“We’ll check things over, reset the tank, and start over,” he says with authority.
Not asking anyone, but telling it like it is, how it’s gonna be.
I feel my heart in my throat again, and looking up at him, I try to find the words.
To beg him not to do this. But I know it would be like telling the ocean not to make waves or the moon to be less full.
Jett Masters is a force of nature, and after announcing a short intermission, he brushes off his team and medics, leading me to the backstage area.
“Now, Penelope,” he says, sitting me down on a low bench right off the stage. “You’ll have the best seat in the house and I’ll be seeing a lot more of you after the show.”
There’s that smile again.
Like he knows something I don’t.
Like maybe he needs more oxygen or something.
But he’s quite himself again in a few moments, and after firm instructions to leave me where I am, he sets about getting ready to start over.
Focused now.
Like whatever was distracting him before has been dealt with.
Try as I might. I can’t think of a single word I could put into any article about what I’ve seen so far, let alone the show that’s still to come.
Only… Deep.
If I was obsessed with Jett Masters before tonight.
I’m totally in deep now.
Falling.
Fallen harder than ever for the one man I know I could never have.
But happier for being so close, so special to him.
Even if it is just for a few minutes.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jett
Knowing she’s close by. Somewhere I can keep an eye on her… Kinda.
Knowing Penelope’s name at least and having her in the wings while I restart and work my way through the show. It’s the one thing that makes it my best performance ever.
Is it hard to stay focused; to not look over at her every chance I get?
Sure it is.
But nowhere near as hard as it was having her out there. In that sea of faces.
Fans…
She belongs with me, I know that much.
Not just as a fan either. Something way more than that.
After the show, we can work out the rest.
But a girl like Penelope, she wouldn’t be here all alone. A perfect fucking ten like her walking around without anyone to look out for her?
The thought only occurs to me as I wind up my act. Only made worse when I turn to the stage during a standing ovation and see that she’s gone.
Disappeared.
I made the crowd wait while I re-started the whole show, so I owe it to them to give my thanks.
I do appreciate each and every one of them.
But Penelope…
The show can’t end fast enough, and my first demand once the curtain finally slides across the stage is that she’s found.
“I left her, right fucking here!” I shout at everyone, especially the ones I explicitly told to make sure she stayed put and wasn’t disturbed by anyone.
Some of the crew are looking at their feet, but one of them finally clears their throat, wincing and subtly pointing a finger behind me.
“I was just trying to find a… bathroom,” Penelope murmurs, flushing red as I fight my instincts to scoop her up into my arms.
To kiss her properly.
Like she deserves to be, by me and me alone.
Breathing a sigh of relief I feel myself smile.
I smile like I know I’ve never smiled before and get more than just a few odd looks from my crew as I grab ahold of Penelope, arm around her ample waist.
Determined not to ‘lose’ her again tonight.
Almost dropping the thought she might not be here alone but deciding we need privacy before I can ask her everything I really need to know.
Before any of that though, there’s the usual post-show routine.
A formality I’d rather skip right now, but I can handle it if I know Penelope is by my side.
“I gotta run through some things… you wanna tag along?” I ask.
She looks down and away from me.
Something I don’t like, I watch my big mitt rise towards her face. Lifting her face gently with my thumb and forefinger so her eyes meet mine.
Someone murmurs something, but I ignore them.
I can deal with a lot, but right now I can’t have Penelope's eyes turned away from me.
She’s one of the few people who actually can hold my gaze when she wants.
“What is it?” I ask her, shifting so I can block everyone else out.
Chewing on her lip, and pressing those sweet thighs of hers together I can see she’s trying to get something out.
“What is it?” I ask again, firmer now.
“I never did find a bathroom,” she whispers, looking embarrassed.
It takes a moment to register, but once I understand her needs, it’s all that matters.
Everything else can fucking wait.
“I’ll be in my dressing room,” I snap to the group behind me, instantly hushing their chatter but drawing their stares as I put an arm around Penelope, leading her back towards the one place I know we’ll be alone.