Page 12 of The Dancer and the Grumpy Billionaire

He leans over and says quietly, “A repeat customer. I think someone’s got a crush.”

I look up and see Vasily waiting at the end of the line, a bouquet of flowers in hand.

I push my lips together to stop a stupidly large grin from overtaking my face.

I open my mouth and a happy sigh comes out, unbidden.

“Oh, so the crush goes both ways, then?” Marcus asks. “You minx.”

I lift a shoulder. “We will see.”

Vasily approaches, shaking Marcus’s hand, speaking congratulations. When he turns to me, he holds out the flowers.

“Diya krasivoy tantsovshchitsy,” he says in Russian.

“For a beautiful dancer.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly, a shiver traveling down my spine at the sound of the compliment in my native language, on his tongue. His voice is low and sexy.

He holds his phone in one hand and now he holds it up, an eyebrow raised in question.

“Yes,” I answer. “Please.”

He smiles shyly, nods, and walks away.

I watch him go, forgetting to breathe. I do really enjoy how he looks. I find myself staring until he is fully out of view, biting on my lower lip, wanting very badly to run after him. To run away with him.

Marcus grabs me by the elbow and drags me backstage so we can grab our bags and head out. He kisses the top of my head before telling me to “use protection.”

I scoff. “It is not like that, you goof.”

“It will be, if the sparks flying between you two is any indication.” He winks and walks me to the door, scowling when he sees Vera standing outside of the vehicle that waits for me. “Oh, good, Cruella is here.”

I laugh quietly and tell him I love him.

“Good job tonight,” he says, walking down the road as if he has not a care in the world.

I hold my phone, watching anxiously for a text from Vasily. We are home and I have showered before the text finally comes.

Vasily:Awake?

Gigi:Barely what took so long

Vasily:I had a work thing to finish.

Vasily:It was good to see you dance again.

Vasily:It was good to see you again.

Gigi:I looked for u

Gigi:every night

Vasily:I should have stayed away

Gigi:Why

Vasily: …

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