The Prelude (A Musical Interlude Novel) - By Kasonndra Leigh Page 0,51
mouth goes dry. I think it’s safe to say, I’m hooked.
Erin beams as some of the players congratulate her. She passes a few glances my way and shrugs. In return, I give her my most charming smile, one that says: I know a part of you that Rafe and crew can only experience in their dreams.
“Are we ready for my part yet?” a female’s voice says from behind me. I turn around and find Lila Davis grinning at me. Hell, I’d forgotten she was supposed to rehearse with the group today. “Missed you the other night. You disappeared on me.” She steps closer to me. Only a few inches separate our bodies. And then she uses her index finger to trace a path from my left ear down to my chest.
I shrug because I don’t know a damn thing to say to her. She’s prying. If I didn’t know any better, then I’d think Mother put her up to something. “Lila, I was thinking maybe we should go with a different song for the interlude.”
Scoffing, she frowns, moves back, and steals a quick glance in Erin’s direction. “I’m surprised the great Aleksandr Dostovsky would consider the opinion of an unknown designer girl over experience.”
Something in me heats up in a bad way. Running a hand through my hair, I take in a deep breath. “It’s Alek Dostov,” I say, emphasizing each syllable. “And that unknown is the one who has designed the dress you’ll be wearing on opening night.”
“I don’t wear things by no-name designers,” she snaps, her face stern.
“Then feel free to have your agent contact mine about how we should work out your replacement.”
Erin walks by as though she’s on a mission to leave before we get a chance to talk. I’m almost certain she read a hell of a lot more into Lila’s little finger trick than she should’ve done.
“Excuse me.” I turn toward the stage, move around Lila, and wave my hand at Nikolai. He’s training his new lead dancer. “Nikolai, can you take my place for a few minutes?” He’s experienced in all things theatre related, including the art of conducting a symphony.
My heart thuds while I wait for his answer. Erin will be gone by the time I catch up with her. I’m out of my element with this desperate need to chase after a female. Maybe I’m going crazy. Or could it be something else? Love? No way!
“No problem, Comrade,” Nikolai answers, a grin spreading across his face. “Got a hot date?” I don’t answer his question. Instead, I start toward the exit. Before I can walk away Lila calls out to me.
“Alek. You do know that Frederico favors me, right? He won’t be too happy to know how you’ve treated me today,” Lila warns.
Doing a mental countdown to calm my temper, I turn back to her. “Frederico lives to be pissed off at me about something. Go ahead and tell him. I wouldn’t feel right if it happened any other way.” I head through the doorway and glance up and down the halls. No Erin. I trot toward the exit, storming out of the lobby doors. She’s standing on the sidewalk, waiting for a taxi.
“I can take you home,” I offer, walking up to her.
“You’ve already done enough,” she snaps. I can tell she’s pissed at me, because she didn't stick around long enough to finish her measurements.
“We need to talk,” I begin.
“About?” She won’t even look at me.
“You know.”
Turning toward me, she narrows her eyes, frowning, and then she says, “Oh, I remember now. We need to talk about you being a—a caveman.” She spits out the word as though it’s venom on her tongue. “And then you didn’t even bother to call.”
“I wanted to give you time to think about things.” I move closer to her. “You were just as willing as I was. Don’t try to make me out to be the horny Neanderthal.”
Folding her arms, she blinks several times before she glances around me as though I’m not standing there. “Accept my proposal,” I want to command, but instead the words come out low and hoarse. “I know you want to.”
“Which one? You have so many,” she says, her dark eyes softening.
“I already know you don’t want to sing for me. I’m talking about the other offer. The one where two obviously horny people get together and work off the frustrations of life, no strings attached.”