Page 78 of Dance of Devils
“So…” I clear my throat. “I think if I start from thebourrées, I can?—”
“I’m afraid our coaching sessions have reached an end, Ms. Ellis.”
I feel like I’ve been physically kicked in the stomach when the words leave his mouth. For five long seconds, I just stand there, all the giddiness of earlier shattering at my feet as I just stare at him.
“I…” I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”
“I can no longer assist you with private coaching,” he growls tightly. “But I wish you the best of luck with your callback with theBallet Imperiya Korona.”
I stare at him numbly.
“Good night, Ms. Ellis.”
He starts to turn to leave, and something in me comes unfrozen.
“Wait, that’sit?”
Kir stops, his jaw tightening as his dark eyes slide back to me. “Yes. That’s it.”
The numb feeling begins to morph into bitterness, confusion, and, yes, anger. When he turns again to leave, the words tumble unbidden from my mouth.
“Is this because of what happened last night?”
Kir stops again, his chiseled jaw grinding as his eyes flash.
“It’s not.”
“Bullshit!” I blurt as he turns again. “That’s fuckingbullshit!”
That gets his attention. He whirls back to me, his mouth opening.
“No,” I snap, cutting him off before he can even speak. “You don’t get to chastise me with thelanguage, Ms. Ellisshit anymore,” I hiss. “Are we seriously done with all of this just because?—”
“Yes,” he growls, taking a step toward me that sends my pulse skyrocketing. “Because of last night.”
“Well, that’sbullshit,” I snarl.
Kir’s brow furrows. “What happened last night was deeply inappropriate.”
I scoff. “Says the man who bent me over his knee andspanked me?—”
“That’s enough, Ms. Ellis?—”
“Before he put his fingers inside me and made me fuckingcomefor the first time!” I finish.
The room goes quiet. Kir frowns, peering at me with dark curiosity that has my skin tingling and my face heating.
“Not…I mean…” My throat works. “I mean, the first timeyoumade me come.”
“I’m not casting blame on either of us. You’re a grownup.”
“You’re muchmoregrown up,” I snap back petulantly.
His mouth twists. “I’ve decided, Brooklyn. This is wrong.” He straightens up, rolling his shoulders as his eyes stab into me. “Good luck with your callback.”
He turns to leave, and I snap.
“How about you stop being a big fuckingpussyand tell me the real reason you don’t want to be around me anymore. Not whatever bullshit fake?—”
