I like your instincts.”
“Thanks,” she said.
“The next band is the one that Roger recommended to me. I think you’ll like them.”
“Why?” she asked. She wanted to know what Henry thought she’d like and why. Did he really know her? It had only been a few weeks, though she’d come to know him pretty well since they’d spent so much time together?
“Because they have a nice sound with a pop groove but there’s something retro about their lyrics. They talk about real emotions, which I’ve noticed you like as I’ve been listening to the tapes of the bands you want me to sign.”
“I noticed you noticing,” she said. Over the past two weeks he had paid a lot of attention to her at work, asking her opinions on bands, giving her decision-making power on booking groups for radio tours and whatnot. Mostly he’s treated her like a respected peer, and that was all she’d needed.
“Good. I wanted you to see that I’m not like Daniel,” Henry said.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I’m going to kiss you again, Astrid, and this time I don’t want you to run.”
She felt foolish when he said it like that. But then she was human, she thought. And resisting temptation, especially the type that he offered, was too hard.
“I’m not going to make another foolish mistake,” she said, not sure if she meant the words for Henry or for herself.
“Good,” he said. He reached under the table and took her hand in his. His big hand completely engulfed hers. They announced the band XSU. Sounded like some American university band and the guys looked the part.
In their denim jeans and faded vintage T-shirts they looked as though they were meant to be singing to university crowds instead of this very upscale and trendy club in London.
They introduced their first song and the music was … sex-disco. A pulsing beat that made her want to get up and dance. She was tapping her feet and noticed that Henry was moving to the beat, as well. The dance floor, which had been crowded before now, seemed to be a single solid wave of dancing bodies.
Henry used his grip on her hand to tug her to her feet. They were in the middle of the swaying crowd. Henry’s body brushed hers often as they danced, each brush reminding her that she’d done a poor job of keeping the distance she’d wanted between them.
She tried to be stiff, tried to keep a part of herself locked away but it was impossible. She wanted Henry. And this music reminded her that life was meant to be lived, not hidden away from.
She stopped thinking she had to be professional and just relaxed, allowing herself to just be herself. And that moment changed her. She looked into Henry’s impossibly blue eyes and saw more than she’d thought to see.
In taking the measure of the man, she knew that no matter what happened between them, she’d never regret the time they spent together.
Five
Something had changed in Astrid when XSU had started playing. She seemed to sparkle with life as she moved on the dance floor, and Henry wanted to be the only one who basked in that glow.
He kept one hand on her hip as they danced. Her body brushed against his, teasing him with each rhythmic move she made. He wanted more than those fleeting touches. He wanted her breasts pressed solidly against his chest, his hands holding her hips and that tempting mouth of hers under his.
The music stopped, but he scarcely noticed. The crowd applauded, and in the back of his mind Henry realized that he’d found the first group he’d sign to the Everest Records label, and he’d use a similar path to the one he developed with Steph Cordo. But he’d also found something else, he thought.
Astrid watched him with those big brown eyes of hers, and he leaned in and kissed her. He didn’t think about consequences or warnings. Didn’t think about winning or business. Just thought that this woman was temptation incarnate and he was tired of denying himself.
He lingered over her mouth. The last three weeks had been too long as far as his body was concerned. Blood flowed heavier through his veins. Her hands came to his shoulders, anchoring her as she rose on tiptoe to deepen their kiss.
The crowd swayed around them as the band moved on to the next song, but Henry felt the world narrow until he and Astrid were alone.
She tasted tangy and sweet and of something that was uniquely Astrid. There was an energy between them, and when he lifted his head she tunneled her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and brought their mouths together again.
She sighed as he kissed her. “I’ve been dying for your kiss.”
He took her hand and led her off the dance floor. “Have you?”
She nodded.
“I’m tired of pretending that I don’t want you, but that doesn’t mean I think this is right. You already guessed that my relationship with Daniel complicated my last job. I can’t afford to let that happen again.”
“What can I say to change your mind?” Henry asked.
“I’m not sure. I just … I’m not saying I don’t want you, just that I’m not sure it’s wise for me to get involved with you, Henry.”
“We will figure it out,” Henry said. “I want to go talk to the band. Want to come with me?”
She nodded.
He held on to her hand and he no longer felt that she was just his assistant. Now he knew she was his. And he liked that. He needed to make love to her before he’d really feel she was his.
The band had a small group of women hanging around them as he approached. Henry used his celebrity to get closer to the band. He approached the black-shirted bouncer protecting the backstage area, who was turning away scantily clad women and overzealous fans.
“I’m Henry Devonshire, and I’d like to speak to the band.”
“Henry Devonshire. I saw you score a converted try in the last minute of the London-Irish game—your last one.”
“That was a great game. Stan got that penalty and I thought we were going to lose.”
“But you didn’t. You were brilliant.”
“Thanks,” Henry said. “I’d appreciate it if you’d let us back to see that band.”
“Sure thing, mate.” The bouncer stepped aside and let them through.
“Henry Devonshire,” he said as he approached the lead singer.
“Angus McNeil,” the young man said, shaking Henry’s hand.
“I like the sound of your group.”
“Thanks, man. We’ve been experimenting with a lot of different influences and I’m not sure we have it right yet.”
“I’d
