Page 25 of When the Smoke Clears

“Maybe.” Her nose wrinkled. “What are you requesting?”

“Surprise me.”

She lifted the case onto the other end of the table and pulled out the violin. I had never met a violinist before her. It didn’t match the vision I had of the gamer from the previous night. With it tucked under her chin, she began playing. It took only a few seconds for me to recognize the song. “Are you playing ‘Titanic’?”

She rolled her eyes without pausing. “‘My Heart Will Go On.’”

I slowly ate my breakfast, barely tasting it because I was so enamored of her performance. Her body swayed and dipped as she played it flawlessly. Everleigh was fucking amazing.

When she finished, I dropped my fork and clapped as she held the violin in one hand and the bow in the other, taking a dramatic bow. Then she blushed while returning it to its case.

“That was incredible.”

“Thanks.” She averted her gaze for a second. “My paternal grandfather was a conductor, so my dad played, and that’s why he insisted I play.”

“Did your mom make you practice too?”

“Yes.” She latched the case and stepped past me to the counter, where she poured a cup of coffee. “She made me practice violin, and in return, he made me practice ballet since that’s what my mom insisted I do. It was all about them.” She laughed.

“Are you going to pirouette for me?”

She grinned, setting the mug on the table. Then she backed away and raised her arms in front of her, bending at the knees. “Plié,” she said.

I grinned.

She lifted onto her toes. “Relevé.” Then she raised one leg and spun. “Pirouette.” As she came to a stop, she extended her leg behind her and spread her arms like wings. “Arabesque.”

Did ballet turn me on? Apparently. Or at least, Everleigh making it look so easy made my dick hard.

“Come here,” I said.

She dropped her arms, and the big smile on her face softened as she padded her bare feet toward the table.

“You’re incredibly surprising,” I said, pinching a few threads hanging from the leg of her cutoffs.

She clenched her fists at her sides.

“Did you enjoy watching me shower?”

She swallowed hard. “I don’t know what you’re—”

“You do.” I slid my hand along the back of her bare leg. “Why didn’t you join me?”

Again, she made an audible gulp, and her chest rose and fell slowly despite her racing pulse. I dragged my hand to the side of her leg and inched my thumb up her inner thigh.

Her lips parted, eyes closed. My gaze shifted between her face and my hand on her leg, thumb breaching the crotch of her underwear.

Chapter Nine

I shake Everleigh’s hand so long it’s obvious I’m thinking back to our “really good” kind of friendship. She grins, so I clear my throat and let go.

“Did you only tell your mom that I stole your virginity and stepped on your heart? Or did you mention your Peeping Tom episode and how much you enjoyed my fingering you at the kitchen table after you played your violin and danced for me? How when I had second thoughts about it, you grabbed my wrist and begged me to keep going?”

I have to hand it to Everleigh; she’s more controlled than she was when we met in California. She can easily channel Dr. Reichart and deliver her punches as needed.

When she smiles, I prepare for the impact.

“William, now that we’re friends again, you should let me stay in the shed. And if you leave the bathroom door unlocked, I might take a peek or two when the mood strikes. In return, when my mom’s not here, I’ll let you finger me at the breakfast table. Deal?”