Cole’s brain instantly screamed out, back up, back up, back up. Did he just say Shannon Gallagher? That’s why she looked so familiar. Her picture appeared on the back of all her books. A picture he spent countless hours staring at and imagining many what ifs? A one-dimensional picture showed her attractiveness, but nothing prepared him for meeting her in person. He became hyper-aware of her. His body stirred and burned for her in a way he’d never known before. And shit, introductions were not even completed yet. Something he’d rectify at once.
He casually—at least he hoped he pulled off casual—unfolded his lean frame from the arm of the sofa. He held out his hand to her, willing it not to quiver, giving away his nervousness. “Nice to meet you, Shannon,” he said. When their hands connected, it was electric. The megawatt current transferred from her warm delicate hand into his and shot straight throughout his entire body. He let go quickly, least he get fried. He turned to Cameron and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Cameron.”
Cameron didn’t let go right away. He babbled. “Nice to meet you...Cole...I mean...Mr. Jackson...nice to meet you, sir.”
Cole pulled his hand away, smiled and pointed to Cameron’s guitar case. “I take it you play?”
“Huh?”
“The guitar, you play?”
“Oh, yeah,” Cameron replied.
“Let’s sit. We can play something together,” he said, gesturing to the sofa.
Cameron hesitated. “It’s okay, Mr. Jackson. You don’t have to.”
“Come on, it’s why you brought it. And call me Cole, everybody does.”
Shannon stood mesmerized watching Cole with her son. She could not drag her eyes off his long graceful fingers as they strummed his guitar. The thought of those fingers had her body tingling in all the right places. They played a song or two she recognized from one of BlackJack’s older albums. Cole’s voice sounded different from what she remembered. It sounded deeper, raspier, but still beautiful to her ears.
The song he played now brought back startling memories of her life with John. He’d always tried to convince her he loved her and married her for that reason, not because of their son they’d created in the backseat of his father’s Buick. But she never quite believed him. Oh, she knew he loved her as she loved him, but it wasn’t head-over-heels in love. The song, Will You Ever Love Me, reminded her so much of that time in her life.
Then to her surprise, Cameron played and sang one of his own songs. Shannon’s favorite, and it never ceased to bring tears to her eyes. It was a love ballad with just enough of a beat to keep your foot tapping. Cole caught on quickly and joined in with his guitar.
A hand settled on her arm, startling her for a second, until she realized it belonged to AJ. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Cameron’s extremely talented. Did he write that?”
Shannon smiled at her son, and her heart soared with pride. “Yes, he did.”
“He is good, aye, very good,” AJ said with strong conviction.
AJ and Shannon applauded after they finished. Cole and Cameron exchanged silent looks then stood together and bowed dramatically, causing Shannon to laugh. Then they continued to play and AJ led Shannon over to a small serving table and invited her to fix a plate.
“Where are the rest of the band members?” Shannon inquired as she put a small amount of fruit and pasta on her plate. She had no idea if she could consume any of it. Since having found out she was meeting Cole Jackson, her insides hurt from the nervous shutters vibrating there.
“With their wives,” he replied as he fixed a plate. “They should be here shortly. We’ve another hour tae go before we leave for the Garden. Aye, speaking of which, here they are.”
Two men and two women walked in. Shannon recognized Ted Pierce, the band's drummer and Brad Nolan, keyboard and guitar player immediately. Brad was average height with a slight build, his dark hair buzzed short and he wore wire-rimmed glasses and large diamond studs in both ears that sparkled against the light. Shannon didn’t think of him as classically handsome but not bad looking either. Linked to his arm stood a petite, voluptuous blonde, clearly his wife. At least Shannon thought so.
Ted was tall, largely built, but not heavy. To his side stood a woman of average height even in spiked heels, Shannon thought she was attractive in a dark, exotic way.
AJ made introductions. The men had British accents, which didn’t surprise her, their wives were American. They seemed nice and receptive to her, which helped calm her down some, but not much.
After the introductions, her attention was drawn back to Cole and Cameron who played Cameron’s song once again. She watched Cole with complete and utter fascination. He seemed like a genuinely nice person and he treated Cameron like a peer. Complimenting him on his music and giving him suggestions without hurting his feelings or offending him. Occasionally, he would glance up and smile at her, turning her insides to mush. A terribly intriguing spider web tattoo flanked nearly his entire left arm. Before she knew it, her legs ate up the distance between them giving her a better peek at the tattoo and her breath vanished. Tangled in the spider web were many interesting things. The one thing, however, that caught her eye instantly was a nearly naked, beautiful woman. The details astounded her. Her tattoo experience was limited to small three leaf clovers, roses, sharks or Celtic crosses. But Cole’s tattoo amazed her. It was a true work of art. He glanced up, locked eyes with hers, tilted his head and stared intently for what seemed like an eternity to Shannon. All the while she couldn’t manage a single breath. Then he finally broke contact, put his guitar down, said something to Cameron and stood up to approach her.
Oh God. Shannon’s hand fumbled for the back of the nearest chair as the room tilted. Cole came and stood right beside her, and she breathed in his potent male scent sending her reeling even more. Their shoulders brushed, causing a tingling sensation to travel from her shoulder and beyond. Way beyond. They stood almost the same height, thanks to the one inch heels on her boots. Why had she always hated being five-ten?
“Your son’s talented,” he said with a British accent that melted her bones. “What would you say if I invited him on stage tonight to perform his song?”
It took a moment for her to comprehend what he said and for her brain to compute an answer. Few people threw her off guard. This man beside her did and big time. She was blown away from the physical attraction that slammed into her at first sight to his genuine interest in Cameron. As she continued to watch her son play his guitar, she pretended Cole’s closeness did not set her body ablaze and her mind spinning.
“I would say that’s kind of you. It’s fine by me if Cameron agrees.”
“Would you like to ask him or should I?” he said with his eyebrows slightly raised and his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Shannon unconsciously touched her hand to his arm and pulled it back immediately because of the jolt she received. And it was one hell of a jolt. Exactly like the one she’d felt when they shook hands earlier. Startled by the bodily contact once again, she struggled for words, then finally replied, “I think it would mean a lot coming from you.”
She watched her son’s face as Cole spoke to him. His expression one of shock, then it turned to ecstasy. He jumped up, did a little dance then came running toward her. He exuded such exuberance his face lit up like a Christmas tree strung with a million tiny twinkling lights. “Did you hear? Cole invited me.” He pointed to himself. “Me, on stage to sing my song. Oh, man.” He clutched his stomach. “I think I’m gonna puke.”
“Where’s he going?” Cole queried as he watched Cameron sprint from the room.
Shannon shook her head. “He’s going to be sick. I think he’s a little nervous.”
Cole snorted. “Yeah, well, I know the feeling.”
With his comment, Shannon studied Cole closer, more intently than before, and to her amazement she found he appeared nervous. Could it be true what AJ had said? That he was shy?
“Would you and Cameron like to ride with us in the limo to the Garden?”
“I don’t want to impose,” she replied.
He looked disappointed. “You won’t. Say you’ll come.”
How could she refuse? Cameron would never forgive her if he found out, which he probably would. Also, she wouldn’t mind spending more time with this sexy, interesting man standing beside her, causing her body to take on a life of its own. “Okay.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to my room. Have AJ walk you down to the lobby in fifteen minutes. And oh,” he paused, glanced at the sofa where two guitars rested. “Don’t let Cameron forget his guitar.”
“I won’t,” she replied, knowing she had an, I can’t believe this is happening, expression etched on her face.
There was no way she could not watch him as he stopped and spoke briefly with each band member, then left through an adjoining door. She breathed deeply, and freely, finally able to take her first true breath in over an hour. Cameron came back in, looking white as a sheet. He placed his guitar in the case, and before he closed it, Shannon went up to him and placed a comforting hand on his arm.
“Cameron, are you okay? If you’re not ready for this, I’m sure Cole will understand.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah right, Mom. I’m fine. Just a little panic attack, but hey, Cole says he gets them all the time too, can you believe it? Cole Jackson scared shit-less before a concert?”
Shannon sighed and shook her head. Reminding Cameron about his language these days wasted good air. There was something about teenagers and swearing. She knew it was normal. She’d been the same way. Well maybe not her, but John had if her memory served her correctly.
“Just because he’s famous doesn’t mean he’s not human,” she said.
Cameron’s color slowly returned. “You’re right. He’s really cool inviting me to play with him on stage. Who would have thought?”
“Yeah, who would have thought?” Shannon agreed. Cole was a smart man. He knew raw talent when he saw it, or in Cameron’s case, when he heard it.
AJ approached. “The limo awaits.”
Cameron’s eyes lit up. “No shit, are we riding with the band?”
Shannon rolled her eyes. “Sorry about his language.” She smacked Cameron’s arm in jest.
“No problem luv, part of being a teenager and an adult too.” He winked at Cameron. “Ah’ve gotta serious trash mouth.”