Chapter 21
A few days later
“H ow do I look?” Saskia turned.
“Gorgeous,” Gia said.
“Stunning,” Harlow pronounced.
Haven eyed Saskia’s dark blue tutu and pointe shoes. She sighed. “I want to be a ballerina when I grow up.”
Gia nodded. “I think Saxon would totally dig me in a tutu.” She gave a saucy wink. “Or enjoy taking me out of it.”
“Well, I’ll give you all free lessons at my school,” Saskia said. “Once it’s up and running.”
“You’re really planning to open a ballet school?” Siv asked.
Saskia nodded. “I’m going to start looking for spaces as soon as I can.”
“It’ll be amazing,” Savannah said. “And I’m going to do some artwork for it.”
Which would be amazing. Her best friend was so excited for Saskia to be in San Francisco and starting her own business.
“Saskia, thank you so much for dancing at the charity event tonight.” Sofie looked stunning in a designer, green dress. “Especially on such short notice.”
They were all crowded inside the small dressing room where Saskia was getting ready to dance.
“It’s my pleasure. It’s for such a good cause.” Sofie’s charity event was raising money for mental health programs for children. Saskia thought of her mom and felt a small pang. Early intervention could mean some people didn’t have to suffer like her mother had.
“Okay, we’d better take our seats.” Brynn clapped her hands. The detective was wearing a column of black silk that highlighted her fit body. “Or our hot guys, who are extra hot tonight in their tuxes, will get mobbed by lust-crazed women.”
After the gang had all moved out, with hugs and kisses and wishes of good luck, Saskia headed for the stage. Three background dancers in white costumes were waiting.
“Saskia.” A beaming Addie hurried over, her blonde hair slicked back in a bun.
They hugged. “I’m so glad you could make it for this.”
“I could hardly say no to a request to dance from a princess. Besides, Princess Sofia flew me over in business class. It was fabulous .”
Saskia smiled. She really liked Addie. “I’m sorry I’m not in New York. We could hang out if I were.”
“Me too.” Addie squeezed Saskia’s hands. “I would never have guessed something good would come out of being abducted. But meeting you, not to mention the fact that I have an audition for On the Street next week, with Davison James…that’s pretty good in my books.”
“I know what you mean.” Saskia had gotten a man she adored and a new life in San Francisco out of this ordeal.
The music started.
“Time to dance,” Saskia said.
Addie and the other dancers did their thing, gliding gracefully out onto the stage. Saskia watched them, smiling.
Then it was her turn.
She moved across the stage, the music filling her. It was lively, uplifting.
She whirled, lifting her arms. Thanks to the bright lights, she couldn’t see the audience, but she felt Cam watching her. Felt his attention. His protection. His love.
She soared into a jeté , then she whirled, her arms up and leg back.
The music ended, and a second later, the crowd erupted. Saskia straightened and smiled. She would always have dance, in all its many forms. She didn’t care how she did it, or if there was a crowd or no one watching, it would always sing to her.
And now, she also had a man who loved her.
She focused on the front row and spotted the Norcross gang. Brynn had been right. The men were far too delicious in their tuxedos.
She saw Cam standing, clapping and staring at her. Smiling.
She smiled back.
Once the applause had died down, she dipped in a graceful curtsy, then hurried off to her dressing room.
There was a huge bouquet of mixed flowers from Sofie waiting for her. She leaned in and sniffed. They smelled fabulous.
Eager to get to the others, she quickly stripped off her costume and pulled on a silky white robe. She set to work wiping off her makeup.
Suddenly, the door opened and Cam slid inside. He was holding a small bunch of calla lilies and a box of her truffles.
“You were magnificent, sweetheart.”
“Thanks.” She smelled the flowers and set them aside. Then she slid her arms around his neck.
The kiss was hot and divine. Heat coiled in her belly, mixing with the dancing high.
He stroked his fingers across her cheek. “I was going to ask if you were sure you wanted to give this up.”
She pulled back, frowning. “Cam—”
His other hand squeezed her hip. “But then you looked at me, and I don’t need to ask anymore.”
She smiled. Her man was finally getting it. “I love you.”
“I love you too. I love watching you dance. You’re so talented. When you do some of that stuff—” He shook his head in amazement.
“Stuff like this?” She lifted her leg up and onto his shoulder. Her robe fell open.
His eyes fired, skating over her naked body. “Baby.” He slid his hands under the silk, and then his mouth was on hers.
“ Cam .” She pressed into him.
He groaned and lifted her onto the dressing table. Something fell off and smashed. She laughed.
There was a hard knock at the door. “Ah, sorry to interrupt.” It was Ryder’s amused voice. “But mom is on her way out with flowers for Saskia, and the rest of the gang will descend before too long.”
“So get dressed,” Siv added. “There’s no time for hot sex.”
Cam pressed his forehead to Saskia’s and groaned.
“And I don’t need to hear my brother having hot sex,” Ryder added.
Saskia rested her head on Cam’s shoulder, fighting back the giggles. He kissed her temple.
“Later, you’re all mine,” he growled. “I have some interesting positions to test out that flexibility of yours.”
Saskia laughed. Her life was so full now. It wasn’t just dancing. Now, she had new friends, a new business to build, and this man.
A man who’d love and protect her for the rest of their lives.
She nipped his bottom lip. “Later.”
* * *
“Yeah. Thanks for that. It’s been super helpful. Bye.” Cam hung up his desk phone.
He was back at work. Saskia was at his place, busy organizing to ship her stuff out from New York.
Life was good.
There was a knock at the office door and Rhys poked his head in. “Hey, Cam, I’ve got a lead to follow. Want to tag along?”
“I can’t, man, sorry. I’m meeting Saskia for lunch.”
Rhys smiled and waggled his eyebrows. “Lunch. Right.”
Shaking his head, Cam waved the man off. He grabbed his keys and cell phone off his desk, then headed out of the office.
Saskia had texted him an address where he was supposed to meet her for lunch. It wasn’t too far away.
He jogged down the stairs to the parking level, and walked toward his brand-new, gray Jaguar F-Type.
He’d finally picked out a car.
Saskia had helped, and he had to admit that the sports car was a sweet ride.
He jumped in and sped out of the Norcross parking level. He and Saskia had talked about buying a place of their own, as well. They were still debating whether they should get a condo, townhouse, or house. And what location would work best for them.
Instead of his usual low-grade dread, Cam felt excitement about the idea.
He’d also been ring shopping with his mom the day before.
He hadn’t found the right one yet. He wanted the perfect design for the woman he loved.
He kept reminding himself they had time, there was no rush.
He wanted the perfect ring, and then he’d think of the perfect proposal.
He wanted to make Saskia his in all ways.
He pulled to a stop at the address she’d given him. He looked at the building and frowned. It was a little rundown, with no sign of a restaurant. He saw renovation work being carried out on the upper levels.
Maybe he had the wrong address?
Then he saw Saskia push open the glass doors and wave at him.
Cam climbed out of the car. She looked good enough to eat. She wore fitted, dark jeans, and a white shirt, covered by a dark-gray fitted jacket with buttons that made it look vaguely military. Her black hair was loose.
“Hey.” She went up on her toes and kissed him.
“Hey.” He looked at the building. “I thought we were having lunch?”
“We are.” She took his hand and pulled him inside.
It smelled musty. The large space had likely been a store in a previous life. Now it needed paint, urgently. In the center, a picnic blanket was laid out with the basket resting on top.
“What is this?” he asked.
“I grabbed lunch from this little delicatessen that Gia recommended. And this—” she paused dramatically and threw her arms wide “—is my new ballet school.”
She was beaming. Cam looked away and eyed the place dubiously.
“Okay, okay, I can see that you aren’t that impressed. The owner’s promised to do work to it, and the rent is just right.” She did a little wiggle. “You just need a little vision.” Her nose wrinkled. “And imagination.”
He listened as she went on and on, outlining her vision for the school.
“In the change rooms, I want some kiddy-size sinks. Out here, mirrors all along this wall, and on that wall—” she thrust out an arm “—I’ll get Savannah to paint a series of dancers in different poses. I’ll need an office in the back.”
And instantly he could see it. He could also see her passion and excitement.
Saskia really wanted this. He walked over to her. “Sweetheart, it sounds amazing.”
Her smile was as bright as the sun. “Then I’ll sign the lease today.” With a squeal, she jumped on him.
As always, the kiss turned hot, and a little out of control.
When they broke apart, she was a bit dazed.
“Come and have lunch.” She licked her lips. “Plus, I have another surprise.”
He let her tow him to the picnic blanket.
When she whirled, she fiddled with her hair, looking nervous.
He frowned. “What is it, sweetheart?”
Whatever was wrong, he’d make it right.
“Camden, will you marry me?”
He blinked at her.
She grabbed his hands. “I love you and you love me. I’m so excited for our life together. I know we haven’t been together long—”
He growled and yanked her against his chest. “No.”
Her face went blank. “What?”
“ I’m going to propose to you .” He was annoyed now. “I’m already planning it. I haven’t found the right ring, but I will.”
Her smile came back. “Did I ruin your plans, soldier?”
He nipped her lips. “Yes. I think that deserves some punishment.” He ran his mouth down her neck.
She moaned, clinging to him. “We can’t have sex right now. We only have just enough time to eat, then I have to go to the rehearsal for the dance tonight.”
His hands clenched on her, and he groaned. Sofie had talked Saskia into yet another last-minute dance performance at another charity thing tonight. That meant Cam had to drag his tux out again.
Still, he’d get to see Saskia dance.
He kissed her nose. “I can’t wait to watch you dance.” Another kiss, right on her mouth. “But I’ll be more excited to get my gorgeous ballerina home and naked in our bed.”
She smiled up at him, love shining in her eyes. “I love you, Camden.”
He knew she did. It was the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him.
His broken pieces were all back together. They were still cracked, and didn’t all fit the same way, but he knew Saskia didn’t care.
“I love you too, sweetheart. Now let’s eat.”
* * *
I hope you enjoyed Cam and Saskia’s story!