Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (6 page)

Opening her front door, she danced into the street where the deliveryman took her in his arms for a hot salsa.  “Where you been all my life, pretty girl?”

“Settling.”  The stage lights lowered as she added, “You’ll do…for a little while.  Don’t get attached…because this isn’t going to be a love story.  I have shit to do.”

The matchmaker tapped across the stage in their wake as the curtain dropped in place. 

Cheers and applause grew in volume as Ezra brought the lights back up and the curtain rose.  The cast assembled along the front of the stage and took a coordinated bow.  The cheers and catcalling were unreal.  The brothers witnessed success in the making. 

Ezra grinned, his pride in the final result obvious.  “They fucking did it.  We’re going to be sold out for every show.  They just made themselves famous…and us a fucking fortune.” 

After a standing ovation, Mikayla lead Madeline backstage to remove the gypsy dress, made to increase her breasts to a comical size and spread out her hips and waist.  She also removed the latex makeup and wig that aged her several decades. 

They reappeared with Madeline barefoot, wearing a flesh-toned bodysuit, her natural hair in a snug chignon at the base of her neck.  The sisters shared a hard hug and the moment the audience realized they were twins, the crowd reaction turned thunderous. 

When she accepted a microphone from one of the stagehands, the theater slowly quieted.  Madeline took a moment to speak about the charity the performance benefitted and asked patrons to give as much as they could. 

Her southern accent charmed them. 

“Thank you for being our first live audience for
Not That Desperate
– I hope you enjoyed the show.  Special thanks must be given to the incomparable Zelder brothers who made every step of this journey possible with their kindness and expertise.  We’ll see you at the party!”

The Johannson sisters left the stage with a wave, the rest of the cast following behind them. 

“Have we ever been publicly thanked?” Ezra asked quietly, obviously as floored as Isaiah who shook his head.  “I didn’t think so.  Let’s get down there.”

After giving specific instructions to their teams, the Zelder brothers headed backstage. 

He wouldn’t approach her but Isaiah had every intention of seeing Mikayla’s initial reaction to her first live performance.  She’d nailed it and she deserved to feel exceptional. 

He wanted a quick peek and then he’d head home.

Chapter Five

The moment they cleared the stage, Madeline pulled Mikayla into a
crushing
hug.  “Sissy, you were so relaxed and beautiful!  You nailed it and I’m so proud of you.” 

“Your play is going to be fucking famous, Linn!  I love you so much.”

“It wouldn’t have been the same without you.  Thanks for helping to make it a reality.”  Madeline held her tight and they turned arm-in-arm to congratulate the rest of the cast and thank the stagehands who’d supported them without a hitch. 

The two of them were hugged repeatedly and they made their way to Theodora’s serving station for water.  The tiny woman gave them a huge smile as they approached. 

“I heard the applause and
knew
you blew them away.  I can’t wait to see the recording.”  She pressed chilled water bottles in their hands.  “I’ll save plates for both of you at the party but I made some snacks for you to take the edge off.” 

“You’re a lifesaver because I’m starving,” Mikayla admitted.  Her eyes widened when she saw Theodora’s famous puff pastries.  “This…I’m taking with me.”

“Take as many as you want.  The other girls aren’t going to
touch
them…you know that.”

The three of them laughed together and Linn excused herself to use the restroom.  “I need to wiggle my way out of this bodysuit so I need a head start.  Hold down the fort until I change.” 

Nodding, she watched her sister run toward the cast hallway. 

As she reached out to grab some of her favorite treats, she heard her name and was whirled into introductions to a member of the cast’s family. 

Exhausted but exhilarated, Mikayla kept an eye out for Isaiah.  She couldn’t wait to see him again.  This time in full light, so she could clearly read his every expression.  There hadn’t been enough time to talk to him, to touch him, as much as she’d wanted. 

She planned to make up for it in spades.

When she didn’t catch a glimpse of him after almost half an hour, she started looking more pointedly.  There were dozens of people clustered in the close backstage area. 

An extremely tall, dark head came into view and she murmured a rushed goodbye to the brother of one of the dancers to make her way through the crowd. 

Grabbing his shoulder from behind, she called happily, “Isaiah!”

The man turned and she realized it was his brother.  She tried to hold her smile but it wasn’t easy.  “Oh, Ezra.  Hello.”  Disappointed, she glanced around the space again. “Where’s Isaiah?” 

On tiptoe, her hand still on his shoulder to balance herself, she met Ezra’s eyes.  Taking a deep breath, she lowered and dropped her hand.  Working to hide her hurt, she asked, “He left, didn’t he?” 

“I’m sorry, Mikayla.”

Blushing, she folded her hands in front of her.  “I…might have scared him off.  He might think I’m insensitive or unladylike.” 

He frowned.  “What do you…? 
Mikayla.
  No, that isn’t it.  It’s not you.”  His smile was gentle.  “You’re a perfect lady.  Isaiah is enchanted with you.”

“Then why?”  She pulled her lower lip between her teeth.  “Why is he so isolated?”

“He spends a lot of time alone, Mikayla.  The accident took away his entire life as he knew it and he struggles.” 

It would have been difficult to explain her fascination with a man she barely knew.  The mystery surrounding Isaiah had finally been answered and she wanted more time with him. 

She fought to hold back tears, saddened by the loss Isaiah suffered and wishing he could see the beauty she saw in him. 

Ezra’s big hands cupped her shoulders.  “You should be on top of the world right now.”

“Sure.  I know.”  She shrugged.  “I hoped to see him.  That’s all.” 

Mikayla stared at the floor and thought she heard him murmur, “
Fuck it
.”  With a small squeeze, he let her go and said, “He left through the side entrance.” 

Maybe she could still catch him.

Without another word, she turned and ran for the exit in treacherously high heels.  Mikayla hit the platform on the other side of the door fast, catching herself on the metal railing and peering up and down the alley.  She spotted him a block away, shrugging into a jacket. 

Calling his name, she went down the stairs too fast, praying she didn’t trip in the heels she was still wearing from the last act and break her damn ankle.  Madeline would
kill
her. 

On the pavement, she picked her way around boxes and crates set out for trash pickup.  When it seemed clear, she started to run, keeping an eye on the ground. 

Hitting the solid wall of the man’s chest made the breath rush out of her.  Isaiah’s arms went around her and she slid her hands along his sides without thought. 

“Mikayla, what are you
doing
out here?” 

Standing still, she realized it was rather chilly but before she could respond, he shrugged his jacket from his shoulders and wrapped it around her.  Her hands slid further around him but she wasn’t able to respond. 

He was even more beautiful in better light.

“Mikayla.”

“Isaiah.”

He stared into her face and said softly, “You’re not dressed for a New York alley, sweet young woman from the Midwest.”  Isaiah took in her slinky red dress, held up with tiny straps.  The stilettos were nothing but three small strips of leather.  “On several levels but mainly the temperature.  You need to get back inside before you get sick and your sister is forced to strangle you.”

“Don’t leave.”  She swallowed hard.  “If you’re leaving because you think badly of me…”

A large palm slid along the side of her face into her hair.  “Never.”

“Then why didn’t you come find me after the show?  I wanted to see you.”  She knew she must sound ridiculous.  It wasn’t like her to push a man for attention.  Still,
this man
seemed worth it.

“You need to be inside, Mikayla.”  His palm was warm along her neck and she pressed her torso closer to soak up his warmth.  “You were incredible.”

“Come inside with me.”  She watched his eyes flicker and she frowned.  “If you don’t want to…will you take me with you?”

His mouth dropped open. “Mikayla, you
need
to go to the charity after-party.  You really do.  There’ll be reporters there who will want to talk to you.  Do it for your sister and the play.  You have to use tonight’s performance for promotion.  Opening night is in three weeks.” 

Knowing Isaiah spoke from years of experience in the entertainment industry, she planned to work that for all it was worth.  Mikayla grew up with four older brothers.  He’d have to get up pretty early in the morning to win against her when she set her mind to something.

“Then come with me.  I’m not going without you.  I mean it.”   

“I don’t…” he started to say.

Mikayla lifted her hand and placed her fingers over his lips. “Maybe you didn’t before tonight.  I understand but I want more time with you.  I need it.  Please say yes.” 

With both palms, she cupped his face and tugged him down to brush her lips lightly over his.  She gently pulled the hair at the back of his neck and he moaned as she licked into his mouth. 

“Yes…
say yes
, Isaiah.”  He broke the kiss and combed his fingers through her hair.  “Stay with me.” 

After inhaling deeply, he nodded once.  She couldn’t control her grin and gave him a deeper kiss that made him wrap his arms more tightly around her. 

“You’re a dangerous woman.” 

“Just stubborn when I know what I want.”  One more smacking kiss and she wiped away the evidence of the stage makeup she was still wearing.  “Let’s go.  I have to change because I look like a hooker and someone’s going to ask my rate any minute.” 

“You look beautiful.  Absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you.  Let’s look beautiful together.”  Turning, she took his hand and started back to the theater entrance.  At the steps, he steadied her with his hands on her waist and it made her smile. “You’re
such
a gentleman.”

“Gentlemen don’t take advantage of nerve-wracked young women.”

She snorted loudly.  “Please.  I’m the one who took advantage.  I came like a
dozen
times.  You only got one.”  His jaw dropped at her bluntness and she laughed. 

“I love the way you laugh.”

“You have the most breathtaking effect on me.  I feel
high
on you.  I like it.”  His eyes went wide and she kissed him fast before pulling him through the door.  Her fingers held his firmly just in case he tried to make a run for it.  The moment they neared the crammed backstage area, he hesitated.  “Trust me, Isaiah.  Stay with me.”

Madeline caught sight of them across the room, raised her brow, and smiled warmly.  She waved them over and Mikayla took him with her, despite his resistance.  She knew he resisted out of habit because he was huge and could have easily gotten away.  Her thumb stroked the back of his hand.

“There you are, Sissy.  You look well-kissed.”  She’d changed into black leather pants, a black turtleneck, and high heels.  Her hair was still pulled into a sleek chignon.  Turning to Isaiah, Linn grinned and held out her hand. “Madeline Johannson.  You must be Isaiah.  Thank you for everything you pulled off so effortlessly, I’m forever grateful.” 

“You’re welcome.”

Mikayla shrugged off the coat that was almost as long as her dress and he took it.  She promptly wrapped her arm around his waist, smiling up while he stared at her as if he didn’t know how to react.

“You’re a man of few words.  We need to develop the talent.  God knows we talk too much.”  Winking, Linn added, “You saved us tonight and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your…intervention.” 

Isaiah’s dark eyes were stunned.  Mikayla groaned and tightened her hold on his waist.

“We’re twins.  She couldn’t have kept it from me if she tried.  She was glowing from the inside out.”  Reaching out, she stroked a strand of Kayla’s hair from her face.  “You’ve had a spectacular effect on my sister.  She’s alone too much.”

“It’s a…pleasure to meet you formally, Miss Johannson.”

“Call me Linn.  Everyone does and you’re going to be around a lot, I can tell.”  He tilted his head and she chuckled.  “We Johannson girls know what we want and don’t stop until we get it.  She’ll run you to ground so you should give in and save yourself the bruising.  Try not to break her heart.”

Mikayla kissed her sister’s cheek without letting him go.  “He won’t.  Tell me I have time to change.” 

“Cast photos first.  Fluff your hair.”  Kayla bent at the waist, raked her hair upside down, and stood quickly so it cascaded into place.  “Better.”

The big man whispered, “Damn.” 

Madeline grinned and straightened the strap on Kayla’s dress.  “Go take a few photos and I’ll make sure your man stays put.  I can see this isn’t easy for him and he wants to cut and run.” 

“Please don’t leave, Isaiah.”  She pulled him down to kiss her.  There was no hiding his shock.  “I like kissing you very much.”  Stroking her hands over his face, she sighed.  “I’ll be back.  Please…will you stay?”

“I’ll stay.”

She clapped happily and skipped away to join the rest of the cast. 

Chapter Six

Isaiah watched as the other cast members hugged Mikayla into their midst.  When she was close to him, it was like being in full sun.  It would be so easy to become addicted to her bright warmth.

“Please don’t tell me you think my sister is so shallow as to care about a little scar?”

Surprised, he glanced down at Madeline who stared up at him shrewdly.  “Little?”