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My eyes blinked rapidly. Not comprehending what they saw. My hand gripped the door handle so tight it began to hurt, but my legs were frozen in time. A wave of lightheadedness hit me like an arctic breeze, my body shivered. The moment seemed to stretch out for eternity.
His dark brown eyes bored into my wide-open blue ones. My heart hammered in my chest and the urge to flee raced through every single fiber in my body.
I clenched my eyes shut and took a small step backward. I could just leave now. Screw Marco and screw him.
“Don’t go, Sydney. Please.” His deep drawl washed over me, leaving a wake of goose flesh. My body trembled, and I began to shake my head.
This could not be happening. There was no way that after all this time he was here.
No way.
Marco’s deep voice in the hall had me snapping out of my thoughts and moving into the room. I shut the door behind me and leaned against it. My eyes peeled wide as I stared at him.
Garret James.
He was leaning almost casually against the red vinyl sofa, his large arms folded across his solid chest. He had grown into a man since the last time I had seen him. Jesus, it hurt to look at him. Garret stood at around six foot three, his dark hair a slight mess as it always had been. Strong jaw covered in stubble and dark lips pressed tight. He was anything but relaxed. His long legs encased in dark denim, his parents would not approve of such casual wear, were crossed at the ankles. His presence was very much felt when he was in a room.
But why was he here in this one, with me?
I tried my hardest to keep my gaze from sweeping over him. I wanted to memorize every inch incase this was the last time I saw him. A small smile tugged at his lips which told me I had failed to be discreet. Butterflies took flight in my belly and tears pricked at my eyes. I couldn’t be happy to see him, I just couldn’t. Him being here meant way more than he would understand and I really hoped that he hadn’t found out about my secret.
“Tiny Dancer,” the whisper flew across the room and caressed my skin, soft, familiar and warm. My eyes fell shut as I inhaled, pictures of my younger days at Garret’s side flooded my mind. We smiled, we laughed, we loved.
Rejection.
The familiar burn began to build up low in the pit of my stomach. The heat that engulfed my cheeks would be visible, but I didn’t care. I wanted Garret to see what he did to me. What they did to me. A small tear slipped from the corner of my eye just before I opened them and looked at him once again.
He winced and looked away. I didn’t wipe at it, I wanted him to see it.
“What are you doin’ here, Garret?” It was a valid question, one that I needed the answer to. The answer would tell me how much he knew and what action I really needed to take.
“I came to find you, Sydney. Jesus, it’s fucking great to lay eyes on you. Look at you.” His hand waved up and down at my body, I felt small and not at all as special as he once made me feel. I honed my body with hours of dance, hours of working out in my tiny apartment with whatever I had available. The stairs in our apartment building made for a great work out, I ran them every day for a solid hour, Sam cheering me on.
Oh, God. Sam.
I ducked my head, a cool wave washed over me, and I struggled to suck in a breath. He couldn’t take Sam from me, he was all I had.
My hands tingled as I wiped them on the soft tulle of my skirt. I had to put on my game face, but I was worried that he would see through it like he always did.
“I’m not dancing for you,” I spoke to the floor. Garret’s chuckle made me lift my head and meet his eyes. Damn him. A shiver raced down my spine, so I averted my gaze. I most definitely was not reacting to his nearness that was not wise.
“You’ll dance for me, Tiny Dancer. Like you always did.” I slammed my eyes shut trying my hardest to push my thoughts from my head. Images of Garret and I wanted to fill my mind, wanted me to remember, but I refused them. “Why don’t you come a little closer?” I heard to same casual tone in his voice he always used on me. He wanted to get his way, so he spoke in this tone that seemed to melt me on the spot. I shook my head, letting my eye settle back on him.
“Sydney, there are cameras in here. You’re going to have to dance, sweetheart. Or Marco will come in. And trust me, we both don’t want that.” Garret pushed off the back of the couch and took a few steps in my direction.
“I’ve never danced in here.” I wasn’t sure why I had the urge to defend my own honor, Garret smiled widely and held out his hand as he approached. His long steady fingers, I itched to touch them. His strong warm hand, my body ached to have it slide over every inch. I rubbed my thighs together and slowly so slowly let my hand reach for his.
“Get up there so we can get out of here.” My hand slid into his, electricity raced up my arm and landed straight in my heart. No one ever set my body on fire like Garret. And I had to be smart enough to not let him do it again. There was no way he could know, no way his parents could ever find out. Because if I knew one thing, that was that the James’s would never let one of their own be brought up by trailer trash like me.
SHE STOOD IN THE MIDDLE of the stage, the room was silent and just as I was about to ask her if she wanted me to play music on my phone, she started to move.
Her back arched as she slid her hands over her ribs. She extended her long legs and she got lost to whatever song she had in her head. Her body swayed sensually with the beat. It was enticing and an absolute fucking turn on.
My body ached as I watched her dance for me. It was so much more than anything else she had ever given me. Gone were the sly giggling glances as she tried her hardest to not smile. Her body worked on auto pilot, and her mind followed.
Sydney Groves was utterly jaw-dropping.
Every single dollar I had given that slime ball was worth it. I would pay twice as much for just a glimpse of her filled with her passion and pride as she raged internally because I was here.
Ballet had never fascinated me, I had never been to one, other than the shows Sydney used to put on. But I would watch Sydney all day every day. There was something about her.
I stood from where I had sat on the sofa and moved quietly to get up on the stage.
Fuck she was amazing. The downlights shone on her pale hair, still nearly white like a dove. The silky dew that began to coat her body made every move and bend so much more torturous than she intended. Pride seeped into my heart and I stood tall as I watched her perfect every single move she had struggled with right before me.
Heat bloomed in my chest for her and a smile tugged at my lips. Desire coursed through every vein in my body and I wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch her.
When her body stilled, and she paused, her eyes still closed I moved in close. Her breath hitched, she knew I was near.
My eyes scanned every delicate detail that I had missed for years, yearned for even. Slowly she lowered herself down onto her feet and let her eyes open.
I wanted to tell her how absolutely beautiful she was, but words got stuck in my throat. I lifted my hands to her sides, letting them slide over the delicate lace and silk that she was covered in. A sigh escaped her lips and her eyes softened.
“We need to talk.” I dropped my lips to hers. Her warm breath fluttered against my lips moments before she let me kiss her like I always had. My hand went to the side of her face, I pried her lips open and angled her head. It was fucking beautiful. Her tongue peeked out to caress mine, softly, gently.
Electricity shot through my body and a warmth filled my veins that I hadn’t experienced in way too long. Kissing Sydney was like nothing else. It was a thrill all on its own, one I could easily get addicted to. Her arms moved around my back and she tugged me closer. Our mouths dueling for control as we kissed like we were starving. I was, had been for five years. I had never pressed these lips to another person’s since hers.
I wanted to devour every single inch of her perfect little body.
“Garret.” She mewled against my mouth as I pulled away letting my lips travel down her slender neck. “Not here.” Her words broke through my haze and I managed to pull my lips from her enticing skin. I dropped my arms around her waist and tugged her up tight against me, letting her feel what she did to me.
“Where then?” I asked.
She glanced away, her eyes landing on the door.
“Sydney?”
“Garret. There is something I need to tell you.” Pink blossomed on her cheek, I gently rubbed at it with my finger. God she was soft.
“Will you come with me now?”
A heavy knock landed on the door and we both froze. Sydney moved first and pried herself from my grip before stepping back and dusting off her skirt. I turned toward the door just as Marco walked through.
His eyes on Sydney the whole time, I stepped in front of her not liking the way he lingered on certain parts for too long. If anyone was to be admiring her it was me, not him, not anyone.
“Can I help you?” I folded my arms over my chest and narrowed my gaze at him. I didn’t care who Marco was I would fight him for what was mine.
Marco reeled back a little at my words.
“Excuse me.” He frowned, trying to see around me.
“Don’t look at her.” I snapped. Sydney stepped closer the heat of a hand landing on my lower back, steadying me.
“I own her, Bucko. Ain’t fuck all you can do about it. You’ve had your fun, now it’s time to leave. Sydney has other clients.” I sucked in a breath, something ugly churning in my stomach. Her hand slid up between my shoulder blades her finger tips pressing firmly into my tight skin. She was reassuring me, and I fucking liked that a lot.
“How much to buy her?” She wasn’t for fucking sale, she was a free person who should walk out on his ass. But if I had to play this charade to get her out of this building then I damn well would.
Marco scoffed a little then rubbed his hands together. “For the night?”
“I am not a prostitute.” Sydney stepped around me and nailed Marco with a glare. “I am not yours to sell.” Her shoulders began to shake, and she balled her small hands into fists, my girl was still feisty.
“You forget too easily where you come from. I can make sure you end up right back there. Your kid too.” He smirked but my heart sank.
Sydney’s breath caught and then she was running across the room and slamming the door shut. I moved off the stage and stopped in front of Marco, I didn’t give a shit who he was no one threatened what was mine.
“I think you just lost your star dancer.” I smirked as I stopped in front of the short man. I could easily overpower him, but I wanted to just walk out of here with Sydney and not cause any more drama.
“I don’t think so. She’ll be back, she can’t afford to leave, I make sure of that.”
“Then you don’t know who I am and what I wouldn’t do for her.” His brow furrowed at my words. “That woman is mine, you mess with her or my child again and I will take you down Marco DeVito. You are not the only person who has connections.” I didn’t have to time to waste on him I ran out into the hall to try to track Sydney down. She couldn’t have gotten far, and we needed to fucking talk.