A/N: My thank yous to Team Jazzward for your help with this chapter. xx
DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, but if you're here, you knew that already. ;)
-FONO-
I settle at the piano and with the band ready, we add to the jovial atmosphere, playing until the lights darken and Mike takes the stage.
The new spotlights at Miss Swan's request cast the crowd into the shadows as Mike steps up to the microphone.
"Good evening, everyone, and welcome to The Twilight Club."
Yells and whistles echo throughout the crowd over the quieting murmur of voices.
"I'm Michael Newton, and I want to thank everyone for joining us this evening. I'm here to introduce our performers for this special night. You've been enjoying the Sam Uley Jazz Band."
More applause follows his announcement.
"That's right, don't hold back. They're great." Mike turns, waving to the side. "On cornet—Jared Cameron."
One spotlight remains on Mike as the other seeks each musician. Jared's brassy horn grabs everyone's attention with a scorching fanfare.
Mike waits for the claps of approval to fade before making the next introduction. "On trombone—Embry Call."
Embry's lower mellow notes ring out, finishing with a powerful flourish that gets plenty of praise.
"On saxophone—Jacob Black."
Jacob's slow bluesy sounds garner a large appreciative round of applause.
"On drums—Seth Clearwater."
Seth's popping of the drum heads to a quick beat leaves the crowd shouting more.
"And on bass—Sam Uley."
Sam's strumming of the strings fills the air with deep, warm notes as the bandleader nods toward the jubilant audience, enjoying their favorable reception.
"We also have on piano a familiar face here at The Twilight Club . . ."
"We love you, Edward!" A female voice interrupts, yelling from somewhere in the back.
"Someone buy that gal a drink!" Mike laughs, waving toward the bar as the crowd chuckles at the outburst.
I grin, playing along, and call out, "Find me at the end of the night, sweetheart. I'd be happy to buy you a drink."
Mike smiles, pointing toward the back, then waves in my direction. "She's right because we love him too—The Twilight Club's very own Edward Masen."
My fingers pass over the keys with an abbreviated, bright, melodious tune as I draw the loudest chorus of cheers among the introductions.
"And now without further ado, please join me with a warm welcome for tonight's featured performer. All the way from San Francisco, California, the lovely and talented . . . Miss Isabella Swan."
The spotlights dim immediately as the roar of the crowd's applause is peppered with hurrahs and whistles. Mike leaves the stage, and Miss Swan takes her position, striking a pose with her back to the audience.
At Sam's nod, the first notes fill the air, and the spotlights focus on her shapely figure as her hips sway to the music. Her eyes catch mine, and I can't keep the grin from taking over my face when she winks at my perusal.
Her black, floor-length dress sparkles in the light, clinging to every curve until wispy sheer fabric at the bottom billows away from her feet. When she spins slowly toward the audience, my mouth goes dry at her striking silhouette.
It isn't the long, wavy hair teasing at her shoulders or the silky, over-the-elbow gloves that has me shifting uncomfortably on my bench. No. It's the missing back of her dress revealing more milky white skin of Miss Swan than I ever imagined I would see.
My eyes roam over her delicate features from her shoulders to her waist as she moves to the beat, singing about promises of not only a good time but also a night never to forget. She enchants with her words, moving easily from one song to the next and singing about love, loss, and being lucky.
At the end of her first set, she has the entire room hanging on every note. We continue to play as the spotlight dims, and she exits the stage. The house lights go up slightly as many patrons refresh drinks, eager for her return, but most enjoy our next songs with solos featuring Jacob on saxophone and Jared on cornet.
The house lights lower as Miss Swan takes the stage once more, wearing a form-fitting, blue-beaded dress with the over-the-elbow gloves from earlier. Her wavy hair is pinned into the shorter bobbed style that many women are choosing these days.
Mike assists her into position, sitting on top of my piano. When the spotlights brighten, focusing on her breathtaking form, it's her tantalizingly slender legs, emerging from the slit of her dress that captures the attention of every cat in the room, including me.
My eyes follow the subtle rubbing of her delicate legs against one another as my fingers drift across the keys, playing a slow, seductive ballad. Her sultry voice cuts through the hazy smoke, filling the room and captivating the crowd with her words about men and misbehaving.
At her enticingly slow shimmies and easy roll of her shoulders, my eyes are drawn away from her legs to her chest where I get an up-close view the guys in the back will only ever dream about. She's a temptress from head to toe, teasing everyone in her path with a subtle wink and an alluring smile.
With the song's ending, Mike reappears and helps her down from the piano. She claims the stage front and center as the next song begins. This one intrigues me to no end, as every time we performed it in rehearsal it was fresh and different.
The spotlight follows her, expanding to include each band member when she approaches. The beguiling Miss Swan improvises as she vocally imitates each instrument and harmonizes simultaneously. It shows not only her range but also her playful side.
As we play the last songs of the evening, Miss Swan's impact can be felt throughout the room. There isn't anyone who isn't tapping their toes to the beat or smiling from ear to ear. If Mike had the space for a dance floor, I know everyone would be on their feet until the wee hours of the morning.
When the last note rings out, Miss Swan holds her final pose, receiving the accolades being shouted from all directions as everyone clamors to their feet in a thunderous ovation of applause. Her grin is a mile wide as she bows then steps to the side, allowing the audience to praise the band. She returns to center stage, blowing kisses, before a final bow and a gentle wave, then she departs.
With the conclusion of her performance, most of the band members leave for another club nearby to enjoy the high of the night, but I stick around grabbing a drink, watching as the crowd thins enough until it's easier to move around.
"Edward!" Mary Alice exclaims when she finds me.
"Hey, Mary Alice."
Trailing not too far behind are her friends, Victoria and Jane, who are easy on the eyes, and I know all too well are ready and willing for whatever the night may bring.
"Victoria. Jane. Did you all enjoy the show?"
"That was incredible. You were my favorite." Jane grins, wrapping an arm around my neck and unexpectedly pressing her bright red lips against mine.
"Jane," I warn, pulling away, grabbing my handkerchief, and wiping away the remains of her lipstick.
"Oh, Edward. Stop trying to act as if you don't like my kisses." She pouts.
"Or mine." Victoria leans in kissing my cheek.
"The night is young. You need another drink," Jane insists, waving toward the bar. "You promised we would have fun tonight."
"Mary Alice promises you fun every time you come into the city—not me," I remind, wondering how much she's had to drink.
"It doesn't matter. You should go with us to another club. We need to dance."
"You'll have to go without me. I'm hanging around here for a while."
"Before we leave, do you think you can introduce us?" Mary Alice asks, as I glance at her and the hopeful expressions of her friends. "Isabella Swan is amazing. What if she becomes a famous movie star and we miss our only chance to meet her?"
"She's beautiful too," Victoria adds. "Her dresses are so fancy, maybe I should take singing lessons."
"Uh . . ."
Jane wraps her hand around my arm, giving it a squeeze. "Oh, come on, Edward. Please . . ."
"I don't believe she's still here. I was told she would leave after her performance."
"Can you check?" Mary Alice turns on the puppy-eyed look.
Victoria pleads. "Please, Edward."
"Okay, fine. We can check." I stuff my handkerchief back into my pocket, hoping I got rid of the stray lipstick smudges, and lead the way toward Miss Swan's dressing room.
The girls chatter excitedly until we enter the hallway. I stop when I notice Felix standing in the open doorway speaking with someone. He steps backward preparing to depart as Miss Swan emerges, bundled in a long coat with a fur collar all the way to her chin.
"Miss Swan!" I call out.
She and Felix turn, looking over their shoulders to where we are standing.
"Please give me one moment, Felix."
At his nod, she closes the distance between us. Her eyes dance across the faces of our group until studying mine carefully.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Masen?" she asks with a cool, professional veneer firmly in place that I know all too well.
"I have three of your biggest fans here who would like to meet you." I grin, wrapping my arms around Victoria and Jane, encouraging them to step forward.
Mary Alice cuts them off when they appear dazed and moves to the front of our group, holding nothing back. "You were amazing. I'm Mary Alice and these are my friends—Victoria and Jane."
Miss Swan's expression warms at Mary Alice's words. "Thank you. You're very kind and it's nice to meet you. I hope you enjoyed the show."
"We did. It was incredible."
"Wonderful. I'm afraid I must go, but it was a pleasure to meet all of you."
"Thank you for your time, Miss Swan," I interject, as her eyes move from the girls' faces to mine.
At her nod, she turns toward Felix, who guides her swiftly through the hallway, fading almost instantly like a puff of smoke.
A/N: On my website, kayrichard dot com, I shared two posts with musical inspiration for Miss Swan this chapter. The first is Gertrude "Ma" Rainey's, "See See Rider," and the second is Bessie Smith's, "Need a Little Sugar In My Bowl," if you're interested in listening to either song. As always, thank you for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts. xx