In the Heat of the Spotlight
Twenty minutes later they landed in Tokyo.
They took a limo to The Peninsula, the luxury hotel Luke’s PA had booked overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens. The air was crisper than in any of their other destinations, a hint of autumn on the breeze that ruffled the leaves of the trees lining the street.
‘I cancelled your hotel suite,’ he told her as they checked in. Fortunately there was no message from Aaron, and Luke half-hoped his brother had decided to abandon the trip. He turned to Aurelie. ‘I hope you don’t mind.’
She smiled, eyebrows raised. ‘Why would I mind?’
‘You might want a bit of privacy.’
‘I think a two thousand square metre suite should provide enough of that,’ she answered with a little laugh.
The bellhop led them to the penthouse suite, showed them all of its rooms and wraparound terrace. When they were alone Luke pulled her into his arms, kissed his way down her throat. He loved the feel of her, the sense of rightness she gave him. ‘As much as I’d like to finish what I’ve started,’ he murmured against her skin, ‘you have a concert to get to.’
‘I know,’ she agreed on a sigh of disappointment.
He straightened, bringing her with him so he could look into those slate-blue eyes he loved. ‘Are you nervous?’
‘No, which is amazing considering how terrified I was a few days ago.’
‘You’ve changed.’
‘Thanks to you.’ She smiled. ‘I know I’m not going to get glowing reviews all around. Someone will hate it, and they’ll make sure to let me know.’ Her mouth twisted wryly. ‘But it doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t.’
‘I’m glad,’ Luke said, and with one more kiss because he just couldn’t resist he smoothed her hair and dress and they went to get ready for the opening.
Two hours later Luke was standing by the side of the stage watching as Aurelie miked up to go on. She wore a flowing dress of pale green silk with a gauzy overlay, her hair pulled up in a loose chignon. She looked effortlessly beautiful, wonderfully natural. His heart swelled with love.
‘What the hell,’ a voice snapped out from behind him, ‘is she doing here?’
Luke turned around to stare into the furious face of his brother Aaron.
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘HELLO, Aaron,’ Luke said evenly. ‘I think I could ask you the same question.’
Aaron just shook his head. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘What the hell,’ Luke asked mildly, ‘are you doing here?’
‘Saving your ass. Didn’t you get my text?’
‘Last time I checked, it didn’t need saving.’ Aaron opened his mouth but Luke forestalled him with one up-flung hand. ‘Be quiet. She’s about to start.’
Eyes narrowed, Aaron closed his mouth. Aurelie started to sing, and Luke listened to her smoky voice float through the crowd, hushing even the tiniest whisper. Everyone was entranced, including him.
But not Aaron. The second her voice died away Aaron grabbed his arm. Luke shook it off.
‘She goes, Luke.’
Luke turned around. ‘What do you mean, she goes?’
‘She goes. Now. The last thing Bryant’s needs is someone with her reputation linked to it—’
Luke eyed him coldly. ‘Aurelie has done wonders for Bryant’s image, Aaron.’
Just then she came off the stage, her widened gaze taking in the two of them.
Luke knew he didn’t want his brother talking to Aurelie. Aaron had the tact of a tank when it came to getting his own way. ‘Just give us a minute please, Aurelie,’ he told her, and he heard the suppressed anger in his voice. So did she. She tensed, her eyes going wide before she nodded and, still holding her guitar, walked past them to her dressing room.
‘Let’s take this somewhere private,’ Luke said coolly. ‘The really last thing Bryant’s needs is two of the Bryant brothers coming to blows in front of a thousand guests.’
‘Coming to blows?’ Aaron arched an eyebrow. ‘All over a woman, Luke? Didn’t you learn anything from our father?’
‘Aurelie is nothing like our father’s mistresses,’ Luke snapped. Not trusting himself to say another word, he turned on his heel and went upstairs to one of the corporate offices. Aaron followed him, closing the door behind him and leaning against it with his arms folded.