Unexpected Admirer

by Bernadette Marie

  Jesse rose up on his elbow to meet her. “I’d never ask you to do that.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “In fact, I was thinking maybe I could buy your grandfather’s land and…”

  Melissa pressed her finger to his lips. “Shhhh. I’m not going to ask you to give up your life either.” She lowered her hand. “I’m only going to ask you to be honest with me. Never lie to me.”

  “I wouldn’t dare.”

  “If we’re to be together—then it’s you and me. You can’t go on tour and come home to me if you find it necessary to have a girl after every show.”

  That made him sit right up. “I told you. I don’t do that.”

  Melissa sat up, too. “I know what you said. I’m laying down my rules. I told you I loved you and that this whole different life and age difference can’t matter.”

  “It doesn’t.”

  “I’m going to be some old woman, and you’ll still be a young man.”

  He chuckled. “Nine years. Not twenty. I will be right behind you as an old man when you’re old.”

  She smiled. “Promise me we are exclusive and that I can trust you.”

  “You can trust me.”

  “That’s all I need.” She touched his face. “I love you.”

  The pain that had begun to form in his chest subsided. “I love you, too.”

  Melissa looked at his hair and then ran her fingers through it as if she were spiking it up. “What is the pattern for baldness in your family? Are you always going to look better than me?”

  Jesse lowered her to the bed. “Impossible.”

  Melissa had thought she was nervous enough just being with Jesse, but now she was headed to Malibu to meet his mother.

  Her foot tapped, and her hands shook. Jesse must have noticed when he reached for her hand and interlaced their fingers.

  “Relax. I’ve never seen her bite someone.”

  Melissa nodded. “I’m sure there is a first time.”

  Jesse turned toward the beach and a row of houses that lined it. He pushed another button in his car, and one of the garage doors lifted.

  “Your mother lives on the beach?”

  “She has the very best of everything.” His voice was flat, and Melissa decided she knew him well enough to understand that that meant he’d given her the best of everything.

  He pulled into the garage, parked next to a red Mercedes, and turned off the engine as the door went down.

  Melissa looked him over. His hair was now spiked, just as it was the night she’d met him—the blond tips freshly done. His dark glasses covered his eyes, and he’d changed into an embellished button-up shirt, which had gone unnoticed until now. This was a show to him, having to perform for his mother.

  “You look nervous,” she said to him.

  “I shouldn’t be.”

  “That’s what you keep telling me.”

  Jesse turned to face her as he lifted his glasses to the top of his head. “Listen, I’m not an image of my mother.” He shook his head. “What I mean is…who you meet is not what I am.”

  “You’re not making sense.”

  He nodded. “My mother is materialistic. I’m not. Whatever she says today, understand one thing and one thing only.” He focused on her. “I love you.”

  “I don’t want to do this now.” She tried to be humorous about it, but now it wasn’t funny.

  “It’s a must if you’re going to marry me some day.”

  He stepped out of the car, but Melissa sat there with the air stuck in her lungs.

  Jesse opened the door and held his hand to her, but she didn’t take it. She just sat there.

  “Marry you?”

  The sexy grin was back, and he looked at ease again. “I’m thinking big.”

  Melissa wasn’t sure her legs were going to carry her into the house, but somehow she managed to climb from the car and take his hand.

  Jesse led her into the house, which was small but very well decorated.

  “I’ll be right down,” she heard a woman’s voice call.

  “Take your time,” Jesse retorted.

  Melissa looked around from where she stood. “Is this your trophy house?”

  “You could say that.”

  The walls were lined with gold and platinum albums accompanied by his picture. The mantle above the fireplace was adorned with Grammys and other miscellaneous statues and trophies.

  “I didn’t realize you were this famous.”

  He tucked his fingers into the pockets of his jeans. “This isn’t important to me. What I like is the music.” He moved in closer to her. “She’s into the fame and the recognition,” he whispered. “That is why it’s here and not on my walls.”

  She nodded as she heard the sound of someone coming down the stairs.

  Jesse stood upright and walked toward his mother who greeted him with kisses on both cheeks and a very uncompassionate hug.

  She was a small woman with blonde wavy hair, long red nails, and more jewelry on her arms and fingers than Melissa had ever owned in her life. She wore a sarong over a swim suit, sunglasses on her head, and jeweled sandals on her feet. The woman was something out of a movie, but not someone’s mother.

  Jesse took his mother’s arm and walked toward Melissa.

  “Christine, this is Melissa,” he said using the woman’s name instead of calling her Mom.

  The woman held out her hand and shook the tips of Melissa’s fingers. That was no handshake—in fact, she wasn’t sure what she’d call that.

  “Ms—Christine,” she started as she realized she didn’t know anything about this woman to call her anything but Christine. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Christine looked her over before turning her crimson lips into an obviously forced smile. “It’s wonderful to meet you. Jesse has told me all about you.”

  Jesse moved in next to her and slid his arm around her waist. The flash of disgust in his mother’s eyes was evident.

  “You look like you were headed to the beach. Why don’t Melissa and I let you to that.”

  “Oh, don’t be silly. Jesse, why don’t you go in and fetch that pitcher of lemonade Consuela made of us and bring it out to the porch.”

  Christine turned and walked toward the French doors that opened to the back patio. Jesse gave Melissa a nod to follow her, and he disappeared into the kitchen.

  Melissa clasped her shaking hands together, blew out a deep breath, and followed Jesse’s mother outside.

  She had to admit, as she shut the door, that the view of the beach and the ocean was breathtaking. What a luxury to wake to such a sight, but then again, she’d never give up her majestic view of the mountains, even for a view of the ocean.

  Christine sat down and slid on the pair of Chanel sunglasses.

  “So, what is it you want with my son?” she asked as Melissa looked out over the ocean.

  The tone of Christine’s voice hadn’t surprised her. After all, she was a mother. She’d question a woman’s intention, too.

  Melissa turned to face her. “I’m very fond of your son.”

  “You’re having sex with him.”

  She was sure her face turned as red as Christine’s nails. It had been obvious—they should have waited.

  “I love your son.”

  “You and a million other women.”

  How was she supposed to respond to that?

  Christine lifted her face to the sun. “He doesn’t need some old lady with a kid. He’s foolish to think he fell in love with some woman he saw from stage.”

  Melissa pushed back her shoulders. She wasn’t one to fight with someone’s mother, but… “My son adores him.”

  “Of course he does, dear.” Christine lowered her chin. “My son is one of the most famous people in the world. You will ruin his image.”

  Melissa could feel the sting of tears in her eyes. But she refused to cry. This was what she’d expected from everyone. She told Jesse it was a mistake. This was proof.

  Christine pulled h
er glasses off and her gray eyes, which matched Jesse’s, bore into her. “My son is going to marry Noelle Camillo.”

  A lump lodged in Melissa’s throat. She recognized the name from the newspaper article William had shown her.

  Christine slid the sunglasses back on her face as Jesse opened the door and stepped through. Melissa turned away and looked out over the ocean. She heard him set the tray he’d carried down on the table.

  “You know, Melissa and I have some things to do before the concert tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind if we head out.”

  “Oh, I understand. You’re such a busy man, darling. You have so much work to do.”

  Jesse rested his hands on Melissa’s shoulders, and she turned around.

  “It was nice to meet you, Christine.”

  Christine gave her a curt nod. “Likewise.”

  Jesse opened the door and led Melissa through the house and out to the car. He opened the door, and she slid into the seat.

  “I’ll be right back. I forgot something,” Jesse said as he shut the door. He disappeared before she could ask what he’d forgotten.

  A few moments later, he returned, climbed in beside her, and slammed his door. It was obvious what he’d forgotten inside—to tell his mother off in front of her. Well, in her book that made him a gentleman.

  He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel before giving it a good hard smack.

  Melissa flinched in her seat.

  “I’m sorry,” he said as he gripped the wheel.

  “Maybe you should take me back, and I’ll call a cab for the airport.”

  “You think I’m going to let her take control of this? Melissa, she’s done that my whole life. I have a great life, don’t get me wrong, but this isn’t what I wanted. What child wants to give up their childhood so their mother can have every luxury she thinks she deserves?” He sucked in a breath. “I’d give all this up for you and Jonah.”

  “Don’t put us in your family fights.”

  “You’re not in my family fight—you’re the family I would fight for.”

  Now the tears his mother had caused surfaced and rolled down her cheeks.

  “Oh, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He reached over and brushed away her tears. “I just won’t have someone push you away from me. I love you.”

  “I love you too, but this isn’t meant to be. She said you’re getting married, too.”

  “I know what she said. I heard her.” He sat back in his seat and raked his fingers through his hair. “How can I convince you that I don’t know Noelle Camillo? She’s a client of my manager. He wanted to set us up. Publicity. I said no. That’s not how I work, but it must have leaked.”

  “I can’t do this, Jesse.”

  He pushed the button that opened the garage door and put the keys in the ignition.

  “Don’t give up on me.”

  Melissa wiped away her tears. “I won’t.”

  “Good. So, you want to drive a convertible?”

  That made her smile. “We didn’t have much luck the last time I drove you anywhere.”

  “That depends on how you look at it. If I remember correctly, I got very lucky.”

  Heat rose in her cheeks, and she thought about how much further they would have gone if William hadn’t shown up.

  “Okay, I’ll drive. Where are we headed?”

  “How about a hot dog on Santa Monica Pier?”

  She smiled at the chance to see another place she’d only seen in the movies.

  “Oh, and Bryce got us courtside tickets to the Lakers tonight.”

  Her smile subsided. Courtside at a Lakers game meant cameras. The world was about to be introduced to Melissa Mathews—the plain-Jane, biology teacher girlfriend of Jesse Charles.

  Chapter Fourteen

  They’d dined on the pier and driven around town. Jesse had pointed out the tourist spots to Melissa on their way back to his house.

  Now she stood in front of the mirror in his massive bathroom and looked at herself. She’d done her hair just as Emmy had shown her, and it was gorgeous. The makeup she’d chosen was subtle. She wore a designer pair of jeans she’d kept tucked away in her closet for the better part two years, her only pair of chunky heels, and a flowy cotton shirt. She thought she looked the part.

  Jesse walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He looked her over in the mirror.

  “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “I’m nervous.”

  Jesse placed a kiss on her neck. “Don’t be. I don’t care about the other people out there. I care about you.”

  He kissed her neck one more time and then looked at himself in the mirror. She knew he’d spent the previous hour primping. His hair was molded into the Jesse Charles signature blond spikes. The shirt he wore buttoned down the front and was embellished with design. The sleeves were short and tight around his sculpted biceps. Just below the cuff of his sleeve she noticed an arm band tattoo.

  “Come here.” She pulled him to her and examined the tattoo. “Why didn’t I notice this before?”

  “You had your eyes closed.”

  She nodded. “I guess I thought if I couldn’t see my body then neither could you.”

  He moved in closer and placed his hands on her hips. “I know every inch of your body—from the freckle on the back of your neck to the scar on your stomach from Jonah.”

  She took a step back and looked down at the counter.

  Jesse was quick. He was behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist again.

  “Don’t hide from me. I want to be the last man that knows every inch of you.”

  “I’m not as beautiful as you are.”

  “I’m expected to be. It sells. This isn’t what I look like sitting on your couch.”

  Melissa nodded. She understood that, too.

  Jesse turned her toward him, placed his finger under her chin, and lifted her face. “I think that scar is the most beautiful part of you. You gave life to Jonah. That’s nothing to be ashamed over.”

  “It is when you’re having sex with someone in their twenties.”

  His lips pursed. “I’m someone who loves you more than you can possibly understand.” He sucked in a breath. “Marry me. Have a baby with me. Take me away from all this and make me a normal man.”

  Melissa moved out from him and out to the bedroom. He followed. Of course, he did. A look of anguish masked his beautiful face.

  “Is that what you want from me? You want me to take you away from all this?” She waved her hands in the air to encompass their surroundings. “Are you using me?”

  His eyes shot open wide. “No!” He moved to her in a quick, fluid motion. “I love you. Do you think I just throw that around? I would be honored to be your husband. I love your son. I would do anything to have him as mine. I wasn’t kidding back there when I said marry me.”

  “Jesse, this is all crazy.”

  “I know.” He cupped her face in his hands. “That’s what makes it perfect.”

  He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her until she melted against him.

  “Marry me,” he whispered against her cheek.

  “No.” The word was mumbled against his mouth as he kissed her again.

  Without pulling away, he deepened the kiss.

  “Think about it.”

  She rested her head against his chest and sucked in a breath of courage. “I’ll think about it.”

  Courtside at the Lakers game was exactly as Melissa had thought it would be. Just beyond them there were actors, politicians, singers, and a slew of other famous people vying for their spot with the publicity seeking public.

  Jesse kept her close, his fingers intertwined with hers the entire time. When he could feel her tense, he’d whisper in her ear. He pointed out his guard, so she knew where her safe exit was, and he promised her it would be a night to remember.

  Toward the end of the second quarter, Jesse’s phone rang, and a bright, wide smile surfaced on his lips when he answered it
.

  “You can see us?” he asked. “She does look nice, doesn’t she?” He listened to the voice on the other end and nodded his head. “Thanks for sharing her. I’m having a wonderful time. I’ll see you soon, too. Here’s your mom.”

  Jesse handed her the phone.

  “Jonah?”

  “Yeah, he saw us at the game.”

  Melissa put the phone to her ear and covered her other with her hand to block out the noise. “Jonah, why are you calling Jesse?”

  “He gave me his number. And I saw you. You look nice.”

  Now she was smiling. “Thank you. Are you being good for Grandma?”

  “Yeah. Hey, did you get me anything? Did you see the Hollywood sign? Did you go to the ocean?”

  Melissa laughed. “I’ll tell you all about it when I get home on Sunday. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Tell Jesse I love him, too,” Jonah said and the phone connection ended.

  Melissa sat and stared at the phone.

  “Is everything okay?”

  She looked up at him. There were tears fighting to surface. “He says he loves you.”

  She handed him back his phone, and he tucked it into his pocket. “Great kid.”

  “Yeah.” Melissa bit down on her lip. The sentiment had stirred her up, and her emotions were fighting for position.

  Jesse took her hand again, and his thumb brushed against her skin as his attention diverted back to the game. Melissa’s attention, however, was on her son’s last words. She didn’t throw those words around, and he certainly didn’t either. Jesse meant something to Jonah. He meant something to her.

  She’d be foolish to let a man—who, albeit, came from an entirely different world—walk out of her life when all he wanted was to love her and her son. And he’d been very sure of himself when he’d said he wanted to have a baby with her.

  Why would he risk his entire career on her if he didn’t really love her?

  Why should she risk never loving again just because he was big city and she was small town? Didn’t he say he’d give it all up for her?