Page 20 of Falling for the Bosshole

8

“It’sall about the body sway, Ana, the rise and fall, giving the illusion that you are standing on air,” Jonathan coached.

The choreographer’s voice held a tinge of exasperation even as she tried to follow his instructions. She bent back one more time, trying to keep her back parallel to the floor as she held her head regally sideways. She knew that Ricardo was holding her. She could feel her partner’s hand on her back. Unfortunately, that did not stop her from slipping. She grabbed on to Ricardo’s shirt to avoid falling completely.

“I’m sorry…” Ana stammered.

Ricardo came to her rescue. “We can try this again tomorrow. We’re both tired anyway, right, Ana?”

Ana nodded.

Today marked the second day that she and Ricardo had been rehearsing as a team. So far, the male diva was pleased … except for the waltz. Even Ana had to admit her performance was sub-par compared to her performance in the other dances they did together.

“I’m sorry, Ricardo,” Ana muttered. “I’ll practice after you’re gone. I promise I will be perfect tomorrow,” she said.

“I’m sure you will,” Ricardo replied, blowing her a kiss as he headed out the door.

Hours later, Ana groaned. She ignored the pain in her neck that had intensified during the last hour. Her back felt like a million fire ants were nipping at her.

She didn’t know how long she had been rehearsing all alone in the studio. The rest of the crew had left hours ago. She had spent the time twirling around the room, elevating and lowering down on her toes until her feet felt numb. She studied her reflection in the mirror as she attempted the pendulum-look required by the dance, swinging her upper body left and right.

It frustrated her to realize how such an elegant and beautiful dance could be so complicated, challenging even, because she needed Ricardo to help with her balance. But she promised she would have this darn dance down pat, even if she threw her back in the process.

She cued the music determined to give it another go when she noticed someone standing by the studio entrance.

“Lash,” she called out in surprise as he came into the light, “what are you doing here?”

“I saw the light was still on and wondered,” he replied.

“It’s just me. Jonathan isn’t pleased with the waltz, so I thought a few extra hours would help me improve,” Ana confessed.

She was alarmingly aware that they were the only two people in the entire building.

Ever since the aborted kiss that night in the greenhouse of his apartment, she had been feeling very apprehensive. Even after they all left the party that night, a part of her hoped he would ask for her again. But he disappeared after everyone said their goodbyes. She was torn between relief and disappointment. When morning came, anxiety took over, thinking they would see each other at rehearsals. But he had been away the past two days that she had been rehearsing with Ricardo.

Standing there as he came closer, she wondered if she should take the initiative and mention it or pretend it never happened.

Lash solved the dilemma for her.

“Ana, about the other night…”

“Forget it. It was a mistake. We both had a few drinks. I guess it went to our heads,” Ana said softly. She was desperate to restore the camaraderie that existed before. She missed him and didn’t want the incident to spoil whatever friendship had developed between them.

“You think it was a mistake?” he asked.

“Wasn’t it?” She retorted quickly.

Lash stared at her but didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “What is it you’re practicing, and why do you think Jonathan is unhappy?”

Ana noticed that he didn’t answer her question, just as she answered his question with another question.

She sighed. “It’s this waltz. I cannot get the posture right. I keep thinking I am going to fall. My neck hurts, and my entire back feels like it’s on fire,” she whined.

“Come here,” he commanded her.

Ana wondered if he was going to try and kiss her again. Instead, he turned her around, facing away from him, and began to massage her neck and back.

“That feels good,” she sighed in bliss as his fingers kneaded and pressed against her aching muscles. He went about it for a few minutes and then stopped.