by Jess Epps
"I'm not judging. I'm so interested. What's his name?"
I smile and uncover my face. "His name is Noah."
"Mmm, Noah." She moans loudly
I laugh. "I know, right?"
She throws her arms around me and hugs me tightly. "You lucky shit."
We’re giggling like two schoolgirls when the door opens and in walks my Greek god.
"Well, good evening, ladies." Noah's deep voice breaks up our giggles. My heart crashes against my rib cage when I hear his voice. I can't help the way he makes me feel.
"Hi. Is the show over?"
His laugh fills the small dressing room. "No, baby, it’s intermission. I wanted to come back here and congratulate you. Now get your little ass in my hands."
Dillen is staring. Yes, blatantly staring at my man in his tux.
I get up and walk over to him and wrap my arms around his neck before kissing him passionately, my entire body on fire for him. His hands move down my white costume to my ass. He picks me up and I wrap my legs around him as he holds me.
“Shit! You two are scorching!” Dillen says while dramatically fanning her flushed face.
I giggle against his lips. "Hush. It's been, like, a whole hour since I've seen him."
“An hour? Shit. Should I see myself out? Hi, Noah, I’m Dillen. Your little ass’s best friend.”
He smiles and sets me down. "Hello, Dillen, it's great to meet you," he says. His eyes are watching my bestie squirm in her tights.
“I’ve heard you’ve stretched the hell out of Heather. Where do I get a man like you, huh?”
He barks out a laugh and I cover my mouth. She’s just like Dani. "Dillen!" I all but shriek.
“Oh come on. He has to have some friends. Maybe not as gorgeous in a tux, but close?”
Noah’s arms snake around me from behind and he rests his chin on the top of my head. “I’ve got two in the audience. So you’ve got a fifty-fifty chance.”
I love his hands on me like this. I move my hands to his arms and hold him to me. Wait...love?
No. Don't even go there, Heather. "Baby, don't throw her in the lion’s den."
“If she’s asking for it…” He chuckles and laces his fingers with mine “Are we celebrating your performance tonight, ballerina?”
“Wait. Ballerina? I am officially jealous.”
I giggle shyly and tilt my head back, kissing under his jaw. "If everyone wants to go out, I'll go."
“Deal!” Dillen squeals and smacks my butt before she walks out of my dressing room. “I have my dance coming up, so you better clap for me, bitch!”
“Good luck. I’ll be watching,” I call out after her.
“What do you say you come and sit on my lap for the rest of the night?”
I turn in his arms, looking up at him. "I wish I could, baby, but I'm supposed to stay backstage just in case I'm needed. But I'll make you a deal..." Taking his earlobe into my mouth, and twirling my tongue around it, I say, "After the show, I'll be on your lap all night long."
He groans and squeezes my ass. “That, I’ll take. Even when we go out, or you’ll owe me.” He cups my face and takes my mouth slowly, painfully slowly, showing me just how much he cares. He speaks against my lips softly, “You were unbelievable on stage.”
I relish the way he tastes. Smells. Feels. I want him. "Really? Thank you. I was really surprised." I don’t want him to stop kissing me.
"Yes, and I don't think I was the only one who thought so. My girl got one hell of an applause. I better head back to my seat. Text me so I can find you afterward?" he questions as he steps back through the doorway. My body moves toward him when I'm not thinking about it and he seems to notice. "You going to take me up on that offer?"
The cocky bastard. He knows what he's doing. "No. Later, we have a deal remember? I'll find you afterward; just make sure there are no pillars this time."
He smiles and winks. Oh crap, I want to jump his bones. I blow him a kiss and turn back to my mirror to reapply my lipstick.
He laughs before walking away, mumbling something incoherent.
After a few minutes I head back upstairs and wait with the rest of the dancers. Watching Dillen perform, I admire how graceful she is and envy her. My thoughts drift to what she said..."They were talking about you."
Everyone backstage is quiet and appreciating the art that is being performed on the stage when someone calls out my name. “Heather Lane? I’m looking for Miss Heather Lane,” a shorter, blonde dancer says.
“Yes, that’s me.” I raise my hand up so she can see me. She makes her way over to me, and smiles shyly.
“It’s nice to meet you, Heather. My name is Jules. I dance for the Royal Ballet and I’ve been asked by our director to come find you. He’d like to have a few words with you now, if you wouldn’t mind,” she says in a textbook English accent.
I'm completely caught off-guard; my eyes are wide with surprise. "Oh. Okay."
She turns and I follow her quietly. My stomach has lurched up to my throat. She leads me to a quiet white hallway that is lined with dressing rooms. She knocks on the door numbered 1491.
“You were brilliant on stage, Heather. I cannot believe I got to watch from the wings.” She throws her arms around me and hugs me. Uhhh...what the heck is going on? This total stranger is hugging me.
“Thank y-you,” I stutter and she giggles just as the door opens.
“Heather Lane?” A tall, dark-haired gentleman asks. I can tell he’s a dancer by the way he holds himself. He’s English as well.
“Yes, that’s me. I’m afraid I don’t quite know who you are…” I’m so freaking self-conscious.
He smiles and signals toward a chair. "Please have a seat." I step through the doorway and take the seat he is gesturing to.
"Heather, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Oliver Norwich. I hold the title of director at the Royal Ballet. I've asked you back here because I am interested in offering you a position at my company. We've been watching you for some time now, and we are incredibly impressed. I have an offer letter for you on the side table."
I look to my left and see the letter. My eyes barely glance over the details before I look back up at him. "I'm sorry, I...don't know what to say. I'm stunned."
He beams down at me. "That's not a problem. Please feel free to take the letter with you and read it over. However, I expect an answer in three days. By Valentine's Day to be precise."
"Three days? You want me to join you in London?" My hands are trembling as I pick up the offer letter.
"No, that’s when I would like to have an answer. I ask that you seriously consider it. My personal mobile number and email are on the letter. Please feel free to call me at any time."
I'm numb. I have no idea what to do right now. I manage to say, "Yes, of course. I'll let you know."
How in the hell is it already Valentine’s Day? I hadn't even realized.
Focus Heather.
"Brilliant. Head out to the pub tonight. Have a splendid time while celebrating your success."
I smile and stand on unstable legs. "Thank you, Mr. Norwich."
“You're welcome, Heather. I'd love to have you be a part of the company." He opens the door and leads me out, back to the stage. We part ways and I go to my dressing room. I can't believe Dillen was right.
I sit down in my pink chair and stare at my reflection in front of me. My God. This is a dream come true for me. Mom would be so proud. I burst into tears when she invades my mind.
"Oh Momma..." Grabbing tissues from the dresser, I blow my nose and dab at my eyes. Crap! Don't mess up your makeup, Heather.
My phone goes off in my purse and I fish it out. It’s Noah.
Hi, my beautiful girl, where are you?
Hi, handsome. I'm in my dressing room.
We’re waiting out in the lobby. Take your time, ballerina. Just know I can’t wait to have my hands on you.
I'm changing now, baby. I'll be out soon. I can't wait either.
That’s
my girl.
He melts my insides. He’s so sweet and charming. I just wish my momma could have met him.
The thought makes me start crying again and I have to force myself to calm the F down.
I give myself to the count of ten to relax. One. Two. Three. Deep breaths, Heather. Four. Five. Six. You have an amazing boyfriend and now an offer letter. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. I get up and fix my makeup before changing into a dress I thought Noah would love when I bought it. It's a long-sleeve, black lace dress with an open back. It's barely appropriate as the hem sits right beneath my butt. The dress is form fitting, hugging me in all of the right places. Noah seems to love my lace panties, so I'm hoping he'll love this outfit. I slip my feet into my red Yves St. Laurent’s and glance at myself in the mirror. The makeup is hiding the tears I shed for my mother. On your toes, Heather.
Straightening my back, I grab my clutch and place everything else into my dusty pink gym bag. Walking out into the lobby, I stop to sign a few autographs with my neon pink marker for a group of little girls who are waiting patiently.
My body comes alive and I know he's close. I feel his large warm hand run down my open-backed dress along my spine. It's obvious that I’m not wearing a bra. I turn around, straight into his arms. "Damn, ballerina. Are you trying to get me hard in front of all of these people?" His eyes roam up and down my body as he smirks deviously.
I smile. "Maybe."
He looks into my eyes and I see his smile falter for a split second. He recovers quickly and he searches my face for something. Then he cups my face and kisses me so softly, telling me he cares and knows that something is wrong.
I pull back and smile, saying softly, "Ready to go out?"
"Damn right I am." He takes my hand and leads me over to where Joel and Coen are standing.
"There she is!" Coen gives me a brief hug. I can't help but smile shyly. "That was the best ballet I've ever seen."
Aww, he's being so sweet.
"You douche. That's the only ballet you've ever seen." Joel laughs and crosses his arms. He always looks like an FBI agent, every time I see him.
"Thank you, Coen. Oh, I almost forgot. My friend Dillen will be going out with us tonight. Is that okay?"
Coen makes a face. "Another dude? Fuck. This is turning into a sausage fest." I look over at Noah and we smile at each other knowingly.
Within minutes I hear Dillen's melodic voice ring through the lobby. "Hey, you future prima ballerina. Let's go."
I turn to look. She's still got her hair up in a bun just like me and she's wearing a skintight red dress that cuts diagonally across her chest. It's super cute and I'm making a mental note to buy myself one. I love how it has only one sleeve and its length is almost as short as mine.
I beam when she reaches us. "Oh shut up. I'm far from reaching prima." Turning back to the guys, I note Coen's mouth is hanging wide open. "Coen...Joel...this is my best friend, Dillen." She steps forward and holds out her hand, palm down. She's never been afraid to demand what she wants.
"Well hello, gentlemen. Which one of you is taking me dancing?"
Both Coen and Joel step forward. Noah chuckles and says, "You fucking hornballs. Get your shit together."
I can't help but laugh with him. Both of these guys are drooling over Dillen.
"Oh it's okay," Dillen says, "I can take both of them." She takes their ties in her hands and spins around, walking toward the door as they follow her out. They high-five each other while she pulls them after her.
I look up at Noah as we walk out after them. "They have no idea what they've gotten themselves into."
"The fuckers will soon find out. As long as they know you’re mine though, I don't mind what happens." We run my duffel out to my Buick before we all pile into a cab. He pulls me onto his lap and wraps his arms around my waist.
Relaxing against his chest, I'm quiet, watching the city out the window. I'm needing a drink...quickly. For an entire evening, I don't want to think about the decision I have to make. I just want this night. With him. My Noah. Turning my head, I whisper, "Can I wear your coat? I'm a little cold."
He quickly takes his arms out of his coat and drapes it over me, pulling me against his chest again. "Is that better, baby?" He's placing small kisses on any part of me he can.
I nod. "Yes, thank you." I want to touch him as much as he wants to touch me. Turning my head, I brush my lips against his neck, breathing in his cologne.
"You're welcome, beautiful." I hear him say as his chest reverberates.
I close my eyes for what feels like two minutes, but then I hear Noah's soft, raspy voice again. "Ballerina? Would you rather go home? You're exhausted."
All the sounds around me are muted. I'm focused on him alone. My eyes flicker open. "No, baby, I want to be out with you."
"I want to be with you too. I don't mind going home with you though." Running his hand to the back of my head, his thumb and index finger rub my earlobe.
I lean my head into his touch. "Take me out, please?"
He nods and presses his lips to mine. I moan softly then look to the side, expecting to see Coen, Joel, and Dillen, but it's just us. Even the driver is standing outside. "Where is everyone?" "I sent them inside about twenty minutes ago. I didn't want to wake you."
"Oh. I'm so sorry." Sitting up, I pinch my cheeks to wake up. "I can't believe I fell asleep." I scoot off of his lap and move to open the door.
"Heather?"
My hand freezes on the handle. He hardly ever calls me Heather. He knows something is wrong, knows me too well already. How did that even happen? I've been so careful, so reserved. Hardly any emotion. Right? Turning my head to face him, I say, "Yes?"
"Tell me the truth..." He stares at me and I'm about to blurt it out but he speaks again. "Did he hurt you? Did he put his hands on you backstage?"
"No, it was nothing.” That's not what I was expecting. I smile and continue to open the door. "Come on, let's go have some fun."
He follows me out of the cab and pays before I hand him his jacket back.
"You look beautiful, baby." He takes my hand and leads me inside to where Dillen has both of the men enchanted as she leans against the bar. All three of them are smiling like idiots.
"Hey fuckers." Noah calls out. "Baby, what do you want to drink?"
"Something strong," I reply, holding his hand.
He places his credit card on the bar and asks for two shots of Fireball Whiskey. He pulls me next to Dillen, and stands in front of me, essentially caging me in.
"Bestie!" Dillen squeals and throws her arms around me, regardless of Noah's protective, strong arms being in the way.
I hug her back as best as I can. "Hi, gorgeous. Please behave yourself with these two." I point toward Coen and Joel.
"Oh don't ruin my fun. I won't scare Noah off, I promise."
"I'm not worried about him." I giggle and let her go.
"Good, or I'd kick his ass."
Noah hands me a shot and holds his up. "To my beautiful girlfriend."
"To Heather!" Everyone chimes in and slams their shots on the bar before throwing them back. Noah's lips find mine and I swear the music is turned up. I can feel it pounding in my body. It may not be the right kind of pounding, but for now it'll have to do. Coen orders another round of shots and pulls Dillen's butt into his crotch. What a little manwhore.
Her eyes light up and she hollers loudly. I'm all smiles. Everyone is having a great time. Everything is perfect. I feel Noah snake his arm around my waist and pull me into him. I love having his hands on me. He's kissing my neck and I tilt my head, giving him more access.
I've got goose bumps.
His lips are eager and I can tell he's smiling. "You're so sexy, Heather."
Joel groans and mumbles something about finding his own girl. "Coen, you better get your dick sucked tonight," he says and punches Coen’s arm as he walks to a girl in the middle of the dance floor.
"Shit, you can move, Dillen!" Coen pipes in with his hands
on Dillen's hips as she grinds her behind into him, blatantly ignoring Joel.
"I've had a lot of practice, so you better be ready for me," Dillen whispers, a bit too loudly.
Circling my arms around Noah's neck, I murmur, "Dance with me? I want all of these girls to be jealous that you're mine. Too many are staring at you in this tux."
"Do you want me to take it off?"
I unbutton a few buttons on his dusty pink shirt and lick his chest. "No way."
I can feel how hard he is between us. I purposely push my body against him more than it is.
“You’re mine later.” He bites my neck, his teeth sinking down into my skin. I can’t help the moan that escapes my lips. I feel Dillen and Coen’s eyes on us, but I don’t care. I’m soaked and my skin is alight.
I growl and press against him harder. "Don't tease me."
“Tease you? You love when I tease you, baby,” he whispers and moves his hands to cup my ass cheeks.
A girl nudges her way to the bar next to us and orders a Long Island Iced Tea then looks over at us as Noah is kissing my neck. She bites her lip and smiles oddly at me.
Noah looks up and turns my chin, kissing me hard and fast, demanding I give him my full attention.
“Noah? Noah Ryan?” the girl next to us asks curiously.
His kiss slows and his hand is riding up my rib cage while he turns his head. He slowly pulls away from my lips when he sees this girl. What the fuck?
“It’s me!” she croons while Noah looks at her, trying to place her. “Alexis Keeley!” she says, pushing her breasts up, showcasing them for my man.
His eyes widen and his smile falls. “Holy shit. How have you been, girl?” He doesn’t let go of me.
My jealousy level has just gone through the roof.
Noah
WHAT THE FUCK is Alexis doing in New York City? How the hell is she at the same club as us? Of all the clubs in the city, she comes to this one?
I can feel Heather’s body tighten as Alexis moves closer to us.
“I have been amazing.” She steps close, too close and lays her hand on my chest, grazing my pec with her fingernails. “I live in London now actually.” I think she recognizes Heather because she covers her mouth.
