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CHAPTER 16
Last Updated:
2023-07-19 00:04:11Related chapters
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 17
The bathroom was so thick with steam that her dress was damp and her hair heavy with moisture. Blaze stood and used her hand to clean condensation from the mirror. The face staring back at her was tight with confusion and so much guilt.“Don’t push me away,” she murmured again, thinking of Fabien. “Don’t leave me alone…” Blaze pulled off her dress, letting it drop to the floor. She stepped under the shower and thrust her head beneath it, lifting her face into the flow. For long seconds, she let the water sluice over her. Then, Blaze reached for the soap and began to wash her body. Her breasts tightened as she smoothed her hands filled with soap across them and she remembered Fabien’s touch on her skin. She washed the
Last Updated : 2023-07-20LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 18
Fabien looked at Blaze, then turned to Marlena.“The only thing we have left to discuss is your start date,” he said. Blaze crossed to her bed, sitting on the edge to pull on her socks and boots. Her hands were shaking. She took a deep breath to steady herself.“I am not working, Fabien, so it is up to you,” Marlena replied.“Well, the sooner the better for me… I really need your help.” Those words made Blaze grit her teeth. ‘Her help? Wasn’t I helping you?’ She wanted to pick up her boot and throw it across the room at him. But this wasn’t the time or the place to act like a jealous girlfr
Last Updated : 2023-07-21LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 19
He shot Blaze an apologetic look and she smiled faintly.“So, Blaze… How are you finding Fabien’s new apartment?”“Uhm… it’s nice. I mean, I didn’t see his old one, so I can’t compare, obviously. But this one is very nice. Lots of space. Well, you’ve seen it, so I guess you’re agreeing with me on this one,” Blaze replied.“I’m glad you find it nice. Me? I wouldn’t know,” Willow said, nudging Fabien in the ribs with her elbow. “My brother hasn’t invited me yet. How long has it been now, Fabien?”“A few weeks, Willa,” Fabien answered repressively. Willow raised an eyebrow and moved to the cutting board.“Hmmm… Did you look at those course brochures I gave you the other night?” she asked as s
Last Updated : 2023-07-21LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 20
Blaze pulled on her new pajamas when she got home and curled up on the couch to wait for Fabien’s arrival. She’d hated leaving before him, but it had quickly become clear that it would be easier for both Willow and Fabien if she were gone. Fabien’s sister didn’t like her. Blaze had had people not like her before: temperamental choreographers, ambitious dancers keen to destroy her reputation and grab hold of her position, angry ex-lovers, irritated by her independence, her strong will, or her choices. So, it wasn’t as though being the object of someone’s hostility was new to her. Still, Blaze was surprised by how much Willow’s aggressive reaction hurt. She’d wanted so much for Fabien’s family to like her. Over the years, she’d often heard him talk about ‘Willa’. For some reason, they had never run into each other until now. However, Blaze had always imagined that if ever they did meet, the connection between them would be as effortless and instan
Last Updated : 2023-07-22LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 21
Fabien knew exactly what he was missing. Aware that Marlena was due to arrive at any moment, he finished eating, then crossed to his work area to set up his equipment and turn on the extra heater. Blaze began to clean the kitchen, once again humming beneath her breath.“I was thinking that maybe... I could call Willow today… I would love to thank her for dinner,” Blaze said after a while. He glanced up from his sketch pad.“Probably not a great idea, Blaze,” he told her.“Oh…” She straightened the salt and pepper shakers on the table.“Maybe… Maybe I could buy Margot a gift, then?”“To be honest, I think it’s probably best to just let Willow find her balance.”“I see… She really doesn’t like me, does she?” Fabien considered lying, but they’d both been there last night.“My sister doesn’t know you yet. What happened last night was about me not telling her something she felt she had a right to know before anyone else, since she’s my flesh
Last Updated : 2023-07-22LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 22
Blaze ended the call and returned to her position on the couch next to Margot. Once again, the little girl didn’t acknowledge her presence in any way. Blaze stared blindly at the television. Her heart was banging against her rib cage as though she’d just danced a solo. Because Fabien called? Because he’d said nice things to her and made her think about things it was best she never thought about again? A grinding, clicking noise drew her attention back to the television. The picture was flashing off and on, the image distorted into pixels. She was reaching for the remote control when the machine gave a final mechanical groan and the picture died altogether, the screen cutting to blue.“Oh, no… no... no...” she murmured.
Last Updated : 2023-07-23LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 23
Willow looked relieved as she turned to Fabien. “Thank you for today. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I feel like I have been saying that to you a lot lately.” “You don’t have to, Willa… You are my family… You know I’m happy to help you in any way I can,” he said. “Still. You have stepped in for us too many times. And I have been pulling my hair out too often. Grant and I will be having some serious talks tonight,” Willow said solemnly. “Perhaps it is time for him to change his job.” Fabien knew that Grant and Willow had been walking a fine line the past few years, trying to balance the demands of Grant’s high-paying job with the demands of home. They needed the extra income to fund Margot’s early intervention therapies, but Willow was clearly reaching the end of her endurance in her r
Last Updated : 2023-07-24LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 24
Fabien stiffened with shock as Blaze suddenly shot to her feet. What was going on with her? He could see tears in her eyes and saw her pressing a hand to her mouth. Then Blaze began pushing her way past the people seated beside her until she gained the aisle.“Blaze!” Fabien called after her, but Blaze broke into a run as she raced for the exit. The people sitting around them stirred, annoyed by the interruption. Fabien scooped up Blaze’s coat and handbag and excused his way to the aisle. By the time he’d gained the dress circle landing, Blaze was halfway down the stairs to the foyer. Fabien took off after her, barreling out into the Paris night. He stood
Last Updated : 2023-07-25
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LOOK ME IN THE HEART EMMA'S NOTE
Hey, Y'all!!!! This is it!!!! The love story of Blaze and Fabien stops here for us, but somewhere, far away from here, far away from our eyes, their story goes on and on. I must say that mixing two of my passions (writing and dancing) to create this story was beautiful, frustrating... unique. I did so much research for this story, like never before. And I hope every single detail helped you understand better certain terms. I also loved mixing French. I'm in love with Paris, I'm in love with everything French (I'm sure you got this by now...) :)))) I want to thank you all for everything you've done to keep this book relevant, and to motivate me to keep writing it. Thank you so much for your gems, your comments, and your PMs asking me questions about it, about ballet and even asking me to help you with your French. :)))) It was so much fun!!!!! Well, see you soon with a new story! (Yes I'm already working on it!) Until next time... Baci & Abbracci, Emma.
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 39
Fabien was about to kiss her again when the sound of a clearing throat alerted them to the fact that they had an audience. They glanced up, registering the circle of very curious art lovers surrounding them. Willow stepped forward, one eyebrow raised.“I think the Americans have a phrase for this, if I’m not mistaken?” she said. “Get a room? Am I right?”“Not a room… but a house. I’m taking my woman home with me. I’m taking her where she belongs…” Fabien threw back his head and laughed. It was the best sound Blaze had ever heard in her life, but suddenly tears were squeezing from beneath her eyelids and running down her face. Fabien’s smile faded and he reached out to cup her cheek.“Chérie, what’s wrong? Please, don’t cry,” he said slowly.“I’m so sorry, Fab…” she whispered. “I’m so sorry for not understanding sooner. For not seeing. All those times I climbed into your bed. All those times I bitched to you about my boyfriends… While you… You…”
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 38
The crowd parted before Fabien, people smiling and watching him avidly as he passed. Without even seeing his work, Blaze understood that he was a hit. Fabien was now the hottest thing in town. People watched him as if he was a rockstar or something.“Fabien, people are staring at us…” she said, smiling a bit embarrassed to the guests around them.“I don’t care, chérie. Let them stare,” Fabien replied still towing her behind him.“You are the star of the evening. This show is important to you. Please, don’t create a fuss right now. Whatever it is you can show me later.”“None of this would exist without you, Blaze. I need to know what you think. I need to know it right away,” he insisted. Then, a man stepped to one side and Blaze saw the first sculpture: a ballerina arching forward in a perfect arabesque, the muscles of her slim frame straining. Her face was lifted, her expression serene, as though she was exactly where she needed to be. An angel dancing i
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 37
Willow was openmouthed with shock.“You sent Blaze away?” she asked, her voice rising on a high note of incredulity. “Why? I don’t understand… You wanted her in your life… You love her since forever… I don’t get it. Why did you do that?” Fabien sighed.“The day I helped you and Grant move the furniture, I came back home and I found her sitting on the floor, having a panic attack… She was looking so lost, so… in pain… She was dying in front of me, Willa! I had to help her. I had to find a way to bring her to life. So, I found a way for her to dance again.”“Okay, but you pushed her away… to another country! And then you told her not to come back?” Her face was creased with confusi
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 36
Her voice was quiet and low. Fabien imagined her sitting in her hotel room, her beautiful face crumpled with confusion. But he knew that any hurt Blaze was feeling would soon pass. She had a second chance at her career. The few weeks they’d had together would soon fade into insignificance as she lost herself in her craft again. If they’d ever had any significance in the first place. As Willow had so eloquently pointed out, Blaze needing him while he loved her was not a recipe for success. One of these things was definitely not like the other.“‘Fab… Please, talk to me…’”“I’ll never forget a single moment I spent with you, Blaze. But we both know it only happened between us because of what was going on in your life. Let&rsq
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 35
Fabien Mason Lévy… the most wonderful man on the planet. She’d thought she’d known him, top to bottom, inside out when she lived with him ten years ago. She never allowed herself to see more than a friend in him. And now, she couldn’t see herself living without him. He was the love of her life. Her heart knew that truth since the first moment she’d met Fabien, but her mind has always been filled with nothing more than dancing. For a long time, ballet was her only love. Yes, she was head over heels in love with Fabien and Blaze liked nothing better than to say it to him, but maybe it wasn’t the right time… She didn’t want Fabien t
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 34
Fabien decided to walk home rather than take the metro. Buds were starting to appear on the trees lining the Seine, and there was a definite hint of warmth in the air. Winter was drawing to a close, and soon it would be spring. The tourists would flood back into the city, and the streets would be full of bikes and pedestrians. Would Blaze be here to see it? Would she be here to take a walk with him? To have a picnic together? He wanted to pin her down so badly it hurt. Fabien wanted to declare himself and commit himself and have her do the same, to end the doubt and uncertainty forever. Ten years with her in his mind and in his heart. Ten years he’d been waiting for Blaze. Eight years without seeing her, without touching her. Now Fabien had her in his bed, in his life, and he wanted to keep her there forever. Fabien stopped on the small pedestrian bridge. Someone was playing ‘La Vie en Rose’ for
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 33
The next morning, Blaze rolled over in bed and felt the coolness of empty sheets beside her. Already half awake, she sat up with a frown and stared at the indentation Fabien’s head had left in the pillow next to hers. Blaze felt strange chills running down her spine. She hadn’t heard Fabien getting up. Somehow, she couldn’t understand how or why, she felt ridiculously cheated. Lingering between the sheets in the morning with her head on his strong chest, his hands moving in slow circles on her back, the soothing sound of him breathing, was one of the highlights of the day. Inevitably, they wound up making l
LOOK ME IN THE HEART CHAPTER 32
She couldn’t help but laugh.“Not me, silly. Real people. Tourists,” she told him. Blaze bit her lip again and moaned as he upped the pace.“I guess we’d better be quick then,” Fabien replied. Useless to pretend that the danger, the illicit nature of what they were doing wasn’t a turn-on. Desire built inside her and Blaze gasped as her climax hit her. Fabien kissed her, swallowing her small cry. By the time the tourists arrived at the fountain, he’d buttoned her jeans again and she had her flushed face pressed against his neck.“Don’t think there won’t be payback…” she said, still excited, when the tourists had gone. “Sleep with one eye open,
