by Elias Taylor
Hayden pressed his hands into her stomach and growled into her ear, “Get on the bed.”
She backed up and scrambled backwards onto his sky blue comforter.
She sat there and awaited him, her luscious breasts perked up and her hair tumbling down around her shoulders.
“Take those off,” Hayden said.
Heather sucked in her breath and a blush spread across her cheeks. There was that adorable shyness. Hayden was going to fuck it out of her.
“Do it,” he said.
She reached down and pushed her panties off. She wiggled out of them, and they fell to the ground.
Hayden walked over and put his hand on her neck. He ran his other hand down over her breast and to her stomach. He started to play with the curls on her mound, and she sucked in her breath as he slid his fingers lower and lower until he was stroking around her folds.
He pressed his mouth close to her ear.
“I’m yours, Heather,” he whispered. “Do you know that?”
“You’re mine,” she whispered.
Then she pulled her legs up until she was kneeling on the bed. With Hayden standing, they were at eye-level. Hayden repositioned his fingers on her clit and watched in awe as Heather started to claim what was hers. She rode his fingers with timid movements at first but then started to pick up speed. She was sopping wet and Hayden could barely handle it.
Heather pushed his pants down until his full erection was out. She gripped it in her own hand and began to stroke up and down.
Hayden savored every moan and gasp that came out of her mouth. He pressed his fingers deeper into her heat and she let her hips roll against his torso. She let out a cry and buried her face in his neck. Hayden realized she was peppering his old infinity tattoo with kisses.
He placed his hand beneath her chin and raised her head until she was looking at him. He breathed heavily as her hands paused in their stroking. He looked deep into her big eyes and he lost himself to her beauty.
“Tell me what you want,” he said.
In answer, Heather placed her hands on his lower back and pulled him to the bed. Then she twisted to the side and pulled him down until he was on his back. A dancer through and through, she swung her leg over him in one graceful flowing movement until she was straddling him.
The feel of her wetness sliding across his abs drove Hayden crazy. He gripped her hips in his hands. Heather leaned down to kiss him and her breasts pressed into his chest.
He was dreaming. This had to be a dream. Heather Carlson on top of him, kissing him like it was her last day on Earth.
Then she pressed her heat against his erection and Hayden knew it wasn’t a dream. With agonizing slowness, Heather teased him by lowering herself onto his arousal and then pulling back. The feel of her satin flesh sent Hayden into a craze as pulsating waves of pleasure started to course through his body.
“Please, baby,” Hayden said.
Heather smiled at his begging. She lowered herself onto him again and her lips parted as his manhood pressed deeper into her. She was so tight that Hayden couldn’t take it anymore.
He gripped her ass in his hands and pulled her down onto him all the way. They both cried out as Hayden’s arousal slid into her heated core and reached a deep and most sensitive spot.
“Oh, God,” Heather gasped.
With his hands still gripping her hips, Hayden started to guide her, and Heather responded wonderfully. She started to ride him and with each movement she seemed to envelop him deeper. He wanted to fill her completely.
Hayden slid one hand across her stomach so he could press his fingers into her flesh. Heather closed her eyes in ecstasy as she continued to ride him.
“I’m close,” she gasped.
“Me too,” Hayden said.
They fit together so well, Hayden no longer felt like two separate people. They were one, rising and falling into a void of sensation. The ripples that flowed from Heather’s core and into Hayden’s own flesh were unlike anything else he had ever experienced.
He felt the moment she tipped over the edge. Her flesh clenched around him, sending him into his own climax. As he hit his shattering release, he kept his eyes fixed on her. Her face seemed to glow above him and a ring of light from his lamp made the edges of her blur and shimmer.
Her cries mingled with his own groans in a harmony of pleasure. Together, they hit their glorious peak and Hayden knew that he wanted to be with her forever. After this, he couldn’t be without her anymore. It was too late.
As Heather descended from her height, she fell against Hayden’s chest like a wilted flower. He wrapped his arms around her back and held her close. She pressed her cheek into his neck and he felt her sigh of satisfaction.
After a few moments, Heather shifted so that she was curled up at his side. Hayden turned so that he spooned her. Both spent, they just breathed together in their shared warmth.
“That was amazing,” Hayden whispered in her ear.
With his cheek pressed close to hers, he could feel her smile.
“Are we going to try this?” she asked.
“Yes,” Hayden said.
They were going to try again. And if he had anything to say about it, this time they would succeed.
Chapter Fifteen: Wild Ways
Heather leaned back against the studio mirror and surveyed her notes. So far she had drafted lesson plans for another month of introductory ballet, as well as several classes on contemporary dance for the teenage group, plus she had plans to meet with a few older students for one-on-one lessons.
It had been three weeks since she and Hayden had their date in San Diego. Heather had nearly a full schedule at the studio, but she and Hayden had spent practically every night together.
Even she was having trouble finding the negatives. Everything was great. Hayden was amazing. The studio was thriving. A small part of her had to wonder how long the good times would last, but Heather was too cheerful to listen to that tiny voice.
She glanced up from her notebook to see Lenora crossing the floor towards her.
“Seems like you had another very happy class earlier,” Lenora said.
“Some of them learn so fast, it’s crazy,” Heather said.
“Give yourself some credit,” Lenora said. “They can only learn fast when they have a good teacher.”
“I was actually thinking about some things,” Heather said. “And since so many of the younger girls idolize the teen dancers, it might be a success if we started offering lyrical and contemporary to the 8 to 10 age group.”
“Parents don’t always like signing up their kids for more than one class at that age,” Lenora said.
“I know. So I was thinking we start by offering mini sessions at the end of the ballet class. Anyone can stay and they would just be 15 to 30 minutes, free of charge.”
Lenora nodded her head in appreciation. Heather knew it was a good idea. Many girls stayed late after class anyway to practice a few things or just hang out with friends. It was an ideal time for Heather to introduce new dance styles.
“Then, if enough girls are interested, we start a full class,” Heather said.
“That could work well,” Lenora said. “You sure you can take on the extra classes?”
“Of course,” Heather said.
It was true. She had grown into herself as a teacher. She liked interacting with the kids. They were funny and hardworking. Plus, their rambunctious personalities helped Heather loosen up. After some rehearsals as a dancer, Heather had been on the verge of tears. But after teaching a class, she always felt relaxed and stress-free. It didn’t even feel like work.
“Well, then start next week,” Lenora said. “I’m really impressed by all this. You’ve brought new life to the business.”
Joy spread through Heather at her old instructor’s genuine praise.
The conversation halted at the sound of a motorcycle pulling up.
“Oh, excuse me,” Heather said. “That’s Hayden.”
> Lenora looked out the window. Hayden was hopping off his bike and gripping a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Heather didn’t even know how he managed to keep the flowers safe while he biked, but he had found a way.
“Such a handsome man,” Lenora said. “He brings you so many flowers, I wonder how you have room for yourself up in that apartment.”
“He doesn’t bring me that many,” Heather said.
Lenora only raised her eyebrows and gave Heather a soft smile.
“I did tell you there was more to life than dancing on a stage,” Lenora said.
Heather wanted to ask her instructor to elaborate, but Hayden walked in just then.
“Have a good evening,” Lenora said. She gave Heather one last knowing grin and walked out.
Hayden greeted Lenora and then walked across the floor towards Heather. She loved the sight of him in the dance studio. He should have looked totally incongruous, in his black leather jacket and with his tall imposing stature, but somehow he fit the setting. Heather couldn’t explain it, but it was true.
Heather accepted the flowers and stood on tiptoe to give him a kiss. Hayden wrapped his arms around her waist and then lifted her off the floor to give her a playful twirl around. She had never felt so good in the arms of any dance partner.
“How was the class?” Hayden asked as he set her down.
“Great! Hailey Barns has mastered her arabesque and Zoe Clemmons almost has got her side aerial down.”
“But, as we all know, the real challenge is doing the aerial in heels,” Hayden said.
She didn’t know how it was possible, but he was so sexy when he dropped dance lingo into the conversation. He wasn’t faking it either. Hayden had a photographic memory for technical language. After her performances in high school, he had gone through certain moments and made her tell him the correct terms for the “whirly move” or the “thing where she pulled her leg straight up.”
Heather pressed her nose into the flower petals. Today it was lilies.
“Lenora is starting to tease me about all these flowers.”
“It’s a special occasion,” Hayden said.
“What?”
“Club picnic is this weekend,” Hayden said. “Would you be my date?”
“Of course!”
“Good.” He leaned down and kissed her again. No matter how many times they kissed, it still made Heather’s stomach flip.
“I’m going to my parents for dinner tonight, but wanna come upstairs while I get ready?”
“Sure,” Hayden said.
She put her hand in his and led him upstairs to his apartment. He had been over plenty of times, but Heather still got a thrill seeing him in her private space. Sometimes it still felt like she was sixteen and sneaking a boy into her room.
Hayden sat on her bed while Heather took her shirt off and stood in front of her closet in just her sports bra and dance leggings.
As Heather debated which shirt to wear to her parents, Hayden suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind and started kissing her neck.
“Hayden, I don’t have time,” Heather mumbled.
“Then you shouldn’t have taken your shirt off in front of me,” Hayden said. “You look too gorgeous right now.”
Heather turned and started to kiss him back. Over the years, she had sometimes missed the comfort she had as a teenager with Hayden. She had wondered what it would be like to be intimate with him. It was even better than she expected. She could never keep her hands off him for long.
But her parents were expecting her in fifteen minutes. And it was an important dinner. She was going to tell them she was seeing Hayden again and she was nervous. She wanted to make sure she presented him in a good light. They hadn’t hated Hayden, but they had their doubts about their daughter dating a biker. They had not shed too many tears when she dumped him.
With reluctance, Heather broke the kiss. Hayden shook his head and released her. She pulled on a short-sleeve green button-down. Then she yanked off her leggings and replaced them with comfy boyfriend jeans.
“How do I look?” Heather asked.
“Amazing,” Hayden said.
“You always say that.”
“You always look amazing.”
Heather leaned against him and inhaled his scent. He smelled faintly of leather and engine smoke, but underneath he had a husky warm scent.
“Can I come over to yours after dinner?” she asked.
“Of course,” Hayden said.
“Maybe next time, you can come have dinner at my parent’s place as well.”
His smile was completely dazzling.
When she arrived at her parents' house, Heather felt a flurry of nerves in her stomach. She decided it was best to just make her announcement as soon as possible.
Once they had all settled down around the table, Heather cleared her throat.
“So I have something to tell you all,” she said.
Mischa leaned forward in anticipation and her father raised his eyebrows.
“Do you all remember Hayden Russel?” Heather asked.
“Oh my God, I totally called this,” Mischa said. “I did! Mom, didn’t I say that she was going to get back together with him?”
Mischa smiled as she gloated. She clearly thought this was amazing, but Heather was more worried about her parents.
“We’re happy if you’re happy,” her mother said.
Heather sensed there was more to it than thought. Her father clarified.
“We do remember how hard it was for you last time,” her dad said. “Remember how much trouble he used to get into?”
Heather frowned down at her lasagna.
“The break-up was rough, I know,” Heather said. “But this feels like a new beginning.”
“Even before the break-up, he had those wild ways,” her mother said. “Cutting class, getting in trouble at school.”
Heather furrowed her brow. She hadn’t really thought about all that. It was true though. Even after juvie, Hayden had struggled with authority. Once he had gotten detention for talking back to a teacher and Heather had been left waiting for him in the pouring rain after school. Another time, he had gotten into a fistfight in the middle of the hallway. The guy Hayden hit had been a notorious bully who was taunting a freshman girl for her weight, but still, Heather had been mortified at the display of violence. Somehow, she had been so wrapped up in remembering all the good things, she had forgotten the reasons she had questioned the relationship back then.
“But he was, like, so good-looking,” Mischa interjected. “Besides, that was ages ago.”
“His good looks aside,” Heather’s dad said. “We do know Hayden has changed. He’s been part of a program to mentor troubled youths and that speaks volumes.”
Heather perked up. It was true that Hayden cared about the community. He had mentioned how he swung by to talk to some kids in danger of ending up in juvie like he had. She had been impressed, but Hayden had played it off like it was no big deal.
“It does seem he’s matured,” her mother added. “Two months ago, my friend Debbie told me he worked with the City Beautification Committee with plans to improve the roads.”
“But, honey, it doesn’t matter what we think,” her dad said. “As long as you feel good about the whole thing.”
“I do,” Heather said. She smiled at her family. “I’m not sure where it’s going or what the future brings, but I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“In that case,” her mother said. “You had better bring him to dinner next time.”
After dinner, Heather left her parents place with a smile plastered on her face. She couldn’t wait to get to Hayden’s place and snuggle into his arms.
About halfway to Hayden’s apartment, her phone rang. She glanced at the area code and saw it was from a Chicago number. Heather pulled over at the side of the road and answered the call.
“Hello, this is Heather Carlson,” she said.
“Hi, Heath
er, this is Brigid from the Chicago Ballet.”
Brigid Michaelson had been one of the head producers. She and Heather had shared some good conversations while Heather danced for the company, but they were not super close.
“Hi Brigid,” Heather said. “How are you?”
“I’m well, and yourself?”
“I’m doing ok.”
“Look, I know you’ve had a rough few months and I know you asked to be kept apprised of any opportunities here,” Brigid said. “We’re looking to hire another choreographer for this winter and I think you could be a good fit.”
Heather’s heart lurched. It was just the kind of role she thought she might be suited for with her injured knee. Still dancing, but not as much performing. A chance to stretch her creative muscles.
“Brigid, that sounds amazing,” Heather said.
“The audition is next Thursday. We want you to fly in.”
Heather’s brain scrambled over everything she had going on. That was a little over a week away. She would have to cancel a few classes. And Hayden...Heather swallowed hard.
“Can I have a few days to think about it?” Heather asked. “I promise I can get back to you soon with an answer.”
“Sure,” Brigid said. “Just let us know after the weekend.”
“Ok, thank you.”
After hanging up, she sat at the wheel for a few long moments. This was a huge stroke of luck. Three weeks ago, she would have jumped for joy at this kind of opportunity. A chance to get back to the hardcore dance world she loved. A chance to get out of Lyndon. A chance to escape everyone’s pitying glances at her knee.
Then again, she had been enjoying Lyndon the past few weeks. She loved the studio. And no one, especially not Hayden, was looking at her with pity.
She sighed and started her car engine back up. One thing was for certain: no one could make this choice but her.
For now, she wouldn’t mention the audition to Hayden. This was something she had to consider all on her own.
Chapter Sixteen: Peace Treaty
Hayden accepted two burgers on paper plates from Sugar. At Hog barbecues, Sugar always did the grilling. It was tradition.
