Page 22 of The Dancer and the Dark
The little girl was gifted, and it made Chloe’s heart sing. Sadia adored dancing, and she would never know a time or a place where that wasn’t celebrated. She would have the best instructors, attend the best classes, and receive flowers at every performance. She would never be faced with disappointed voices or pursed lips.
Chloe watched Sadia go through two routines, making gentle corrections if she saw the need, then stood and danced along when Sadia put on a video routine of kids hip-hop dancing she’d been learning on her own.
It was the balm Chloe’s aching heart needed.
Hours must have passed, because when the final video ended, Chloe heard clapping from the doorway. She turned and saw Gavin standing in the doorway.
God, I love you.
He was dressed casually in a pair of faded jeans and a band T-shirt, his feet in socks.
“Incredible dancing, ladies.” He pushed away from the door. “Sadia, you learn more every time I see you. I can see that you are practicing.”
“Gavin!” Sadia skipped to him. “Do you know how to dance anything?” She grabbed his hands and bounced him toward the wooden dance floor.
He flashed a smile at the little girl. “I might know a few things that Chloe taught me.”
He winked at Chloe, and her heart fell out of her chest and landed on the floor.
Again.
“What dance is it?” Sadia was jumping up and down. “I want to see.”
“Cara,” Chloe called to the computer system. “Play ‘Ariele e Calibano’ by Sineterra.”
Gavin knew the music well. He walked toward her, his right arm held out. Chloe circled him as Sadia ran to the bench where Chloe had been sitting earlier. They met in the middle, and Gavin pulled Chloe into his chest as the music began to pick up pace.
The tango was the first dance she’d taught him, and he’d learned it to military precision like the perfectionist he was. After five years of dancing with her, he could lead Chloe into a pitch-black room and dance the steps without missing a beat.
They moved effortlessly across the floor, her bare feet never even touching the edge of his feet; he was too careful to pinch a single toe.
She heard Sadia gasp as Gavin dipped her dramatically, pulled her close, then walked around her slowly in time with the music. She was trapped by his eyes; she could feel them on her body as he circled her. She heard him humming under his breath before he took her in his arms and they spun around the floor.
Chloe ignored the sudden twinge in her knee. It was familiar and nothing she hadn’t danced through before. Less familiar was the painful realization that twisted in her chest.
He can dance this song forever, but you cannot.
You cannot.
Gavin sensed the change and quickly led them into a dramatic dip to finish the dance even though the music wasn’t quite done.
“Wow!” Sadia clapped. “I want to learn that dance! Chloe, can you teach me that dance?”
“Of course.”
Gavin locked his gaze with hers, unwilling to release her. “Good evening, dove.”
“Good evening.” She could barely catch her breath. Her back was arched and her arms outstretched.
He slowly pulled her upright, his eyes never leaving hers.
“I believe there’s a conversation we didn’t finish last night,” he said quietly. “Why don’t we find a quiet place to talk?”
7
Gavin led her into the garden after bidding Sadia good night. The little girl was charming, but he needed Chloe to himself. He could tell she’d been stressed the entire day, and he cursed himself for his thoughtless outburst the night before.
“How was your day?” He kept her hand in his as he led them to a quiet sitting area behind the pool house.
