Page 137 of When Hearts Awaken

My muscles tense, my mind blanking as a torrent of pleasure so sharp, so unlike anything I’ve ever experienced overtakes my body—the tsunami obliterating all my senses as I scream and shatter in his arms. My cum gushes out of me and I try to stop, but it’s uncontrollable.

“Fuck yes!” He grunts, his hammering relentless. “You’re so fucking sexy. I’m obsessed with you.” With a few more deep thrusts, he lets out a raw, guttural growl, and unleashes ropes of cum inside me, the heat sending me off into another tailspin.

I don’t know how many minutes pass by before my mind finally flickers on, my senses coming back online. The first thing I notice is the pulsing deep in my core, the final twitches and aftershocks. Then, it’s his body heat and the dampness of his sweat dripping onto my back. Next are the quick puffs of air hitting my face from his ragged breathing. Finally, it’s the soul-crushing warmth sweeping into my heart, a bright light illuminating all the dark crevices I’ve hidden inside me.

“I love you, Charles. No matter what happens with the investigation. If it turns out to be Ian, that’ll never change the way I feel about you,” I whisper.

He answers by sealing his lips on mine.

Chapter 56

“I’m only a phonecall away. Call me if anything comes up,” Charles murmurs before giving me a quick kiss as the town car glides to a stop in front of ABTC. “Anthony stays with you at all times, okay?”

He motions to the tall bodyguard getting out from the front and opening my door. I don’t like the idea of having a hulking man follow me everywhere, but I know it’s wise and to refuse him would be the peak of stupidity.

I roll my eyes even as nervousness tremors inside me. This is the last full cast rehearsal ofSwan Lakebefore our final encore performance at the Met Opera next week. It’s also the first time I’ll see Sir Ian after the press conference.

Swallowing the ball stuck in my throat, I strain a smile. “See my nose piercing?” I point to the skull stud I put on this morning. “I’m a fucking badass—they won’t be able to hurt me anymore.” I flip him a middle finger.

Charles throws his head back in laughter and unbuttons his suit jacket—today, it’s a delicious navy three-piece that I want to rip off him later tonight. “You used to drive me nuts—the elegant ballerina with a bratty attitude and potty mouth, but God, I love it now. So fucking much.” He slides over and grabs my nape, pulling me down before he leans in and kisses the daylights out of me.

My head woozy, my skin flushed, I pull back and grin. “You were just blind before, but now I’m glad your vision has been restored.”

He smiles at me—the same charming smile I used to hate because it was fake, but now I can tell it’s genuine. But then I notice his hand gripping the door handle tightly, his knuckles white with tension.

Gently, I unclench his hand before rubbing the coiled muscles, my mood sobering. “I doubt he’ll be stupid enough to make a move right after the press conference. I know I won’t. That’s when everyone’s guard is up. Don’t worry about me. Plus, I have Anthony with me.”

Charles nods and I give him a wink, faking confidence I don’t quite feel as I walk into ABTC. When I step into the lobby, Lisa greets me with a hug before she nervously eyes the brooding man behind me.

I grimace. “Sorry, this is Anthony. He’ll be my shadow for now.”

“Of course,” she replies before pulling me into a quiet corner, away from the other dancers rushing to the locker room or to run last-minute errands before the rehearsal.

Lisa’s lips wobble and she pulls me in for another hug—this one so tight I almost couldn’t breathe. I pat her back, trying to get her to ease up.

“S-Sorry! I’m just so overwhelmed. I saw your press conference, and I had no idea that happened to you! I couldn’t go to Hotel Renegade that night and thought it was odd how sick you were afterward when you looked fine before. And then Alexis quit and you and Camden broke up, and I just didn’t think those events were connected. I’m so sorry for not being there for you, Tay.” Tears shine in her eyes as she grips my arms.

My chest pangs, a dull ache resurfacing. That night will forever be a part of my past, but at least now I don’t have to hide anymore. I don’t need to pretend everything is fine because what happened to mewasn’tfine. And somehow, that makes it easier for me to breathe.

“It’s okay, Lisa. I didn’t let you in. Don’t blame yourself. You did nothing wrong. I’m going to move on…finally.”

She lets out a shuddering exhale as Dev appears by our side, his eyes shining with concern too. Wordlessly, he gives my shoulder a soft squeeze. “You’re one tough cookie, and we’re all here for you, Tay,” he murmurs.

My lips curve up into a bittersweet smile as I pat his hand in acknowledgment. I nod toward the rehearsal room. “Come on, let’s get going. Don’t want to be late.”

Anthony is stationed at the corner of the rehearsal studio, his eyes sharp and roving over all of us as the day drags on. I sense the other dancers’ uneasiness—a tall stranger with an earpiece and a holster will definitely put you on edge. Guilt seeps into me as I force out a grin during a water break.

This is all fucked up, and it’s because of me.

No, it’s because of the asshole who put you in this position.

“You’re brave,” a soft voice says and I turn around, finding Maddy standing next to me, her brown hair piled on top of her head as she eyes the other dancers.

“It’s borne of necessity,” I reply. Motioning to Ainsley, who’s chatting with the other trainees, I ask, “Are you guys okay now?”

Maddy stills, her eyes downcast. “I hope so. She doesn’t agree with some things I did. She’s disappointed.”

Something in her tone gives me pause, and I turn toward her and look her in the eye. “Maddy, did something happen to you? I know I asked you the same question in France and you said everything was fine, but my gut tells me something is going on. You know you can talk to me, right? I know I’m not the world’s most approachable person, but,” I clear the lump in my throat, “you guys are like my little sisters. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

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