Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (23 page)

Turning off most of the lights, he slid in beside her and wrapped his arms around her.  “I knew the day we met that you were going to shake up my entire world.  You’re a spectacular woman.”

Moving her head, she stared into his dark eyes.  “Thank you.” 

“Will you consider moving in with me?”  Her eyes went wide.  “Don’t look so surprised.  I have no doubts about what we have.  None.”

“Ezra…”

“No doubts, Madeline.  I’m in my thirties and you’re the first woman to make me territorial.  I want you living in my house, sleeping in my bed.  I want to fuck you well and often.  I want to wake you up with all the love and laughter you deserve.” 

Everything about him made her feel alive.  “I’ve never lived with a man.”

He gave her a half smile.  “It’s positively
scandalous
.  We can take it slow.  Give you enough time to pick out a ring.” 

Did he just ask me to marry him?

This time, she sat up and stared at him.  “You can’t
marry
me, Ezra.”

“Why the hell not?”  The smile got bigger on his face.

She blinked.  “Ezra.  Your family name is synonymous with the founders of New York City and beyond.  I’m a girl from the middle of nowhere Oklahoma.  You probably have specific gene pools you’re supposed to choose from to deliver your old money spawn.”

He bent at the waist and she was distracted by how the muscles of his stomach tightened.  Then they were eye to eye.  He looked annoyed.

“Are you telling me you don’t think you’re good enough?  Is that what I’m hearing, Miss Johannson?”  She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off.  “One of the most confident women I’ve ever met thinks she can’t roll with the society crowd?  It’s complete bullshit and I won’t listen to a word of it.”

“Your reputation…”

“The only thing marrying you will do is drastically improve my reputation, Madeline.  Talk about showing the world an example of my excellent taste.”

He lifted his hand and the warmth of his palm along her neck was comforting in a way she needed.  His thumb smoothed across the line of her jaw.  “Tell me why you’re worried.”

“We were
poor
, Ezra.  My mama worked at the bank all her life to keep food on the table and make sure we had health insurance.  My daddy broke his back on the ranch he inherited from his parents.  Until we left our town to go to college, all of us consistently used the word
ain’t
in casual conversation.” 

“I give less than one fuck about how much money your family possesses.  Not now, not ever.  You’re brilliant, articulate, and your accent makes me hard.”

Inhaling carefully, she made the decision to tell him something she’d never mentioned outside their small family. 

“Mama won the lottery.”

He frowned.  “What does that mean?”

“The lottery, you know?  Tickets you buy at a gas station or something?”  The look on his face told her he’d never played the lottery in his life.  “The chances of winning are in the tens of millions but it’s meant to keep poor people hoping.  My mama always hoped and she won.” 

“That was a good thing.”

Madeline nodded.  “It was
huge
.  The kind of money none of us could ever spend.  It’s how I paid for the play.  If my parents hadn’t formed a corporation and put all the money there I could ever need, the play never would have happened.  I wouldn’t be here.”

The smile returned to his face and he tightened his palm around the back of her neck.  “Then it all worked out.  You have your play, I had the chance to meet you, and I’ll follow you wherever you take it.” 

It was her turn to be confused.  “What do you mean where I take it?”

“Darling, you’re going to be expected to tour with the play.  It’s going to be too successful to stay local.”

“What?  No, I never plan to tour.  I’ll let it run for two years with your theater if that’s fine.  Then I’m shutting it down.  I’ll have what I need by then and I can focus on what I really want to do.”

“I don’t understand.  You’re going to be a famous playwright.”

“Which will strengthen my chances of becoming a published author.”  For almost a minute, the silence drew out between them and he simply stared at her.  “I want to write.  The acting and dancing is all fine and good but I don’t want to live my life on stage.  I have a three year plan.”

“Of course you do,” he murmured.

“You thought I wanted to travel the world or something?”  He nodded.  “That would never work for Kayla and it doesn’t work for me.  Our dreams are different but neither of us like things complicated.” 

There was another long pause and she could see his mind working behind his eyes.  “You’re using the play to build author credibility.”

“Yes.”

“Then you want to be a writer full time?”  She gave a small nod.  “You plan to stay home and write.”

“Well, yes.  My brain wants to pop some days with all the ideas churning.  I have several books written.  Only Mikayla has read them but she said they’re good.  I know she’s probably being nice but…”

In the space of seconds, he had her on her back, pushing the length of his cock inside her.  Sighing his name, she wrapped her limbs around him and held on tight. 

“If I had known all this, I’d already have a ring on your finger.”  Her eyes went wide.  “You are
everything
I’ve ever wanted.  I was afraid to lose you to fame and travel.  I love the play and it’s going to be a raging success.  It can run as long as you want.” 

He thrust deep and she gasped in pleasure.  “I don’t care about your upbringing.  I don’t care about your money.  I don’t care about mine.  Whatever silly expectations you think I have in my head or that society will expect don’t matter.  I care about you.” 

For a long time, he made love to her, driving Madeline up and over the peak of orgasm twice before he allowed himself to come.  

They hadn’t used a condom and the panic button in her head went off.

“Breathe.  It’s okay, Linn.  I’m safe and so are you.  Everything is okay.”

“Pregnancy?”

“Are you on anything?”  She nodded with a slightly hysterical laugh.  “Then we hope for the best.  If you’re pregnant, you decide what you want to do.  If you’re not ready, we’ll deal with that together.  If you aren’t pregnant, we’ll be more careful in the future.”

Exhaling roughly, she heard what he said and what he didn’t say.  “Thank you.  I’m sure it’s fine.  It’s never happened to me before and I freaked.”

He smoothed her hair away from her face.  “I’ve never had the pleasure.  I admit it could be addicting.  Coming without a condom feels better than it has any right to.”

Kissing the tip of her nose, forehead, and cheeks, he settled over her lips for a slow kiss that made her toes curl.  When he broke it, she smiled.

He pulled away and went to get a cloth from the bathroom.  She blushed when he cleaned her and then himself.  Afterward, he climbed back in bed beside her and held her close. 

At her ear, he said softly, “Think about a ring.  Think about a date.  Tell me everything you want and I’ll make it happen.  Right now, you need sleep.  Tomorrow begins the rest of our lives and I want you rested.” 

“I love you, Ezra.  I love you so fucking much that it scares me a little.”

“Don’t be scared, Madeline.  I’ll keep you safe.”

They fell asleep just as they were and she’d
never
felt safer in her life.

Chapter Twelve

Ezra woke to the morning sun filling the room with light. 

Turning his head, he smiled at the woman beside him.  She was on her stomach, hands tucked under her body, pressed against his side from shoulder to feet. 

Her eyes fluttered open and a soft smile spread over her face.  “Any morning-after regrets?”

“Not a single one.”  He rolled and moved his body down to put himself at eye level.  “How about you?” 

“None.” 

“Excellent.  Good morning, Miss Johannson.”  She rubbed her cheek against his inner arm and moved to press the front of her body to his.  “Do you know what happens today?”  Sleepily, she shook her head.  “Today, you get reviews on your play.”

Her reaction time was unreal. 

Throwing herself from the bed, she was a sight to see naked in morning light.  Grabbing her hair in her fists, she shrieked, “Oh my
god
, I forgot about
reviews
.  What do I do?” 

He stood up and cupped her face in his hands.  “Right now, I want you to breathe.  That wasn’t breathing…that was gasping.  Slow and steady.  I know this business, Madeline.  You’re going to love your reviews.”  He kissed her forehead.  “I put in a request for all the newspapers.  They’re probably right outside the door.  Stay here.”

Wrapping a towel around his lower body, he opened the door to the hall and picked up the stack of local papers. 

She was pacing the room.  “Linn.”  Her eyes were wide and panicked.  “I’m going to order breakfast.  Take a shower, pull on the hotel robe, and we’ll read the reviews together.  The play is first rate.  No worrying.”

Like a zombie, she walked to the bathroom.  By the time she emerged, a member of the hotel staff was wheeling in their table of food. 

“How much did you order?”

“All of it.  I’m starving.”  Handing the man a heavy tip for the rush, he gently guided her into a seat.  “Coffee and a croissant to start, I think.”

While she sipped the fortifying brew, he went through each paper, skimmed her reviews with a smile, and folded them back. 

Finally, she took a deep breath, set down her cup, and gave him a nod.  “Okay.  I’m ready.” 

Handing over the folded entertainment sections, he poured his own coffee and waited, watching her expressions with pleasure. 

“Madeline Johannson brought Midwest values and Big City class to the Zelder Theater for her first mainstream production, Not That Desperate.  Clever writing, brilliant characters, and
superb set design bring the comedic musical to life…”

“We hope to see more of the lovely and talented Johannson sisters in the future.  Bringing their sweet country charm and ready to play with the big boys, these women stormed the stage (and a few hearts)
last night…”

“If you speak to either Johannson sister and think their accents and good looks are all they bring to the table…settle in for a wild ride.  The play is daring, fun, and filled with an exceptional cast that kept me laughing throughout and left me wanting more, more, more!  There are rumors each sister is dating a Zelder brother, longtime members in good standing among the theater community.  If true, the dashing Zelders score high points for choosing such unique young women who are a breath of fresh air.”

“That this play made me laugh throughout was a surprise…that it was their first attempt in a mainstream venue was a complete shock.  The rest of the cast performed well, seeming dedicated to their playwright and director.”

By the time she finished reading, one hand gripped the edge of the table with white knuckles.  Ezra crouched in front of her with a smile. 

“You did it.  I’m incredibly proud of you, Madeline.”

She exhaled roughly.  Swallowing hard, she had tears in her eyes as she whispered, “It’s so hard to be taken seriously as a new author.  It seems like publishers won’t even look at you.  Mikayla came up with the idea that if I could pull off a smash hit somewhere like New York, they wouldn’t have a choice.  I just want a little office where I can churn out stories and live a normal life.” 

“Where were you going to go once you finished the run of your play?” 

“I have a house in Oklahoma and a cabin on a lake in Texas.”  She shrugged.  “I’ve fallen in love with everything about New York.”  Placing her palms along both sides of his face, she added, “There are so many things to love here.”

He suddenly wondered about Linn’s sister and what would happen between her and his brother.  “What about Mikayla?” 

“None of this was what she wanted.  She wants to teach and raise a family.  It’s all she’s ever dreamed about having.”  Her shoulder lifted.  “Having a marriage like our parents is her ultimate happiness.”

“Do you think she’ll stay in New York?”

Madeline laughed.  “Ezra, if Isaiah opens his arms, she’ll run into them.  He’s here so she’ll stay here.  She loves New York as much as I do.”

“Thank god.”  He kissed her aggressively, staking claim to the woman he wanted.  Pulling back far enough to look into her eyes, he said, “I have a huge brownstone, Madeline.  There’s a room off the master bedroom that looks out over the back garden.  Tall windows and built-in bookshelves.  It’s been empty for years because I couldn’t decide what to do with the space.  I think it would make you a beautiful office.” 

“That sounds lovely.”

“In the spring, the plants in the back courtyard blossom.  In the fall, the color pallet is breathtaking.  I can have your apartment packed today.”

She laughed and covered her mouth.  He rolled his eyes dramatically.  “Okay, we’ll get you packed up next week.  How long are you going to make me wait before you become my wife?” 

“Six months sounds like a reasonable engagement.”  She gave him a wink.  “I want there to be no doubt that we’re marrying for no other reason than love.” 

“The best reason.”

“I leave wet towels around and I’m usually irritable in the morning.”  She took a deep breath.  “I want kids in a few years.  Is that a problem?”

Ezra’s smile felt huge on his face.  “I drop dirty clothes everywhere.  I sometimes work too much.”  He kissed her soundly.  “I love kids.” 

“Then it’s all settled.  Now you need to eat and I have to call my sister.”  Her kiss went on for a long time and he considered carrying her back to bed.  Then his stomach growled.  Against his mouth, she laughed.  “Eat.”

He settled in his chair and ate while he re-read a couple of the reviews.  His attempt not to eavesdrop on the Johannson sisters’ conversation was futile.  Their exuberance kept him grinning.  When she disconnected, he asked, “So, how is your sister?”