by K. K. Allen
So, whether or not Jimmy accepted the new role, Sebastian had wanted him to know how much he was appreciated.
Jimmy squeezed the envelope tight and squeezed Sebastian’s shoulder. “It’s been a pleasure working with you, Bash.” Then he winked.
The nickname “Bash” had taken on a completely new meaning. It was no longer demeaning, stemming from a place of Sebastian’s darkest time. It was now meant more out of respect for a history they shared.
“Same to you, Jimmy. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
Jimmy turned to the audience and placed the microphone to his lips. “It’s been an honor to work with everyone on this stage.” He waved his hand around the stage, high and low. “The cast, the crew. This is a group with impeccable talent who I’ll miss dearly.”
The moment the curtains closed, a fully catered party erupted backstage. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as everyone wished each other congratulations and good luck. The cast, being from various parts of the world, would separate and move onto new projects. They’d find new roles, new cast members. It was definitely a bittersweet ending to a significant chapter in our careers. One I’d never forget.
“You ready to get out of here?” Sebastian had leaned in to whisper to me during a round of pictures. Leaving functions early together had kind of become our thing, so I wasn’t at all surprised.
I squeezed his hand. “I just need to grab some things from my dressing room.”
He nodded, and at the first opportunity we could sneak off, we did. Sebastian closed the door behind us as I took in the space one last time. “I’m going to miss this show, Sebastian.”
I glanced at him. His eyes were glazed over. “Me too, Kai. Definitely more than expected.”
“I guess that’s the way the show should end. On a high note. There’s nothing stopping you from doing a revival down the road if you decide to.”
He was silent and I couldn’t read his expression which drove me crazy. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through by cutting something loose that had been a part of his world for so long.
Desperate to pick up his mood and set his focus on all the things we talked about accomplishing together, I reached around him and locked the door. When our eyes connected, electricity sizzled through the air, and I knew his attention was all mine. “I hear you’re in the market for a new lead for your upcoming production, Mr. Chase?”
His lids narrowed and her brows perked. “I am. Are you prepared to audition, Ms. Ashley?”
I batted my lashes and smiled as I slid a hand up his buttoned shirt. “Take a seat on the couch, Mr. Producer, and I’ll be more than happy to bare it all.”
He sank onto the couch and spread his knees. With a lift of his hands, he grinned. “I’m all yours.”
I bit back a smile as I tapped through some songs on my phone and chose the most provocative one I could find. As it started to play, I dressed down to my undergarments, tossed on a white button down blouse, keeping it open, and then, one-by-one, strapped on my knee-high black boots.
“I didn’t realize you were dressing up for the part,” Sebastian said, obviously amused.
Zipping up the last boot, I flipped my hair over my shoulder and peered at the man eagerly waiting for me. “Would you expect anything less?”
“Not from you.”
I grinned, letting the music burn its way through me until I finally gave into the slow, heart pumping beat. My body rolled and flexed as I spread my limbs, giving him the ultimate show. With each phrase of the music, I inched my way closer until I was at his feet. With quick hands, I popped the button of his pants and unzipped his fly.
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WATCH: Skin
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When I crawled onto his lap, our garments were still between us. Mine, lacy and black. His, stretched nylon and black. With one tug of the elastic on his briefs, I relieved his length, all the while still circling my hips and snaking my body all over his.
His erection was rock hard as I slid against him, knowing that with every ounce of friction, he was growing more restless with me above him. And I was right.
“Fuck, Kai. The part is yours. Now let me in there.” He looped a finger into the bottom of my underwear and tugged it to the side, and then fit himself at my entrance.
I felt hot everywhere. Not just from the lap dance I’d just given him, but from the way his eyes were traveling over my body like he would never get enough. I hoped he never would.
Sebastian had embedded himself into my heart, and I couldn’t imagine a life without him.
My hands moved to his shoulder as I eased myself down on him, letting my insides expand to accommodate his glorious length. God, he felt good. And from this angle, I could feel him so deep my insides started to quicken in record time.
“Sebastian.” I moaned out my surprise release as he watched me with a darkened glare.
“You came without me.”
I was panting as I continued to ride him, though my body felt ragged from my orgasm. “I’m sorry. It just happened. Next time I’ll wait for you.”
He gripped my ass and moved me, pounding me against him like it was a punishment, but I knew better.
His mouth moved between my breasts, settling there as he pumped me hard and fast. Taking his hint, I pulled down the cup of my bra, releasing a breast and filling his mouth with it. He moaned like I’d just fed him dessert and swirled his tongue like he was gathering up the perfect spoonful. Then he pulled my nipple between his teeth and sucked hard, pushing me to the brink of pain and pleasure that spiraled throughout my entire body.
This time, he came with me.
We fell apart together, our breaths mingled and our limbs wrapped around each other as we twisted together on the couch.
“So,” I said as I settled into his arms. “New York, huh?”
He rubbed his nose against mine. “You think you’re ready?”
I couldn’t help my smile. “No. I’m an island girl, remember? I could barely get used to living in LA. But I’m sure you’ll show me the ropes.”
He pressed his lips to mine. “I think you’ve proven you can handle just about anything, Kai. But you’re right. I’ll be there, every step. Always.”
My fingers moved through his thick, light brown hair. “I know you will. You think Jimmy will take you up on your offer?”
Sebastian beamed. “He already did.”
My jaw dropped and I backed away slightly to look at him. “No way. Just like that?”
Sebastian nodded. “Just like that. And this time, I’m going to do things right from the beginning. No partnerships. I’m going to surround myself with people I trust and have confidence in myself enough to lead.”
Now it was my turn to kiss him. With Dirk leaving when he did, Sebastian was forced to take more responsibility for the production in ways he hadn’t anticipated. But he’d managed his way through them brilliantly, and now he could utilize those skills with his next production. I was so proud of him.
“I almost forgot.” Sebastian shifted and reached for his pants that were crumpled on the floor, reached into the pocket, then glanced at me. “Actually, I wouldn’t have forgotten, but I did mean to do this before the whole lap dance thing, not that I was expecting such an exotic performance.” He grinned.
I slapped his chest. “Get on with it. What did you forget?”
He pulled out what looked like a velvet box and kept it clutched in his hands while my heart started taking off in my chest.
“It’s not what you think it is, so don’t freak out.”
I let out a heavy breath of relief. “Thank God.”
Sebastian and I had had many talks about our future, and we agreed on most things, one thing in particular. We still had so much we wanted to accomplish before we settled down with marriage and kids. And I loved that we were totally on the same page. So, I might have started to have a panic attack when I saw that box.
He started to pry it open as he spoke. “I wanted
to get you something to mark the end of this journey and all that you gained from it. To me, this was the symbol that represented that.” The box opened to reveal a necklace with a small, gold sailboat pendant hanging on a thin chain.
My throat thickened with emotion as he pulled the chain from the box and hung it from his finger as he spoke.
“Kai, you’re the most courageous woman I know. Through your strength you’ve shown me my sails and helped me navigate through some of my own rough waters. For that, I’ll always be grateful. You should never forget this time and all you’ve overcome to be here. Never lose sight of that.”
A tear slipped down my cheek as he placed the pendant around my neck and hooked the clasp. I let out a shaky laugh and wrapped my arms around his shoulders to pull him closer. “I love you, Sebastian. Thank you for helping me find my way back home.”
His lips gently brushed mine. “I love you, Kai. Thank you for finally forgiving me for the whole splashing you with water incident.”
I bit back a smile and shook my head. “Oh no, I’m never forgiving you for that.”
His jaw dropped in mock admonishment. “What?”
I shrugged. “Looks like you’ll just have to make it up to me forever.”
He tilted his head as if he was considering it. “Forever.” Then he nodded with a smile. “I can handle that.”
SURPRISE! Want to read a bonus scene from The Trouble With Gravity? Grab it HERE.
Want more of the Gravity series? Read them in order:
Center of Gravity
Falling from Gravity (FREE Novella)
Defying Gravity
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And keep reading for the opening chapters of Center of Gravity!
Center of Gravity
CHAPTER 1
Lex
“I got an audition,” Shane announced when he walked into the apartment, slamming the door behind him. A grand flourish if I’d ever seen one. Not even I would walk ten blocks in four-inch stilettos. But that was Shane, my six foot two inches of a man-friend whom I’d known since our very first dance class back in Seattle at age five.
His jersey bag landed at his feet, and his hands pumped the air as they often did when he was overly excited about something. “Sorry. Not just an audition. I got an invite.”
My eyes grew wide, excitement flourished quickly, then anxiety ripped through me at the speed of a freight train. So many emotions all at once. Up until that point, everything had been good. We’d been living off our savings, spending as little money as possible, and taking a variety of classes at Gravity Dance Complex, the premiere studio of the commercial dance world. No pressure. Just fun.
“An invite? For the Janet gig?” my voice squeaked. I scrambled to my knees. “But we’ve only been here three months. Is that even possible?”
He winked. “When your name’s Shane Masterson, anything is possible, honey.”
I fought back a groan. Shane had always been innocently cocky, aware of what his charm did to the human race. He was devilishly handsome, too, with raven-black hair cut short on the sides and always spiked in one direction or the other, rarely in the middle. But it was his personality that won everyone over. And yes, for Shane, anything definitely seemed possible.
Refusing to respond to his joke, I crossed my arms. “I thought we decided to wait. We’re finally getting into a rhythm here. You can’t—”
“Lex.” He pursed his lips as if he were about to scold me. “I got an invite. I’m not going to turn it down. That would be career suicide, and you know it.”
I was speechless. Professional gigs for music videos and stage shows came through Gravity all the time. It was the mecca of dance talent where A-list celebrities and casting directors nationwide frequently recruited, primarily for stage, television, and film bookings. Shane and I had talked about attending an open audition one day after getting our feet wet. The plan was always to take the plunge together. But getting an invite to audition was rare. He couldn’t turn it down, not even if he wanted to.
My mind was still reeling as Shane started to raid the cabinets, though I wasn’t sure what for. The only food remaining was the jar of peanut butter that sat half empty on the counter. He must have realized it almost as fast as I thought it, and he slammed the door shut. “We’re ordering a pizza.”
“Shane,” I warned. We’d set aside money for one year of dance classes and rent. He knew we didn’t have money to indulge.
“Lex,” he warned back. “We dance eight to ten hours a day. You’ve still got that ass, but I will not be held responsible for you turning into a pile of bones. It’s time to indulge in a big ole pie of heaven.”
I let out a laugh despite the residual shock from the bomb he’d just dropped. Leave it to Shane to mask any tense situation with the topic of food.
“Look,” he said, his sweet smile telling me he knew he’d won. “Just think. If I get this gig, we’ll be better off. We can’t take classes and live off Skippy and ramen while we wait for something to happen. Aren’t you tired of waiting, baby girl?”
“Yes, but—”
He popped his hip and pursed his lips. “But what?”
“You’ll get the job.” I didn’t mean for my voice to come out so whiny, but we’d just moved to LA.
“You don’t know that.”
“Maybe not this job, but it won’t take you long. And then what? You might have to leave LA … and leave me here … alone.”
He tilted his head and quirked his lip. “So dramatic.”
I bit back my smile. The exaggerated pout was a little much.
“You could start auditioning too.”
“Ha,” I said on a sarcastic breath.
“C’mon, Lex. It’s just like dating. You have to put yourself out there. Let them know you’re interested. Check out your options.” His eyes lit up, and he smacked the counter before leaning forward. “Speaking of dating options.”
Oh no, here we go. My entire body cringed.
“There is this gorgeous hunk of man who teaches some of my classes. Do you know Reggie Maynor?” He fanned himself with his hand as his lids fluttered dramatically. “Dear Lord.” But when he looked up and my expression hadn’t changed, he threw his hand down while rolling his eyes. “Doesn’t matter. You’d know who he was if you saw him. Anyway. He was trying to be sly, but he was asking about you today.”
I knew exactly who he was talking about, but I didn’t come to LA to find a man. So I chose to ignore his second attempt at changing the conversation.
“You know I’m not ready to audition yet. I thought we both wanted to get some training first and—”
“We’ve been training our whole lives. This is why we’re here. Besides, what better training than to audition and check out the competition?”
I snapped my mouth shut. He was right, but I wasn’t ready to pay the ultimate price of my dream—losing my best friend. Not yet. Frustration shook through me. “Who gave you the invite?”
“Her name’s Janelle. She scouts for a bunch of artists. Heard she’s friends with that dreamy choreographer you love too. Theodore Noska.” When his eyebrows wiggled suggestively, I picked up the nearest object and chucked it at him. My black-and-pink tennis shoe smacked him in the chest, causing him to shoot me a glare and stab a finger in the air. “I’m dragging your freckled ass to the next open audition just for that.”
I wanted to scream. He didn’t get it. In this industry, it wasn’t enough to be the best dancer in the room. It was about friendships, connections, timing, and a little bit of luck. I saw the way the veteran dancers had looked at Shane and me when we first arrived, some with their side-eye glances or, worse, those who didn’t see us at all. We were blips on their radars, passersby there for the experience, and immediately dismissed as contenders. I wanted that to change—I wanted to earn my spot.
And maybe somewhere deep down there was fear of failure too. Of getting rejected for the one thing I loved most in the world. I’d only ever had a plan A, desp
ite my parents’ wishes. And taking class was fun. Taking class didn’t lead to the inevitable disappointment that came with this industry.
I was comfortable, but maybe that was a bad place to be. Still, the insecurities swarmed my chest, and I couldn’t let them go.
“Do you know how many times I’ve been told I won’t make it as a professional dancer? I’m not ready to hear it from the people who matter. This studio … those dancers … the choreographers. I need this community to accept me. If I ever get a job, I want them to know I earned it.”
Shane’s expression changed drastically from the happy-go-lucky man who walked through the door minutes ago to someone with only my best interests at heart. I cringed at the ass kicking to come.
“Don’t let your father’s words hold you back, Lex. That’s all they are. Words. You’re here because you belong here, and you’ll see in time, it was the right decision.”
His comment hit me in the gut.
“I will?”
“Yes.” He leveled me with his eyes. “You’re the biggest fucking rock star on that dance floor, Alexandra Lorraine Quinn, and I’m not just saying that because you bought me my first pair of stilettos.”
I giggled, but his eyes remained serious.
“You think those dancers are going to respect you if they see you taking a million classes before you ever audition?” He shook his head emphatically. “Wrong, sweetheart. They won’t even know your name until you slap a numbered sticker on those tight abs of yours, strut onto that dance floor like you think you’re Beyoncé, and then fail—and then fail again. And third”—his eyes narrowed on mine, silencing my giggles—“the only person holding you back from your dream is you.”
