More Than You Know (27 page)

When the lounge's lights dimmed, an anticipatory hush fell over the small crowd. In the bar, the music switched off, leaving only the rumble of human sound, audible but not intrusive. Kelvin and Julia emerged from backstage to applause, and they both smiled in acknowledgment as they hit their marks.

Kelvin, as usual, wore a black suit and straight black tie over a crisp white button down. He preferred to keep it simple and wore the same outfit every night. Julia . . . damn, Dane couldn't take his eyes off her. Smoking hot in a little black dress. Spaghetti straps over her pale exposed shoulders; he wanted to nibble on them. The neckline plunged to display her impressive cleavage, but not in a lewd way, and the fabric hugged her voluptuous curves until it stopped just below the knee. Sexy as hell, but with class. And just a bit of an edge . . . like captured fire. That was his woman.

His woman.
He'd thought that as naturally as anything. She'd probably swear at him if she knew he thought of her that way. He studied her features, wondering how she was really doing. She seemed fine. No hint of her being a total wreck the night before. But she was a consummate professional, always; he admired and respected that.

“Thank you so much for coming out tonight,” Julia said with a warm smile as her eyes skimmed over the audience. When she saw Dane, her face froze for a millisecond. He didn't know what to make of that. He looked right back at her, schooling his features into neutrality. Little shouts bounced around in his head.
Are you all right? What did you do all day? Why wouldn't you pick up the damn phone? You look gorgeous. I want to devour you. I've been worried about you. I want to strangle you for your stubbornness. I love you. Please don't shut me out.

He wasn't even aware that Kelvin had started playing, but suddenly Julia was singing, and her gaze locked with his as the words flowed from her mouth.

Dane sat transfixed. The spotlight caught in her hair, bringing out glimmers of copper and gold in that fiery mane. Her voice was hypnotic, beautiful . . . and she was all but serenading him, hurling those lyrics his way as her soulful eyes pinned him. His breath came slowly; it was like the air had changed or time had slowed. All he could see was her, and all he wanted to do was hold her close.

But as he listened to the lyrics, filled with yearning and regret about how some things just can't be, his jaw and gut tightened. If the song was any indication, if it was aimed purposely at him . . . wasn't it?

As the song ended and the audience applauded, Julia's eyes held his for a meaningful beat, then slipped from his, back out to the crowd. He grabbed his drink and gulped back a hard swallow.

Tess put her hand on his arm. He turned his head to face her. His sister's big blue eyes were filled with sympathy.

“Don't look at me like that,” he warned.

“She loves you,” Tess said softly. “It's written all over her.”

“Really? Because what I just saw was her singing me good-bye,” he bit out.

Tess pressed her lips together, then sighed. “I don't care what she sang. I saw the way she looked at you. That is a woman in love if I ever saw one.”

Dane's heart skipped a beat. It startled him, how much he wanted to believe his sister. She was rarely wrong when it came to reading him, but she didn't know Julia. “I don't think so,” he grumbled.

Tess leaned in and whispered into his ear, “That's because you're so in love with her you can't see clearly. You can always read women! No one knows how to read women like you do. But you can't read
her?
There's a very good reason for that. No objectivity. You're emotionally invested, and that clouds what you see.”

He scowled and pulled back, shaking his head.

“I'm not wrong,” Tess said, and sipped her ice water with a bit of a smirk.

Dane felt . . . off-kilter. He wasn't easily thrown, rarely got confused like this—about anything. But least of all over a woman. He didn't like it one bit. He knocked back the rest of his scotch in two gulps, then raised his hand to catch a waitress's eye.

 

 

Julia sank back against the cushions of the sofa, exhaling deeply as she kicked off her shoes. When she'd first spotted Dane in the audience with his sister, her heart had stopped for a second. He was there. He wasn't just going away quietly, that's what his being there was messaging to her. But she looked at him, so handsome, so sure . . . and at his sister, so regal she almost seemed like royalty . . . and knew she'd never measure up.

She sighed. They were from different worlds. She'd been right to push him away. Before she loved him even more, before they could really hurt each other . . . oh God, she loved him. She really loved him. Just looking at him made her heart ache and throb and pound.

“Earth to Miss Thang,” Kelvin said.

Julia blinked and looked up. Kelvin was standing over her, holding a large white plate. “Eat, missy.” He set the ceramic platter covered with various kinds of cheese and crackers on the table, then sat beside her. “He came tonight.”

“I saw,” she said, shifting to reach for some food.

“He's here because he wants to see you,” Kelvin said.

“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”

“You gonna talk to him?”

She felt her face heat and mumbled, “Probably not,” before jamming a round cracker into her mouth.

Kelvin shook his head, making his dreadlocks sway. “You're being stupid.”

“Thanks.”

“And unfair. And stubborn. And maybe even childish. And definitely selfish.”

Julia glared at him. “Back off, Kel.”

“Hell no.” Kelvin met her eyes and didn't flinch. “I saw his face last night. He was in pain for your pain. He
cares
about you. This isn't just hot fun anymore, for either of you. He cares. You care.”

Her mouth full, she shook her head violently.

“You can deny it all you want, but I know what I saw last night. You needed someone, and he was
there.
On his own, because he wanted to be.” Kelvin speared her with a look, but softened his voice. “You push him away, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Don't you have enough regrets already, sweetie?”

She wanted to shoot back a wiseass remark, but there was one problem. Kelvin was absolutely right. She grabbed another square cube of cheddar and popped it into her mouth, unable to meet his eyes.

“Okay,” Kelvin sighed. “Tonight's lecture is over. You've been beat up enough this week. So I'm gonna let this go for now. But
only
for now. I'm onto you, woman.” He made a
V
with his long fingers and aimed them at his own eyes, then hers. “I'm watching you. Too bad if ya don't like it.”

At his exaggerated gesture, she couldn't help it—a giggle slipped out. She shook her head. “You're an ass.”

“You're a bigger one.”

“You're probably right.”

There was a soft knock on the door, and the friends glanced at each other.

“Ms. Shay?” came a female voice. “It's Tess Harrison. I was wondering if I could talk to you for just a few minutes?”

Julia's eyes widened as she looked at Kelvin and whispered frantically, “Why does she want to talk to me?”

“Only one way to find out.” He rose from the couch and went to open the door. “Hi. I'm Kelvin Jones.”

“I know.” Tess smiled and held out a hand. “I really enjoyed your playing tonight. What talent! You're fantastic. It's such a pleasure to meet you.”

“Why thanks.” He shook her hand and ushered her into the dressing room.

Julia was on her feet, trying to squelch the sudden unease threatening to close her throat. “Hello.”

“Hi. I just wanted to . . . um . . .” Tess swept her long, impressive mane of dark curls back from her shoulders. She was dressed in a deep blue pantsuit and heels, and it hit Julia that she'd never realized how tall Tess was. She was looking up at her, like she had to with Kelvin or Dane. Tess's legs went up to her neck; with the shoes, she was probably six feet tall. “I know this is your break in between sets, and I don't want to take up your time. Just a few minutes?”

God, she was so polite, so refined. Julia almost felt like she should curtsy or something. But she nodded and said, “Of course.”

“Why don't I let you two have some privacy?” Kelvin gave a little nod to Tess. “Lovely meeting you, Ms. Harrison.”

“Please, call me Tess,” she smiled. “Lovely meeting you, too.”

Kelvin closed the door behind him, leaving the two women facing each other in silence. Julia wondered what Tess wanted to say. She had an uneasy feeling it wouldn't be anything good.

Chapter Eighteen

“I won't take up much of your time,” Tess promised. “Can we sit?”

“Of course.” Julia sat on one sofa, smoothing out her dress as Tess sat on the sofa across from her. The coffee table was something of a buffer between them.

Tess launched right in. “If my brother knew I was back here, he'd be really pissed. I told him I was going to the ladies' room. But I wanted to see you.”

Julia worked to keep her features neutral, though her insides hummed with soft anxiety.

“First of all, I just have to say—you have an incredible voice,” Tess said. “You're wonderful. Listening to you and watching you sing is such a pleasure.”

“Thank you,” Julia said.

“You own your audience,” Tess continued. “You know how to work a room. Your presence is powerful, electric.” Her bright blue eyes held Julia's. “But you know that. You're that good. That's why Dane hired you. Out of all the singers he saw, the only one he knew who had star quality was you.”

Julia nodded, keeping quiet, waiting to see where Tess was going.

“I know you and he are together.”

Julia simply nodded again.
He'd told her.

“I hope that doesn't bother you,” Tess added.

“Not at all,” Julia said. “I know you and he are very close. It doesn't surprise me that he'd confide in you.”

Tess nodded at that and crossed her impossibly long legs. “He's not just one of my big brothers, he's one of my best friends. I know him so well. Sometimes, better than he knows himself. For instance . . . I knew he had feelings for you even before he did.”

Julia's heart skipped a beat.

“He does, you know. I mean, I don't know how you can't see it.” Tess's gaze was both gentle yet unrelenting. “But I know a kindred soul when I see one, so I thought maybe you needed to hear that from an outside party.”

Kindred soul?
Julia's brows puckered. “I'm sorry, you just lost me.”

“A woman who's been through hell.” Tess's voice was quiet, but the words pelted like stones. “I've had my heart torn out and shredded. I've had my share of trust issues with men. I know someone who's strong on the outside because she
has
to be.” Her gaze didn't waver. “I know that's forward, but tell me I'm wrong, and I'll go now.”

Julia's mouth was dry. The regal, elegant Tess Harrison had had her heart shredded? Related to
her
? She cleared her throat and murmured, “You're not wrong.”

Tess nodded slowly. “That's unfortunate. But I didn't think I was wrong.” She cocked her head to study Julia, a familiar gesture—Dane often did the same thing. “I don't know what happened last night between you two, but Dane's way off his game tonight. He's upset. He's confused. He's hurting. You're not the only one.”

Julia sucked in a breath. On the one hand, it was none of Tess's business. On the other, hearing this was more than interesting . . . it was . . . affirming, in a way.

“I'm not trying to interfere,” Tess continued. “What goes on between you and Dane is not my business. I just . . .” She pursed her lips, searching for words. “I just want to help, and I don't know how.”

Oh my God
. Julia's insides liquefied. Tess wasn't there to berate her. She was being kind. “Why do you want to help me?” she managed.

“Don't you know?” Tess smiled softly. “Because my brother cares about you. And I care about him. So if you two need a third party to kind of . . . give you a push . . . I'm jumping in to do that. But I don't want to overstep. I'm sorry if I am.” Tess blinked, and a quick laugh slipped out. “No, you know what? That's not true. I'm not sorry.”

Julia couldn't help but laugh too. Warmth slid through her. “I like you.”

“Oh, good.” Tess's smile broadened, and Julia marveled at her. She was as stunningly gorgeous as her brother. Those Harrisons had some magic gene pool. “I guess all I'm trying to say is . . . his feelings for you are genuine. What he doesn't say, I can see as plain as day.” Tess's mouth twisted for a second. “I know his reputation with women . . . I understand why you'd be doubtful . . . but I'm telling you, I've never seen him like this over a woman. He's
never
cared before. He cares about you. That means something. Hopefully, it means something to
you,
too.”

Julia stared, hoping her outsides seemed cool and not as chaotic as her insides.

“Okay.” Tess suddenly got to her feet. “I've interfered enough. I'm going now, before my darling brother thinks I fell into a toilet and sends a search party after me.”

A surprised laugh burst from Julia as she stood.

Tess grinned, but said, “Will you think about what I said? Just consider it.”

“Consider what?”

“That his feelings for you are real. And then, what you're going to do about that. If you're going to let him in . . .” Tess's gaze held. “. . . or let him go. Because if he loves you, and you don't love him, it's not fair for you to stay undecided and string him along. Let him in close, or end it. For both your sakes.”

Julia froze, stunned speechless. Her skin prickled with a chill.

“Yeah,
that
was totally interfering,” Tess muttered to herself. “Well. I'll see myself out. Thank you for listening to what I had to say.” She gave a small smile. “For what it's worth, I hope it works out. You're the only woman I've ever seen keep him on his toes like this. It's good for him.
You're
good for him. And he'd be good for you, too. He's one of the best men I know.” Turning away, she crossed the dressing room in a few long strides, closing the door behind her.

Julia sank to the sofa to think over everything Tess had dropped in her lap.

 

 

“Where were you?” Dane asked when Tess retook her seat beside him. “I was getting ready to send out a search party.”

Tess laughed out loud, thinking of what she'd said to Julia only minutes before. Did she know her brother or what? “I'm fine.”

“Good. Listen . . .” Dane scrubbed a hand over his face. “I'm drunk. I don't like to be drunk in my own hotel. And Julia won't talk to me tonight, that's pretty clear.”

“Dane—”

“I know this is ungentlemanly of me, but I want to leave. Julia wants space, I'm going to respect that and give it to her. But I can't take looking at her up there. . . .” He shook his head and hissed out a frustrated sigh. “I'm spent. I'm sorry to abandon you, Tess, but I gotta get out of here.”

Tess looked her brother over. Her heart winced for him; he was unhappy. And maybe it would be good to let Julia think over the things she'd said before facing Dane, especially if he was drunk and upset. “Let's go.” She grabbed her clutch and stood.

“What?” Dane got to his feet. “You can stay, you were enjoying the show—”

“I was. But I caught one set. We don't need to stay for the second. It's after midnight, I'm tired. Let's go.” She smiled for punctuation. “Come on.”

With a grateful grin, he put his arm around her shoulders and they walked out of the lounge. He didn't look back.

 

 

Julia and Kelvin got back onstage to kick off their second set. She smiled brightly at the audience as they applauded and thanked them for staying, then glanced over to where Dane and Tess were sitting. The table was empty, and a waitress was clearing their empty glasses.

Julia's stomach dropped. A rush of wild emotion rose up in her throat and she swallowed it down. She didn't have even two seconds to let Dane's sudden departure or lack of good-bye affect her. She had a show to do. Later, in private, she'd let herself speculate what his leaving without a word to her meant.

 

 

On Saturday evening, Julia got to the hotel a half hour earlier than usual. Instead of entering through the bar as she always did, she went through the smoky glass doors at the main entrance and headed to the main reception desk.

“Hi, Julia,” said Mina, the evening shift manager. “You need anything?”

“No, thanks,” Julia smiled back. “I was just wondering if Mr. Harrison's been here at all today?”

Mina's brows scrunched. “I haven't seen him at all, but I came in at four. Let me check for you.” She picked up the house phone and made a quick call. As she replaced it in the cradle, she shook her head. “No, he hasn't been in at all today. Do you want to leave a message of some kind? I'll make sure it gets to him.”

“No, no, that's fine. It's nothing urgent. Thanks though.” Julia walked away from the desk, through the magnificently stylish lobby toward the back, where the bar and lounge were. Her instincts were screaming at her that she'd screwed up, that he was giving her space not only because she'd asked for it, but because he wanted to. He hadn't called or texted since yesterday afternoon. The silence was deafening.

She pushed open the door to the bar and relished the dimmer lights, the cooler air, and the relative quiet. The bar didn't usually start really filling up until after seven. She'd been hoping to catch Dane and try to talk to him, but it looked like that wasn't going to happen. She entered her dressing room, dropped her bag on the floor by the vanity, and sat on the sofa. Then, with a heavy sigh, she lay down and stretched out. Closing her eyes, she tried to breathe deep, slow breaths and meditate to calm her jittery nerves.

She'd messed up and she knew it. Dane had held her as she cried in a heap on a bathroom floor, and she'd shown her gratitude by pushing him away? She had to break this pattern. It was destructive, and she wasn't only hurting herself, but Dane, too. She'd seen the flash in his eyes. When she'd rebuffed him, he looked pained. And that wasn't fair. She knew deep down that he genuinely cared about her. If she'd doubted it before, she couldn't after Thursday night. Not after he'd scraped her off the tiled floor and into his arms, holding her tight and whispering sweetness as he tried to soothe her . . . that wasn't an act. Those were all the actions of someone who cared.

Her eyes opened to stare up at the ceiling. The next time she saw Dane, she had to try to fix things, and to apologize. To just talk honestly to him. Not with flirtatious banter, not with the distraction of sex, but a scary, open discussion. She had to, before she lost him. And one of the only things she was sure of was that she didn't want to lose him. She just hoped it wasn't already too late.

 

 

Later that night, Dane entered the bar and lounge at five minutes to ten. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about Julia all day, but hadn't called or texted her. She wanted space, he'd give it to her. But he couldn't stay away.

He loved her too much.

He was tired of the games. The holding back, the push and pull. He loved her, and tonight, he'd tell her that. After trying to drink her away last night without success, then thinking about her all damn day, he couldn't see the point in not telling her anymore. Maybe it would change things for the better. Maybe she'd bolt. He wasn't sure. But he'd swallow his pride, take a deep breath, and just tell her how he felt. And also tell her that she had to stop pushing him away. And that he wanted to be with her, only her. That he'd never felt this way about anyone before.

After the show.

He sat at the bar, not taking a table in the lounge, keeping his distance so he wouldn't distract her. And, he could admit to himself, so he could watch her from afar, free to stare at her as much as he wanted.

Tonio came to his side and they shook hands. “How's it goin', Boss?”

“Going just fine. You, sir?”

“Same.” Tonio waved over a bartender to take Dane's drink order.

“Sit with me,” Dane said.

Tonio quirked a brow, but a pleased grin spread over his face. “Okay, but you know I don't drink on the job.” He maneuvered his huge frame on the barstool next to him.

After the bartender moved away, Tonio asked in a teasing tone, “Why are you sitting back here tonight? Slumming?”

Dane laughed. “No one slums in my hotels.”

Tonio laughed back. “True.” He edged closer. “Just saying . . . that Liam never came back. Haven't seen him; no one has. Think he's gone for good.”

Dane gave a nod of acknowledgment.

The bartender set a dark beer in front of Dane and a ginger ale in front of Tonio.

“Labor Day next weekend already,” Tonio said after a swallow of soda. “Can you believe it? Where'd the summer go?”

“No idea,” Dane replied. He picked up his beer and sipped. “I'll be gone most of September. Trips to my other hotels.” He slanted his head bartender a look. “Keep an eye on her while I'm gone, okay?”

“You don't have to ask,” Tonio said quietly. “Of course I will.”

The sound of applause traveled back from the lounge area as Julia and Kelvin stepped onstage. Dane's insides warmed and his heart gave a little squeeze at the sight of her. Tonight she wore a strapless dark purple gown that displayed her creamy skin up top, but floated all the way down to her ankles. Her hair was up in some twisty bun, sleek and sophisticated. Dane had a flash of taking the pins out and running his fingers through all that soft, thick red hair as he kissed her. They hadn't slept together in a few weeks now; he missed her. He wanted her. His body tightened and jumped to life just looking at her. With a wry grin, he shook his head at himself. Even when he wanted to shake her for her stubbornness, he still longed for her. Amazing, the power she had over him. The pull he felt whenever he saw her. His woman.
His,
dammit.