The Legacy

Free The Legacy by Shirley Jump Page B

Book: The Legacy by Shirley Jump Read Free Book Online
Authors: Shirley Jump
moment, then shook his head, as if that was all he wanted to say on the subject. “Anyway, that was beautiful. No, not just beautiful. Incredible. Why aren’t you singing professionally?”
    She turned back to the dishes, taking an inordinate amount of interest in the way the sponge plunged in and out of a glass, as if cleaning Hugh’s dishes was the most important thing in the world. “There’s a thousand reasons. Number one being that most people don’t make it in the music business.”
    “Most people don’t have your voice.”
    She dismissed the comment. “I’d have a better chance of being struck by lightning and winning the lottery the same day. In other words, one in a gazillion.”
    “Isn’t that what life is about? Taking chances?”
    She put the last glass into the dish drainer and grabbed an extra towel off the counter to dry her hands. “Maybe for someone like you, but not for me.”
    “Someone like me?”
    “You don’t have any responsibilities. No children. No house, no mortgage. I have bills, Paul, and a brother who depends on me. I can’t run off with a half-baked dream just because I think I’m the next American Idol. I have to deal in reality, not impossibilities.” She tossed the towel onto the counter, then crossed into the living room, straightening pillows and blankets that didn’t need straightening.
    He followed her, taking an afghan from her hands before she could fold it again. “I’m sorry. It’s not my place to tell you how to live your life.”
    The apology caught her off guard, making her feel vulnerable. She stopped tidying, and suddenly just wanted out of the house, away from this man who should be the enemy, but who seemed to keep turning the tables on her. “We’re finished here. Thanks for your help.”
    He looked as if he might say something, but instead followed her out as they left the house, this time locking the door behind them. Marjo paused on the sidewalk. “Thank you for coming with me and for all your help.” Her words were businesslike, her tone cool. She turned on her heel and started down the sidewalk.
    Paul fell into place beside her. “That’s it? You’re just dismissing me?”
    “I have to get home. Gabriel—”
    “Wait,” Paul said softly. He caught her gaze. A beat passed between them. Another. “Tell me, Marjo, are you still that hard to get into bed?”
    Right this second, she’d be as easy as he wanted, especially when he looked at her like that, with those deep blue eyes that seemed to see into her soul. After the preview she’d had earlier today, she could only imagine how good he’d be if they went beyond kissing.
    “I’m too old for a babysitter now.”
    “I’m not talking about babysitting.” Then, before either of them could think twice, he leaned down and kissed her.
    No, not just kissed her. He played a song on her lips, started the tune carrying to a concert. She hesitated only a second, then found herself moving into his arms, lifting her head and giving him a melody of her own.
    He was good, very good, sending her hormones dancing and her mind traveling down a path that involved doing something with Paul Clermont that didn’t involve running him out of town.
    As his kiss deepened, she thought of taking him home, inviting him into a bedroom that had had one occupant for far too long. He reached up, tangling his fingers in her hair. Desire snaked through her veins, singing its siren call.
    She jerked back to her senses and out of his arms. “I—I can’t do this.”
    “Because of our disagreement about the opera house?”
    “For that and a hundred other reasons,” she said, running a hand through her hair, as if by doing so she could erase the feel of his hands. “But mostly because I have other priorities right now.”
    “Other priorities besides yourself?” he said. “You can’t put a building or a festival or even your brother ahead of you all the time, Marjo.”
    “Says the man who has perfected the art of

Similar Books

Endless Chain

Emilie Richards

Winterfinding

Daniel Casey

Impact

Stephen Greenleaf

Hard Candy

Amaleka McCall