The Show Must Go On, page 5
They walked upstairs to his apartment. Once they entered, Natalia turned to drop the keys on the kitchen counter. Rob walked up behind her. She glanced over her shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to upset you.”
She turned to face him. “It’s okay. Let’s forget about it.”
Rob nodded but wasn’t sure he could just forget about it. That kiss was too amazing. The problem was he didn’t know what to do about it. They gazed at each other for several moments, but neither said a word.
He broke the silence. “You can sleep in my bed. I can take the couch.”
She glanced at the sofa then gave him a dubious look. “Won’t that be uncomfortable? I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“Don’t be silly. Take the bed.”
“But I don’t want to put you out.”
“It’s no problem. It’s the least I can do since you drove me home.” He glanced around at his messy apartment, and his head spun. He ran his hand through his hair and said, “Damn, I had way too much to drink tonight. I hope I don’t wake up in a coma tomorrow.” He paused, then grinned as he realized the absurdity of what he had just said.
“That’s really not funny,” Natalia’s tone was terse.
He looked at her and found her face had turned pale.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it.” He touched her arm.
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you. Okay? That’s all.”
She seemed so serious, too serious. He was fine. Why was she worried? He changed the subject in hopes of making her feel better. “Hey, let me get you something to sleep in.” He picked up some dirty clothes from the sofa then left the room. He returned with an oversized shirt for her to wear so her dress wouldn’t get crushed. Averting her eyes, she took the shirt, and when their hands accidentally touched, he felt a crackle of electricity go through him. He stared at her, wondering if she had experienced the same sensation, but without a word, she scurried into the bathroom to change her clothes.
He watched the bathroom door for several moments then walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. He heard the door open, and he walked back into the living room. He heard her tiptoe into the bedroom and close the door behind her. He imagined her slipping into his bed.
With a growl, Rob went to the bathroom and changed into pajama pants. Leaving his tee-shirt on, he fell onto the sofa, and his thoughts automatically went to Natalia. She had reacted so negatively after their kiss. He rolled over and tried to clear his mind. What was going through her head now? He knew what was going on in his. Rob thought of their kiss and the fire he felt inside. He hadn’t thought of Natalia in that way before, well, not often. But that silky green dress and her wild, curly hair had done something to him. The dress had fallen to just above her knees, showing off her incredible legs, and the neckline had plunged low, showing plenty of cleavage. He didn’t often see her dressed up and couldn’t help but think that if Natalia looked that good, maybe they should have stayed in for the evening. He would love to have peeled off that dress and seen what other gorgeous things he would find underneath.
And that steamy kiss, he had never been so affected by one kiss. Although he hadn’t planned to kiss her, now that he had, he knew he wanted to again. Hell, he wanted more than that. He reminded himself of his failed past relationships. He told himself he didn’t need a girlfriend and definitely didn’t want commitment, but somehow this was different. He couldn’t define what he was feeling for her, but it was strong.
Now she slept in his bed, and all he could think about was her warm, luscious body. He imagined what it would be like to make love with her. He wanted her so much it shocked him, but she didn’t seem to reciprocate his feelings. His tense body had him tossing and turning on the sofa.
It was all because of Jake. That bastard doesn’t deserve her. Hell, what man leaves a woman like that alone on New Year’s Eve? Thinking back to the kiss, he remembered how her arms tightened around his neck to pull him close. Maybe she did feel something. He sighed. Now, how did he convince Natalia that he was the better man for her?
Chapter 3
Natalia
Sunday 1/1
Natalia drifted awake the next morning and slowly focused on the unfamiliar room. She stretched and then burrowed into the warm covers for just a moment longer. Mmm. She caught the scent of a man’s cologne and wondered where she was. With her hand lying over her head, the intoxicating scent became familiar as she remembered the events of the night before: Rob, the kiss, and this was his bed. Her stomach fluttered as she remembered melting into him, the taste of him, and the way it felt to be in his arms.
Tossing the covers to the side, she jumped out of bed and found her dress, then glanced at her phone. It read a little after seven o’clock. She needed to get home. She slipped her dress on, hating that her hands were shaking.
Turning to grab her purse, she noticed a framed photograph and stepped closer to the dresser. It was of Rob and her. She studied the picture and smiled as she remembered the occasion. They had given their most successful performance, and they were flying high on the great feeling it had given them. She touched Rob’s face and sighed, then she turned to leave.
With shaky hands, she slowly opened the bedroom door and peeked out. Everything was quiet. Grabbing her shoes, she carried them in her hand as she stepped closer to the sofa where Rob was still sleeping. For a moment, she found herself staring at him. He seemed so sweet when he was asleep. She stood a moment longer, then he rolled over and mumbled something. With that, she scurried across the floor. She didn’t want to examine the reasons why she was sneaking out of her best friend’s apartment without waking him, but in the back of her mind, she knew their kiss had changed things between them, and that was something she wasn’t ready to face.
Natalia arrived home, paid the Uber driver, and hurried into her apartment. She immediately peeled off her dress and jumped into the shower. Hoping to wash away the memories of the night before, she scrubbed the sudsy puff along her skin. But how could she forget that kiss? She shivered even as hot water pelted her back. She should stop thinking about it, but it kept coming back to her in glorious Technicolor, along with Rob’s warmth, taste, and scent.
She touched her lips, and her hand shook. Then her whole body began to shake. Their kiss was more than wonderful. Their kiss was divine. Disgusted with herself, she pushed the thought of Rob aside. She just had to forget it happened, bury her feelings deep inside. She finished her shower and stepped out with a firm decision to pretend all was the same between Rob and her.
She had checked her phone when she had first arrived at her apartment and saw texts from Jennifer, Lakeisha and Kaede. They probably wondered where she was. She would catch up with them soon.
She opened the bathroom door and heard the insistent sound of her phone. What if it was Rob? She couldn’t talk to him yet. She looked at the caller ID and saw Jennifer’s number.
“Where have you been?” Jen burst out. “I’ve been worried.”
Hoping to soothe her friend, Natalia responded in a casual tone. “Hi, Jen. What’s up?”
“I could ask you the same question, girl. Where have you been? What happened last night? I saw you and Rob kissing, then you both left together. You didn’t answer when I called earlier. Did you spend the night with him?”
Jennifer’s questions came fast and furious, and Natalia could barely keep up. As she paced, she realized she needed to do some damage control, or Jen would tell everyone she and Rob were an item.
“Jennifer.” She raised her voice so her friend would hear. “Just let me explain.” Taking a deep breath to fortify herself, Natalia prayed she could stop Jen’s matchmaking before things got out of control. “I drove him home and stayed at his place, but we didn’t do anything.” And she was such a coward she sneaked away before he woke this morning. “I already have a boyfriend, Jake. Remember?”
Jake! What would he do if he found out about last night? She knew he would be angry. She wouldn’t like it if Jake had stayed with another woman, even if their relationship was platonic. She should have called a cab last night and left right away. Her only excuse was she had been concerned about Rob, but in the light of day, it became obvious she needed to get home.
“But Jake isn’t really a boyfriend. You just hook up whenever he’s in town.”
She snapped back to attention. “Yes, he is my boyfriend.”
“Yeah, but you and Rob seemed pretty cozy last night.”
“He had too much to drink, and I wanted to be sure he got home.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Jen didn’t sound convinced.
With a deep sigh and a roll of her eyes at her friend’s persistence, Natalia fought back. “We’ve stayed at each other’s place before, and nothing happened. We’re just friends. You know that.”
“I know that’s what you want, Nat, but are you sure he knows that? I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s crazy about you, and there was heat in that kiss...from both sides.”
“What?” Jen had now strayed into the ridiculous.
“I’ve seen him watch you when he thinks no one is looking. It’s obvious. But, then again, the object of someone’s affection doesn’t always see the obvious.”
“You’re imagining things,” Natalia said, her tone dismissive.
Jennifer laughed. “No, I don’t think so. And you’re crazy about him too.”
Natalia dropped into the nearest chair and rubbed her head. Where did Jen get her wild ideas?
“Think about it. You rushed to rescue him from Melbourne during that hurricane a few months ago, but you couldn’t cough up some money to fly to L.A. to see Jake. Doesn’t that tell you something?”
Natalia struggled for a moment to find a reasonable response. Her stomach tightened as she wondered if she did feel more for Rob than she realized. “It tells me I care about my friends, and I don’t like to waste money.”
“Hmpf.”
Needing to stop this before it went any further, Natalia said, “Look, Jen. I’m dating Jake. He’s my boyfriend, and I really do care about him. He’s supposed to be in town in a few days. He wouldn’t like to hear those sorts of things. He already doesn’t like that I’m in the band.”
“He doesn’t like a lot of things,” Jennifer said in an exasperated tone of voice.
Natalia didn’t want to continue this line of conversation, but she couldn’t stop herself from saying, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t get mad. I guess I was just thinking he seems awfully difficult to please. He should want you just the way you are.” Jen paused. “But you know, I never did think you fit the music scene either.”
“No?” Now, this would be interesting.
“Oh, you’re amazingly talented. You’re just not the party all night, drink until you pass-out, and do drugs until you’re oblivious type.”
Shaking her head with a reluctant smile, Natalia said, “That was a mouthful.”
Jen laughed. “You know what I mean. You’re not the sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll type. But somehow, you still make things work.” Jennifer took a deep breath. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say, Nat, but you’re my best friend. I worry about you. I wouldn’t say anything to hurt you, but it always seems you’re happier when you’re with Rob than with Jake. Just think about what you’re doing and what you really want. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I will. But Jen...you need to drop this thing about Rob and me. It’s not going to happen.” Sighing, she ended the call and closed her eyes. Was Jennifer right? Did Rob have feelings for her? He had never said anything about wanting more. He had all but said he wasn’t ready for a long-term relationship. Their kiss was just an alcohol-induced bit of craziness. No, that kiss was more than that. The problem, she decided, was kissing Rob should have felt weird, but instead, it had felt warm and wonderful, which only scared her more.
Rob
Monday 1/2
ROB SAT IN HIS CAR for a moment on Monday evening, his thoughts wrapped up in Natalia. He left messages for her on Sunday, but she didn’t respond. That had never happened before. Was she avoiding him? Why had she sneaked out Sunday morning without waking him? He thought back to their kiss and began to sweat. The kiss had been so amazing he hadn’t wanted it to end. But it was obvious that she didn’t feel the same way. His hands clenched. He wondered if she was still upset with him. How would things be between them tonight?
“God, I hope I haven’t screwed up our friendship,” he muttered.
He was also still thinking about Blue Crab Records’ rejection of the band, specifically, the rejection of Natalia. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around it. He had given up on the enemy theory. But who would benefit from her not being in the band? The only person he could think of was Jake, her long-distance jerk of a boyfriend. Rob had figured out fairly quickly that Jake didn’t like him and didn’t approve of Natalia being in the band. And it wouldn’t surprise Rob if the manipulative asshole did something like this.
He glanced at his phone and grimaced. He was late for band practice again. He hopped out of his car and entered the warehouse where Eric worked and where they practiced most nights. He walked down the stairs, sauntered into the room, and smiled at the familiar laughter. But when he glanced to the side and saw Eric standing behind his drums with his arms around Natalia. who was seated at the drums, he came to a grinding halt. In what could only be a bolt of jealousy, he glared at them. Seeing Eric’s hands on Natalia could be the one thing to push him right over the edge. No, don’t be crazy. They were just bandmates. They were all friends. But hell, he wanted more. He wanted her. With a scowl, he stepped forward, drew Natalia’s attention, and pulled her aside. He came up with a lame question to ask her that had even him groaning. All the time, he knew he had no reasonable excuse for his mood but damn it, he didn’t feel like being reasonable.
“Are you all right?” Natalia furrowed her brow, then glanced over her shoulder at Val, who shouted something at her.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Natalia nodded and stepped over to speak with Val. He and Andrew were having a humorous discussion, maybe more like a debate.
Val gazed at her. “Guitar pick or fingers when playing bass?”
“Pick, definitely,” Andrew stated.
Natalia stood and studied them for a moment. Surely a keyboard player like her wouldn’t have the last word on that kind of question, but she said, “It seems to me that any method you use to get sound out of the thing, fingers, pick, thumb, those weird stick things, telekinesis, whatever, works just fine. It’s really a matter of personal preference.”
Val grinned and made a gesture of ‘see, I told you so.’
Natalia chuckled and returned to her synthesizer.
Rob had watched the conversation but still feeling testy he grabbed a beer from the small refrigerator they had bought for their practice room and slouched in his chair. His shirt matched his mood. I’m Not Always Late. Sometimes, I Just Don’t Show Up.
Drinking his beer, his gaze traveled back to Natalia. He took the opportunity to watch her. How many times had he seen her without really seeing her? How had he overlooked her warm, sensual side? All this time, he had assumed he knew her so well, but now he wanted to learn more. He realized he wanted more than just her friendship, but she was beautiful and classy, probably way out of his league. Yet, ever since that amazing kiss, ever since she had slept in his bed, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
Gazing at her now, he knew that one kiss had changed everything for him. He craved another taste of her sweet mouth. He wanted her with an intensity that surprised him but had no idea how to get her. He knew she had a long-distance boyfriend, although he didn’t think her relationship with Jake was serious. If only he could get Jake out of the way, maybe he would have a chance with Natalia. Would she even be interested in giving their relationship a chance to grow into something more? Could he be the kind of man she would want? Frustrated, he stood, lit a cigarette, and paced. He turned and stared at her again, trying to read her mind, trying to see into her heart, his anxiety growing. He just hoped he had time to figure out what to do.
Andrew finished tuning his old Fender Standard Stratocaster guitar then called the group together. They rehearsed their full set list, only having to repeat one song. Their sound was almost perfect. Rob promised a new song by the end of the week, and everyone said they looked forward to hearing it.
Once practice was over, the band had some business that needed to be discussed. Val spoke first. “I still wonder why the record deal with Blue Crab Records fell through.” He placed his Warwick Rockbass Streamer Standard bass guitar in the beat-up carrying case and then turned to study Rob.
“Did you call them back?”
Rob frowned. “Of course, I did, but they wouldn’t talk to me.”
Everyone sat in silence for several long moments.
Andrew cleared his throat. “Well, there will be another time. The agent Nat met at the party seemed interested. Maybe he will call.”
Val spoke next. “Rob, you did send the MP3 to that agent, right?”
Rob frowned at Val’s tone. “Yeah, last night.”
“Great. Let’s hope he doesn’t blow us off.”
The guys thought a few moments more, then stood and gathered their things.
The time had come to get Natalia alone and discuss what happened. Rob’s heart was pounding now, and his mouth had gone dry, but he knew he needed to talk to her. Peering over his shoulder several times as the others began to leave, he trapped her in a corner and spoke in a tight, controlled voice. “Why did you sneak out New Year’s morning without waking me up?” He scowled, unable to summon his usual playful smirk.
She looked up at him, her eyes wide. Fidgeting, she said, “I don’t know. It seemed like the best idea.”
