"I can’t," I wail.
"You can and you will," he growls. He releases his hold on my hip, only to grind his heel on my already-tender clit, and electric shocks had zipped under my skin. He slid into me again, once more hitting that secret spot deep inside of me, and the orgasm detonated out from the point of contact.
He bared his teeth, the sweat glistening on his temples, eyes flashing with triumph as he snarled, "Come with me, Angel."
I was helpless as I took off, riding the current of the climax, and he followed me over the edge. I fell asleep again, and when I came to, I was alone in bed.
There was a note on his pillow saying he’d had to leave urgently for work and that Massimo would be waiting to drive me to the theater when I was ready. That bothered me, but it was already two p.m. by then. I had napped for well over an hour and was really late. I jumped into the shower, and when I walked out of the house, Massimo was waiting for me. I asked him how Olivia was, but he replied that I should check with her myself. Strange, considering he'd decided to wait at the hospital yesterday to try to see her.
Anyway, I'd already messaged Olivia directly.
I’d been so aware that it should be her, not me, on the stage today. She’d messaged back with an, 'I’m fine and a best of luck,' which had only made me feel worse. I’d asked if I could come to see her, and she’d messaged back saying she needs some space and time to recover.
"I guess that’s fair enough, right?" Penny asks me now as I stretch out in the small studio attached to the changing rooms in the theater.
"It’s just, it feels wrong that I'm here dancing, and she’s wounded and in the hospital."
Penny’s eyebrows pinch together. "Should we show up unannounced?"
"That’d just make her angrier." I bend over, touch my toes, then float my arms up and weave them from side to side. "I’m not really sure what to do."
Between my guilt over Olivia and the fact that I haven’t seen Luca for a few hours, my stomach is twisted up in knots. Today is my day. The day I’ve been working toward my entire career. So why is there a stone in my stomach, and an anchor seems to have attached itself to my chest? If I felt any heavier, I wouldn’t be able to get up there on stage and dance.
"'Are you sure you’re okay?" Penny asks again.
I pause, then reach for the towel around my neck and mop my brow. "Honestly, I don’t know. I have mixed feelings about going out on stage."
"If Olivia were here, she wouldn’t hesitate, despite the fact that this role was originally yours."
I roll my shoulders, then bend from my waist and begin to warm up again. What Penny’s saying is right. I know Olivia wouldn’t have thought twice before stepping on stage today.
"This is different." I straighten. "It’s not only that I have her role, but she’s hurt her face. She may never perform again."
"You know that’s not true. There have been other actresses with injuries or scars who’ve made it."
"And they have outliers. It’s hard enough to get roles, and now, with an injury to her face… It’s going to take her a long time to recover her confidence."
"If anyone can do that, it’s Olivia. She’s tougher than both of us put together."
"I wish she’d at least agree to see us." Penny slides down into a split, which she makes look so easy. She's always had a more laid-back approach to her acting career. It’s what I envy about her. I wish I weren’t so focused on making it. I wish I was able to broaden my attention to include my personal life… Although, since meeting Luca, it has taken much more of the center stage, I admit. It’s why I wish I could see him before the show.
"Did Massimo manage to see her? Did he tell you anything about how she is?" she asks.
"When I asked him how she was, he retorted I should check with her directly."
"Hmm." She kicks out both of her legs on the floor, then bends over and grips her toes. I slide down to the floor, mirror her actions, and almost manage to touch my toes, but with a lot more effort. My hamstrings really are tense today.
"Do you think there’s something between the two of them? I was so surprised when he said he was going to stay back and wait to see her."
She’s right. I hadn’t given it much thought at the time, given how caught up I had been in my own drama with Luca, but come to think of it, it had been strange.
"Maybe he likes her." I raise a shoulder.
"And maybe your husband is waiting to see you." Penny glances past me, a small smile on her face.
I look over my shoulder and freeze. Luca stands just inside the door to the rehearsal room. He’s wearing his black suit, black silk shirt, and black tie. It reminds me of the day I met him. When he had been pushed into my cell. That was only a week ago, but if feels like so much has happened since. I’d never have guessed that I’d end up being married to him.
As if he senses my thoughts, his gaze darts down to my left hand. A scowl mars his forehead. He closes the distance between us and snatches up my hand. "Where’s your ring?" he growls.