Page 39 of Love & Betrayal

Now that I had recognized who he was, he needed to understand that it wasn’t just me. Anything that happened between us affected someone else I loved. Someone I would die to protect. Zayne had to know I was a package deal. As he learned another one of my secrets, we would see if this beautiful man would still wear his feelings on his sleeve, or if my secret would send him running.

For the first time, I hoped he stayed. As hard as I tried to fight it, Zayne had reached inside me and held my heart in his hand, caressing it, helping it to beat again. If I thought he’d broken through my walls with a chocolate shake, when he lifted me over his head, my soul sang again. Sang for dancing—sang for him.

Fear slithered through me as I stared at him. If he knew what I was, he would walk away. I suspected that he would still help me escape, but I couldn’t help but think his feelings for me would change.

Realizing that I hadn’t ever answered his question about the injury that ruined my career, I released his hand. “I’ll tell you more about my knee later. I promise.”

Zayne’s lips parted, his green eyes darkening. More than anything, I wanted him to kiss me. To feel what that would be like, to be wanted and cherished, something I’d never experienced. The men I was forced to be with were sadistic, brutal, and maniacal. There was nothing about being with them that made me feel the way I was with Zayne … valued.

“Where did you learn lifts?” I pirouetted around him.

“My best friend, Vaughn, and his fiancée. Claire is a dancer and choreographer for the band August Clover. When she and Vaughn were first together, she talked us into working on lifts with her.”

Zayne’s chuckle filled me with warmth and sunshine, a feeling I’d lost a long time ago.

“What?” I asked, grabbing his strong forearm and leaning into him for support as I lifted my leg into the air behind me and pointed my toes to the ceiling.

“We had a few mishaps. Claire misjudged Vaughn, flew over him, and used me as a landing pad. It took a few times before she nailed it, but when she did, and Vaughn lifted her over his head, it was a cool moment.” He stared at me. “You could see them connect on a different level.” His voice was low and throaty.

“It happens.” I danced across the floor, then leaped into the air again, allowing the feeling of freedom to wash over me. I hadn’t played around in the studio in almost a year, but something about Zayne had unlocked the desire again.

“I have to learn to dance for a friend’s wedding.” Zayne rubbed his chin, appearing almost embarrassed.

“Slow dance? Waltz? Can you at least keep a beat?” I laughed, enjoying the look of discomfort on his face.

“Probably. Holden wasn’t specific about what kind of dance.”

I closed the gap between us. “This is a perfect song to start with.” “Helium” was still on a loop, but I didn’t even care.

I took his hand and placed the other one on my waist, then rephrased my question. “Do you have rhythm?”

His brow arched. “Yeah, I can keep a beat.”

“Good. Otherwise this would be a daunting task.” I smirked at him playfully.

“Thanks.” That single word dripped with sarcasm.

I began to move slowly, keeping my eyes trained on his. “Please don’t step on my feet.”

“Shit. Hang on.” Zayne slipped out of his black dress shoes and placed them near the door before he returned. “Better?”

“Much.” We positioned ourselves again. “Feel the music, Zayne. Let it flow through you, then allow it to move you.”

He nodded, watching my feet and following along. To my surprise, he picked it up quickly.

I stepped away, taking his hand and twirling, then returning to him. This time, he pulled me against his muscular body, and heat shot through me. Instead of fear rooting me where I stood, I leaned in, feeling secure. Placing my palm on his chest, feeling his heart beat strong and steady beneath my palm. I resisted the urge to place my head against him.

I moved my hand across his hard pecs, reveling in the muscular dips and plains. My fingertips traced over to his bulging biceps, and I gave it a gentle squeeze. The day he and Pierce had arrived to meet Donovan and me, I hadn’t noticed how well-built Zayne was, but the last thing on my mind at the time was wanting anyone to touch me. This was different, and I wanted to explore Zayne from head to toe. My core clenched, shocking me. I hadn’t been turned on or attracted to a man since I started puberty. Not after Donovan’s constant unwanted attention. Until this moment, sex had only equaled pain.

I pressed my hips into him, his erection evident to me through his slacks. Closing my eyes and focusing on just him, I gave myself permission to dream for a fleeting moment. Dream that I wasn’t trapped in Donovan’s house or the dark world I lived in. Looking up into the face of the man that had saved my body, and I suspected would save my heart, I sucked in a breath. His green eyes flashed with the care and protectiveness I wanted. Needed. Craved. But I understood there was so much more to this man than safety.

“Giselle?” Zayne tucked a stray hair behind my ear, then his fingertips traced my cheek and down my neck.

Heat pulsed through me, my thong damp from his simple touch. He’d awakened something inside me that I thought was dead and gone forever.

He bent down, his lips hovering over mine.

I stilled while my heart knocked against my chest and butterflies scattered in my belly. I pushed up on my tiptoes until our mouths were only a breath away.

---