Dancer in the Shadows Read Free

they discussed her hopes to be admitted to the ballet school and her plans for the future. After a delicious lunch, they walked around the wharf and visited the familiar sights of the waterfront area.
    "What would you say to Ghirardelli Square?" Sean asked suddenly. He noted her hesitancy. "Or do you have someone waiting for you?" His tone meant someone male. She was unaware of the change in his manner as he watched conflicting expressions cross her face.
    "No, I just thought there must be someone else you'd rather be with than me." Her low voice indicated her confusion. Why would he want to spend the day with her? She certainly couldn't be the type of girl he was used to spending his time with.
    He suddenly gripped her chin, forcing her eyes up to meet his own dark ones. "Cat eyes, if I didn't want to be with you, I wouldn't be here," Sean murmured, his warm breath caressing her face.
    Valerie held her breath, thinking he was going to kiss her. She felt disappointed when he removed his hand, saying abruptly, "I suggest we get back to the car and head for Ghirardelli Square."
    Near the large, popular tourist attraction, known for the making of chocolate candy and now a center full of shops of every description, Sean pulled into an underground parking lot where they left the car.
    Valerie's eyes grew huge looking around at the various articles displayed in store windows. In one jewelry shop, she lingered over a jade teardrop pendant edged in delicate gold filigree. The amount written on the small white tag told her, though, that it was far beyond her means.
    When the late afternoon sun set behind the mountains, the evening's cool air suggested it was time for dinner. Sean steered her toward a nearby Italian restaurant with a warm and homey atmosphere.
    Valerie relaxed during the large meal of minestrone soup and veal parmigiana accompanied by a bottle of red wine. When they left the restaurant to return to the car, her face was becomingly flushed from the wine.
    The parking lot was cool and she shivered slightly while waiting for Sean to unlock the car. Noticing her action, he reached inside, grabbed a dark brown suede jacket, and settled it around her shoulders. His hands stayed momentarily on her shoulders before sliding slowly down her arms to go around her waist under the jacket. Keeping his eyes on her upturned face, ethereal in the dim light, he gently pulled her unresisting form toward him. He leaned back against the car, keeping his arms around her. Valerie stared mesmerized at his descending mouth as it settled warmly and lightly on her lips. The touch was softly sensual, wreaking havoc with her senses. Feeling her response, he expertly parted her lips, exploring the sweetness within. Her arms crept up over his chest to his shoulders, winding around his neck, her fingers raking through his crisp hair. His woodsy aftershave mixed with his male scent to assault her senses, causing her body to tremble. Sean's lips trailed along her jawline to the sensitive cord in her neck, nibbling gently. Valerie's hand crept down, unconsciously unbuttoning several buttons of his shirt, letting her fingers seek the warmth of his body. Sean's expert caresses were awakening new emotions inside her. Suddenly he pressed the side of her face against his chest. She could hear the erratic heartbeat under her ear, matching her own racing pulse. Sean's hands lifted, deftly pulling the pins out of her hair, letting it tumble free past her shoulders. His fingers raked the silky tresses before cupping her nape, raising her face to his. A lean, brown forefinger traced her lips, swollen from his passionate kisses.
    "Val," Sean said thickly against her hair, "you seem so special that I don't want to let you go. Come home with me."
    Still bemused from his lovemaking, she didn't realize the true meaning of his words. "It's terribly late and I should be getting back to the house," she replied huskily, rubbing her cheek against his hair-roughened chest