Page 12 of The Ballerina

His question and the sudden change in subject catch me off guard. “What?”

“Well, we’re on a date and getting to know each other and I was wondering if we could avoid future situations like the waitress if we were both wearing wedding rings.”

I laugh freely. “Not to inflate your ego, but I could tattoo ‘Property of Cathy’on your forehead and women would still hit on you, they would still want to fuck you. It’s part of the whole Alpha male thing. Women are simply drawn to you. Human and shifter alike.”

“You still didn’t answer my question.” He smiles rubbing my empty ring finger.

“If it makes you happy, I’ll wear one.”

“Okay. I’ll get us a set tomorrow.”

Silence descends but it’s not uncomfortable. An older man brings out the bottle of wine Atlas ordered and pours us each a glass.

“Do you really want to go back to work at Dark Side of the Moon?” Atlas asks, cutting to the chase once we are alone again.

“I do.” If we are going to make this work, I need to be honest with him about everything.

“Why?” He frowns, needing an explanation.

“Because I love my job. I love dancing. It was the first thing I ever did that I was good at, the first thing I did for myself without having to worry about my father looking over my shoulder. I used to be a ballerina before I got into an accident.”

He nods, sipping his wine. “What accident?”

“Just before my eighteenth birthday, I got into a car crash with my best friend on our way to school. It was bad. I was lucky to survive but it ended my career and my dream.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you angry I want to continue working?” I whisper, nervous to hear his reply.

“Would you want to dance for the rest of your life? Was that your dream?”

He didn’t answer my question, but I’ll let it slide. “I’ve always loved to dance. My mother was a ballerina before she had me. It’s the only connection I have to her now that she has passed.”

“So, you would be happy if you could simply dance? It doesn’t have to be at the club?”

I nod and he smiles brightly as the waiter deposits our food.

“Then I will build you a studio,” he says simply. “You can teach children to dance or just dance for me every day.”

He’s excited about the idea of getting me away from Dark Side of the Moon. I understand his motivation. Mated wolves are extremely possessive of each other.

“And how long will that take?” I’m curious about his plan but I don’t want to put my life on hold for years while he gets everything in place.

“Six months at the longest,” he says and nods, agreeing with himself. “In the meantime, we can compromise.”

“Compromise?” I have a feeling that whatever he is goingto say isn’t going to make me happy. Alphas are not known for their negotiation skills. Mostly they just do and take what they want, consequences be damned.

“Yes. You can dance at the club twice a week until your studio is done.” His words floor me, the opposite of what I was expecting to hear.

“Are you serious?”

Shock courses through me. Never in a million years did I expect those words to come out of his mouth.

“Yes, sweetness,” he says before kissing my knuckles. “I only want you to be happy.”

Chapter Ten

Atlas

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