Chapter 112 Little Dancer
He welcomed my sisters. He never even hesitated! He was very open with Charlie, and even tried to cut back on Liv's flirting. He gave the girls their own rooms. Their own space to do whatever they wanted with them.
“They aren’t going to the guests rooms, Anna. Charlie will be in the blue room and Liv can stay in the peach room,” he stated. “If you need help, I’m sure Jeff can lend a hand, but since both only have two bags each, I figured you could have it handled.”
He gave me all the love I needed... “Josie... I love you,” he'd whispered before kissing me breathless.
“Rick... please...” I was begging for more than a damn kiss. I'd never had sex before, but at that moment, I wasn't scared. Not with Rick. Now with how he made me feel like it was more than just physical.
“Baby, what do you need?” He looked like he already knew the answer, but he was dying to hear me say it. Like he wouldn't do a damn thing unless I said so.
“I need you,” I moaned. It was the truth. I needed him... And he needed me. I wanted to show him how he made me feel with my body. I was going to give him the gift no other man would ever have. Me.
“God, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that,” He grunted, already determined to make my dreams come true right then. And he probably would've if those bitches hadn't stopped us.
No.
Not a princess. Just his. His everything. His little dancer!
“I’d like to pick up some flowers for an old friend, little dancer," he said the very first time he saw me in the flower shop.
“How... uh... did you? I mean... Did you just call me little dancer?”
“Of course. That’s what you are...The most beautiful dancer. Or you were many years ago,” he smiled, dragging a finger gently down my cheek. My skin prickled in goosebumps. “You were very graceful dancing around the stage on your toes. You shined so bright, Josie.”
I remember it like it was just yesterday. The way he said little dancer with such affection.
I blink remembering another encounter. Just a couple days later, he strolled into the shop, asking to take me to coffee.
“Come with me little dancer. It might be good for you,” he says with a wink. He was so damn handsome I had been mesmerized. I told him I had a boyfriend, but he insisted it was just work related.
“Sure. I’ll just... grab a form,” I'd said stupidly. And I followed him out like a fucking puppy seeking affection. But the second I shivered in the cold he got upset.
“Josie, don’t you have a jacket? It’s a little chilly out today,” he warned. He was so damn sweet. It wasn't the coldest I'd ever been... that would be right now! But he still cared enough to ask me about a coat.
“I... I don’t have one. I’m fine!” I'd lied. I was too damn embarrassed to tell him I didn't have any money to buy one. Little did I know, he knew more than he was letting on.
Then he wrapped me in his jacket. “Come along, little dancer. We have business to discuss,” he insisted.
I blink again, trying to push away the tears of the memory. That was also the first time I saw James cheating on me with my own eyes... I wonder if Rick knew about that too?
Then he was stepping out of the darkness, practically fuming that I was giving James a chance.
“Please tell me you didn’t give that prick another chance! He doesn’t deserve one, little dancer. You are too good for him!” he insisted.
“Why?” I demanded. I'm not sure why, but I really wanted to know what he thought.
“Because... Because you are mine, Josie! I would treat you better than that bastard ever has! Can’t you see that?” He practically shook me, begging me to come to my senses... I wish I'd listened to him back then.
“I don’t even know you, Rick!” I had argued. “I know you know who I am, but I don’t know you! How the hell can I be yours?”
“But you do! You always have! That’s the thing... but it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m not who I used to be, Josie. I’ve grown up and I deserve a chance to prove it to you!" Rick demanded.
“Then who exactly are you, Rick?” I retorted. I was so sick of his games... But he was right. I had known him all along. It was my fault for not recognizing him.
“Richard Kingston,” he snarled the name, almost like a curse. “That is who I am. But Josie, I swear I’ve changed! You gotta know... I didn’t want to hurt you like I did!”
“You hurt me! More than James ever did!” I blurted out.
“Little dancer, you are going to regret giving him a second chance. You know it! You belong with me,” Rick argued. “I want you back! Give me that chance to prove to you I’m a better man than a confused teen who was told he wasn’t allowed to want you!”
He was right, of course. I regretted ever meeting the bastard.