Off Broadway Read Free Page A

watch a number or to discuss promotion for the Carmichael. She was glad for his unscheduled visits because it kept her from considering the intimacy of hours alone with Dan in the rehearsal space. Intimacy made even more obvious by the delicious hungry way that Dan looked at her when she sang. She told herself it was a normal show crush springing from their natural camaraderie. But she’d never come home from a day rehearsing with Scott with a sopping wet thong. Or a need to use half the toys in her arsenal.
    “I want the two of you to do a trial run this weekend,” Nelson said on Friday afternoon. “I can see the magic is happening in here, but I think we need you to get in front of an audience to see if the dynamic works.”
    Avery swallowed and glanced at Dan from the corner of her eyes. Did dripping pussy juices equate to magic? Probably.
    “We’re not ready,” Dan said.
    “It ’s not a big venue. Hugo’s Supper Club. Mostly people having drinks after work. Not too many people are there on Saturday nights,” Nelson said. “But we need to get you in front of some people before we throw you to the sharks. I talked to the columnist at the New York Times today and he’ll be at the Carmichael on opening night. We can’t risk the show falling flat.”
    Avery squeaked and gripped the top of the piano. Dan rose and crossed to her, putting his hand on the small of her back. Her nipples pebbled and she leaned back into him briefly before forcing herself to step away.
    “You okay?”
    She took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ve been waiting for a Times review for a year. I just wish I didn’t feel so nervous.”
    He lifted her chin up and gave her a hard look. “You’re amazing. The Times is gonna love you. You don’t have anything to worry about.”
    Her stomach flipped. She imagine his hands running down her neck. Across her collarbone. Pinching her nipples. Pushing down her panties. Sliding inside her. Sliding her clit between the strength…holy shit, she was about to lose her mind.
    “ They hate everyone.” Avery got back on track of the conversation. “And Nelson’s right, no one’s seen us together. What if we mess it up?”
    He squeezed her hand. “We won’t. We’ve accomplished so much in the past week. It’ll be fine.”
    The brief squeeze made her pussy clench and her thighs tightened in a pathetic attempt to satisfy a part of the lust, or at least keep it under control.
    Nel son coughed, breaking the sexual tension surrounding the two of them. “I’m gonna bring in a bass player to join you. He’s a regular at Hugo’s. He’ll help show you the ropes and fill the seats with some of his fans.”
    Avery snorted. “A bass player that comes with groupies?”
    Nelson winked at her. “Yeah. You’ll like him. All the ladies do.”
    Dan cleared his throat. “I don’t think we need a bass player.”
    Nelson shook his head. “Yes, you do. It’ll break up things a bit for you. And we’ll see if Avery can generate as much heat with other guys as she does with you.”
    Avery felt the blood rush to her face. She looked at Dan, but his face was trained on Nelson with a hard expression.
    N elson arched his eyebrows. “You need the bass player.”
    Dan and Nelson had some sort of silent communication before Dan finally nodded. “Yeah. I guess we do.”
    Avery ignored the butterflies in her stomach. She was a professional. She could do this. “Okay. So Hugo’s Supper Club tomorrow night?”
    Nelson clapped his hands. “That’s my girl.” He kissed her on the cheek and chucked her under the chin. “You’ll be fabulous as always.”
    He snatched his phone from his pocket and waved goodbye as he exited the room. His voice carried from the hall, already barking orders at someone on the other end of the line.
    Avery turned back to Dan. “Do you think we can pull it off?”
    He tapped his chin. “What’re you wearing to the show?”
    “What?”
    “Your costume. What does it look