

  But he did lean in and gently press a kiss to her lips.

  “You’ve made me very happy.”

  “I promise to always make you happy,” she said as his arm came around her shoulders, and he pulled her in closer to him.

  The sun was bright when Melissa finally pried open her eyes. It had been nearly three in the morning before she and Jesse had settled down to actually sleep in the bed they’d made love in for hours.

  She rolled to gather him in her arms, only to find he was gone and a single rose was left in his place.

  A smile formed on her lips as she picked up the rose and put it to her nose.

  Melissa climbed out of the bed and found he’d left her with a robe and an enormous pair of slippers. She chuckled to herself as she slid them on and then went to the bathroom to tie up her hair.

  She could smell food cooking from the kitchen, and she hurried down the steps to find Bryce donning an apron and stirring eggs.

  He never turned around, but he’d noticed her. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “Good morning.”

  “How’d ya sleep? Did you sleep?” He chuckled as he poured the eggs from the pan onto the plate.

  “Yes, we finally slept.”

  Bryce carried the plates to the counter where Melissa took a seat.

  “He’s with his trainer.”

  She nodded. He could read her, too.

  “So do you live here, too?” she finally asked as she took a fork full of eggs to her mouth. “Oh, this is good.”

  “I’m a wiz in the kitchen.” He took his own bite. “I live in the guest house. My nephew is very good to me.”

  Melissa covered her mouth, but she couldn’t wait to speak. “Nephew?”

  “Yup. Mr. Sexy Pants is three years my senior and my nephew.”

  That explained the uncanny similarities. She narrowed her brows, and he grinned.

  “You wanna know how that works, don’t you?”

  She only nodded.

  “His mama’s daddy and my daddy are the same guy. I never met him and she says he was an S.O.B., but that’s that. He knocked up my mama and voila! Here I am.”

  Melissa absorbed the news he was giving her. She had never met a family of such dynamics before.

  Bryce reached toward his leather book and pulled out a newspaper. He set it in front of her. “Looks like you made your first big splash, too.”

  Melissa picked up the paper and saw a picture of them kissing at the Lakers game. Oh, William was going to have a coronary over this one.

  She read about the mystery woman Jesse was seen with, though it wasn’t much of a mystery. The article stated that she was the very woman he’d pulled on stage in Grand Junction.

  She wondered how long the photographer had been watching them. The story even talked about them sharing a phone call. Dear Lord, what if someone had heard their conversation?

  There was no mention of that.

  “Is this how his life goes? Every morning waking to see what someone wrote about him?”

  Bryce nodded. “That’s how it goes around here.”

  “How does he deal with this?”

  “He hates it.” He leaned in closer to her. “Wait till they hear about your wedding plans.”

  She dropped her fork. “He told you?”

  Bryce just smiled and sat back in his chair. “No. I just figured. I can read you both like a book.”

  “You can’t say anything.”

  “Honey, I’m not out to hurt him. I wouldn’t do that.”

  “Do what?” Jesse asked as he walked through the door in a tank top and shorts and dripping in sweat.

  He walked to Melissa and gently placed a kiss on her lips.

  “You look beautiful this morning, my dear.”

  “Thank you.”

  He took her fork and a hefty bite of her eggs. “Why don’t you cook this for me? That’s good.”

  “She’s prettier,” Bryce retorted. “Besides, you’re on concert day diet. Nothing good for you to eat.”

  Jesse laughed as he pulled open the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. He held it to his forehead.

  He nodded to the paper. “I see he’s shown you the paper.”

  “I’m sorry if I caused you any embarrassment.”

  Jesse shook his head. “What would make you say that? I’m not embarrassed by you.”

  “This line the very plain and aged woman to Jesse Charles’s side. That doesn’t bother you?”

  “Only because they think you’re plain and aged. To me, you’re absolutely perfect.”

  Bryce leaned in to her. “Damn, he is in love with you.”

  Jesse walked to her. “You can’t read this crap. That’s all it is—crap.”

  “This is what the world thinks of me.”

  “That’s what one, small-minded person thought. I’m not going to lie. Three weeks ago the world thought I was marrying some model I don’t know. I think now that they see the woman I am going to marry, things will be different. But they’re going to throw it around first.”

  Melissa shoved the paper away. “I don’t know what to do with it, in my heart.”

  “Nothing. You let it go.” Jesse kissed her forehead. “I’m going to grab a shower. It’s sunny. You should sit poolside and relax.”

  He ran off up the stairs, and Bryce covered Melissa’s hand with his.

  “Don’t let this get to you. He’s learned to let it slide, and if you’re going to be his wife, you have to let it slide, too.”

  “I’m not built for this.”

  Bryce gave her hand a squeeze. “Oh, but I think you are.” He stood and gathered their plates and dumped them into the sink. Then he took his leather book and held it to his chest. “I’ll be back for you in two hours, and we have a shopping date. They thought you were a plain-Jane? Not after they see you tonight.” He gave her a wink and left through the back door.

  Melissa sat there a moment longer. She contemplated going upstairs and joining Jesse in the shower, but he seemed to have concert day rituals so she didn’t want to bother him. Instead, she walked outside to the back patio and sat in a lounge chair by the pool.

  She kicked her feet up and rested her head back, letting her skin soak up the sun. Okay, maybe the wife of a rich pop star wouldn’t be too bad. She could certainly get used to swimming pools and sunshine in December.

  The sun suddenly disappeared, and when Melissa opened her eyes, there was a man standing over her looking down at her in expensive sunglasses and an enormous Rolex on his arm.

  “So you’re her, huh?” The man sat down in the adjacent lounge seat and rested his arms on his knees as he looked her over. “He’s really out to fuck this all up, isn’t he?”

  “I beg your pardon. And who are you?”

  “I’m the one who is here to tell you to take a hike.”

  Melissa felt the heat rise in her cheeks, and she knew it wasn’t the heat of the sun. She sat up and faced him.

  “That didn’t really answer my question.”

  “Tyson Brooks. Jesse’s manager.”

  Melissa nodded as the man looked at his watch and then scanned a look over her. She realized this was the wrong time to have made
an impression on him. Her hair was mussed from hours of sex and then sleeping in his client’s arms. Her makeup was only remnants from the night before, and she was naked under Jesse’s robe.

  Tyson leaned in closer. “Do you think you’re the only woman I’ve found lounging out here in the state?” He motioned to her robe. “Honey, you’re a drop in the bucket.”

  Melissa swallowed hard. There were tears threatening to fall, but she refused.

  “Go home. Be a hero in your Podunk town, but leave him alone.”

  This was a time to be the woman she was trained to be—a woman who defended her man.

  “If Jesse asks me to leave, then I’ll leave. But he’s not going to ask me to do that. We have plans, and you’re not going to stop them.”

  Tyson crossed his arms over his chest, and the sun reflected off the watch that had earlier caught her eye.

  “What? He said he loves you? Wants to marry you?” He leaned back in. “Sweetheart, you’re reeled in hook—line—sinker.”

  Her lips trembled, and the tears were almost surely going to fall now.

  Tyson stood and looked down at her. “I meant it. Back your crap and go. He and Noelle are getting married. You’re just a little bump in the road to bring in the publicity. Honey, you’re nothing. Go home.”

  He started to the back door when it opened, and Jesse walked through.

  “Tyson, what are you doing here?”

  “Just having a word with your lady friend.”

  Melissa stood, but she couldn’t look Jesse in the eyes. He reached for her and pulled her to him.

  “She’s not my lady friend. Melissa is my fiancée.”

  Tyson ran his tongue over his teeth and nodded. “Is that so? Well, congratulations then.”

  But there was something underlying in the conversation. Their eyes were intense on each other, and Melissa wondered how much of what Tyson had said was true.

  Jesse looked down at her. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go get ready for your shopping trip with Bryce. I need to have a few words with Tyson.”

  Melissa nodded and headed into the house. She didn’t look back. She couldn’t hear their words. But one thing was clear. Get ready, get packed, and get the hell out of L.A..

  Chapter Fifteen

  Melissa showered as quickly as she could. She’d surely miss having heated jets from every direction, but that’s what vacation was all about, right? Just the amenities—and the broken hearts.

  The tears were in full swing now. She ripped a comb through her hair, and her underlying curls sprung up. Who cared. No one in the man’s life wanted her there—maybe even he didn’t want her there.

  She quickly pulled out a pair of pants and threw on a shirt. Then she went to packing as quickly as she could.

  The door opened behind her, and Jesse walked through and slammed it.

  He didn’t say anything, but he paced. With his fingers, he combed through his hair and then he rubbed his palms together. This was fury building in a man she didn’t know very well. Dear God, what was she doing here?

  “You’re packing?” He was curt and to the point.

  “It seems best.”

  Jesse nodded and then moved in quickly and gripped her arms. The shock was enough to make her gasp, but she realized he wasn’t hurting her.

  “Don’t go. Please don’t let this get to you.”

  “Jesse, I don’t belong here.”

  “One night. All I need is one night to say goodbye to everything and head home with you.”

  She shook her head and threw another blouse into her bag. “You can’t do that in one night.”

  “Damn it, Melissa.” He turned her toward him. “I love you, and you’re letting these unimportant people fill your mind with lies.”

  “But I don’t know what the truth is out here. I know my town. I know my people, my students, my life.”

  “I want to be part of that life. Please don’t lock me out.”

  She let her shoulders drop. “I’m worth all of this to you?”

  “Haven’t I been trying to make that clear to you?” He moved in and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I love you. I want to marry you. I want Jonah as my son.” He brushed his fingers through her curls. “I want a child of my own with you, maybe a house full.”

  “But all this…”

  “Isn’t important.” He smiled. “Melissa, if I never sang another note I’d still be fine. I’ve written all my songs and have rights to the songs from the group. Other artists record my music, too. Don’t you see? I don’t have to sell out crowded arenas to do what I love to do. And I can do that from the sanctity of Aspen Creek.”

  “Your mom…”

  “Will be fine without me here. I’ve set her up nice, and that’s all she ever cared about.”

  “But she hates me.”

  “She’s never liked anyone in her whole life. Don’t take her opinions to heart.”

  “Tyson…”

  “Will be fired.” He shook his head. “He doesn’t have my best interest at heart.”

  “Because he doesn’t like me?”

  “Well, that’s only one reason. There are a million more.”

  Melissa leaned into him and rested her head on his chest. “You’ll really move to Colorado?”

  “I’d like to buy your grandfather’s place and raise our family there.”

  He sure knew how to tug at her heart strings.

  She chuckled. “Mom said someone was already looking at it and made a bid.”

  “I’ll bet I could out bid them.”

  Melissa sighed. “I could pull some strings.”

  Jesse’s arms came around her and held her tighter. “You’ll stay. Maybe tonight I could even announce our engagement when I sing to you. God, wouldn’t that piss Tyson off.”

  She lifted her head and looked up at him. “You’d better call my son first.”

  Jesse smiled. “He did give me permission to ask you. I guess I’d better let him know it all worked out.”

  “You asked his permission to marry me?” The tears were back, but at least happy tears didn’t hurt.

  “I’m a gentleman. If he had said no, I’d have let you pack.” Jesse gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. “I love him, Melissa. I have an amazing opportunity to be a good father to him, and with the understanding that I keep his father’s memory alive for him.”

  Melissa sucked in a sob. Oh, this man and his words.

  He took hold of her hands and kissed each one. “Let’s go call him.”

  Jonah had been very matter-of-fact when they’d told him. He’d known that was where everything was leading the moment Jesse called his mom on stage. But his voice carried his excitement.

  Her mother was cautious but equally as excited.

  She’d wait until she got back to Aspen Creek to tell William. After all, that one wasn’t going to go as well.

  Jesse had left her for his last sound checks and whatever business he had to attend to before his final concert. Bryce had a car ready and waiting for them in the drive.

  “We’re taking a limo?” Melissa grabbed hold of his arm.

  “Oh, honey. Why not live it up? Besides Jesse is footing the bill, and we are going to do some damage.”

  “I can’t let him buy me clothes.”

  “Like hell you can’t. If that man is going to be your husband, you’d better get used to having everything you want.”

  She sighed as the driver opened the door for them. “With him by my side, I’ll have everything I need.”

  “I believe that, too.” He patted her hand, and they climbed into the limo and headed down to Rodeo for some shopping.

  Three hours later, with a bed full of shopping bags, Melissa fell into the chair in Jesse’s bedroom, exhausted. For the first time in her life, she understood the term shop till you drop.

  Bryce was a machine. He’d just look at something and know it would fit her and look perfect. And when she tried it on, he’d been right. Now the trick was goi
ng to be getting it all home, but Bryce had ensured her they’d ship it back to Colorado. That would be “easy peasy,” he’d said.

  The outfit she was to wear was hanging on the door to the closet. It was simple, a pair of jeans and a beautiful, silk blouse. The heels he’d chosen for her had her a bit nervous. Only a few weeks after a sprained ankle, she didn’t think she should be walking in such unstable shoes. But she’d learned quickly that Bryce could talk anyone into anything.

  A stylist was on her way up to her to do her makeup and fix her hair. She’d once looked forward to this, but that was prom and it involved her girlfriends. Now she was just a ball of nerves waiting to explode.

  Melissa sucked in a breath and let it out.

  If she was going to be Mrs. Jesse Charles, she was going to have to learn how to present to the public.

  Another two hours later, Melissa walked out of the bedroom a new woman. She’d never felt so amazing in her entire life, and that included her wedding day.

  As she descended the stairs, she noticed Jesse sitting on the couch in the formal sitting room. A smile had formed on his lips, and his eyes lit up when he saw her.

  That alone had her heart doing flips in her chest. She loved this man more than she’d wanted to ever admit. This was going to be the strangest journey—a lifetime with a younger man who adored her. But it felt right. It felt real.

  He stood and crossed to her. “I don’t even have words for how amazing you look.”

  “You have a great team to put me together. “

  “Oh, sweetheart, you don’t need a team. This is all you.”

  He moved in and kissed her cheek so he wouldn’t mess up her lipstick.

  He took hold of her hands and ran his thumb over her knuckles. “I have a car outside waiting for us. I have to get there for wardrobe.”

  She nodded as he took her hand and led her out to the car that waited for them.

  Melissa leaned into Jesse as he held her close. The traffic was heavy, but she’d learned quickly that it was the norm for L.A..

  Bryce sat in the front seat with the driver, and the privacy screen had been raised between them.

  Jesse maneuvered himself so he could kiss Melissa, which he did deeply and passionately.