My Double Life: Wild and Wicked Read Online Free PDF Page A

was I doing?
    Embarrassed now that the music had stopped, I felt my inner showgirl desert me. It was suddenly just me—Courtney Masterson—alone on stage in a blond wig and a goofy mask.
    Casting one last look at Trey, I saw the spell was broken for him, too. He still looked at me, but he wasn’t on the edge of his seat anymore. He talked to the guy next to him—some actor I probably should have recognized.
    What made me think Trey Fraser had been attracted to me?
    Hurrying off the stage, I nearly turned my ankle coming down the two stairs that led into the dressing area. Only to find Trey had beaten me there.
    My fantasy man was standing between me and my return to my boring, normal life. Had he recognized me? I couldn’t even ask him, because if I did, my tongue would seize up, just like back at the office, and I’d give myself away for sure. Now, more than ever, I couldn’t let my stutter get the best of me. I’d use some of the speech techniques I’d learned—talk fast, talk slow, talk soft, anything to talk my way around that damn hitch in my words.
    Unfortunately, as I stared at the chiseled features and mega-masculine bod of Trey Fraser, I was more nervous than I’d ever been in my life.

3
    “H AVE WE MET ?” Trey blurted with all the finesse of a kid in junior high asking a girl out for the first time.
    Suave, dude. Really classy .
    The dance diva in silver sequins shook her head, the black and silver on her mask flashing as she moved. Up close, she wasn’t as tall as she’d appeared onstage. She still moved with athletic grace, but there was a subtle difference in the way she carried herself, as if some of her confidence leaked away once she stepped out of the spotlight.
    He wished he could see behind the mask.
    “No?” Trey felt like an idiot for following her after the dance, but he’d been so mesmerized he hadn’t even thought about what he was doing. Besides, something about her seemed familiar. “I’m Trey Fraser,” he offered, hoping that would help her remember him. “I know it sounds like a pickup line, but I honestly thought we might have met before.”
    Extending his hand, he waited for her to return the greeting, but club security was by her side in an instant. Belatedly, Trey realized a couple of other guys who’d seen the show had the same idea as he did and now stood behind him, waiting for a word with the sexy blonde.
    Crap.
    “Mr. Fraser,” one of the security guards addressed him politely while the other beefy bouncer chased away the rest of the salivating throng, “I’m sure Ms. Night would be happy to speak with you backstage where the dancers have a lounge.”
    “I didn’t mean to bother you,” Trey said around the muscle-bound bulk between him and the woman. “Great job up there.”
    Before he could turn away, the bouncer put an arm around the dancer’s shoulders and shuffled her a few steps closer to Trey.
    “It’s no bother, Mr. Fraser,” the club employee assured him, straightening a dark blue tie and flashing an ingratiating smile. “I’m sure it’s Ms. Night’s pleasure.”
    Meaning it was part of her job.
    And didn’t that just put things in perspective for him? What the hell was he thinking, following a pole dancer around like some champagne-swilling VIP who thought anything in the place was his for the taking. He hated the idea that this was exactly the kind of crap his father pulled all the time. Thomas Fraser II went through life assuming the world was his for the taking.
    “Of course,” the dancer said very softly. She’d stepped forward to take Trey’s arm. “Th-this way, please.”
    He went with her only to make sure they were out of earshot of the bouncer. She led him behind a black curtain into a small reception area with a door she left open. A compact couch and a couple of ottomans were situated around a coffee table with a large arrangement of orchids and greenery. A waitress popped through the doorway almost as soon as they entered,