Stars, Love And Pirouettes (Dance 'n' Luv Series) (3 page)

Stepping away from the telescope, she placed a hand on his arm, sending a shock wave through him. He wanted so badly to touch her. To reach his arms around her and pull her close. To run his tongue down that swan like neck and over her creamy shoulder.

Watch it, man. You don’t need this
. Since Wendy’s death he’d done fine in his hobbit-like isolation. No woman had ever made him want to leave it. Why this one?

He reigned in his inexplicably out-of-control desire and started talking about the stars. “Winter is a relatively good time for stargazing. With the telescope we can see clusters of lights strewn across the deepest regions of space. All kinds of solar systems replete with planets, moons and stars.”

Aiden showed her Cassiopeia and a globular cluster in Pegasus. They looked at the waning moon and talked about the Milky Way with its hundred thousand million stars.

Jenna gasped and nodded in all the right places, making him feel like the most intriguing man alive. Was it a well-practiced act she used on men? He didn’t think so. There was something too straightforward about her for that. Not that he thought she was an innocent. But a childlike wonder ran through her that made her seem like fresh, clean water to a man so parched.

Finally she yawned and said, “I’m going to be able to sleep now without trouble. And it’s all thanks to you.” She flashed him a smile that made all the stars seem pale beside it.

He watched as she leaped the fence and disappeared into her room.

Maybe Jenna would have an easier time dozing off thanks to their meeting, but Aiden knew the disturbing effect she had on him would keep him awake until dawn.

Chapter Three

The scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted through the cozy, diner. Natalie’s Coffee Cove was this small town’s favorite casual eatery and a neighborhood hang for the locals. The clock over the register read 3:17 p.m. and still the glossy white tables that dotted the sunlit storefront were filled with chattering customers.

Jenna pressed her back against the vinyl cushioned seat of her window booth and gazed out at North Cove’s sleepy main drag, which consisted of two streets with local shops, plus a post office and a national chain drug store. She’d grown up here, and after spending the last five and a half years living in the bustling excitement of Manhattan she’d craved the warmth of this small town set amid stretches of farms, vineyards and fishing villages.

Her roommate in New York City didn’t understand. Said she was crazy giving up her share of their apartment to another dancer. But riding on the high of Sean Risk’s attention and the chance for an exciting new career, Jenna had been certain it was time to leave.

Yet she couldn’t deny the jitters and questions mounting inside. Was being homesick the real reason she’d agreed to Sean’s offer?
Sunrise Lane
was shot out here on the East End, a short ferry ride away from North Cove. Or, after dating Sean steadily for the past two weeks, had she once again gone starry-eyed over a guy at the top of his game?

“I’m not surprised he’s such a nice person,” Lexi said, digging into her peach cobbler. “I’ve read that he gives to a lot of charities.”

Jenna, Lexi and Rachel had been a trio since the third grade when they’d banded together against a couple boys who’d been tormenting a stray cat. Despite Jenna moving to Manhattan and Lexi going off to college for four years, they’d kept in touch.

“How incredible that you’re actually dating him.” Rachel’s pitch heightened, turning her words into a squeal. “I’m soooo jealous.”

“I’m gonna tell Nick on you,” Lexi teased. Then she caught herself. “No, I mean—”

“Everything’s fine now,” Rachel said. Her marriage to Nick Stiebler, the toughest bad boy in their high school class, was often rocky. Danielle, her little three-year-old, was usually the main topic of conversation. That and the bridal boutique Lexi had opened last year. But today all they wanted to talk about was Jenna’s first day on the set of
Sunrise Lane
, which was primarily shot in a couple of mansions in the Hamptons. No surprise that every other question was about her budding relationship with Sean Risk.

Jenna set her elbows on the table, hunched down, and dropped her voice to a whisper. “I need your advice on a problem.”

Her two confidants followed suit, their heads huddled only inches apart.

“Sean told me he’s considering making me one of the regular leads in the series.”

Lexi gasped. “Call that a problem?”

Rachel trilled. “You realize what that could mean for your acting career?”

“Of course I do,” Jenna said.

“You are one lucky girl,” Lexi said.

“That’s the problem. I’m not sure it’s all luck. I slept with Sean on our last date.”

Rachel giggled and made a fake swat at Jenna. “Now I really am jealous.”

“Don’t be. I’ve been agonizing over it ever since, and I can’t help being haunted by a nagging question.”

“Which is?”

Jenna flashed them a pained look. “Have I become a ruthless Hollywood slut?”

Lexi burst out laughing. Her dark-skinned hand touched Jenna’s wrist. “You must take worry pills. You don’t have a ruthless bone in your body. In fact, what worries me is just the opposite problem. That Mr. Risk is going to steal your tender heart and leave you in a sorry heap.”

Rachel nodded. “I’ll bet he has loads of women chasing him. And remember, he’s the one who picked you out.”

Jenna shrugged. “But I swore I wouldn’t let this happen. I wanted to keep the relationship strictly professional.”

“Do you like him?” Lexi asked. “Are you attracted to him?”

“Well, yeah. But I can’t help but wonder if I’m really attracted to Sean or to the thrill of his being rich and famous.”

Rachel chimed in. “Is it any different from Joanne falling for that rich stockbroker? A man’s accomplishments are part of his character. What’s so wrong about that?”

Lexi’s hand went to her hip. “Hey, I could learn to love ten million a year in a hurry.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Natalie D’Alessio, Coffee Cove’s owner and kitchen maestro, who stopped at their table. “Well, if it isn’t our resident star. I heard the
North Fork Light
is doing a spread on you. Baby sis is cookin’.”

Seven years older than Jenna, Natalie was the best friend of Jenna’s big sister Casey. And someone all the locals went to for the latest gossip. Years back she’d spent so much time in the Richardson’s house she’d been unofficially added into the family constellation somewhere between Casey and ultimate caretaker and protector, big bro Parker.

“You heard right,” Jenna said. “A photographer is coming to the B&B tomorrow. Mom’s really excited about it. She’s getting her hair done as we speak.”

“It’s fantastic. I’ve never seen her so happy. That should make you feel especially proud, considering what she’s been through in her day.”

“Sure does.” Jenna smiled as Natalie gave her a gentle punch on the shoulder and walked away.

But that same twisting knot started in Jenna’s stomach. What if she was a total bomb on TV? Would it send her mom spiraling down into those dark moods again? She felt a panicky tightness starting in her chest and tried to shift the focus like Aiden told her.

“So how is the shop going?” she asked Lexi, who was busy sharing Rachel’s french fries.

After studying fashion design, Lexi had returned home, opened a bridal boutique in Greenport, and was developing her own clothing line. While she talked about her latest projects, Jenna spotted a familiar figure at the bakery counter.

Rooftop astronomer and do-it-yourself shrink, Aiden Flynn. Could it be he was here to buy brownies?

He looked different in the daylight. Jenna had a vague memory of enjoying his profile in the near dark last night, but he’d just seemed like a moderately good-looking man. A little light on the subject called for a surprising reassessment and definite upgrade.

Aiden was downright hot with a too-cute butt and lean athletic build. Facially, he resembled Viggo Mortenson but with watchful emerald eyes.

That were looking right at her now.

Jenna gave him a wiggly-fingered wave.

Aiden walked toward her with an elegant stride. “No brownies left.”

“Newsflash: Natalie usually sells out of those by eleven in the morning,” Rachel said. “Got to get here bright and early to make your claim.” She extended her hand. “I’m Rachel, by the way. And this is Lexi.”

Jenna spoke up. “This is Aiden Flynn. He’s staying at my mom’s place.”

Aiden greeted them and turned to Jenna. “How’d the shoot go?”

“Really well, thanks.”

Lexi looked at Aiden. “Is it any wonder? She’s a professional who’s danced around the world. A seasoned performer. If it were me, I’d be having panic attacks.”

Jenna glanced at Aiden. Her cheeks flushed.

He remained poker-faced. But did she detect an “our little secret” glint in his eyes?

She changed the subject. “Aiden watches the stars.”

“Don’t we all,” Rachel said.

“No, I mean the real stars,” Jenna said. “Like in the sky at night.”

“Cool,” Lexi said. “Have a seat. You’re welcome to join us.”

“Thanks,” Aiden said. “But I better get back to my work.”

“What kind of work do you do?” asked Rachel.

“Nothing interesting.” He appeared slightly uncomfortable at Rachel’s question and followed with a classic verbal pivot. “Well, it’s been great meeting you ladies.” He nodded to Jenna. “Guess I’ll see you back at the house.”

Why wouldn’t he answer? Last night he’d avoided telling her anything about himself, too. She had chalked it up to her panic attack and the focus all being on her. But now she wondered if there was more to it.

He had a slight Boston accent, so he obviously wasn’t a native New Yorker. But who was Aiden Flynn? This guy that she’d somehow trusted enough to reveal parts of herself she managed to hide from everyone else. And why was a man this sexy hanging out alone at a B&B in a sleepy village like North Cove?

Jenna watched the lanky, enigmatic stranger meander around a small line of customers and out the door.

Chapter Four

Jenna and Lauren Richardson stood on the broad covered porch of Richardson’s Bed and Breakfast and exchanged waves with
North Fork Light
’s photographer as he backed his minivan out their driveway. Jenna couldn’t help remembering the days when her dad was still alive and there was no B&B, just a farmhouse with a family in it, and they’d all sit on the porch on sunny fall days like this one.

Her mother turned to her, beaming. “I’ve got to call Lynn and Judith. They insisted I give a full rundown on our photo op.” She gave Jenna a quick hug. “Who would’ve thought I’d be featured in the papers with my famous daughter?”

The jubilance pouring from her mother was the kind of thing Jenna had yearned to see as a child. A sign that life around the house would be okay. That her mom was one person, not some Jekyll and Hyde nightmare where Lauren’s manicky highs were followed by bleak tragic lows.

Would it have been different if the cancer hadn’t taken Daddy? Jenna would never know. “Glad you had fun, Mom.” She followed her inside to the ground floor apartment her brother had built when they transformed the house. A small living room, dining room, kitchen and bedroom separate from the larger kitchen, dining and lounge areas used by guests.

There were two guest rooms on each floor of the three-story house for a total of six—not exactly the Grand Hyatt. It was a family operation with big bro Parker handling repairs and lawn care. Her sister Casey used to help out, although she and her mom had always seemed to be at odds. And now Casey was occupied with her four-month-old baby.

“Anything you want me to do around the house this afternoon?” Jenna asked. She wasn’t required on the set today, and after years of daily training, it made her feel lazy.

Lauren waved her off. “Don’t be silly. Enjoy your day off. We’ve only got three guests.”

Three? Did that mean Aiden was still here? Jenna had looked for him on the deck last night, but his room was dark. And when a few people peeked in at the photo session today she kept hoping to see him. Somehow it disappointed her to think he’d leave without saying goodbye. She told herself it didn’t matter. They were practically strangers. It was only because she wanted to thank him for helping her get over that panic attack.

Still, Jenna found herself asking, “Mr. Flynn didn’t check out?”

“No.”

“But I haven’t seen him. Are you sure?”

Lauren nodded. “He’s paid through the week.”

“Where’s he from, anyway?”

“He has a New York City phone number.”

“Did he tell you what he does? Or why he’s staying here?”

“I thought it was
Sunrise Lane
you were acting in. You sound more like Detective Olivia Benson from
Law And Order
.”

 With a small laugh, Jenna said, “Just curious. That’s all.”

“You know I don’t pry into my guests’ business.”

Jenna chewed her finger for a second, then said, “Does his bedding need changing? Maybe now would be a good time to get in there if he’s gone for the day.”

“What are you up to?”

“Nothing. Just trying to help out.”

Her mother paused. “Go ahead. But no snooping. I haven’t forgotten the time you turned on that woman’s vibrator and then couldn’t shut it off. Had to have Parker come in and dismantle it.”

“Mom, I was ten years old. I’d never seen one before.”

She reached out and patted Jenna’s cheek. “Clean sheets are in the dryer.”

After retrieving the sheets and grabbing a set of keys from her mother’s desk, Jenna bounced up the stairs to room number three, an eager curiosity brimming inside.

The 1880s farmhouse hadn’t always looked like this. When her brother Parker had realized the vineyards sprouting up in the North Fork would bring in enough wine-tasting tourists to give his widowed mom an income, he worked almost single-handedly for three years redesigning and renovating it. Nine years older than Jenna, he’d often take her along to garage sales and let her pick out a used toy while he searched for vintage furnishings for the rooms. The two on the second floor were the largest in the house, each having a private bath and deck. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see in Aiden’s.