Rachel wanted to say he'd have to be a blind idiot not to notice her great looks but doubted that would help her friend's nerves. "I'm sure he'll be very professional." If not, she decided, she'd drive her ass right into Vegas and kick him straight in the nuts.
Taking a few more deep breaths, she allowed herself to calm down even more. He was just going to tell her what she needed to do to be a better contestant on the show, she convinced herself, and she could do with a little rough criticism. That's what she was here for, that and the elusive dream of stardom. "Sorry I freaked out on you," Angela laughed softly, now that she could breathe again normally.
"No worries honey, so have you made any friends yet?" She knew that people always seemed to want to get close to Angela, but without even knowing it she snubbed any hopes of giving them the chance.
"Believe it or not, I really like my new roommate Lizzy, and there's a nice male country singer I've befriended." She knew Rachel would be shocked that a guy was added to her list of interesting people. It usually took months for her to let down her guard to even speak to a man unless she was working a shift and had no choice.
"Holy hell should I start planning a wedding," Rachel laughed shocked that her little sister, as she liked calling her even if it wasn't a flesh and blood thing, had met a guy she actually thought was nice.
"No way, I don't even think of Devon like that, he's more like one of the girls." She guessed it probably wasn't fair to label him that way since he didn't seem gay, but who knows, maybe that's why he didn't make her afraid.
"So he's a little on the sweet side then," now that made perfect sense to Rachel, Ang wouldn't feel uncomfortable around a gay man.
"Honestly I don't know, but then it's not like that was the first thing I asked him." She wondered how that would have went for a conversation starter, and laughed.
"If he's not, ask him out," Rachel encouraged, she'd tried for years to interest Angela in the opposite sex to no avail.
"As if I would do that Rach," laughing again, she felt so much more at ease knowing her best friend was only a phone call away.
"It's cool these days for a woman to ask a guy out, and if he didn't freak you out, then I say you should think about it." She knew Angela would never do that, but maybe they guy had enough sense to know a good thing when he saw it, she hoped.
"They've got us working so hard I'll probably be a zombie by the weekend," she went over the rigorous schedule and they enjoyed a few more minutes of light conversation before Rachel had to get ready for work.
Hanging up the phone with her, she felt much better about the meeting with Mr. Fitzgerald the next afternoon. She wouldn't have much time to think about it tomorrow since she'd be exhausted by the schedule they'd given her. She spent an hour watching television with Lizzie before calling it a night, and for the first time in forever she slept without any night terrors.
The next morning she'd overslept, forgetting that she didn't set her phone, and she hurried to take a shower and dress before her class in an hour. She'd planned on getting up a few hours earlier, and enjoying a relaxing morning, as it was she and Lizzie barely made it to their vocal class on time.
The day was to say the least demanding, and for someone who was relatively shy, being in front of so many people made it even harder. By the time her last class of the day was finished she really wasn't even concerned about the meeting with Mr. Fitzgerald, she just wanted to get it over so she could get some rest. Every wrong note had been criticized and she definitely wasn't feeling as talented as Rachel and the club thought she was.
She was somewhat shocked when Sanders, one of the judges and well known personality from the show, met her personally at the end of her last class to escort her to Mr. Fitzgerald. The other people in the class, outside of Lizzie and Devon, looked at her like they wanted to throw daggers at her chest for being so fortunate. She, on the other hand, just wanted to sink into the floor to escape their scrutiny
After he led her away from the group, he spoke for her ears only, "Ignore their bitchiness, they all wish that it was them I'd come to pick up." Giving a small smile, he escorted her out of the hotel and to the waiting limousine.
She wasn't sure why, but she had thought Mr. Fitzgerald would meet her at the hotel, and leaving made her more than a little uncomfortable. "If you don't mind me asking, um where are you taking me?" The idea of riding off with this stranger, even though he was very well known, didn't sit well at all with her.
"Relax little lady, the boss wanted to hear you audition personally without all the eyes around wondering why he was doing it." He was right about this one, he thought, she was strung very tight and Nolan might even have a problem getting her to relax.
This had wrong written all over it she thought, as the driver pulled out. She had left her purse with her cell phone in it upstairs in her room, and kicked herself mentally for that little oversight. Without conscious thought, her hand reached over and grabbed the door rest until her knuckles turned white. She had no idea what was going on, but the feeling in the pit of her stomach told her whatever it was, couldn't be good.
When they had driven out of the city about twenty minutes later and pulled up in front of huge mansion, her nerves were even worse off than before. She wanted to demand that the driver take her back to the hotel, but until she knew Mr. Fitzgerald's intentions she couldn't very well do that without looking like an idiot.
By the time they'd walked up the huge staircase to the front door, she knew she was going to be sick. "Is there a bathroom I could use," she whispered, hoping her face wasn't showing just how uncomfortable she truly was.
Sanders took a minute to study the young woman, and knew she was having all the wrong kind of thoughts. For the first time in many years, he actually had pity on one of Nolan's little projects. "Sure thing, I'll take you there before we meet the boss." He guided her quickly to the restroom on the bottom floor, and the moment she walked in and closed the door, he called him.
"I wish I'd put a wager on this one, Nolan," he spoke into the phone, "I've got your little project downstairs in the bathroom and I think she's worried you might be bringing out the casting couch." He had to laugh at that idea, because his boss and long-time friend never needed that scenario to get a woman into his bed. Women flocked to him, not only because of who he was, but his great looks.
"Well when you get her head right, bring her on up, I'm in the studio." Hanging up the phone, he knew there was a story behind the fear and he was just the man to get it out of her. From her photo she was a pretty little thing, but he'd had women like her in his bed before and it was always consensual.
After losing her lunch, and washing her face, Angela knew she couldn't hide out in the bathroom. She knew how to defend herself and if Fitzgerald tried something, then refused to take no for answer, she'd use her skills to get the hell out of this place. Using her hand she cupped a handful of water then swished it in her mouth to get rid of the bad taste. Wiping her mouth with a hand towel, she took a few deep breaths before opening the door.
"All better?" Sanders asked with a warm smile. At her nod, he led her down the hall and knocked on the door to the studio.
"Enter," Nolan called out gruffly, not pleased that the girl thought he was a rapist. He gave her his full attention as she entered the room, going over every gorgeous detail of her body, and then dismissing it with a curt nod of his head. "Thanks Sanders, I'll send her home later."
As the other man left the room, Angela tensed and eyed the closed door. She knew that her situation had probably gone from bad to worse as she turned back, crossing her hands over her chest defensively. She took a few moments to study him as he set up a mic, doing a quick check. He was even more handsome than the tabloid photos, she decided, but she'd still give him one hell of a right hook if he tried anything.
"You can stand there glaring at me all night, Ms. Wilkerson, or you could come over here and let me hear you sing." He made his voice abrupt, not wanting to give her any
indication that this was anything other than business to him.
His superior attitude did in two seconds what any other words would have never accomplished, it made her focus. He obviously wasn't interested in anything other than her singing voice from the way his eyebrow raised as if she were wasting his time. The impatience in his eyes had her scurrying over to the mic and losing all fear that he might do anything more than listen to her voice.
"What would you like to hear?" She felt like a fool for thinking this sexy man could ever look at her with anything other than professional courtesy. For once in her life she wished she didn't judge every man by the way her stepfather had treated her.
He walked over to a leather couch across the room and smirked as he sat down, hoping she got the implication that he was joking. "Just sing your favorite song to start out and we'll go from there."
Blushing at his smirk, she knew damn well he knew what she had thought, and it made her feel even more foolish. Without thinking, she started singing a favorite song from the eighties, her eyes closed as she allowed the music to overcome her. She finished the entire song before opening her eyes and bit down on her lip nervously, awaiting his reaction.
He was blown away by her voice, and that was putting it mildly. He understood exactly why Sanders had been torn at her audition, but was glad he had leaned toward instead of against pushing her through to the next round of competition. She sounded like an angel who'd had her heart ripped away in a storm, and he knew that was how he'd market her. "Sing another song," he demanded his mind on overload on how he was going to present her to the public.
For the next hour he accompanied her on piano as she belted out lyrics that showed off the range of her incredible voice. She was a damn diamond in the rough if there had ever been one, he thought as he stood up and walked over to her. "Do you have any idea how talented you are," his voice was amazed as he stared down at the little powerhouse who was just waiting to be exposed. He reached down and grabbed her shoulder when she lowered her eyes, and could have slapped himself when she tensed.
Pulling away, she took two steps back and her eyes filled with terror. Remembering herself, she tried to calm her now racing heart, and told herself he wasn't her stepfather. After several long seconds she took a deep breath, and gave a small smile. "Sorry, I'm just not good with people touching me." She shrugged in embarrassment.
"Who was he?" There was no doubt in his mind that someone had really hurt her, and from her reaction, she'd never gotten over it.
"Who was what?" There was no way he knew anything about her, she thought nervously. Rachel and that piece of shit her mother had married were the only two people in the world that knew her guilty little secret.
"The man that raped you?" He walked over to the couch, distancing himself, not wanting her to be afraid of him.
Attempting to look composed, even though he'd just pulled the rug away so to speak, she lied. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Turning haunted eyes back to him, she lifted her chin stubbornly.
"I can help you, not only with your career, Ms. Wilkerson, but to get over what he did to you." He remained seated, wanting her to understand he had no intention of hurting her. "To do that you're going to have to trust me though." He hoped she took the opportunity he was offering to her, he knew just how much that kind of pain could torment a person if they didn't let it go.
"I'm here to sing, Mr. Fitzgerald, and I'm flattered that you find me worthy enough to help, but my personal life, well that's off limits." She couldn't bring up the events in her past, especially not with this stranger. There was no way he could understand what it was like to live everyday looking over your shoulder wondering when the past would catch up to you again.
"What if I told you the two were so deeply combined that if you didn't let me help with one, you might never get the other?" He didn't want to play on her dreams to get her to accept his help, but the torment he'd seen in her eyes, he understood so much better than she could possibly know.
"Are you saying if I don't talk about my personal life, you'll kick me out of this competition?" She couldn't imagine what it would be like to have to go back home and tell Rachel she'd failed after she'd made it so far. Dredging up her past, when all she wanted to do was forget it though was not an option.
"What I'm saying is that your past will keep you from moving forward if you don't accept what happened and learn to move on." He could see it in her eyes, how she wanted to run out that door or scream and tell him to go to hell, but her dream was stopping her. "I promise you will never regret letting me help you Ms. Wilkerson."
Who the hell did he think he was, she thought angrily, and tried to not voice the words filtering through her mind? He's 'The Nolan Fitzgerald', she reminded herself, he had the ability to make or break her career. "Is being a bully how you get your rocks off Mr. Fitzgerald?" Furious wasn't even a strong enough word to express how mad she was that he was making her consider talking about her past.
Throwing back his head, he chuckled deeply at her rage. "Why don't you tell me what it is you're truly angry about here, Ms. Wilkerson?" This was the fire in her that needed to be released, he thought to himself, not some simpering little frightened girl that she was hiding behind.
Standing up, she paced the room like a caged tiger waiting to strike. "I'm pissed because it's none of your business what my personal life is or was, and the fact that you have the audacity to use your power over me to try and get me to speak about something that I'd just as soon forget." Glaring at him, she wanted to slap the stupid smile off his face, and oddly enough it felt good to be allowed to show her anger.
"Seriously Ms. Wilkerson, you should tell me how you really feel," he was amazed to see the fire in the petite woman, and his smile widened. This was a diva that could sell a million records, and he was determined to fuel her on.
Exasperated at his nonchalant attitude even after her tirade, she threw her hands up in the air. "Just what the hell is it you want Mr. Fitzgerald?" Her hands found her hips, and she glared at him in anger and confusion.
"I want you to show up on my stage as full of fire as you are right now and to show every single one of those contestants that you are as worthy, if not more, as they are to be in this competition." He enjoyed the emotions that ran over her beautiful face as she allowed his words to sink in.
He was the most confusing man on the entire planet, she thought with a shake of her head as she moved to sit back down on the couch. "Those other contestants have had years of training, and I'm just some girl from New Jersey who likes to sing for open mic night at a bar." She had no idea why she was admitting her insecurities to him, but she felt almost relieved at her angry outburst earlier.
"What you are is a natural born singer with the potential to be a superstar if you get past this entire 'I'm not worthy attitude'." He allowed his words to hit home and saw in her beautiful eyes that she was considering that. "So again I ask you Ms. Wilkerson, are you going to let me help you?"
The idea that this man really wanted to help her made her suspicious as hell and she wanted to know his real intentions. "Just what is it you are hoping to get from helping me Mr. Fitzgerald?"
Chuckling again at her suspicions, he decided to answer her honestly. "I'm in this industry to make money, Ms. Wilkerson, my intentions are to make you the best you can possibly be and therefore sell a product, which would be your voice and image." Even as he spoke the words they didn't feel right somehow. Yes, he wanted to showcase her to her full potential, but there was something else that he couldn't put a name to yet that inspired him to break her out of her shell.
Just like that she was deflated, it was obvious he was not trying to con her or fill her head with dreams. He was offering her a business arrangement that had the possibility to help her fulfill her goals. "Well why didn't you just say so in the beginning?" Shaking her head, she knew he was the strangest man she'd ever met before.
She was a delight, he thought as he watched the anger s
ift right out of her. There was very little trust in this little lady, and in this business he considered it was probably not all bad, but for reasons he couldn't contemplate fully, he wanted her to trust him. "Now that we know where we stand, Ms. Wilkerson, I'm asking you again are you willing to let me help you?" He decided her question didn't really need an answer.
"As long as we both understand that this is all professional, I'll agree to accept your help." What else could she tell the man, she thought to herself, he hadn't really offered anything that outrageous, and she had his motives all backwards when she first entered this room.
"What else would it be, Ms. Fitzgerald?" He might deny to her that he found her enticing, but he was finding himself more than a little interested in her, and not just in a professional manner. That was a thought he knew he'd keep to himself for now.
With all the wind knocked out of her sails, so to speak, she once again felt foolish for thinking this man had any interest in her except in a professional capacity. "So how do you want to do this?"
"First I want your agreement that when I ask you a question, you will be completely honest with me." He was going to delve into her emotions in ways she would probably hate, but to understand how to help her, he needed her trust.
"Fine, I will be honest with you, but don't blame me if it pisses you off." She gave a small smirk, thinking that she would tell him exactly what she thought if he made her feel uncomfortable.
"Agreed, but the same goes for me, don't get your panties in a wad if I ask you things that you feel are none of my business." This was going to be an interesting tutoring session, he thought as her eyes filled with fire again.
"I'm going to take the last two hours of your classes daily and devote them to myself, and you will agree to tell the other contestants that it's because you need a little extra help." He didn't wait for her to comment before continuing on. "During those two hours I'll have free reign to ask you whatever I deem necessary, and give you my expert advice on how to be a better performer."
5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) Page 53
