Page 49 of Casino King

“Not one like me.” He smirks, making me laugh at his cockiness.

“I’m more than sure he’s not like you. He’s an accountant.”

“Oh,” he scoffs. “How boring.”

“Yes, not as exciting as following around some random woman, but…” I shrug.

“You’re hardly random. You’re the boss’s girl. That means something.”

“The boss’s girl?” I question, pausing at that phrasing.

I like the way it sounds, but I don’t take Alec as a man who labels his relationships with his women. He wants me, yes. But beyond our powerful chemistry…I don’t know what he’s thinking. He’s still too much of a mystery for me to even have a semblance of an idea as to what he’s thinking in terms of me and him, long term.

“What’s that look for?” Enzo tilts his head to study me.

“Nothing,” I say quickly, schooling my emotions. “I have to go home to grab the clothes I’ll need for class.”

“Alright.” He nods, holding the door open for me.

Chapter 16

Tessa

“Thanks, Miss Tessa,” Emily says in her cute little high-pitched voice.

I smile down at her. “You’re welcome, sweetie. See you next week.”

“See you!” she exclaims, running over to her mom.

I smile at the rest of the kids as they change their shoes and meet their parents out front. I’ll admit that this was way more fun than working the lunch shift at Lucy’s.

I love the excitement on the faces of the kids, ready to practice and show me what they can do and what they’ve been working on. The woman who used to teach these two classes is out on maternity leave and the other instructors were being stretched thin trying to cover all her classes. They were relieved when I asked if I could take these two.

When all of the kids are gone, I send Enzo a text telling him I’ll be a little longer. This room is open for another hour before the next class, so I thought I’d use it for myself.

Ballet has always been my favorite to teach. It teaches discipline, lines, flexibility, grace, and love. Love is the only way a dancer can survive. Without it, there’d be no reason to push our bodies the way we do, and there’d be no drive or emotion behind our movements. The audience would lose interest pretty quickly.

Stretching my neck out, I press play on the stereo and take a deep breath, closing my eyes as I let the classical music flow through me.

Tears prick the backs of my eyes. I don’t know why I chose this song. I don’t know why I’m dancing this routine. But it feels important somehow. I have to. I need to.

I haven’t danced a full classic ballet routine in years, but before I know it, the song is over and I collapse to the floor, exhausted with tears falling down my cheeks.

“Tessa.” Alec’s voice floats through my hazy brain like I manifested it myself from wishing he was here. Then his warm hand touches my shoulder.

Looking up in surprise, my eyes meet his in the mirror, and when he sees my face, he steps in front of me, holding his hand out for me to take.

“What’s wrong? You were so beautiful, bella.”

A sob escapes my lips and he pulls me against him, his solid body a welcome comfort. I soak in his strength and power, letting it replace what I lost.

“That was the dance I performed the night my parents were killed. The routine is burned into my memory. Everything about that night is.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” Alec rubs my back in soothing circles.

“No, I’m sorry.” I sniff and try and step away out of embarrassment, but Alec just tightens his arms around me so I can’t move an inch.

“You don’t ever have to apologize to me for showing your emotions,” he says, cupping my face. “You dance what you feel, and I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.”

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