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Emily inhaled sharply and turned back. “Yes...”
The older lady smiled and nodded. “Mr. Pierce said to make sure you got in when you arrived. Let me unlock the door so you can go in.” She gave Emily a warm smile and handed her a program. “Make sure to wait until they’re finished playing to find a seat in front of anybody, okay? I technically should wait until they’re on break, but Mr. Pierce was very insistent to let you in no matter when you arrived.”
Emily gave a weak smile even as her heart fluttered. Thankfully, the lady didn’t move very fast so Emily didn’t struggle to keep up with her. The woman unlocked the door and smiled as Emily walked through. Emily waited for the door to close before opening the second door so the light wouldn’t disturb those inside.
Her heart leaped as the sounds of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto2poured through the crack between the doors. She shoved her pain aside and hurried inside, stopping at the edge of the shadow from the balcony above her.
Mark stood at the front of the stage, eyes closed, his bow dancing across the strings while his fingers moved in a blur across the ebony fingerboard. His hair bounced across his forehead as he swayed back and forth, the music seeming to come from his very soul. Hearing him in the subway had been entrancing enough, but here, on the stage, in front of a real live orchestra...
She sighed. A dream come true. The orchestra took over the melody for a moment and he lowered his violin and opened his eyes. She stepped out from beneath the balcony and his eyes widened. He smiled as he put his violin back on his shoulder.
He didn’t close his eyes again, though.
He began to play once more, his eyes locked on hers. She sucked in a low breath as his music seeped directly into her own soul. She could feel it in her bones. Like he was transmitting his heart directly into hers. At her side, her fingers moved along with his. Her body swayed with his.
She couldn’t look away, couldn’t move except for the tiny movements of her fingers and body with his. He held her in a golden musical trap and she didn’t mind one bit. As the piece hit its climax, her heart raced, remembering what it had been like to play the music for her Juilliard audition. There had been a rumor Mark had been one of the judges, but it had never been confirmed.
The last notes echoed around the concert hall and the audience didn’t move. Regular attendees knew not to applaud between movements, but Emily wondered if they could, even if they wanted to. The music still echoed in her mind as Mark glanced at the man on the podium.
Her heart skipped a beat and she stepped back into the shadows, praying Gabriel wouldn’t see her. She held her breath as Mark moved closer to the podium and the two men spoke softly for a few moments. Maestro nodded and turned to the audience. “We’ll take a break for now to give the musicians a rest. We’ll resume in fifteen minutes.”
The audience awakened from the trance Mark had lulled them into, and low murmurs filled the room. Mark hopped down from the stage and made his way to Emily, shaking hands and nodding his way down the aisle.
“I didn’t think you were coming,” he said as he stopped in front of her, grinning.
Emily bit her lip. “I wasn’t going to come, but...” She shrugged. “I wanted to.”
“I’m so glad. Did you just get here?”
She nodded.
He tilted his head and drew his brows together as he studied her face. “Are you all right?”
“Late night.”
He lifted his chin, his eyes hardening. “With your boss?”
She swallowed and looked away, her face heating. “I—”
His eyes softened and he shook his head, blowing out a breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. It’s none of my business.”
* * *
Mark didn’t knowwhether to be alarmed or disgusted by the shock and shame that flitted across Emily’s face at his question.
They weren’t dating.
They weren’t involved.
It wasn’t any of his business.
So why did the idea of her sleeping with her boss disgust him so much?
Well, nice girls didn’t sleep with their bosses. But the expression on her face when the man called the other night was not one of excitement. It was fear.
That’swhy it bothered him.
“I’m glad you came,” he said in a gentle voice, trying to put her at ease after his outburst.
