Chances (Mystic Nights #1)(16)

Fiona was back to looking bored. Aliya decided to make a quick exit and let Jonathan get on with his business. “No. That’s okay. But, it was nice meeting you. I do have some errands to run though, so I will let you get to your business meeting. Will you call me later, Jonathan?” she asked as she turned around the couple so her back was now facing the exit.

“Yes, I will.” His hand still clasped her arm. She nodded as she felt him tug her towards him. He bent to place a kiss on her cheek. His warm breath made her tingle in places she did not want to think about at the moment. “And I’ll see you later too.” Aliya nodded and as soon as his hand dropped down her arm after caressing the length of it, she left feeling suddenly confused and apprehensive. Just the stroke of his hand on her arm made her want more. His touch unsettled her even in the most casual of ways.

A battle waged within her as she continued on to her car and they made their way inside. Jonathan confused her. So far their relationship had just been sex. He had suggested more on a few occasions, but she pushed that to the back burner. But calling her his girlfriend. Well, it terrified her. Why did things that felt so good for her, always turn out so bad? She did not know if she could go down that road. But something inside her was urging her to try. And she hadn’t had that feeling in a very, very long time. She just did not know if she deserved it. She had her chance once, and she’d blown it. The perfect life, with a perfect man. She ran scared and destroyed several lives in the process. As she got into her car and turned on the ignition, she wondered if she could hold steady. Take that chance again.

Was it in her? She was home after all. There was no where else to run. Taking this chance might destroy her new hopes and dreams. And yet inside, that persistent little nagging voice was telling her, try. Try. He is the one.

Was he? She just didn’t know. And if he was, would her past destroy it all?

Could she? Could she roll the dice, on Jonathan Sassacus?

God, it would be so nice to finally get the win. Shaking her head, she backed out of the parking lot more confused than ever.





Chapter 7




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Jonathan did more than call her. He showed up at the auditorium six hours later. She was once again finishing up with a late afternoon rehearsal. Today they had been rehearsing for their new show. It was for the spring, and it was the story of the infamous Trail of Tears. It told the story of the Cherokee, Seminole, and Chocktaw. Like her people before them, they had been through a lot. Rounded up by the U.S. Government, those tribes from the south eastern coastal states had been forced to march over a thousand miles in the winter to the newly created Indian Territory in what would become the state of Oklahoma in later years. Over 15,000 natives died along that trail from exhaustion, exposure, and cruel treatment. Though sad, the story ended with hope as they fought the system using the U.S. Government’s own Supreme Court to receive compensation for their losses. It had set the precedent for future native claims over lost land. A small bright spot in a dark history checkered with blood, racism, deceit in the name of manifest destiny and greed.

She loved performing this particular musical. It ended with hope as the various tribes that had been scattered upon the wind, reunited with their own kind along the muddy flats of Oklahoma and planned their renewal and revival. The dances symbolically combined traditional and modern music and dance to show how the natives learned to adjust and adapt to their new world.

Aliya knew the moment Jonathan was in the room. The air instantly felt charged. When the other dancers scattered, she turned to him and made her way down the stairs, her practice heels clicking softly on the floorboards.

“What you have done looks great.” He contemplated as he took her hand to help her down the last few steps in her heels. He hadn’t seen this particular musical performed in nearly a decade. It had been her idea to learn the show, to offer it and rotate it with the other two the troupe had under their belts. The three, along with their holiday themed shows, would give the locals more of a variety of performances to attend.

She politely thanked him and accepted his chaste kiss on the cheek as he tucked her under his arm. Once again, she took the opportunity to bring up the fact that they needed more male dancers.

He smiled at Aliya. Business was always first on her mind. “The advertisement has been posted. Interviews are next week. You are in such a rush,” he teased her. His brows rose in humor as he added, “Male dancers? Should I worry?” He rolled his eyes, but was teasing somewhat when he also stated, “I don’t like to share, Aliya.”

She knew his comment was about more than just some futuristic male dancers, and that he was alluding to her lunch date with Peter. She tried not to let it irritate her. After all, she had been jealous, too, when she’d first seen him with Fiona. She pulled away and gazed up into his warm eyes.

“I don’t like to share either.” Crossing her arms in front of her defensively, she prepared herself for a lecture. His look was stern, but soon softened. Instead of the I thought you wouldn’t see Peter alone comment she expected, Jonathan reached out one hand and began to skim it along her arm in slow, lazy circles. That hand soon had her distracted and once more disconcerted. It was just a simple touch. Yet, this man’s power over her was undeniable.

“Good,” he murmured seductively. “That is a start. Something we can both agree on.”