Free A Slow-Burning Dance by Ravenna Tate Page A

man who could be pushed into
anything. Ernest had said that even if they finished the unit well ahead of the
others, that was no guarantee that Bart would give it a green light without the
others done.
    Damien
had built far more structures in this city than anyone, and one additional
phone call to Bart had taken care of Ernest’s concerns. Bart had said he’d be
happy to push up the inspections on the unit whenever Damien needed them. He
hadn’t told Sela that the unit was now slated to be
ready in two months instead of three. He’d wanted it to be a surprise for her.
    Every
day he sent fresh wildflowers to her, and on Friday evening when he came by her
apartment to escort her across town to a club where they were having dinner
before enjoying the live music, he was delighted to find she still had the
flowers everywhere. Each of the bouquets was in a colorful vase. When he asked
about them, she said one of her students made them.
    “She
wants to open a studio, but right now she’s working in a coffee shop to make
enough money. She’s not only a gifted dancer, but quite a budding artist. I’m
thinking of taking her on as a part-time instructor because I know she’d make
more money teaching than serving coffee.”
    “Is
she that talented?”
    “I
believe so.”
    “The
vases are lovely.”
    “They’re
still a bit crude, but she’s taking classes at the university. I think with a
little work she could make a living doing this, as well as dancing, or at least
teaching it.”
    He
smiled and brushed a hand across her hair. He loved touching it. It was wild
and untamed, just like her. “You’re kind to help her. A lot of people in the
arts wouldn’t do that much for someone who might be competition for them one
day.”
    She
waved a hand in the air. “I’ve never believed in that kind of behavior. This
isn’t a zero sum game. There’s room for all of us.”
    “You
have a generous heart. Most of my employees could learn a thing or two from you
and Santino both.” At the mention of her brother’s name, Sela frowned. “What’s
wrong?”
    She
averted her gaze and reached for her bag. “Nothing.” When she glanced at him
again, her smile was forced. “Ready to go?”
    He
placed a hand on each shoulder. “Put down the bag, and tell me what’s wrong.”
    ****
    Sela
sighed and placed her bag back on the table. Telling him would only cause
trouble for Santino at work, but Damien was too sharp. He hadn’t missed her
reaction to her brother’s name, so she was stuck.
    “Santino
came over Wednesday morning to bring me some gypsy peppers from one of his
neighbors. He’s been trying to grow them in the courtyard of the apartment
complex, and finally had so much success that now he has too many. Santino
thought I’d like some, so he stopped by only I wasn’t here, of course. I was
still at your apartment.”
    She’d
spent more time in Damien’s apartment this past week than her own. “That was
the text message I had Wednesday morning.”
    He
nodded slowly. They’d been interrupted by the sound of Sela’s phone as they
were having a leisurely fuck in bed before getting ready for work. “I called
him as soon as you left, and he was still waiting for me when I got home.”
    “What
did he say?” asked Damien.
    She
shrugged, but she already knew he wouldn’t be satisfied with a half-assed
answer, and he didn’t deserve one. “He didn’t know. About us. I guess I had
assumed you might say something.”
    “Why
would I do that?” he asked quietly. “It’s not my place to gossip about you to
your brother.”
    “I
understand.”
    “Why
didn’t you tell him about us yourself?”
    “Because
I wasn’t sure what to say.”
    He
watched her face carefully. Too carefully. “Are you afraid this won’t last? Is that why you didn’t say anything
to him?”
    She’d
never be able to hide anything from this man. “I wanted to wait a while and see
where things went.”
    “You
don’t believe what I said to you