Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149338 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
I didn’t want to wash off his scent, just yet.
The limo drove me to the academy with my usual brigade of bodyguards surrounding me. I didn’t mind, it was another way of Martinez showing feelings, keeping me safe at all costs. I spent the entire ride looking out the tinted windows, thinking about him.
What he was doing? What he was thinking? How he felt after last night? What would change between us now? I had more questions than I ever did before with less answers.
This didn’t change just one thing.
It changed everything.
Exactly how I hoped it would.
“Come in,” I heard the Head Master call out from her office, breaking me away from my thoughts.
Her assistant led me in, shutting the door behind me.
“Lexi, I was wondering when you would make it in,” Michelle greeted, nodding for me to take a seat in front of her desk.
“I’m sorry, I got held up this morning,” I apologized, trying like hell to control the flush of my skin. Thinking of the reason why I was late. Martinez’s tongue working its magic, the kissing, the nipping… I shook my head, clearing my throat. Willing the visions to stop playing in my head. Now was not the time to be fantasizing about him.
“No worries. You’re here now.”
I smiled, taking a seat, crossing one leg over the other.
“So, I’m just going to get right to the point.”
“Okay.”
“There’s a job opening at The Royal Ballet in England. And it’s pretty much yours, if you want it.”
I lowered my eyebrows, stunned. “What?” I nervously laughed. “How?”
“Lexi, I’ve never seen talent like yours. You were born to dance. It’s in your blood. It’s who you are. I don’t want to hold you back, you need to soar, honey. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. One that I think you would regret not accepting.”
I didn’t say anything. I honestly didn’t know what to say. Or even where to start. I just sat there staring at her dumbfounded, in awe of the news. I never expected this, not in a million years. I never thought studying or working abroad would be an option for me.
“You’ve told me yourself, you don’t have anyone. You have no reason to stay here, nothing to hold you back from this extraordinary opportunity. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in England, Lexi? Dancing? Living the dream that other ballerinas would kill for. Out of every dancer in the U.S…they want you, Lexi.”
“Right…” my voice cracked. I was in shock, unable to form a coherent thought.
She frowned, cocking her head to the side. “I was expecting a much more elated response. I mean—”
“No, I’m just… it’s just… wow…” I stuttered, unable to find the words. “I guess I’m just taken by surprise. They want me?”
“Honey, you work your ass off. There have been nights I don’t think you even went home and slept. You live and breathe ballet. That is the dedication these places look for. You’re in your prime, sweetheart. This shouldn’t be a surprise. It should be an honor.”
“Oh no! I know. I am. I can’t even begin to thank you. It’s just been an overwhelming weekend. That’s all.”
“With Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome?” she questioned, wiggling her eyebrows. I smiled and let out a little laugh.
I never asked Michelle why I was permitted to take so much time off. What the academy was told. Letting it slide, just in case they changed their minds if I brought it up.
“He’s definitely easy on the eyes,” she added.
“You have no idea,” I scoffed, bowing my head, finding the heat spreading across my cheeks.
“When he came to see me about your job—”
“Wait, he came and saw you? Personally, talked to you?” I interrupted.
“Yes, I assumed you knew. The morning after your big performance, I got a phone call from Mr. Martinez, wanting a meeting in regards to you. It sounded urgent, so I met with him that evening. He let me know you’d been hurt, and needed some time off to recover. He was very concerned for you, Lexi. I didn’t think twice about it, I told him you could take as much time as you needed. I’ve never seen you with him, I assume whatever you had is over?”
My hand instinctively went to my throat. “Yeah… I mean it’s complicated,” I stated. My mind trying to wrap around what Michelle had just informed.
“Is it going somewhere? Your relationship with him?”
“I am not sure, as I said it’s complicated.” I shrugged in response.
She leaned over her desk with her hands out in front of her. “Well, then, honey. I would make damn sure because an opportunity like this,” she paused, eyeing me, “won’t come again.”
“Thank you so much for everything, Michelle. Can you give me a few days?”
“I can give you until the end of the week. They need someone over there effective immediately.”