Steal My Heart Read Free

guys are pretty good.”
    He smiled back, clearly flattered at the attention. “Wait ’til we get warmed up.”
    “Oh? You get even better?”
    “A lot better after the crowd has a few drinks in them.” He leaned down, eyeing her décolletage. She knew this dress would come in handy.
    “Do you take requests?”
    He shook his head with a bit of smugness. “Not usually. We work off charts.”
    “Oh.” She gave him her best demure pout. The one she used to coax information out of reluctant male interviewees. The one Holly picked up from her and used when she wanted to stay up late or eat dessert before dinner.
    Holly.
    Steady . You’re halfway there . “It’s not just a song request. It’s more than that.”
    He looked intrigued.
    The guitar player trekked over and gave his colleague a jab. “Hey, crooner. We’ve got a show here.”
    “I’m talking to one of our fans.”
    “Fans?” He ran a hand through his long hair and looked hopeful, as if he thought she might ask him to sleep with him. Sorry, her groupie days were behind her.
    “I was wondering if I could get you to play Misty . Do you know it?”
    He raised a condescending brow. “Every band worth its salt knows Misty .”
    Misty ? It was the first thing that popped into her head. Why in the world had she picked that song? She turned to the drummer. “And when you get to the last verse, wait for my signal, then do a really loud rimshot. You can do that, can’t you?”
    He raised his sticks. “Like this?”
    She put her hands out. “Not now. Not yet. And no cymbals. Just three hard raps. Like a gun going off.” She turned back to the lead singer. “And then you put your hands to your chest, like you’ve been shot.”
    He wrinkled his nose in confusion.
    “Then all of you panic and help him as he falls to floor.”
    They all just stared at her.
    “It’s a joke I’m playing Adolphus. I’m on his staff,” she said. “He’ll love it. He adores practical jokes. I promise.” That much was true.
    The lead singer shook his head. “I think that might be against our contract.”
    This was taking more conniving than getting a story out of a tight-lipped celebrity. “No, it isn’t. Everyone knows Adolphus loves attention. He’s such a sensationalist.” She put a finger to her lips. “Gosh. I might lose my job, if I can’t pull this off. Adolphus will be so disappointed.” She gave them the pout again.
    “I don’t know. Are you sure about this? We don’t want to lose this gig.”
    With a sigh, Paige reached into her purse and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. “Will this change your mind? It’s all I’m authorized for.”
    Before the guitar player could agree, the lead singer snatched it out of her hand. “Whatever you say, doll.”
    The wave of relief made her dizzy.
    The guitar player wasn’t so sure. “If we get into any trouble—”
    She smiled with the innocence of an angel. “You won’t. I promise. Just watch for my signal.”
    “Okay.” He gave her a wink that said, I hope you come back to my room later .
    With a smile that was mostly nerves, she turned back to the dance floor as the band started to play. Misty . She might as well have requested the wedding march. Mark always said Misty was their song.
    She glanced over at Adolphus and was glad to see him laughing, surrounded by a group of admirers. He was having a good time. I’ll make this up to you somehow .
    All she had to do now was casually make her way toward the display case, wait until the last verse, and give the band the signal. It would work.
    It had to.
    She turned to head toward the back. A figure stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
    She looked up, gasped—and froze as solid as the ice sculpture on the buffet table.
    Her imagination had conjured up his image, right? He couldn’t really be standing here in front of her, could he?
    But there he was.
    She couldn’t deny the very real, very enticing way he filled out his tailored tux, complete with vest