“She needs to get rid of the prima donna attitude and practice, or the director is going to question our place in the company. I’ve worked too hard to go back now.” His words slice into me, full of painful understanding before he tosses in a quick “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I pretend they don’t hurt. That they’re a scratch, not something that pierces deep. “I get it.”
“I knew you would,” he says, his hand finding the hem of my shirt. The hard-on beneath my ass is a not-so-subtle clue where he wants this to go.
“Blake…” I begin as he lifts my shirt over my head.
Shivering in my bra, I watch him take off his own shirt, his abs drawing my attention.
Damn.
“I know we both have long days ahead, baby, but I’ll make it quick.” He says it like he doesn’t always make it quick. He nudges me off him so he can remove his sweats. His erection springs free, and he grips it immediately, giving it a few tugs for emphasis. Then he guides my hand along his silken length.
Up and down. Up and down.
He groans, hips arching up into my hand. “I need this so bad.”
Blake is beautiful. Renowned. The first time I saw him dance, he captivated me. I was still in the corps back then, and when his eyes met mine, it was as if he danced just for me. Of all the girls there, this rising star wanted my number. Wantedme.
I rub my thumb over the head of his cock, still miles away in the memory of how it felt to have him fawn over me afterhours.
My body should warm at the memory, but my veins chill. I should be into this. Instead, I just follow his rhythm, and he releases his grasp. He doesn’t kiss me, doesn’t look at me. Not really. It’s like I’m not even here. Like this is less about us and more about stroking his bruised ego.
Years later, this is still the only thing we do together. A quick release and an even quicker goodbye.
I stop my hand, and Blake hisses. “Baby, I’m so close. Don’t stop.”
“Why don’t we ever do anything outside ofthis?” My gaze drops down to his weeping erection, his chest heaving as he catches his breath. “Are you ashamed of me or something?”
“Why would you even think that?” He frowns, then cocks his head to one side. “You’re incredible, but you know why we chose to keep things a secret.”
“I know wedid, but why now?” My voice shakes. “We haven’t been at the company together for months. There’s no reason to keep things under wraps.”
This probably isn’t how Dr. Tanner would suggest I go about this, but right now, I’m too rattled to care.
“You’re right. There is no reason,” he agrees, shaking his head quickly. “How about I take you out after the showcase? I’ll text you where to meet me at the theater when I’m done, and we’ll go on a real date.”
“Really?”
“We’ll be dressed up anyway. Might as well take my girl out.” He flashes me a brilliant smile.
My girl.
My chest unclenches. “I’m sorry for overreacting.”
I’m so stupid.I make a mental note to talk about my irrational insecurities at my next session with Dr. Tanner.
“No need to be sorry,” he says, brushing my embarrassment away.
The vision of Blake pulling me into his arms after the showcase and kissing me in front of the company glides through my mind. No more hiding. No more secret rendezvous. He’d take me around, introduce me as his girlfriend to the Institute’s benefactors as they greeted him. Then we’d spend the night dining and drinking and dancing. The next up-and-coming ballet power couple.
Blake’s cock presses against my stomach. Guess I shouldn’t leave him hanging. He is finally giving me what I want, even if the conversation to get there was a bit more awkward than I’d anticipated.
I grip around his shaft, and he jerks in surprise. “Damn, baby, your hand is freezing.”
“Sorry,” I say quickly, inspecting my hand. A few tiny white flecks drift onto my shoulder…
“You really shouldn’t leave your thermostat so low in winter,” Blake says, rubbing his hands together and blowing betweenthem before encircling my own a few times. “I know they are calling for early spring, but the temperature drops at night.”
