A Winter Dance Page 2

  The primal part inside me said I couldn’t let her leave without binding the partnership. Her breathing came faster as I hugged her snug against me. I was caging her in. Now that I had her where I wanted her—close to me—I just couldn’t let her walk away like that. I wanted her too much.

  “Jack?” Isabel whispered, wearing that same look that she’d had on her face during the embrace we shared earlier while we danced.

  A red as deep as a rose flushed her cheeks, and her gaze wandered over my face in question, but her eyes seemed to know what I wanted. Her eyelids dropped low to conceal her icy blue eyes from me.

  Taking what I wanted while we were still alone, I leaned close to press my lips to hers firmly.

  My hands trailed down her back as our mouths crashed together. Licking her bottom lip elicited a gasp from her, and I took the opportunity and plunged my tongue in dance with hers. She tastes like wild berry tea.

  It was my turn to groan as I drank her in. I’d never been a tea fan until this moment. I couldn’t get enough of her. I had to coax her into the kiss some. She was shy and I could tell she didn’t want to get caught out in the open, but after I deepened it, her body swayed into mine and her arms tucked around my back. She held me as close as I did her. It was marvelous.

  Crouching down I placed my hands under her ass, picked her up, and walked over to the nearby counter most of the other women did their makeup on. With one swift swipe of my arms I sent the cluttered mess that sat upon the top spilling to the floor.

  Leaning her back onto the counter, I laid my weight over hers and fucked her mouth with my tongue displaying how I wanted to take her one day.

  The click of heels made us break apart, each of us panting but neither of us willing to take our eyes off the other.

  Helping her jump off the countertop, I let her go even though everything inside me battled against that decision.

  I couldn’t help the twitch of my lips when her hand rose to touch her swollen red lips. I wasn’t a gentle lover and I think she got the idea now. This was a branding, something I wanted to make sure she felt and remembered.

  “W-why? Why me?” she asked, a hand still touching her lips. I loved the innocent bewildered look she had; it provoked the alpha in me.

  “Why not?” I shot back, curious as to how she’d handle the given situation. I needed to know if she was truly all in. I’d wanted her for so damn long now that if she backed out, I might go insane.

  “You can’t answer a question with a question… I just—I don’t understand, what is so special about me?” She indicated her body and cocked a hip.

  I could tell she wanted answers. If that was what she wanted, then I’d oblige. Stepping into her personal space I cornered her against the counter and pressed my hardness to her core. Her dainty hands clasped my hips and tugged me even more fully into her.

  “I want you because I know you were meant to be mine. There have been no second guesses about you, Isabel.” I breathed out, fanning my breath over her collarbone, eliciting goosebumps along her snow-white skin. “You’re my perfect partner, and I refuse to have anyone but you stand by my side. I’ve desired you for too long.”

  Three

  Isabel

  I was in heaven. Clearly, I’d died at some point during my dance and was living out my favorite fantasy. The day Jack asked me to be his. God, this had to be a dream. No one pinch me yet.

  My lips were still sensitive from were he had kissed the hell out of me and to be honest, my pussy was feeling the aftermath. I’d felt his hard dick rubbing up against me and I’d almost come on the spot.

  I floundered for what to say, my mouth gaping open and then closing repeatedly like I was struggling to adult. My brain had clearly turned to mush. I didn’t know words.

  “Are you as spell struck by me as I am you?” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck while waiting for me to say something. Heck, I was still waiting for me to speak too.

  Come on, Isabel. Say something! Anything!

  “I like you a lot,” I blurted. Great, word vomit on aisle one.

  “The feeling is mutual, Isabel.”

  I shut my mouth and side-eyed the woman that walked by us to grab her things and head out the door. I counted to five before I considered looking away from the back door. It wasn’t that I was scared to show the world Jack was interested in me, but since this was our first interaction, I wanted to keep it safe, away from the prying eyes of others who couldn’t mind their own business.

  “Would you like to get out of here?” I didn’t want to go home now, not after that smokin’, toe-curling kiss. Was it possible to ask him for another one or would that be weird to ask? Did people still ask for permission to kiss? Not that he’d asked me, but it wasn’t like I gave a shit. May I have more, sir? I want more.

  My hand brushed my throat, my pulse still jumping on the side of my neck.

  “What did you have in mind?” he asked as he grabbed his bag, hefting the strap over his shoulder.

  That was a good question. I’d only thought of inviting him, I hadn’t thought of what we’d actually do together. Shrugging my shoulders lamely, I thought about asking him on a date to my favorite café, Pete’s, but then changed my mind. How soon could you go on a date after your first kiss without it sounding like a desperate plea?

  “Umm… What if we just… walked? Like around Central Park…” I said, trying to play off my lack of brain power while being in his presence.

  Humming, he glanced down at his watch that he pulled from his bag. “I have the day off. Why don’t we grab some lunch on the way to the studio and train for a bit?”

  “You want to dance together now?” I blinked. “I mean, if you’re sure you don’t have anything else to do…” Say you don’t! I’m here. Take me, I’m yours!

  More people that had tried out started to fill the small back room and it was becoming rather crowded.

  Some of them grabbed their stuff to leave, but a few of the women stayed behind to chat with one another, which was more along the lines of bragging about how they’d done and what they thought their score would be or what part they’d get.

  As usual, I could sense the women looking at me. It was hard not to notice when I could feel their eyes burning into my back with jealousy.

  Everyone here had either seen or heard that Jack and I had gotten the lead thanks to his surprise show and they were talking about it. I couldn’t hear them, but I could tell by the way they viewed us with guarded gazes mixed with judgement and jealousy.

  Looking down at myself, I thought about all the things I obviously lacked. I didn’t have large breasts, or an overly curvy figure. I was short as hell; my hair was even plain and so was my eye color. Their unheard criticism made me start to become self-conscious. I was the plain Jane of the bunch, and as much as I adored Jack, I wondered what he really saw in me besides my age and experience as a dancer.

  “Hey, let’s get out of here,” he said softly, taking my attention away from those that caused me grief. I know I shouldn’t let them get to me like that, but for the first time in my life, my dream had finally come true and I knew I wouldn’t have gotten it without him. It was difficult to see the other women look at me coldly like I’d stolen their favorite toy.

  “Sorry, I just got a little sidetracked.” I sighed, following him outside. The crisp wind blew some of my hair out of my bun to flutter against my face.

  “Don’t let those catty women get to you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I voiced, feeling the blush creep up my face.

  He stopped and stepped in front of me, blocking my path to the sidewalk.

  “I’ve heard them, Isabel. They speak offensive things about everyone, including me. Sometimes you just need to rise above them. Show them that you don’t care about their words.” He took my hands in his, his warmth soaking into my skin. “Be the best you can be for you. Show them what I see in you.”

  It was hard to look at him. I was posi
tive that I was a mess, with my hair all over the place as the winter wind blew, and my face was a flame. But I didn’t understand. What did he mean?

  “What do you see in me?”

  He cupped my cheek and I leaned into his touch. I was starved for his attention.

  “I see a light inside you that I want for my own. Isabel, you are an amazing dancer. And you’re kind. I’ve watched you help the younger students practice when they fuck up, and how they turn away from you without so much as a thank you, only for you to offer help again, and again. I’m not blind. I do see those things when I show up at the studio. You’ve never let them stop you before; don’t let them stop you now.”

  He was right. I had never let them stop me in the past, even when I showed up to train before the sun came up, or when I helped the new ballerinas work on their new routines when their instructors where off schedule. A few of them had given me small smiles, but that changed quickly. They acted like I didn’t exist the next time I saw them. It was always the same thing: I’d help when I saw some poor new girl helplessly failing at a certain move and then they decided they were too good for me. I wasn’t not sure why, but I had always assumed it was due to my age. Besides Jack, I was the oldest dancer here.

  “I’ll try my best.” I gave him a weak smile, second guessing myself a little. Maybe the others were right. It wasn’t like I hadn’t heard some of the things going around, like how I should retire and get a normal career, or that I should be an instructor not a ballerina.

  His forehead rested on mine. “There is no try, there is only do. I won’t do this dance without you, Isabel.” His thumb traced my cheekbone. “Say you’ll do it,” he said more forcefully, and I thought I was hearing things.

  “What?” I asked, swearing I heard the dominance in his voice.

  “Say you’ll dance,” he said again, this time more of a demand than a question.

  His tone gave me goosebumps, and the spark of fire in his eyes made me see I was worth this part—that if anyone was worthy of being a lead it was me. I was standing here being foolish and letting my fears get the best of me. I was Isabel Neve; I was now the Swan in the Swan Dance, and fuck everyone else.

  “I’m going to dance.”

  He smirked, and his hand left my face to run down my arm, his caress firm and stimulating.

  “Good,” he whispered hoarsely. Closing the remaining distance between us, his lips touched mine showing me just how much this meant to him.

  This would make two unexpected kisses now, two that I never thought he’d do, yet, he did.

  When he pulled back, taking his time and licking his lips as he went, he drew me with him as he walked backward toward the sidewalk.

  “It’s time for us to dance.”

  “Let’s head to the studio.”

  Four

  Jack

  “Fuck, I missed my cue.” Isabel flung her arms up into the air for what had to be the hundredth time today.

  I peeked at the clock in the corner of the room, and it read seven o’clock in the evening. We’d been here all damn day and now we were going into the night.

  Popping the last bite of my chicken BLT salad into my mouth, I rumbled to myself as she grew more and more frustrated that she kept missing her mark.

  We were a week into training, and it had been good at first but then she’d

  started beating herself up every single time she fucked up. I could tell she had grown tired and that her feet were sore; that was the cause of her messing up as the last hour dragged on.

  “Why don’t we call it a night?” I suggested.

  Everyone else had gone for the night, but Sofia, the owner and Isabel’s instructor, let us stay for a bit longer, telling us to lock the place up before we left. How could I deny being alone with my new partner?

  “Why don’t you take a break and come finish eating your grilled chicken club salad before it gets soggy.”

  When she sighed loudly, I chuckled. I found her feistiness attractive as hell. She didn’t want to stop, but I ordered us food from a local restaurant, and she would work herself to death forgetting all about her food if I didn’t speak up.

  “I was so damn close to hitting that glissade and sauté!” she complained, stabbing at a piece of lettuce in her bowl. “I’ve never done that before.” She took the bite of food off her fork with a little extra force than needed, a dimple showing in her check as she chewed.

  “I think it’s because you’re nervous.”

  Piercing another bite, she shoved it into her mouth stubbornly, showing off more of that cute little tick in her cheek.

  Swallowing, she snorted and looked down at her food. “What makes you think I’m nervous? I’m not nervous, Jack.”

  Her posture said something clearly bothered her. If her blush, quick darting gaze, and shaking hands were any indication, I’d think she was nervous to be around me alone.

  “I think you are, Isabel. What are you scared of? Is it me?” I said huskily, watching her blush deepen and her swallow. Her slender neck made me want to bite into her, leave a mark for everyone to see. Just a nibble maybe, a taste. “If it’s not me, then what has you so tight?”

  She all of a sudden became occupied with her dinner, shoving mouthfuls of her salad into her mouth and looking out the dark window in front of us. I waited until the bowl was empty and placed into the nearby trash before asking her again.

  “Is it me?”

  “Is what you?” She played it off like what we’d just discussed was no big deal.

  “Why you’re nervous?” I claimed, growing more curious and focused on her body language. She’s fidgeting.

  Shaking her head, she got up and walked over to the window that overlooked some of the city. We were on the fourth floor of the building. It wasn’t the tallest around, but the view—that overlooked Central Park and Grand Theater—was a sight that stole your breath. Especially in the winter, when the first snowfall took place in early November. It had been steadily snowing lightly now for three days. In a week we were supposed to have a mild snowstorm, which would add another four inches to the five we already had on the ground. It was the perfect, winter wonderland.

  “You,” she muttered. “Is that what you wanted to hear?” She turned and crossed her arms. “I get nervous being around you alone.”

  “Why is that?” I pushed for more.

  “I find you sexy. You’re just…” She flung her hand over her face, hiding from me.

  Leveraging myself up from the bench I was sitting on, I walked the distance and tugged her to me.

  “I’m just what? That you find it so hard that I want someone like you?” I growled, growing furious over how little she thought of herself and how wonderful I thought she was, that it was so bewildering to her to even think I’d want her.

  “Yes!” She blew out a big breath, laying her head on my chest. “I feel like this is a dream and when I wake up, you’ll be gone.”

  Patting her messy bun, I embraced her in a hug she so desperately needed and I wanted.

  “I won’t leave you, Isabel. You’re my partner.”

  “Is it wrong that I want more than that?” she breathed, snuggling into me more. “Is it silly of me to want something else?” She muttered something under her breath as she grew frustrated with herself. “I think, I need a minute alone.” She rushed off into the bathroom without looking back, and for me that was unacceptable.

  Heading to the door, I jiggled the handle to find it unlocked. I strode inside and shut the door behind me, flicking the lock.

  I could feel myself growing hard at the words she’d said a moment ago. “There is nothing wrong with wanting more. Why don’t we start now? Why run from me?” I growled, crowding her up against the wall. I fisted her hair, pulling her head far enough back that I could plant a kiss on her soft lips. Her gasp gave me the advantage that I needed to deepen the kiss further.

  Her little moans encouraged me. The way she grabbed at my arms only drove me to the brink of no
return.

  “Tell. Me,” I said between kisses. “What. Do. You. Want?” Her mouth was heaven. She was like the finest whiskey—just enough spice to make you desire more.

  “I want you,” she moaned against my lips, tugging my bottom lip into her mouth to nip and graze her tongue over.

  I’d grown so damn stiff inside my pants that I could likely hammer a nail into a board. I thrust my covered cock into her, letting her feel what she did to me.

  Isabel pulled back from my caress, long enough to start rambling. “Jack, I-I really like you. If you don’t feel the same, then—"

  Covering her mouth with kisses to keep her from talking nonsense, I kept it up until she stopped trying to talk. With a laugh that rumbled from my chest, I let her go to cage her in, placing both my hands on the window beside her head.

  “What did I say in the beginning?” I’d told her before we started that she’d be mine and I wanted her.

  “That, I-I was your ballerina… but—”

  Shushing her back into quietness, I smirked when she narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re mine now. I never thought I’d have the chance to be with you. That you would ever be interested, but now I know the truth. That you were all along, weren’t you, my ballerina?”

  She squirmed under my watchful gaze. “I did. I wanted you, Jack.”

  “Then what do you say?”

  I waited and watched her as she stood not even an inch away deciding her fate. When her eyes closed and she jumped onto my body like a monkey trying to climb a tree—causing me to rock back on the balls of my feet—I helped her up my body by grabbing handfuls of her firm ass and lifting her to straddle my waist. Her legs locked around my hips, and her lips that were now puffy from all our kissing tracked my jawline.

  “I’m yours, Jack. I’ve liked you from the first day I saw you.” She moaned against my skin.

  Groaning harshly, I walked her out of the small bathroom and over to the bench where I laid her back gently. Her arms and legs fell from my body.