Asher spins me in a circle, and to my personal horror, I stumble. Catching myself, I narrow my eyes, my competitive nature roaring to life. I haven't made a mistake on a dance floor since I was a child. "You're alright," I tell him lightly.His chuckle is razor sharp. "Just alright?""Were you trained?" I ask, my feet tapping around his, matching his pace. His palm smooths over my hip, grazing my thigh as he lifts my leg to hook onto his middle. It's not fair that he can throw me off balance with sexy moves like this. I try to maintain a cold expression, but it's impossible when he dips me low, his face inches from mine.His teeth glint in the fairy lights strung above. "I taught myself.""Bullshit," I scoff.The smugness in his laugh creates hot swirls in my heart. "So you are impressed.""Fine, maybe a little."That time, his laugh is warmer—kinder. It coaxes a smile out of me. Hoisting me up to my feet, he holds me close, our bodies swaying in unison. "It should come as no shock th
AsherI've been lucky enough to see many beautiful things in my lifetime. Expert oil paintings, hand crafted statues, flowers that took years to cultivate into a special shade of maroon.Camila outshines all of them.I'm knuckle deep inside of her, my other hand cupping her left breast and teasing her hard nipple. She's mewling beneath me, the sound of it making me wild. My cock is hard enough that it hurts. A moment ago, she was jerking me off through my trunks, but she's too busy coming to do anything but quiver.Turning her brain and body into mush is addicting. She's the strongest, most intelligent woman I've ever known, but in my touch she falls apart. The power of that... it thrills a dark part of my soul, a hungry, primal piece of me that wants to conquer.Camila tries to look at me—her sunglasses are gone, and her face is scrunched up in the sunlight. I lift an arm over her head to create shade, lowering my face to hers in a passionate kiss. This works even better because she
CamilaHe leaps across the room, his reflection copying him in the floor to ceiling mirrors. One spin, a second and a third, before he bends forward, arms stretching long enough they give him the illusion of being taller than he is.When he finishes his last pirouette, Roman faces me with his eyes ablaze. Some of his dark hair is stuck to his forehead.I clap enthusiastically. "That was wonderful, Roman!"His smile deepens his dimples. There's pride on his face, but his voice still has the fragility of an unsure child. "Thanks. But I keep messing up on the pivot.""You'll get it, just keeping trying."Cocking his head, he frowns to himself. Looking in the mirror he does a few quick half-bends, like he's testing my theory. "You're sure that's enough?"Putting my hands on his shoulders from behind, I study our reflections. Roman has changed in a short amount of time. It began the night he was forced to witness his father's death. The kindness that was always in his heart has crawled ful
CamilaThree years laterI'm going to be late!It's the one thing I was dead set on avoiding. I'd looked Asher in the eye this morning, kissing him as I climbed into my car, and assured him I would definitely be on time for our date.How arrogant of me.It's not my fault, the Nutcracker performance is in just two weeks. It's our biggest show and it has to be perfect. It's baffling that in just a few years my studio has blown up to be recognized as the top ballet studio in the state. Maybe the entire coast, though I try not to let my ego get wind of that.But none of that matters. Today is about celebrating my three-year anniversary with Asher.Which is why I should NOT be late. Ugh.Driving through downtown, I take a familiar road that I'd be able to navigate in the dark. Street lamps being out because someone busted the glass with a rock for fun wouldn't be strange—in the past, that is.Big globe lights propped on black poles dot the entire sidewalk, glowing like a row of tiny moons
CamilaNo matter how many times I punch the numbers into the calculator, they just don't add up. How can this be happening? I silently worry, afraid that saying it out loud will make it real. Worse, my mother might hear the frustration in my voice. I can't upset her, not after all we've been through."Come on, come on!" I press the keys harder, hoping for a different result, but it stays the same every time. Over and over.I hit the clear button again and again until the calculator slips from my hand and crashes to the floor of our small office. The room feels even tinier with all the papers scattered around, papers I've never seen before today, and I wonder if my mother ever did."Camila?" My mother, Katinka, asks nervously, reaching across the desk towards me. Her fingers are slender, her nails perfectly kept despite everything. She does them herself, a skill that might be crucial now as I look at these documents..."We're in financial trouble," I say flatly. As I look up from her n
CamilaAdriana hadn’t waited more than five minutes, but the array of empty glasses on her table suggested otherwise.“Camila!” she exclaims, waving energetically for me to join her. Her voice carries, drawing mixed looks from nearby patrons. Not that Adriana doesn’t naturally attract attention with her long red hair, perfect hourglass figure, and adorable freckles that look almost painted on.“Hey, Adriana.” I settle into the chair across from her.Leaning closer, she lowers her voice. “How’s Katinka?”“Mom’s okay.” I grimace, shaking my head and inadvertently whipping my cheeks with my hair. “Actually, no, she’s not. But before I get into that, I need one of those.” I nod at the empty glasses.Adriana signals for the waitress. A petite server in a tight black skirt sways over. A guy tries to grab her, and she deftly elbows him away without breaking stride. I can’t help but laugh. She catches my eye and winks as she approaches. “What can I get you girls?”“Some liquor to get us start
Camila"What's wrong, Camila? You look awful. Are you sick?" My mom's worried voice cuts through my foggy mind. Everything feels slow, like I'm moving through thick syrup, a feeling that's been with me since I woke up from a restless sleep."I'm okay," I insist, trying to shake off her concern.Her narrowed eyes tell me she's not convinced. "Well, pull yourself together. The buyer will be here any minute."Her reminder snaps me awake like a shot of espresso. I straighten up, running my hands over my hair, which is tied back in a simple bun today—partly for a professional look, partly because I didn't have the energy for more this morning.My hangover twists my stomach. But it's the unsettling memory of last night's events that bothers me most.Will it make the news today? Should I have reported it? Deep down, I know getting involved could be risky. But the idea of someone's death going unnoticed by their loved ones doesn't sit right with me."Camila, please, focus," Mom interrupts my
Suddenly, blood rushes in my ears, drowning out Asher’s words as he continues speaking. “It’s unfortunate that you have such a low opinion of me. Let me change that. We’ll be spending a lot of time together as we finalize the contract.”He’s the one! He’s the man who killed that person! My breath catches, and I forget to exhale. Asher squints at me, and an irrational fear grips me—that he’s somehow reading my thoughts.As his hand drops to his side, I follow the movement down to his wrist. He watches me closely. Damn it… Does he recognize me from last night? I ran away as fast as I could…He didn’t see my face… did he?“Mr. Volkov is right, Camila,” Mom intervenes. “Let’s keep things civil. This will benefit all of us, even if it doesn’t seem that way now. It’s a chance for a fresh start. Please.”“Listen to your mother,” he adds with a smirk. “Don’t let your personal desires get in the way of giving your mother the opportunity she deserves.”“It doesn’t matter what I want,” I murmur.