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.
Chapter 5
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 like to talk to you a little more about that. I’m in charge of Everest Records now,” Henry said. “Do you guys have a manager?”
“Yes. B&B Management.”
“I’ve never heard of them,” Henry said. He glanced over at Astrid to see if she were familiar with the company, but she shook her head.
“It’s actually my older brother and one of his mates,” Angus said a little sheepishly. “No one wanted to talk to us unless we had a big deal going. So Bryan went to the library and got a few books.…Ah, man, you don’t want to hear all that, do you?”
“Yes, we do, Angus,” Astrid said, stepping forward. “At Everest Groups, we like to know everything about the artists we sign.”
“That’s why we are here,” Henry said. “Do you have another set or can you guys come with me to talk?”
The other band members had wandered over to their group and milled about exchanging glances. Henry decided he should step away and let them talk.
“Here’s my card. I’m going to be out in the club for another hour or so. If you have time to talk tonight, great, if not, no problem. Call tomorrow and we will set up something.”
He led Astrid back to the VIP area, but he was restless and didn’t want to sit and wait. He ordered drinks for both of them and Astrid put her hand on his.
“I can feel the energy crackling around you. What are you thinking about?”
Henry didn’t like to share his most intimate thoughts so he kept silent until he realized that Astrid would give him the distraction he needed. “That you still haven’t told me your secrets.”
“Well, that will have to wait for another time. A noisy nightclub is no place for an intimate conversation.”
“I disagree. This is the perfect place. There’s a feel of anonymity to being here. The background noise keeps others from hearing.”
She tipped her head to the side and then leaned forward so that their noses almost touched. “It wouldn’t keep you from hearing.”
He arched one eyebrow at her. “Good. Tell me your secrets, Astrid.”
She shook her head. “Not unless you tell me yours. Not the stuff I can read in Hello!, but the real Henry’s secrets. Why are you so restless right now?”
Henry didn’t want to share that with her. He was reluctant to let anyone know about the impulses that had always driven him—the need for immediacy in every area of his life.
* * *
Astrid was still almost high on her new sense of self. She had always let the men in her life…well, Daniel, set the tone and the pace of their relationship. And she knew if she was going to have any chance at making any kind of relationship with Henry work, she needed to change.
Instead of focusing on hiding her own secrets, she wanted to know about his. What had shaped Henry into the man he was today?
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and drew her closer to him. “I’m not restless, love. I want to be alone with you so we can finish what we started on the dance floor.”
She shivered as he spoke straight into her ear. The warmth of his breath against her neck sent electric pulses