More Than You Know Read Online Free PDF Page A

really like looking at you. But you probably hear that a lot.” He caught the split-second flash of surprise in her eyes at that, but she recovered immediately. She was like steel. He grinned as he went in for the hard sell. “You’re very talented, you’re gorgeous, you’re sexy as hell, and I like the way you carry yourself. You hold an audience spellbound when you perform—I saw that here myself, so I know that firsthand. You certainly captivated me.” He leaned his hip against the bar, crossing his long legs at the ankle as he gazed down at her. “Maybe it’s because you’re ‘forty-one and fabulous.’ Maybe it’s because you’re fucking beautiful and obviously don’t have rocks in your head, thank God. Maybe it’s because you can sing your ass off. But what I know is: all combined, you’re the whole package, Julia. You’re what I’ve been looking for.”
    Still and silent, Julia’s eyes went wide and her lips parted slightly. He imagined it was her cool, collected way of her mouth dropping open in surprise. He smiled again and reached for his drink. Finally, she murmured, “I . . . wow. That’s all very flattering. Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome, but I wasn’t flattering you. I was listing what I consider your assets, why you’re qualified for the job, and why I want you to be the headliner at my hotel. Would you consider a job like this?” he pressed, his gaze spearing her.
    â€œI might,” she hedged, still frozen. “Tell me more.”
    He nodded, both irritated and intrigued that she wasn’t jumping at it. She was really making him work for this. “Okay. You’d work from ten to one on Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday night, and do the occasional event if someone requests it. The rest of your time, all week long, is yours.” He took another quick sip, watching her face. “You’ll have an accompanist, who I’ll hire as soon as I’ve hired you, and you can rehearse during the week anytime that works for you both. The two of you can select your song list, but I get final approval.” He grinned to try to lighten the moment, to offset the tone of all his demands. “You seem to be responsible, a professional. The manager here gave you a glowing review. For now, that’s good enough for me.
    â€œBut know I’d expect you to show up on time, if not early, and to give it your all every single night. And I’ll ask for permission to do a basic background check. Just your employment history, that kind of thing, nothing personal. Like I said before, you’d be representing my hotel, my name. So I expect nothing short of the best.” He stared more intently. She was listening now, that was for sure. And damn, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “Do you have a day job too, or is this it?”
    She blinked. “I, uh . . . yes, I have a day job. And I hate it.” Blushing, her eyes fell away. That intrigued him. She obviously hadn’t meant to blurt that out. It was the first time she’d been anything but controlled. Fidgeting with the rim of her glass, she added, “It’s just that it’s boring. But it pays the bills. My singing gigs don’t.”
    â€œThen why do you sing?”
    â€œBecause I’m good at it, and because I love it. Music is my passion.” Her gaze and her tone were unflinching. “I’ve been singing all my life. I wasn’t going to give it up altogether, and I haven’t had to. I do weekend gigs, that sort of thing.”
    â€œDid you ever pursue it as your only career?” Dane asked, truly interested.
    Something shuttered in her eyes. “I wanted to. . . .” Her voice went soft and flat. “Things happened. Life happened. Didn’t work out.”
    â€œOkay.” His casual tone belied his sudden burning curiosity. He wanted to know her story.