Chapter 32

“I can’t believe you,” Ada says to me. “After everything, you still betray our mate.”

“I would never do that. Ethan and I are friends.”

“Then I suggest you make that very clear to him.”

“Uh oh, what did I walk into?” Joy asked as she entered the villa. “You can cut the tension in here with a butter knife.”

“Nothing,” I say, adjusting my clothes. “Doctor Ethan was finishing up my appointment.”

“Looks like you two were doing more than what is needed to make sure that you’re alright,” Maggie said.

I glare at her, but it slowly fades. “You said it yourself, Mags. It’s not like I can pretend that he isn’t handsome and with everything that he told me today, I guess I just got swept up in the moment.”

Joy lays across my bed and probs her head up with her elbows. “Oh…what happened? Spill.”

“Apparently, Ethan knew me before his first visit. He said that he used to attend my performances from age twelve until five years ago, right before I left Blue Moon.”

“Shit! Why didn’t he tell you that? That’s not something you keep to yourself.”

“He said that he didn’t know that I was the patient he was taking over for Doc, but that he didn’t want to break his professionalism.” Maggie parts her lips to speak, but I stop her. “I know what you’re going to say and you’re right. We crossed one hell of a line today, but I never expected kissing.”

“You kissed him?!” Joy shouts and I rub my forehead.

“You really have no audio control over your voice. No I didn’t kiss him. He tried to kiss me and I backed away.”

“Sorry…I’m just a little shocked, that’s all. Did you pull away because of Sir Ansel?”

“Yes. Honestly it was instinctual.” I look down at the comforter. “I keep messing up with him. He won’t come near me, and I don’t blame him, but I’m not some unfeeling thing, and I won’t deny that I miss him.”

Maggie's face softens. “I understand. Just give him some time. I’m sure he’ll come around. You two have a way of always coming back together.”

“Okay. I’ll try.”

“Good,” Maggie replies, but I can still see the concern on her face. Busying herself, she stops abruptly in front of the table.

Shit.

I think when she picks up the ballet shoes and shows them to me. She holds them carefully as if afraid to destroy them. “These are amazing, Lady Karin, though I don’t recall you having them.”

“They’re a gift from Ethan,” I muttered, avoiding her stare. “He surprised me with them after you left. He wanted me to try to dance again, but we ended up having an argument because I feel it’s too soon.”

“I will give this to him, the man has great taste,” Joy interjected. “You can tell that he spent some money on them. Okay, I will always be team Second Prince, but a handsome man that is supportive and spends money would turn any sensible woman’s head.”

“Not helping, Joy,” Maggie said. “Did you forget that Lady Karin and Sir Ansel have an arrangement?”

“No but did you forget he won’t come near her?” Joy taps me on the leg. “Look, I won’t pry, but whatever happened the last time you spoke had to be bad for him to put having an heir on the line.”

“It was bad,” I whisper. “I said some things to him that would make the most even-tempered person mad.”

“Damn, and lust didn’t supersede them both for him? Yep, he has to be pissed.”

“And again, not being helpful,” Maggie said, glaring. “Not everyone’s libido works that way.”

Joy arches her eyebrow. “So you’re telling me you and your husband never have had angry sex?” Maggie's face reddened, and she coughed. “That’s what I thought. The aggression and passion in angry sex is like no other. I bet if you and Sir Ansel had it, you would end up pregnant immediately.”

The thought of Ansel dominating me almost made my face resemble Maggie’s. His chiseled jaw flex, his muscles taunt as he lost control was something my body secretly craved. Still, the few moments that we had together, he always managed to keep his wolf from taking over, and now with him avoiding me, the scenario was more like a fantasy.

“I don’t think that the doc’s idea was a bad one, though,” Joy says, pulling me from my thoughts.

“What idea?”

“When he said you should try to do ballet again. Don’t you agree Maggie?”

To my surprise, Maggie nods.

“I think it’s a good idea as well. You have these beautiful new shoes. They shouldn’t just sit in the closet collecting dust.”

I shake my head. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but no. My hand is almost fully healed, and my body is a little less sore every day. The last thing I need is to fool myself into thinking that I’m ready for such a big leap.”

“You’ll never know until you try,” Maggie said. “Plus, it’s not like you don’t have a doctor who would come running the moment you called him.”

“Fine,” I grumble, hating that they had a point. If Ethan said that I was well enough to at least try, then I should trust his word not only as my doctor, but as my friend.

“I just thought of something.”

“What?”

“You could use the ballroom again. Sir Ansel is not scheduled back for another week and we both know how much you love that room. It’s spacious and with a little music, I’m sure you will be back in your groove in no time.”

Joy nodded. “I like the way you think, Maggie Mag. The villa is nice, but with all the furniture you’re likely to injure yourself again.” She nudged me. “Oh…you should invite the good doctor that ought to really get your juices flowing and grooving.”

“Joy…” Maggie cautioned, shaking her head.

“What? I’m being supportive. Again, I’m team Sir Ansel, but he isn’t here, and our friend is about to have an emotional growth moment. The doctor literally told her he’s been going to see her perform since he was twelve. Twelve, Maggie! That’s both dedicated and creepy as hell, but hey, I like creepy in doses. Plus you praised him yourself for his hard work. This could be her way of showing appreciation for all his efforts.”

As the two of them continued to bicker, I looked at the shoes Ethan had gone out of his way to get me.

All right, here we go Karin. Everyone believes in you, it’s time for you to believe in yourself.

I think to myself as I gather my courage.

“Hey Ethan, do you think you could meet me at the manor tomorrow for our visit instead?”

“Um sure, but is everything okay? Maggie was pretty angry earlier with me.”

“No nothing is wrong. She’s just very protective of me. Will you meet me there? I have something I’d really like to show you.”

“Then I’m there. See you tomorrow.”

I smile at the thought of finally dancing again. Laying back on the bed, I look up at the ceiling, completely tuning Maggie and Joy out.