The boyish pirate grin he gives me afterward makes my heart flip-flop.
I don’t even feel like gloating over Cadence’s sour expression.
He continues to ignore everyone else. “You look hot.”
Warmth rushes through me. I’m in the latest fashion–an olive babydoll dress that ends mid-thigh and has puffed, 80’s sleeves, with a pair of punk black boots underneath. I made the dress myself as soon as I saw the latest runway looks, so it fits me perfectly. I’m making one for Kat in red and white gingham to go with her schoolgirl fetish.
“You want your seat by the stage?”
I nod happily.
He points to where he’s already set it up, and I melt. I suddenly understand the meaning of the word swoon. Flynn definitely makes me swoon. I steal another kiss. “Spasibo.”
Flynn’s arms circle behind my back, and he pulls me up against his body, one hand sliding lower to grip my ass. “What does that mean?”
I hardly notice when I hear Cadence sniff and flounce off with her friend.
“Thank you.”
Flynn and I have a moment. Our breath mingles. Our gazes are locked. Lips almost touching. There could be a fire in the building, and we’d never know. My heart thuds against my ribs in a happy staccato.
“Are you coming home with me tonight?” he asks in a low voice.
“Yes.” There’s zero hesitation for me in accepting his offer. If he asked me to go to a party, I would have said yes. If he asked me to go to Rome, I would have said yes. Or to the moon.
This is how much I changed in just one week. A door opened, and now the whole world seems available to me again. And I want to see it all with Flynn.
“Ready, boys?” Story calls out. “Nadia, Oleg will make room for you down in front if you want.”
“She’s staying backstage,” Flynn says then shoots a questioning glance at me. “Or do you want to go out there?”
I shake my head, and he smiles and brushes his lips across mine. “Thanks for coming,” he says, like it means something to him. Like he’s happy to see me. Or needs me.
I was foolish to let Cadence’s words get to me. I haven’t imagined all that’s between Flynn and me. He may be a player, and he does have a kind heart. But I’m not just like the other girls. I’m special to him. I feel sure of it.
“Give me your phone,” I say.
He grins. “You’re going to live stream again?”
“Yep.”
He kisses me as he presses his phone into my hand. “You’re the best.”
I smile as I take my seat behind the curtain wing and begin another live stream.
Look out world, The Storytellers are here and ready to take you by a storm.
Flynn
I get drunk on the energy of the crowd. On having Nadia here making me believe crazy things are possible.
She seems completely at ease tonight–no signs of panic. She’s still here at closing time, sitting on the edge of the stage, kicking her bad-ass lace-up boots.
The staff had a helluva time getting everyone out of here tonight, and I can tell they’re all exhausted from the crowd. They want us out.
“Come here,” I say, backing up to her and holding my hands out for a piggyback ride.
She laughs. “I don’t need that tonight.”
I twist to catch sight of her lovely face over my shoulder. “I need it, Peaches.”
She giggles and climbs on.
I run with her on my back up to the bar where Danica is sitting in the corner waiting for Rue.
“You assholes,” Danica says when I get there. “You’re getting too famous. It’s a pain in the ass.” She gives me a grin to soften the criticism.
“Please don’t kick us out, Rue. This is our home.” I turn puppy eyes on Rue, who rolls hers and shakes her head.
“You need a drink?”
“Nah, I’m good. Do you want anything, Nadia?” I gently place my girl on the barstool next to Danica. I’m playing matchmaker here. Nadia wants to perform with Black Velvet. I want to help that happen.
“I’m okay, too.” She sends a nervous glance at Danica.
“You should see the designs Nadia made for Black Velvet,” I say. “They are sick.”
“Sick?” Nadia’s forehead wrinkles in confusion.
I touch my head to hers. “That means amazing.”
Rue’s curious gaze goes between Nadia and I, like she’s seeing something unexpected. Am I different with Nadia than I am with other girls?
I must be.
The way I feel is completely different.
I’m not the kind of guy who disrespects women. It’s not about finding some ass to “tap” or something lame like that. But my hookups in the past were very casual. Just hookups. Friendly. Never intense.
What I feel with Nadia is more intense.
It’s real.
Raw.
Incredible.
“Really? Can I see them?” Danica asks.
Nadia blushes. “Yes, I would like to show you. I could come and take measurements?”
“Definitely.”
“I loved your show,” Nadia blurts. “You are all so fierce and perfect. Do you…” she swallows and darts a glance at me.
I nod my encouragement.
“Do you take understudies? Or apprentices? How does it work?”
“You want to perform?” Danica asks. “Sure. We rehearse on Monday and Thursday afternoons at four.”
“Here?” Nadia looks brighter and more lovely than the moon on a clear night.
“Yes. If you’re serious, come on Monday, and we’ll see if we can work you into the show somewhere. Deal?”
“Oh my God.” Nadia claps a hand over her mouth. “Are you serious? I’m so excited.”
“Great. I might be able to put you in a group piece that we’re performing at the end of the month. Sound good?”
“Yes! Great!” Nadia looks up at me, face shining.
I drop a kiss on her forehead. “See? Everything’s easy around here.”
“Now get your ass out, Flynn.” Rue wipes down the counter with a rag. “My staff is exhausted from all your fangirls. Seriously.”