Page 81 of Controlled

The light breeze was chilly enough that even in my sweat gear I folded my arms across my chest and headed to the far side of the deck. I also hadn’t paid any attention to the insanely gorgeous pool and outdoor kitchen, complete with a real tiki hut. There were various vividly colored umbrellas and matching lounge chairs with pillows. It was crazy, but I could envision a birthday party for a little girl or boy. I could almost hear the laughter and cries of a bunch of kids enjoying a gorgeous afternoon in the pool while their parents sipped on adult libations.

At least I could smile at the thought. I doubted that Creed was the kind of man who could ever understand how important it was to have a close family. What was I saying? I wouldn’t know. The only time I’d ever felt close to my mother was when she had me coiffed and looking perfect while standing in front of a camera and her adorning fans.

Thoughts and images rushed into my mind, including about my mother. He’d allowed me to call and confirm she was safe in a new place, one I’d heard of but would never have been able to afford without his help. Help? He’d taken a huge burden off me, but he was almost as angry with the way my mother had treated me as I was with his father. We were two strange birds, our upbringings not the best.

I felt a presence behind me a few seconds later and was shocked how excited I was instantly, eager to see a man I should hate. When I turned around to see Christen standing in the doorway, I was certain he was planning on chastising me for disobeying some unknown rule.

“Yes?” I asked, the defiance in my voice dripping.

“Something arrived for you. It’s in the kitchen.”

He studied me intently before backing away, saying nothing else.

I waited a couple of seconds before heading back inside, immediately shocked to see my favorite color roses in yet another gorgeous vase. The scent rocked the entire room, the sweet thought adding tingles to my system.

There was a note on a gold foil package, the huge iris-colored bow adding a stunning touch. I took a few seconds before racing toward the items like a kid on Christmas morning. The card was written in calligraphy, another step in Creed’s determination to seduce and own me.

I hope this makes up for what I almost ruined last night.

I need you to dance for me, perfect dancer.

You drive the demons away.

It’s time to enter your new world at the end of the hall.

Your presence is requested.

Do not wait for my return.

Feel free, my little butterfly.

You remain on my mind…

Always yours

Creed

His almost apology was heartfelt, but the man wasn’t certain how to react to guilt or misunderstandings, which is why he remained so volatile. And I honestly had no idea what to make of the gesture. Was this some crazy aspect of mind control? I rubbed my fingers on the bow before a grin slipped across my face and I ripped into the package, unable to help myself.

When I opened the box, I laughed at first because they were so beautiful. Red toe shoes.

They reminded me of the ruby slippers that allowed a girl and her dog to return home to Kansas once upon a time. I chewed on my lip as I continued to hold them in my hands. The crazy thing was that I was wearing dance clothes under a pair of sweatpants, longing to be able to dance my sins and my anxiety away. In another small box were the wraps I needed and a cotton pad for my toes. He’d researched everything, including my size.

With the shoes in my hand, I raced from the kitchen, trying to remember how I’d gotten to the blocked off room in the first place. When I noticed the closed door at the end of the hall, I stopped short, listening for any sounds.

There was nothing but the same silence that had greeted me the moment he’d walked outside of the house. I took tentative steps at first, finally lunging toward the door in seconds. When I opened it, I couldn’t have been more shocked.

He’d turned what had to be three rooms into a very large dance studio, two walls covered with mirrors and ballet bars. One housed the same style of oversized windows as every other room in the house and the other held bookshelves with music, a stereo system, and backed a gorgeous Steinway piano. The floor was perfect and I ripped off my shoes, walking barefoot across the floor before spinning around in glee.

Was it so wrong of me to enjoy the fact he wanted to provide me with everything I needed?

He’s a madman. You can’t forget that.

My inner voice would need to poke me now, reminding me of all the bad things, just like she’d done when I was a child.

If only you could make straight A’s, she’d love you.

If only you were pretty like her, then she’d love you.

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