Chapter 18
BASTIAN
“It’s going to be fine, Tristan.”
The slender man was wringing his hands. “Isis is forgetting her lines. The backstage team is still fiddling with the set. And—”
I gripped the man’s shoulder. “Take a deep breath. Jennifer is an excellent actress. She’ll nail the lines come opening night. The set looks great. We’ve got this. You’ve got this.”
He blew out a breath, using a finger to push his heavy, black-framed glasses higher up the bridge of his nose.
I kept glancing at the auditorium door, waiting for Lark to appear. The actors were all on stage, in costume. Several showgirls, wearing wispy, white dresses and black wigs, were doing their best sultry Cleopatra looks.
“It’s going to be brilliant.”
Tristan set his shoulders back. “Hell, yes, it is. It’s going to be ah-mazing.”
“That’s the spirit.”
I’d seriously prefer to be in my penthouse with a naked Lark under me, than here, dealing with temperamental preshow nerves.
“Thanks, Bastian,” Tristan said.
I nodded.
My director headed off, clapping his hands as he walked back over to Isis and Osiris.
A cloud of perfume engulfed me. I half turned and saw one of the Cleopatra showgirls standing beside me.
“Hi, Bastian,” she said breathlessly.
It took me a second. “Lydia.” I’d fucked her a few months ago. “You look wonderful. Are you looking forward to the show?”
“I can’t wait. It’s going to be spectacular.” She ran a hand down my arm. “I was wondering if you’d like to…hang out. I had such a great time last time.”
And I barely remembered it. “Lydia…”
She waved, and another Cleopatra came over, smiling widely.
“This is my friend, Claire.” Lydia cocked her head. “We could all have a good time. The three of us.”
Of course, Lark showed at exactly that moment, striding into the back of the auditorium.
She’d changed into dark jeans that fit her like a glove, and an emerald-green shirt tucked in with a narrow, leather belt defining her small waist. She spotted us, then jerked to a stop.
Her gaze narrowed on Lydia and her friend.
“It’s a lovely offer, but not one I’ll take you up on.”
Both women pouted.
I stepped back, but Lydia followed, pressing her hands to my chest. “Are you sure I can’t persuade you?”
Over her shoulder, I saw Lark charging our way down the rows of chairs. I recognized the look in her eye.
She was out for blood.
Shit.
I removed Lydia’s hands. “I’m sure. If you’ll excuse me, I have business to attend to.”
Looking dejected, the women headed back to the stage. I turned toward the central aisle.
Just in time to catch a spitting hellcat in my arms.
“Lark—”
She wriggled like crazy. “That woman was touching you. I’m going to—”
I tightened my hold on her and walked deeper into the shadows. She clamped her legs around my waist.
“It was nothing.”
Her brown gaze narrowed. “Oh, so she didn’t flutter her fake eyelashes and offer to get naked for you?”
I bit back a smile. “Not in those words.”
She growled.
It was cute. I kissed her. When I drew back, she looked dazed.
Damn. My gut tightened. There was a lot I’d do and risk, in order to put that look on her face every day. “She doesn’t mean anything.”
“She touched you. Like she had the right to.”
“Lark, I—”
“Wait.” Her legs tightened on my hips. “You slept with her. She’s one of your harem.”
“I don’t have a harem. And whatever I did with her, it wasn’t memorable.” I caught Lark’s jaw and forced her to look at me. “I like you being jealous.”
There was a flash of dangerous heat in her eyes. “Do you want me to hurt you?”
“No.” I nipped her lips. “You don’t need to be jealous. All I see is you.”
She blinked. Then she kissed me.
Fuck. Heat poured through me. I tugged her closer.
“Well, when you said you were working together, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
The deep voice had me breaking the kiss and lifting my head. I looked at Nash.
Georgie was with him. She stood there grinning and eyeing Lark with open curiosity.
I set Lark back down and kept her pinned to my front to hide my erection. “Lark, you know Nash. This is his girlfriend, Georgie Linden.”
“Hi.” Still smiling, Georgie raised a hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
Nash’s face was impassive. My friend was not very trusting.
“So, she’s not trying to kill you anymore?” Georgie asked hopefully.
“I’m not.” Lark glanced over at the stage and scowled. “Not at the moment.”
Lydia was lucky Lark didn’t have a knife handy. I ran a hand down her hair.
“Nash and I are heading to Styx for dinner.” Georgie turned to Lark. “It’s the casino’s seafood restaurant. The food is amazing, as is the décor. You two should join us.”
At her words, Nash looked like he’d bitten into a sour lemon. Lark looked like a deer caught in headlights.
I smiled. “We’d love to.”