Everything I want: Will Alfie and Lily's love survive?... by K. L. Shandwick Read Free Book Online

it separated me from the backstage army working on the other side o f it.
    The jungle of metal poles, holding up the makeshift stage, made the space under the stage as big as it was above. There was a network of people weaving in and out of the scaffolding poles as they laid cables or moved equip ment.
    The backstage and technical crews worked with a sense of urgency to support the acts. Although the talent of the artists was what the crowds came to see, without the crew’s support, the magic above there on stage wouldn’t ha ppen.
    Adrenaline pumped through my system. My senses were finely tuned. My nerves jangled and my senses were on high alert as I fled the backstage area. My heart was pounding in my chest and restricting my breathing at the same time. I felt slightly dizzy with the fear of being caught by Alfie. I really didn’t want to face him a gain.
    I was almost at the end of the passage and could see the security detail when someone swung around one of the scaffolding poles holding the stage structure up. He came out of nowhere, swinging into my pathway, and slammed straight into me. He knocked me on my ass and totally took the wind out of me. A strong arm swept under my shoulders, while his other hand snaked around my waist, pulling me off the gr ound.
    A familiar electrical current ran through my body from his touch and his scent was so…him. My mouth went dry, and I swallowed hard. “Sorry, darlin’ I didn’t know anyone was t here.”
    His voice was overwhelming and melodic. Tears pricked in my eyes and I fought with myself in the dark, not to allow him to affect me, not to let him fill me with sad feelings a gain.
    “I’m fine. Let me go. I’m in a hurry. I need to be somew here.”
    I heard Alfie exhale heavily. “Lily? Is that you? God. Are you okay?”
    His hand tensed on my waist. I tried to take a step back. Pressure gripped at my shoulder and he tugged me closer into him. I nodded in the dark. “Yeah, sure I am. I need to go, A lfie.”
    Alfie’s voice came back sounding agitated and abrupt. “You can’t even speak to me? After all this time, we’re just going to be what… strangers now, Lily?”
    I sighed heavily, and his grip landed on my wrist. He still knew me well. He was preventing me from running away from him. “Of course we can talk, but I’m late. I need to run,” I lied.
    His presence totally unnerved me. My heart was beating erratically as I fought for control of my emotions under his touch. Alfie drew a deep breath and grabbed my other hand. He began pulling me back in the direction of his dressing room.
    “That’s a crock of shit, Lily. You can spare me five minutes at the very least.” Still holding my hand, he flung the dressing room door open. It bounced off the wall, and he stopped it by slamming the palm of his other hand agains t it.
    All the guys’ heads turned, their eyes flew over in the direction of the noise and settled on me. Des’ eyes widened. “Shit.” The word was forced out.
    “Get out! We need privacy,” Alfie barked at Drew, Des, and Andy.
    Drew stood up and glanced at me with concern. “You okay with this, Lily?”
    I didn’t get to answer. “Mind your own fucking business, Drew. Out.”
    Alfie sounded major-league pissed. His mood wasn’t lost on his bandmates either. The whole time he was talking to them, his eyes never wavered from mine.
    Des walked across and put his hand on Alfie’s shoulder. “Come on, dude. Don’t do this now. We’re on in twenty minutes,” he warned him.
    Alfie broke his gaze to glare at Des. It stopped Des from commenting further. Des threw his hands up. “Fine. Ten minutes, Alfie. Then whatever the fuck is going on is forgotten. We’ve got a gig t o do.”
    Des walked out the door, banging it hard behind him. Andy picked up a towel. He draped it over the back of his neck and opened the door, shaking his head.
    Drew stared Alfie down. “Why can’t you just leave her alone, Alfie? Can’t you see what this