Page 54 of If Ever

I set her half empty glass down with mine, tilt her face up, and kiss her glossy pink lips. "Yes, I want one." She tastes of cool champagne. I drag her into my arms and kiss her again. She's all silky skin and sequins.

When we come up for air, she's angled herself toward me, the slit in her pants revealing a long, slender leg. When she sees where my eyes have landed, she tugs the sheer fabric to cover herself.

"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to change until after the show tonight. It takes a team of union professionals to get me dressed."

I grin wishing I were one of them. She tops off our champagne, clearly unsure what to say. So I decide to come clean. "I didn't have a meeting in L.A."

She startles and sets the bottle down. "Then why are you here?"

I cock my head at her and smile.

"Me?" she asks in disbelief.

I take her hand. "I can't get you out of my mind. Trust me, my life would be much easier if I could. I've had a helluva time concentrating on work."

Her mouth drops open. "Seriously? You could have someone far more interesting."

I'm taken aback. "You crazy girl. What are you talking about?"

"You're successful and famous. Everyone loves you. I'm nobody." She makes air quotes.

"I am not famous. I've done some TV and theater in England. I've been in a couple of Broadway shows. That's it."

"Excuse me. You've been the lead in a couple of Tony winning Broadway shows."

"And when the show closes, I'm unemployed again. And you are not a nobody."

She shrugs. "I'm still getting over the shock that you're here. I'll be in New York maybe even later this week."

"I couldn't wait. I don't know how else to explain it."

She looks at me sideways. "Are you sure no one's put you up to this?"

"Positive." I laugh and move closer, slipping my arms around her midsection, letting one hand settle on the curve of her bare back, the other I slide up to her neck. My lips cover hers and her breath quickens. My fingers play with the loose hairs at her nape. After a long glorious minute I reluctantly pull away. "Now do you believe me?"

Chelsea gazes up at me and whispers, "Yes."

I stand to put some distance between us. Her kisses are working way too well. I grab the champagne bottle. "More?"

"Definitely."

I top off our glasses and take a seat, leaving ample space between us for the moment. "How much time before you have to report back?"

"An hour, maybe longer. Can I see you after the show?" She places her hand on my arm. Her touch is like a caress.

"You can count on it."

She tells me about their dance and Dominic's perfectionism and I tell her about forgetting a verse of a song yesterday because I couldn't keep my head in the show. My hands find their way to her hair and eventually her lips. Her kisses make it impossible to think about anything else. We're lost in an epic make out session when there's a knock at the door.

"Ten minutes, Chelsea."

We force ourselves apart. Her lips are swollen and face flushed. "Thanks." She calls out, then stands and straightens her disheveled costume. A sweet blush colors her cheeks again.

I rise and join her. "I can't wait to see your dance." I glide my fingers along her shoulder, down her arm, and kiss her. The door pops opens.

"Chelsea?" Dominic appears.

We jump apart.

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