5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) (68 page)

He showed her how he could change the tempo and key of her voice and she was simply amazed.  So even if I couldn't hit those high notes, with the right producer behind the scenes it would make it appear I could?"

"That's about the crux of it Angela, take a singer with an average voice and the ability to stay on key, and you can make them sound like a superstar."  He'd done his share of getting the director to doctor up vocals.  "The only difference is, when they perform live concerts the fans know exactly what they sound like.  Granted we can give them the reverb, but all the pitches and speed, that's up to the singers when they do concerts.

It made sense to her now why that concert she'd went to with Rachel, when the singer was nowhere near as good as the CD had been, why he'd been unable to perform that way.  "Learn something new all the time I guess." She laughed softly.

Nolan allowed her a few more songs to get comfortable with the sensation of hearing her natural voice before deciding to call it quits.  She'd done exceptionally well here and he knew she would feel much more comfortable for the real experience that would come later. "I don't know about you, but I could use a good meal?"  What he could really use was some private time alone with her, but instinctively he knew that it would make her nervous if he brought that up.

"I could definitely eat," she answered but honestly it was so much fun being in the studio, a few more hours here wouldn't hurt her feelings.

He could see the longing in her eyes to keep singing and chuckled.  "Trust me in a few weeks you'll be ready to scream in frustration over being here."  Having the finished product was always an exhilarating feeling for his vocalists, but the studio was also hard work.  Depending on how difficult it was to lay down tracks, it wasn't uncommon to spend hours on one song.

Reluctantly she followed him out of the studio and back through the thinning barrage of reporters before they climbed in his car again.  Her mind was overwhelmed by all she had learned today, so she was quiet as they drove.  It was hard to believe she was going to make an album, even now she wondered when she'd wake up and discover this was all a dream.

"Would you rather eat out or have my staff put together a meal," he broke into her silence, not sure if she was willing to deal with more reporters.

"Honestly I don't really want to be around the press anymore today if that's okay?"  She understood it was going to be a normal part of her life for a while, but it made her more than a little uncomfortable.  It was ironic that in the past she thought reporters were all these professional people who were refined, but that definitely wasn't the side of their profession she saw today.

"Eating in it is then, and don't worry Angela, it gets easier to deal with them."  He'd been surrounded by the press most of his life, early on because of his father's popularity, then later his own.  These days they were just a nuisance he'd learnt to ignore unless something like this situation forced his hand.

"They don't believe in privacy much, huh?" She'd been astounded at the personal questions they seemed to have no problems asking.

Chuckling derogatively he shook his head, "According to the masses, if you're famous you don't deserve to have a private life.  I guess it's the price you pay for living the dream."  He always wondered how the normal person would feel if he stalked their homes and took photos of their every move, he guessed not so much.

"If you had to do it all over again, I mean have the fame or be a normal person, which would you choose?"  It was all a little overwhelming to her, thinking about how her life would never be her own again if she continued to pursue this.

"There have been times when a little anonymity would've been nice Angela, but I wouldn't give up what I love even with all the drawbacks.  Some people can't deal with the constant pressure of being in the public eye though, and for those, maybe it's not the best career choice."  He could recall several
stars turning to drugs and alcohol when the demands of public scrutiny became too much.

With even the small glimpse into his world she'd been given today, she could understand how some people would fold.  They pulled through the security gate and she allowed her thoughts to remain her own as she considered how she would deal with this on a daily basis.  Sure he had everything money could buy, but even shopping would have to be a chore with people watching your every move, she pondered.

He slid out of his car and walked around to open her door and they kept a comfortable silence as they entered his home.  Giving his chef directions for dinner, he led her into the living room, sitting down on an oversized sofa.  "So what did you think about your first day at the studio?"  He was trying his best to keep up the camaraderie they had shared today, but his mind was already on the night they'd spend together.

"It was amazing," feeling a little nervous about being back alone with him again, she tried to fight off her anxieties.  She knew that he wanted her, and even wanting him, there was a part of her that was terrified when the time came she wouldn't be unable to go through with this.

"We should have some demos to listen to in the morning, and I think you'll be really pleased with what Simon comes up with."  He could see the fear already filling her eyes, and wondered if it was wrong to want to take her in his arms and drive that away forever.

She was perched on the edge of the couch at the far end, and trying her best to focus on the conversation.  "I'm sure the songs will be great," she doubted anyone working for him
could be less than perfect.  Was it too late to forget this crazy notion that she could be his lover, she wondered, her heart racing.

He moved down to sit closer to her, and saw her tense visibly.  "I'm sure you'll make the songs great Angela," he spoke softly and made no movement to touch her.  Something told him she was strung so tight if he made any move she was going to snap.

Clenching her fists, she fought the urge to stand up and move away from him.  She was crazy to believe this was a possibility for them.  "Nolan, I ..." she was cut off as his finger pressed against her lips softly.  She was about to tell him she couldn't do this, no matter how much she wanted to discover if she had the ability to feel desire again, it was too frightening.

"I can see it in your eyes Angela, but please don't run away from me." He moved the finger that had pressed against her lips to her cheek, allowing it to softly caress her jaw bone.  "What he did to you was horrible, but I promise with me you'll find nothing but pleasure." If he had to hold his own need in check all night, he was determined that she would find freedom from her fear and passion in his arms tonight.  Pulling her into his arms, he held her against him.  "Angela I'm asking you to trust me."

She wanted to pull out of his arms, and press herself even more tightly against him at the same time.  There was a huge part of her that wanted to believe he had the capability to drive away her demons, but the scared little girl wanted to run away and not take the chance. 

They were interrupted by his housekeeper informing him their dinner was ready, and Angela was thankful for a brief respite from the huge decision she needed to make. "Saved by the bell," she nervously laughed, wondering why this strong beautiful man was wasting his time on a head case like her.

"Just postponed I hope," he smiled sadly, hating the thought of what the man had done to her.  She was so damned beautiful and deserved so much more than a life filled with fear and past regret.  Standing up, he held out his hand and was almost surprised when she placed her own inside.  He was a selfish bastard, he told himself again as he walked her into the dining room.  She should be with a man that could offer her the happily ever after she deserved, not some commitment phobic like him.

She forced herself to eat a little of the food, and without a doubt in her mind the meal was delicious, but her stomach was tied in knots.   Taking several deep breaths, she contemplated her choices.  She could walk away and never know if she was capable of feeling anything but this overwhelming fear of sex, or take a chance and hope that Nolan had the ability to show her something beautiful was possible when two people made love.

He could tell her thoughts weren't on the food, and wished he had thought to be a little more considerate.  What kind of man was he to promise to help her when his own mind was so fucked up he couldn't even fix him?  "Angela if you don't want this, I promise you I'll still live up to my end of the bargain, you know that right?"  He couldn't for one second let her think she was being forced into accepting his offer.

Pushing her plate away, she nodded and carefully contemplated her words.  "Nolan it's not that I don't want you, if I thought I could enjoy a night in your arms without remembering every horrible thing that man did to me, I wouldn't even think twice."

"I think it's pretty obvious how much I want you," he laughed and felt more than a little self-conscious about being so honest about his needs, it was a first for him.  "That being said, I find myself wanting you to be happy above everything I could desire for myself."  Again, another first for him and as he spoke the words he realized how true they really were.  It wasn't just about sexual gratification with her, for the first time in his life he was thinking about someone else's needs.

How could she walk away from his profession, she thought to herself, and then decided she wasn't going to.  "Take me to bed, Nolan," she whispered the words softly, amazed even as she said them.

"Are you sure Angela," he didn't want to question her decision, but at the same time he refused to allow her to regret this and wanted her to be completely positive he was what she wanted.

She gave a small nod of her head, her mouth so dry now that she had given in, she doubted she could speak.  When he picked her up into his arms, holding her like a child, she could only stare into his eyes dazed by the action.  She held on like her life depended on it, and maybe in some ways it did.  This was her defining moment, if she could let go of her fear and find pleasure in his arms then maybe there was still a part of her left that wouldn't be forever haunted by her past.

He lowered her feet to the ground after they entered his bedroom and he locked the door behind him before turning back.  The sound seemed to vibrate off the walls in her mind, and she stared at him like a soul that was lost being confronted with a chance of salvation. Knowing he was no damn savior, he vowed mentally to make this the most memorable night of her life even if it took every ounce of self-control he possessed.

"So what do we do now?" She stood stiffly allowing her eyes to take in the sophisticated elegance of his room until her eyes landed on the huge mahogany bed.  Biting her lip nervously she turned her eyes back to him, the fear dripping through her veins and threatening to make her bolt.

He smiled patiently and walked over to the stereo system in the wall, turning it on before walking back in front of her again.  "Dance with me," holding out his arms, he enveloped her gently as she surrendered.  The soothing jazz love song echoed in the room and he swayed with her, wishing he could drive her fear away.

Molded against his body as he moved, she felt some of the tension slide from her limbs.  His chest against her cheek was strong and she inhaled the delightful scent that was all him with a slight hint of his cologne.  She had thought he would take her to the bed immediately, but the dance was just what she needed to calm her nerves enough to not panic.

When he lowered his lips to hers, his hand resting under her chin to lift it gently, he reminded himself to go slowly.  Still moving to the rhythm, his tongue joined in the dance with hers and the sweet taste of her kiss enflamed him more than any woman before her. 

Her hands found their way around his neck and she allowed her mind to focus on the incredible feeling of his mouth on hers.  The tender caress of his large hands splaying over her back forced a soft sigh from her lips, and he kissed her deeply.  She could lose herself in this kiss she thought, her heart racing and a strange excitement moving through her body.

When the song ended she was breathless and could only stare at him in wonder.  The smile he gave she returned with one of her own, amazed that he could be so tender.  Stepping back, she slowly lifted the silken tank top over her head, wanting him to know she was ready to take this further.

He glanced over the silken skin she revealed and felt awed by her trust.  Every instinct told him to reach out and touch the gift she was offering, but something held him back.  When she moved her trembling hands behind her to unsnap the clasp of her bra, letting it fall to the ground, his own breath caught in his throat.  Her breasts were perfect, the soft full mounds and mouthwatering pale pink tips, had his body reacting instantly.  He unbuttoned his own shirt and let it fall away as well.

Her eyes took in every inch of his wide bronzed chest with the slight splattering of curly hair.  His thick, muscled arms, she knew would never cause her pain, he was just beautiful to gaze at.  She moved to the bed sitting down, and removed her sneakers and ankle socks before standing again.  With a nervous smile, her hands went to the snap of her jeans and unbuttoned, then slid the zipper down.  With her eyes never leaving his, she shimmied them off her slightly rounded hips, and then stepped out of them, leaving only the tiny white-lace panties she was wearing to hide her from his view.

If he thought she was beautiful before, it compared nothing to the incredible vision before him now.  He ached with a desire that floored him, to run his hands over every inch of her perfect body.  From her shapely legs, to the soft flatness of her abdomen, and then those beautiful breasts that he knew would fill his hands just perfectly, he wanted all she had to give and then everything more.