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Authors: Paulette Oakes
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she wasn’t related to
anyone of high social standing. In the few seconds she took to run through the
options, she couldn’t think of a single reason for him to pay any attention to
her at all.
Mirroring her thoughts, she said doubtfully, “I can hardly
think of anything you could propose to me, Mr. Petrosky. We have precious
little in common and I can’t even begin to imagine why you are sitting here in
a small club in E-town listening to karaoke.” It was a not-so-subtle reminder
that he didn’t belong here, and also a fishing expedition to feed her curiosity.
His eyes twinkled as he raised the glass to his lips for a
brief drink of the potent liquor that she assumed was either brandy or scotch.
“Please,” he started off by saying, “Call me Daniel. That way I won’t be
telling my personal business to a stranger,” he explained pointedly.
Billie had the good grace to flush, but she tipped her chin
up and refused to apologize. “Then you must call me Billie…Daniel.”
The corner of his beautifully sculpted lips tipped up in acknowledgment
and he continued, “Well, Billie, the owner of this club, Jaime Olivera, is
looking to open another location like this one in Louisville and is looking for
investors. That’s where I come in. He invited me here to Cannon Fodder to view
his business plan and to see for myself how wildly popular it is with the
locals. I was not expecting to also find the very thing I was looking for, as
well.”
“And that would be?” she asked, mystified.
With another wolfish smile, Daniel replied, “You.”
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Billie was stymied. She didn’t for one minute fool herself
into thinking that this stylish and wealthy businessman had fallen in love with
her at first sight. This was real life and things like that didn’t really
happen. She had learned the hard way during her first marriage that happily
ever after was just a fantasy and that there was no such thing as true love.
She held no illusions on that score.
“Care to elaborate on that a little, please?” she asked him
incredulously.
He smiled warmly at her causing his dimples to peek out and
his expressive eyes to crinkle at the edges. “Of course I will, Billie. I was
done with my business meeting hours ago and was just walking out to leave when
I heard the most amazing rendition of ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ by Etta James. I
had to see who was singing such an iconic song with such passion here in a
karaoke bar. When I saw you on that stage, I knew you would be perfect for my
needs, but just to make sure, I put in one more request to our friend, Chester.
Happily, I was not disappointed.”
Billie was still confused, albeit flattered, by his
confession. “I’m glad you enjoyed my singing, but I’m still not sure what this
has to do with you and The Silver Knight.”
Leaning closer into her personal space so he could speak more
intimately, he explained further. “It wasn’t just your singing that intrigued
me, Billie. It was the whole performance. I don’t think you realize how
electric you are when you’re up on that stage. You connect viscerally with your
audience and draw them into experiencing the song with you. That’s a rare
talent and it’s also exactly what I’m looking for. You have the total package,
Billie. You have the voice, the stage presence, and the looks that will go
perfectly with our new private lounge at the club.”
Billie looked down at herself doubtfully. She was not the
thin and waifish women who starved themselves until they could shop in the
junior’s department. While she wasn’t overweight, she definitely had plenty of
curves. Getting back to the topic at hand, she asked suspiciously, “When you
say ‘private lounge,’ what exactly happens in such a place?”
His head tipped back as rich, shiver-inducing laughter
caused goose bumps to dance along her skin. “Nothing as nefarious as you’re
thinking, I promise you. No matter what was said in the press and by
anyone of high social standing. In the few seconds she took to run through the
options, she couldn’t think of a single reason for him to pay any attention to
her at all.
Mirroring her thoughts, she said doubtfully, “I can hardly
think of anything you could propose to me, Mr. Petrosky. We have precious
little in common and I can’t even begin to imagine why you are sitting here in
a small club in E-town listening to karaoke.” It was a not-so-subtle reminder
that he didn’t belong here, and also a fishing expedition to feed her curiosity.
His eyes twinkled as he raised the glass to his lips for a
brief drink of the potent liquor that she assumed was either brandy or scotch.
“Please,” he started off by saying, “Call me Daniel. That way I won’t be
telling my personal business to a stranger,” he explained pointedly.
Billie had the good grace to flush, but she tipped her chin
up and refused to apologize. “Then you must call me Billie…Daniel.”
The corner of his beautifully sculpted lips tipped up in acknowledgment
and he continued, “Well, Billie, the owner of this club, Jaime Olivera, is
looking to open another location like this one in Louisville and is looking for
investors. That’s where I come in. He invited me here to Cannon Fodder to view
his business plan and to see for myself how wildly popular it is with the
locals. I was not expecting to also find the very thing I was looking for, as
well.”
“And that would be?” she asked, mystified.
With another wolfish smile, Daniel replied, “You.”
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Billie was stymied. She didn’t for one minute fool herself
into thinking that this stylish and wealthy businessman had fallen in love with
her at first sight. This was real life and things like that didn’t really
happen. She had learned the hard way during her first marriage that happily
ever after was just a fantasy and that there was no such thing as true love.
She held no illusions on that score.
“Care to elaborate on that a little, please?” she asked him
incredulously.
He smiled warmly at her causing his dimples to peek out and
his expressive eyes to crinkle at the edges. “Of course I will, Billie. I was
done with my business meeting hours ago and was just walking out to leave when
I heard the most amazing rendition of ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ by Etta James. I
had to see who was singing such an iconic song with such passion here in a
karaoke bar. When I saw you on that stage, I knew you would be perfect for my
needs, but just to make sure, I put in one more request to our friend, Chester.
Happily, I was not disappointed.”
Billie was still confused, albeit flattered, by his
confession. “I’m glad you enjoyed my singing, but I’m still not sure what this
has to do with you and The Silver Knight.”
Leaning closer into her personal space so he could speak more
intimately, he explained further. “It wasn’t just your singing that intrigued
me, Billie. It was the whole performance. I don’t think you realize how
electric you are when you’re up on that stage. You connect viscerally with your
audience and draw them into experiencing the song with you. That’s a rare
talent and it’s also exactly what I’m looking for. You have the total package,
Billie. You have the voice, the stage presence, and the looks that will go
perfectly with our new private lounge at the club.”
Billie looked down at herself doubtfully. She was not the
thin and waifish women who starved themselves until they could shop in the
junior’s department. While she wasn’t overweight, she definitely had plenty of
curves. Getting back to the topic at hand, she asked suspiciously, “When you
say ‘private lounge,’ what exactly happens in such a place?”
His head tipped back as rich, shiver-inducing laughter
caused goose bumps to dance along her skin. “Nothing as nefarious as you’re
thinking, I promise you. No matter what was said in the press and by
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