Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (21 page)

Kayla ignored her and her bare feet curled against the wood floor.  “Keyword is
practically
.  Let’s go.”

The cast bowed to her, Mikayla hugged her hard enough to bruise, and that was when the audience realized that they were twins. 

Their reaction seemed to shake the building.  Gesturing to one of the stagehands, he brought her a microphone with a smile. 

Gradually, the theater quieted.

She started to speak but her voice cracked.  “Y’all have to excuse me, I’m pretty shaken up.”  There was laughter from the crowd. 

“When I was told about the theater tradition of holding shows for charity the first few days, it made me happy.  I did quite a lot of research into Returning Hope and I have to tell you, I was impressed.  They do amazing things for people in need and I hope you’ll open your hearts…and your wallets…and give until it hurts a little.”  She winked.  “That’s when you know you’ve given
just
enough.” 

There was more chuckling.  “Thank you for being our first live audience for
Not That Desperate
– I hope you enjoyed the show.  Special thanks must be given to the incomparable Zelder brothers who made every step of this journey possible with their kindness and expertise.  We’ll see you at the party!”

She led the way off the stage, her arm around Mikayla’s waist.  The moment they cleared the curtain, Madeline pulled her into a
crushing
hug.  “Sissy, you were so relaxed and beautiful.  You nailed it and I’m so proud of you.” 

“Your play is going to be fucking famous, Linn.  I love you so much.”

“It wouldn’t have been the same without you.  Thanks for helping to make it a reality.”  Madeline held her tight and they turned to congratulate the rest of the cast and thank the stagehands who’d supported them without a hitch. 

The two of them were hugged repeatedly and they made their way to Theodora’s serving station for water.  The tiny woman gave them a huge smile as they approached. 

“I heard the applause and
knew
you blew them away.  I can’t wait to see it.”  She pressed chilled water bottles in their hands.  “I made some snacks for you to take the edge off.” 

“You’re a lifesaver because I’m starving,” Mikayla admitted.  Her eyes widened when she saw Theodora’s famous puff pastries.  “This…I’m taking with me.”

“Take as many as you want.  The other girls aren’t going to
touch
them…you know that.”

The three of them laughed together and Linn excused herself.  “I need to wiggle my way out of this bodysuit so I require a head start.  Hold down the fort until I change.” 

Running silently down the hall, she shut the door and started working off the only thing she could wear beneath her bulky costume.  She’d finally stripped the clingy fabric from her limbs when there was a soft tap on the door. 

Ezra said her name softly and her heart raced as she flung the door open, uncaring that she was naked, and pulled him inside.  There wasn’t an instant of hesitation as he reached out.  She jumped into his arms, wrapping herself around him as he kissed her. 

Her nipples pebbled hard as she leaned back and stared into his eyes.  His smile was slow and sensual. 

“You did it, Miss Johannson.  Just like you said you would the day you walked into this theater.  You fucking did it and I’m beyond proud of you.”  All the stress whooshed out of her and he hugged her painfully hard as she sobbed against his neck.  “It’s going to be alright, pretty girl.  Get it all out.” 

Clenching his neck, she cried and he let her.  The feel of his forearm supporting her ass while his hand stroked soothingly over her back was like an anchor, grounding her to reality. 

An anchor to the man she loved.

She leaned back and he smiled.  Walking to the small sofa, he grabbed a box of wet wipes and sat with her across his lap. 

“I’m going to clean your face, you’re going to take some deep breaths, and then you’re going to wow your adoring public.”  So saying, he gently wiped her face of makeup and tears. 

“A few more minutes and the redness will fade.  I’ll go out and delay people looking for you but first…”

He laid her back into the crook of his arm and smoothed his palm down the front of her body.  So gently, he trailed over her breasts, back and forth across her ribs, made small circles over her belly, and settled the flat of his hand over her mound. 

Madeline was breathless as he touched her.  He never broke eye contact. 

“I want you relaxed when you go back out there.  You are a beautiful and brilliant playwright and you’re going to
own
your success.  No tears, no nervousness, just relaxed and confident.”

His middle finger dipped between her folds and slipped back to the entrance of her pussy.  He thrust lightly, his thumb circling over her clit, and her breath came in soft pants. 

“
Ezra…
”

“Only your pleasure matters right now, Madeline.  Feel me touching you, see how much I want you, and know that the first chance I get, my cock will be buried as deep as I can get it inside the sweetest, hottest pussy on the planet.” 

“I want you now…”

He shook his head.  “No time.  Take what you need.  I ache to give you everything you need.”  Bending, he kissed her carefully and rested his forehead against hers.  “I don’t want your lips swollen.”

Lifting her with the arm under her back, he took her nipple in his mouth and groaned around it.  She raked her fingers through his hair and moved her ass along the hard ridge she sat on. 

A light bite of the taut tip made her still.  He released it and his fingers moved more demandingly over her, inside her.  “Your pleasure.  Don’t tempt me, minx.”  His eyes closed for a moment and his hunger was blazing from them when they reopened.  “You’re so slick and hot.  I throb for you, my mouth waters.  I want to take you in front of a mirror so I can see all of you.  Watch your body take my cock, see myself sliding in and out of the pussy I dream about day and night.”

Then she came apart in his hands and he growled. 

Shaking, moaning, she let the orgasm take control.  “I want you inside me more than I want to breathe, Ezra.”  Her eyes focused on his face.  “I want you to take me as hard as you can.  To brace me and just fuck me stupid.”

Taking his hand from her, she watched him suck her slickness from them.  Then he set her on her feet in front of him and leaned forward to drag his tongue through her folds.  Planting open-mouthed kisses at the top, he traveled up her torso, licked over each nipple, and stood to claim her lips.

Setting her away from him, he ground out, “Get dressed.  I have to get out of here before I forget all the things you need to do.  Remember your request later, Linn.  I won’t forget.” 

Reaching around, he slapped her ass sharply and gave her a wink as he headed for the door.  “Don’t be long.  I need to eat you with my eyes until I can get you flat on your back, legs spread, and eat you literally.” 

The door closed behind him and Madeline almost chased him into the hall.  Instead, she dressed faster than ever before and practically ran to the crowded area just beyond the stage. 

* * * * *

Ezra barely managed to walk away from the woman who made all of him hot and hard.  A small taste of Madeline would
never
be enough. 

Raking his fingers through his hair, he stopped in the main cast bathroom to pull himself together. 

Until he could sink his cock in her body,
nothing
was going to help.

Chapter Nine

The effect Mikayla Johannson had on Isaiah was nothing short of a miracle.  If Ezra didn’t personally know that they’d only officially met hours before, he would think they’d known one another for years. 

They were clearly in
love
and he was riveted by their connection. 

That she’d gotten Isaiah to return to the theater at all had blown him away.  Getting him in the limo, through a line of reporters, and into a highly publicized event for charity was something Ezra had thought he would never see again.

The two of them danced together, song after song, and he watched Mikayla sing to a man he knew had considered suicide in the past year.  Her hands touched him constantly, she hugged him as if he was the only man worthy, and Isaiah smiled for her.

His brother – all but broken in spirit just twenty-four hours before –
smiled
for a young woman who seemed not to notice the scar that had taken so much.

“They’re beautiful together, aren’t they?”  Madeline could not have missed the tears that gathered in his eyes.  He nodded, too emotional to speak.  “I’ve never seen my sister connect to a man in such a way.  There is no doubt in my mind that she’s in love with your brother.”

“She…lights him up.  He’s breathing again.  Everything is different now.”  Turning to look at her, he lifted her hand and kissed the back.  “The two of you exhale magic into the world, Madeline.” 

“The thing about magic is there has to be someone on the receiving end, willing to believe.”

Standing, he pulled her to her feet.  “Dance with me, Miss Johannson.” 

Her smile showed her pleasure as she stepped into the circle of his arms. 

The back of her neck was warm and he massaged her, his palm firm on soft skin as he guided them around the floor.  The song ended and he watched her sigh deeply. 

“You need sleep.”

“I
need
you to fuck me.”

His fingers tightened and he growled.  “I’m barely holding on as it is.  What else do you have to do?”

“A few photo ops, a short interview, and I’m all yours.”  She ran her palms down the lapels of his jacket and her eyes flicked up to his.  “I’m wound up like never before and I need to…work it off.” 

“I’m
happy
to be of assistance.” 

“I hoped you would.”

“First, we finish what needs to be done.”

“Thank you for helping me focus.” 

There were so many things he wanted to say to her.  It had to wait.  “Let’s make the press come to you.  You need to get off your feet for a little while.” 

Returning to their table, they smiled as Kayla and Isaiah approached to say goodnight.  His older brother didn’t take his eyes off Linn’s sister.  A little while later, they watched as he guided her through the room, not stopping to talk to anyone who wanted her time. 

When they disappeared from sight, Madeline turned to Ezra with a smile.  “It’s fascinating, isn’t it?”

“More than I can possibly articulate.”

“What shall we do now?” 

“Right now, you’re going to dance with me.  Then…”  He leaned close and nuzzled her ear.  “I plan to take you upstairs and have my wicked way with you until you pass out.”

She sighed and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.  “Can we skip to the end?”  She was
dying
for him to touch her. 

“First things first.”  He stood and took her with him, leading her to the dance floor.  As she settled into his hold, he smiled.  “This is a bit better.  Dancing keeps my raging need for you at bay a little longer.”

“Not
mine
.” 

“You’re a magnificent creature, Madeline.”

“You’re a sexy beast, Ezra.” 

They alternated between dancing and mingling with the other party guests.  She danced with Max and Micah respectively and they peppered her with questions about the business side of her play. 

She was always happy to find herself back in Ezra’s arms.

It was after two in the morning when she said her goodbyes.  Admittedly exhausted, she felt as if she was going to shake apart if she didn’t have the man beside her
inside
her as soon as humanly possible. 

“Now,” she murmured as she turned to him.  “Right now, Ezra.”

Wrapping his arm around her waist, he walked quickly toward the bank of elevators without a word.  Inside, she selected her floor a moment before he backed her into the wall. 

The doors hadn’t finished closing before his hands were on her hips and he claimed a kiss. 

There was no longer a reason to keep her lips from being swollen and he wasted no time devouring them hungrily.  Linn moaned against his mouth, desperate to have it everywhere. 

When the elevator stopped at her floor, Ezra picked her up.  Her legs circled his waist even as she pulled the key card from her back pocket and managed to tell him the room. 

He carried her and she leaned over to key them in.  As the door closed behind them, they were panting with need.  She shot the security bolt in place to prevent intrusions. 

She wouldn’t tolerate a single interruption.

Chapter Ten

Slamming her into the wall beside the door, Ezra was shocked when Madeline dropped to her feet, hooked her heel around his knee, and took him to the floor. 

Straddling his waist and smiling at his expression, Madeline asked, “Did I take you by surprise?”  He nodded with a slow grin.  “The bed was too far away.  I needed to be close to you faster.” 

She pulled his shirt out of his pants and over his head, not bothering to unbutton it.  He mistakenly thought she intended to pull it off.  Still fastened at his wrists, she used the material to bind them instead.  Then she pushed his undershirt up as well.

He blinked.  It was the first time in his sexual history that a woman had restrained him.  He was so hard at the uniqueness of the situation that he was afraid he’d come the second she touched him.

“You just
roped me
like a fucking calf.” 

“I certainly did.  Don’t move, Ezra.  Let me look at you.  I feel as if I haven’t seen you in a year.”  He watched her face as she traced her fingers over his features.  Her eyes came up to meet his.  “Hi.” 

“Hi there.”

“I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

She removed her sweater and bra, giving him a glimpse of tight pink nipples before she lowered, pressing their bare upper bodies together. 

Then she kissed him until his heart was pounding.