Page 17 of Cruel Steps

The song ended, and I slid against the mirror, an empty feeling heavy in my chest. I’d ignored it all week, hoping the closer I got to the audition, the better I’d feel.

But the truth was, I didn’t enjoy this type of dance anymore. I wasn’t one for pep, and the repetitiveness felt more like work than enjoyment. My style had changed since the first time I’d auditioned for a dance team, and only the need to redeem myself and punish Hope pushed me forward.

Cleaning the room, I gathered my stuff and tucked it into my bag. I took a swig of water, locked the door, and returned the key to its hiding spot. I’d taken three steps when a dark shadow stepped into my path, and I dropped my water bottle, splashing water over me and the intruder. I opened my mouth to scream when a hand clamped down on me. I smelled sandalwood and sage before I spotted him, my body relaxing immediately at the familiar scent.

“Ssh, you’ll wake the whole house.” His voice hissed at me in the dark, and I narrowed my eyes. His hand stayed on my mouth, so I bit it.

Holden’s eyes widened, and he jumped back, finally removing his hand from my mouth. “What the fuck?”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t even break the skin. Calm down, Jockstrap.” I crossed my arms, covering my belly to stop myself from touching him again. Apparently, anger made me sassy. Who knew?

Holden narrowed his eyes at my stance, his jaw ticking as he stared at me. We stood there for at least a minute, neither saying anything, but our eyes never left one another.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I moved past him to the stairs. The realization he’d just seen me come out of my secret room had my heart thumping hard in my chest. Did he see where I put the key? Would he tell Hope? How long did I have?

“Wait!” His hand clamped down on my shoulder, and I froze on the stairs, turning to stare at him. He still towered over me, but the step brought our eyes level. Holden licked his lips, his hand lingering on my arm.

“It’s late, and I don’t feel like defending myself tonight. Can we do this later? Say maybe the day after never? Kay, thanks.” I moved but he kept me in place.

“What are you up to?”

“Nothing.”

“Sure. Then why are you sneaking around in the middle of the night?”

“Not that it’s your business, but I prefer it.” And it was easier to avoid Hope. Not that I said that part.

“Uh-huh. What’s in the bag?”

I pushed it behind me. “Nosey much?” I scoffed. “I don’t remember you becoming the information police.”

“Let’s say I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I’m reconsidering.”

My heart stalled, then took off at lightning speed. He believed me? Over Hope? My throat went dry, and I swallowed, trying to wet it so I didn’t cry.

“Why?”

“Does it matter?” He shrugged. “You say you’re not bullying my sister, so prove it.”

I gritted my teeth. I knew it was too good to be true. “Yeah, okay. I’ll do just that so you can run back to Hope and give her more ammo. Thanks, but no.”

I turned to climb the stairs, and he stopped me yet again. This time, his hand landed on my hip, and he spun me and pressed me into the wall, his body even closer. I sucked in a breath, hating how much my body reacted to his. His heat scorched my insides, and my pussy throbbed with need. Biting my lip, I barely kept the whimper that wanted to escape in.

“Trust is earned, Wildcat. You gotta have faith in me, and trust I’ll do the same.”

His thumb swiped against my side where my shorts and sports tank revealed skin. I didn’t know if he was doing it on purpose, but it sent shivers through me, melting me to his touch. While I’d been able to use anger earlier to fuel my words, I didn’t seem to have the same luck with his soft intensity. Shoving the bag at him, I separated our bodies to give myself a reprieve from his touch.

“You want me to look?”

I nodded and Holden unzipped the bag, reached in, and his face morphed into confusion as he pulled out a dance pom. “I’m confused.”

“It’s a pompom,” I said slowly.

“Yeah. But why do you have one?”

“Gee. Thanks.” I grabbed it back and shoved it in, taking two steps before he was on me again. This was seriously the longest journey upstairs in history.

“I know what pompoms are, Wildcat. Why do you have them? You’re not trying out for the dance team or something, are you?” He chuckled, apparently thinking me doing just that was hilarious.

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