"Will you be my assistant for this evening?” His voice was rich and husky. Paired with his bedroom eyes he was irresistible.
"Assistant?” Ada stuttered. How can I say no? How can I actually go on a stage in front of so many people?
His smiled widened and she knew she'd do anything he asked. Cybil and Grace both leaned forward and shouted at the same time.
"Yes! Ada would love to be your assistant!” Grace jumped up and grabbed Ada's hand. She pulled Ada out of her chair.
"And if she is crazy enough to refuse, would you take me instead?” Cybil asked with a big grin.
Yves laughed and grabbed Ada's hand. He kissed it, then turned around. He lifted their joined hands in the air. “Everyone, meet Ada, my assistant."
Applause sounded again. As Yves led her to the stage, she heard more than one woman mumble that she was lucky. Hell, yeah. She was the luckiest woman in the room.
The next few tricks passed in a blur as her senses nearly overloaded at his nearness. Every time he brushed against her, sparks danced up and down her body. If he ever planted a kiss on her, she'd be a goner. When he turned to her with a set of handcuffs, his next request sent her thoughts from heated to downright naughty.
"I need you to handcuff me.” Her face must have given her away because he chuckled and said, “Let me rephrase that. For this trick, I need you to handcuff me and attach these chains to my legs. Then you will help me get in that box and secure it with chains and a large lock. Antoine will help you."
Ada drew in a deep breath and nodded. At least he wasn't going to have the box submerged in water. How magicians managed to get out of these traps eluded her and had left her chewing her fingernails when she'd watched them on television as a child.
"Ada and Antoine will secure me with these locks and trap me in this trunk. I will have five minutes of air. After ten minutes if I fail to escape, Ada and Antoine will release me."
Gasps sounded, and a few people clapped. Ada forced a smile to her lips as she held up the handcuffs and tested them, showing the audience they were genuine. Then Antoine called a few men from the audience to test the chains and locks themselves.
When everyone was satisfied, Ada snapped the cuffs on Yves and looked up into those endless blue eyes. His gaze seared her, flaming her desire. She hadn't known danger excited her, but then isn't that what everyone said? It brought out the baser instincts and emotions in people.
Before she knew what he was doing, Yves kissed her. A soft peck on the lips that shouldn't have been as devastating as it was.
Ada stared at him not knowing what to say or think.
"For luck,” he said softly, then repeated louder as he turned to the audience.
She swallowed audibly, then helped Antoine with the chains. Once Yves was in the box and it was chained shut, Antoine started the timer. As the minutes ticked past, Ada grew more and more nervous until the sensation grew stronger than the memory of that short, platonic, yet searing kiss. Did he feel the same thing when we'd kissed?
Yves was a professional. He probably kissed a woman or two at each show. He probably could also do this trick in his sleep. But it didn't make her feel any better. Her unease grew as the clock reached the five minute mark.
"Five minutes have elapsed,” Antoine announced.
"Something must have happened, why hasn't he appeared yet?” A woman shouted from one of the front tables.
"Suspense!” another person shouted. “He's probably not even in the box. Don't forget this is a trick."
"But we saw him locked in there!” the woman insisted.
"Six minutes have elapsed,” Antoine said.
Ada chewed nervously on her lower lip and glanced across the room at Cybil and Grace. Grace sat at the table alone. Where had Cybil gone? Didn't they notice the magician was in trouble? Cybil had seen this show before. Surely she would know that this wasn't how it usually went. Maybe she was coming up to help. Ada looked around the front of the room, but she was nowhere in sight.
"Seven minutes have elapsed."
Ada turned to Antoine. She tried to catch his gaze to signal him that something must have gone wrong.
"Antoine,” she whispered.
"I saw this show on the television last month. I'm telling you he made it out of the trunk in five minutes. Something must have gone wrong this time.” The woman stood back up. “I'm going on the stage and making them open the trunk."
"Eight minutes have elapsed,” Antoine said as the man next to the woman grabbed her and pulled her back into her seat.
Ada looked at Antoine and caught a barely perceptible wink. Didn't he know something was wrong? Men could be so thick-headed sometimes. Ada reached for the keys, but Antoine lifted them high into the air.
"Give me the keys,” she hissed, then added in a fierce whisper, “Something is wrong. He doesn't usually take this long, does he? You heard that woman. He never takes this long. Maybe something is wrong. Are you sure nothing is wrong? Helloooo?"
Antoine kept his face impassive as he looked out into the audience, so she sighed loudly. It felt like forever before he said, “Nine minutes have elapsed."
"Give me the damn keys.” Ada growled as she advanced toward Antoine. “Even someone who's practiced holding his breath needs to breathe sometime."
Antoine glanced at the audience, then back to Ada. Ada walked over to the trunk and walked around it to see if there was an escape hatch or something. Perhaps there was a trick door he slipped out of and she could find it and check on him.
"Ten minutes have elapsed,” he said as the timer went off.
He tossed the keys to Ada and she set about opening the locks as quickly as she could. Antoine helped her pull the chains off the box and open the lid. She gasped and backed up as Cybil grinned and sat up inside the trunk.
"How the hell did you get in there?” she demanded as the audience erupted in cheers.
Antoine laughed as he helped Cybil out of the trunk. Ada unlocked the handcuffs and then gazed out across the room. Where was Yves then? Hiding in the audience? She froze as a spotlight focused on the gorgeous magician and confirmed her suspicions. How the hell did he pull it off?
When Yves returned to the stage, he asked the audience to clap for her, then smiled as he thanked her and told her she could return to her table. Ada shook her head and hurried off the stage. What a rotten trick. She was foolish to have let herself get so wrapped up in him. The further from that tempting man, the better off she would be.
The rest of the night Yves amazed her with trick after trick, making it hard to remember she was mad at him. And that kiss. What would a real kiss with him be like?
Cybil refused to say how she got into the trunk, and Ada knew her friend would keep her promise to the magician. Even with the adrenaline from her fear still running through her, she couldn't help but be amazed as one at a time, three white doves flew out of his hat, each carrying a white rose that they dropped in his hand before they landed on Antoine's outstretched arm. A large white rabbit was a few tricks later, tempting Ada to ask where Alice was.
Yves moved on to a grand finale where he made Antoine vanish from a cabinet, then brought him back. When the curtain closed, a sense of desperate sadness swept over her. She'd just started to relax, but now it was over. Even though she didn't believe in magic, the show had been fun and she didn't want to go home yet.
"Let's go over to the bar. There's a different show coming on in an hour. We can get another drink or two before we go home.” Grace rose and looked at Ada as if waiting for an answer.
"Okay.” Ada shrugged. The only thing she had to look forward to at home was silence. And being alone. Completely. Utterly. Alone.
You will meet a man. The fortune teller's words replayed in her mind. If only it could be true. But it wasn't. All fortune tellers promised either love or success. If one believed in it enough, anything was possible, but Ada didn't believe in magic. Or love. Not any more.
She followed Grace and Cybil to the
bar and climbed on a barstool. She ordered another screwdriver and thought about the other things the fortune teller had said. New beginnings. Optimism. Understanding and personal growth. Balance desires with needs. Control your life. Now that one she liked. It was would be nice to take control of her own life for a change.
Once Jake had controlled her to the point of telling her how to dress and who her friends could be. Never again would she relinquish that much control. This was definitely the time for new beginnings. That thought made her remember how good Yves had smelled up close, and the way she tingled wherever he touched her.
"Thanks for assisting me tonight, Ada."
Ada choked on her drink when Yves spoke in her ear. He laughed and patted her on the back as Grace and Cybil, traitors that they were, greeted him with large flirtatious smiles.
"How did you ladies enjoy the show?” he asked as he sat on the stool next to Ada and draped his arm around her.
She drew in a deep breath and held it as her senses slipped into overdrive. Ooo, will he kiss me again? His nearness set her heart thundering, and his scent started a fluttering in her stomach.
Ada refused to answer. He had tormented her with that trunk act of his. He must change the act from city to city or something. But there was one question that bothered her enough to make her break her resolve to remain quiet.
"How did you set Cybil up to help you with the act? She didn't let anything slip, and for her that's amazing."
Cybil grinned and draped her arm around Yves. “This hunk can be very convincing, Ada. I bet if he asked you to let him saw you in half, you'd say yes. When he wants something, not many refuse him."
Ada narrowed her eyes and tried to ignore the twinge of jealousy that seared through her at Cybil's easy familiarity with the magician. She wasn't interested in replacing Jake anyway. At least not this soon. Or am I? Haven't I said I wanted to move on, to find someone?
Yves kissed Cybil on the nose, then pulled away to accept his drink from the bartender. “So what brought you ladies out in this weather?"
"Ladies night out. Besides, it's not often my favorite magician has a show near enough for me to visit."
Yves laughed at her comment. Why didn't Grace nudge Cybil and tell her that her intentions were too obvious?
Ada signaled the bartender for a refill. She wasn't even feeling slightly tipsy yet, and Grace was driving. If she had to go home alone at least she could go numb.
"Did you enjoy the show?” Yves asked again. “Antoine says you weren't happy with him when he refused to give you the keys. You shouldn't have worried. I do this trick every show. If I didn't change it a little and shake up the audience, they'd grow bored too quickly. It's hard to keep people's attention with all the special effects and computerized things they have now."
Ada turned to look at him when she realized he was talking to her. Cybil was prettier and practically throwing herself at him. Why wasn't he paying attention to her?
"I'm sorry if you were scared. I just tried to tell you there was no reason to be,” Yves said.
Ada forced a smile. “I wasn't worried at first, but then that woman in the audience said how you're usually out by the five minute mark and I got worried. It was silly of me."
She glanced down at the glass the bartender set before her, handed him some money, and told him to keep the change before she gave Yves her attention again.
"It wasn't silly. From what Antoine said, she had several people ready to come on stage. At least her husband was smart and kept her at the table. It would have ruined the big surprise."
"It certainly was a surprise."
"You aren't mad at me, are you?"
"Mad? No.” She stared at him. Mad? Why would I be mad?
"Good. I'd hate to think I turned you off magic or something."
Ada snorted and choked on her drink for the second time. Yves pounded on her back once more. Worry marred his handsome face as he asked her if she was okay. When she could breathe again, Ada pushed him away and nodded.
"I'm fine,” she choked out.
"Was it something I said?” He laughed, but it sounded forced.
She snorted again and didn't care if it was unladylike. “Magic. Yeah. Are you selling any bridges? I'd be more likely to buy one than believe in magic."
Yves stared at her, then looked at Cybil and Grace before he returned to stare at her again. “You've got to be kidding me. You don't believe in magic?"
"Jake beat it out of her,” Grace said. Ada glared at her until she stiffened and quickly added, “Not literally. I mean, he never touched her."
Ada gasped. Her heart caught in her chest and her throat tightened as everyone looked at her. Jake had never laid a hand on her. Not even in the sexual sense. She waited and wondered what Yves thought. Then someone laughed and she decided to play it off.
"Just shut up while you're still ahead,” Ada whispered and grabbed her glass. She downed the rest of her drink. “You ladies ready to go? Tomorrow might not be a workday for you, but I have reports to look over."
Ada clutched her purse to her chest and got off her stool. The room spun and she stumbled. Strong arms wrapped around her as a familiar scent tickled her nose. For a minute she relaxed until it registered that it was Yves. Ada jerked out of his arms as heat filled her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Ada,” Grace whispered.
"It's okay. If I hadn't drunk so much I'd be fine. I don't even know my own limit, do I?” Ada forced a laugh but she couldn't meet her friends’ knowing gazes.
Cybil and Grace both knew that Jake had never been intimate with her. He'd sworn he wanted to save consummating their relationship for when they got married. But when she caught him with his secretary at his office, she knew it was all a lie. He hadn't been interested in her, at least not sexually. Spending her money had probably been his favorite pastime. It was also how she knew the fortune teller was lying. No man would desire her. Jake had proven it to her without a shadow of a doubt. But perhaps she could make a new beginning by taking control of her life.
"Don't go yet,” Yves whispered as he stepped between Ada and her friends. “I just met you."
Ada laughed. She couldn't help it. What does he take me for? A fool? She'd seen the way he and Cybil interacted. Why act like he wants to spend time with me? To make Cybil jealous? Couldn't he see that she was practically throwing herself at him?
Yves turned and looked at Cybil. The look they shared wasn't that of two strangers. It was a look of two people who knew each other very well. What game were they playing? A lover's spat?
"Cybil? Do you have something you want to share with the rest of the class?” Ada tried to hide her anger behind a smile.
"Let's get out of here,” Cybil said as she grabbed onto Ada and Grace. “Come on, Yves."
Yves tossed some money on the bar and followed them into the hotel lobby.
"Do you have a room here?” Cybil asked as she looked at Yves.
"Yes. I guess you want to talk up there. I told you to just tell her the truth."
Cybil nodded. “I think that would be best. Lay on, MacDuff."
They were all silent on the ride up to his room. A myriad of thoughts raced through Ada's mind, but if they stuck together, nothing bad could happen. Or could it? Perhaps Cybil had promised Yves an orgy. That thought almost had her laughing out loud. Forcing away the unwanted image that thought brought, Ada concentrated on watching the numbers change as they traveled higher.
"I should have guessed,” Cybil said as she looked up and down the empty hallway.
"What? Does he have a thing for the number ten?” Ada shook her head. Just another piece of evidence that they knew each other. “Why are you two pretending to be strangers, anyway?"
Yves gave her a sharp look before he opened the door. He held it as the girls walked past him into the room. Ada glanced around at the hotel fixtures and noticed they looked as impersonal as other hotels.
Of course it would, he's passing through. Shame Cybil and him ei
ther had something or have something going on. If they didn't, I could see how far he's willing to take his flirting. After Jake I'm ready for a man. Or at least sex. What was with the kiss?
As soon as the door closed behind Yves, Cybil grinned and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Yves is my cousin."
Ada blinked and looked at the two of them closely. They looked nothing alike. Cousins? Had she heard right?
"That's why he knew we'd be here and that he could do the switch with me for the trunk trick."
Grace nudged Ada. “It got a little awkward back there."
"A little? Hell I thought Cybil was going to jump his bones at the bar.” Ada glared at Cybil as she spoke.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. Yves is more like a kissing cousin. He's a cousin of a cousin of a cousin ... I'm so used to flirting with him that I never thought how you'd take it."
"Don't worry about how I took it. I just met the guy! I don't know why you're acting as if I want him or anything. It was ... the way you were talking..."
"The way I was talking what?” Cybil grinned.
"I thought you were in love with him.” Ada rolled her eyes. “At least now I know why Cybil threatened to kidnap me if I tried to cancel. And why you picked me to be your assistant tonight, Yves."
"I didn't pick you because you were a friend of Cybil's. I picked you because you are beautiful and I knew the crowd would love you,” Yves said.
Ada rolled her eyes and laughed as she looked at Grace. “Okay, he gets points for being smooth, but what are we doing here?"
"I knew you would never give Yves a chance, so I wanted you to meet him before you said no,” Cybil said. She winced when Ada glared at her.
"No.” Ada groaned. “No. Please tell me you didn't."
"You need to get out more. I can vouch for him. He's a sweetheart and he won't hurt you."
Tarot Card Anthology: Synchronicity Volume 1 Page 2
