Page 21 of Mafioso's Muse

Her hand went to her stomach, to the exact spot his hand had been moments earlier. ‘It was just a lift…’ Her voice faltered as she said it, because it was a lie.

Vaughn walked out of the studio, closing the door behind him as an extra precaution. The problem with crossing that line was that he could no longer deny his attraction. He could no longer dismiss it or squash it down into something small and insignificant. A flame had ignited inside him, and now he feared it would consume everything in its path.

As he entered the lift, he looked down at the palm of his hand, expecting to see physical marks left by her—but only the heat remained. He shoved his hand into his trouser pocket, looking up as the lift doors closed.

The last thing he saw was Willow standing in the hallway watching him.

9

February 2024

As the final notes of a Chopin nocturne played out, Willow leaned on her knees and waited for the stitch in her side to ease. Around her, the other dancers snatched up their water bottles and towels and began their cooldowns.

‘You okay?’ Lili asked beside her.

Straightening, Willow swung a leg up onto the bar to stretch. Harrison walked by at that moment, and she avoided eye contact with him in the mirror.

Lili looked from Willow to Harrison’s back, then said quietly, ‘Uh-oh. What’s going on?’

‘Nothing.’

Lili tilted her head and gave one of her ‘don’t lie to me’ looks.

Sighing, Willow waited for Harrison to finish crossing the room. ‘Do you think I’m too heavy to lift?’

Lili’s mouth fell open. ‘What the hell? Of course not. Why would you ask me that?’

She glanced in Harrison’s direction. ‘Hetold me that.’

‘Who? Harrison?’

‘He said dancers like me are best suited to the chorus and that there’s nothing wrong with that.’

Lili laughed, then, seeing Willow’s serious expression, fell silent. ‘He had to have been joking. Girls likeyou?’ She leaned closer. ‘I guarantee you Cassie is the same weight as you.’

‘She’s also taller than me.’

Lili waved a finger in front of Willow’s face. ‘But that wasn’t your question. You asked me aboutweight. And stop talking as if you’re some kind of dwarf. Yes, you’re the shortest in afive-centimetre rangeof dancers—big whoop.’ She glared in Harrison’s direction. ‘I can’t believe he said that to you. He’s supposed to be your mentor, the hero who rescued you from the depravity of the suburbs or some bullshit like that.’

A smile came and went on Willow’s face. ‘He’s also my toughest critic.’ She looked back at the mirror, working up the courage to say the next part. ‘I saw Vaughn Gallo yesterday.’ Her attempt at a casual tone failed.

Lili quirked an eyebrow. ‘Again?’

‘He was here dropping off some documents and happened to pass by the studio.’ Her cheeks grew hot at the mere mention of him.

‘Did he now?’ Lili circled her foot, stretching out her ankle, eyes locked on Willow. ‘And what did Mr Gallo have to say for himself?’

‘We exchanged some friendly words.’ She cleared her throat, which felt extra dry suddenly. ‘And then he… lifted me.’

Lili’s foot stilled. ‘He what now?’

‘He lifted me.’ She met Lili’s gaze in the mirror. ‘With one hand, like I was made of feathers.’

Lili switched legs. ‘So, you were just casually chatting, and he said “come here and I’ll show you how strong I am”?’

A smile crept up on Willow’s face. ‘I mentioned that I was destined for the ensemble?—’

‘Because you’re such a beefcake?’ Lili smirked.