Read Online Playing the Maestro by Aubrie Dionne - Free Book Online

competition. “No one from the orchestra can see us.”
    Wolf nodded. “Leave that to me.”
    Melody sighed. I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this. “Okay. Six it is.”
    Wolf bowed to both of them, gliding his hand through the air in a flourish, like right out of a Victorian novel. “See you then.” He turned into a group of fans, small hands reaching to touch his clothes and his wig, leaving Melody no way to chicken out.
    “Let’s tell Mommy about Mozart.”
    With Violet hanging on her arm, Melody wondered how she’d explain this to Laini. Musicians were one thing, but conductors—they were in a whole different category by themselves. And they wanted it that way. But somehow Wolf didn’t seem like the rest.
    Walking back to Violet’s room, Melody realized she’d have to go emergency shopping for a daring new outfit.
    Was he different than the others? There’s only one way to know to for sure…

Chapter Seven
    Cure
    Wolf packed his electronic piano into the trunk of his Buick, planning to trade in his hunk of old rental junk for a lease on a hot new sports car. Or at least something more fitting for his age. Melody drove a Fiat for Christ’s sake, and he couldn’t pick her up in an old grannymobile.
    The whole thing was risky, impractical, and potentially detrimental to both their careers. He told himself it was just for research, not a real date. He had to get to know this woman who’d erased all essence of Alda from his mind.
    Damn, not just erase—Melody puts her to shame.
    The best part was that she didn’t even know how beautiful she was. Even in her cute star pajamas, the natural beauty in her dark curls, emerald gaze, and sensuous curves was alluring. With one look at those pajamas, he pictured cozy nights watching TV holding each other, sleeping in until late morning, eating breakfast in bed. So many of those things he’d wanted to do with Alda, but she was either too busy or too mean.
    Wolf hated how quickly Alda had transformed from a sweet girl with dreams to a harpy with claws. It was that damned modeling industry. All the competition had driven her to develop a hardheaded attitude and aggressive every-model-for-herself tendency.
    But that didn’t serve as an excuse for her to use people, either. As she climbed the social ladder, only a few times had he seen the vulnerable side of Alda, the side that must have loved him, if only a little bit.
    His phone beeped once, and he looked down, not caring if Alda had called him all day and left a hundred messages. It didn’t matter anymore. He could tell her where to go in an instant. He didn’t need her memories. He’d make new ones.
    Blake’s name popped up on the caller ID—the last person he wanted to talk to, but the sole reason why he was here in Massachusetts to begin with, and the only way to stay.
    Taking a deep breath, Wolf put the phone to his ear. “ Guten tag , Blake.”
    “Wolf, my dear friend! I have some urgent matters to discuss.”
    He was neither dear to Blake nor his friend, so he knew Blake’s cordiality was all a front. Somehow, an inner fear crept up. What if he knew about their date—or their research? Impossible. He’d only asked her out a few minutes ago.
    Wolf cleared his throat, trying to settle his stomach. “What’s the matter?”
    “I met with the board last night,” Blake said, his voice overly cheerful. “And we discussed the current direction of this orchestra.”
    Relief fluttered through Wolf’s chest, followed by anger. “Wait, a meeting without the conductor?” Sounds downright devious to me.
    “Yes. It was a donors-only meeting to discuss what the orchestra would do with their investment. They don’t want to see a ship they’ve paid dearly for sink.”
    “Why would I allow it to do that?”
    “Your generosity makes our stance weak. The board agreed, matters have to be taken into our own hands to make changes that will benefit the symphony as a whole.”
    “What specific changes are you