When the music faded out, I took a deep inhale and collapsed my torso forward with a cleansing exhale, arms and head hanging toward the floor, relaxing while I caught my breath and let go of all my problems—
“I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot here—” The sound of his warm voice startled me, causing my lungs to seize and tighten against my ribs. I snapped up my gaze,catching his reflection in the mirror.God fucking help me…
Composing myself before standing tall, I spun on my heel to face the last person I ever wanted to see inside my sanctuary.Be cool… remain calm…Because, of course, I’d end my day being confronted by none other thanhim. The one man I ultimately needed to avoid.
“You.” The same response I had before when I figured out who he was, only this time the word was laced with malice versus sudden surprise. “How long have you been standing there? And who the fuck gave you the right to let yourself in?”
“Long enough to enjoy the show, and the same woman who let herself into my studio this morning.” Proud, cocky, arrogant;infuriating…
“The door was unlocked—”
“So was yours.”
“I—fuck…”Goddamnit…
“As I said earlier, I’m not here to steal customers or destroy your business if that’s where this hostility stems from.”
“Then why a dance studio?” The only question I had worth asking. “Of all the businesses you could’ve graced our lovely downtown with, you had to go and choosethis.” There was zero professionalism in my tone. I was angry, and he already knew it; I might as well act the way I felt.Attacked, hurt.
“Are you suggesting that a man can’t have a passion for the art?” His response was laid-back, as if the reason should’ve been obvious from the start. Zero malicious intent toward me and a genuineambition to teach.He called it an art…But even if he held good intentions, Vortex was a threat; regardless of whether those doors were opened for love of the craft or not,hewas now a problem, and in more ways than just one.
“I never said that.” I rushed out defensively, crossing my arms over my chest and popping my hip to the side as I adjusted my stance.
“Didn’t have to.” His cool demeanor was something else. As if nothing phased him, even if it should. Like he was being patient with me on purpose, with intent.
A bead of sweat dripped from my brow as I continued to stare, admiring the way he lounged in the open doorway, his strong shoulder pressed against the frame; that pretty boy look with lazy gray sweatpants that sagged low on his hips, a basic black T-shirt, and a Nashville Vipers baseball cap turned backward.At least he was wearing a shirt this time.
I briefly lowered my gaze, catching the stain my shake had left on his clothes from this morning.He didn’t even bother to change… Why?
“We can work on Broadway together. Collaborate—”
“Unlikely.” I interrupted, snapping back from my mild distraction and leveling him with afuck youglare. “I’m not working with you on anything. Get out of my studio, Cowboy.”
“Rhylan.”
“What?”Did I hear that right?
“My name is Rhylan, or Rhy for short, whichever you prefer. But save that‘Cowboy’nickname for when you plan on ridingme again. I kinda like the sound of it.” He caught me off-guard, offering his name like an olive branch with no intention of leaving, just lingering in my goddamn doorway as if he belonged there, and the longer he stayed, the harder it was to keep myself in check.Fuck being a woman with an overpowering sex drive.
He’s gorgeous, I get it, and Tiffany made a point; several of them, actually. But I couldn’t stand the fact that after all these years of having Broadway to myself, I was now being forced to share it with another studio, least of allhis.
“I should call you a pain in the ass, because that’s exactly what you are. I’m not giving you mine, now get the fuck out.” I was a sheet of paper being torn in two, one side curiously wanting to explore this man further, while the other warned of danger and destruction.
“You don’t have to, darlin’, but I’ll get it out of you eventually.”
“Quit calling me that. I’m not your fuckingdarlin’,darlin’. Nor would I want to be.” Harsh words aside, he had me questioning whether I genuinely hated him or was deflecting and pushing him away to protect more than just my business…
“Well, I was considering calling you, sugar. But you’re a little far from sweet with that bratty attitude of yours.”
“Seriously? Are you fucking kidding me? Does anything worth a damn come from that mouth of yours besides insults?”
“Why don’t you come over here, and I’ll show you exactly what cancomefrom this mouth.” Rhylan licked his lips, his eyes devouring me as they lowered to the apex of my thighs, and my body tensed, feeling as though he were already settled between them.
“Out!” I roared until my throat burned from the strain, my skin turning flush from every onset of mixed emotion that had begun coursing through my veins.
Hate.
Want.
