For Shawn, Jessica was a challenge a conquest. He meant to seduce her to have her for one night and then goodbye. Everything would have worked out fine if the unthinkable hadn't happened.
If he hadn't fallen in love.
Part One
He first saw her at the coffee house. She was standing in line at the counter, a couple of places ahead of him. She was tall, taller than average, with a figure that curved temptingly beneath her plain white shirt and blue jeans. Her silky brown hair was pulled back into a messy knot and fastened with a plastic clip. He imagined pulling the clip from her hair, letting it fall into his hands in a cascade of soft curls. When she turned her head to glance at the menu, he caught sight of her profile. Her face was every bit as lovely as the rest of her. She had slight features, almost aristocratic, with a heart-shaped mouth and small, straight nose. Her expression was serene, completely guileless. Incredibly appealing.
This was crazy. He didn't even know her. She wasn't even close to being his typed. Yet, he couldn't deny the instant attraction he felt for her. Maybe it was because she was so different. He was tired of the same thing every time, the same type of girl. They were all alike. Groupies who threw themselves at him, looking for a chance to get laid by a rock star. And the sad part was, they usually succeeded.
For a long time, he'd been content to lead that kind of life. But lately that sort of thing no longer seemed to satisfy him anymore. It was enough to make him forget, at least for a while, but as soon as it was over the same nagging feeling of emptiness came back. But then, emptiness was better than pain. That was one thing he didn't need anymore of in his life.
He was a good actor. He kept it well hidden from his fans. Nobody was able to guess what was going on, that he wasn't as happy as can be. Nobody would be the wiser.
And neither would she.
Shawn watched as the brunette walked off to a small table in the corner, carrying her latte and a plain black shoulder bag that clearly seen better day. She plopped down in her seat, then withdrew several fat books and a notebook from her bag. She tucked a stray curl behind one ear and put on a pair of black-rimmed glasses. Her tongue darted out to wet her soft, pink lips. Lord. Just that one small movement made his body tighten in anticipation.
He meant to have her. Tonight.
''Excuse me, sir?'' the girl at the counter regarded him impatiently. ''Are you ready to order yet?''
"Uhh...yeah, sure,'' Shawn said absently, tearing his eyes from the pretty brunette. ''Just give me a cup of coffee. Black.''
The salesgirl cracked her gum and poured a cup of coffee.
Shawn paid and headed striaght for the table in the corner table, pretending he didn't notice the group of teenage girls nudging each other and staring. He was wearing a baseball cap in attempt not to get recognixed, and it clearly wasn't working very well.
Meanwhile, the object of his affection hadn't looked up once. She appeared to be deeply absorbed in one of her books, jotting down notes and frowning. Absently she bit her lower lip, and he wished he's stop staring at her mouth.
Imagining all the things she could do with it.
It wasn't until he was standing right next to her that she looked up. She seemed startled, and a delicate blush colored her cheeks.
He turned the full force of his devasting smile on her. "Excuse me...sorry to bother you, but there's no empty tables, and, well, I was wondering if you'd let me sit with you.''
She blinked, surprised, "Oh. Umm, sure...here, let me move all my stuff.'' She giggled nervously and began sliding her books over to her side of the table. "There you go.''
"Thanks.'' He sank down into the seat across from her, with a grateful smile. He was pleased to see that her blush deepened. This was going to be easy. ''So, what are you doing with all those books? Studying?"
She nodded. "Working on my dissertation, actually. It's about John Keats.''
"Who's he? A famous writer?''
She nodded again. "He's a poet, actually...one of the romantic poets. God, I love his stuff. It gives me chills when I read it.'' Her brown eyes sparkled as she spoke, and her enthusiam was evident. ''I take it you've never read him?"
Shawn shook his head. "Can't say that I have.''
''Oh...well, I'll stop babbling then. I'm probably boring you silly.'' She giggled again.
''No, that's fine...I actually find you very interesting.,'' Shawn told her, not oce taking his eyes from hers. She shifted nervously, peering down at the table with excruciating shyness.
''You don't even know my name yet.'' she murmurer.
''Why don't you tell me what it is?''
"Jessica.'' she said softly.
''Katyryn,'' he repeated, slowly, letting his voice slide seductively over the syllables. ''Do you know who I am, Jessica?''
She nodded. "Yes,'' she murmured. "How could I not?''
''You never can tell...I'm not going to assume you're a fan.''
''I didn't exactly say I was a fan...I just said I know who you are.''
''So you're not a fan?''
"Well...I wouldn't say that, either..." She began fidgeting with her pen, which was covered in tooth-marks.
''Well, maybe that's a good thing.'' Shawn reached across the table and slipped his hand over her, gently prying the pen from her fingers. "Then you'll want to know me for me...not who I am.''
He traced his fingers across the back of her hand, feeling her shudder. He looked into her eyes. "I was wondering if you'd be interested in dinner tonight.''
He watched her smooth throat bob as she swallowed. ''I-I don't think so.''
Her answer surprised him, to out it mildly. ''Why now?'' he wanted to know. ''I'm not coming on too strong am I?"
She avoided his eyes. ''It's not going to work, you know.''
''Why isn't it?"
"Trying to sweet-talk me. Assuming I'll sleep with you because you want mt to.''
''Is that what you think I want, Katheyn?"
She looked up. "Isn't it?"
He gazed back into her eyes, unflinchingly. "Not unless that's what you want, too.''
She looked away.
''I just want to have dinner with you,'' Shawn said earnestly. ''That's all. I want to get to know you. I saw you in line and thought you were cute, and well, I wanted to meet you. It's hard for me to meet nice girls, you see. Because of who I am, it always get in the way. I was hoping it wouldn't with you.''
Jessica looked up, surprise in here eyes, as well as...something else. He could feel her weakening. "You mean that?"
''Yes,'' he said with a straight face. ''I really do.''
She hesitated, staring down at their hands. When she finally looked up, he could see that he'd accomplished his goal. "Okay,'' she agreed.
''Great.'' He smiled. "I'll pick you up at eight. Where do you live?"
Shyly, she gave him the address.
He jotted it down on a piece of paper, then stuffed it in his pocket. He rose from the table and favored her with his warmest smile. "See you tonight, Jessica.''
With that, he left the coffee house, leaving her sitting at the table staring after him.
