Down to My Soul (Soul Series Book 2)(42)

“Let’s hit it, fam.” Dub points to the back-up dancers. “Places. Where’s Kai?”

“Present and accounted for, sarge.” I raise my hand with a grin, which he returns.

“Good. Let’s run through those new steps. See if we can nail ‘em before the show tomorrow.”

For the next two hours, we work without a break. Malcolm got the right one. Dub understands the high expectations Malcolm sets for the whole team, and is more than happy to meet them. Exceed them. He’s the best choreographer in the business right now, and I’m so fortunate to have him. I remind myself of that when he snaps at me again because I’ve missed another step.

What is wrong with me? I’ve always prided myself on being a quick study. Show me a combination once, twice. I got it. But this new routine eludes me. I just can’t quite execute it. There’s a row of dancers behind me who would kill to be in my place wondering why I can’t get it together.

“Okay, fam. I think we got it.” Dub looks at me meaningfully. “Well, most of us got it. You guys take off. I know some of you hood rats are planning to get all nasty in Berlin tonight.”

Everyone laughs and whoops. I could probably be closer to them all if I went to the clubs they hit in every city. That’s never been my thing. I’ve never been that girl who lets it all hang out. Every time I try, it ends badly.

One-night stand with a D List rock star and a sex tape, anyone?

“Kai, hang back.” Dub waves me over. “Let’s chop it up for a sec.”

The weight of a dozen knowing eyes lands on my back as I cross the stage. Dub glances around, watching them watching me. His frown softens a little.

“Why don’t we step into my office for some privacy?” He lightly grasps my wrist and pulls me backstage away from all the eyes.

“I know what you’re gonna say,” I start before he can. “I’ll have it. I’ll get it. You know I will.”

“But you don’t yet, and I’ve never seen that from you.” Concern fills his eyes. “You okay?”

“I think I’m coming down with something.” I rush to fix it. “But it’s nothing. It’s just taking a half step off maybe.”

“So I guess I shouldn’t ask you to have dinner with me in the city tonight, huh?”

I don’t want to look at him, so I study the shoes on my feet, the stage floor between my toes and his.

“Um . . .”

He tips my chin up with one finger, his thumb brushing my cheek. I have no choice but to meet his eyes.

“Hey, I know it’s only been a few months since the breakup, and you’re still getting over Gray.”

“Not exactly.” I frown and pull my chin from his grasp.

“But we’d be good together.” He dips his head, looks at me from under thick, dark brows. “Give us a chance, Kai.”

I shake my head, ready to tell him there is no chance. That we’re just friends and that won’t change, but he steals my words. Steals my chance.

Steals a kiss.

Before I can get the words out, his hand cups my head and his lips press to mine and his tongue is practically down my throat. One thick arm loops around me until I’m flush against his chest. My hands come up right away, shoving at an immovable force of muscle and bone.

“Stop,” I mumble against his lips. “Dub, no.”

A throat clearing behind us puts a stop to it. It’s only been a few seconds, but it felt like forever trapped in his arms and against his mouth. I touch my lips, throbbing from the brief, but deep, kiss. We both turn to find Luke standing there, his narrowed eyes moving between Dub and me slowly, like he’s trying to figure out what he just saw.

“Sorry.” Luke focuses his attention on me. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You didn’t,” I say quickly. “There’s nothing going on. I mean, we were . . . we . . . It’s okay.”

“Yeah, I can see that.” Luke pushes a hand through his already tousled blond hair. “Your car’s outside waiting to take you back to the hotel, Kai. Just letting you know.”

“We could still do dinner.” Dub looks down at me like he didn’t just molest my mouth, pressing his hand to the small of my back. “I can come get you—”

“No.” I step away, putting several inches between us, biting back my anger. How dare he grab me like that? Take that kiss from me? “I want an early night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Dub fist pounds Luke as he passes him, leaving an unsettled quiet between Luke and me.

“What you saw . . .” I swipe a hand across my forehead. “It wasn’t what you think you saw.”

“You can do what you like, Kai.” Luke turns his lips down at the corners and shrugs his broad shoulders. “I mean, if you were still dating one of my best friends, it would be my business. It would be a problem, but you’re not. Right?”

A sheet of sweat wraps around my body like a damp toga. My heart thump thumps in my chest. My feet and my eyes shift. All telltale signs of guilt when I have nothing to feel guilty about. But no one knows Rhyson and I are together, and until San finds Drex and we can torture him a bit, no one will.

“Right.” I nod, untying the sweatshirt sleeves from around my waist and slipping it over my head. “Yeah, that’s right.”