Music Man Page 3

  Though she had destroyed the showerhead and pricey faucet, she felt better. But “better” than completely devastated” was still at the bottom of the happiness gauge.

  Ian Swift had changed her life. Damn! Why did he have to show her what she'd been missing, would continue to miss now that her eyes had been opened for as long as she lived?

  * * * *

  Ian finished his last concert in Phoenix and walked to his bus, knowing when he opened the door he'd smell her scent.

  His manager, Charlene, met him at the door. “She was in the audience, sitting in the last row."

  At first, Ian experienced a ray of hope, until he realized it might have nothing to do with him—the man. How many women were attracted to the performer, but the man was only the clay receptacle for the golden image, the persona.

  "It doesn't matter,” he growled. “She's made her decision and there's nothing I can do."

  "You're giving up too easily,” Charlene said and reached out to stop him. “Let me talk to her. Maybe I can help."

  "Let it go. I gave it my best and let's just leave it at that. I can't keep torturing myself like this. I don't think my music will survive it. You heard me tonight."

  Charlene looked away. Ian didn't need to be told how badly he'd played.

  "We have one more leg of this tour in Nevada,” Charlene said. “After that, let's take some time off so you can recharge your batteries. I don't want this temporary setback to affect your future. Trust me, you're young. You'll meet someone. Someone who appreciates you and is willing to show it."

  "That's what I told myself years ago when I first met her."

  * * * *

  "What have you done?” Karen demanded at the end of Ian's concert. “This is criminal. If I'd known you'd destroy him, I would never have helped him contact you. He was playing funeral dirges, for God's sake. How could you?"

  Jade couldn't reply with the thick knot in the back of her throat choking her. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't see through the cloud of tears, and she wished she was dead. “Get me home before I collapse in front of everyone."

  For a second, Karen hesitated. “You need to see a shrink. That man loves you and you love him. Why are you being so damned stubborn?"

  "Not now, Karen."

  "Fine! But sooner or later you're going to realize what you've done."

  "What makes you think I don't already know?"

  CHAPTER 4

  Four months later

  Karen shoved the newspaper under Jade's nose. “Did you see this?"

  "I don't have my glasses,” Jade said, pulling back the paper to arm's length. “And it's cruel of you to take that tone with me so early in the morning."

  "If you'd eat better, I wouldn't have to come here so early to force food down your throat."

  "It's Ian,” Jade gasped. “He's getting married? No. Not after I finally made up my mind to tell him I love him."

  "He's marrying his manager. She's fifty-years-old, if she's a day."

  "He's marrying someone twenty years older than he is? Impossible! How could he? He's throwing his life away. Do you think he really loves her?"

  "And to think you refused to marry him because you're only fourteen years older. It serves you right."

  "I'm pregnant,” Jade said, barely above a whisper.

  Karen gasped. “How can you be pregnant? You can't have a baby at forty-four. Can you?"

  "The doctor says it happens all the time. I've called a realtor to list my house. That should net me enough money to live on and care for the baby in a small apartment. I'll find a job working from home. If I have to, I can supplement my income with my retirement money. Lord knows, until now, I never had anything to spend money on except this house."

  "Do you hear what you're saying? Retirement money? A baby? What's wrong with this picture?"

  "Trust me, I didn't do it on purpose. I almost fainted when the doctor told me."

  "Ian Swift?"

  "Who else? Honestly!"

  "Just asking. Are you going to tell him?"

  "I was ... but now...” Jade waved the paper in front of Karen's nose. “Ian's new wife won't be impressed. And I have no clue what Ian will do. A performer's life isn't conducive to raising a family."

  "You were thinking of Ian, of having a family with him, before this?” Karen ripped the paper out of Jade's hands and crumpled it into a ball.

  "I want to read it,” Jade insisted. “Let me get my glasses."

  "You don't need glasses. You need to get your ass on the phone and call him. Right now. I can't believe this. This will teach me for being a meddling friend."

  "It's not your fault Ian and I had unprotected sex."

  "That's not—never mind. Is the baby okay? I mean, isn't the doctor worried about your age?"

  Jade didn't want to go there. Her age was the root of all the problems she had with Ian. She wouldn't let him marry her because she thought she couldn't have his babies. To make matters worse, the doctor had suggested seeing if the baby had birth defects, but she'd refused. “I'm supposed to stay calm and serene and not have upsetting news thrown in my face."

  "Don't say that!"

  "I'm fine.” Jade didn't feel fine. She felt miserable. So miserable she was on the verge of a crying jag or throwing up, whichever came first.

  "You don't look fine."

  Jade couldn't answer. She dashed to the nearest bathroom.

  Behind her, Karen cursed.

  What did she have to curse about? She wasn't pregnant and alone.

  * * * *

  Ian's cell rang, waking him from the first restful sleep he'd had in days.

  "Hello?"

  "Ian, this is Karen Wright. Do you know how I can get hold of your manager ... right now?"

  "I'm fine, Karen, and how are you? How is our mutual friend doing these days?"

  "I don't have time for small talk. I need to speak to your manager and I need to do it fast."

  "She's on safari in Africa. She's out of touch."

  "No! The bitch!"

  Ian held the phone away from his ear. “Would you mind telling me what this is about? I wasn't aware you were on first name basis with her."

  "Sorry, Ian. That just slipped out. I really need her right now. I can't believe she skipped out."

  "Skipped out on what? What have the two of you done?"

  "Your manager and I may have inadvertently hurt Jade. Ian, you need to come to Phoenix. Where are you? Get on the next plane."

  "I'm in San Diego, less then an hour away, but I can't do that. I promised myself I wouldn't be the first to make the next move. If Jade doesn't do it, it's not going to happen for us."

  "But you don't understand. Everything has changed. You have to come. Your manager and I have royally screwed this up. We tried to fix you guys up and it's backfired. Please, you have to come."

  "Sorry,” Ian said and closed his phone.

  When the cell rang seconds later, he didn't answer it. And when it rang shortly afterward, it surprised him to hear it ringing at the bottom of the toilet. Well not “ringing” really, but it was making noise.

  * * * *

  Jade couldn't catch a break. In less than twenty-four hours, she'd gone from deciding to call Ian and spill the beans to hoping his fifty-year-old slut of a fiancée hung him up by his substantial balls.

  Balls filled with magic baby-making juices.

  When the realtor called to say she had someone interested in seeing the house, Jade wanted to scream. Instead, she simply said the house would be ready to show. Of course, that meant cleaning when she didn't feel well enough. Out of desperation, she did the best she could in the little time she had.

  When the doorbell sounded, she didn't hesitate. The sight of Ian on her doorstep, however, thoroughly shocked her.

  "Why are you here?” Her words came out clipped and biting.

  He shook his head. “Damned if I know. I had a hysterical call from your friend Karen and got worried about you.” He stepped inside without invitation.

  "I didn't mean to sound as if I'm not glad to see you.” Then and there she decided to say what came to her mind, without editing or tempering her words. “I've dreamed of you coming. Of throwing myself into your arms."

  "What's stopping you?"

  "Your fiancée. I saw the announcement of your impending marriage in our local paper. Congratulations. I'm sorry Karen attempted a last-ditch effort to get us together by calling you. I told her I planned to call you before I learned about your wife to be."

  "I'm tempted to talk about my impending marriage, but I really would like to hear what you wanted to say to me in this ‘planned’ call you failed to make."

  "It doesn't matter now. Why would you be engaged to a woman twenty years older than you? Damn you!” It galled her to think he was with a woman that old.

  "Is this a ‘Sybil’ kind of thing? Give me a reason for hope, then tear me down again?"

  "Reason to hope? You hope we, you and I, have a future together?"

  Jade couldn't stop herself—she had to kiss him. To touch him. She flew into his arms, much like her dream. He captured her mouth and kissed her thoroughly, completely. She burrowed into him, anxious for his taste and the feelings his kiss produced. She tingled from head to toe and back again.

  "I'm probably going to regret this,” he muttered before he swept her into his arms.

  "No, wait. I have something I need to say."

  Ian lowered her to her feet. “This better not be another kiss-off."

  "Are you engaged or not?"

  "That's what I want to know."

  "I'm talking about you and your manager. Are the two of you engaged?"

  "Isn't she a little old for me?"

  "Oh God, no. You think she's too old for you? Bu
t I thought—aren't you engaged to your manager?"

  "Your good friend Karen and my manager hatched a crazy scheme to make you believe I was about to be married. And since you are dwelling on how old my manager is, I think they figured out why you wouldn't marry me. Don't tell me you've been rejecting me because you thought I was too young for you. What are you ... thirty-five, thirty-six?"

  "Forty-four,” she said barely above a whisper and watched his face. It did matter ... his face told her so. Suddenly she felt like a deflated balloon.

  "No!” he insisted. “You just surprised me. I never would have believed it. Answer my question—is that why I didn't stand a chance with you?"

  "Of course, that's why. I'm fourteen years older than you! Even seven years ago I thought I was getting too old to be starting a family. You do want children, don't you?"

  "I've never given it a lot of thought. I suppose I do. Or not."

  "Which is it? You do or you don't?"

  "I just spent three hours in an airport, waiting for a standby flight. Then I rushed straight here, thinking something was seriously wrong, and you want me to decide on the spur of the moment if I want to have children or not?"

  Jade shook her head. “No, I don't want you to decide right now. I was only asking if you already had an opinion one way or the other."

  Ian took a step back. “Before we start something again, I have to know ... do I have a chance with you?"

  "You definitely have a chance.” Taking his hand, she led him toward the piano. “Play for me? And I'll sit on your lap—naked—like before.” So nervous he'd refuse, Jade nearly burped up her tea and crackers.

  "What would you like me to play?

  "Mostly me ... the accompaniment is incidental..."

  Ian began to undress, taking his time while he raised his polo shirt, all the time watching her response. He wasn't as tanned and toned to perfection as four months earlier, which told her volumes. And he was nervous, too, by the way his long graceful fingers shook while lowering the zipper on his trousers. At the same time, he stepped out of his loafers, but Jade wasn't interested in shoes. The long, thick cock jutting out proudly had her complete attention. She'd never thought she'd see that part of him again.

  Ian ran his fingers down the length of it, holding it out to her.

  "I think it's grown,” Jade said in awe.

  "Just happy to see you. You're overdressed for this piece I'm about to play."

  Jade suddenly felt self-conscious. She wasn't wearing maternity clothes yet, but the baby was definitely showing his or her presence. “I can't wait,” she told him, slipping her sweat pants and panties to the floor in one swoop. “The piano."

  As soon as Ian sat on the stool, Jade threw a leg over him, straddling his lap.

  "What about protection?” he asked.

  "Trust me, it's not an issue."

  He reached down and touched where she ached for him. “I don't think you're ready for this. I'm not sure how gentle I can be, since I feel anything but."

  Jade understood. Ordinarily she'd agree. But she hadn't asked the doctor about having sex—she'd had no reason to—so she wasn't sure how aggressive they should get. Not with Ian's huge tool.

  "Play,” she said.

  The first chord sent a fissure of sensation down her spine to her waiting core, releasing a rush of moisture and heat and producing a need to be filled by him. The more chords, the more ready she was for him.

  She pulled her sweatshirt over her head without interrupting his music. Only the sharp hiss between his teeth told her his appreciation of her naked breasts pressed against him.

  "Speaking of growing..."

  "I've put on a little weight,” she whispered. How had she forgotten about the increase in her breasts? For the first time, she actually needed to wear a bra.

  "Kiss me,” Ian said.

  She rose up on her knees, delivering an open-mouthed kiss to his waiting lips. His tongue danced over hers, while his fingers flew over the keys, urging her on.

  She wanted him, needed him.

  Slipping her hand between them, she guided him to her core and began a slow spiral down on top of him.

  Stretching.

  Breathing.

  A pulse beating inside her thickened and magnified with each inch of him she took into her. The tempo grew with the sound of his music, making it impossible for her to hold back. A contraction hit her so hard, she bucked through her release. Ian groaned from the grip she had on his thick root. He stood with her still attached, sat her on the piano in front of him, then slid himself in and out so they both could see. The sight and feel of what he was doing brought back the pressure.

  Ian slowed, bringing out his cock until only the tip was holding her. He paused until she started to squirm impatiently. The horizontal and prolonged push inside sent Jade to the edge each time.

  "I'm sorry,” he said. “I've wanted this too long.” Ian grabbed hold of her hips and repeatedly pumped into her.

  "Thank goodness my clients didn't have children,” a female voice said, sounding piqued.

  "The realtor!” Jade peeked over Ian's wide shoulder to see three people standing in the doorway of her living room. “I think we must have left the front door hanging open."

  "You're selling your house?” Ian questioned.

  "That's all you have to say?” the realtor demanded.

  A little blonde woman grabbed the hand of the man standing beside her. “I think this is a sign, a fertility omen."

  "You have no idea,” Jade muttered. “Can you reach our clothes, Ian?"

  "Ian Swift Are you Ian Swift the pianist?” The man, evidently a fan, came nearer.

  Ian turned his head to acknowledge him. “If you wouldn't mind giving us a minute to collect ourselves, I'd be happy to speak to you. Right at the moment, we're rather indisposed."

  "Of course. Imagine that. Ian Swift in the buff. I just bought your latest CD. It's in the car, isn't it, hon?” the man asked his blonde mate.

  "I think so,” the perky little fertility expert agreed. “Let's get it autographed."

  Jade wanted to die. Poor Ian. They'd just become tabloid fodder. She had been so busy watching the pandemonium that it surprised her to see Ian frowning at her.

  "What? You're the one who left the door open, not me."

  His eyes narrowed and he blatantly stared down at her belly. “When were you going to tell me? Or is that why you said you planned on calling? Not because you wanted me, but because you needed a father for your baby?"

  "Your baby, too. I didn't make it alone."

  "But if you weren't pregnant, would you have called?"

  Jade didn't know what to say. Would she have called? Maybe—probably, but not so soon.

  "Don't bother. I can tell from the look on your face I was just an afterthought.” He gathered his clothes, then stepped into his trousers before padding away barefoot with both shoes dangling from his hand.

  "But—"

  He raised his free hand over his shoulder. “Not now! I'll call you later."

  He would call? When? Jade grabbed her clothes and raced up the stairs to her bedroom before the potential buyers came back. The last thing she needed was to give another X-rated show.

  When someone knocked on her door only minutes later, she hoped Ian had returned. Instead, she found the realtor.

  "I've sold your house."

  Great, the fertility palace was now off the market and her life was in the toilet.

  CHAPTER 5

  Ian didn't know which way was up. In a matter of a couple of days, he discovered Jade was older than he believed and her age was the reason she dismissed him without reason. Best of all, he learned he was going to be a father with the woman he loved beyond reason. If only he could get beyond the crush to his blasted ego. He really didn't doubt she loved him, but it smarted she couldn't commit to him as a man first, then as a father for their child.

  Why was age such a stumbling block for Jade? That was the unanswered question, one he intended to ferret out of her.

  He dialed her number, not expecting her to answer so quickly.

  "Ian, I'm sorry. I should have told you how much I loved you the night we made the baby. I did, you know. When you asked me to marry you, my heart said ‘yes,’ but my dumb-ass mouth said ‘no.’ I'm sorry."

  "This isn't Ian,” he said, disguising his voice and listened to her gasp.

  "For real?"