Read Hooked #3 (The Hooked Romance Series - Book 3) for Free Online

Next Friday, then,” he whispered. He started to back down the hallway, all the
while removing his bow tie, unbuttoning his tuxedo shirt.
    “Next Friday!” I responded timidly. He tucked into
his apartment door, grinning out at me. I ratcheted into my own apartment,
feeling the warmth of familiarity take hold. I flounced into bed, allowing the
passion, the drive of the evening to fold around me and place me in a coma of
happiness, of hope.
    I didn’t wake up the next morning until noon, when
Boomer trounced on my head, and I remembered that an entire week had to form; a
week of hard work, of preparation for the new studio, before I could laugh and
dance with Drew again. This knowledge forced me into a frenzy of continuous
work. I was always on the phone, always tracking down new ballerinas, always
looking for more money—money that could work me out of this hole. Soon, I knew,
I would have to start paying the loan back. Not this year, sure. But in the next one. This knowledge made me nervous, made me
wide-eyed and committed. I wouldn’t lose another studio. I wouldn’t lose it to
that fast-talking, spirited woman—Carol—who owned the Goat. This was my dream,
and I was going to make it work, no matter what.

 
    CHAPTER
SEVEN
    After a week of this frenzy, I was entirely ready to
fall into the world of Drew once more. In this world, I knew, there were no
worries. Everything was easy; everyone knew how to dance, how to dress. I
paused in front of my closet, naked, tracing the dresses over and over again. I
wasn’t sure where we were going for this overnight weekend trip. He had simply
called me, out-of-the-blue that morning to tell me that I needed to pack something
elegant for the next evening’s festivities. I had heard drilling in the
background. Had he called me from the worksite, from the excavation of my old
dance studio? Also, I had thought this was going to be one overnight; not two.
I furrowed my eyebrows, becoming nervous. I knew I couldn’t fall in love with
this man (not more than I already was).
    I had to put it out of my mind. I dipped my hand
into the closet and brought out a fiery red dress, one that showed far too much
cleavage. He hadn’t told me if the next evening was a grand benefit or a
goddamned concert. Either way, I would be prepared. I slipped the dress over my
slim frame, admiring the way it held tight to my body, showing the outline of
my breasts. I could see a flash of my nipples, as well, as they glistened in
the bright light from the Friday sun.
    I packed the dress in a suitcase and chose some black
leggings and a cute top for the travel. I knew we were leaving the city, but I
couldn’t be certain where we were going. In my head, I was worried we were
going to Indiana for some reason. I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t bear to see
my home state again, not wrapped in the arms of Drew, not in the sleek Porsche.
    Drew knocked on my door at around six. I stepped
toward it and opened it only for a moment, revealing him in his long winter
coat, a nice, warm winter hat. “Well. Aren’t you prepared for snow?” I teased
him.
    “It’s going to be rather cold there this weekend.
I’d grab a hat, if I were you.” His eyes looked bright, excited. I decided to
play his games. I grabbed my suitcase, my coat, and followed behind him into
the hallway, locking the door behind me.
    “Where are we going, anyway?” I asked him, smiling.
    He raised his eyebrow, taking my suitcase. “We’re
actually going to Iowa.”
    My heart sunk in my chest. What the hell was in
Iowa? Was this guy going to take me out to the boonies and murder me? As I tapped down the steps and out onto the whirring streets, I
felt regretful, sad to leave my home behind. Chicago! Leaving for Iowa?
    I sat in the Porsche and brought my hands together
timidly, looking over at Drew as he pumped the engine. He noted my wayward
expression and laughed. “It’s not going to be that bad,” he said.
    We shot west toward Iowa. I