Connor by Nhys Glover Page A

mate, but because something inside her called to something inside him; something that made her not just sexy, but lovable and special to him.
    Harshly, she pushed away that yearning. There was nothing lovable and special about her, and someone like Connor was a player who would never give his heart to any woman, especially not someone like her. He might seem playful and gregarious, but there was an invisible wall inside him that he used to keep people out. How did she know? Because she had one too. A wall that had a sign on it that said, 'Stay out, I'm better off alone.' "
    She felt tears sting her eyes as the last chord hung magically in the air for far longer than it should. Was that courtesy of the equipment, or was it just an emotional reaction to the power of the song and its singer?
    For a moment, when the music finished, there was silence. Then a light smattering of applause broke out. She wanted to clap and whistle and cheer for the girl who had brought her to the brink of tears, so the apathetically polite response from the audience was like a slap in the face. What it must feel like to Alyssa was anyone's guess.
    "What's wrong with them? Can't they feel anything?" she muttered under her breath to herself, forgetting Connor could hear her.
    "It requires empathy to truly appreciate Alyssa's music. And the Guild has none. All they hear is pretty music played and sung by a pretty girl. No more. You have to feel a little sorry for them. It's like dogs not being able to see rainbows. They miss out on so much."
    She couldn't hold back the smile that bubbled to the surface. She was reminded of the analogy of cats and dogs Cam had used earlier in the day. She wondered if cats could see rainbows.
    The man with the dark moustache had made his way to the small stage, still clapping politely. When he deemed it enough, he stopped and the audience followed his lead.
    "I do apologise for not being here to greet you, Miss Aimes. But I am glad I freed myself in time to hear your lovely voice. I have been a big fan of yours right from Cattle Call at the beginning of the season. Star Quality is my guilty pleasure, but I never expected to see such a talent as yours on it. It was criminal that the American public didn't vote for you. Had you performed on a similar program here in the U.K, you would have won by a landslide."
    Alyssa smiled and looked dutifully pleased by his compliments. Was Allie imagining it, or was the singer really exhausted?
    "Now, if everyone would like to move into the dining room you will find a supper fit for a King, ready to be eaten. There is an ice sculpture depicting Dark Fantasies that I hope you will like, Miss Aimes. The sculptor is as talented in his field as you are in yours, so I'm informed. I hope he's done your creation justice."
    Colt made his way to the stage to help Alyssa stand. No, she wasn't mistaken. Alyssa was looking drained and somewhat sick, and Colt was having to support her to her feet.
    "What's wrong with Alyssa?" she whispered quietly, for Connor's ears alone.
    "I don't know. Maybe it's jetlag finally catching up with her. Or maybe it's playing into a void. She explained it to me once. When an audience responds to her music it's like the energy she puts out bounces back at her, two-fold. She's always pumped after a show. But if the audience doesn't respond, then nothing bounces back at her."
    "Hmm. Well, she had a receptive audience in me. I loved it. She is so gifted. That last song about Colt… I felt like crying."
    "Aye, she's a gifted wee thing, that's for sure. And she's a lovely person, too. I expected her to be… I don't know…arrogant and cut-throat. But she's nothing like that."
    "Do you wish you'd found her first?" What had made her ask such a stupid question? But there was a certain note of longing in his voice that stirred jealousy in her.
    Connor didn't look away from Colt and Alyssa as they made their way towards them. "No, she's too sweet for me. I'm more a savoury kind