This morning was a return to the real world though, and I had to leave the private bubble we’d created around ourselves. I would have loved to be able to hide in it, particularly that day, but it just wasn’t possible. “I’m meeting with Serena today to talk about the pregnancy.”
His eyes narrowed and he tilted his head to the side. “She doesn’t know yet?”
“It’s only been three days since I found out,” I answered defensively. “Since you were able to get me an ultrasound appointment with Dr. Frazier for the same day as my originally scheduled one, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to wait until afterwards to let her know.”
He rolled out of the bed and stalked towards me, laying his hand gently on my belly when he got close. “You haven’t been pushing yourself too hard, have you? I know how important dance is to you, but you’re dancing for two now.”
“Dancing for two,” I repeated dreamily. The baby kicked at his hand, almost as though she knew we were talking about her. “I think that’s a sign that she likes the idea of dancing with her mommy as much as I do.”
“Maybe, but I think she just loves the sound of her daddy’s voice,” he teased.
“Then she must take after her mommy because I do too.”
“If you play hooky with me today, I’ll whisper sweet nothings in your ear for as long as you like,” he offered hopefully.
“Oh, please. We both know you aren’t really going to take the whole day off,” I answered, wagging my finger at him. “In fact, I’ll probably beat you home. Depending on how my meeting with Serena goes, I may be home super early. I’m not sure how she’s going to take the news of my pregnancy since I’m already four months along. It’s been years since one of the principal ballerinas has been pregnant, and she’d been happily married and trying for a baby for more than a year. This time around, it’s going to come as a shock to everyone. If they aren’t willing to let me continue with classes throughout the pregnancy, then earning my principle spot back would be incredibly difficult.”
“I know how important your career is to you. I think I proved that with how I handled your four-month absence.” I shook my head in confusion, but he didn’t notice since he was staring down at his hands on my stomach. “You have my support, one-hundred percent, but I want your promise that you’ll be careful and won’t overdo it out of fear for what will happen after the baby is here. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to either of my girls.”
“You have it,” I vowed, linking my fingers through his and holding them against me.
We stood together like that for longer than I’d realized. When we finally broke apart, I had to make a mad dash across town to the studio and was almost late to my meeting with Serena. The company’s ballet mistress adored me, but tardiness was one of her biggest pet peeves. It was a fact I was reminded of when I barely made it into her office with one minute to spare and she pointedly looked at the clock on the wall.
“I trust the reason for this meeting is urgent since you almost made me wait for you?”
“I’m four months pregnant,” I blurted out, skipping the entire speech I’d practiced in my head for the last couple days.
“Well,” she murmured, dropping into her chair with her eyebrows raised as her gaze swept my body. “That would explain the weight gain.”
“It’s five pounds,” I grumbled. “And it was only four the last time you saw me.”
“There will be many more pounds to follow, I’m sure. Four months along, you said?”
“Yes, I just found out this week, and had an ultrasound yesterday. It’s a girl, and a perfectly healthy pregnancy.” I shoved some papers at her that the doctor had given me upon my request. “I’ve already spoken with my doctor about this, and she’s supportive of me continuing with my workout as long as I’m careful and listen to my body’s signals.”
“You can dance,” she conceded after reviewing the information from Dr. Frazier, and I heaved a big sigh of relief. “In classes only, where I can ensure you’re being cautious as your body changes throughout the pregnancy. I’ll speak with Hayes about your unavailability for casting.”
“I don’t want to do anything to put my baby at risk,” I assured her, feeling relieved that she was going to tackle the conversation with our artistic director for me. “My doctor even said it will help me maintain my body strength, which might alleviate some of pregnancy’s negative side effects. Plus, the baby’s father”—she sent a pointed look at the ring on my finger, and I corrected myself—“my fiancé is a pediatric surgeon. I’ve recently moved in with him, and he’s going to want to keep a close eye on my health, too, so it’s not like I’m going to be able to get away with much, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “We will work to keep your core strong to help you avoid back pain. This we can do, but no performing. No lifts. No grand jetés.”
“Whatever you think is best,” I agreed.
“Remember, Juliette. You have many years to dance, even though they might not all be on the stage, but you only have so many to become a mother.” She looked sad for a moment, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she regretted never marrying and having children of her own. The dance world was different when she was a prima ballerina. I was deeply grateful for the changes over the years, which allowed me to live my dream and be a mother too.
Chapter 8
Declan
From just outside the door, I watched Juliette’s graceful body float around the empty dance studio. The walls of mirrors magnified her elegance and her ballet slippers gliding along the polished, wooden floors.
Her honey brown hair was twisted into a bun, baring her slender neck. Her slim body was poured into a black leotard, nude tights, and well-loved, pink toe shoes. The lines of her body were only interrupted by the growing roundness of her six-month pregnant belly. She was fucking gorgeous and I was transfixed, unable to look away for fear I would miss one single movement. She was strong and postured, and yet, she moved like liquid, flowing and free.
I would never tire of watching my beautiful ballerina. Every dance step reminded me of the way I loved her, it looked effortless, but I knew it was strong and full of emotion. The last two months had been amazing, living with her, planning our wedding, watching our baby grow. The only downside was that my schedule at the hospital had been packed and I’d missed her like crazy. But, we were about to have a whole week off together while we finalized wedding details. Finally, it couldn’t come a moment too soon.
After several more minutes, she came to a stop and carefully walked over to one of the walls, bending down (giving me a spectacular view of her mouthwatering ass) and picking up a tattered notebook. She scribbled something in it, then looked out at the room, her eyes sweeping around as though she was watching something play out in front of her. Her head dipped once more and she wrote furiously as she walked over to a table and set it down. Then a bright smile grew on her sweet lips and it took my breath away.
My heart was racing and my cock was hard and aching. I glanced around, confirming the empty halls. It was after ten and the place was pretty much deserted since the season hadn’t yet begun. I stepped inside the room and closed the door behind me with a soft click. Juliette had made her way to the sound system and was searching through her iPhone intently. Between her focus and the music, she didn’t hear my entry. One wall of the studio was windows, looking out into the hallways of the building. But, there was a button by the light switch that lowered shades for privacy and I pushed it before striding over to her.
The movement finally caught her attention and she spun around in surprise, losing her balance and tipping right into my arms. Perfect. I grinned at her for a moment before claiming her mouth in a deep kiss. The flavor of her kisses were as addictive as the taste of her pussy.
That thought spurred my body into action and I palmed both butt cheeks, lifting her until her legs wrapped around my waist. I could feel the heat of her sex burning through the thin layer
of my scrubs and her leotard. Leotard. Fuck. That thing was like a fucking chastity belt. Luckily, I happened to know Juliette had plenty of others, so I felt zero remorse when I slid my hand between us and ripped a hole through the stretchy fabric, as well as her tights.
She gasped and reared back, glaring at me. “Declan!” Her eyes darted around nervously.
“Relax, baby,” I purred. “Even if this place wasn’t deserted, no one can see us, or hear us over the music.”
“But, my clothes—”
“Yeah,” I grumbled. “We’re going to need to do something about those. I need easy access.”
She sputtered as I pivoted and walked over to the wall sporting the ballet barre. I set her down right in front of it and turned her to face the mirror. Her skin was flushed and she looked like she’d been thoroughly kissed. I placed hot, wet, open-mouthed kisses along her neck and nuzzled the sensitive spot behind her ear. She shuddered and moaned, amplifying my need.
“Hold onto the barre, baby,” I whispered, then waited for her to grip it tight. Giving a little squeeze of her hips, I encouraged her to go up onto the toes of her slippers. It put her at just the right height for my cock to nestle into the crack of her ass. Her cheeks were round and firm, pressing against me in the most delicious form of torture. I needed her.
Slipping a hand under one leg, I lifted it and straightened it out so it rested on the barre, opening her up. I loved how flexible she was, it made our sextivities a lot more adventurous.
Keeping one hand on her hip to help steady her, I brought the other around to her front and dipped it into the wide, round neckline of her body suit to play with one of her hard nipples. I twisted and plucked it, enjoying her moans and the way her firm little ass pressed even harder against my dick. Watching her face in the mirror, her violet eyes cloudy with passion, had me on the verge of coming.
After showing both tits equal attention, my hand traveled down, caressing her stomach, then onto the tear in her outfit. I dragged my index finger through her pussy lips and lifted it to show her the glistening digit.
“You’re so wet, Jules. Fucking soaked. I love how much I turn you on.” I sucked my finger clean and groaned, “You taste so damn good, baby.”
Lust roared through my body and I couldn’t wait any longer. I practically tore my scrubs trying to extricate my cock, then used my free hand to line him up and thrust hard and deep into her drenched pussy.
“Keep holding the barre, Juliette, and lock your knee, so it doesn’t buckle.” With both hands on her hips, I drove into her over and over, staring at the picture we made in the floor to ceiling reflective glass.
Juliette cried out with each plunge inside her and her head dropped back, her eyes closed. “Open your eyes, baby,” I demanded softly. “I want you to see what we look like, how perfect we are together. Let me see your beautiful eyes while I fuck you from behind. I want to see you come in this position.”
She dragged her lids up and met my gaze, fire swirling in their depths. “I want,” she panted, “to see you too.”
“You will, baby,” I grunted. “But first, I’m going to make you come so fucking hard. Starting tonight, I get you all to myself for a week and I’m going to make sure you feel me every time you move when the week is over.”
My words sent her skyrocketing up, reaching for her orgasm, and her eyes began to close. I released one hip and slapped her ass before I growled, “Eyes!”
They flung open and I bent my knees for a deeper angle, reaching around to pinch her clit. She screamed my name as she shattered and her walls squeezed my cock in a death grip, milking my orgasm along with hers. I shuddered violently, dizzy with the force of it. But, I held tight to her, keeping her steady and safe.
When both our bodies were nearer to calm, I righted our clothes, well as best I could for her, and swept her up into my arms. I strode over and set her on the table while I hefted her small duffle bag up off the ground and set it next to her.
Unzipping it, I pulled out sweat pants and a hoodie, then helped her into them while she stared dreamily at me with a loopy smile. I shook my head and chuckled. “You’re fucking adorable, you know that?”
She grinned, shut off the sound system, and hopped off the table to fling her arms around my neck and kiss me. I was tempted to go for round two, but I wanted to get my girls home. I had a sneaking suspicion Juliette had forgotten to eat. She was pretty good about it, but sometimes she got caught up in her work and didn’t remember food.
“Let’s get home, baby. Then you can ravish me all you want.” The sweet sound of her laughter echoed in the room and warmed every inch of me. I unwound her arms and drew one around my waist as I draped mine over her shoulders. I grabbed the duffle and we headed for the door. After unlocking it, we stepped into the hall and started for the exit.
The room next door was open and a woman with black hair and striking green eyes was just shutting off the light and closing the door. She looked us over, her darkly painted lips twisting as though she’d been sucking on lemons.
Both women paused and I glanced down at Juliette. Her spine was ram-rod straight, and her chin raised stubbornly, but she was blushing fire-engine red and I had to stifle a laugh at the sight.
“Juliette,” the woman greeted stiffly.
“Hello, Irina,” Juliette responded in kind. “Have a pleasant evening.” Then she gripped my waist tighter and urged me forward. We walked out into the night, relatively quiet for New York, but then Lincoln Center wasn’t a place for nightlife in the off season. I cuddled Juliette close as we took the red line to our apartment in Chelsea. Then I spent the night working on my goal to brand her body and make sure there was no question who she belonged to.
***
“Fucking hell,” I breathed, completely stunned. Much to my delight, Juliette wasn’t very traditional and had allowed me to accompany her to help pick out a wedding dress.
She’d tried on four dresses and as she walked out of the dressing room in the fifth, I was blown away. She was so beautiful it almost hurt. Well, actually, it did hurt because my groin was stiff and ready for me to rip the dress right off of her.
It was strapless, the top made of a rich, black velvet, made up of diagonal folds all the way around. It hugged her breasts and with the dipped neckline, it gave her sexy as fuck cleavage. A wide, satiny black sash settled just above her bump with a matching flower attached at the right side. My eyes continued downward, following an airy, flowing, white fabric all the way to the floor. Doing a second perusal back up, I went all the way to her head where she’d put on a headband that mirrored the sash, with white netting covering a portion of her face.
“Do you like it?” she asked hesitantly. “I know it’s not the traditional all white, but—l—”
I stood and swiftly approached her, pulling her into my arms and kissed her senseless. “It’s perfect,” I whispered when I pulled away. “Now go change before I accidentally rip it while I fuck you in the dressing room.”
Her skin turned a charming shade of pink but her eyes flared with desire. It took all of my strength to turn her around and urge her back into the dressing room with a light smack on her ass.
I sat down to wait, more than ready to get my girl home and in bed. Although, we had one more stop to make, the stop I’d earned in the bargain when she convinced me to participate in all of the wedding prep over the week we had off together. Juliette was a no-nonsense kind of woman and she’d been quick and decisive with all of the decisions she’d had to make. In the end, I really hadn’t minded being dragged along to all of the appointments. But, I was still going to make her hold up her end of the deal.
She emerged from the changing room, back in her street clothes and spoke with the clerk for a few minutes. The other woman took the dress and went through a door at the back of the store. With my hand on her lower back, I guided Juliette to the front and pulled out my wallet to pay for the garment.
“No, Declan,” she protested. “I’ve let you
pay for everything else.” Only after I’d used my powers of persuasion to convince her to stop arguing with me about it. “But, if my parents were alive, they would be paying for my dress. It’s the bride’s responsibility!”
I tugged her into the circle of my arms and kissed the tip of her nose. “Baby, I would have convinced them to let me pay for everything, so you might as well stop fighting it. Besides, how many times do I have to explain how this works? We’re getting married. What’s mine is yours and”—I surreptitiously slid a hand between us and cupped her pussy, grinning when she gasped—“what’s yours is mine.”
“Declan!” she hissed, looking around frantically. I kissed her nose again and took advantage of her distracted state to whip out my credit card and pay for the dress.
She grumbled all the way to our next stop, causing the cab driver to throw me looks of pity, to which I responded with a wide, satisfied smile. He then looked at me like I’d lost my mind. I could only assume the man had never had a woman like Juliette, or he would have understood. His look of envy when we pulled up to the exclusive lingerie boutique was icing on the cake. Until he stared at Juliette’s ass as she climbed out of the car. I growled in warning and lowered his tip to almost non-existent. Bastard.
We left the store with two large, red shopping bags and hailed another cab. I glared at the driver from the moment he pulled up and he wisely averted his eyes. Juliette noticed this time and rolled her eyes before sliding across the bench seat. But her cheeks were a little pink and a smile was playing around the corners of her lips.
Dance With Me, Baby: A Yeah, Baby Novella Page 5