Young Love (Bloomfield #4) (3 page)

What just happened?

“Don’t
ever
do that again,” she said.

I took a step back, creating some much needed room between us. “Don’t worry,” I said in a steady voice. “I won’t.”

She gave me a slight nod before turning to exit the shop. This time, I didn’t stop her.

Chapter 3

Honor

Two months later I watched the class go through the first half of the dance before holding up my hand to stop them.

“Macy, you’re late on your turn,” I said, walking over to her. “You need to turn on the third step, like this.” I went through the moves so she could see.

“Yes, Miss. Honor,” she said.

“Let’s start again.” I walked back to the stereo and started the music again. We went through the whole routine two more times before I called the class to an end.

“The summer recital is this Saturday, ladies,” I reminded them. “I want everyone practicing this week. And make sure your parents drop you off an hour before.”

The girls all muttered their agreement as they filed out.

“Are you ready for Monday?” Brooklyn asked. She was one of the other dance instructors there. One of the best hip hop dancers we had.

I nodded at her, grabbing my bag and sweater. “Yup,” I said. “Mom and Perrie helped me move into my place last week.”

“University,” she said excitedly. “You’re going to have so much fun, girl. Being on your own is amazing.”

I smiled, sure she was right, even though I still had some trepidation about living away from my mom. Thankfully Cat Briggs and her friend, Chloe, were living across the hall from me, so I knew someone close by. Chloe was dating Kyle, Cat’s brother, who seemed happier than I’d ever seen him.

I had seen him once during the summer at Gill’s Sports Bar and he’d looked miserable then. But recently I’d run into them at the movies and it was as if he was a completely different person.

I hadn’t said anything to him at restaurant because he’d been with
him
.

Grey.

I’d slumped down low in the booth, earning confused looks from the other instructors I’d been having lunch with. The last thing I wanted was for him to see me. Especially considering he’d looked as miserable as Briggs had.

Actually, the last thing I wanted was to come face to face with him at all. I couldn’t even think of Grey without remembering the way his lips had felt on mine.

God, that man knew how to kiss. The toe-curling, knee weakening kind of kiss. I’d been reliving it over the summer more than I wanted to.

When the summer recital drew closer, I was actually thankful for the distraction. Usually this time of the year stressed me out, but anything was better than thinking of a guy who I did
not
want.

A guy who Perrie had gone to see today. When she’d told me she had her other appointment to finish her tattoo, I immediately said I couldn’t go. If I never stepped into that shop again it would be too soon.

I headed into the blue studio to practice my solo piece. A good hour of dancing was the perfect thing I needed to rid my head of these thoughts.

Pressing play on the stereo, I walked into the middle of the room and got into my first position. As the notes floated through the room, I flowed from one move into the next, stretching my limbs to their limits, pushing myself. The familiar burn heated my muscles as I went through the routine that I knew like the back of my hand.

When I tripped on one move, I started over. Again and again I did it from start to finish, my eyes always on my reflection in the wall of mirrors, criticizing.

After landing my last jump, I stopped, hands on my hips as I took in deep breaths. A slow clap filled the room as the music ended. I looked over at the door to see Perrie leaning there, smiling.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” She said, walking in.

“Thanks,” I said, grabbing my water from my bag.

“It always amazes me how your body can bend in ways mine never could.”

I laughed. “It’s training. If you did what I did, your body would be more flexible too.”

She shrugged. “I’m way too lazy. So, you want to grab dinner?”

Was it dinner time? I looked at the clock, shocked. Had I eaten lunch? My head was so muddled, I was losing track of my days.

The two of us headed out in the warm evening.

“So, how did your appointment go?” I asked as we settled into her car. Part of me didn’t want to ask, but that wasn’t fair to Perrie. I knew how excited she was for this, and I wanted to support her in all things like she did for me.

“It hurt,” she said with a laugh.

“Well that’s a given. Does it look good?”

“It looks amazing. I’ll show you later when I can take the bandage off.”

“Is it finished then?”

“I might have to go back for touch-ups, but that won’t be until it’s completely healed.”

“Cool. I can’t wait to see it.”

She smiled. “Grey told me to let him know what you think of it.”

My hand froze midair on the way to the radio. I looked over at her, shocked. “He did?”

She nodded, oblivious to my reaction. “He looked so hot today, Honor. I don’t how that guy does it. It’s like he’s not even trying, he just naturally oozes sex appeal.”

I sat back in my seat, and stared out the window. I’d never told Perrie what had happened at the shop. When she’d finally come out, I’d gotten myself under control.

I don’t know why I’d kept it to myself. Maybe because I was afraid she had a thing for him? Or maybe because I knew she’d never let me live it down? Either way, it was something I had kept to myself. Hearing her talk about him now, just reinforced my decision.

Clearing my throat, I shifted in my seat, keeping my face turned away from her.

“Why don’t you ask him out if you like him so much?” I said, ignoring the sensation in my stomach as each word came out.

“Nah,” she said, pulling out of the parking lot. “He’s way too intense for me. I don’t think I could handle it.”

She had no idea. My thoughts went to the kiss we’d shared, and intense was definitely the word for it. If that had just been from kissing, I could only imagine what Grey would be like when it came to other things. I shivered.

If he was too much for Perrie to handle, what did that mean for me?

“Plus, he’s the type who hooks up just for fun, you know? He has a strict no relationship rule.”

Why did that not surprise me? It was just another point to drive home the fact that Grey was not my kind of guy. Even if he could make my entire body melt from just his kiss.

***

Showtime.

Summer Recital was our biggest performance to close off the year. Seeing all the little girls dressed up and excited was my favorite thing. These girls were my students and I was so damn proud of each and every one of them. They worked hard and tried their best, and that was all that mattered.

A small hand tugged at my shirt. Little Jeanie smiled up at me, her blonde curls styled into two little pigtails, her tiny mouth a bright pink.

“Look at you,” I said, hugging her to my side. “You are beautiful today.”

She crooked her finger at me, so I crouched down, bringing my face level with hers. “What’s the matter, Jeanie?”

“I’m scared, Miss. Honor,” she said softly, her eyes glancing around to make sure none of the other girls heard her.

“Hey,” I said, pulling her attention back to me. “There is nothing to be scared about. You know this routine and you’re going to be amazing out there. And look how pretty you are,” I said, tugging on the end of one pigtail.

“What if I mess up?” She said, scrunching up her little nose.

“You won’t,” I reassured her. “And if you do, you do. It’s not a big deal. Your friends and family are out there watching you. They’re going to be proud of you no matter what. Okay?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

I smiled. “Good. Now, turn that frown upside down and let’s get out there.”

Her lips lifted in a smile before she ran off to stand with the rest of the group. I followed, calling for their attention as we waited just behind the curtain

“Okay girls, this is it. I want you all to go out there and have fun. That’s the most important thing. Got it?”

“Ya!” They cheered together. I stood at the side and watched them file out, my chest bursting with pride. At the first chords of music they started to move, doing exactly what I taught them to do. They were awesome.

As they finished up, I swear my eyes teared up. This was what I wanted to do with my life. Perrie always got on me to become a principle dancer myself, but that’s not what I wanted.

What I wanted was to open my own studio and teach other little girls for a living. I loved the sense of accomplishment it gave me, and I enjoyed working with the kids. That’s why I was taking primary education and childhood psychology in school.

Cat had told me Chloe was taking the same courses. Apparently she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. I figured I could do the same until I managed to open my own dance studio. At least that meant we would have classes together.

Ten pairs of tiny feet came running off the stage to surround me. We all did a little cheer, their excitement infectious.

An hour later it was my turn to do my solo. I’d changed into my costume and finished my makeup earlier. Performing didn’t make me as nervous as it used to. I knew the routine well enough to be able to just go out there and enjoy myself.

“You’re up, Honor,” Brooklyn called out.

Giving her a quick nod, I walked to center stage, picking up sounds of my name as my students saw it was my turn. I glanced up for a second, seeing Jeanie in the front row, her hand waving at me. I sent her a smile, my eyes wandering to the person she sat beside.

Holy shit.

My entire body stiffened as I met those blue eyes I’d hoped not to see again. They stared back at me with an intensity that had me shivering.

Focus, Honor.

Sucking in a deep breath, I broke away from him and looked down, waiting for the music to start.

I didn’t know why Grey was here, but now was not the time to think about it. Now was the time to do what I did best - dance.

Chapter 4

Grey

“That’s my teacher, Uncle Grey,” Jeanie whispered as the audience grew quiet. I just nodded at her, unable to speak. This was the last thing I’d expected. And now that Honor was in front of me, dressed like the sexiest ballerina I’d ever seen, I wasn’t sure how I was going to look away.

Jeanie leaned in. “Isn’t she beautiful, Uncle Grey? I want to look just like her when I’m older.”

“You’re pretty just the way you are, Jeanie,” I said softly.

The music started then and everyone else around me melted away. Honor began dancing, her body moving around the stage as if she were born to do this.

I was mesmerized. It had been months since I had seen her, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about her a lot during that time. It was hard not to when I relived that kiss we’d shared in my dreams, only to wake up painfully hard and alone.

The chemistry between us during that kiss was off the charts. Something I’d never experienced with a girl before.

But I hadn’t been lying when I’d said it would never happen again. It couldn’t. I didn’t willingly get involved with drama, and I was sure that’s what she would be. Plus, she was too young. There was just no way around that.

My eyes tracked her every movement, soaking in her long limbs and the expression on her face as she performed.

She didn’t want us to happen again either, I reminded myself as I watched her. Normally that might have pissed me off, but I’d known she was right as soon as she’d said it. Okay, it had pissed me off a bit. It still did. That didn’t change anything.

Finally she leapt across the stage and the dance ended, the song fading. Everyone around me stood as they applauded. I got up slowly, clapping along with them as she smiled out at the audience, taking another bow as the mouthed the words “thank you”.

Her gaze flickered over to mine for a split second before she headed off the stage. We all sat back down for the next performer.

Pulling out the performance list, my eyes glanced down the list until they stopped at her name. Honor Jacobs. My thumb rubbed over her name.

Honor Jacobs. That little ballerina had me all sorts of messed up. I snorted to myself. Who would have thought?

***

There were drinks and snacks after the performances. My sister Jillian insisted I stay, as if I could leave anyway. Jeanie had a firm grip on my hand as we made our way over to the tables. The little runt grabbed more sugary treats than she probably should have, but as the nice uncle, I didn’t say anything to stop her.

My eyes scanned the crowd. There was no doubt whom I was looking for, even though I knew I shouldn’t be.

I found Honor speaking with some other parents. She’d changed out of her costume.

A pity.

She still looked gorgeous with her brown hair pulled back into a bun. She smiled and laughed, looking completely in her element.

Jeanie suddenly took off in her direction, so I followed, being the good uncle that I was. She was just pulling on Honor’s hand when I reached them.

“Miss. Honor, this is my uncle, Grey,” she said.

Honor smiled down at her before looking up at me. Holding out her hand, she said, “It’s nice to meet you, Uncle Grey.”

I took her hand, an electric current shooting up my arm the second my skin met hers. Her eyes flashed for a moment, and I wondered if she had felt it too.

“Miss. Honor,” I replied.

She pulled her hand away, and I felt the loss immediately.

“How did I do, Miss. Honor?” Jeanie asked.

Honor looked away from me to gaze down at my niece with a gentle look that transformed her face. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was exquisite.

“You were amazing, just like I knew you’d be,” she said.

Fuck, could she be any sweeter? I knew she could be prickly too, and knowing she had both sides to her made me more interested than I should be.