Taking a deep breath, I follow the music, trying to perfect my moves and ensure my feet are in the right position, especially when I’m off the ground. I need to show my students that hard work does pay off.
I get lost in my work, in my passion, and even as I hear the door open and close, the bell rings, I don’t stop. This is too important, though knowing my luck, it’ll be my sister who's just walked in.
The music picks up, and I follow it, pushing my arms forward while keeping a pained expression on my face before I quickly pull them back into my body. I twist and go into anentrechatbefore landing in the perfect position. Without missing a beat, I go into a spin, and my heart rate picks up, confusing me and I slow the spin feeling off kilter. I end in my starting pose and breathe heavily as the music quiets before my stomach tightens, the presence behind me making me tense.
“Wow,” a deep voice rumbles through my studio, and my body tingles making me swallow my gasp.
I look into the mirror sharply and lock eyes with the darkest brown eyes I have ever seen and instantly, I’m entranced as I take the man in. His black hair is short at the back and sides, while the top is in a man bun that suits him. His shirt stretches across his muscular chest, showcasing his muscles that every woman would dream of running their fingers over. His cut, that’s what my dad called it, hugs his broad shoulders.
He’s, yeah, he’s all man, but it’s his eyes that have me entranced. His eyes that I am currently getting lost in, the dark brown that are full of pain, pulling me in.
The man tilts his head, his brown eyes assessing me before he rasps, “You were born to dance,” and I swallow hard.
“Thanks, I think,” I mutter, not really knowing what to say or do.
I know who he is, Cage, the biker my dad told me to stay away from yesterday. The biker I wanted nothing more than to follow, which completely confused me.
He half smiles, causing his face to light up a little, and my heart does a little leap.
Uh oh.
Clearing my throat, I break eye contact and walk over to my bag and grab my water.
He has me completely jittery. I feel excited and nervous when he’s near, and I don’t know if he feels the same connection between us, but I know one thing, it scares me, especially when I don’t even know why he is here.
"You come to join the ballet?" I ask, not knowing what to say.
He snorts, “Little bird, I’d probably end up breaking your mirror,” and I look back at him again.
“Little bird?” I ask and he half smiles again.
Damn, I like that half smile.
“It suits you,” he whispers and I swallow again before he admits, “Your dad came to visit me.”
I look at him, shocked and, honestly, a little embarrassed, I mean, huh?
“My dad?” I confirm and he hums.
"I've known your dad since the day I was born," he says, "He was close to mine and would have become a brother had he not met your mom in college."
I blink. I never knew that…
“I don’t think I could picture my dad as a biker,” I mumble and he chuckles, the sound going straight through me.
"He’d make an amazing brother," he grunts then admits, "He thinks I should take you out on a date…"
I’m sorry, what?
I blink, then blink again, before I shake my head because no, there is no way my dad would, no…. That is just confusing, I’m confused. Yesterday, Dad told me to stay clear, and then what? He went to see the biker straight after we finished eating and told him to ask me out.
Because that isn’t embarrassing or anything.
Clearing my throat, a wave of unease hits me as I remember my dad’s weird behavior after he disappeared yesterday and I say, “I don’t think that would be a good idea,” my voice tight, before I walk over to my clipboard to get ready for my little ones to come.
“Why, because I’m a biker?” he asks.
He’s not angry, he’s almost in awe, which just confuses me even more.
