Page 3 of Desired By you (Always & Forever #3)

Chapter Two

Gabriella

Beads of sweat roll between my breasts, chest heaving, heart thumping almost painfully against my ribcage and, with every thump, the last of today’s adrenaline leaves my body.

“Okay, quick water break, and we’ll go again,” Kaz, our dance instructor, yells over the music. I walk over to my gym bag, reach for my water bottle, and drain half its contents.

“Is it me or does tonight’s routine feel intense?” Luna asks through panted breaths.

“Yeah, for sure,” I reply, my words just as breathless.

Luna is my friend from dance class. I saw a flyer for a late-night heels class at my local gym, and on a whim, after an intense dinner with my parents, I swung by the class to trial it and I loved it.

It’s been two years since I started, and I sneak away every Thursday night to dance.

It’s my little secret. I’m not ashamed of it, but I like having something just for me; a place none of my everyday friends know about; a hobby my parents can’t judge because hell, Cathrine Monroe would have a lot to say about her only daughter parading around in skimpy dance shorts and heels.

It’s a far cry from my Julliard attire. I loved my time at Julliard, but after landing a jump awkwardly, my knee was never quite the same.

Sure, by most people’s standards, my knee was fine, and it didn’t impact my day to day life, but for the life of a ballerina, it was a deal breaker.

So, I decided to train as a Pilates instructor, and I teach eight classes a week and do some accountancy work freelance when I want the extra cash. I love it, but for my parents’ sake, they think I do that full time, and my Pilates classes is my side job.

“Okay, so this time I am going to have you come up and perform the routine in small groups. First up, Luna, Aria, Summer, and Gabriella.”

Tossing my water bottle in my bag, I reach up and pull my scrunchie to tighten my long, thick ponytail and make my way to the center of the studio, facing the back wall of mirrors.

I take my starting position alongside the other girls.

We spread out, giving each other enough space.

Arms raised, and crossed at the wrist, we wait for the music to start.

Kaz lowers the studio lights and the sultry beat of a Beyonce track hums from the speakers.

I rotate my hips, bending my knees, and bring my arms down.

I instantly feel the adrenaline pumping around my body as I smooth my hands over my hips, spinning on the balls of my feet and landing on my knees.

“Yes, ladies,” Kaz praises loudly over the music.

I lower my body to the floor, arching my back, thrusting my hips into the floor, and the room erupts into whooping and cheering. It’s so empowering being in a room full of women supporting one another, no shame in embracing their sexuality and femininity. It gives me a buzz.

Lifting my chest, I roll my body so I’m up on my knees and repeat the body roll until I am in a standing position.

I continue the routine, spinning and moving my hips seductively.

We end the routine on our knees, slightly parted, arms outstretched, and head down.

Chest heaving, I inhale trying to regulate my breathing.

The routine was intense tonight, but it was exactly what I needed.

The room erupts with more cheers and claps. I take a seat in the corner, back against the mirror, and watch as the next group takes their positions and begins. I watch in awe as women of all shapes and sizes, from all different walks of life perform the same routine and move their bodies so freely.

It’s not that I don’t think Ria or Ali wouldn’t understand, they absolutely would.

But I like having this little piece of my week just for me.

Something no one knows about. Before I know it, the class has come to an end, and my favorite part of my week is over.

Hooking the strap of my black gym bag over my shoulder, I hold my wallet in my hand, knowing I’ll grab a smoothie from the juice bar on my way out.

“You were on fire tonight,” Luna says as we head out of the studio and down the stairs.

“Thanks, so were you,” I say, my words still a little breathless.

“You looked super tense when you first walked in. Everything okay?”

I think about giving my usual ‘I’m fine’ answer but I’m still reeling a little from the meal with my parents and knowing Ali will be out till the early hours at work and Ria is busy wedding prepping and getting the girls to bed, I don’t have anyone to vent too, so I offload a little.

“Ugh, yeah, just family stuff.” I huff.

“Want to talk about it?” Luna asks.

“Yeah, that’d be nice,” I say as we approach the juice bar, and I look up at the menu that hangs above the cashier. We both order a green juice, and once we have our drinks, we walk outside, heading towards Central Park.

“My parents, they can be pretty overbearing, and my mom ambushed me today at lunch and tried setting me up with her friend's son.”

“Oh, God, no, she didn’t,” Luna gasps, clutching my arm.

“Oh, she did, and he’s just like all the others, and he was sweet, but just not what I’m looking for, you know?”

She scrunches up her freckled covered nose and nods in understanding, taking a sip of her juice, tucking a strand of her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear.

“She makes me so mad, so I use class as my release,” I continue.

“I hear you. My classes and the pressure from my dad to come top is kicking my ass, so this class and my job at the club are the only thing getting me through the week.” Luna sighs. She’s a couple of years younger than me and studying to be a nurse at the local college.

“Amen to that,” I say, tapping my smoothie cup with hers. We do a little lap of the park and then head back to our cars in the parking lot at the studio.

“See you Saturday,” I say as I get in my car, feeling a hundred times lighter for taking this little piece for me. Away from expectations and judgment. I just wish I was brave enough to share it with my everyday world.