Page 13 of Controlled

“So were you.”

She rolled her eyes, the reflection allowing me to see. “Right. Let’s see what dear old Gregor has to say during our next practice.”

We both laughed, but our grumpy choreographer had continued to act as oddly as he had when I’d seen him in the corridor, staring at me as if I’d caught him doing a criminal act. It remained unnerving. Now he was nowhere to be found. I was determined to shove what few concerns I had aside.

The excitement was raw, the electricity of our stunning performances and the standing ovation keeping every dancer on edge and squealing. Myself included. I hadn’t felt this overjoyed in as long as I could remember. I adored performing. The lights. The audience. The captivating music. The facility. Everything. But tonight was even more special, even if a hint of sadness was already overwhelming.

Almost every dancer had at least one person in the audience rooting and cheering for them. I had no one. How many times had I wished my mother had been well enough to watch or care about me achieving my dream?

Then again, she’d thought dancing was beneath me, hoping I’d follow in her footsteps of becoming an award-winning actress. Although she’d also told me I wasn’t pretty enough or charismatic enough. I’d never had the same desires as her or the looks to achieve the same goals she had. Sadly, the glamor and the pressure, the weight loss and drug use to keep model thin had taken a significant toll.

Still, as several of the dancers were presented with bouquets of flowers, I sat in my dressing room feeling sorry for myself. At least the thousand dollars left by the gorgeous stranger at my other job had allowed me to purchase a new stunning red dress, the extra money the only reason. While I was a company dancer for the Joffrey, that didn’t mean I earned enough to support both myself and my mother.

The treat and the man had both been unexpected. For once I’d feel sexy for the required party instead of like a wallflower incapable of speaking to anyone. I tugged at the clip in my hair while I glanced in the mirror, taking a deep breath.

Thoughts of the stunning, muscular man continued to flow into my mind. Maybe I was being silly. He was likely married with three kids, getting his jollies by gawking at the dancers. However, he’d seemed so different than the other men who’d done their best to fondle me. More sophisticated, far too handsome. While I hadn’t been able to see the color of his eyes, I had noticed his heated gaze, as if he had been hypnotized by my performance.

He’d been nice to me when my asshole of a boss had treated me like a bitch since I’d been a few minutes late. Sighing, I started to brush my long strands of hair, noticing Jonas was right behind me. Even his parents had been in attendance, a feat since his father had wanted his only son to follow in his footsteps of becoming an attorney. They’d argued for years about Jonas’ decision.

He’d been so happy when they’d come backstage for a few seconds prior to the show.

He came forward, handing me a single red rose, a twinkle in his eye. “You were amazing.”

“No, we were amazing together,” I said and took a deep whiff of the lovely flower.

“Yes, we were,” he teased. “But I thought I lost you there for a few seconds. You seemed to be dancing for someone else altogether. Should I be jealous?”

“Hush. You are my favorite boy toy in the world and you know it.” I grinned and so did he but the question remained.

“I’m serious. It was like you were lost in a haze. What happened?”

“I don’t know. I think I was just amazed at the audience, the energy. And maybe the spotlight,” I said, laughing. And lying. When he lifted his eyebrows, I kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t read into everything, boy toy. Thank you for this.”

“Every star deserves recognition and you, my dear, were the highlight of the stage tonight.” He gripped my shoulders, leaning over and kissing my cheek in return.

I felt myself blushing because I’d already seen the look of jealousy on several of the girls’ faces. I’d been on my game tonight, thrilled everything had worked out so perfectly. When he lifted his head, I tickled the tender area on the side of his neck, both of us laughing.

But something caught both our gazes at the same time. A man was standing just off to the side, the lights surrounding the small mirror allowing me to see his reflection. While half his face remained in the shadows, I knew exactly who was standing behind me. The man from the club.

Oh, God.

Him.

The stranger.

The man I’d been certain was watching me.

He’d been the one I’d been thinking about while dancing, the man obsessed with me. I’d been dancing for him. It was crazy. Or maybe I’d needed a muse for the evening. We were locked in a moment in time where there was nothing and no one else around. He was omnipotent in his beauty, dominating in his subtle moves. And I could feel his hunger ebbing and flowing.

A single tremor of fear skated down my back and I wasn’t certain why. I’d been in a mask as usual, never allowing anyone to know the real girl dancing for the hungry men. I couldn’t risk losing my contract with the Joffrey Ballet, their immorality clause preventing me from dancing in such a sordid environment, possibly sullying the good name of the ballet company. Was he here to expose me?

Get a grip, girl. He doesn’t know who you are.

Jonas whistled, his eyes floating up and down the man’s broad chest in appreciation. “Oh, my goodness. I could eat him for breakfast. And lunch. And dinner.”

“Down, boy,” I whispered.

He chuckled. “It’s easy to see he’s not here for me, tigress. Pity. He doesn’t know what he’s missing. But he does have very good taste, including in flowers. Hold on. Do you know him?”