by Roy Street
“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 o’clock 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 brushing 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 only met them once at breakfast and spoken a few words. 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 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 clear, starry night. She gazed up and recalled Aiden pointing out the constellations and the wondrous moment when she’d seen a shooting star and made a wish.
Her eyes panned 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?”
**
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? Duh. 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.”
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.”
After that they both seemed frozen 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 legs 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’d already done so.
“Aiden?”
“Hmm?”
“You seem so far away. What are you thinking about?”
“You.” He took her face in his hands and covered her mouth with his own. Then he reached for the pile of clothes on the floor beside the bed, retrieving the condom from the pocket of his jeans.
When he had it on, Jenna impatiently pulled him over her. The two of them moved as one, losing themselves in each other, until their tremors and groans reached a euphoric peak, carrying them to completion.
They made love throughout the night. This time it was Jenna who refused to let him go back to his room. They spoke few words, and when they did it they were simple, sexy words of teasing or tender admiration.
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 Eighteen
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 to 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 said to herself. She’d sensed it coming since her tiff with Sean. Something about the way he said, “Oh, it’s over all right.”
Seconds later, she was on the phone to her agent, Marvin Davitz. 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, I’m out of work, but 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. Maybe he wasn’t the sweet person she believed him to be. Was he hiding something? Had she once again been the gullibl
e, starry-eyed romantic?
Only this time the stars were in the sky, not under his name.
And in his eyes. Oh, how she loved Aiden’s 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. 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 him right now more than anyone else. It had always been her family 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. The 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 first hand how devastating it could be to lose a father figure. In fact, she was sure that was what 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, I’m afraid. 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 real life for myself.”
Stunned at this revelation, Jenna masked her reaction. “And?”
“Coty convinced me books were worth reading, and that going 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 and picked the one out near Greenport. That’s how I first came to the North Fork, too.”
“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.
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 outrageously good luck.”
“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. 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.”
“Wow.” He studied her. “You must be upset. You had a whole new career planned. And here I am hogging all the attention.”
She stroked his cheek. “Happy to give it. But I did want to talk to you. Mostly because I’m worried about my mother.”
“Your mother?”
She nodded. “Do you remember I once mentioned she had a drinking problem? And, well, she has manic moods. She takes meds now and hasn’t used alcohol in years, so I know my sister would tell me I’m crazy to be so scared. But I haven’t told her yet. Mom’s been on cloud nine since I got on the show. And when I told her I broke off with Sean, she got into a real funk. She’s sort of an excitement addict.”
“So, that’s where you get it from.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just trying to please my mother. To keep her from getting sad and disappearing on me like she did back then.” Jenna’s voice cracked and she burst into tears.
Aiden grabbed her, held her tight to his chest, kissing her hair and her face. “I understand. My dad not only drank, he used his hands and fists. But just because old childhood fears never completely go away, it doesn’t mean they’re real.”
She glanced up at him. “I’m so sorry to bring up my problems when Coty’s cancer must be bringing up such painful memories for you.” The moment this was out of her mouth, she regretted saying it. She knew his wife’s illness and death had hit him hard.
“Yeah, it does. But Coty keeps telling me I’ve got to start living for now, not for things that happened in the past.”
“Maybe I can help.”
“You already have.” Aiden dipped his head, and his lips met hers in a slow, sensual, heat-filled kiss that made her bones turn to butter. When he released her, he said, “So, does this mean you’ll go back to the ballet company?”
“They’re in China, so I have to wait out my leave. But I think that’s a good thing, because I left for a reason. I was tired of the extremely difficult work and constant pressure of keeping up. I had never tried anything else, never even considered it. So in some ways I felt like I was a dance bot. Remember I told you I was numb?”
“Did acting make you feel more alive?”
“No. You did.”
Chapter Nineteen
Aiden’s day started on an upbeat note thanks to a phone call from the hospital. Coty relayed the good news. The doctor’s prognosis was excellent. Turned out, they’d caught his cancer in a very early stage and predicted a mild dose of chemo would complete the job.
With a renewed sense of optimism, Aiden zipped up his jacket and bounded out the door in the mood to treat himself. Even the cold, gray February morning couldn’t dampen his spirits.
He’d always considered the scent of fresh baked pastry combined with coffee to be one of the most enticing forces on earth. And right now he found himself in the thick of it standing before the display case at Natalie’s Coffee Cove on Cove Street. Hands in his jacket pockets, still as a statue, his sights were set on a fresh rack of chocolate raisin brownies that only seconds ago Natalie herself had slid into the case. Chunky little squares, glistening with a stucco coating of rich, black chocolate.
The pleasant ritual of having his taste buds enticed like this reminded him of his days growing up in Massachusetts. Aiden had only been seven years old when he, along with his two friends Ga
ry Cowan and Jeff Gullan, would steal cakes off the shelves of the neighborhood bakery, then meet in Jeff’s garage where they’d divvy up the goods into thirds. A section for each.
Eager fingers and giggling mouths covered in icing. Scruffy faces lit with joy as they stuffed themselves. Funny how chocolate brought out shades of the innocent child even in rough kids. Aiden wondered whatever happened to his old partners in crime. Then again, another part of him didn’t ever want to find out.
To his right, a customer rested his palms squarely on the glass counter. Nicked and scraped around the knuckles, they were strong hands, the hands of a workman.
“You again,” Natalie said to him, teasing. “Always back for more.”
Aiden looked over and saw a tall, strikingly handsome thirty-something man with a wide, square jaw and lean athletic build grinning back at her. A crop of dark hair flopped loosely across his brow, he quipped at Natalie, “Do you know how many calories there are in those monsters that you’re serving up? I should contact the board of health and have them shut the place down.”
“Really? Before or after you pick up your usual two cannoli and a Danish?”
He raised a brow and said, “After of course. But since this gentleman is here ahead of me,” the man smiled and nodded toward Aiden, “please take care of him first. I’ll make the call while I wait.”
Aiden laughed. “No please don’t bust the place yet. At least not until I get my brownies.”
“Another happy victim. Sad.”
“Excuse me,” Natalie said, walking over to Aiden. “I didn’t see you. Parker’s family around here. We like to kid.”
Parker?
While Natalie put together his order, Aiden studied the man. His classic bone structure was so similar to the face he adored. “You wouldn’t happen to have a sister named, Jenna?” he asked him.