Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
CALEB
“ A pril?”
I enter the apartment but find it empty. Strange. When I spoke to her last night, she told me she was going to be home all day, going through some of the teams proposals.
I scour the downstairs, finding the gym empty.
“Pete, can you track April?” I ask.
Pete’s voice comes through the speakers. “April is currently on the roof terrace.”
I take the stairs two at a time, opening the door to the terrace.
I’m greeted by the sound of music pumping out of the speakers I have camouflaged in the plants.
I step around the trellis and freeze.
April has cleared a space on the patio and is lost in the moment. I watch as her body twists and turns. She locks her movement before drawing herself back in and changing direction, her arms and legs in perfect synergy. Her face is a mask of concentration, her eyes closed. Sweat covers her body, her dance clothes sticking like a second skin. It’s clear she’s been at this a while. I don’t think I have ever seen anything as beautiful. April arches her back and my body hardens. I remember how she moved with me, how she arched off the bed as I drank down her orgasm.
“Cal?” her voice breaks through my fantasy. She has turned to face me, frozen on the spot. “Pete, stop the music… I didn’t expect you home.”
She grabs a hand towel and her water bottle from one of the sunbeds she’s moved to the side, wiping her face and taking a quick drink.
“Sorry,” she says, leaning forward, trying to steady her breathing. She looks around her and grimaces. “I promise to put everything back.”
I smile, hoping she doesn’t look down and catch the semi I’m currently sporting.
“No problem,” I tell her. “It looks like a good dance space.”
She grins and my body tightens further. “It’s been great,” she tells me. “And the weather.”
She sighs and drops her head back, before closing her eyes. I watch her chest rise as she inhales deeply.
I move closer until I find myself standing in front of her.
“I want you to feel at home while you’re here,” I tell her truthfully, moving a piece of her hair that has come loose and stuck to her cheek.
Her head snaps up and her already glowing cheeks darken further, and her pupils dilate as they stare up into mine.
“Thank you,” she says, her voice sounding even more breathless than when she finished the dance. As if snapping herself out of the trance, she looks away and moves backwards. She stumbles, and I reach out, grabbing her arm and pulling her against me.
“Cal,” she whispers, our faces millimetres apart. Her tongue comes out and moistens her lips. “You’re home early,” she says, her eyes locked on mine. I could move forward, but I promised her and myself I would not force myself on her or take advantage. I don’t want her back in my bed because she feels indebted.
The thought is like a bucket of cold water on my libido. I step back putting some distance between us.
“I came home, I have a surprise for you,” I say, my voice sounding huskier than usual.
“You don’t need to give me anything else,” she tells me, inclining her head.
“This is not a gift. I need to take you somewhere. Grab a quick shower and meet me downstairs,” I say, making a quick exit before I offer to join her in the shower, lick and wash the sweat from her delectable body.
“What should I wear?” she asks, making me pause.
I’d like to say nothing, but instead I pause. “Jeans, anything.”
I don’t miss April’s frown as I turn away. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
I don’t wait for a reply, instead I make my way to the kitchen and drink a large glass of ice-cold water as there is no time for the kind of shower I need right now.
April joins me in a tight-fitting pair of jeans and a crop top, exposing toned abs. I swallow hard and take another gulp of water.
“Where are we going, Cal?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She stares at me for a moment, then smiles. My breath catches in my throat.
“Intriguing.”
I motion for her to lead the way as we leave the apartment, my eyes drawn to the fluid movement of her hips. I’m already playing with fire, and I must not go there. She’s down on her luck. I will not take advantage of her. One night with April Wilson is not enough, but I’m not sure I’ll survive another—not intact at least. This woman does things to me, makes me feel things. The more I get to know her, the worse it’s getting, and she’s only been here less than a week. My brain is full of her, so much so I’m struggling to even concentrate at work.
“So, are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asks, her interest piqued.
It’s my turn to smile.
“What part of— it’s a surprise… ” I tell her, has her chuckling.
“You can’t blame a girl for trying,” she says as we make our way down in the lift to find Mason waiting for us by the car.
“Hi, Mason,” she says, earning herself a smile from Mason.
I scowl at him which makes him smile even more.
“Do you ever drive yourself?” April asks when I finally join her on the back seat. “Can you even drive?”
I laugh.
“I can and do. Cars and driving are a hobby of mine,” I tell her.
She looks at me, and I shrug.
“However, visiting building sites and potential sites, most of the older buildings don’t have parking garages. Having to arrive thirty minutes to an hour early just to ensure I can find a parking space is not an economical use of my time. Having Mason drive me, saves me both time and money,” I explain. “Plus, I’m not a great lover of talking while driving, especially in the city. Too many hazards… and people. This way, I can continue working while moving from A to B.”
April nods. “That’s logical.”
We make small talk as we travel through the streets. It’s not long before Mason is pulling up outside a large building .
April looks out of the window at the sign, before her eyes flying to mine.
“Why are we here?” she asks, her face a mask of confusion.
“This is your surprise.”
“Er Cal, why are we at Scarlett Dupree’s Dance and Choreography Studio?”
I can see the pulse throbbing in her neck, her heart is racing. Scarlett is one of the top choreographers in the world and a friend from school. She’s also been involved in countless music videos, theatre, and film productions. She returned to the UK a couple of years ago, got married and set up this school after being based in the US for most of her career.
I say nothing. Instead, I get out and walk towards the entrance.
“Are you coming?” I say, turning around and waiting.
Clearly not wanting to be left behind, April jumps out of the car and follows me.
I hold open the door, and April steps around me. Her mouth drops but she quickly closes it. I must admit, Scarlett has done an amazing job. Even her reception area is stunning. The girl sitting behind the desk greets us.
“Hi,” she says. “How can I help you?”
“Oh, hi Caleb. Scarlett said to send you straight through.”
“Thanks, Kylie,” I say, waiting for the door to buzz before pulling it open.
We enter a corridor with glass walls and doors along one side, allowing views of multiple dance studios. A class is taking place in the one ahead of us. The dancers are not much younger than April, their bodies moving in sync as they twist and spin. My mind goes back to her body twisting and turning on the terrace. April moves towards the class as if in a trance, unable to take her eyes off the dancers. Her love for her profession is clear, and I know I’ve done the right thing bringing her here.
“Caleb.” Scarlett’s voice draws my attention. “Kylie said you’d arrived.”
I walk towards her, sweeping her into a bear hug.
“Good to see you, Scarlett,” I say.
“You too, Romeo,” she says, patting my cheek and making me scowl. Her laughter echoes down the hall.
“Hi,” she says, turning to face April. “You must be April, I’m Scarlett.”
She holds out her hand to April, who steps forward taking it in her own.
“Pleased to meet you,” she says, although I can hear the nervousness in her tone.
Scarlett smiles warmly.
“I wanted to meet you,” she says to April. “When I realised it was Caleb’s building and the flash mob, I had to call.”
“Oh. Oh!” she says as Scarlett’s words sink in. “You called Cal?”
Scarlett turns her gaze to me, her eyes twinkling.
“I did,” she says, returning her attention back to April. “Your routine impressed me.”
April’s cheeks darken at the compliment.
“Thank you,” she says awkwardly.
I can see the confusion on April’s face. She has no idea why she’s here.
“Maybe you should tell April, why you wanted to speak to her,” I say to Scarlett. “I haven’t said anything. I thought I’d leave that to you.” I tell my longtime friend.
“Perfect. Let’s grab a drink.”
Scarlett turns and leads us into a cafe. It sits at the end of the corridor, on the other side of the dance studios. Large glass windows overlook the car park.
“What can I get you?” she asks .
“Water for me, please,” April says.
“Caleb?”
“Coffee, black, thanks, Scarlett.”
Scarlett moves over to the counter and speaks to the girl behind it before returning and taking a seat.
“I have a proposition for you,” Scarlett says, turning to April.
April stares at her wide-eyed, and I want to chuckle. It’s fun watching her fangirl. “I heard what happened. Caleb told me. He also told me your dance school helps the kids in your neighbourhood. Gives them a focus.”
April nods but stays silent.
“In the US, I did something similar, helped in local schools. Created somewhere for the kids to go.” She touches her lips. “What I’m trying to say is I understand its importance.”
“Thank you,” April says again.
I smirk, this is probably the only time I’ve seen her lost for words.
“Let me cut to the chase. I’d like to offer you some space. Space to run your classes, at least until you can get your studio back up and running again.”
I watch as April opens her mouth and closes it again.
“We’re not currently at full capacity. I have four studios here. Some of my dancers are off-site as they’re involved in various projects. If you want it. The space is yours.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she says, shooting me a look, which I return with an encouraging smile. April's eyes lock on my lips, and I swallow.
“Think on it,” Scarlett says, breaking the moment.
“It’s amazing, and I thank you for the offer. But the kids I work with are miles from here. There’s no way they could get across town. I wouldn’t want them travelling this far, and there’s the cost. My neighbourhood—it’s a poor demographic. They don’t have money to spare. A lot of the kids…” She doesn’t add that some of them attended her classes for nothing more than the task of sweeping the floor at the end of the day or cleaning the showers as payment. Samuel filled me in on that little snippet of information. “They’re streetwise, but…”
Scarlett looks at me and raises an eyebrow.
I turn to April and place my hands on the table. “Not an issue. We can transport the kids across in minibuses. The cost covered by Frazer Development. When I said we take the community seriously, I meant it. This benefits everyone. You wanted Action – this is me giving you action.”
April stares at me before blinking slowly as if trying to absorb my words.
“We can arrange a schedule. Bring the kids over and ship them back.”
April coughs, and I watch her eyes fill before she blinks the moisture away.
“Why?” she asks, her eyes darting between the two of us.
It’s my turn to raise an eyebrow. “We’ve been over this.”
She turns to Scarlett. “Why? Why would you offer this?”
“I may have money, but most of those I work with don’t,” Scarlett says, giving her a knowing smile and placing a hand over April’s, squeezing. “Too many have battled their way out of poverty. It’s about not missing the talent I know is out there. Some of your kids are good. I want to help you, help them.” Scarlett’s voice catches, surprising me. I watch these two bond over their love of dance. “Will you let me help you, April? I’m starting a dance program next year. A dance school to help kids like yours, those with talent, that can’t afford the standard dance school fees needed.”
“I’ll need to talk to them. Spread the word. Some parents may have issues, especially where the younger children are concerned,” April admits, but I can see the cogs turning in her head as she mulls over the possibilities.
“We can cater for parents. The purpose of setting up this cafe was to cater to student parents. Give them somewhere to meet and wait. I’m sure we can get large enough buses to transport parents who wish to accompany their children. If they don’t want to attend, we have permission slips that will need to be signed,” Scarlett adds, motioning to the surrounding space.
“I can arrange for the community centre to house another meeting,” I say. “If you can spread the word and see who’s willing to take us up on the offer.”
“And if they’re not interested?” April says.
I shrug.
“If they don’t, then we’ll find another way to help these kids. This is option one.”
The determination in April’s expression surprises me. She wants to make this work.
“Okay.”
A slow smile forms on Scarlett’s face as April says, “Let’s do this.”
Scarlett jumps up and wraps an arm around April’s shoulder. “If you don’t mind, I’ll come to the meeting. Bring some of my dancers, give them people their own age to talk to.”
April looks confused as if she’s trying to grasp the logistics. She may have her work cut out selling this to the parents, but unless we try…
After we finish our drinks, Scarlett gives April a tour of the facilities. I leave them to it, telling April I need to make some calls and I’ll meet her in the car when she’s done.
“This is amazing,” she says when she finally climbs in next to me.
I smile. “I told you I’d sort something out. ”
“You did,” she says, grinning. “I’m sorry I doubted you. Now, all we have to do is convince the parents.”