Page 1 of Opening Night Backstage

Opening Night Backstage

“What are you doing back here?” I pull my boyfriend out of the line of sight and into the hallway that leads to the dressing rooms upstairs, head swiveling from side to side, looking for anyone who might catch us. “Seriously, Tommy, you can’t be—”

“Had to see you.” He looks at me the way a starving man might look at his favorite meal.

“Tommy,” I reprimand.

Before I can take another breath or say another word, my back is to the wall, and his lips are on mine. It feels like it’s been ages since we kissed like this, with this kind of earnestness. We haven’t seen each other much over the past week, since I’ve been busy with tech rehearsals, and even before that, it seemed likewe were always running in different directions. I wondered if he was even still into me.

But the pent up longing in this one kiss is undeniable. He tastes like concession stand candy and desperation.

For the briefest moment, I let myself lean into it and kiss him back. Fuck, I’ve missed this. His lips are soft against mine, his tongue teasing, his hands firm. I want to keep going, to kiss him until we’re doing more than kissing, but now isn’t the time.

I force myself to push him away. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“It’s intermission.”

“Yeah. And I have to change.”

“Good, I need you out of this.” He plucks at the tan costume wrapping my body. “What even is this?”

“It’s a leotard.”

“That’s the stupidest word I’ve ever heard. But I fucking love this on you.” His hands run up and down the soft fabric and my skin heats from the touch. “You looked so good up on that stage, kitty cat. So fucking good, moving the way you did. Graceful. Hypnotic. So fucking hot.”

He presses into me, and I can feel just how much he loved seeing me on that stage.

I giggle and bat his hands away, stepping to the side. “Stop that, Tommy. I don’t know how you got back here, but you need to leave before we get in trouble.”

“What are they gonna do? Slap my wrist? People sneak backstage all the time.”

“Not easily. How did you even get past security?”

“That guy who played the fairy—what’s his name?” He snaps his fingers, trying to remember.

“Puck?”

We’re performing a musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Ironically, the guy playing Puck is actually named Puck. I’m not sure what his parents were thinking, but he’s good. A triple threat. He’s the newest addition to the theatre company, and some people say he shouldn't have such a lead role when he hasn't proved himself yet. Personally, I don’t care. He makes the show better. He practically shines when he’s on stage, and it makes the rest of us look better, too.

“Yeah, him.” Tommy snaps his fingers one more time. “He let me in.” His smile is wicked as he grabs my hand and drags me down the hall. “Even told me about the perfect place to… be discrete.”

He swings open a door behind the stairs that lead up to the dressing room and pulls me inside. I’ve never been in this room before. Never even noticed it.

The room is jam-packed with props, old set pieces, and racks of unused costumes. A collection of fake trees makes it almost seem like we’ve stepped into a forest.

“I need you, Katie. Need you so goddamn bad.”

The door closes with a loud click, snuffing out all the light. I can’t see him anymore, but I can sense him closing in on me like a lion stalking its prey.

I gasp when his hands grab my shoulders and his lips claim mine again. Lifting onto the flat top of my toe shoes, I put us on an equal level, wrap my arms around his neck, and meet his hunger with my own. He needs this. Maybe I do, too.

Our kisses are lightning strikes, furious and frenzied. He bites my lip, sucks my tongue, devours me.

“I hated seeing you dance with that asshole.”

The last number before intermission was a sensual dance showing the effects of Puck’s meddling. It’s one of my favorite numbers in the show, but I know right away what’s got Tommy all worked up. The dance isn’t what upset him. It’s the kiss at the end.

He fists both of the straps at my shoulders and tugs, yanking my nude colored leotard to my waist in one pull. My exposed nipples pebble in the cool air.

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