Page 41 of Sunsets at Seaside
“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 millionaire. 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 wordcello.
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.”
Chapter Eleven
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 be close to 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 meansI’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 sent another thrill through her. The ring turned dark blue.
“Ooh, you’re love-struck. Deeply relaxed,” she whispered.
He pulled her close. “I amnotdeeply relaxed. Intensely turned on, 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.
“I love how your body reacts to me,” Jamie whispered in her ear.
“My legs are jelly,” she admitted.
