by Joanna Blake
Every last scrap of privacy a celebrity had had been stolen by that particular invention.
He was sure that someone had already posted a picture of him with Katrina last night. Hopefully she wouldn't notice. It was fine, as long as TMZ didn't get a hold of it.
Now he was showered and ready to rehearse. It was Tuesday and the show opened in 48 hours. First they would walk through it and then do a soft run of the show, with another soft run tomorrow afternoon. Better to save everyone's energy and voices for the dress rehearsal tomorrow night and the big opening.
He was like a machine on days like this. But he was already distracted by one thing: the kiss. He'd staged a kiss into the end of his duet with Kat. It was clearly marked in the book so she must have seen it.
Today he'd get to kiss her.
He pulled on a pair of worn in jeans and a black cotton button down. He'd had most of his clothes forever. Expensive, but worn in. He smirked at himself in the mirror. Kind of like him.
Bruce headed to the performance space, aptly called 'The Joint'. Everything went smoothly during the dry run. He enjoyed watching Katrina move gracefully through her marks. When it came time for the duet, he winked at her at the end when they turned to face each other but didn't kiss her. Not yet. They broke for lunch and she snuck off somewhere. Elusive as usual.
Finally at 2 pm it was time for the first run through. Bruce felt oddly nervous. Not about performing. But about their song together. He wondered if Kat was going to finally let him kiss her for a moment and then he squashed the thought. It might be wrong, but kissing him was part of her job. She didn't really have a choice in the matter, did she?
He grinned and applied chapstick to his lips. He really could be a bastard sometimes.
**********
Katrina stepped into the light for her duets. Her stomach had been queasy all day, just thinking about this. Not the singing- that part she had down. It was what happened after the singing.
The song itself seemed to bring up strange emotions in her, especially today. It was about young lovers who were separated, only to find each other again as adults. Bruce's voice was husky and raw as he sang about loving a woman, wanting something he had lost. The way their voices blended was exquisite. Even she had to admit that.
As the song drew to a close she turned to face Bruce. He was in character, his eyes blazing with love and need. She gasped as he reached for her, pulling her close. His lips met hers and a shock of electricity went through her entire body.
She finally knew what people meant when they said kissing somebody made their toes curl.
Then the lights went out and she stepped away abruptly. His hands slid off of her and he cocked his head. Even in the dark she could see the smug look on his face. He knew he'd gotten to her.
As she stepped off the stage into the wings she realized she was trembling. Not just from the brief kiss though. It was the intimacy of singing together. He'd made her feel like his equal as they sang, their voices intertwining together.
Dammit. She was in trouble. If she wasn't careful she'd end up falling in love with him. That was the worst possible thing that she could do.
Betsy and Linda were staring at her as she tried to gather herself. They waved her over. She wasn't in the mood for their suspicions today. But when she got closer, she realized the look they were giving her was friendly.
"You guys sound great together."
"Thanks."
She took a deep breath. Might as well get this over with.
"But we're not. Together, I mean."
The other singers exchanged a knowing glance.
"Oh we saw you pull back. He sure looked sad."
"Looks like he wanted a lot more than that measly little peck."
"Look, I know what it looks like but I swear, I'm not sleeping with him."
"I believe you."
"Me too. He sure wants to though."
“He’s been so grumpy lately we just know he isn’t getting any!”
"Hmmmhmmmmm!"
Katrina blushed and glanced back to the stage where Bruce was singing another song, this time playing an acoustic guitar by himself. He played a number of instruments through out the show. He really was incredible.
"Don't worry. We won't say nothing when you give in."
"Not a word!"
"That's not going to happen."
"So she says!"
"I give you 48 hours before he wears you down."
"Oh, stop. I'm tougher than I look."
Betsy and Linda cracked up at that, their muffled laughs earning them a sharp glance from Harry.
Kat didn't mind a bit though. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she might actually have some friends.
10
It was early afternoon on Thursday. Opening night. There was something special about it no matter how many times you took the stage. Bruce still had a lot to do.
He'd already done a brief promotional appearance early this morning on the local Las Vegas Morning Show. He'd signed autographs on the way out and back in the hotel. He'd even turned down a few offers of quick sex from a some good looking fans.
He was used to it, but it still surprised him how forward some women could be. They were worse than men! He felt like a peace of meat sometimes. The reality was that most of them wanted him to treat them like a piece of meat.
He'd worked out again, but not too strenuously. He'd made phone calls, including one to his niece Lisa to wish her happy birthday. His sister Bethany was still back East and the only reason he ever went back there at all. She had three kids and he loved them all as if they were his own.
Hell, he'd even started college funds for them. It was the least he could do, considering he had money coming out of his eardrums. He and Bethy might have grown up with nothing, but these kids had everything they needed and more. He tended to spoil them a little.
Not a little bit. A lot.
He hung up, hearing the squeals of delight still ringing in his ears as little Lisa played with her new puppy. A rescue dog. He'd gotten her a new computer too. Both cleared with mom of course.
He stared out over the Vegas skyline as he showered. The bathroom had a wall of glass with unobstructed views in every direction. Nobody could see in, unless they were in a helicopter.
One last thing to do before he went down to the theater. He picked up the hotel phone and called the front desk.
"Hi, yes thank you we are all set for the show. I'd like to be moved to the Hard Rock Tower if that's possible. Yes. Some of my performers are staying there and I'd like to be closer to them. I don't mind a smaller suite. That'd be fine. Great, thanks."
It was only Kat who was staying in the Hard Rock Tower but he didn't need to mention that. He glanced around the opulent suite. He'd trade it all just for the chance he could convince Kat to come back to his new room with him tonight. Being near by made that much more possible. And more discrete.
He glanced in the mirror as he pulled on his favorite jeans and t-shirt for the show. Now all he had to do was make sure the lighting guy kept the lights on a little longer after the duet. She couldn't pull back if the lights were still up could she? Kat had responded to him during the run throughs on Tuesday and Wednesday but he hadn't gotten a chance to really explore what was happening between them. Or kiss her for more than a minute or two.
Tonight was the perfect chance for him to take things to the next level. If she got mad, he could just say he'd gotten caught up in the excitement. Plus the opening night party was sure to get everyone loose and relaxed. He wondered what Kat would wear to it- one of the mini dresses he'd gotten her hopefully.
Bruce hadn't worked this hard to maneuver around a woman since High School. No- ever. Not even close. But he knew she'd be worth it.
A knock on the door signaled that the bellhop was here to move his bags to his new suite in the Hard Rock Tower. Closer to his ultimate goal.
He took the elevator down to the lobby and headed to the theat
er.
It was show time.
**********
Katrina stood with Linda and Betsy taking some promotional pictures in the lobby. They were just wrapping up when Bruce strode through the lobby followed closely by a bellhop pushing a cart full of bags.
"Look at that."
"What?"
"Bruce is switching rooms looks like."
"So?"
Betsy and Linda exchange glances.
"I don't know. Why would he be moving to the same part of the hotel as one hot little mama we know and love?"
Katrina blanched. He couldn't. He wouldn't.
She sat down abruptly on one of the sofa's in the lobby.
He could and he would.
"Look out girl, he's comin' for ya!"
They laughed uproariously as Kat cradled her head in her hands. What was she going to do? Even if she gave into him, it was only opening pandora's box. She'd fall in love with him and he'd discard her, ruining her reputation in the process. She needed her career to work. Too much was riding on this.
Tommy needed her.
But try and she might, she could not see a clear way out of this. Mostly because she wasn't sure she even wanted to.
Just give in.
"Come on girl, it's time to get ready."
"Okay."
Kat followed them into the theater. Tonight was her professional debut. Everything else she had done was semiprofessional at best. She wouldn't let her worries about the future ruin this. If that's one thing she'd learned from being the mother of a kid with cancer, it was that.
Seize the moment. Enjoy every second of life, especially on a night like tonight.
And by God, she would.
**********
Bruce was pacing back and forth like a caged lion. The show was going well- incredibly so. Almost every show had a glitch at one time or another, but not tonight. But the duet was coming up soon and he was starting to second guess his plan with the lights.
What if she didn't want to kiss him?
No, she did. He knew she did. He could always tell when a woman wanted him, even if she didn't want to want him.
And Kat definitely did not want to be feeling what she was feeling. But that was just too damn bad. She wasn't the only one caught up in this off the wall attraction they had for each other. He wasn't going to let her hide from him or slip away.
He just couldn't imagine his life without her in it.
He stood stock still for a second as that little tid bit sunk in.
He didn't just want to take her to bed. He wanted her in his life. Permanently.
The chime sounded, signaling the audience to regain their seats.
Bruce struggled to regain his composure as the crowd started to settle. The moment they were ready for him, he felt it. He stepped out onto the brightly lit stage and they went wild, screaming for him. He didn't have much of an ego about his music or abilities, but he had to admit he loved this. They wanted what only he could give them. And he wanted to give it.
Bruce raised his arms and unleashed his primal rock star.
**********
Katrina pressed her fingertips against her lips. She could still feel Bruce's touch there. Linda handed her a drink. Non-alcoholic this time. She didn't trust herself to be around him after a few drinks. She might just throw herself at him and ask him to continue what he'd started.
The show had been fantastic. Bruce was fantastic. She'd felt the stirrings of a serious fan girl crush creeping in, seeing him in all his glory like that. And then they'd sung together- this time the words had more meaning somehow. This time when he kissed her there was a glitch or something and the lights hadn't gone out.
So he'd kept kissing her.
And dear Lord, the man could kiss.
The crowd had gone wild as he bent her backwards in his arms and taken her mouth in a tender but ravaging kiss. It was just a stage kiss. It was just part of the show. The way she'd clung to his shoulders had been for the audience's benefit.
Liar.
She clutched her Shirley Temple and sat on one of the low lounge seats next to the rest of the band. Everyone was chattering happily, interacting with fans who approached and the rest of the road crew. The hotel investors were there as well.
Harry had paraded her out in front of a bunch of very wealthy looking men in suits. She'd cringed at the way their eyes had crawled up and down her legs, looking extra long in her stiletto ankle booties. Why had Bruce bought her so many mini skirts and dresses? This one was a Herve Leger Bandage Dress. It clung to her figure but the stiff fabric was oddly comfortable. The dress felt like it was giving her a hug.
Lord knows she could use one.
Kat was almost wishing she hadn't gotten the job right about now. No matter what happened, she knew that she was going to be thinking about Bruce for a long time. He would be impossible to forget once he'd moved on, or even if she followed her instincts and cut and run.
But she'd never get another job if she did that. Not as a singer anyway. Not in LA.
She felt eyes on her and glanced up. Bruce was over by the bar, surrounded by scantily clad women. Fans by the look of it.
No, not fans. Groupies.
He laughed at something the woman on his right said as she grasped his arm, playfully feeling his muscles.
A hot knife of jealousy sliced through Kat. She looked away and found herself staring right into the eyes of one of the suits. This was the youngest, he looked to be about her age. Mid-twenties at the most. Michael. His name was Michael. He was ogling her and not in a respectful way. She inhaled sharply and stood up.
Time to call it a night.
Kat slipped into the crowd, hoping to escape unnoticed.
As she stepped out into the street outside she felt someone grabbing her arm. She turned to see Michael bearing down on her.
"Where are you off to?"
She smiled benignly and tugged her arm from his grasp.
"I'm tired."
He didn't seem impressed with that so she used a line that always seemed to work. She sort of rubbed her throat and sighed dramatically.
"You know, still recuperating."
He grinned and leaned forward, eyeing her tits.
"Recuperating from what?"
"From the change. You know. Snip snip."
She watched as the look in his eyes changed from lust to shock. As she’d predicted, he backed away pretty quickly, holding his hands up in surrender.
"Yeah… okay you should definitely rest then."
She smiled smugly. Kat had known a few transexuals in her time. Some of them incredibly gorgeous women. You really could not tell they'd ever been men, which made sense since they all said they'd always felt like women inside. She felt a bit guilty using something like that to get the guy to back off but it had worked. Much better than the fake wedding ring she used to wear.
The sound of slow clapping made her turn around.
Bruce was leaning against the wall of the hotel and watching her.
"Impressive."
She tossed her hair in annoyance. His timing sucked. She really did just want to be alone. Alone to go back to her room and lick her wounds.
"I'm not in the mood Bruce."
His eyebrows shot up. In her annoyance she'd used his real name. He smiled at her triumphantly.
"What are you in the mood for?"
"I just want to be left alone."
He tilted his head and gave her a wry smile.
"That's going to be difficult for two reasons. Number one being that you were a sensation tonight. You are going to have a long career in the public eye if you keep this up."
She sighed. He was being kind but she knew it was true. The audience had loved her. They'd loved them together even more.
"What's the second reason?"
He crossed over to her and lifted her hand to his lips.
"The second reason is that you are driving me absolutely insane."
She gasped at the fe
eling of his lips against her hand. Then he turned it over and kissed her wrist. Hot spirals of lust started to pool in her belly.
"Bruce…"
He pulled her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. Gently he nudged her lips apart. The moment her mouth opened he delved inside, tasting of ginger ale and something else indefinable. Something that was pure him…
She moaned as he maneuvered her into the shadows, pressing her up against the wall. His larger than average arousal pressed firmly at her juncture. They both moaned as his hand closed over her breast. He started kissing her neck, using his hands to pull her hips into him. Kat stared blindly into space as he rocked his turgid erection against her.
Before she knew it he was tugging her dress down so he could touch her breasts. Then he was kissing them, making her moan and run her hands through his hair.
Sharp laughter pierced the air as she saw a group of girls cross the courtyard to the club. They hadn't seen them but the effect was still like a bucket of ice being dumped on her head. She pushed her hands against Bruce's shoulders. His head snapped up and he looked at her with his heavy lidded eyes.
Kat swallowed and shook her head.
"Please- stop-"
He cursed and pushed back, leaving his hands on either side of her head where he was braced against the wall. He was visibly struggling for control.
"Kat- please- you are leaving me in a state of constant frustration."
If she'd been hoping for love words, she was clearly going to be disappointed. He hadn't said anything remotely romantic. He just wanted to screw her, that was all. At least he was honest. She had to give him that.
"Maybe you should work that out with one of your groupies."
The hurt look on his face was the last thing she saw as she brushed past him and ran into the hotel lobby. She promised herself she could cry when she got upstairs. Cry once, and then put Bruce out of her head and heart forever.