Chapter Thirty-One
Max
It feels like hours have passed since Lucy went up to my place, when in reality it has only been twenty minutes. Everyone is up and about now. So, after a quick hello and goodbye, I rush out of there, trying to cause as little suspicion as possible.
I all but run up the stairs to my front door, which Lucy has left unlocked. I’ll be having words with her later about that. This woman has no clue what safety means. With everything that’s going on with Maya, the last thing I need is for something to happen to Lucy, too.
“Lucy?” I call when I don’t see her anywhere, but hear nothing in reply.
She wouldn’t leave without telling me, would she? I can feel that wave of doubt creeping in, but only for a second, as when I turn around, I see her shoes near the front door.
I make my way down the hall and call out again, and still no answer.
I’m about to turn around and head to the second floor when I hear what sounds like music coming from the other end of the hallway.
It’s familiar, a soft tune played on a piano.
The closer I get to the room I had made just for her, realisation hits me.
It’s Lucy’s solo music from when she was in Paris.
The dance that made me go back each night to watch her over and over again.
The same dance that helped me make the decision to leave without telling her I was ever there.
Because watching Lucy dance to this song on that big stage was the most magical thing I have ever witnessed.
Pushing the door open slightly, I take a step into the room and freeze instantly. My breath caught in my throat at the sight in front of me. This right here is the exact reason she has the nickname she does.
Lucy is in the middle of her new studio, music blaring and completely lost in her own world.
She’s dancing the dance exactly as I remembered it.
Only this time, she has discarded her clothes and is only in her underwear and socks.
Her hair is tied back at the nape of her neck, and her eyes are solely focused on herself in the mirror, studying the movements she makes.
Watching her has me in a trance. How can anyone make ballet look so beautiful, yet so sexy at the same time?
Her movements are fluid. The positions she can get herself into are ones I have never even realised she could do.
I make a mental note of all the things we can try with my newfound information.
On the tips of her toes, she leans forward, as her other leg lifts until eventually it is in line with the other.
She is fucking incredible.
The ballet barres covering the mirror-lined wall are obstructing some of my view, and still, she looks fucking amazing. What I would give to be sitting in front of her right now, watching from the front as she dances.
Eventually, the music fades, bringing the song to an end. But Lucy doesn’t move from her last position. The only movement comes from her shoulders as she breathes heavily. Her breath is ragged when she does eventually move, but her body drops down to the floor, her hands covering her face.
“Sugarplum?” I whisper, marching straight over to her side.
But she doesn’t seem to notice that I’m here.
“Baby? What’s wrong?” I ask, using my finger to tip her chin up so I can see those beautiful, teary eyes of hers.
She sniffles, but a hint of a smile shows on her lips.
“You remembered. Didn’t you?” She asks softly.
Of course, I fucking remembered. I remember everything about her. Her every hope, dream, and want. Ever since she was a little girl, she has dreamt of having her own studio, just for her, to practice any time she wanted.
“I remember everything about you, Lucy.” I smile, using the pads of my thumb to brush away her tears. “Please tell me these are tears of joy?”
She chokes on a laugh, the tears getting in the way.
“Yes, Max. They are tears of joy. I… I can’t believe you’ve done this.”
“I did it for you; everything I do will always be for you. To see you smile, to help you succeed, to give you some of the peace that you have given to me.” I say, my own throat clogging with emotion.
“Max,” she starts, but the tears stop her from saying any more.
“I know, baby. I know.”
Instead of speaking, she pushes me back so that I’m lying flat in the middle of her studio floor.
She crawls over me, positioning herself so her centre is perfectly aligned with my cock.
Although I’m enjoying letting her take control, I can’t stop myself from reaching up and dragging her face down to mine.
My tongue sweeps across the entrance of her lips.
She opens up for me instantly, matching my kiss with just as much intensity.
“I love you, so fucking much, Lucy. I needed you to know I’m all in with this, with us. This place is as much yours as it is mine, but this room is just for you.” I tell her, kissing her as I speak.
I can never keep my hands off her. The past few months have been torture, being so close but not close enough. And now that everything is out in the open between us, it is going to be even harder to stay away. When all I want to do is pull her into me at every opportunity.
“I love you, Max. I always have.”