Charles II nodded firmly at his son. “Good. Sex sells. Men will want her, and women will want to be like her. Smart move.”
“The only kind of move I make, Dad.” Thinking of his fiery vocalist, Dane grinned and checked his watch. “Well, it’s almost nine-thirty. Grab a table soon if you want to. I’ll meet you in there, save me a seat. Got a few more hands to shake.”
Dane slipped into the bar and lounge at five minutes to ten. To his satisfaction, the place was packed. Patrons filled the bar area, almost to overflowing, the sounds of the lively crowd music to his ears. Every table in the lounge was taken. Craning his neck, he spotted the backs of his family’s heads at a table front and center. Of course his father would want the best seat in the house. Charles Harrison II always wanted nothing but the best, and usually got it.
Tess sat between both Charles Harrisons; Dane slid into the empty chair next to his brother. “Hello, kids.”
“Hey, there you are. I love it in here!” Tess said enthusiastically. “This is fantastic.”
“What she said,” Charles III agreed. “Great atmosphere.”
“Glad you like it,” Dane said. Pride warmed him and he smiled.
“What kind of stuff does this woman sing?” Charles II asked.
Dane caught the eyes of a waitress and he waved her over. “One set will be your type of stuff—standards, classics,” he added for his father’s benefit. “The other set will be contemporary songs. But ballads, mainly.”
“She’s a torch singer,” Charles II proclaimed. “Good. I like torch singers.”
The waitress got to Dane’s side and he ordered a round of the house’s best scotch for the table. “Wait, only three, actually,” he amended, knowing Tess wouldn’t touch the stuff. “Just more sparkling water for her.”
The lights dimmed slowly until the large room was bathed in near darkness. The rumble of the crowd lowered to murmurs, then hushed altogether. The air crackled with excitement. Dane felt a tingle of anticipation run through him. This was it, what he’d been looking forward to for months: having a singer wow his clientele, and perhaps starting a new enterprise as a nightclub owner. Julia had to show her stuff. Thank God, she had the stuff.
Julia and Kelvin were both dedicated professionals. He knew they took their trade seriously, and it was important to them. But tonight, it was even more important to him. With this, his reputation was on the line. Whether she bombed or soared, either way, it would reflect on him.
He thought he saw something sparkle on the stage, only six feet away. And then, cutting through the dark, came Julia’s voice. Smooth and sultry, without accompaniment, she sang the opening lines to the standard “Fever”. Her compelling voice reached out and caressed the crowd with velvet fingers.
The spotlight came on, focused only on Julia as Kelvin started to play along behind her. And Dane’s heart stuck in his chest. Beautiful. Captivating. Absolutely electric. She was the very picture of tasteful glamour and sensual self-assurance—the musical seductress he’d wanted. Exactly what he’d envisioned all along . . . and damn, so much more.
He didn’t recognize the silver sequined gown that hugged her every luscious curve until the hem poured onto the floor around her stilettoed feet. It wasn’t one of the dresses he’d bought for her; he would’ve remembered that knockout of a dress. Her fiery hair flowed loose, sleek, and silky. Curled at the ends, her locks stopped just above her glorious cleavage, which was definitely showcased, but not in a vulgar way. Those big hazel eyes stood out even more with her dramatic, smoky makeup, and her red, glossy mouth was a beckoning tease. As her lips moved, he remembered what it was like to taste her....
Dane could only stare, completely mesmerized.
Julia cradled the microphone with one hand, her body swaying sinuously as she sang. The spotlight danced off her dress, making it twinkle and glimmer as she moved. He watched her hook her audience and reel them in with her enticing vocals like a pro. By the middle of the song, he could tell she’d relaxed enough to start enjoying it. She had them already, and she knew it. The look on her face was one of confidence, triumph . . . and even a hint of seduction. Dane felt his mouth curve up in a satisfied grin. He’d taken a huge risk with an unknown singer . . . and hit the jackpot.
The waitress discreetly placed his scotch before him, jolting him out of his trance. Feeling a little sheepish and slightly stunned by his visceral, almost primitive reaction to Julia, he knocked back a few hearty gulps of his drink, welcoming the warm burn as he sat back to enjoy the rest of the song. Julia and Kelvin were completely in sync, making it look effortless as only a well-polished team could.
When the song ended, the audience erupted in thunderous applause and approving shouts. Julia acknowledged the accolades with a poised nod and broad smile. She graciously waved her open palm back to Kelvin, making sure he was acknowledged too. Sitting so close, Dane could see the hint of pink in her cheeks and a sparkle in her eyes he hadn’t seen until now—she was happy. Relieved. She knew she’d killed it up there, and she was thrilled. Dane clapped as loudly as he could. He was thrilled for her.
Charles III leaned in and said to Dane, “She’s phenomenal. And man, can she sing. You sure know how to pick ’em.”
Dane grinned softly, but gently tapped his glass to his brother’s and they drank.
“What a voice!” Tess exclaimed. “Such presence. I’m so impressed. Jeannie was right about her!”
“Yes, she was, Tess,” Dane agreed. “I owe her, and you, a big one.”
“I’ll remember that,” Tess trilled with delight.
“You’ve got yourself a future star there,” their father said. “Keep an eye on her.”
“Believe me, I will,” Dane replied, feeling elated and strangely proud. He stared at Julia, mentally willing her to look at him. She did almost immediately. He tossed her a wink and an admiring grin, nodding as if to say, “Well done.” Their eyes held and the corner of her mouth turned up in a hint of a pleased smile. Then her gaze flickered back out to the crowd before she launched into her next song.
“That woman is an old-fashioned bombshell,” Charles II proclaimed.
Dane snorted, but thought to himself, She sure as hell is.
Julia glanced back at Kelvin, and he started playing the opening bars of “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” Smooth and cool, Kelvin’s long fingers moved along the keys with mastery, his dreads swaying as his head bobbed in time. Julia cocked her curvaceous hip and smiled as she launched into the song, having fun with it.
Throughout the set, Dane sat back to enjoy the music and bathe in her sexy, powerful glow. She had more than delivered. He was grateful, he was relieved . . . and he wanted her even more now. He wanted to lift her up, lay her across the top of the piano, hike up that sparkling silver dress, and take her right there.
But as the set went on, and her patter with the audience gave glimpses into her sharp wit and personality, he enjoyed seeing aspects of her he hadn’t before. That she hadn’t allowed him to see. She was outgoing, smiling, and open—which she rarely was to him. Whenever he’d poked his head in at a rehearsal over the past two weeks—which was almost every day; he couldn’t help himself, he wanted to see her—she’d held him at bay. He watched her joke around with Kelvin, be friendly to everyone she met. But for Dane, she was cool, all business, an employee talking to her boss. He’d banter with her anyway, as he did with everyone, and sometimes she bantered back. But her unspoken message was loud and clear: the kiss wouldn’t be repeated. The chemistry between them was to be ignored. Their interactions would be strictly professional. She kept her distance from him physically and emotionally; her manner and body language around him were guarded.
Or, most of her was. Not her eyes. Those expressive dark gold eyes sometimes betrayed her. If he stepped closer to her, wanting to push a little to see how she’d react . . . her eyes flamed for a second when they met his, and he knew she was remembering that off-the-charts kiss as much as he was. The melding and crashin
g of mouths, the wandering hands, the feel of their bodies pressed together . . .
He thought of it now, watching her body sway under the lights, sparkles coming off her dress like glittery diamonds. He gazed at her eyes, heavy-lidded as she beautifully sang a song of yearning, as if she were making love to the notes....
Damn. Damn, damn, damn.
He sat back in his chair, crossed one long leg over the other, and made sure he caught her gaze when he lifted his glass in a toast to her before he sipped.
It was after 1:30 A.M. by the time Dane made it back to the lounge. The grand opening party had been a success, most of the guests had dispersed, and as of six o’clock the following morning—now only hours away—the Hotel Alexandra would officially be open for business.
He’d pressed the flesh with members of the media, society mavens, politicians, and other movers and shakers in the hotel industry. Except for when he’d sat to watch Julia’s first set, he’d been on his feet the entire night. He had laughed with friends and colleagues, sampled some of his new chef’s fantastic cuisine, and seen his family into the limo that would take them back to Long Island. He should’ve been exhausted. But he wasn’t. He was still pumped with adrenaline, not nearly ready to call it a night, and headed to the bar for a drink.
Ah, who was he kidding? That wasn’t all of it. He was looking to see if the redhead was still around. He couldn’t keep away from her if he knew she was in the building. The last two weeks had proven that. He’d found an excuse to see her almost every day. Just like he was now.
To his delight, the bar was still filled with patrons. Ah, New Yorkers, he thought, you wonderful night owls, you never let me down. He strolled toward the lounge area; no one was there. Maybe she was back in her dressing room?
“Everything okay, Mr. Harrison?” came a man’s voice from behind him.
Dane turned and grinned up at his head bartender. “Better than okay, Tonio. It’s been a great night. How’s business in here? Looks good.”
“Hasn’t let up since we opened the doors,” Tonio Ramos said. He gestured with his chin toward the four bartenders working behind the bar. “They’re good. Smooth. Gonna be fine.”
“Glad to hear it.” Dane clapped a hand on Tonio’s shoulder and noted it was like slapping concrete. Tonio was built like a linebacker—which he had been, back in his college days. After a five-year bartending and bouncing stint at one of Dane’s favorite bars in Tribeca, Dane had hired him as head bartender for his midtown hotel three years ago. Then he’d moved Tonio to the Alexandra, wanting someone he knew he could count on, and given him a generous raise. “I trust your judgment, you know that.”
“Thanks, Boss.”
Dane scoured the area once more before saying, “Hey, any chance you’ve seen Julia Shay around? Or did she leave already?”
“No, they’re back over there.” Tonio nodded toward the high-walled booths at the back, on the other side of the bar. “Her, the piano player, and another couple. I made sure they got fed and had a round of drinks on the house. Hope that’s okay.”
“More than okay. I would’ve done the same. See they get that every night they perform, all right?” Dane shook Tonio’s hand and started to leave, but turned back. “Question.”
Tonio’s thick brows lifted. “Answer?”
“What do you think of them?” Dane asked quietly. “Julia and Kelvin. Speaking as a colleague. Just between us.”
“They’re solid,” Tonio said without hesitation. “They showed up early, did their jobs well, and were nice to everybody. All they asked for before the show were bottles of water, and a Coke for him. No attitudes. She ain’t a diva, and he’s funny as hell. He’s already charmed half the staff.”
“Thanks.” Dane clapped Tonio’s broad shoulder again. “Keep up the good work. See ya soon.” And strode with purpose toward the booths.
“Um, look out, y’all,” Kelvin said to his three friends. “Incoming. Heat seeking missile headed our way.”
“What?” Randi laughed. She glanced at her husband’s face; Stephen looked just as confused by Kelvin’s secret language.
Julia stretched her neck to see whom Kelvin was talking about.
“Don’t look!” Kelvin snapped at her. “Just be cool. Boss man’s coming.”
Julia eased back against the luxurious cushions and took a sip of her drink.
“I get to meet the famous boss?” Randi whispered. “I get to check him out for myself?”
“What does that mean?” Stephen asked, also in a whisper.
“Jules said he’s hot,” Randi whispered quickly. “I wanna see.”
“Then look up, girl,” Kelvin murmured, then plastered a wide, welcoming smile on his face. “Well hello there!” He got to his feet to shake Dane’s hand.
“Hello yourself,” Dane grinned. “Hell of a job tonight, Kelvin. Really. You’re the goods. I couldn’t be happier with you.”
“Thanks!” Kelvin’s dark eyes shone with appreciation. “That’s great to hear.”
Dane looked down at Julia and smiled. “You were amazing. Absolutely delivered tonight. You knocked it out of the park.”
“Thank you,” she said. Her eyes captured his and held for a long beat before she broke the spell. She held an open palm across the table. “Dane, these are my close friends, Randi and Stephen Jensen.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Dane said, shaking each of their hands with a smile. “Dane Harrison. Hope you had a good time tonight?”
“Absolutely,” Stephen said.
“The hotel is beautiful. Really impressive,” Randi added. “Everything was wonderful. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Dane beamed. “Glad you enjoyed the evening.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, and asked, “How long have you been friends?”
“Since grade school,” Randi said. “Jules and I grew up together.”
“Wow, that’s a long time,” Dane said. He glanced at Julia and his smile turned wicked as he said to Randi, “Bet you could tell me some stories, huh?”
“She’s a vault,” Julia said flatly. “Don’t even try it.”
Dane’s smile didn’t waver as his gaze sharpened. “What’s the matter, Red? Got something to hide?”
She could feel the telltale hot pink bloom on her cheeks. But she kept her voice steady as she said, “No. And please don’t call me that.”
“Sorry. It’s a habit of mine. I give people nicknames.” Dane kept the calm, cool look on his face, seemingly unfazed. He always looked so at ease, so nonchalant. Had the world on a string. Julia rarely felt at ease, much less nonchalant, so his laid-back manner sometimes frustrated her.
And he liked to bait her. The more she held him at arm’s length, the more he tried to engage her. Clearly, he was a man who liked a challenge, and had apparently decided Julia was one. Okay, she’d kissed him. Her mistake. It wouldn’t happen again, no matter how mind-blowing that kiss had been or how attractive she found him. She knew his type. Handsome as sin, loaded with money, naturally charming, and the world seemingly at his fingertips . . . she’d been there before and barely survived to tell the tale. She picked up her vodka and cranberry and took a hearty swallow. For her, Dane might as well have been wrapped in yellow police tape, with the word CAUTION blazing in neon instead of plain black letters.
He looked back to Randi and asked amiably, “Can I borrow your lifelong friend for a few minutes? Just need to discuss something with her.”
“You don’t need our permission,” Kelvin said, standing so Julia could slide out of the booth. “Go on, sweetie. We’ll be here.”
She got to her feet and grabbed her small red clutch from the tabletop. “Back in a few.”
“Nice to meet you,” Dane said to the Jensens. “Hope you’ll come back.”
“We will,” Randi said, smiling. “My best friend is your new star.”
“That she is,” Dane said, and looked down at Julia. In her four-inch stilettos, she still only reached his chin. He held out a hand t
oward the side door that led outside. “After you.”
She walked ahead of him to the exit, recomposing herself as she went. What did he want? He’d seemed more than pleased with her performance, but was this a reprimand of some kind, that he didn’t want to tell her in front of others? Taking a deep breath, she pushed through the glass doors, strode out to the sidewalk, and turned to face him. Damn. Did he have to look so damn good in that tux? She wanted to slide the tie out of his collar and wrap it around his neck to pull him down to her....
Warm June breezes caressed her bare arms, but she shook off a shiver. She cleared her throat and said with a smile, “Everything okay, Boss?”
He snorted out a laugh. “If you’re going to keep calling me Boss, I get to keep calling you Red.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I really don’t like it when people call me that.”
“I’m not ‘people’,” he said with a sly grin. “I’m your boss. As you keep reminding me.”
She huffed a breath of exasperation. “Fine. So. Boss. What’s up? You wanted to talk?”
His features softened. “Julia . . . you were really incredible tonight. Seriously. I couldn’t be happier with your performance. I wanted to thank you.”
She hadn’t expected that. That, or the earnest tone he used to speak. Her throat felt thick. “You’re welcome,” she managed to murmur.
“I took a big chance on you,” he continued. “I wanted an unknown. That had its risks. But you’re as talented, as professional, and as charismatic as any proven star I’ve seen.” His blue eyes gleamed as he admitted, “You struck me flat tonight. I mean, I saw you perform the night I met you. I’ve caught bits of your rehearsals. But tonight . . . you owned that room, and everyone in it. I’m beyond impressed. And I don’t impress easily.” He grinned, almost sheepishly, and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I just thought you should know that. And that I think you’re going to have a great run here.”
Pleasure shimmered over her, but she couldn’t show him how much his praise meant to her. He’d use it to his advantage if he knew his words affected her. Or how adorable he looked just then. So she did what she usually did: went on the offensive to deflect. “Thank you. But why are you buttering me up? You just opened a hotel tonight. You must be incredibly busy; you didn’t have to seek me out personally to tell me that. So what’s the catch here?”
More Than You Know Page 7