Raising Hell by Aurelia Skye & Kit Tunstall

Author:Aurelia Skye & Kit Tunstall [Skye, Aurelia & Tunstall, Kit]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amourisa Press
Published: 2020-02-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Amazing sex had done more to loosen and prepare me for teaching my first class in years than all the warm-up exercises and routines I’d practiced throughout the week. Consequently, I was relaxed and confident as several people entered the gym. I was surprised by the turnout, finding not just a good portion of them children, but even a few adults had shown up to learn ballet. That was likely because of a lack of leisure opportunities around the Armory, but I wasn’t complaining.

I’d just started positioning the children against the barre, determined to start them with simple pliés, when I froze at the sight of Collier slipping into the gym and taking a spot at the back of the class. He just leaned against the wall and watched, clearly not planning to participate.

For a moment, my confidence drained away under his unnerving and unwavering gaze. He was watching every move I made, and I didn’t think I was imagining a hint of longing in his expression each time our gazes met. It seemed obvious that he wanted me, but he wouldn’t allow himself to give in to that desire. I didn’t understand it.

Finally, I managed to keep my gaze away from him for most of the class and focus on my students. It was only a forty-five minute session, with some of the littler children dropping out within the first fifteen minutes, and a few others just taking a break toward the end, but I was satisfied with their progress. Of the twenty or so who’d shown up, I expected at least twelve or thirteen of them to return for the next lesson.

As we wrapped up for the day, I raised my voice to be heard, though it was pretty quiet in there, with only an occasional whisper from the impromptu audience of people who were either there with others, or perhaps, like Collier, had stopped by just to observe. “We’ll have another class in three days, same time and place, and I hope everyone will turn up. I look forward to seeing you.”

At my words, the kids and the few adults at the barre stepped away, clearly realizing class was over. There was a stir as people started to move, and I saw Collier edging toward the door. I called his name before I could think better of it. “Collier.”

He looked at me, and there was a hint of a trapped animal in his expression for a flash before it cleared and became neutral, revealing nothing. “If you’d like a private lesson, I’d be happy to give you one. I understand if you’re too embarrassed in front of the kids, but ballet should be for everyone.”

His gaze narrowed at me, and his mouth tightened. He clearly didn’t like the challenge in my tone, and I couldn’t blame him. There were suddenly interested glances going his way as people waited to see if he would accept the test or back down.

After what could only be an internal struggle with himself, he stepped away from the wall and straightened his shoulders.

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