by Lily Silver
He backed his slick baby blue convertible out of her driveway and drove slowly down the street and through the security gates closing off the exclusive Malibu gated community from unwanted sightseers. They drove along the Pacific Coast Highway with the top down, silence hanging between them like a death shroud.
“What kind of music do you like?” He asked, briefly glancing her way before returning his eyes to the road.
Jessie looked at him, her mind blank. Music, yes, think.
“Um, everything.” That sounded really stupid. “Rock, of course, um, classic rock from the 70’s, jazz, swing . . .”
He nodded. “What else?”
“Movie soundtracks, Irish folk music."
“Ever heard of the Chieftains?” He ventured.
“Yes.” Jessie turned to look at him with surprise. “Do you know them?”
“Yes, I love their Film Cuts CD.”
“My favorite is The Long Black Veil. They have Mick Jagger singing with them and Roger Daltrey on that one. Several artists, in fact.” Jessie gazed at him with surprise. “Most people haven’t heard of The Chieftains. My father loves them. With a name like Kelly, you’d never guess why. He took Jack and me to one of their concerts in St. Paul when we were ten.”
“I was born in Eagan, Minnesota, just a few miles south of there.” Lex commented as he pulled into the driveway of Beau Rivage. “It’s a ‘burb of the Twin Cities. We moved to Phoenix when I was twelve because of my Dad’s job.”
Jessie was stunned. The Rock Icon beside her was born in the Midwest, just as she was and he liked the Chieftains’ music? Maybe this wasn’t going to be as awkward and uncomfortable as she imagined. He seemed like just a regular guy.
Lex turned off the engine. While Jessie was searching for the handle on the classic collector vehicle, Lex came around to the passenger side and opened the door for her. She blushed as he offered her his arm, just like in the old movies. He escorted her up the walkway as gulls squawked and fluttered about them.
“I managed to get a ocean-view, so we can watch the sun set.”
The Maitre’d lead them to the outdoor dining area, to a secluded table on the end, discreetly screened by lush foliage and flowers as it overlooked the Malibu shoreline. A pianist caressed the ivory keys before him, evoking a romantic atmosphere. The waitress came to inquire about drinks from the bar and left menus. Jessie ordered a wine cooler, not quite comfortable enough with her companion to order a margarita.
“You are twenty-one, aren’t you?” An ebony brow rose.
Jessie stifled a laugh. “Try twenty-four.”
His eyes swept over her. “Not on your life.”
“Afraid so.” Jessie smiled, realizing for the first time that his eyes were a pristine, crystal blue framed in a deeply tanned, sensually carved face. She found herself mesmerized by their seductiveness.
“And how old is your brother?”
“Oh, Gee, let me think.” Jessie grinned. “About fifteen minutes older. He never lets me forget it.”
The waitress brought their drinks and took their order. Lex opted for the filet mignon and Jessie decided upon the linguine that was served with half a Maine lobster.
“You are paying, aren’t you?” She teased. “Otherwise, I’ll just go for a grilled cheese sandwich.” It seemed easier to treat him like one of the guys in the band rather than an honest to goodness date. She felt less threatened, less gauche.
“I suppose, just this once, since you’re new and all.” He returned with a grin.
Dinner went by quickly. Lex plied Jessie with question after question regarding her music career, so she found she really didn’t have to worry about what to say.
“So, you ran away from home when you were sixteen . . . ?” Lex repeated, trying to get it straight in his mind, “Played the clubs in Frisco and LA, made your big break when you were twenty by opening on tour for Hot Pink Stillettos and now you can’t go to the grocery store without fans mobbing you. Ah, the steep price of fame.” He set down his fork and pushed away his plate. “Didn’t your parents worry? Didn’t they look for you?”
“No.” Jessie swallowed hard as a rock seemed to form in her stomach at the mere mention of her parents. “They never even reported us missing.”
The silent regard in her companion’s eyes brought guilt and the need to elaborate further. “We called them after we turned eighteen. After we made our first big break, a record deal with StarSign, a major company, you know. I guess we wanted their approval. We wanted them to be proud of us. They’re attitude was ‘so what.’ They didn’t even want us to come home to visit at Christmas. It’s been that way for the past six years. We send them money every month. My dad has leukemia. He had to retire early because of it.”
“That’s sad.” Lex murmured, resting his chin in his hand as he studied her with those enticing baby blues. “I’d be lost without my mom.”
“You mentioned growing up near Minneapolis.” Jessie turned the subject away from her family problems. “So, you must have memories of fifty below wind-chills, too.”
“More Nightmares.” Lex laughed, leaning back in his seat. His fingertips caressed the empty martini glass. “Californians have no clue as to the real meaning of cold.”
“I liked the snow for Christmas. Once January hit the temperatures drop to zero with between twenty and fifty below wind-chills, and never warm up again until February. Then it was just a teaser around Ground Hog Day, and another Arctic Blast would hit us from the North.”
“Then you have your first Christmas here in California and you miss the cold stuff. It doesn’t seem quite right.”
“Exactly.” Jessie looked at him with amazement. “Our first Christmas here was a real downer. We barely had a dime between us, living in a dump, singing at some dive. At least they gave us free meals. It helped.” Jessie smiled, looking down at the remains of her linguine. “And then Jack and Darrell, the original Dumb and Dumber, almost got us signed on with a song shark.”
“Did you know its California’s official state animal? They’re doing a film about them for Nat Geo, ‘The charming yet deadliest of predators’.”
Jessie laughed at his clever quip and then grew serious. “There are so many kids on the streets here, hoping to get noticed, hoping to make it big, just like us six years ago.” She waved her hand expansively to emphasize her words. “It floors me to think where we could have landed if Steve and I hadn’t figured the guy out.”
“How did you?” The waitress came then. “Another Dirty Martini, and a wine cooler for the lady. Are you sure you don’t want something stronger?”
“Thanks. A Banana Kiwi cooler.” Jessie told the waitress and continued to answer his question regarding their encounter with the song shark. “Jack and Darrell had picked him up, or rather, he latched on to them. They had Kyra convinced that this was the big deal. Steve and I started dicing up the details. Had we signed with him we would have been releasing all rights of our music to him. We were signing our own creations straight away. And he wanted almost 50% of the royalties. Imagine, him getting half, and the five of us having to split up the other half.”
“It sounds like you had your heads on straight.” Lex agreed as his hand inched perilously close to Jessie’s.
“Steve is the ultimate Rocker Biography Junkie. He’s read every biography published, from Elvis to Linkin Park. Fortunately for us, he remembered reading something about one of them being taken to the cleaners by a bad rep in their early careers, losing millions because of bad contracts.”
Relaxing more and more, Jessie warmed to the familiar shoptalk of the music industry. Lex leaned forward so their faces were close as both sat with their chins in their hands, a cozy coop. His eyes became a luminescent azure blue as he reached up and stroked Jessie’s hair reverently with his forefinger.
A peculiar feeling twisted her insides at his intimate gesture. He leaned closer. His breath caressed her ear. “Shall we move on to dessert?” Lex made the question sound sensua
l. He had that way of speaking so that just one word would seem full of suggestion.
“I don’t know.” She stalled, embarrassed by the hot flush that crept up her face, and other places she’d rather not acknowledge. “I’m pretty full.”
“Come on, just a taste of sweetness? I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.” His breath caressed her face as electricity surged within Jessie.
For a moment, she thought he might kiss her. She hoped he would.
He didn’t. But his face lingered close to hers, so close she could feel his breath on her lips, teasing her, giving her cause to hope. “How about we share something silky- sweet?”
Jessie instantly sat back in the chair, pulling back from the heat of him as his seductive whisper seemed to reach right down and stroke her between the thighs. She squeezed her eyes shut to block out the erotic impression of his sensuous tongue licking her in places that had never, ever been licked before. And damn if she didn’t wish his well placed words were not a suggestion directed toward the dessert menu.
When she opened her eyes again, she noticed Lex has also sat back in his chair. He had the dessert menu in his hands. “Let’s see, Tiramisu, Crème Brule, Almond Silk, what’s your pleasure, sweet thing?”
“Ah . . . you pick.” Jessie sighed, still battling that lovely image of Lex going down on her that had flashed so effortlessly into her head. “What’s your pleasure?”
She groaned. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Jessie wanted to snatch them back. She glanced awkwardly at him for a brief second before diverting her eyes to the scented candle on the table beside them. She reached up with a trembling hand to caress the smooth, waxy shaft, attempting to distract herself from her raging libido. There was nothing at all sensual or seductive about his words--it was all just her imagination. Jessie picked up the candle and lifted it to her nose, inhaling the sweet, spicy scent of vanilla bean. As her eyes met his over the wavering flame, she caught the sly smirk tilting his lips, and realized she wasn’t imaging it after all. He was playing with her a little bit.
The waitress came to take their dessert order. Lex ordered Almond Silk with two spoons. He leaned forward again, placing his elbows on the table. He studied her.
Jessie surveyed the room, feeling like a skinny kid with braces standing next to the Homecoming King. She fiddled with her napkin, dabbed her neck, and wondered why the room seemed suddenly so hot and steamy.
The waitress brought their desserts, bringing an end to the queer silence between them. Lex shoved his spoon into the pile of almond fluff, and held the spoon out for her to take the first bite. Jessie leaned in, curious. She’d never had the dish before.
It was heavenly. No words could describe the lush, rich, sweet beaten cream tinged with just the right amount of almond. She fairly swooned as the delightful concoction melted on her tongue.
“Told ya.” He winked, satisfied by her near orgasmic reaction to his offering. “You want I should order my own and let you have this one?”
“No--mmmm--no thanks.” Jessie demurred, reaching for the ice water to help wash down the rich dessert.
The sun dipped into the sea and the place emptied. Lex paid the waitress and they walked to the car. He opened the door for Jessie and closed it firmly before moving to the other side. “Feel a little better going with me to the party now? See, I don’t bite. Never on a first date.”
“Yes.” Jessie smiled at his quip. “I have to admit, I was terrified, at first.”
“I know.” Lex turned the engine. Irresistible dimples framed his smile. “For the first half hour, you looked like the girl on the cover of Night of the Living Dead.”
“I did not.” Jessie grimaced, hoping her indignation hid the truth of his observation.
Lex winked at her, letting her know he was teasing her. And then his voice became a perfect imitation of Bela Lugosi. “But darling, you look so lovely when you are frightened, so alive.”
Chapter Four
Kyra and Mike’s engagement party was held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Jessie was led about the magnificent staterooms on the arm of Lex. She felt like Cinderella and feared the prince beside her would find tattered rags beneath her dazzling gown.
True legends, the real rock stars smiled at her as he introduced Jessie to them. Many were longtime friends of Lex and Mike. Jessie was breathless, unable to bring forth words in the presence of the immortal ones. She smiled, nodded politely and focused on breathing while they talked about their golf swings, their yoga instructors and the upcoming Grammy Awards Gala.
Jessie couldn’t have been more uncomfortable if she were attending her high school prom without a date. She really was Cinderella, a phony among rock royalty. She’d been cleverly disguised in a designer gown--her first one. Kyra had an excellent eye for fashion. She claimed the sleek gold silk complimented Jessie’s flame red hair to perfection and brought a natural glow to her complexion. Kyra, being the dedicated fashionista, even provided Jessie with one of those push up bra numbers that made her breasts look about two sizes bigger than reality. Her diamond necklace and earrings were rented for the evening by a jeweler in Beverly Hills. Professional stylists descended upon their Malibu home earlier in the day. Jessie’s long hair had been swept up into a seductive tangle. Perfect copper corkscrew curls tickled her neck and shoulders as she moved her head. As the photographers’ constant flashes blinded her, she was grateful for her prince’s steadying arm.
Kyra was luminescent in a dusty rose silk gown. The natural blonde exuded a seductive, giggly persona rivaling the legendary Marilyn Monroe. At least, that was Jessie’s impression. Kyra was glowing from within, whether it was from Mike’s love or the adoration of the photographers and journalists was anyone’s guess. It didn’t matter. This was her moment, Jessie realized, watching as Mike placed a cautious kiss on her ivory cheek as the crowd applauded.
“Lex.” Ruby Star, the famous cross-dressing diva of tabloid gossip rounded on the pair, his/her cameramen bringing up the ranks as she shoved a microphone at him. “You’ve been hiding from us for so long . . .” The glam queen drawled out the last two words with a gleam of amusement in her garishly painted eyes. “And look, Jessica Kelly on your arm. I see your drummer is not the only one smitten by the women of Heartless.”
The reporter turned to the cameras, “Ou La La, a double wedding I see in the offing. Tell me; was it love at first sight?” He shoved a microphone into Lex’s face again without batting an eyebrow at the rude interrogation. Such was the species of news hawkers who followed the luminaries of tinsel town, pushy and ruthless in their quest for scandal.
“Yes.” Lex gave Ruby Star a sexy smile. “From the moment I saw her, I said to myself, ‘this is the girl I’m going to marry.’”
Jessie’s jaw went slack as she gave Lex an astonished look.
Ruby Star didn’t hesitate, obviously not expecting a profuse denial from Jessie for the quick words from the rock legend. “Well, there you have it; Lex has found the girl of his dreams. And you heard it first from Ruby Star--cut.” The drag queen turned quickly and spoke to cameraman about the exclusive and took out his cell phone and started pushing buttons furiously as he broadcast the news via social media.
Jessie was speechless. The instant Ruby Star’s back was turned; Lex propelled her away from the ravenous cameras and into the shadows of a portico.
“Why did you . . . how could you--” Her protest was cut short as his lips captured hers in a hungry embrace. Startled, she surrendered to the warmth of his caress. Liquid fire enveloped her with the devastation of a lightning bolt. A hunger grew deep inside as Lex lingered, brushing frenzied kisses over her mouth like a lover who had just been reunited with his lady after a long, tortuous separation.
“Jess,” Steve loomed behind them. “They’re asking for you.”
Breathless, Jessie edged away from Lex, unable to speak about what just happened between them as she brushed the moisture from her swollen, tingling lips.
/> Steve took her arm, leading Jessie to the platform where Kyra, Jack, and Darrell had assembled for group publicity shots arranged by their manager and StarSign Records. “Are you all right?” He stopped at the foot of the platform. “You look upset.”
“Yeah.” Jessie breathed, looking past him to the corner of the room where Lex leaned against a white marble colonnade, his arms crossed. He was a dark silhouette against the pale marble. He was watching her. She could feel the blaze of desire in those sultry blue eyes.
She didn’t know if she should be happy . . . or afraid.
Jessie clung to Steve’s arm after the cameras were sated from their frenzied feeding of star flesh. She tugged at him, urging him behind the platform where they would be undetected.
“What’s up?” His intuitive sienna eyes scanned her face with worry. She wanted to hug this man for his instinctive protectiveness of her. Without hesitation, she flew into his arms. “Hey . . . Jess . . . Jess, that dude didn’t do anything I need to go over and bust his nose for, did he? Darrell’s right over there, let me get him--”
“No, Steve. Please, just hold me, talk to me. God, I can't believe he did that.”
“What?” Steve drew her from his slender frame, his eyes traveling up and down her body with worry. “I’ll kill him, Jess. This time, I swear I will. Kevin was lucky. I was stoned that night, but this time--”
“No. Steve, listen to me. It’s not like that. He told that obnoxious Ruby Star I was the girl he was going to marry. On camera. And now Star is tweeting it to his followers . . . Oh, God, this is crazy . . . what do I do? Steve, tell me what to do.”
“What?”
“It’ll be all over L.A. tomorrow.” Jessie went over the scene again, quoting his exact words for Steve, and then related the effects of his scorching kiss afterward.
Steve grew somber. His arm was about her waist as he scanned the crowd for a sign of the peculiar Rock legend.
Jack stumbled toward them. “Hey guys, why you hiding in there? A love tryst, Steve! Hey dude, I didn’t know you had it in you.” His speech was slow, lazy, and languid. Jessie knew he’d found the magic white powder again.