Seaside Sunsets (17 page)

Jamie knew when he was being dismissed. He could see that she wanted to speak with Jessica alone, and again he wished he could swim in Vera’s brain long enough to understand what she’d seen.

He grabbed a plate and filled it with salad, steak, and a slice of Leanna’s homemade bread and layered it with her delicious Strawberry Spice jam.

“Didn’t Jessica say she played
a little
the other night?” Bella asked.

“Yeah, she sure did.” Jamie respected his grandmother’s privacy and purposely didn’t try to eavesdrop on her conversation with Jessica, but he couldn’t help glancing at the woman who continually proved to be so much more than he ever expected. In every way, from her kindness and generosity, to her sweet demeanor and sensual instincts. She was standing with her hands laced together, swaying just the slightest bit, like a blade of grass in the breeze. Her lips were pressed together in that I’m-embarrassed-but-happy way that he’d fallen head over heels for, but her beautiful blue eyes were serious as she spoke to Vera. She nodded, said something that caused Vera’s mouth to open wide and then ease into her own pleasant smile.

“Well, I think she more than plays a little.” Bella handed a plate to Caden, then turned to ask Evan if he wanted her to fill one for him.

“Damn, Jamie. Gorgeous and talented.” Tony had a plate loaded with steak, potatoes, salad, and bread. “Lucky dude.”

Vera reached out and embraced Jessica, and they both headed his way.

“That I am. What’s up with you and Amy? Did you blow it altogether?” Jamie asked.

Tony clenched his jaw. “Nothing to blow.”

“Really? Could have fooled me, but what do I know?” Jamie patted him on the back. “You going to the beach party tonight?”

“Of course.” Tony tossed his chin to the side and his hair fell over his brows as he draped an arm around Jamie’s shoulder and lowered his voice. “Surfing only satisfies one type of desire in this hard bod.”

The ache of jealousy in his friend’s voice wasn’t lost on Jamie, and as Tony joined Kurt, Caden, and the others and Jessica came to his side, he couldn’t help but feel empathy for him. He knew that hookups would only lessen a fleeting desire. And now that he’d experienced what being with someone he cared about felt like, he knew that making love could be a deeper, more fulfilling experience, and he hoped his friend would find that one day, too.

“Thank you, dear.” Vera took the plate from Jamie, pulling his attention back to the group.

“Sure.” He turned his attention to Jessica and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You didn’t tell me that you played even better than Jacqueline du Pré.” He kissed her softly and noticed her eyes flash to Vera, who was settling in at the table.

“Please. I’m not that good, but thank you.” She dropped her eyes.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked quietly. “You should be beaming with pride, and you look a little worried.”

“I need to tell you something, and I’ve kind of been holding it back because I didn’t want it to make things weird between us, but I’ve told Vera, and now I feel bad for not telling you first.” She hooked her finger in the waist of his jeans. “Jamie, I’m on hiatus from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.”

The Boston Symphony Orchestra was one of the country’s five major symphony orchestras, and it was more than a big deal. It was a major deal, and taking a hiatus from such a prominent orchestra was not something the orchestra or, he imagined, Jessica would take lightly.

“That’s amazing, to play with such a prominent orchestra. Why would you keep that from anyone, especially me?”

She shrugged. “I just wanted to try to live a normal life and see what I was missing. People get weird when they hear you play for one of the Big Five, not to mention that I’m being considered for a seat with the Chamber Players, which is just another thing that would set me apart from other people my age.” The Big Five orchestras were designated based on musical excellence and caliber of musicianship, as well as a few other determining factors.  In addition to the BSO, the Big Five included the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.

“The Chamber Players? That’s huge, isn’t it? Very prestigious.” Jamie knew how prestigious it was, and he wondered how Jessica wasn’t jumping with joy to tell everyone she knew.

“Yes, it is.” She sighed, and when she shifted her eyes away, he sensed her discomfort with the discussion.

Jamie had seen firsthand how people reacted differently to Vera once they knew of her pre-Jamie career, and he knew all about people acting differently when they learned he held a coveted status, which was why he chose to live a low-key lifestyle rather than that of the rich and famous. But he wasn’t sure their friends at Seaside would be clued in to the symphony industry, or that they’d care, given that they’d always treated him like he wasn’t a billionaire. He wished she’d give them the chance to show her how they would react, but he was beginning to realize just how central the orchestra had been to Jessica’s life, and how she really must have lived a life very far removed from anything outside of the orchestra and the music world. It was all beginning to make sense—her inexperience with men, her fear that she might not fit in. She was so beautiful that if she were out in bars at night, she’d have been swooped into the arms of any number of men quicker than she could have said the word
cello
.

He wondered if there was more to her hiatus than just wanting to live a normal life, especially knowing that, as Vera had mentioned, taking a break from one of the biggest symphonies around was frowned upon. Whatever the reason, he didn’t want to make her any more uncomfortable than she already was.

He kissed her and whispered, “Your secret is safe with me.”

MARCONI BEACH WAS just a few minutes south of Seaside. Known for being a family-friendly beach during the day, with ample restroom facilities and lifeguards, Marconi Beach transformed at night into an oceanfront dance club. Colorful spotlights illuminated a makeshift stage that was brought in for the band and disassembled and removed before the next morning. Tonight there were crowds of people milling about the wide beach at the bottom of the high dunes. Some people danced barefoot in the sand, while others gathered in groups, talking and laughing. Beach chairs were set up in circles around bonfires and down by the shore. Jessica had never been to an event like this, and although she felt dressed for the occasion in her new tie-dye dress with a hoodie hanging open over it and flip-flops that she left dune side, her heart was racing.

Tony opened the cooler and handed them each a beer. “Party on, my friends.”

“Thanks, Tony.” Jamie opened one bottle and handed it to Jessica, then opened his own.

“Come on.” Leanna pulled Jessica’s hand, leading her toward the band. “Even Kurt is going to dance. Come on, Jamie! Everyone’s over here.” She guided them through the crowd, with Tony on their heels, and there in the thick of scantily clad dancing twentysomethings were all of their friends, including Pete’s sister, Sky, and Blue—and Amy and Jake.

Jessica shot a look at Tony. His eyes were narrow and his jaw was clenched. She went up on her tiptoes and whispered to Jamie, “Can Tony dance with us?”

“Three’s a crowd,” he said with serious eyes. “But as long as I don’t have to share you later, it’s fine with me.”

He settled a hand on her hip, but before Jessica could say anything to Tony, a cute brunette began dancing with him.

“Sorry. I just felt bad for him.”

He touched his forehead to hers. “You’re too sweet for your own good.” Jamie began swaying to the music, and Jessica fell into the rhythm effortlessly. It was easy to be in sync with him. He moved fluidly, without tension or worry about what other people thought. While their friends danced and laughed around them, making funny comments and drinking their beers, Jamie’s eyes were locked on Jessica’s. His hips pressed to hers, and the seductive smile on his lips sent a shiver right through her.

He pressed his unshaven cheek to hers. “I’ve been thinking of your sweetness all day, and I can’t wait to taste you again tonight.”

His heated whisper on her skin, the prickles of his five-o’clock shadow on her cheek, and the enticing innuendo had her entire body hot. Jessica circled his neck with her arms, and their hips took on their own slow, sensual rhythm, while the band played a fast beat. Jessica had never worried too much about safety, as she’d always traveled with the group of musicians she worked with, but here, on the beach amid all those people, she felt safe in Jamie’s arms. She’d seen him come right over in the pool when Tony closed in on her, and later, instead of peppering her with questions about the symphony and her hiatus—or her future—he kept her secret close to his chest. And now, as she pressed her cheek to his chest and breathed in his scent, feeling the steady beating of his heart, she knew she was falling for him, and at some point, all those important questions would have to be answered. But not tonight. Tonight she wanted to enjoy her new friends and disappear into Jamie’s touch.

“I bought you something today.” She slid the mood ring off her thumb and held it out to Jamie.

“A ring? What exactly are you proposing?” He arched a brow.

“That we see what you’re feeling. See how it’s purply right now? It’s a mood ring. This color means
I’m amorous
,
sensual
.
Mischievous
. Put it on. Let’s see what you are.” She watched him slide it on as they danced. “We only have to worry if it turns black.”

“What’s black?”

“Intense nothingness. A black hole. Angst so deep you can’t push your way out of it.”

“I can tell you what I’m feeling without a ring.” He pressed his hips to hers, and the feel of his arousal sent another thrill through her. The ring turned dark blue.

“Ooh, you’re love-struck. Deeply relaxed,” she whispered.

He pulled her close. “I am
not
deeply relaxed. Intensely turned on, hard as a rock, but not relaxed.” His voice was low and deep, and it pulled her under his spell again as he lowered his lips to hers and took her in another brain-numbing kiss.

The song ended, and Jenna waved everyone over to one of the bonfires, where Pete handed out sticks and marshmallows. Jamie leaned down and kissed Jessica passionately, pressing her body to his, stroking her tongue as if he were making love to her mouth. She came away breathless, momentarily unable to think, much less walk.

“Damn, I love how your body reacts to me,” Jamie whispered in her ear.

“My legs are jelly,” she admitted.

“Too bad I can’t lay you down right here and make your whole body feel that way.”

Oh Lord
. Every nerve in her body was on fire. She was already damp between her legs, and they’d only just arrived at the beach. How was she supposed to make it through the evening without falling to pieces? Everything he said, every brush of his cheek, every glimpse of his sexy smile, made her insides quiver. With her body aching for him, now that she knew what it felt like to be naked in his arms, to be as close as two people could possibly be, she could barely clear her mind enough to think of anything else. The ocean breeze, the music, Jamie…it was all so romantic. The perfect night to hang out with friends and relax, and there she was, wanting to tear off his clothes and play him like an electric guitar, wild and uninhibited, then slowly, memorizing the feel of every inch of him.

She shook her head to clear the dirty thoughts and realized Jamie had been watching her the whole time. He pressed his cheek to hers again and whispered, “I love that look in your eyes. It makes me want to take you right here.”

Oh God, yes.
She clutched his waist.

“Want me to cook you a marshmallow to take your mind off of what we really want to be doing?” he asked.

Marshmallow, yes, that’s good. Marshmallows have nothing to do with sex.
That should help get her mind out of the gutter. She’d never had a dirty mind before, and as surprising and new as it all was, she didn’t fight it. She reveled in it, wondering what was happening to her.

She looked up at Jamie.
You’re happening to me.
“Sure. A marshmallow sounds great.” They joined the others by the fire.

“Petey’s making mine golden brown,” Jenna explained. “Not golden, not brown, golden brown. Which reminds me…” She ran her fingers through her dark hair, then reached into her pocket, pulled out a plastic tiara, and settled it on her head.

“And your marshmallow has arrived, princess.” Pete held the marshmallow up for Jenna to inspect.

Jenna lifted her chin as she assessed the marshmallow with a scrutinizing gaze. She slid it from the stick with a wide smile.

“Perfect! Thank you!”

Pete leaned down and kissed her lips, then smiled at Jamie. “Gotta treat her as she deserves.”

Jenna stared adoringly up at Pete.

“Oh my God. That’s too cute. How long have you been together?” Jessica asked.

“In my mind? Six years, but in real life? A year,” Jenna explained.

Bella, Caden, Leanna, and Kurt joined them as Jenna was talking.

Pete wrapped his arms around Jenna from behind. “Guys can be thick-headed, or so I’m told.” He slid his eyes to Tony, still dancing with the brunette.

“Not all guys. Caden and Kurt knew what they wanted and went for it.” Bella leaned against Caden’s side.

“Hey! Are you dissing my man?” Jenna put up her fists and pretended to box with Bella.

“Put those puppies away, Jen, or I’ll unorganize your closet,” Bella teased.

Jenna dropped her hands and looked up at Pete. “I tried to defend you.”

“That’s my girl.” He kissed her again.

Bella draped an arm over Jessica’s shoulder and looked at Jamie as he crouched by the fire. “At least Jamie’s not thick,” Bella said with a smile.

Jessica bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from saying,
Yes, he is. Thick and long, and oh so good.
“No. He seems to know exactly what I’m thinking all the time.”

“You kicked ass on your cello tonight,” Bella said. “You should play professionally.”