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 One of your assistants can t perform?
 She s decided to show her ex that she s serious about reconciliation and that means she s
quitting traveling immediately.
 And she s the only girl who can assist with the trick?
He pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes all scrunched up as if he was in pain.  Yeah.
 Can t you just do a different trick?
 Sure. It s just this trick is pretty spectacular. I think if we nailed it, we d blow Seven Seas out
of the water. Without it&  He sighed and shook his head.  I don t know if it ll be enough. We re
competing against some pretty good acts, including the Salvador Brothers. They ll be unveiling a
new trick, too.
Appearing as if he d suddenly lost the strength to stand, he moved to the sofa, dropped into it,
leaned his head back, and stared at the ceiling. He looked so defeated that she rushed to sit beside
him and hold his hand.
 I worked so hard on this one. But hey, he said, looking at her with a strained smile.  Maybe
this is a sign that the sea s not for me. We ve got our established circuit. We ll just keep working at
it.
 Why is this contract so important to you? Sure, it s prestigious, but you re so successful
already.
 It s not just the prestige. It s having the best of both worlds, or as close as you can get.
Stability as well as the thrill of performing. Even if that stability s on a cruise ship, it s still better
than packing up and then unpacking again every few weeks.
She looked around her, at the house Rhys had restored and essentially kept to himself. His
complexity was also his weakness. How could he fulfill his thirst for adventure when he equally
craved roots to hold him down? She supposed Seven Seas was the perfect solution.
 I m so sorry, Rhys, she said, not knowing what else to say.  But I m sure your other tricks
will wow Seven Seas, too.
He took a deep breath and patted her hand absently.  Thanks. His eyes focused, as if he was
actually seeing her for the first time since she d walked out of the bedroom. He kissed her gently.
 Thank you for everything. Closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against her, his breaths steady
and quiet. Finally, he lifted his head.  You ready? He got to his feet and held out his hand.
She automatically took it and stood, even as she strained to think of a solution to Rhys s
problem. There must be something they could do. That she could do.
She froze. What she was thinking seemed almost laughable, but what other options did they
have? She gripped his hand.  Rhys, you said Seven Seas is coming for one of your shows. Which
one?
 The opening night. This Wednesday.
 So that s the one that s really important in terms of that particular trick.
 Yeah, but like I said, the chances of modifying the apparatus by then are slim.
 What if you don t have to modify it? Can you just train someone who s the right size?
 I suppose, but who am I going to find now? He shook his head.  Like I said, we ll figure it
 
 I m 5 4.
He released her hand.  Huh?
 I said, I m 5 4. I can I can stand in for your assistant if that would help. I m sure I m heavier
than her, though. And I m absolutely not a performer, but...
She trailed off. He didn t say anything. He didn t move. He just stared at her, his expression
stunned. She could feel herself turning red with embarrassment.  You know, it was a stupid idea 
 You d do that for me? he asked.  Get up in front of a theater of strangers and let me tie you
up?
 Well, I d rather not think of the strangers right now 
 What about work? You said you had to get back, and to have a shot of pulling it off, I d need
you right away so we could rehearse.
 When would you need me by?
 Tonight. Tomorrow at the latest.
 So you can drive me home, I ll pack, call into work in the morning, and fly out tomorrow.
 Why would you do that?
She moved toward him, not stopping until she was close enough to take his hands and kiss them.
 How can you ask me that? I know how much this contract means to you. If I can do anything to help
you get it, I will. She dropped her hands and stepped back.  I feel a little silly though. I mean, me
on stage? If you want to say thank you and forget it, I understand.
He took her hands again.  Thank you, he said.  And I think 
He paused and she held her breath, waiting for him to reject her.
 I think you ll be perfect on stage.
All she felt was relief. And joy.  Really?
 Yes.
She jumped up and down in her excitement, her insecurity momentarily forgotten.  Okay, then
let s do it.
She broke away from him and rushed to her bedroom to get her suitcase. He turned to get his
own stuff, stopping when she called out,  Oh, and Rhys?
 Yeah?
 I just want to make something perfectly clear.
Wariness crossed his face.  What?
 I m absolutely not doing anything topless.
His mouth quirked.  You sure? Because man, with your body, we would definitely draw in
some 
 Rhys&  she drawled warningly.
 Okay, sure. No going topless. But that only applies on stage, right?
 You have somewhere else in mind?
 Oh, I ve definitely got several places in mind.
Her eyes rounded.  As long as we don t have an audience, I think we can make things work.
 That s fine with me. I do my best work one on one, anyway.
CHAPTER 12
Dalton s Magic Rule #13: Draw out the tension until the big finish.
 Let me get this straight, Lucy insisted.  He actually got you to do a 69 and you liked it?
Melina tossed another shirt into her suitcase before she turned back to her friend.  Yes, Lucy, he
did. Y-E-S. And yes I did. The answers are the same no matter how many times you ask the
questions. Now, can we please talk about more pressing matters? Like how I m going to get on stage
without puking and single-handedly ruining Rhys s shot at this contract?
From her spot on the bed, Grace fanned herself with both hands.  I don t know, darlin . After
what you described, how can you think of anything other than when you can jump him next?
 On the other hand, Lucy interjected,  think about how grateful he s going to be after you help
him land that cruise gig. My God, the man will probably do anything you ask him to. A-ny-thing.
Melina shook her head.  Will you two stop? You should have seen his face when I said I d
help him. He wants that contract he needs it and he s relying on me. What if I can t do it? What
if I let him down?
 What if unicorns and flying dragons really do exist, Lucy shot back.  Why are you focusing on
the show and the contract Rhys may or may not get? You had mind-blowing, head-banging sex with
your fantasy guy, and he s obviously in love with you.
Melina sat down on the bed next to Grace, only to fall backwards and stare at the ceiling.
 Believe me, the sex isn t far from my mind. But where do you get he s in love with me?
 He asked you to go to Reno with him before Max called, Grace pointed out.
Biting her lip, she sat up.  You really think he s in love with me?
 Yes, Lucy said.
 Definitely, agreed Grace.
 Then why wouldn t he just say so? Melina asked softly.
 Why haven t you told him that you love him? Lucy countered.
Wide-eyed, Melina stared at her.  Because I m afraid. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]