Page 88 of Sinful Betrayal
“Can we please just rehearse?”
Once I have the music playing through the speakers on my phone and Emma and I change into our pointe shoes, we start working through the routine.
After an hour, we’ve both stripped down to our sports bras and leggings, our bodies still slick with sweat despite being outside in the middle of October.
The air is starting to chill, and I sigh with relief as it cools my skin.
“I keep messing this part up,” Emma grumbles as I pause the music at the same part for the fifth time. “It’s like I suddenly lose the ability to count the beats in my head.”
“You’re overthinking it, Emma. Just stand with your eyes closed and listen to the music. Your body knows what to do.”
Emma does as I say, and I rewind the music before pressing play.
I watch Emma’s face start to relax as the music filters through the speakers, and my own fingers twitch as I count along in time to the music in my head.
When it gets to the part that she messes up, a frown appears between her eyebrows, and I watch her shoulders stiffen.
“You’ve got it in your head that you can’t do this part.” I pause the music once more. “Your entire body tensed up.”
“I know.” Emma shakes out her arms. “I don’t know what to do.”
“We just need to recondition your mind.”
“You say that like it’s easy.”
I chuckle. “Let’s work through it without the music first until you’re confident in the steps. Then we’ll add the music back in.”
I count Emma in, and she works through the steps, her balance still faltering at the same part, and she lets out a groan.
“Stand still and visualize the movements.”
I count her in again, and I see her mouth along the timings.
Her brow stays relaxed, and I smile. “And again.”
We do that a few more times before adding in the movement.
By the time I turn the music back on, Emma’s moving through the routine flawlessly, and I grin as I watch her.
Once the music finishes, Emma lets out a cheer before high-fiving me.
“You did it!” I clap my hands together.
“Why can’t you be our teacher?” Emma laughs. “You’re way better than Madame Le Croix.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. Let’s do it one more time just to make sure…”
But Emma isn’t paying any attention to me, she is looking to whatever is just over my right shoulder.
“We have company,” Emma whispers, jerking her chin, and I whirl around to find Anton walking toward us.
The moment his eyes lock with mine, all the air leaves my lungs. It seems no matter how much time I spend with Anton, I still can’t get used to how gorgeous he is.
I can’t stop my eyes from roaming over his powerful body, my pulse quickening as I remember the feeling of his weight on top of me.
His eyes darken, and I know he’s imagining the same thing as he takes in the sight of me in my sports bra and leggings.
My nipples pebble through my bra, and his tongue darts out to wet his lower lip.