Page 21 of Dance With Me
“Goodnight, Joe, and thanks for everything,” Seb said as he opened the door. Joe started towards his car, and Seb watched as he got in and drove away. Fuck. He wished he could have asked Joe to stay; he felt so vulnerable on his own, but at least he had Rocco with him.
Seb locked the door and moved back to the sofa. Rocco jumped up to join him and placed his head in his lap. Seb absently petted Rocco, thoughts of Daniel and Joe running through his mind. He would go to the police first thing and tell them about seeing Daniel at the club. Perhaps they might have some clue whether or not Daniel actuallyhaddied.
As for Joe, there was no mistaking the look he’d given Seb, nor the way he’d touched his face. He wanted Seb just as much as he wanted Joe. His reluctance to meet with him tomorrow came partly from the predicament he found himself in with his stalker, but also sprang from his growing attraction to Joe. He should probably stick to the Tuesday sessions from now on so he wouldn’t be alone with him anymore. He was finding it hard to stay away from the guy.
The following day, Seb went to the police station and asked to speak to Detective Hopkins, the officer assigned to his case. He already knew most of what had happened to Seb, including the photos and messages he’d received, but when Seb tried to tell him about Daniel, the detective was understandably dismissive.
“Can’t you just check the records, make sure Daniel is dead? I’m positive it’s him doing this; he was always so jealous when we were together. He never threatened me, but he was always possessive when we were out if anybody even looked at me.” Seb grew more agitated the longer he sat there.
“I’ll look into it, but I can’t promise anything. Just try and keep an eye out and if you see anything unusual or suspicious, let me know. You’ve not heard anything from this person for a couple of weeks now, so who knows, they may have given up.” Seb thought that was a crock of shit. However, he kept that comment to himself.
Seb wasn’t convinced, yet there was no way he’d be able to persuade the detective otherwise. He told him he’d be careful and promised to let him know if anything seemed off. He left the station and headed home, feeling helpless and alone.
He spent the rest of Wednesday deciding what he was going to do. Was he going to let this person get to him and sit around, not going anywhere other than to the studio, or was he going to continue to live his life and say a big ‘fuck you’?
He realised that he couldn’t lock himself away. He wasn’t that type of person. Stalker be damned. He was going to carry on with his life. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t got to him at the studio; he had photos to prove that wasn’t the case.
Decision made, he put the lead on Rocco and did what he usually did when he needed to think. He took a walk by the river with his dog.
Later that evening, Natalia and Seb invited Dom around to discuss the position at the studio.
Natalia started. “So, with Louis and me moving down to London in a couple of months to start rehearsals, we’re going to need a new tutor at the studio, and we’re offering the position to you first, if you want it.”
Seb looked over at Dom to see his reaction. He’d already mentioned it to him, but this was the official offer, and he was interested to see what his response was.
Dom looked at them both. “I’d love to join you. I’m giving some private lessons to a student, a girl. She’s a fantastic dancer, and I had mentioned to Seb that I wanted to get her into some group sessions. So, I think this would be great for both her and me. I have talked it over with her and her brother and they agree it could be a good thing.”
Seb was pleased that he’d agreed to the position. It saved having to advertise, and this way, he had someone he knew he could rely on.
They went over how many days he’d be dancing, what his pay would be and the additional lessons they were hoping to offer now he’d agreed to join the team. Seb talked to him about coming into the studio to view some classes, and they went over some new ones they could put on, more tailored to Dom’s strengths, first and foremost, pole dancing. They’d had some enquiries but had previously been unable to do it.
“Well, now that’s been sorted, we need a night out to celebrate. Pizza, drinks, club—Friday night. We’re doing this. I’ll let Louis know. And now, gentlemen, I’m going to bed.” Natalia stood, kissed them both on the cheek and went off to her room.
“So, has anything more happened with you and your man?” Dom asked, waggling his eyebrows.
Seb punched him playfully on the arm, a shy smile lighting up his face.
“Actually, he was here last night.” He would admit to that, but not about the closeness they’d shared.
“Fuck off, he was not.” Dom looked at him incredulously.
“What, you don’t think this body could tempt him?” Seb asked, taking a sip from his glass. “I’m positively irresistible.”
“OK, OK, if you say so.” Dom chuckled. “Seriously though, why was he here?”
Seb explained to Dom about the continuing messages from his stalker and about what he’d seen at the club and why he thought it might have been Daniel. He filled him in on what the police had said about not knowing if they could confirm whether or not he was still alive.
Dom blew out a breath. “That’s a lot to take in, Seb. Are you sure it was him?”
“I’m not a hundred percent certain, no, but he did look like him. I have to try and pursue this with the police and see where it goes.”
Dom dragged him into a hug, kissing the top of his head.
“We’re all here for you. You know that don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do. Are you staying the night or going home?”
“I’ll stay if you don’t mind. I think you need a cuddle tonight, and I’m just the person for the job.”
