Page 27 of Forbidden Dance
Blitz’s kiss is the key that unlocks the secret diary of my past, every suppressed need, every hidden desire.
The kiss goes on and on. His hands explore my back and neck, his fingers threading into my hair. I never want the moment to end. My body tingles, warming to all the old needs I once felt but shut away. I bring my arms around him too, hanging on to his strong muscled back.
He breaks the kiss and holds me close, pressing my head to his chest. He caresses my hair for long moments. I listen to his heartbeat, quick and sure. Finally, he lets me go.
“Ballet?” I ask.
He glances at the exit sign by a set of loading doors. They aren’t entirely closed. Apparently whatever caused the stage to be in use involved a delivery.
“I think I’m going to jet this way, Princess,” he says. “I’m afraid if we go out there the way we are feeling right now, everyone is going to see it.” He gestures between us.
My heart feels ready to burst. So he feels something too!
“Besides,” he says, “parts of me are more prominent than I’d like.”
I glance down at his tights and my eyebrows shoot up.
“Oh!” I say.
“I know,” he says. “I’m a damn teenager around you. But I’ll be here next week.”
I want to protest. That’s a weekend away!
He turns and heads through the double doors, leaping majestically off the loading dock.
I head over and watch him leave, moving across the parking lot with easy grace. Then he turns the corner of the building, and I can’t see him anymore.
I lean against the door frame. I’m in over my head. I don’t care what a hashtag says, what the world thinks of him. This isn’t the person they are talking about. It can’t be.
Because he’s the most amazing person I’ve ever met.
Chapter 11
I don’t even want to think about two days without Blitz.
On Saturday morning, I get up and throw myself into housecleaning with Mom. Dad and Andy take off for a park. I’m relieved to be away from his constant supervision, as I’m afraid I’m wearing my obsession on my sleeve.
While Mom and I pick up knickknacks to dust beneath, I wish I could tell her what was happening. Ask her advice.
But it’s not possible. I cannot cause her pain, can’t get between her and my father again. She made her choice to stick by him even as he became this paranoid, punishing, unforgiving man.
The idea that I’m interested in a man like Blitz would no doubt cost me my freedom. She’d tell my father, and that would be it. No more ballet. No more Gabriella.
Not worth it.
I live and relive the kiss in the storage room like it’s a favorite song I can play on infinite repeat. I’m still not sure how all this has happened. Why did he pick me out of all the girls in San Antonio?
Shortly after lunch, Mindy shows up to hang out. My father approves of our taking the short walk to the park two blocks down. I know he’ll pass by every half hour or so to make sure we aren’t talking to any boys, but that’s fine. It’s not like Blitz is going to show up, and I’m definitely not interested in anyone else.
When we’re far enough away to talk, she asks me, “So what’s happening with Blitz? I’ve been dying to know.”
“He kissed me!” I say. I can’t help it. I have to tell somebody.
“Oh my God!” she exclaims, then claps her hand over her mouth. “Now tell me every detail!”
I describe as best I can the encounter in the recital hall and then in the storage room, including his graceful exit.
“This is so romantic!” Mindy says. “My best friend is having a fling with a reality show star!”
