Aftershock (14 page)

At the front of the room, on a platform, was the table where Lightnin’ would sit to answer questions. Emma would be in the front row, available when needed. Sydney had met with her and Marc and walked them through what they could expect. Marc was so comfortable in his own skin he took it all in stride. For Emma, this would be a big coming out party, especially since, before meeting Marc, she’d never even listened to rock music.

And how strange is that?

But by the end of their meeting the couple was relaxed and even looking forward to it a little.

Sydney had already tested the mics and checked all the materials. Three Full Moon interns would arrive shortly to help her with the media, make sure everyone was aware of the refreshments but also help her clear the room in a timely fashion. Now she only had one more thing to do and they were all set.

Her biggest hurdle involved composing herself when Rick arrived. Everyone would have eyes on them for a variety of reasons. Personal discipline would be key. When he walked into the restaurant, he was courteous and smiling, greeting her much as he did the band and Butch. But when he thought no one was looking, he glanced over at her and winked. She hoped no one but her saw the hunger that flared in his eyes or the way her hands suddenly shook.

The day’s schedule played over and over in her head as she stood there and she tried not to imagine all the things that could go wrong. What if nobody showed up? Or the band wasn’t impressive in the interview session. Or the media hated them on sight. Or—

Stop it, Sydney
.

This might be her first solo effort but if she didn’t get her act together, it could be her last. And she was damned determined to show her bitter Aunt Janine she’d chosen a good profession and could succeed at it.

“Look at me now,” she whispered. “What do you think, you old bitch?”

One more time she scrolled through her phone to check the list of media contacts that had accepted today’s invitation. Okay. So far so good.

Tote bag in hand she hurried back to the small private room where the band was having lunch. Emma had also been invited since she was so intrinsic to “Music Lady,” and Linc Forrester and Butch Meredith had also joined them
.

Glancing at the lunch table where everyone sat, she could see the tension radiate from each of the band members. They might pretend to be blasé about it all but she knew their excitement level ran high. The buzz in the room was so electric Sydney could practically feel it zip along the surface of her skin. Linc Forrester was talking to the band now in his low drawl, explaining what the process would be and assuring them Sydney would hold their hands every step of the way. Reminding them they could depend on her.

I can’t screw this up. I’ll never get another chance. That’s why I have to stop practically vibrating every time I see Rick
.

Her mouth went dry when she looked at him now. As long as she didn’t look in his eyes and open herself to that soul-shattering connection she could make this work.

Get it together, Sydney. People will be watching. Stick to it.

So what do I do with these feelings that won’t go away? Why does everything have to be so hard?

Because it is. So do it.

When Rick had signed off on the final artwork, he’d thrilled her by saying he thought it was both tasteful and exciting, an improvement over what they’d been using. It helped that everyone else agreed, too.

Today would be the big reveal to the world.

She focused on the table where the band sat and saw Rick watching her. Uh oh. Bad move. Heat surged through her, the way it did every time he gave her that smoldering look. Her nipples hardened and the crotch of her thong dampened. Need coursed through her, threatening to throw her off balance. Would she ever be able to look at him without this reaction?

In a way, she hoped not. Just not where it was quite so visible. Not where the media sharks could focus on them and not the band.

Today, like every other time they’d been together, their glances locked and the temperature in the room redlined. Even now, she saw the heat in his eyes. Electricity zapped between them like—well—like a lightning bolt. Sometimes it almost seemed as if he could see right inside her. The thought made her shiver.

She pasted a smile on her face and approached the table.

“We’re all set next door,” she told everyone. “These are for you guys.” She gave each of the band members a media packet so they could see what she handed out. The dark blue covers had a silver lightning bolt, striking down from a cloud embossed with the band’s name in script. Then she held out the bag to Rick.

“I’ve got Lightnin’ T-shirts, too. Linc’s secretary gave me your sizes. I’d really appreciate it if you’d would change into them. It will make a great visual for the media.”

“You mean like matching uniforms?” She’d worried that he’d balk at this, but he grinned instead, and she relaxed.

“Yes, Rick. Just like that.”

Butch took the bag from her. “I think that’s a terrific idea. A perfect way to unveil them for the media. You guys go and get changed. In fact, let me show you where you can wait until we introduce you.”

“I think the shirts will look great, too,” Emma urged. “You know, it’s all about impact.” She turned to Sydney. “Right, Syd?”

Sydney nodded, grateful for Emma’s enthusiasm.

“Yeah, come on.” Danny laughed. “We’ll be the boys in black and blue.”

“Not a problem.” Rick held her gaze with his for a long moment. Then, with a tiny smile, he turned to the band. “Come on, guys. Let’s get with the program.”

Sydney watched them file out of the room with Butch. A hand touched her arm, and she looked up to see Linc standing beside her.

“Everything will be fine, Sydney. They want this more than their next breath. I’d rather they rein themselves in than go crazy wild over what’s happening and make asses out of themselves.”

“Butch would never let them,” she reminded him. “He’d tear up their contract.”

Linc nodded. “And Rick will relax as soon as we get past the media blitz this afternoon. I know he’s uptight, but this band is his baby, his and Marc’s. He’ll get past today’s event just fine. No worries. Come on, let’s go next door.”

Sydney couldn’t tell Butch that Rick’s attitude had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with his feelings toward her. Every time he looked at her, she had to dredge up her composure and not go weak in the knees. She needed to get a grip before she made a mistake. Butch and Linc might be all warm and friendly but they had a lot of dollars committed to Lightnin’ and both men would have her under their scrutiny today. If she tanked, that would be the end of everything. Of her dream.

Of her chance to thumb her nose at Janine.

She eyeballed the room they entered. Two thirds of the chairs were already filled and uniformed servers stocked the table against the back wall now with coffee, soft drinks, and a variety of dry snacks. Nothing left to do but pray.

As if he could read her thoughts, Butch himself suddenly materialized at her elbow.

“So far so good, Sydney.” He smiled at her. “The band is all set, waiting for their cue. I like the graphics, the shirts will market very well, and we’ll have a good-sized crowd today.” He nodded at the chairs and at the people still filing through the doorway. “Another few minutes and we’ll be standing room only.”

Sydney returned the smile. “I asked everyone I contacted to send me a confirming e-mail if they were coming and the response was even better than I’d hoped.”

“Linc and I discussed who would be best to handle Lightin’, you know,” he went on. “We needed someone who would be dedicated to the project and also be able to work with the agent assigned to Deep Blue River.”

“I worked on some of their promo projects,” she reminded him.

He nodded. “And all those things made you the perfect choice.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Relax, Sydney. It’s all good. We’re here to help you ensure that it all works.

Rick was doing his best to remain unaffected by Sydney’s presence. If nothing else, he owed it to the band to behave in the professional manner he always had. But hell! The damn woman just got to him. Ever since their last meeting he’d driven himself crazy analyzing every word that came out of her mouth to be sure what they had wasn’t just physical attraction. He had never trusted emotions. Not since his dad left.

It seemed, however, with Sydney he didn’t get to make the choice about their growing personal relationship. The reality of it, the intensity, still shocked him. But here and now was not the place to indulge himself. The band was the focus here. He and Sydney didn’t need to do anything that would detract from that. He needed to get himself under control, for everyone else, if not for himself. They looked to him as the leader so he damn well better start acting like one.

The problem was being constantly on guard. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about every single minute of that night, the feel of her skin, the taste of her lips. Being inside her. Just talking to her on the phone made him hard as a spike. The erotic dreams plagued him and left him sleep-deprived and unfulfilled.

Get your shit together, Trajean
.

The band and Emma stood in the waiting area in quiet conversation. One glance told him the T-shirts rocked. When the lights hit the lightning bolt, it would really sizzle.

Okay, Sydney, you were right. I bow to your wisdom
.

He could just imagine her laugh if he said that to her.

The door that led into the big room opened and Sydney joined them.

“Looking good,” she told them as she walked up to the tight little group. “The shirts will photograph well and that’s what we want. “

“They look great, Syd.” Emma grinned. “Your artist did a fantastic job capturing the electricity of the lightning bolt. And we’re ready, all of us, for this to happen.“

“Thanks.” She glanced over at him again.

He nodded and smiled, hoping his face was an impersonal mask, even though it was damn hard to keep it that way. “You got my vote first,” he reminded her. “And, I gotta admit, you were right.”

She made a show of wiping her forehead with her hand and feigning shock. “Holy cow! Is that a compliment?”

“You know it is. Don’t make me repeat it too many times.” He turned so only she could see his face and winked at her.

“You guys need me to go over anything once more, or are we all good?” Sydney asked.

“We’re fine,” Rick assured her. “We’ve got the drill. Answer the questions, don’t just give yes or no answers, watch you for your signal we’re talking too much.”

“Chill out, buddy, will you?” Marc frowned at him, then turned back to Sydney. “You’ll be there to call on the reporters so they aren’t all screaming at once, won’t you?”

“Absolutely. I’ll be managing the entire thing.” She blew out a breath. “So. Ready to take your seats? It won’t be long before everyone is here.”

“We’re ready,” Rick said.

He looked directly into her eyes and saw his own feelings reflected there.

Later.

Okay.

I want to see you.

If you can.

I’ll try
.

For a long moment they were the only two people in the area. He knew he should turn away. Anyone in the band might catch the silent, heated exchange. But she was the one to look away and the moment was gone.

“Guys? And Emma? When everyone who’s coming is here, we’ll open the door so you can make an entrance.”

“Why can’t we just go ahead and sit down?” Danny wanted to know.

“It’s better staging not to have you up there waiting for them. Heightens the air of expectation.” She flashed him a grin. “Sort of why, on a concert stage, you have the band take their places and tune up behind a curtain.”

“Oh, yeah. I get it now.”

“Emma, you’re in the front row. You okay with answering some questions? Just like we talked about, remember?”

“I’m fine.” Her eyes sparkled. “I think I’m more excited than the guys are.”

“Impossible,” Marc laughed.

“Okay, then. Let’s knock their socks off.”

Sydney took a deep breath and walked back into the main room, moving to the doors where people streamed in. She pasted on her professional smile—one she hoped hid her sudden attack of nerves—and made sure to greet as many people as possible. She spotted at least three television cameramen setting up in the corners or at the side of the room. Some of the entertainment reporters she recognized, many she knew through Full Moon greeted her.

“Speak to the ones you know personally.” Linc’s drawl sounded softly just behind her. “I’ve got the rest.”

Her stomach flopped when Macey Shreiner walked in wearing her best
I’m the queen
look. Sydney wondered if she should go up and introduce herself personally or what. Then she saw Linc talking to her so she moved away. Later would be soon enough for their first confrontation.

Finally Linc signaled it was time to get the show on the road. She nodded to a hotel staffer to let the band in. She couldn’t help but feel a thrill of expectation when they filed in and took their seats on the platform. As her gaze swept the crowd she saw curiosity stamped on a lot of faces and heard a low buzz about the logo.

Okay, Sydney. Here we go
.

She stepped up to the mic set at one side of the stage, swallowed hard, and let out a slow breath.

“Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Sydney Alexander with Full Moon Promotions. I’ve met many of you before and always enjoyed working with you. Those of you I don’t know yet…I hope to change that this afternoon.”

A smattering of laughter washed over the crowd.

“We’re here today to introduce you to a hot band about to break loose on the music scene. In a very short time their first single, ‘Music Lady,’ will be available for purchase and we hope to hear it a lot on the airwaves. There’s some basic information about the musicians in the folder you have, but they’ll be happy to answer any questions.” She pointed to Rick. “Rick Trajean is the leader of Lightnin’ so he’ll probably field most of them.” She glanced over the crowd one more time. “Okay, then. Let’s get started. First question.”