All A Heart Needs B&N (2 page)

The crowd burst into applause as Sean's band finished their encore. Despite shouts for more, they finally made their way off the stage, and the lights came up.

"That was awesome," Emma said, her face lit up with excitement and pride. "I can't believe my brother is that good."

"I never thought Sean would be this talented when we were kids," Nicole agreed. "He used to drive us crazy practicing his guitar every other second. I guess it paid off."

"Should we get another drink?" Emma asked. "Do we want to stay for the next act? I think it starts in about fifteen minutes."

"Not me," Nicole said with a shake of her head. "I have to get up early tomorrow and be a mom."

Nicole's words made Jessica feel guilty. "I should go, too."

"No, you should stay," Nicole said firmly. "Kyle is already asleep at my house. Relax and enjoy yourself."

"What do you think, Jess?" Emma asked.

"I'll stay." It was an easy decision. She wasn't at all ready to leave yet.

"I'll walk Nicole out and make sure she gets a cab," Emma said. "Do you want to get us another drink, Jessica?"

"Sure." She made her way to the bar as Emma and Nicole left. There was a long line, so she was in for a wait. As she glanced around, she saw Sean coming out of the hallway, heading in her direction.

Her pulse began to race, and her mouth went dry. He was even sexier up close, and she couldn't stop the tingle that ran through her body. It was silly. She felt like a teenage girl with a crush on a rock star. She needed to get a grip. Despite the mental reprimand, she couldn't help feeling pleased that Sean passed by a lot of other women on his way to her.

"Jessica," he said, a husky note in his voice. "I was surprised to see you in the crowd."

So he had seen her. He had smiled at her. She wasn't completely crazy.

"Ryan offered to watch the boys so Nicole and I could come. Emma is here, too."

"Yeah, I saw them. Where are they now?"

"Nicole is on her way home. Emma went to help her get a cab. She'll be right back." Jessica was rambling, but Sean's gaze was so deep and intense that she felt more than a little rattled. She tucked her hair behind her ear, feeling self-conscious under his close scrutiny. "You're staring. Do I have something in my teeth?"

"No. But you look—different."

Her cheeks warmed under his smile. "I hope in a good way."

"In a beautiful way. It's great to see you out enjoying yourself."

"It's nice to be out. It's been a while."

The crowd jostled her from behind, and she found herself suddenly pushed against Sean's broad chest. She grabbed his strong arms as his hands settled on her waist. His touch was firm, almost possessive, and he didn't seem in a hurry to let go.

She didn't want to let go, either. In fact, she was fighting back the urge to pull him even closer. Her brain screamed at her to step back, move away, say something, but she couldn't seem to do anything but look at him.

His deep blue eyes darkened as he gazed down at her. His lips parted, his breath hitting her mouth like a kiss—a kiss she very much wanted.

"Jess," he murmured. "Beautiful Jess. What am I going to do about you?"

The tender, caressing words washed through her like a hot silky breeze. Everything else faded away. The only person she could see was Sean. The only voice she could hear was his.

The crowd swelled around them, and Sean pulled her closer. It was her undoing. With his hard body against hers, she felt an incredible, reckless yearning.

She didn't know who moved first—it was probably her. All she knew was that she felt an imperative need to kiss him, and when their lips came together, it felt absolutely right. She sank into the kiss, loving the taste of his warm mouth, the pressure of his firm lips, and the way he held her against him, as if he never wanted to let her go.

Another jostling move from the crowd broke them apart. Sean's hands dropped from her waist. He stared at her with an unreadable gaze. She wanted to say something, but she was having trouble catching her breath. What the hell had she just done?

"Jess," he began.

She waited for him to say more, but he couldn't seem to find words.

Then Emma appeared at her side. Jessica was more than grateful for the interruption. She was also relieved that Emma hadn't arrived a minute earlier and seen them kissing.

"Sean, what a great show." Emma gave her brother a hug. "Your best yet, I think."

"Thanks." He cleared his throat. "Glad you could make it, Em."

"How's this next group?"

"They're good. I'm going to get a drink. Do you two want one?"

"I'll take another Fireball," Emma said.

"Jess?"

"Nothing for me." Another drink was not a good idea. She'd already made one bad decision.

As Sean made his way to the bar, Emma gave her a curious smile. "Everything okay?"

"Uh, sure." At the sound of a female squeal, her gaze moved from Emma to the tall blonde woman who had just launched herself into Sean's arms. "Who's that?"

"Never seen her before, but she looks like Sean's type."

"Which is what?"

"Tall, skinny, blonde, big boobs. You know, every man's type."

"She is attractive." Jessica felt a twinge of jealousy as the woman put her arm around Sean's waist and leaned in close to whisper something in his ear.

Jessica deliberately turned her back on Sean and faced the stage as the next group came on. Their first song was more loud than good, and her ears were ringing when it finished. Emma tipped her head toward the back of the room, and they found a quieter space away from the speakers.

"Better," Emma said.

"Yes. I'm not sure how much I can take of this group though. Not my favorite."

"They're definitely not as entertaining as Sean's band."

At the end of the next song, Sean found them. He handed Emma her drink and then took a swig of his beer. For a few moments they just watched the band.

Jessica felt more than a little uncomfortable. She didn't know if she should apologize to Sean or pretend the kiss had never happened.

When the next song ended, Emma turned to her brother. "So who was the blonde you were talking to?"

"Laura. She's a friend of Trevor's fiancée."

"Are you seeing her?" Emma asked. "Is she your girlfriend?"

Jessica shifted her feet, waiting for his answer but trying to act like it didn't matter in the slightest, because it shouldn't matter. She might have kissed him, but she wasn't stupid enough to think it meant anything.

"I don't have time to see anyone," he said. "I'm too busy for a girlfriend."

Sean wasn't looking in her direction, but Jessica still wondered if his comment was directed at her.

"That's just another way of saying you haven't met someone you want to make time for," Emma said, sipping her drink.

He shrugged and turned back to the stage as the band played on.

After two more songs and five more minutes of awkwardness, Jessica was more than ready to call it a night. Noting Emma's now empty glass, she decided to make a break for it. "Are you ready to go, Emma? I have a lot to do tomorrow with the move, and I should probably get home. Or I can go on my own if you want to stay."

"I'm fine to leave."

"The move?" Sean interrupted, speaking directly to her for the first time since their kiss. "Are you going somewhere, Jessica?"

"Yes, to a house around the corner from your parents. My apartment building went condo, so I had to find a new place to live."

"That sucks."

"I'm not thrilled having to move again so soon, but I'm looking forward to getting back into a house with a yard."

"She's moving into the Emery house," Emma interjected.

Sean's jaw dropped, and something dark and unreadable flashed through his eyes. "What? What did you say?"

"She's moving into the Emery house," Emma repeated, her gaze filling with concern. "Sean? Are you all right?"

It was a good question Jessica thought. Sean had gone white at the mention of her house.

"I can't believe it," he muttered. His gaze swung from Emma to her. "How could you be moving into that house?"

"Nicole heard that Mrs. Emery was moving into an assisted living facility and wanted to rent out her house," Jessica explained, wondering why Sean was so disturbed by her news. "In exchange for a discount on the rent, I'm going to clear out her attic. Apparently, she's built up a ton of stuff over the years and has never been able to throw anything out." She paused, frowning. "Is there something wrong with the house?"

"There was a fire. Two people died. One was a little girl," he said shortly.

Jessica was taken aback by his words and by what now appeared to be anger in his eyes. "No one told me about a fire."

"I told Nicole that she should mention it to you," Emma said. "But she didn't think it was a big deal. I'm surprised Helen didn't tell you."

Jessica wondered the same thing. "When did it happen? Was it recently?"

"No, it was a long time ago," Emma replied. "Twenty years, right, Sean?"

He gave a tight nod.

"That's why Nicole didn't think it was important, and I'm sure Helen doesn't like to talk about it since it was her son and granddaughter died in the fire," Emma added.

"I didn't know," Jessica said again, trying to catch Sean's gaze, but he wasn't looking at her anymore. In fact, he wasn't looking at anyone. He seemed to be completely lost in thought. "Sean—"

"I have to go," he said, cutting her off. "Thanks for coming tonight."

As Sean took off, Jessica frowned and said, "What am I missing, Emma?"

"Sean and Stacy, the little girl who died, were best friends. In fact, she was playing at our house earlier that day. I guess the memory hit him really hard. It's kind of strange. Sean rarely gets worked up over anything. He's always super chill, sometimes annoyingly so."

"It's disturbing."

"Don't let his attitude bother you, Jessica. Every house has a past, right?"

"Not always a past tragedy."

"If it makes you feel any better, the house was remodeled after the fire. I'm sure there aren't any ghosts left. It's going to be a good place for you and Kyle to live."

"I hope so," she said, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that Sean's behavior and Emma's mention of
ghosts
had created.

Maybe it was a good thing Sean didn't like the idea of her moving into the Emery house. She'd just given him another reason to stay away from her. And if he didn't come around, it would be easier to forget him.

But the taste of Sean's mouth still lingered on her lips, and the voice inside her head called her a liar.

Sean struggled to wake up, but the nightmare had him its grip.

Orange flames licked the night sky like a monster. The smoke made his eyes water. Small pops turned into loud bangs, the fire leaping higher in the sky with each one. He heard sirens in the distance.

Someone was screaming. It was Stacy!

Did she see him?

He heard her voice. "Sean, look in the light, look in the light."

He squinted but he couldn't see anything. He tried harder. Still nothing.

"It's right there in front of you," she said.

The light was so bright it was blinding. He couldn't look anymore. He turned away, relieved when the pressing brightness turned to darkness.

His lids fluttered open. He stared at the room in confusion. He wasn't outside. He was in bed, and he'd been dreaming. The nightmare had come once again.

He rolled over onto his back, realizing that the light he'd been trying to avoid was coming through the blinds he'd forgotten to close the night before. He drew in a deep breath, trying to slow his pulse. It had been at least ten years since he'd dreamed of Stacy and that night. And he knew why she'd come back now, because Jessica was moving into her house.

He pressed his fingers to his temple. His head pounded, not just from the dream, but also from the drinks he'd consumed the night before. He didn't usually drink much when he played, at least not anymore, but last night he'd been thrown off of his game. First, by Jessica's surprising kiss—what the hell was that—and second, by the news of her move. He hadn't been able to wrap his brain around either event, so he'd had a few drinks after Jessica left and had definitely made things worse. Now, he had a hell of hangover.

Glancing at the clock, he realized it was almost noon. He sat up in bed and ran a hand over his jaw. He needed to shave and take a shower—a cold one. Then maybe he'd be able to get the fog out of his head so he could think clearly and figure out what he was going to do.

No, that was wrong. He didn't need to figure anything out. He knew exactly what he needed to do—stay away from Jessica, especially now that she was moving into the house of his nightmares. Actually, that should make it easier to stay away from her.

Leaving her alone was a goal he'd set for himself three months earlier when an unexpected and unwelcome attraction had sparked between them at the worst possible time. Jessica's son had been kidnapped, and she was terrified. Despite the horrendous circumstances, he'd found her incredibly likeable and sweetly gorgeous, even without a speck of makeup on. When Kyle had come home and all was well, he'd gotten to see her happy and relieved, and he'd liked her even more.

But he'd figured nothing would come of it. She lived in Angel's Bay. And she was a widow, and a mother. Their lives were practically on different planets. Unfortunately, those planets had come a little closer when she moved to San Francisco, but he'd still managed to keep his distance. It hadn't been that difficult. His band had been touring most of the past three months.

Now the tour was over. He and Jessica were in the same place. And damn if she hadn't been sexy as hell last night in the short skirt that showed off her beautiful dancer's legs. He'd never seen her looking so hot. And she'd been happy, swaying to the music—his music. He hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her.

Still he hadn't expected her to end up in his arms. He hadn't anticipated seeing desire in her big brown eyes, and then that kiss—that reckless, impulsive and electrically charged kiss had sent him over the edge. He'd thought about having her mouth on his a dozen times, but now he knew that his imagination had not been nearly as good as reality.