Once More With Feeling Read Online Free PDF

“Raven’s expecting you; she’ll be right out.”
    â€œIt’s good to be here again. I’ve missed this place.”
    â€œHave you?” Her tone was sharp.
    His grin turned into a look of appraisal. Julie was a long-stemmed woman with a sleek cap of honey-blond hair and direct brown eyes. She was closer to Brand’s age than Raven’s and was the sort of woman he was usually attracted to: smart, sophisticated and coolly sexy. Yet, there could never have been anything between them but friendship. She was too fiercely devoted to Raven. Her loyalty, he saw, was unchanged.
    â€œFive years is a long time, Julie.”
    â€œI’m not sure it’s long enough,” she countered. Old resentments came simmering back to the surface. “You hurt her.”
    â€œYes, I know.” His gaze didn’t falter at the confession, and there was no plea for understanding in his eyes. The lack of it touched off respect in Julie, but she dismissed it. She shook her head as she looked at him.
    â€œSo,” she said softly, “you’ve come back.”
    â€œI’ve come back,” he agreed, then smiled. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”
    â€œShe didn’t,” Julie retorted, annoyed with herself for warming to him. “That’s what matters.”
    â€œJulie, Henderson’s sending over my purse.” Raven came down the hall toward them in her quick, nervous stride. “I told him not to bother; I don’t think there’s anything in it but a comb and an expired credit card. Hello, Brandon.” She offered her hands as she had at the recording studio, but now she felt more able to accept his touch.
    She hadn’t bothered to put her shoes back on or to repaint her mouth. Her smile was freer, more as he remembered it. “Raven.” Brand brought her hands to his lips. Instantly she stiffened, and Brand released her. “Can we talk in the music room?” His smile was easy, friendly. “I was always comfortable in there.”
    â€œOf course.” She turned toward the doorway. “Would you like something to drink?”
    â€œI’d have some tea.” He gave Julie his quick, charming grin. “You always made a good cup of tea.”
    â€œI’ll bring it in.” Without responding to the grin, Julie moved down the hall toward the kitchen. Brand followed Raven into the music room.
    He touched her shoulder before she could cross to the sofa. It was a gesture that asked her to wait. Turning her head, Raven saw that he was giving the room one of his long, detailed studies. She had seen that look on his face before. It was a curious aspect of what seemed like a casual nature. There was an intensity about him at times that recalled the tough London street kid who’d once fought his way to the top of his profession. The key to his talent seemed to be in his natural gift for observation. He saw everything, remembered everything. Then he translated it into lyric and melody.
    The fingers on her shoulder caressed once, almost absently, and brought back a flood of memories. Raven would have moved away, but he dropped the hand and turned to her. She had never been able to resist his eyes.
    â€œI remember every detail of this room. I’ve pictured it from time to time when I couldn’t do anything but think of you.” He lifted his hand again to brush the back of it against her cheek.
    â€œDon’t.” She shook her head and stepped away.
    â€œIt’s difficult not to touch you, Raven. Especially here. Do you remember the long evenings we spent here? The quiet afternoons?”
    He was moving her—with just his voice, just the steady spell of his eyes. “It was a long time ago, Brandon.”
    â€œIt doesn’t seem so long ago at the moment. It could be yesterday; you look the same.”
    â€œI’m not,” she told him with a slight shake of her head. He saw her eyes darken before