CHAPTER 11
Theo
“I want her.” Winter slid a head shot forward, and when I saw the face, my gut stirred.
Alexandra “Lex” Quinn
Gender: Female
Age: 22
Height: 5’5”
Measurements: 34-24-36
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Ethnicity: Irish American
Over the past six hours, I had become well attuned to all things Alexandra Quinn. I learned that she’d been taking classes at one of the better dance schools in the Seattle area since she was eight. She moved to LA a few months ago to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. She picked up my choreography faster than anyone else in the room. And her dance preference, like mine, was hip-hop-contemporary fusion. And the kicker: she had zero professional experience.
I didn’t care that she was the best one on the dance floor. She wasn’t getting the job.
“Winter,” I said, forcing out a gentle tone. “She’s too green. No experience to prove that she can handle this kind of pressure. I don’t feel comfortable taking her on.” That isn’t entirely true.
Janelle snorted. “Right. Since when does Theodore Noska not feel comfortable with anything? You’re the cockiest son of a bitch I know.”
Winter giggled, and I glared at Janelle. Really? What the fuck is her problem? Janelle had always been one of the better friends I’d made at Gravity, but today she was a giant pain in my ass. This Lex girl was spinning her all out of shape. And me too, apparently.
“Well, I like her. We’re keeping her.” Winter was set on her decision during the break, but I continued to argue my point as the dancers returned.
“Let’s take another look,” I suggested to Winter only. I pulled my head in close, slipping her a half smile. “Put up Lex with Leigh and Madeline. Compare them and make sure you’re making the right choice.”
Winter’s chocolate brown eyes held mine. She was clearly beautiful, in a porcelain doll sort of way that had always drawn me in. I wished I could say it did something for me now. Perhaps Winter was exactly what I needed, but I felt nothing.
“Okay,” she agreed, succumbing under my gaze. Like Janelle, she wanted to respect my position, even if she didn’t agree. “Bring the dancers up.”
Janelle had been listening to the exchange and sighed deeply before calling out their names. “All right, here we go. Full out, please.”
I hated that my eyes were drawn to Lex. To her powerful moves, perfect technique, and sexy curves that made those inner stirrings I wished I felt for Winter come to life for Lex. Since watching her for the first time earlier today, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
I hated that she was good—more than good—and I would soon be forced to admit it. Because there was no way she wouldn’t be selected. And I could feel it, the ultimate test of my willpower on the horizon. My self-imposed rules were simple: Don’t fuck a backup dancer. Never had. Never would. But I’d soon be working with Lex every day for the next eight months—and it was a punishment that, deep down, I knew I wanted.
Winter had the pleasure of announcing the dancers who’d made it through. Lex’s name was last. She was apparently so shocked that her jaw dropped, and her eyes immediately teared. Amie was the first to wrap her in a hug, effectively releasing a dam of emotion. Lex was practically sobbing, and I still couldn’t tear my eyes away from her.
Janelle went to her next, surely whispering something supportive in her ear, then left her with a kiss on the cheek. I swallowed, my throat tight and chest hot. There was a time I’d felt that type of elation. When it was truly a surprise to land a job and my mind swirled with all the opportunities to come.
What happened to that guy?
I was still watching Lex when another figure approached her. My jaw locked, and whatever fondness I’d begun to feel over the newbie was quickly replaced by my annoyance over another man. Reggie pulled Lex into his arms, and I’d never wanted to punch him as much as I did at that moment. I didn’t trust the guy, and I certainly didn’t trust him with Lex, knowing how he felt about “fresh meat.”
Janelle waved and got my attention. “Get over here,” she mouthed.
I looked around. Winter was on the dance floor too, congratulating dancers and giving condolences to the ones who hadn’t made it. I was the only judge still sitting.
After lifting myself from my chair, I moved around the room. I did my part, shaking hands, patting backs, saying the right things, until Lex was the only dancer left to congratulate.
She was wiping a tear and laughing at something Amie had said when I approached her from behind. “Hey,” I said, coolly.
She swiveled quickly and faced me, her eyes lighting up as if in shock. “Hey.”
Amie moved on to another conversation, leaving us alone.
“Congratulations. You worked hard out there.” I could have told her what I really thought—that she was the best in the room and had shocked the hell out of me. But a part of me was still resentful she was there in the first place.
“Thanks,” she said.
Her mouth opened then closed again, and I could tell she was struggling to say whatever was on her mind. I should have taken that moment to walk away, but my feet were rooted to the floor.
“Hey, I’m really sorry about that day in the theater. I never should have called you a jerk.” She shifted and faced me completely. “If it’s any consolation, it’s kind of a dream of mine to work with you. I’ve been studying your choreography for years.” Her blush was so deep, so red, all I could think about was achieving that same color by burying myself inside her.
I was a pig. I knew it.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Her shoulders seemed to relax.
Janelle clapped her hands, and Lex turned her body away from me. “All right, dancers. We’re going to ask those of you who made it today to please stay for a few announcements. Everyone else, thank you so much for your hard work. Your efforts did not go unnoticed.”
I was fully aware of how close Lex was to me, and it wasn’t hard to appreciate what I saw. From this angle, I had an amazing view of her sunkissed skin and the deep crease of her spine that dipped into her tight waist. I could see how well her black leggings hugged her firm ass and soft hips and the way her sweat shone off her, as if she were a fucking diamond in the sun.
I’d always valued how dancers’ bodies came in all shapes and sizes, but I’d never considered myself to have a favorite until that moment.
Lex flipped her hair, and a fruity scent caught my nose. It reminded me of the peach cobbler Granny Pearla used to cook up at the rec center every Saturday morning. I inhaled deeply and shut my eyes, taking in more of the few positive memories I had of growing up. The fact that Lex brought those memories to mind confused and intrigued me all at once.
When I opened my lids, my eyes fell on her bare neck. I couldn’t help running my gaze up the length before stopping at her ear. I imagined my tongue journeying the same path next, and—
Fuck. I had to get away from her, but first, I needed to get closer.
I stepped forward, placed my hand on her hip, and leaned in. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lex.” My words whispered against her ear, and I watched in amusement as her skin leapt to life. After another inhale, I moved away to join Janelle and Winter at the front of the room.
“You all ready to find out what you’ve signed up for?” Winter called out, earning a round of laughter and cheers. “Starting tomorrow, you will be rehearsing for a six-month concert series.” She glanced around, suspending the news to play off their excitement. “In Vegas,” she squealed.
Gasps, then more cheers, shot around the room.
“In addition to your salary, the show will pay for your board, food, dry cleaning, and you’ll get a little something extra each week as a spending allowance.” She glowed at the crew’s positive response then turned to me. “Theo, do you want to talk about rehearsals?”
I took the mic from her, wondering why we needed the damn thing in a room filled with fewer than twenty people. Instead of questioning her, I decided to be a team player.
“Everyone needs to be here tomorrow at nine a.m. In this room. Expect a similar schedule as today. Small breaks throughout the day with a bigger break for lunch. You’ll get two days off a week, determined by the studio schedule. And since Gravity is booked solid for months, they’re doing their best to work with the instructors to get us the space we need. Some days we’ll be in here, other days we’ll be in the smaller studios. You’ll get the schedule tomorrow.”
“And pay starts tomorrow, as well,” Winter cut in, her smile bright.
Again, everyone roared happily.
“You’ll have six weeks to learn the choreography,” I continued. “And two weeks to rehearse on the stage in Vegas. Don’t let that time frame fool you. There’s a lot of choreography. You’ll be performing four days a week, so take care of yourselves and prepare for nonstop work.”
“And fun!” Winter shouted out to soften my serious tone, I was sure.
I nodded. “Yeah, that too.” Laughter filled the room, and I handed the mic back to Winter, giving her and Janelle a one-armed hug. “Now,” I said to the crew with a slight wave of my hand. “If you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do tonight. Congratulations.” I slung my jacket over my shoulder and headed for the exit.
“Give it up for Theodore Noska, everyone, your choreographer for the ‘Love in the Dark’ Vegas concert series.”
I didn’t stop for the applause. I didn’t even look back. Because what they didn’t know would have shocked them all.
If I didn’t get back to work, there wouldn’t be a Vegas concert series.