Almost in Love by Kylie Gilmore Page A

we’ll start with the first song. That’s ‘Pour, oh pour, the pirate sherry.’ I want all of the pirates on stage. When it’s not your turn, take the time to study your lines. We’ll be going without scripts in two weeks. Any questions?”
    “Where’s our Major-General?” Zac asked.
    It must’ve been a cue because just then the auditorium doors burst open, and a middle-aged man with a pith helmet started marching down the aisle. On his arm was a middle-aged woman with hair teased to a giant black halo around her head.
    “I am the very model of a modern Major-General,” the man boomed. “And this young beauty”—a few people snickered—“Delilah is the lovely nursemaid Ruth.”
    The woman curtsied.
    “Very nice, you divas,” Toby said. “Now go get your scripts.”
    The Major-General saluted, and the pair strolled down the aisle to the stage. Barry smiled. This was going to be fun.
    ~ ~ ~
    Amber continued painting the pirate ship in the band room while the cast rehearsed in the auditorium. She added some gold decorative swirls and highlights that would pick up the light on stage. A short while later, Bare and the rest of the pirates came into the band room to practice the Pirate King song. She listened while the pianist Will played the song over and over. Will never corrected them, merely cringed when something was off-key, played the note alone, and waited for them to catch on.
    Bare held his own in the song, but she noticed Kevin Barrett kept belting out the words loud enough to block out Bare’s lead voice. Will kept lowering his hand at Kevin. The chorus shouldn’t overtake the lead. She knew Kevin. He’d played the lead last year in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He was talented, but he didn’t dominate the stage the way Bare did.
    A few times she'd felt someone staring at her, and she’d look up. Bare would wink at her even as he sang. There was something different about pirate Bare. It wasn’t just the silly pirate talk. There was something tender that came through on stage, along with the swagger, that pulled at her. Something more than just the friendly, good-natured guy she’d gotten to know.
    Will finally called a halt and gestured for the group to follow him back to the stage.
    Bare stopped in front of her. “Ahoy, me beauty.”
    She set her brush down and stood. “You don’t have to talk pirate to me. You can just be yourself.”
    “But ye like the pirate in me.”
    Then he turned her and dipped her over one arm. She let out a squeak. He slowly pulled her upright and stayed close enough she could feel his heat. His eyes dropped to her mouth.
    Yes , she thought. Let’s try this again .
    “Anyone see Bare?” a voice called. “We need him on stage.”
    Bare took a step back from her. “To be continued, wench.”
    “Tease.”
    “Tease?” he said in mock indignation. Then he called toward the hallway. “Be right there.” His eyes narrowed in on her, and her heart pounded in anticipation. “I’ll show you tease.”
    Then he yanked her up against him and plundered her mouth. There was nothing gentle about the kiss; no, it was a hot, deep, take-no-prisoners kiss that left her deliciously breathless. She clung to him as he kissed her into a puddle of need. He slowly pulled away, gazing at her lips. She couldn’t seem to let go of her grip on his shirt. She wanted more.
    He groaned. “I wish I didn’t have to go. I wish—”
    “Me too.”
    He cupped her cheek. “Until later, me buxom beauty.”
    She glanced down at her not-so-buxom chest. “Buxom?”
    “Curvy?”
    “Where’s our Pirate King?” Toby demanded, sounding extremely irritated.
    Amber loosened her grip on him. “They need you.”
    “Bye,” Bare said before making a fast exit.
    “Bye,” she said to no one. She smiled as she heard Bare declare on stage a moment later, “Gangway! The Pirate King has arrived!”
    ~ ~ ~
    Amber joined the cast and crew on stage for a quick meeting after