Page 17 of Serving the Maestro

When had I stopped watching the actors on the stage and focused on the man next to me?

His pale green eyes all but glowed with intensity as he stroked his fingers along my neck, then up to trace the line of my jaw.

“You’re not watching the play,” he murmured.

“That’s because you’re distracting me.”

With a wicked, playful glint in his eyes, he asked, “Am I? How?”

“You’re...” Staring at me like you want to eat me up. “Talking.”

“Ah, I see.” His eyes made it clear he didn’t buy that excuse. But he eased away and settled more comfortably in the seat, the two of us all but alone in the sprawling, nearly empty theater. “I’ll behave so you can enjoy the show.”

I wanted to tell him no, but for my sanity’s sake, he needed to behave.

My heart raced, and my skin was flushed. I wanted to look at him, tell him I wasn’t interested in the play right now.

Maybe if I’d known him better, maybe if I’d had more confidence in sexual hunger like this, I could have.

Instead, I settled more comfortably into the seat and gave the rehearsing cast more attention.

* * *

“What did you think?”

On the ride up to the fourteenth floor, I considered the question. “It was fun. I can’t believe the lines they have to memorize. Then there are the dance moves. And how they rush off the stage from scene to scene, change and get back to their places...”

Trent cocked a brow, waiting.

“I like the finished version. Watching a play is kind of magical. Today was fun. But I think if I worked in the theater and had to see behind the curtain a lot, it would take all the magic away.”

Trent’s face softened, and he stroked my cheek. “You’re one of those who’d never wanted to know how a magician performed an illusion, aren’t you?”

“Yep.” I shrugged. “Why take the wonder away from it?”

“Some people think the wonder is knowing how the illusion was done.”

“Nope.” I shook my head, eyes on the numbers speeding by. I dreaded seeing my floor. This had been a great...time. I couldn’t call it a date, could I?

As the doors slid open, I felt his eyes on me.

Stepping into the hallway, I looked over at him.

I had fun.

Thank you.

I enjoyed myself.

Good night.

A half dozen other suggestions circled through my head. But as our gazes connected, my thoughts went blank, and the only coherent thought was...please.

He stepped closer, the toes of his boots nudging mine. I had to tip my head back so I could hold his gaze, and then because my head was spinning, I fell back against the wall behind me, my hands splayed wide on the cool, flat surface.

He followed me, hands coming up to delve into my hair.

“I’m going to kiss you,” he said in a gruff voice. “I’ve wanted to since last night. If you don’t want the same, tell me now.”

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