Romance Backstage. Kim Shaw

it to jump through her chest. She had never been so physically attracted to a man, neither stranger nor acquaintance, as she had been to Dru, and she was completely unnerved by it. Her only defense was to run, because she knew that with her limited experience in matters of the heart, she was no match for a man as charismatic and alluring as Dru Davis.

      Chapter 4

      The Look of Love

      She wanted to say no. She actually opened her mouth to say no, to tell him that she was meeting someone or that she had an important appointment. Yet, as she looked up into eyes that shone like brand-new copper pennies and inhaled the scent of him that was fragrantly masculine, she was speechless. When her lips parted at last, the only word that she remembered how to articulate was a bubbly, “Sure.”

      It had been a week since Raven had joined the cast of The Salon. It had been a long, torturous week since her first encounter with Dru Davis. It had also been a week of successful dodging of his advances—until today. Rehearsal today had been light, as Marvin Barkley had been called away midpoint on a family emergency. They’d been left to just run lines with one another and to study sheet music and song lyrics. As practice wrapped up, Raven didn’t notice Dru seated in the back of the theater, his eyes studying her intently. As she exited the restroom, headed toward the backstage exit door, Dru was standing there, waiting for her. Wearing that easy smile that caused her heart rate to speed up whenever she saw it, Dru had the appearance of a man on a mission.

      “Well, if it isn’t Ms. Walker in the flesh,” Dru said.

      “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean by that,” Raven replied.

      “Are you?” Dru laughed. “All right, I’ll explain. I’ve been trying to catch up with you for days and all I ever seem to see is the back of your head as you dash off to parts unknown. I was beginning to think you were just a figment of my imagination.”

      “Well, Mr. Davis, I guess all I can say is that I’m a busy woman.”

      “I’m sure that’s the case. Either that or for some incomprehensible reason you’re running away from me.”

      Dru’s blunt declaration caught Raven by surprise, causing her already speeding heart rate to kick up another notch. At the same instant, she was certain that there lay no hint of arrogance behind his words.

      “I don’t run from anything, Mr. Davis,” she replied.

      “Prove it. Have lunch with me.”

      They were seated immediately inside of TGI Friday’s restaurant after a short walk up Seventh Avenue. Dru had taken charge of Raven’s duffel bag as they walked and chatted about rehearsal and the show. Raven’s mind was filled with conflicting thoughts as they strolled and as much as she believed that an attraction to Dru Davis was a reckless act on her part, she couldn’t completely squash the excitement that being beside him evoked. While they waited for their meals, he stared at her for so long that she began to grow uncomfortable.

      “What?” she finally asked.

      His thick eyebrows knotted in confusion.

      “You’re staring at me,” she explained.

      “I’m sorry. Does that make you uncomfortable?” he asked.

      “No, not at all,” she lied. “Just curious.”

      “About me?”

      “Yeah, about you. I’m just trying to figure out what your deal is, Mr. Davis.”

      “My deal? What, are you accusing me of not being exactly what you see in front of you…of having some hidden agenda or something?”

      “I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m just wondering what’s up with you. I mean, I hope you’re not another one of these game-playing brothers, because, trust me, the world has enough of those.”

      Raven’s arched eyebrows and stone-set chin made it clear that she was very serious indeed.

      “Ouch, that hurt,” Dru said, pressing a palm to his chest directly over his heart. “No reason to be so skeptical, Ms. Walker.”

      “I’m not skeptical. I just don’t like games.”

      “And what exactly have I done to make you feel like I’m running a game on you?”

      “Well for starters, how come you didn’t just tell me who you were the day we met? You tried to make it seem like you were just a stagehand or something,” she blurted.

      There. She’d finally given voice to one of the concerns that had been plaguing her since their first encounter.

      Dru smiled, obviously unperturbed by her query.

      “I did tell you who I am. I said I’m Dru Davis, a regular guy who works behind the scenes. That’s who I am.”

      “Oh yeah, that certainly covers what you do,” Raven replied sarcastically.

      “It does, really, when you think about it. As producer my job is to balance and coordinate the business and financial aspects of the show. I take the playwright and the director’s visions and make sure they have what they need to make it happen. On opening night, it’s you guys who the public sees, for better or for worse, not me. Isn’t that right?”

      “I suppose,” Raven agreed slowly.

      “Besides, what I do is a very different question from who I am, wouldn’t you agree?”

      Raven couldn’t respond because at that moment, Dru’s sugary sweet smile was causing the air around her to grow thin.

      “Now, enough about me. What about you?” he asked at length.

      “What about me? I’m exactly what you thought I was…a performer. I sing, act and, mostly, dance. On this particular production, I’m a member of the ensemble. Nothing glamorous, just part of the cast.”

      “I’d have to disagree there, Ms. Walker, and I’m sure the audience will, too. You’re pretty glamorous, if you don’t mind my saying.”

      Raven blushed. She was grateful at that moment for the waitress’s interruption as she placed tall glasses of sweetened iced tea in front of them.

      “You certainly have a way with words, don’t you, Mr. Producer?” she asked after taking a long drag from her drink.

      “I just call them like I see them,” he shot back. “Now, you were about to tell me about yourself.”

      “I just did, unless there’s something specific you’re asking me?”

      “Do you have a boyfriend?” Dru asked.

      Dru Davis had never been a man who minced words. He’d learned from his father early on that in both business and in play, there was no time to be wasted on innuendo and speculation. He’d wanted to ask that question from the moment he’d run into Raven the day before, as she had stayed on his mind ever since. Assessing her availability was a vital first step in answering the burning desire she’d lit in him when she’d first graced the Minskoff with her presence during auditions. If she answered in the affirmative, he doubted that he would be dissuaded. However, at least he’d know what he was up against.

      “Okay, wasn’t quite prepared for that one, but no, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

      “Are you looking for one?” he countered.

      Raven was not used to this type of blunt forwardness from a man. While she had not had very much experience in the dating realm, she had yet to encounter anyone like Dru Davis.

      “What exactly constitutes looking for a boyfriend?” she replied.

      “I don’t know…I’ve never looked for one myself,” Dru answered with a playful chuckle that caused the solitary crater in his cheek to deepen.

      Raven laughed with him. In spite of herself, she was feeling spellbound by Dru’s