Irresistible You

by Francis Ray

  “It’s pretty difficult to pay attention to anything or anyone when you’re around,” he said truthfully, and, for once, before he’d thought out his comment.

  Sabra’s laughter bubbled from her lips as she unfolded her arms. “Ruth didn’t mention that her son was such a flatterer.”

  “I was telling the truth.” It bothered him that he hadn’t thought to guard his words more carefully.

  The smile slowly left her face. Stepping around him, she went to the conveyer. Pierce had to almost wrestle the upright luggage from her this time. He wondered what caused her to go from playful to cool. A woman as beautiful as Sabra, and in her profession, had to be used to compliments.

  “That’s it. Isabella is waiting.” Sabra stepped around him to obtain a Smart Cart.

  Pierce put the luggage on the rolling cart, his attention on Sabra, who was becoming more fascinating by the moment. She was independent and down-to-earth. She didn’t fit the usual pattern of the successful women he’d dated. He was definitely leaning toward finding out more about her.

  LESS THAN TEN MINUTES LATER SABRA’S LUGgage was loaded in Pierce’s Porsche SUV and they were on Interstate 25 headed for Santa Fe. Isabella was in the backseat, her tongue lolling happily. At least one of them was enjoying this trip.

  “Would you like to stop and grab a bite to eat?” Pierce asked. “It’s an hour drive to Santa Fe.”

  “I’m fine.” Sabra didn’t bother to look at Pierce. It wasn’t likely any woman would forget his handsome face or his lean, muscular body. No wonder women stared at him. He moved with an assurance that said he knew who he was and that he was comfortable with himself.

  In New York, a city where faking it was an everyday occurrence and Sabra had lived for the past nine years, it was rare to meet a man so at ease with himself. Sabra caught herself thinking about the man next to her instead of the real reason she had come to Santa Fe and firmly pulled her thoughts back.

  “Must be interesting reading.” Pierce nodded his head toward the laptop resting on her legs.

  Reluctantly Sabra lifted her head. “Hopefully the audience will agree with you.” At his puzzled look she continued. “I wrote Silken Lies, the fund-raiser play for the students’ winter trip to New York. I’ll act and direct. I’m just going over it.”

  Twin lines raced across Pierce’s furrowed brow. “You’re directing?”

  Sabra’s face mirrored his earlier surprise. “And I’ve written two songs for the play. Obviously, your mother didn’t tell you.” She laughed despite the sudden clench in her stomach. “I’ll try not to read too much into that.”

  “Mama thinks you’re the greatest actress she’s ever seen. Clearly, your talents go far beyond just acting.” He glanced at her before giving his attention back to the busy interstate. “I’ve never seen her this excited about meeting an artist and, believe me, that’s saying a lot. She’s on the arts council, and two other boards. Her fondness for her students goes beyond just being their teacher. If she didn’t think you could do it, you wouldn’t be here.”

  Sabra’s stomach settled. “I’m looking forward to meeting her. When I mentioned I wanted to produce a play I’d written as well as act and direct, she sounded genuinely excited by the prospect.”

  “Why wouldn’t she be?”

  Sabra turned toward him in the seat, a smile tugging the corners of her mouth. “Perhaps because I’ve never written or directed before. Mrs. Grayson is taking a big chance. This will be their one and only fund-raiser. This could be a disaster.”

  “Do you really think that?”

  She didn’t have to think long for an answer. “If I say no it might sound egocentric.”

  “Or like a woman who has confidence in her own ability.”

  Her head tilted to one side again. He meant it. He wasn’t just saying what he thought she wanted to hear, as others had done. “Thank you.”

  “Just calling it the way I see it,” Pierce told her. “Mama is a good judge of character. If she thinks you can do it, you can.”

  Sabra thought of her father, who always had faith that she’d make it on Broadway, and fought to keep the tears at bay. She missed him so much. She’d always been closer to her dreamer of a father, perhaps because they were so much alike, than her practical mother. “You sound very close.”

  “We are, even when she’s trying to—” Pierce broke off.

  “Trying to do what?” Sabra asked, her curiosity piqued. Ruth Grayson, during their two-month-long correspondence and phone calls, had impressed Sabra as a charming, easygoing, lovely woman. Certainly not the type to cause a man like Pierce the worry Sabra had heard in his voice.

  Pierce tossed her a dimpled smile that had probably caused women of all ages to sigh in longing, then directed his attention back to the four-lane highway. “Family business. You wouldn’t be interested.”

  Yes, she would. Perhaps too much so. Pierce was the kind of man who made a woman forget herself. Sabra had done that once. The man had been charming and too handsome for a woman to ignore, and she’d been young and stupid enough to believe every lie. She had no intention of letting herself go down that road again.

  She was here to settle her father’s debt, her debt. There was no denying Pierce was a mouthwatering specimen of manhood, but this wasn’t the time or the place.

  Sabra switched her attention to the screen, which proved the wrong thing to do. It was the scene where devastatingly handsome Max Chandler, the male lead in Silken Lies, had to face a hard truth. Max, driven to right a wrong, used his looks, money, and charm to undo a terrible injustice done to his family. But in the process he jeopardized the only woman he had ever loved.

  Sabra glanced out the window at the passing scenery. What drove a man to use others to achieve his own end? Was there ever any justification? Was she any better?

  “You all right?”

  Surprised, she glanced back at Pierce. She was good at hiding her emotions. She only let people see what she wanted them to. To let the world see what you were feeling was asking to be used.

  He nodded his dark head toward the laptop now in her arms. “You’re clutching it like a lifeline.”

  She looked at the notebook that she had never let get far from her for the past year as she wrote Max’s story, unaware that when she started writing it would almost mirror the life of the man she’d loved with her whole heart. And, like Max’s story, there would be no happy ending.

  “Just thinking.” Turning in the seat, she reached out to Isabella. The dog immediately put her muzzle in Sabra’s palm, emitting a soft whine. “You can’t be hungry again.”

  “We’ll be in Santa Fe’s city limits in less than fifteen minutes,” Pierce told her. “Mama said to bring you by the auditorium, but I know she wouldn’t mind if we stopped to get takeout.” He looked at the dog in his mirror. “Isabella won’t be able to go inside, and I have a feeling she’s not the patient type.”

  “That goes for the both of us.” Sabra straightened in her seat.

  “Some things are hard to wait for, but well worth it,” Pierce said, his gaze a mixture of hot and hopeful.

  Sabra felt the pull in his dark eyes. Her stomach tightened. Pierce was a man she definitely planned to keep away from.

  CHAPTER TWO

  THE BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS OF ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE was just outside Santa Fe. SJC was known nationwide for its strong academic program as well as the capacity-filled week-long summer seminars on the great works of literature, politics, art, philosophy, opera, and science. Pierce drove directly to the auditorium and escorted Sabra inside. They were barely through the heavy wooden doors before his mother rushed to them.

  “Ms. Raineau, I’m Ruth Grayson. It’s a pleasure and an honor to finally meet you after following your career all these years,” Ruth greeted Sabra warmly, extending her hand.

  Sabra liked the tall woman with striking features immediately. She was dressed in a soft blue blouse and denim skirt. “Thank you, Mrs. Grayson. The pleasure is mine.
Please call me Sabra.”

  Ruth smiled. “If you’ll call me Ruth.”

  “Deal.” Sabra looked down at Isabella sitting politely at her feet. “This is Isabella. I hope you and your students don’t mind her coming to rehearsals.”

  “Not at all.” Ruth laughed and patted the dog on the head. “I’m fond of animals and, truthfully, you could have brought a menagerie with you. I’m still a bit awed that you’re here.”

  “I hope you’ll still feel that way after we’ve worked together for a few days,” Sabra said. Once again butterflies had taken flight in her stomach.

  “I can guarantee that.” Ruth turned toward the group of obviously awestruck students waiting patiently behind her. “Sabra, I’d like to introduce you to a group of very talented students who will bring Silken Lies to life.”

  More butterflies took flight, but Sabra’s easy smile remained as she shook hands with each of the waiting students. She’d had to trust Ruth to choose the best qualified for the production. There was no time to have tryouts once Sabra arrived. Ruth had assured Sabra that the students brought with them the broad base of specialties in music, communication, fashion, and design needed to develop the stage play. “I hope my songs can do your talent justice.”

  “It’s the other way around, Ms. Raineau,” Theo, a gifted pianist, corrected. “I’ve been working on the music since you sent the songs to Mrs. Grayson six weeks ago.”

  Sabra spoke to the students. “We’re going to be working closely together for the next four weeks; please call me Sabra. And, I confess, ‘Ms.’ makes me feel old.”

  The students nodded and smiled.

  Sabra turned to Theo. “Now that that’s taken care of, I can’t wait to hear what you’ve come up with.”

  He gulped. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Now?”

  Sabra casually slipped her arm through his slim one and smiled to put the young man at ease. “If you don’t mind?”

  Wordlessly, Theo went to the black baby grand on the stage and sat down. Everyone followed, Pierce included. He couldn’t imagine many men saying no to Sabra. The gift of her smile would induce any man to fight the devil himself.

  Theo slowly sank onto the piano bench as if he were sitting on eggs. Sabra sat beside him. The poor young man’s hands shook as he lifted them. He swallowed and looked at Sabra.

  She smiled and gently touched his trembling arm. “The first time I had to do an audition, I was so nervous I couldn’t say a word. It so happened that not only was the director there, but the producer and the two leads as well.”

  “W-what did you do?” Theo asked.

  “Thought of all the years I’d worked to get there and how I’d kick myself later if I let the chance get away,” she said. “I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and let them have it. Close your eyes, Theo, and let me have it.”

  Pierce didn’t have to look at his mother to know she was pulling for Theo. She’d chosen the students who she felt needed a boost of confidence to come into their own. She took a great deal of interest in her students, always had and always would.

  Theo’s long-fingered hands settled on the keys and he began to play a stirring melody. The sound that joined in was pure, haunting. An eloquent, imperfect soprano that spoke of pain and heartache. Sabra’s voice. It grabbed you at gut level as it told of love lost and love gained. When she finished, there was complete silence for five seconds. Then the students and Pierce’s mother wildly applauded.

  Pierce couldn’t join them. He’d never been as moved by a song, and he had been around music all his life. He was too caught up with the emotions Sabra’s voice had evoked. She wasn’t just singing words; they touched her on some deep emotional level. He’d never been jealous of anyone in his life, but just for a moment he was jealous of the man who had moved her to write “Tonight Is Forever.”

  Pierce’s mother had insisted all her children play a musical instrument. He’d chosen the drums because they could drown out his brothers’ and sister’s instruments. He should have chosen more wisely.

  “Theo, that was absolutely perfect,” Sabra said, her eyes bright. “I can’t wait to hear what you came up with for the other number.”

  “Thank you,” Theo said, grinning for all he was worth. “It will sound even better with the rest of the instruments.”

  Sabra swirled to face the students standing behind her. “I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to me. I can tell it means as much to you. Thank you.”

  The students surrounded Theo and Sabra, no longer awe struck but as fellow musicians and actors. Sabra had a way of putting a person at ease. She definitely wasn’t the diva Pierce had feared she’d be.

  “I hate to break this up, but it’s time for your next class,” Ruth said, earning her protests and groans. “Sabra will be here for four weeks. In the meantime, I don’t want any of your professors complaining about you not giving your best to all of the other classes.”

  Students scrambled for their books and backpacks. In less than thirty seconds they were waving good-bye and rushing out the door.

  “They’re a good group,” Sabra said.

  “Yes, they are,” Ruth said. “You’re as gracious as I knew you would be. As you suggested, I’ve offered the press and local media an exclusive a few days before the play. You and the students can work without being bothered. This is going to be better than I’d hoped. Isn’t she great, Pierce?”

  Pierce waited until Sabra looked at him before he spoke. “I’ve never heard anything as hauntingly beautiful.”

  Sabra’s smile faltered. “It was Theo’s music.”

  Pierce frowned. He hadn’t gotten the impression that Sabra was the modest type.

  “I can’t wait until rehearsal tomorrow,” Ruth said. “In the meantime, let’s get you settled. You selected the new condo building downtown. On the bottom floors are offices, a coffee shop, and a hair salon. It also has a state-of-the-art fitness center and a swimming pool.”

  Pierce recognized the building. He’d moved in two months ago when the building was complete. He looked at his mother with suspicion.

  “But if you’d like to have a look at the house or the hotel room I sent you information on, they’re still available.” Ruth picked up her worn leather satchel, detailed at the corner and on the buckle with sterling silver. “We want you to be happy.”

  Sabra shook her head and patted Isabella on the top of her head. “From the video you sent, I will be. The condo is convenient to everything, and the view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is breathtaking.”

  “Wonderful. If you like homemade fajitas, once you’re settled we could have dinner at my house. I’m finished here, and we could discuss the play.”

  “I’d love to, but I have Isabella.”

  “She won’t be any trouble,” Ruth said. “In anticipation of your coming I picked up dog food and bowls for her.”

  “I accept.” Sabra turned to Pierce and extended her hand. “Thanks again. Good-bye.”

  Her hand was soft as he’d expected. What he didn’t expect was not wanting to let her go. His thumb grazed lightly over her wrist and felt her pulse jump. At least he wasn’t alone in the attraction. “You and Isabella will probably see me again.”

  Isabella barked when Pierce said her name, but he kept his gaze on Sabra and watched with interest the pulse in her throat hammering against her soft skin. Soon he’d press his lips there.

  As if reading his thoughts, Sabra pulled her hand free, but she didn’t retreat. He had the impression she didn’t scare easily.

  Ruth spoke to Pierce. “Thank you again for picking Sabra up. You can put her luggage in my car. I’ll show her where she’ll be living.”

  Pierce couldn’t decide if his mother was acting as if he didn’t live at the condo because it wasn’t important or to throw him off. One thing he was sure of was that he wasn’t ready to see the last of Sabra. “Her luggage is heavy. Why don’t I follow you and take the luggage to her place?”

  “As I told
you, I can handle it,” Sabra said.

  “There’s no reason why you have to,” Pierce said easily.

  “Pierce is absolutely right. He can follow us.” Ruth walked to Sabra. “You can ride with me and we can discuss Silken Lies. What motivated you to write the play?”

  If he hadn’t been watching Sabra so closely, he might not have seen the panic in her chocolate eyes. “I wondered what a person would sacrifice for love.”

  “Does the woman singing the song or the man she’s singing about make the sacrifice?” Pierce asked.

  “He does,” Sabra answered.

  “What does he sacrifice?”

  “The woman he loved.”

  “Was it worth it?” Pierce asked.

  “That’s the question Max, the character, and the audience have to answer,” Sabra said before turning to his mother. “Ruth, I’m ready when you are.”

  “We’ll see you at the condo,” Ruth said as she left with Sabra.

  Pierce was right behind them.

  “THIS IS IT.” RUTH OPENED THE DOOR AND MOVED aside.

  Sabra stepped over the threshold with Isabella by her side. The first thing Sabra saw through a wall of plate glass directly in front of her was the snowcapped Sangre de Cristo Mountains. They towered majestically in the distance. The second was a black baby grand to her left. A rush of happiness went through her.

  Sabra turned to Ruth. “I have you to thank for this, don’t I?”

  “As I said, we wanted you to be happy,” Ruth said. “Would you like to try it out or go to dinner?”

  Smiling, Sabra went to sit at the piano, her fingers dancing across the keys. Pierce placed the luggage by the bedroom door, then just stood and listened. The haunting sounds of the music, just as her singing had done, touched him. He wondered why Sabra smiled, but her music didn’t reflect that happiness.

  “I thought you two were going to eat?” he asked.

  “In a minute,” Sabra said, continuing to play.

  “That’s from Carmen.” Ruth sat down beside her. “Another troubled soul who didn’t love wisely.”