Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (15 page)

“The pleasure is mine, Madeline.  I look forward to working together.”  He walked her to the front doors and watched as she got into a cab with a small wave and a smile.

By the time he made it upstairs, Isaiah was bringing down the lights and turning off the soundboard. 

Ezra sighed heavily.  “Pretty, talented, and sweet.  The perfect combination to ensure I’ll be hard until the show ends its run.”

Isaiah turned to him with a frown, his voice carefully measured.  “The other sister was…bouncy.  She reminded me of Tigger.” 

When his big brother frowned, it made the devastating scar on the side of his face more pronounced.  He frowned a lot these days and it broke Ezra’s heart.  There was a time when Isaiah had been the more optimistic of the two. 

“I’ll avoid them both, just to be on the safe side.”

“You make too big of a deal about it.”  He thought about Linn and shook his head.  “I guess avoiding them romantically while they’re using the theater is probably for the best.” 

Tilting his head, he regarded Isaiah closely.  “You look…tense.  Want to go drinking later?  See what loose women we can pick up?”

Isaiah shook his head.  “No.  I’m going to wrap up and head home.”  He turned and left without another word. 

Wondering if his older brother would ever be happy again, Ezra sat down to finish reading Madeline Johannson’s script, making notes in the margins regarding blocking and lights. 

It was well after dark when he locked up and went home himself.  He needed dinner and a cold shower to ease the tension that had been riding him all day.  Months more of the same was in his near future.

If nothing else, the twins promised not to be boring. 

Chapter Two

Five weeks before opening night…

Rehearsal was going well but Madeline found herself unable to focus on anything but the view. 

Ezra removed his dress shirt to help the crew hoist the set trailer to the stage.  The main crew guys had maneuvered it through the back before she’d arrived.  As soon as the cast showed up, one of the men – the biggest of them all – disappeared into the shadows of backstage. 

Though she’d only caught a glimpse of massive shoulders, Linn knew it was the elusive Isaiah Zelder, Ezra’s older brother, house manager, and all-around miracle worker for the theater.

There were times she left at nine at night and returned the next morning just after dawn to discover more work completed than was honestly believable.  He’d already created a faux shop and house complete with interior furniture and details. 

The man deliberately worked when none of the cast, vendors, or patrons was in the building.  Though she found it odd that he felt the need to isolate himself, she certainly couldn’t complain about his work product. 

He was a well-oiled machine.  A perfectionist after her own heart.

Madeline stood in the aisle of the main hall watching Ezra’s muscles bunch and roll with the weight of the heavy set piece.  It took all the guys to lower it into position but she only had eyes for him. 

His body was perfection but she’d seen many good-looking men.  She knew he was immensely wealthy but his money meant nothing to her.

There was something about
him
. 

The way he talked, thought, and laughed could take her by surprise at the worst moments.  She struggled constantly to hide her reaction to him.  In all her adult life, there had never been a man she wanted more.  It was inappropriate and unprofessional. 

Her hormones didn’t give a fuck. 

Unwilling to cross the boundary the two of them had constructed without ever mentioning the necessity, she satisfied herself with admiring him from afar. 

It gave her comfort to know
he
was not immune to
her
either.  As a woman accustomed to the attention of men, he could not hide his attraction to her as effectively.  If she were a different person, she’d push his limits; draw him to her by any means possible.

In their family, Madeline appeared to be the quiet one, the thinker, the Johannson most likely to create a graph to visualize her point. 

Only her sister, her twin, knew who she really was on the inside.  Just as she knew Mikayla in ways few ever bothered to discover.  Their outer personas hid much about them.  While Madeline was considered the “smart” sister, Mikayla was thought to be the “bubbly” one. 

As a result, men typically underestimated who they were and what they wanted. 

Pulling her phone from her pocket, she took a picture of Ezra as they lowered the trailer the last few feet and she knew all the men were safe from injury.  It caught his definition, his strength, and the laughing smile on his face beautifully. 

Saving it, she wouldn’t actually need it when she went to bed alone…again.  It wouldn’t be necessary to fuel a night of dreams featuring him…again.  Nor would it be required when she touched herself, coming with his name on her lips…again.

His hair was so dark that it was almost black and her fingers itched to touch it.  His eyes were deep brown, heavily lashed, and always sparkling with humor and intelligence.  A sculpted upper body narrowed into a firm ass and long legs she wanted to curl around naked…right now. 

God is testing me
.  If
so, I’m failing miserably…and probably drooling on top of it.

When the trailer was secured in place, Ezra released the ropes and removed the heavy work gloves he’d worn, slapping the other guys on the back.  By the next day, the plain black cage-style trailer – similar to those used by zoos and circuses – would resemble a medieval gypsy cart.  She had no doubt in Isaiah’s ability to pull it off. 

She couldn’t wait to see what he’d done with her initial ideas for the backdrops.  They were curing in a locked storage room and would be in place over the next week.  Mikayla had managed to get a peek but Linn was unable to get a rational word out of her sister lately.

Ezra glanced back and gave her two thumbs up.  It made her smile.  He jumped from the stage to the floor in one deft movement.  As he approached, it took every ounce of her formidable will to control her breathing and not jump the man in desperation.

“It looks outstanding, Linn.”

“I think so, too.  It’s already helping me see the final result.” 

“When you first described the idea, I had trouble grasping what you wanted to do.”  He grinned.  “My brother nodded and told me you were a genius.”  Gesturing at the stage, he added, “Now, I can’t imagine the play without it.  As the set comes together, I’m anxious to get on with it already.”

Linn laughed.  “I know the feeling.  Unlike a built trailer, it has more substance.  I know that also translated to
weight
.  Thank you for helping the guys get it in place.  You’re very…capable, Ezra.”

“Though I realize you
are
giving me a compliment, it kind of makes me sound like the soft guy behind the desk who managed to take the stairs without getting winded.” 

His dark eyes sparkled in the soft lighting and she almost lost her train of thought.  Putting her hands on her hips she replied, “I’m from the Midwest…I don’t do backhanded compliments.  You’d never be winded taking the stairs, Ezra.  You’re in peak physical condition.” 

Too much information, Madeline!

Clearing her throat because he stared at her
hungrily
, she added, “Once all the backdrops are in place, we’ll be good to go with full dress rehearsals.”

“Have you looked over the documents regarding the charity shows?”  He gestured to the side of the stage and they made their way into the area behind it. 

She held her ever-present clipboard against her chest.  “I’m in love with the idea.  It will give us practice before officially opening and it’s for a good cause.”

“Generally, we book the first five nights with large charitable organizations.  There’s a two-week break and then opening night.  The foundations cover operating costs up front and whatever is cleared at the door is given to them.”

Madeline shook her head.  “There’s no need for them to cover the overhead for the space, cast, and crew.  We’re flush and I’m more than happy to increase their take-home.”

“That’s generous of you.”

“It’s the right thing to do.”  Staring out at the stage, she imagined the set design aspects scheduled to go in place.  “Every day, it becomes more of a reality.”

“You’re organized, the play is outstanding, and the primary cast is nailing their lines.  You’ve conquered half the battle.”

Two of the supporting cast members were squabbling nearby but out of sight and she rolled her eyes.  “If I can get the other dancers to mesh, we’ll be golden.  Some days, it feels like I’m back in high school.”  Straightening the small desk she used, she gave him a sincere smile.  “All of this would have been impossible without you and your brother, Ezra.  Honestly, y’all are a godsend.”

“It makes me happy to know you’re pleased.”

She snorted.  “Pleased?  I never know what magical changes will have taken place when I come in each morning.  The technical aspects are perfect and I
love
the people you brought in.”

“All of them speak highly of you.  You and your sister have made quite an impression on Theodora.”

Placing her hand over her heart, she sighed.  “I will give her anything she wants to keep fattening me up.  I’ve never tasted food so delicious in my whole life.  Simple ingredients…supernatural results.”

“Speaking of which…do you smell that?”

Scenting the air, she caught the delicate smell of rosemary and garlic.  “If those are the little meatballs and homemade tortellini, I might pass out from happiness.” 

Laughing, they headed in the direction of the catering department. 

Chapter Three

Theodora Grove moved efficiently behind her well-lit wraparound station.  The cabinets were bright white and glass-fronted, the countertops a pale gray granite, and the space featured a huge restaurant quality range, dishwasher, and refrigeration unit.  Everything was spotless and well organized. 

The moment she saw them, her face lit up.  “Linn!  How
pretty
you look!” 

The women touched cheeks and the doll-like features of the caterer made Madeline smile.  She dressed in casual clothing covered with sparkling chef whites that hid her figure. 

Barely five-two, her white-blonde tresses fell past her shoulders in tight ringlets, held back from her face with a headband.  Her eyes were brilliant blue – almost surreal, her lips full and pink, and her curves just right.  Her mama would consider her a ‘pocket Venus’ and fawn over her.  She couldn’t
wait
to introduce Theodora to her family.

“Girl, it’s the lazy look.  I brushed my hair in the cab.” 

One platinum brow lifted.  “You work
every
look and I’m blindingly jealous.  In revenge, I’ve made you some extras to try to fatten you up.  I shall not be satisfied until you have to be rolled away.”

“Thank god.  Hit me with everything you’ve got.”

They laughed and glanced at Ezra who was already making a huge plate of tortellini, savory meatballs, and a fresh spinach salad. 

Realizing they stared at him, he mumbled, “I’m starved.  To death.”

“Clearly,” Theodora shot back.  “You missed the fresh rolls…never mind, glutton.” 

On one side of the counter was what the Johannson sisters referred to as
real food
that represented a balance of ingredients meant to provide energy while not being carb, fat, or sugar heavy. 

The caterer had a knack for making healthy food taste as good as their mother’s cooking filled with butter and sugar.  Every bite their mama made was delicious but not so good for the heart and waistline. 

The other end held fruits, vegetables, and ingredients for organic smoothies Theodora would blend on the spot before and after rehearsals. 

When one of the dancers threw a fit that she only ate lettuce leaves, Madeline made herself clear.  “I’m going to work you hard and your body needs fuel.  You aren’t going to starve yourself on my watch.  I’ve seen so many dancers think starvation is the key and it will put stress on your heart and other vital organs.  Eat smart, not less.”

The young woman stormed off and refused to eat the ‘crap’ served. 

As Ezra settled at one of the café tables to eat, Theodora took her aside.  “Mikayla came in a while ago.  She looks a little down.  Is everything okay?”

Releasing a heavy sigh, she shook her head.  “She missed the stage manager again.  I have
no idea
why she’s so determined to meet him, talk to him.  I want to thank him myself but she thinks I don’t know how serious
she
is about it.”

A small frown appeared on the smaller woman’s face.  “Isaiah?”  Madeline nodded and Theodora blinked.  “She wants to meet Isaiah in person?”

“She does…and is strangely fixated on introducing herself.”

“That doesn’t seem like her at all.”

Linn shrugged.  “I’ve never seen her so curious about a man before.  I have no idea what it is about him that fascinates her when they’ve never met or spoken but…Kayla does her thing.”

“Interesting.  Would you like me to speak to him?”

“Something tells me they need to meet without help.  I don’t want to invade his privacy.  I have a feeling he did something unknowingly to put himself on her radar.  A place I’ve never seen a man before.  She came in last week with cookies and muffins to try to catch him but…no good.”

Returning behind her station, she handed Madeline a plate.  “Their paths will cross eventually.  It’s how the universe works.”  Grinning, she added, “For now, you eat and I’ll make a plate for Kayla.  The two of you go, go, go all the time and you need your energy.”

Putting a sample of everything on her plate, she joined Ezra at the small table with a smile.  “You’re going for seconds, aren’t you?”

“I’m a big guy and I did manual
labor
.  I have to eat.”