Dima clutched her hand. “Maybe after we win Blackpool we can discuss it.”
“But what if we don’t win? I can’t wait that long.”
A waiter walked by with a tray full of plates. One of the men at the next table erupted in loud laughter, clapping his neighbor on the shoulder. This wasn’t the place to do this. But it was the time. “I’m sorry, but I have to give this back to you.” She slipped off her engagement ring. The day he had proposed at the Palace of Fine Arts had been one of the best nights of her life. Back then, she’d still believed in the ballroom fantasy and thought that she and Dima could have it all: success, a family, true love. She was younger then and they had plenty of time to start a family. But Selena ached every time she saw a father playing with his kid. No amount of success would be worth the pain of not having a family.
He grasped the ring. “What does this mean, Selena? You are bound to me. We have contracts, competitions, products, videos, studios. You can’t leave me. I will wait for you to get hold of yourself and we can talk.”
“Dimka, we’ve been broken up for three years. You’ve been with women during that time. I never went on more than a few dates with any one.” Selena felt strong. She’d been having doubts for a while and finally had no hesitation about her path. “You’ll always be in my life. We can still dance together, and work on our projects. I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me over the years. But I need to find myself. I don’t want to have any regrets.”
“This is about Bret. Have you slept together with him, Selena? Tell to me!”
“How could you ask me that? You and I aren’t even dating and I never cheated on you. Ever. I never questioned you about all the rumors with your celebrities. And nothing has happened between him and me. This is about us. I want a family. I want children.”
“Fine. It is over. You won’t make the fool out of me.” He got up and stormed out of Ghirardelli. Selena prayed that no one had taken a picture that would end up in the tabloids.
She could’ve taken a cab back to her hotel across the bridge, but she didn’t want to be alone. Before she could reconsider, she dialed Bret’s number.
“Hey,” Bret answered, sounding groggy.
“Bret, I’m stuck in the city. Can you come get me?”
He didn’t pause. “Of course. Where are you?”
Bolero
He gently caressed her arm. Shyly, she took his hand. Their feet traced the floor, as if they were ice-skating. Their bodies rose together. Unable to resist any longer, they climaxed. For a fleeting moment, they experienced pure bliss. Then their bodies collapsed, with only the memory of their perfect moment remaining.
Chapter Thirteen
Selena curled up on the sofa in the houseboat. Though Bret had offered to take her back to the hotel, her eyes seemed so sad. Bret relented and invited her in. She hadn’t said much on the ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, but Bret had a suspicion that her state of mind had something to do with Dima.
“I’m sorry, Bret. I shouldn’t have called you. I just didn’t want to be alone. Thanks for picking me up.”
Bret sat on his father’s leather recliner. She was vulnerable and he wanted to make sure he didn’t get too close to her. “Don’t worry about it. I’m always here for you.”
She started petting Banjo, who rolled over to get his belly rubbed. “I told Dima that it was over between us personally. Forever. He said he didn’t want to have children. You were right. I want to have a family, no matter what.”
The hair on Bret’s arms stood up. Her relationship status shouldn’t matter to him. They were not right for each other and if he let her get close, he knew she would break his heart again. “I’m sure it was just a fight. Tomorrow you guys will be back together, planning a wedding. Televised worldwide.” He watched her face, expecting her to look confused and lost. But she looked determined, the way she looked before she was about to win a competition.
“No, Bret. Never. We’ve been broken up for years. And even when we were together, there were rumors about other women. I didn’t believe them but I was never sure. But none of that matters. Even if he came back tomorrow and said he wanted children, it wouldn’t be enough. Dima’s a great dancer, but I can’t see him as a father. He’s nothing like you. He hates noise, and messes and chaos. I want to marry a man who wants to be a dad—not just someone who will appease me so I’ll stay. But for some reason, I always thought Dima and I would end up back together. Not because we were soul mates or anything. Just because our lives are so intertwined. But you helped me realize that I deserve more than that.”
Her heart-shaped faced glowed in the reflection of the moonlight on the water. Bret’s heart beat strongly in his chest. Even after all these years, was it possible that he still loved her? Selena sometimes had her head in the clouds but her bright outlook on life softened him. It wasn’t just that he was attracted to her, he believed that she was the only one who ever really understood him. She was the one who had comforted him when his parents announced they were getting a divorce or when he had been taunted in school for dancing. In boot camp, picturing his future life with Selena had motivated him through the hard times. But he couldn’t, wouldn’t risk getting hurt.
“Selena, I just don’t think you and I could ever work out.”
“I love you, Bret. I always have. I was just so young back then. I wanted and needed to dance. I wasn’t ready to get married. Do you know how many times I’ve regretted that decision? Seeing you the other week was an answer to my prayers. We’re meant to be together. I’m sure of it.” She stood up and walked over to him.
He rose from his chair, his eyes tracing her body. He allowed himself to imagine her naked. He’d been pushing thoughts of her tight yet soft figure out of his mind. If she had been any other woman, he would’ve already taken her into his arms and kissed her.
“Sel, I just . . .”
Her soft lips interrupted his protest. Bret couldn’t resist her any longer. He pulled her toward him. Her mouth was moist and hot yet her lips were sweet and plump. She kissed his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. The scent of coconut drove him wild. How could she still smell the same after all these years?
“Bret, you don’t know how many times I’ve dreamt of this moment.”
Bret lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around him. He carried her to the bedroom and lay her down on the bed. Her tan skin glistened in the light and he unbuttoned her shirt. A beautiful black lace bra covered her small breasts. Bret was so glad she had never succumbed to Hollywood and ruined her body with implants.
Selena took off Bret’s shirt, her hands running over every inch of his chest and exploring his muscles and tattoos. She found a scar on his back, from an explosion that had killed another one of his buddies. Bret had escaped relatively unscathed, except for some lacerations. Selena didn’t ask any details, and just kissed his skin.
The last time they had made love, Bret was just a kid, and though he’d loved her more than anything, he hadn’t had a clue what he was doing back then.
Not this time.
Bret took charge. Kissing her face, her neck, her ears. He was in no rush; all he wanted to do was please her. Exploring every inch of her soft stomach, licking her diamond belly ring. His hands cupped her breasts, and he unhooked her bra, flinging it across the room. It landed perfectly on Banjo’s face and they both let out a laugh.
“Guess we have an audience.” Bret shooed Banjo away.
His attention turned back to Selena, her rosy nipples waited for his lips. He took one into his mouth and she moaned. She arched her back and Bret kissed, suckled, and nibbled on her. Switching to the other nipple, he was so excited by the pleasure that had swept across her face.
“My turn,” Selena said, tugging at his pants.
“Not yet,” he grinned. He wasn’t done with her.
He took off her skirt and pulled down her matching black lace panties. Bret couldn’t wait to taste her. Kissing her thighs, he first te
ased her with his fingers. She raised her knees up. Her warmth excited him and he took her sweetness into his mouth, savoring every lick. Selena’s breath became short and rapid. Writhing on the bed, she placed her hand on the back of his head.
“Bret, oh my God. Please—don’t stop.”
Bret had no intention of stopping. Her groans and whimpers made the sexiest sounds. Her hips gyrated and she climaxed, screaming out Bret’s name.
After a moment of rest, Selena pushed Bret on his back and straddled him. “That was amazing,” she purred.
She kissed his chest, fondling his shoulders, and rubbing her breasts on his stomach. Undoing his belt, she took off his pants and boxers. Bret relaxed on the bed, and Selena hummed while she teased him with her mouth. She wrapped her lips around him and Bret wanted to explode but he held back. Her sweet mouth was so warm. After what seemed like an eternity, she released him and curled up by his side.
“Do you have a condom?”
“I thought you wanted kids?” he joked.
Selena laughed. “I do want to have your baby, just not tonight.”
Bret reached over to his nightstand and grabbed one, thanking himself for stashing some just in case. Selena took it from his hand, ripped it open, and rolled it on him.
“I need you, Bret.”
Bret flipped her over on her back. He paused to take in the beauty of Selena, completely naked, lying in front of him. He kissed her neck and slowly entered her, savoring the moment.
Selena gasped. Her heat clenched around him. She felt so tight, so perfect, so meant for him and him alone.
She grabbed his ass and pulled him toward her, until he was so deep that their bodies melted together. He took her harder and faster as she screamed his name over and over.
She wrapped her legs tightly around him, still breathless, and he twisted her around so she could have more control. Selena climbed on top of him, pushing Bret back on the bed. He propped himself up with a pillow to enjoy the view. Relishing the sight of her riding him, he held her hips, rocking her in rhythm.
“You’re so beautiful, Sel. I love you.”
He sucked on her nipples, and they came together, staring into each other’s eyes, in perfect synch.
After she pulled away, Bret held her in his arms. “Selena,” he gazed into her eyes, mascara smeared all over her face, “don’t ever leave me again.”
“I won’t, babe. You’re it for me.”
Bret closed his eyes for a brief second, never wanting this moment to end.
Chapter Fourteen
Selena awoke the next morning, happier than she’d been in years. Sleeping next to Bret all night, wrapped in his strong arms, she wished they could stay on the houseboat forever and never have to return to Hollyweird.
She slipped out of his embrace and peeked at Bret, who slept peacefully. Last night had been better than even her wildest fantasies. Bret was so strong, so generous, so emotional, so masculine. But one night didn’t quell her hunger for him, she now wanted him more than ever, every day for the rest of her life.
Rolling out of bed, she snuck past Banjo, and threw on her clothes. Poor Bret had no idea what was in store for him once the tabloids found out that was now with Bret. Even if she told the truth, she feared that the magazines would twist the story into some salacious love triangle, and Bret would be hated as the other man. There was no way Bret would tolerate being on the cover of every magazine, his honorable reputation tarnished. He’d leave her for sure. And she hadn’t been totally honest with him when they broke up many years ago. Selena had been with holding a secret from him—a secret that could ruin any chance they had to have a future together. Selena had to figure how to handle this, and fast, before she lost him forever.
She went into the kitchen and poured the ground coffee into the filter and longed for her espresso machine back home. She retrieved her phone from her purse; it blinked with seven missed calls and five texts. All from Dima.
She stepped on the deck and called him back.
“Hi, Dima,” she spoke quietly.
“Selinchka, where are you? I’ve been calling to your hotel room.” His voice was very agitated.
What was she going to tell him? “Uhm, I . . .”
His voiced sounded louder. “Are you there, Selena? I came by to your room last night and you were not there.”
“It doesn’t matter where I am, Dima. I didn’t want to drive home so I crashed at a friend’s house.”
“I love you, Selenichka. Please, for you I will have the children.”
“That’s sweet, Dima, I know you mean well. But I don’t want a man to have kids just to keep me. I want someone who wants to be a dad. You would never be happy.”
Dima’s voice turned from concerned to irritated. “Are you with Bret? Is this about being together with him?”
Selena didn’t want to lie to Dima. And she knew Bret hated lying also. But if she told Dima the truth, she knew this story would hit the tabloids before the weekend was over. “No, I’m not.” A sinking feeling gripped her chest. “This isn’t about him. This is about us. It’s over. It has been for a while. We broke up three years ago! You’ve been with many women and I’ve never had more than a few dates with anyone. You made sure of that. How is that fair to me? The minute you decide you want me back, I’m just supposed to jump for joy and start planning our wedding? I’m sorry but I’m done.”
“If you need a few days to calm down, I understand. Once you are back together with me in L.A., we will work it out.”
How could he just ignore what she just said? She raised her voice. “Dammit Dima. I don’t need more time. I told you. We’re through. Trust me, this is for the best.”
A sharp noise came over the receiver. Dima must’ve slammed his fist into something. “Fine, Selena. If this is how you want it. Don’t ever think you can come back to me. I made you and this is how you repay to me?”
“We are partners, Dima, or so I thought. It isn’t all you. I am your partner. We can still dance together. Forever.”
Dima let out a cocky laugh. “Selenichka, Zaika. You are confused if you think I would still dance together with you. I can get any partner in the world. You want this to be over. You think you are too good for me? You knew I would always come back to you. We both needed just a break. Now you don’t want me? Okay. It is over. Dancing, too.” The receiver slammed and the dial tone beeped in her ear.
It was over. Ten years of sacrifice and in just an instant, her dance career had imploded. No hope of ever winning Blackpool. She could never get a partner like Dima again She was an amazing dancer, she was very confident about her abilities. But in ballroom there were a hundred girls for every guy. And very few guys were the caliber of dancer that Dima was. All of the professional men in the Blackpool Latin final already had partners. If any of them did become available, they would pick a younger girl, not start over with a twenty-eight-year-old woman who only had a few good dancing years left. The tears started falling down Selena’s face. Her career—her life—was over.
Bret emerged from the bedroom and walked onto the balcony. “Hey babe, what’s wrong?” He put his arms around her waist.
Selena didn’t want to tell him. He wouldn’t understand. “Nothing Bret, just hold me.”
Bret hugged her. “You can tell me anything.”
She looked up in his big blue eyes. When they were kids, they were each other’s best friends. They knew each other’s every secret until the end. She longed for that closeness again but was afraid to let him in again.
“Uhm, that was Dima. He thought we would get back together, like we’ve done many times before. I told him it was over. He said that our partnership was over.”
Bret released her and looked away. “What did you expect? Dima’s probably the best male dancer in the world. Once you shut that door for good, he decided he’s done. You may have thought you were broken up, but it was on his terms. As long as you would jump back into his arms whenever he decided the time was right.
You know how he works. He’s always been involved with his partners. When Carrie left him, that’s why he went after you. Carrie wanted to still dance with him.”
Selena knew all too well. Carrie had an affair with Giorgio, a gorgeous Italian dancer. When Dima found out, he dumped her even though she begged him to still compete with her.
Her lip quivered. It hadn’t crossed her mind that he was going to end their partnership. “I know. I just thought that we were so close to winning he’d stick it out for another few years. Why would he want to start over?”
“This is his life. Why wouldn’t he want to start over? If you guys had stuck together, at some point you would’ve had to quit dancing – either because of your age or to start a family. He can dance with a girl in her early twenties and compete for the next ten years. And he will win Blackpool.”
Wow, Bret understood Dima better than she did. Maybe it was just because he was a guy.
Bret glared at her. “You aren’t regretting leaving him, are you? I don’t want you to resent me. This was your choice.”
She placed her hand on Bret’s face. “No, Bret. I don’t. This was the best decision I ever made. I love you. I just need to find my way again. All I’ve ever done is dance and compete.”
“Well it’s time to find you a new hobby. You love teaching. Military kids would love to learn dancing. I promise I’ll do everything to make you happy. But you have to trust me.”
She gave him a half-hearted smile. While she loved all her charity work, she still needed to stimulate herself creatively. But she did trust him. Completely. As she looked out across the bay, her heart raced. Bret scooped her up and started kissing her. He carried her to the bed and they made love. And Selena was happier than if she had won the world’s most prestigious competition.
Love Waltzes In (Dancing Under The Stars) Page 9
