Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (9 page)

“Unlike anything else in my lifetime.”

A narrow arm circled his waist.  “He survived and it adds to his charisma.” 

He glanced down at Mikayla smiling up at him as if no one else was in the room.  His heart stumbled in his chest.  Max and Micah nodded in approval while his brother’s eyes sparkled too brightly.

“Right you are.  Remind him often.”  Max gestured to the room.  “We won’t keep you but it was such a pleasure to meet you both.  Isaiah, Ezra…always good to see you.”

The four men shook hands.  They’d been talking quietly but the moment they stepped away from the financiers, they were swarmed with cast, fans, and media. 

The primary male actors – who were also dancers – approached with broad smiles.  They were very attractive and didn’t ask as they took the twins’ hands and urged them to the dance floor.  The sisters didn’t look thrilled and dragged their feet until they realized there were people watching. 

Mikayla looked ready to cause a scene but Madeline nodded delicately at her.  Plastering smiles on their faces, they allowed the actors to lead them over the parquet. 

Crossing his arms, Isaiah said quietly, “I’m going to hate this part.”

Ezra nodded.  “It will happen often.  They’ve obviously taken years of dance and are naturally outgoing.  At every function, every event, they’ll be expected to continue their performance.”  He grinned.  “Mikayla looks ready to kick her stage Romeo in the balls.”

“She’s feisty.”  Chuckling, he added, “I particularly like that about her.” 

“I think you like everything about her and I’m fucking thrilled.”

“Anything you want to tell me about you and Madeline?”

With a shake of his head, he answered, “I made a promise.  Not yet.”

“Understood.”

They watched the women fly around the floor, dancing strikingly.  The reporters snapped one photo after another.  As the song ended, their partners dipped them and attempted a kiss.  In sync, the sisters turned their heads and received them on the cheek. 

Upright again, they turned to place their hands in those of Max and Micah, who bowed politely.  Looking far more relaxed, the twins chatted and laughed.

“Do they have to be so fucking gorgeous…and British?” Ezra mumbled.

“Yes.  You know photo ops are important for the foundation.”  Isaiah sighed.  “It would help if they were broke, short, or fat.  Any combination of the three would work.”

His brother laughed.  The friends were excellent dancers but they saw the true level of Micah’s skill when he paired with a professional.  Mikayla didn’t take it easy on him and he grinned the entire time.  As the song ended, the two men escorted them directly back to the Zelders.

The move was telling…and appreciated.

Respectfully planting kisses on the back of their hands, they released them and took a step back.  Max grinned.  “You are incredibly personable and talented.  We’re going to book three more shows after opening night during the season for this charity and two others.  We’ll spread the word.”

“You know Winters will have Lola on the case by tomorrow afternoon.”  Micah grinned.  “He hates when we do anything first.”

Madeline asked, “Winters?”

The friends laughed and Micah clarified, “Hudson Winters.  Huge wanker but a closet philanthropist and unspoken friend in our circles.”

“Lola is his assistant.  We’ve known her for years but I think Isaiah and Ezra have known her since she was a girl.”

Ezra nodded.  “She’s going to
love
you.  Huge theater buff and great connections.”

Touching her temple, Mikayla murmured, “Too much input, not enough food.  I’m going to have to excuse myself and find Theodora.”

Max whispered, “Her food makes me want to weep with joy.”

“She’s amazing with the simplest ingredients.  My mouth is already watering and my head is starting to spin.  Thank you so much for the dance.”  Glancing up, she said more urgently, “I need to eat.” 

Isaiah nodded and they said their goodbyes.

The tiny caterer clapped when she saw them from across the room.  “Come!  Sit and I’ll get your food myself.  You girls look ready to collapse.”  She led them to a small table and touched each of their shoulders as she waited on them personally, taking beverages from a passing server.

“Theodora, can you join us?  You’ve been going as many hours as we have.”

“Not dancing and singing in front of a thousand people.  You relax.  I love what I do.”  With that, she disappeared into the kitchen. 

“Love her.  I hope she brings me food guaranteed to put on five pounds by morning.  I’m ready to eat my own arm.”  Mikayla looked at her sister and crossed her eyes.  “I’m so proud of you.” 

Madeline pulled her into a hug.  “I’m proud of you.  This wouldn’t have happened without you.” 

“That’s bullshit.  You’re brilliant and hungry...oh god
yes
!  Speaking of hungry, the angel is back.”

Theodora led a server carrying an enormous tray to their table and proceeded to load it down with plate after plate of food.  All their eyes were wide and Isaiah heard Mikayla’s stomach growl.

As the young man left them, Theodora said with a smile, “I expect every bite gone.”

“I’m on it,” Mikayla said seriously and dug in. 

For almost an hour, they made small talk but all of them focused on the food.  The caterer checked on them regularly and grinned when the twins started dancing happily in their seats.

“You two are very food motivated.  It recharges your batteries faster than anyone I’ve ever seen.  I’d give anything for your metabolisms.”

Madeline shook her head.  “Nope.  Mine wakes me up in the middle of the night to eat and then I’m up writing until after dawn.  Very inconvenient.”

“I set my alarm half an hour early to make sure I get breakfast.  Without it, I’m a monster.  I was so nervous this morning that I couldn’t eat.”  Staring into Isaiah’s eyes, she smiled happily.  “No more nerves and my stomach is back on track…”

Mikayla’s voice trailed off as she turned her head.  Then she stood without a word to storm across the room.  Linn followed her trajectory with a frown.  Then her eyes widened in shock.

“Oh
shit
.  She’s going to whip his ass for sure.”

Isaiah didn’t know what the problem was but he didn’t wait to clarify.  He was up and taking broad strides in her wake.  When he saw Mikayla stop in front of a good-looking man, shove his shoulders, and back him into the employee-only area, he broke into a run.

Chapter Nine

Isaiah heard Mikayla before he saw her.

“You are a fucking asshole!  Where is my sister’s
stuff
?  You can keep my shit you little weasel.  I deserve it since I was so stupid…but if I don’t have the crystal egg my Nana gave Linn by tomorrow, I will hunt you down.  Do you hear me?” 

She was heated, it was gorgeous to see, and Isaiah leaned against the wall to enjoy the show.  The guy was taller than she was, though nowhere near Isaiah’s height. 

“Kayla, let me explain!  I…well, yeah, I took your stuff, but…” One sharp punch to his jaw snapped his head back.  He shook it to clear the bells he was probably hearing.  “I deserved that.  I get it.  I know you’re pissed but you look so hot.  Can’t we try again?  I miss you so much, baby.” 

Mikayla hit him again – the sound was impressive – and it took the guy a little longer to recover. 

“Not the face!  I have an audition in a couple days!”  She planted a combination in his gut and the breath whooshed out of him.  “Shit…you been working out?” 

“Daily.  Listen to me you little worm.  I was desperately lonely when I met you and obviously out of my fucking
mind
to take you home with me.”

“Baby, don’t say that…we had magic.” Another punch cracked against his face and he stumbled.  “You hit like somebody way bigger.”

“Don’t you call me baby, motherfucker.  What magic?  I made a grocery list and ran my lines.  You stole a copy of our key and took everything that wasn’t nailed down.”  He reached out to take her hand and she slapped him with it instead. 

“Keep the electronics I’m sure you’ve already pawned but if I don’t get the stuff with sentimental value back, mark my words…money will be no object.  I’ll find out where you live, where you hang out, and who you’re fucking.  I’ll harass you, get you fired, and warn the poor girl to find a man with an actual dick.” 

“Come on, honey, you’re just mad.  Give me another chance.”  He crowded her, his hands all over her arms and shoulders.

Making a dramatic gagging sound, Kayla told him through gritted teeth, “Don’t touch me, scumbag.” 

He continued to press toward her and Isaiah was two seconds from beating him to death.  Giving her another thirty seconds to handle it alone, he watched as she looked at the ceiling. 

“Why?” she asked no one in particular.

“Why what, baby?”

Then he ran a hand possessively over her breast and Isaiah watched her entire body go still the way predators did in the wild.  She ground out, “Why are some men so
desperate
for an ass kicking?” 

She put her hands on his shoulders and the guy obviously thought she was going to kiss him despite the fact that there was nothing in her body language to imply such a thing. The surprise on his face when she brought her knee up and kneed him in the groin, slammed her elbow into his shoulders as he doubled over, and kicked his feet out from under him was fascinating to watch. 

He hit the floor and Kayla crouched to talk to him.  Her words were very calm.  “When I tell you
not to touch me
, I mean it more than any other female you know.  Have my sister’s keepsakes back by tomorrow, dickhead.  Otherwise, I’m going to find you and we’ll have another little chat.” 

She stood, kicked him in the gut, and turned.  Spotting Isaiah leaning against the wall, her face lit up with happiness.  “Isaiah…hi, baby.”

“Kayla…who’s your friend?”

“This is dickhead.  A serious error in my normally sound judgment.  Please don’t hold it against me.”  She lightly kicked the man again.  “Get me my sister’s stuff or next time, I really whoop your ass.” 

Stepping over him, she ran to Isaiah and he felt like the king of the universe as he caught her in his arms.  He held her tight as she started raining kisses all over his face, her legs wrapped snugly around his back. 

Leaning back, she smiled, “Were you worried about me?”

“I was at first…then I saw you had it under control.  Nice combination.” 

“Thanks.  My brothers taught me the right way so I didn’t break my hands.”  Kissing his lips, she laughed.  “I’d have worn a lot of casts as a teenager.”  She grinned before glaring over her shoulder at the loser picking himself up off the floor. 

“Mikayla, what the fuck?  You’d choose this guy over me?”

“Without one fucking
instant
of hesitation.” 

He gestured to his admittedly attractive face and Isaiah knew what was coming.  When people had nothing valid to fight with, they fought low. 

“My face is made for modeling and he could do a horror flick, no makeup required.” 

“Oh no you did
not
…”  Kayla squirmed to get down, fully prepared to kick his ass again.  Isaiah held her, surprised he actually had to put some effort into it.  She was
strong
when she was mad.

She pointed at her ex-boyfriend, her accent thick as she ranted.  “Let me explain somethin’ to you, you pathetic piece of shit.  Not only do I find him beautiful, kind, and brilliant…it would take three of your puny dicks to compete with what he’s got goin’ on.  He could be missin’ a hand and both legs…he’d still be more of a man than you!” 

The more she talked, the more she fought to make it to her feet.  Isaiah wasn’t about to let her go. 

“You’re lucky he’s protectin’ you.  I’ll stomp your pretty girl face in, you pussy.” 

The guy backed hurriedly down the hall, seeing the violence on Kayla’s face, and belatedly realized he might have pushed her too far.

“You best move faster, boy.  No one talks about my family or my man…”

Isaiah slammed her into the nearest wall and devoured her mouth.  Her tirade died a sudden death and she required a single heartbeat to change direction.  Her arms and legs gripped him hard and she gave back as good as she got.  His hands went under her sweater to massage her bare skin. 

Little by little, he stroked her down from her fury until he felt the tightness ease from her muscles. 

Assuring himself that the guy was long gone, Isaiah ducked into an open storage closet and slammed the door behind them, putting her against it as added assurance of privacy.  Her hands were all over him.  He sealed their bodies together, grinding his cock against her slow and steady. 

“Kayla, I want you to come for me.  I’m not going to take you here, but I think you need a nice climax to clear your head.”  Cupping her breasts, he tweaked the nipples through her bra while maintaining a rocking motion with his hips. 

“Isaiah…please don’t stop.”  Already ramped up with anger, the transition to sex was a simple one and her body responded quickly to his attention.  “I’m coming, oh
yes
.” 

She arched, locking her legs even tighter around him, her hands gripping his face, pulling him to her.  Her lips to his, she breathed, “Damn.” 

He chuckled as she kissed him thoroughly.  His hands itched to touch her everywhere.

After a long time, she lifted her head.  “I’m selfish.  I’m sorry.”

He put a finger over her lips.  “Don’t worry about me, Kayla.  I can wait.  I have to get you back or your sister is going to be worried.” 

Isaiah set her on her feet, his heart pounding when she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest.  It was a beautiful hug and he could have held her in such a way forever.  She turned them until his back was against the door and they stayed like that for a long minute.

Nothing prepared him for her slipping from his grasp, dropping to her knees, and going to the waist of his pants with determination. 

“Kayla…we have to go back.”