Beyond the Seduction

by M.A. Stacie

“They’re good.”

  “They are, but how would you know?” she asked with a smirk. “Closet ballroom fan?”

  Nudging his shoulder against hers, he snorted. “I’ve been known to move a bit.”

  Intrigued by his admission, Shae took the challenge. She moved over to the sound system and cued up a song. “Okay then.” She stood upright, her back straight, arms out, waiting for him. “Come and show me your moves.”

  His eyebrow quirked at her words, her skin heating as she remembered those seductive moves intimately.

  Her students snickered, and all paused their routines to watch Shae and Trace.

  He rubbed his chin, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, and for once, she reveled in his awkwardness. “You have a lesson,” he blurted out, trying to divert her attention.

  “Not going to work, Trace. Come on, I’ll even lead.”

  He growled, disliking her dent to his male ego. “The hell you will.” He took hold of her, his arms strong as he looped one around her waist and held her hand with the other. “Ready?”

  Her lips pursed for a second before she asked, “Do you know ballroom?”

  Trace winked, and her heart thumped hard against her chest in response. The devilish grin he flashed her made her excitement increase, and she refused to think of the ache that had begun in her breasts.

  For a split second, she began to wonder if he did know how to dance, but he quickly dashed those hopes.

  “I don’t have a fucking clue. And I have big feet, so watch your toes.”

  “Noted. Now raise your chin and strengthen your frame. Straighten your spine.”

  “Wow.” He shot the students a glance. “Is she always this bossy?”

  Mumbles broke the silence as all six debated what to say. Martha was the one who eventually spoke up. “She gets the job done.”

  “Then I’d better listen to her, huh?” He did as Shae asked, correcting his posture and mirroring hers. Shae began to talk him through their next few movements, making him copy her footwork with that of his own. She showed him the most basic of steps, but he learned fast. After a few minutes of her tutoring, they were floating around the studio floor. The movements were somewhat stuttered and a little clumsy. However, he followed the pace and adapted when she gave him pointers.

  Shae took deep breaths, telling herself that this was just a dance. Nothing more. The thump of her heart and her escalating temperature gave her away, and each time their hips caressed a stab of arousal hit her hard.

  It had been years since she’d danced with a man in this way. She’d forgotten how erotic it could be, and how beautifully their bodies molded together. The way the hard contours of his muscles pressed against her softness had her sex clenching.

  Trace’s gaze locked with hers, never wavering while she talked him through the steps he was to perform. She found herself hating that the song was about to come to an end, wishing she could prolong the tune by mental will.

  Bit by bit, the room began to come back into focus. It was no longer just her and Trace. The students were all watching them, their attention fixed on the dance they performed. Shae smiled at him as the music hit its crescendo, squealing when Trace surprised her by dipping her backward and placing a hard, but very quick, kiss on her lips.

  The students started to clap, Trace milking the moment for all it was worth by taking a bow once he let go of her. He thanked them, taking another bow.

  “Nice try,” Shae said, patting him on the shoulder. “But I don’t think Broadway will be calling you anytime soon. Don’t give up the day job.”

  Shae clapped her hands, intending to draw everyone’s attention back to the lesson. It wasn’t necessary because a strange silence had come over each of them. Shae looked from one horrified gaze to the next, all the teenagers fixated on something near the studio entrance. One of them had even begun to snicker.

  Apprehension thickened the blood in her veins; it roared in her ears and throbbed against her skin. The earlier arousal washed from her system, leaving behind nothing but an uneasy dread.

  She began to turn, seeing that Trace was now rushing to the door and pulling his T-shirt over his head as he moved. That was when she saw what everyone else had.

  She gasped.

  Lisbeth stood in the doorway, her terrified expression making Shae’s stomach roil. It was more than her mother’s expression that made her feel ill. It was more than the whispered words hovering in the stunned silence.

  Lisbeth was naked except for her bra and panties.

  Chapter 16

  “How’s she doing now?” Trace asked as Shae entered the kitchen of her home. She grimaced and placed her mug in the sink. “She’s still in shock, although she has agreed to go and take a nap.”

  Seeing her upset as it paled her skin and contorted her expression, stabbed deep within him. He stood up from his chair and walked over to her, wrapping her in his arms. She needed the comfort.

  “What the hell happened?” she asked him. She rested her cheek against his chest and relaxed a little.

  He settled his chin on the top her head, squeezing his arms around her. “I don’t know, babe. Has she said anything about it?”

  Shae stilled. “Only that she was coming to talk to me. She has no clue why she wasn’t dressed. Shit! When I think of what could have happened. What if she’d taken the bus? Oh my God, Trace, if she didn’t remember her clothes then how did she remember how to drive?”

  Trace hushed her, stroking his hand down her spine. His guts twisted, but he tried to remain calm for her. “Don’t go thinking about what could have happened. It didn’t. Your mom is safe. Don’t dwell on it. Maybe you’ll get a few more answers when she wakes.”

  Shae hummed. He could tell she didn’t quite believe him. He understood her concern. He’d feel the same if it had been his father in the same situation.

  Tilting his head back so that he could make eye contact, he waited until Shae looked up at him. “Has anything like this happened before?”

  “My mom’s forgetful. Always has been. I sometimes think her head remains in the clouds. Lucian, my father, said something very similar to me when I last spoke to him. It’s not unusual for her to be . . . flighty.”

  “And she hasn’t been any different of late?”

  Trace watched her brows pinch as she considered his question. Her arms tightened around his middle. “I don’t think so. I’ve been busy at the studio. And working out how we’re going to pay for that and the house without my father’s help. She’s alone much of the time, but that’s nothing new. She likes her own space.”

  Trace gave her a quick squeeze. “It’ll be okay. She’ll wake up later feeling a bit embarrassed. She’ll tell you what happened.”

  “I hope so.” Shae sighed. “Thanks, Trace. You helped me today. You have your own shit going on. You don’t need me adding to it.”

  Damn, the woman frustrated him. “I meant what I said about being friends. Friends help each other, right?”

  She cocked her head. “Yeah, but friends also know when the troubles are too much weight to carry.”

  Trace chuckled, beating back the urge to kiss her. “Share the load. I did with you. Listen, Shae.” He lifted her chin by placing his finger underneath it. “I’m here. If anything else happens, you call me.”

  “Do you think it will?” Her eyes grew wide.

  “I don’t know. Might be an idea to get her checked out at the doctor’s. It could be something or nothing, but it would be worth the trip.”

  He hated the way her mouth turned down at the corners and her bottom lip began to wobble. Her eyes glistened, and his chest constricted in response. The situation with Lisbeth felt wrong to him. The entire incident churned in his gut. Shae wasn’t forthcoming but he was sure there had been other incidents—ones that had been written off as Lisbeth’s usual manner.

  “I should let you leave. I bet you have stuff to do.”

  Trace smiled. “Like moving home?”

  �
�Yeah.” She smiled back at him. “Like shifting your ass into my dance studio.”

  Trying to lighten the mood, and rid her of those threatening tears, Trace asked, “Does renting from you mean I get a discount on dance lessons?”

  Her laughter was light, and it wasn’t forced either. “Would you like a lesson?”

  Trace shook his head, pleased that he’d made her smile. “No, but I’d pay to watch you in your tight Lycra.”

  Shae slapped his chest and moved out of his embrace. He stopped himself from reaching out for her by shoving his hands into the front pockets of his battered jeans.

  “You’re such a tease. A couple of hours ago you said we were friends. Now you’re telling me you get off on watching me ass-wiggle in Lycra.”

  “Yeah.” He sobered. “Sorry.”

  “You should be. I have enough shit to wade through without you playing puppet master. If you say we’re friends then that’s what we are. No more games.”

  He opened his mouth, ready to apologize again when she shook her head and stopped him.

  “I don’t want another of your speeches, Trace. I know you’ve been hurt, but playing with my head is going to hurt me.” She took a deep breath. “Now let’s drop it. Thanks for your help with my mom. I’d have been lost without you.”

  “You wouldn’t,” he replied, enjoying the warmth that flowed through him because of the sincerity of her words. “You’re strong. You would have coped just fine. Have you thought about calling your dad?”

  “Why the hell would I do that?”

  Trace winced at the sharpness of her question. He knew the minute the words left his lips that he shouldn’t have said anything. He apologized to her. “It was for support for you. I know he and your mom aren’t a thing.”

  “Yeah, well that was a stupid statement. Lucian Folds wouldn’t concern himself with trivialities like his ex-mistress and daughter.”

  Trace grunted with disgust and checked his watch. “I don’t really want to leave you right now. But I’ve got to go. Are you going to be okay?”

  “Trace, I’ll be fine.” She reached out and took his hand in hers. “I’ll call you . . . if you want.”

  Fuck. Her uncertainty and the way she tilted her head had his dick twitching. It was inappropriate but the damn appendage lacked a conscience. “I want,” he responded, his voice rather husky. “Let me know when she wakes and how she is. Let me know how you are, okay?”

  Shae nodded as Trace reluctantly let go of her hand.

  “Do you need me to drive you back to the studio to get your bike?”

  “I can walk, babe. And you should stay here with Lisbeth.”

  He started to leave, ignoring the voice in his head that told him to stay with her. Shae followed him to the front door, hugging him before he could go. He welcomed her touch, taking her subtle scent deep into his lungs.

  “I know I keep saying it, but thanks, Trace.”

  Pulling back, he tapped her on the tip of her nose. “Stop it. I don’t want to hear it from you again.” He began to walk down the steps into the yard. “Call me.” He didn’t miss the smile that lit up her face, but he kept walking anyway. Shae was too good for him for right now. He was messed up, and toying with her emotions while she was vulnerable was cruel.

  He was going to leave her alone. Not matter what his dick wanted.

  Shae closed the door, slumping back against it as she took a few slow breaths. She hadn’t wanted Trace to leave, hadn’t wanted to be left alone. She could have told him that, but he had a life to get back to and he wasn’t responsible for her mother.

  She was.

  And right now, for once in her life, Shae wished she had someone to help her.

  Being alone with Lisbeth had never bothered her. Sometimes it felt like she lived with a friend instead of her parent. Many of her school friends had been jealous of the freedom she’d had. However, now it all seemed empty. Shae was lost without Lisbeth to talk to, and it was wrong to involve Trace when he had so much going on in his own life.

  Sliding down the door, she slumped to the floor and rested her forehead on her knees. The tears that had been threatening to spill finally began to fall. Her chest heaved as she tried to keep her pain silent. Lisbeth didn’t have to see her breakdown.

  Shae told herself she needed the release, and after sobbing for a while, she’d feel much better. Deep down, she accepted that the tears were falling because of fear. She was petrified. People didn’t act the way her mother had of late—there was something more going on. Trace was right about taking Lisbeth to see her doctor. The reality of what he could say chilled her to the bone. She didn’t understand what it was, but something within her told her it could be very serious. She had considered checking her mom’s symptoms on the Internet, though she was sure that would make her more agitated and confused. Nothing good came of trying to be your own doctor.

  Her cell buzzed in her pocket, followed by another right afterward. Fishing it out of her cardigan, she took a second to staunch her tears and blinked to see the screen. A text from Kate lit up her cell. The chef they’d been to visit had a huge response to the low-fat menu she and Kate had developed. He’d started out offering a few choices but now wanted many more options from them. They just had to meet with him again and agree on the meals.

  Without pausing for thought, Shae responded, some of her upset giving way to excitement. The prospect of some new students at the dance studio because of the menus sent a thrill of anticipation zipping through her.

  The next message was from Trace, though before she could reply he was calling her.

  “I was just replying to you,” she said.

  “You’ve been crying.”

  Shae groaned, hanging her head and disliking that he read her so well after so little time. “I’m fine.”

  “I didn’t ask, babe. I know you’re not. That’s why I’m calling now.”

  A fresh flood of tears started at his kindness. She was sure Kate would have called, too, had she known what was going on. However, right now it was Trace who was there for her.

  “I’m scared,” she whispered, swiping at her cheeks as she tried to dry them. “What if it’s serious? Like a tumor or something.”

  “Shae, it could be nothing more than her age and a bit of forgetfulness. Don’t panic. Wait until you talk to her doctor.”

  “I’m trying not to.” She paused, taking the time to calm herself as she listened to his breathing. “Are you still on your way to the studio?”

  “Sure am. Traffic is a bitch today. I’m gonna get myself killed crossing these roads.”

  “I should have driven you.”

  His exhale was that of exasperation. “No, you shouldn’t. Now will you answer the question I texted you? Do you need me to come over later?”

  Her heart leapt at the thought, but this wasn’t the right time. It never was for them. “Thanks for the offer. I should go and spend the time with Mom. Ask her what she remembers—if anything. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Make sure you do.”

  His husky demand caused her stomach to flip. Even now when her emotions were in turmoil she wanted him. “I will,” she replied.

  “Take care of yourself, Shae.”

  “And you.”

  Ending the call, she noticed another text from Kate. She didn’t read it. Instead, she scrolled though her phone numbers to find the one for her mother’s doctor.

  Chapter 17

  Three days had passed since the last incident with Shae’s mom. Three days where she started to question whether she was making a big deal out of nothing. Her mom refused to talk about it, claiming she didn’t recall what had happened. On one occasion, she’d implied that Shae had made the whole thing up. She was still protesting until the moment they entered the doctor’s office.

  However, sitting in the stark, white room and watching as Dr. Reed checked her mom over, listening as he asked her a series of questions, had her head spinning. She began to wonder if it was no
thing.

  Sweat started to break out and trickle down her spine, little droplets sprouting along her forehead. Lisbeth clutched her hand when Dr. Reed gave her his assessment. He listed possibilities from a hormonal imbalance to the worst-case scenario of a tumor. He called the last diagnosis a stretch, because he didn’t believe that was the cause.

  Tests would confirm or rule out most of the possibilities, and the only way to get to the cause was to work through each of them until they got a clearer picture. Shae swallowed back the rising bile that came with each prognosis.

  “Write down and inform me of any other incidents, no matter how trivial. The minutest event could give us the answer,” Dr. Reed stated, still making notes.

  “You’re both being far too dramatic,” Lisbeth said, though her hand trembled in Shae’s.

  She huffed, but tried to placate her. “We’ll see. You could be proven right when there are no more incidents, or the tests come back clear. Do this for me, Mom. Please.”

  Dr. Reed finished his notes and looked from Shae to Lisbeth. Shae studied his face, wondering if the grim line his lips formed conveyed the seriousness of her mom’s situation. Or was she searching for signs that weren’t there?

  She couldn’t shift the nausea that churned in her stomach, couldn’t make the worry and dread subside. Her skin felt too tight on her body, and every move she made was an effort. The entire situation seemed like a dream, and she wanted to wake up from it.

  “You’ll receive the details of the appointments for testing soon. Then we’ll be able to make a more concrete diagnosis. You’re in good health, Lisbeth, so don’t go worrying too much.”

  Lisbeth tore her hand from Shae’s. “I’m not. It was nothing more than a moment of forgetfulness. It’s Shae who doesn’t understand that.”

  “Mom.”

  “Don’t Mom me. Coming here and bothering the doctor is a ridiculous waste of time. In a few weeks, I’ll be left with nothing more than a medical bill for my troubles.”

  Shae ground her teeth. “I’ll pay for it,” she snapped. “So you won’t have to concern yourself with that. Please just do this to stop me from worrying.” She gulped. “You’re all I have, Mom. I don’t want to see you sick. Not when we can do something about it.”