SeduceMe(10)

Too bad she instantly reminded Shana of the itty-bitty French and Swedish girls in the orchestra who had made her feel like the Jolly Green Giant all those years she’d toured with them.

“I’m thrilled to meet you,” Jane said.

So she wasn’t French or Swedish. Like Drake, she was British. Still, Shana felt ginormous in her presence.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” she said in a less-than-enthusiastic tone.

Much to her surprise, though, her tension eased as Jane beamed brightly and gushed unabashedly. “I’m sort of a fan.”

“Oh.” She was taken aback. “Thank you.”

Jane took Shana’s right hand in her much smaller ones and gave it a squeeze. A firm grip Shana hadn’t expected. The tiny Brit might look fragile, but she had some strength behind those delicate features. And her exuberance was contagious, making Shana forget all about how uncomfortable she always felt in the presence of petite women.

“Really,” Jane continued, “this is such an honor for us. Your writing is fantastic, but we’re also familiar with your music.”

More shocking news to her. Those were not words she heard often. Not for the last five or six years, at any rate. “Um, how’d you know…?”

“Drake is a research zealot. But don’t worry. Your secret is safe with us. Although, he did download all the recordings you performed on and the music is just…exquisite. So moving and intensely stirring.”

“I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it.” Admittedly, she was a bit unnerved, having distanced herself from a past life that was instantly resurrected as Jane fawned over her. But the blonde’s smile didn’t waver and it helped to chase away Shana’s unexpected consternation. As she studied the lively waif, she asked, “Have we met before? You seem very familiar.”

“No,” Jane said, her enthusiasm lighting her bright green eyes. “But we would like to show you around backstage. Answer any questions you might have.”

Shana cocked her head to the side. “As in, an interview?”

Thank God Jane still had hold of her hand and Shana held her clutch in the other one, or she would have been wringing them nervously as she awaited their response. Her gaze shifted to Drake, though she found it terribly difficult to look away from his assistant. Ironic, considering it’d been nearly impossible to focus on Jane just moments before. She could swear they’d met prior to this impromptu tour. There was something about her that resonated deep within Shana. Something warm and vibrant and somehow meaningful.

But of course that was ridiculous, so she pushed the thought from her head.

Drake acquiesced to the interview request with a slight nod. “That would be acceptable,” he said. “If we can keep it within reason.”

Shana had no idea what that meant, but she was thrilled nonetheless. “Fantastic.”

Jane released her. Unfortunate, because she could use the steadying touch as her knees knocked together. Her body hummed with an energy she’d not felt before, as though she’d been a dead battery they’d jumpstarted. Such an odd notion, but she couldn’t deny there was a fascinating awakening occurring that made her aware of her body’s response to both of them.

No, it was more than just her body. Her entire being seemed to respond to both Drake and Jane. She wasn’t sure that was possible or whether she was simply imagining it. Mysterious as the foreign sensation was, though, she enjoyed it. Embraced it.

“Shall we?” Drake offered his arm in a gallant manner.

Biting back a smile, she slipped her hand under his upper arm and wrapped her fingers around muscles that were rock hard behind the material of his suit jacket. He was a mammoth of a man, no doubt about it. So tall and wide, she felt normal-sized next to him.

Jane fell into step beside her. She glanced up at Shana and said, “You’re even more beautiful in person.”

Shana couldn’t hold back her smile any longer. Women rarely ever complimented her and, for the first time in her life, the flattery felt real. Substantial.

“Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. Her stomach flipped in a curious, unfamiliar way. There was something about being in Drake and Jane’s presence that made her feel feminine and even somewhat comfortable in her own skin. Something she’d never truly experienced until now.

Jane continued to gaze up at her as though in genuine awe and Drake tugged her just a little bit closer to his side until her hip brushed against his. She felt an electric jolt deep in her pussy. Sexual awareness was no intimate friend of hers, but she was suddenly tingly all over. A hot flash made her think of lava flowing through her veins, singeing her. Little sparks of excitement caused her nipples to pucker again. The soft sweep of her miniscule satin panties were like butterfly wings fluttering against her labia.