Grace Under Fire (Buchanan-Renard 14)

SEVENTEEN

Isabel blew them away and left them begging for more.

Xavier knew she was going to be wonderful, but even he was astounded by the crowd’s wild reaction to hearing them sing together.

Just as they had practiced, she sang her song and another song with him, and then, with a smile and a wave, she left the stage. Xavier had asked her to stay by the entrance until he finished the performance, and she happily agreed. Michael stood behind her, and she leaned back against him. Until now Isabel’s nerves had been coiled tight, and she was finally able to let go. Relief that she had gotten through the ordeal without a blunder made her all but euphoric. It was finally over.

Or so she thought. But Xavier had another little surprise in store for her. After he finished singing what Isabel assumed was his last song for the night, he crooked his finger at her and called her name. She quickly strode back onstage, believing that the two of them would take a bow together.

When the cheering died down, he asked Isabel if she knew the lyrics to one of his favorite songs. It was called “Wanting You.”

“Of course,” she answered. “I imagine everyone here knows the lyrics. I love that song.”

Again the audience cheered and clapped.

“Let’s sing it together.”

“What? Now? You want to sing it now?” Her heart felt as though it were about to stop.

The crowd began to chant her name, louder and louder until she finally agreed. “Yes, okay.” She moved closer to him and whispered, “I’m going to get you for this.”

“Isabel, love, my mic is on.”

She groaned, and the crowd roared their approval as a mic stand was placed in front of her. It was bedlam until Xavier raised his hand to quiet them. He began to sing, and she quickly joined in. To the audience, the way they looked at each other was like two lovers about to come together. When they finished the tender ballad, the crowd jumped to their feet, cheering wildly. Xavier smiled at her, then leaned down and kissed her. He didn’t linger, but the kiss was still long enough to cause a near riot. He laughed when he saw that she was blushing. He waved to the audience, took Isabel’s hand, and the two of them walked off the stage together.

The next hour was a flurry of activity. Laurant, Regan, Jordan, Kate, and Michelle, along with their husbands, were escorted to Xavier’s suite. Nick had a good laugh when his wife became tongue-tied while shaking Xavier’s hand.

Noah and Michael stood watching from across the room. Nick joined them.

“You’re not at all jealous?” Michael asked him.

“Hell, no. She’s in my bed, not his.”

“You didn’t like it when Xavier kissed Isabel,” Noah remarked to Michael. “And before you ask, it was the look on your face.”

“Yeah? How’d I look?” Michael asked. He couldn’t keep the hostility out of his voice, which, of course, didn’t faze Noah.

“Like you wanted to punch him.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to do, and hell if I know why,” Michael admitted.

“Hey, Nick,” Noah said.

“Yes?”

“When did your brother become so clueless?”

Nick grinned. “He hasn’t been himself since he let Isabel drive him home.”

Michael ignored their ribbing. He shook his head, then said, “We’ve taken enough of Xavier’s time, and Isabel looks tired.”

The throng of people around Isabel finally dwindled, and she was talking to Emerson, the agent, when Xavier interrupted. He took Isabel aside and talked to her for several minutes, then walked with her to the door.

“You’ve got the schedule. I’ll see you when you get back.”

Michael nudged Isabel out into the hallway before Xavier could kiss her good-bye. Nick and Noah followed.

There were only two of Xavier’s guards outside the door. Isabel looked around and asked, “Where did Kate and the others go?”