Romance Backstage

“What were you listening to?” he asked, pointing to the iPod on her arm.

“Anita Baker.”

“Anita Baker? What could you possibly know about Miss Baker, as young as you are?”

“I didn’t know you had to be a certain age to enjoy good music,” Raven countered indignantly. “Besides, you don’t know how old I am, and you’d better not even think about asking me.”

Dru laughed, raising his hands in surrender. “All right, no need to punch my lights out, Rocky.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Raven reminded.

She’d grown increasingly curious about this Dru Davis, especially since this game of twenty-one questions had become completely one-sided.

“I’m not part of the stage crew,” he said simply.

“Oh, I just assumed…”

Raven looked more closely at Dru’s face, trying to figure out if he was one of the dancers who’d auditioned yesterday. She dismissed that theory, realizing that a man as good-looking as he was would have been hard to overlook, no matter how preoccupied she was by the grueling audition.

“I’m sorry, but should I know you?” she asked finally.

It was Dru’s turn to shrug nonchalantly.

“I don’t see why you would. I’m just a regular guy who works behind the scenes.”

The theater flooded with lights just as Raven opened her mouth to reply.

“Hey, Dru, my man, you’re here already. I was just about to give you a call to see if you wanted to meet for coffee since we didn’t get to talk yesterday. How’s it going?”

“Marv, I’m good, man. It’s great to be back in the city, that’s for sure.”

Marvin Barkley approached the stage and the two men shook hands and embraced, smacking each other on their backs.

“I guess it would be a nice change of pace after spending an entire year abroad. You’ll have to tell me all about your trip. Your father’s doing a great thing over there.”

Barkley turned suddenly to face Raven. “Good morning, Miss Walker.”

Raven’s surprise that the man knew her name registered all over her face. She quickly recovered, flashed a smile and said, “Good morning, Mr. Barkley.”

“Marvin. Call me Marvin. We’re going to be working together every day from now until what will seem like forever.”

Raven nodded. “In that case, why don’t you call me Raven. It certainly beats ‘pink shirt,’” she said, smiling.

“Touché,” Barkley replied. “I see you’ve met the illustrious Dru Davis?”

“Sort of,” Raven said, her eyes linking with Dru’s once again. “Well, I guess I’ll leave you gentlemen to your business.”

Raven retrieved her duffel bag and headed backstage. She was well aware that Dru’s eyes followed her until she was out of sight, their warm rays caressing her retreating frame as she departed.

Chapter 3

Catch Me If You Can

“Raven, Raven Walker…wait up,” a voice called as Raven stepped out onto the busy Manhattan street.

It was two o’clock and rehearsal had just ended. An exhausted cast filed out of the theater, headed to their various other obligations. Raven was planning to hop on the subway back uptown to her family’s Harlem apartment. She turned to find Dru exiting the theater behind her and rushing to catch up with her.

“What’s up?” she asked in as casual a voice as she could muster. She gathered the mass of damp, dark curly hair back with one hand and replaced the ponytail holder she’d removed with the other, never breaking the connection her eyes had made with Dru’s.

Secretly, she had wanted to make a quick getaway to avoid another run-in with the man. When rehearsals had gotten underway, she’d quickly found out exactly who Mr. Dru Davis was. The word embarrassed didn’t even begin to cover how she felt at not having recognized one of the most influential modern figures in the area of stage. He was the Dru Davis, of Davis Theater Initiatives. Barkley had introduced Dru to the cast, informing them that not only was he the son of the infamous producer Stuart Davis, who’d had a hand in many of the classic Broadway productions over the past thirty years, but that Dru would be serving as a producer for The Salon.

Dru bore only a passing resemblance to the elder Davis in her opinion, the younger man’s smooth chocolate skin and sensual eyes being disarmingly attractive. From what she remembered from newspaper and magazine photographs of Stuart Davis, Dru was several inches taller, at least six feet three inches, and whereas the father possessed a thin, wiry build, Dru’s muscular frame was discernable even through the plain white T-shirt and dark denim jeans he wore now. In short, the young man’s sex appeal was all his own.

“I was wondering if you had time to grab a bite with me,” Dru asked.

Raven’s head began shaking vehemently before her lips could even form the words. She realized immediately from the startled expression on his face that she must have appeared to be having an epileptic fit or something.

“No…no,” she stammered.

“No, you don’t have time, or no—”

“No, I…I can’t. Sorry,” Raven hurried, cutting Dru off.

She gave her best attempt at a smile, turned and scurried away from him. She could feel his eyes boring into her, which only made her quicken her pace. She wanted to put as many square inches of city sidewalk between herself and Dru Davis as possible, before he had a chance to corner her again. There was no way her resolve could hold up very long under the warmth of his intense gaze.

By the time she’d boarded a crowded subway car headed uptown, her cheeks were flushed. That feeling definitely did not come from the fast pace of her trek nor the heat of the oppressive underground iron horse, however. No, it was the pallor of embarrassment that had colored her as she replayed the scene with Dru over and over again in her mind. He must think her a complete idiot. A silly, juvenile idiot at that. Why had she run away like a cockroach scurrying under the glare of fluorescent lights? There were two reasons, and while both were equally compelling, the knowledge of that did not make her feel much better. For one, he was the Dru Davis. Essentially, he was the boss, one of the players behind the production that she’d just landed a role in. Her very first production in a brand-new career and there was no way she was going to get involved with one of the bosses and make a name for herself as that girl five minutes out of the gate.

The second reason caused Raven’s heart to skip a beat as a warm fluttering sensation rippled through her entire body. Dru Davis was unabashedly gorgeous. Everything about the man had touched her—his smile, his eyes, even the timbre of his voice. His scent and his body caused a shock to her heart that she thought would cause 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 humor and charisma.

“Did I tell you that I think you’re beautiful, Ms. Walker?”

“No, I don’t believe you did, but thank you.”

“You’re welcome. So what do you say? I’d like to take you out sometime, you know, like on a date or something.”

“You just did,” she answered coyly.

“Oh, you’re right. Well, let me rephrase. I’d like to take you out again, sometime.”

“Look, Dru, I’m not sure that’s a very good idea. I mean, aren’t you sort of my boss?”

Raven felt as though the brakes needed to be pumped on this whole thing, whether she wanted it to stop or not.

“Nope. I have absolutely nothing to do with casting. That’s Marvin’s job.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No buts. I’d like to see you again Raven, outside of the theater. Are you trying to make me beg?”

“Not at all, but can I ask you one question?”

“Sure, anything.”

“Why do you want to go out with me? You don’t even know me. Is it because you think I’m beautiful?”

Raven was not so naïve that she didn’t recognize that physical attractiveness was part of what made the world go around. People who operated solely under the shallowness of physical beauty, however, were a turn off to her, and she avoided guys like that with a vengeance.

Dru’s eyes settled on hers, a moment of silence passing between them that was both solemn and sweet.

“I’d like to take you out because watching you dance made me feel like I’d just received God’s favor. I want to get to know the woman who could move me so deeply,” he said softly.

The quickening of her heartbeat, pounding erratically in her chest, was the only thing Raven could feel for a few moments. She didn’t trust her voice, so she simply smiled, trying on his compliment for a while, wrapping it around her and allowing it to warm her soul.

Chapter 5

Dreams are for Dreamers

“You are absolutely not wearing that,” Carley snapped, snatching the sleeveless black cotton turtleneck from Raven’s hands, balling it up and chucking it back into the closet. Carley, who had about three solid inches on Raven, dared her to reach for it again.

“Carley!”

“Come on, Raven, stop acting like some middle-aged Mormon. You’ve got to have something sexy in this closet of yours.”

Carley gently pushed Raven aside and moved into the closet herself. She scanned the contents of the closet with apparent disapproval.

“Okay, I thought you wore sweats every day so that you could change quickly for dance classes. I had no idea that that was all you owned!”

“Well, Carley…everyone’s not a clothes whore like you!” Raven said defensively.

“That’s true, but this is ridiculous. All right, let’s see what magic I can create up in here.”

Raven moved away from the closet and plopped down onto the foot of her bed. For the past two days Raven had reconsidered her date with Dru countless times. Every time she convinced herself that dating someone so closely tied to her professional obligations was not a good idea, she’d pick up her cell phone and find his name in the contacts folder. However, before she could depress the send button, an image of his face, his disarming smile and sparkling eyes would assault her memory and a warm flush would course through her body. Logic lost the battle every time as the physical and emotional urge to get to know him outweighed all reason.

“I should just cancel. I mean, I don’t even have anything to wear and besides, I should be spending all of my time practicing for the show,” Raven said.

Carley shot her a searing look from over her shoulder. She snatched a peach-colored vest from the closet.

“This will work,” she said, ignoring Raven’s comment. “Don’t you have a white skirt? You know the one you wore to Jackie’s party last month?”

“Carley, did you hear what I just said?” Raven asked.

“Yeah, I heard you. Where’s the skirt?”

Raven retrieved the skirt from a shelf at the top of the closet and tossed it to Carley.

“Raven, please knock it off. I know exactly what you’re thinking, and you’re wrong. There is not one good reason why you shouldn’t go out with this guy…not one.”

“Are you sure?” Raven asked, wanting desperately to cast her misgivings aside and believe in Carley’s optimism.

“I’m positive. He’s cute, he’s available, he’s successful and he’s totally hot for you. Everything else is trivial. Now, get dressed,” Carley said, thrusting various articles of clothing into Raven’s hands.

Raven gave up. Under Carley’s dogged determination to get her hooked up, she didn’t stand a chance. And in addition to that was the fact that Dru’s sexy singular dimple was permanently recorded on her brain.

“You look beautiful,” Dru said, momentarily forgetting himself. “Oops, I’m sorry. I forgot that I’m not supposed to tell you that.” He smiled.

Raven laughed.

“I didn’t say you couldn’t tell me that I’m beautiful. All I meant was that it shouldn’t be the motivating factor for everything one does in life,” she corrected.

Dru was wearing a crisp white cotton shirt, the top two buttons open to reveal a solid brown neck and a hint of jet-black hair on his chest. Raven’s eyes traveled down the length of his body. His shirt was tucked into black slacks. On his feet were black loafers, punctuating his overall sophisticated casual appearance. Dru took her hand in his, guiding her to a seat at the small table for two. As he leaned closer to her, she inhaled his signature scent and was immediately intoxicated.

“So how have rehearsals been going?” Dru asked.

“All right. I have to say, working with the ensemble is nothing like what I thought it would be. I mean, we’ve got a lot of onstage time and the numbers Meagan’s worked up for us are hot!” Raven exclaimed.

“That’s good. Everything is on schedule from the business end, but I’ve got to admit, it’s been back to back meetings and marathon telephone conferences getting things in order.”

“I’m sure you’re used to this…after all, your dad has been in the business for ages.”

“True. I was practically nursed on Broadway shows. However, and this is just between you and I,” Dru said, pausing to shift his eyes to the right and left and then leaning in conspiratorially. “This is the biggest production I’ve ever headed up on my own.”

Raven regarded him, uncertain as to whether he was being serious or not. In the short time she’d known him, she realized two things about the man. First, his was a sense of humor that was off-color and unpredictable. Second, he was very generous with it.

“Are you sure you can handle this?” she asked skeptically.

“I don’t know…between juggling the investors and negotiating with the unions, I’ve got my hands full.”

Dru’s expression was one of sheer panic, as if he had just now fully considered the weight of the task in front of him. Raven began to feel a deep sympathy for him, until the look of vulnerability in his eyes gave way to mischievous mocking.

“Oh, please!” she said, slapping at one of his hands which lay on the table between them.

She silently chided herself for being so foolishly taken in by his pretense. Dru’s laughter bubbled from his gut, tumbling from his full lips. He tipped his head backward as he laughed with his mouth opened wide.

“Here I am feeling sorry for you, and you’re making fun of me all the while.” Raven pouted.

“I’m sorry…I couldn’t help it.”

Dru reached across the table and closed his long fingers around her hand. He resisted the compelling urge to kiss her pretty little frown.

“It’s cute that you were worried about me,” he said.

“Puppies are cute,” she snapped.

Dru rubbed his forefinger lightly over the knuckles of Raven’s hand, his intense gaze resting on her eyes. There was a powerful concentration in his look that drew her in and held her captive. It was as if he had connected with someplace deep inside her soul and they were now locked together in a warm cocoon.

“So, Miss Raven, tell me something about yourself that I don’t already know.”

“Well, I really don’t know what to say, Mr. Davis. You seem to know everything.”

“No, not everything. Not the things I want to know about you.”

The deep timbre of his voice sent a shiver through Raven’s body. She looked away from his gaze, but only for a moment before her eyes were forcefully pulled back to his by a concentrated magnetism.

“What makes you smile?” he asked.

Raven didn’t have to think about that question. There was only one answer that came to mind.

“Dancing,” she said breathlessly.

“Is that all?” Dru asked, marveling at the glow that had descended on Raven’s face.

“Dancing is everything to me. Performing in general, I guess. It’s…I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s like, no matter what else is going on around me, when I’m dancing…when I’m up on stage, it just doesn’t matter. It’s like I’m removed from everything in the world and my body is sugary sweet and singing…notes that carry me away. It’s heavenly.”

Raven studied Dru’s face, trying to determine if he understood what she was trying to explain to him.

“That must be an amazing feeling. To have something in your life that can make you feel so close to yourself…so close to God.”

“I usually don’t tell people that. I don’t think most people understand what I mean. They think I’m blaspheming or something.” Raven chuckled.

“You make perfect sense to me,” Dru said.

They looked silently at one another for a moment and Raven knew that he was telling the truth. He did understand her.

“Is there something in your life that gives you that same feeling? I mean, something you’re passionate about?” she asked.

Dru didn’t answer right away. He was uncertain how much of himself he was ready to reveal to her so soon. Yet, somehow he knew that he had no reason to fear exposing himself to her. Instinctively, he trusted her.

“The other morning…when you came into the studio before rehearsals and started to dance—”