I nod, thinking that makes sense. “Why do you think I can do this even though I have no experience?” I ask him, needing someone to believe in me, because right now I’m starting to doubt myself.
His hand cups the side of my face tenderly. “I see the determination in your eyes.”
The crash of another locker door breaks me from the trance Asher has me in, and I take a deliberate step away from him.
One of the girls I met yesterday, Becky, is checking out her reflection in the mirror of her locker. She smirks when she sees Asher standing beside me. She walks right up to him and places a hand on his chest playfully. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be in here, Asher,” she says flirtatiously. She’s one of those girls who has confidence in droves.
I can’t help but glare at her. As much as I wish I could be more like her, I want to know why she thinks she can touch him.
“That’s my cue to leave.” He smiles at me. “Need anything, call me. My number is in your phone.”
I look him over, wondering what he’s going on about, but maybe it’s a ploy to get extra-flirty Becky to stop touching him. “Thanks,” I respond, even though I have no intention of calling him ever.
“I didn’t really mean to scare you away, Asher. You can stay while we change, I’m sure.” She looks at me. “What’s your name again?”
“Princess.” I grin back at her, using the stupid name he’s given me. Maybe he’s right and I don’t really want these people to know the real me. This is just like in school when I used to take part in the plays. I’m just playing a role.
“I’m sure Princess won’t mind.” She flutters her extra-long lashes at him as she stares up at him, all dreamy.
He smiles at her, but it’s not the same smile he has for me, it’s more forced. “Another time maybe.” He winks in my direction and then moves out of her grip on him and leaves the room.
I turn back to my locker, smirking stupidly to myself. I have no idea why, but watching him shut her down was a little too much fun.
“Your loss, baby,” she calls after him. But he’s long gone. Probably running in the other direction if he’s smart. Becky looks like the kind of girl who eats men alive. And I have to wonder if that’s what it takes to be a dancer in this club.
I place the tiara back in my locker and quickly check my phone, curiosity getting the better of me after he said I have his number, and I know that’s not possible because I didn’t put it in there. I search through my contacts. And sure enough, the name Asher Stryker is in there, and so is Cruz Stryker. What on earth? How did they get their numbers in my phone? It was literally by my side all night, and my door was locked. I made sure of it, but this is weird, and so is Cruz knowing my Instagram account. Something in the pit of my stomach tells me those sneaky bastards snuck into my room and meddled with my phone while I was fast asleep. I shake that thought off, trying not to dwell on it too much when I have work to focus on. I close my locker with my purse and phone inside and head out to the main stage.
Becky runs to catch up with me. Placing a hand on my shoulder, she leans in. “You have Asher’s number?” she squeals, way too excited. “We just have to be friends.” She claps.
“No, he was just joking.”
She looks instantly disappointed. “That’s a damn shame. He’s the kind of guy that looks like fun, right?”
I shrug. “Maybe?” I try to act uninterested when really, I’m right there with her. He looks like fun, and so much trouble.
She links her arm with mine. “He is. And I thinkweshould pursue him.”
I unlink my arm. What does she meanwe. “He’s all yours, Becky.”
“Your loss.” She smirks in a way that almost makes me feel sorry for Asher.
Paige takes the stage, clapping her hands. “Okay, ladies, paying attention. We have a lot to get through this morning if you’re going to be working this stage by Friday,” she announces.
I dedicate my focus to Paige and the moves she is showing us up on the center stage. But I would be a liar if I said a part of me isn’tstill lost in everything that happened this morning, everything Asher Stryker. I know it’s a terrible idea to be thinking about him at all, but there is this sweetness to him that captivates me and makes me want to know more. And a sexiness that has my heart doing stupid things. Yep, it’s decided. I need to stay as far away from him as possible. Asher might be hot as hell, but he’s dangerous in more ways than one.
Chapter 9
You Don’t Own Me
WhitneyHouston’s“HowWillI Know” plays through my ears as I turn the key Sloane gave me in the lock to her apartment. I danced my ass off with the other two trainees for hours, and I’m shattered but honestly happier than I have been in so damn long. I flinch when I find Cruz waiting for me. Like literally staring at me as I open the door. His shirt is nowhere to be seen; he’s just in low-slung workout shorts that show that deep V thing guys have. His chest is glistening with sweat, and I have to avert my gaze to stop from staring back at him. What a sightto come home to!
I fake a smile as I walk past him and into the kitchen for an ice-cold drink of water. As soon as my class finished, I rushed out of The Raven’s Nest before Asher could stop me and jumped on the first bus. I was not riding in his fancy sports car again, and I just had this feeling he was going to make up any excuse to make sure I did. I’m a hot, sweaty mess now, though. Paige’s dance classes are grueling, not that I’m complaining. I’m actually loving it, getting fit again and kind of making friends with her and even Becky.
Cruz follows me into the kitchen, taking a seat at the island counter. He’s the last person I want to deal with right now. I’m killing for a shower, some of last night’s leftover pizza, and maybe even an afternoon nap. I turn back to look at him, popping my headphones off my ears and onto my neck because clearly, he wants to chat. “Did you need something?” I ask, not sure why he followed me in here.
His stormy eyes dance with delight as they scan all the way down my body, his lips twisting up in that way they do, that intriguing way that holds my attention, and he knows it. “How was your day?”
“It was okay.” I give him a puzzled look, wondering why he’s being so weird right now. “How was your day?” I ask back because he’s still staring at me.
