Bear In The Rough: Book 1: Treasure Hunt (BBW Bear Shifter Romance) (16 page)

 All of that of course was helped also by the fact that she had met a man while she was there traveling with the troupe and all. While she never forgot Jordan, and the mixed feelings she had in regards to him, the man she had met, Brad Miller, ended up being everything she had wanted in a man to love. Brad Miller was one of the male dancers of the troupes, who worked in the same capacity as Maddie did herself. He was tall, broad shoulder, with a chiseled face beautiful enough to have been carved by angels to Maddies eyes, with light, bright blue eyes, and a cunning humor that always caught her off guard, but kept her laughing. Good looking, handsome, intelligent, and a dancer much as herself, Maddie found herself falling in love, A love she never anticipated to have ever been involved in.

 Meeting him was one of the highlights of her time with the dance troupe at that point in time as well. Having met Brad after several shows where they were assigned to dance opposite one another, and spending time in choreography lessons to learn the dance that they'd be doing together. Almost awkward at first as they were introduced, but slowly growing more and more sensual as their own emotions started to mix with each other. Culminating after several shows where Brad and Maddie had found themselves behind the stage together after the audience had left, and the janitorial services had cleaned up and went home for the evening as well. Their bodies entwined with one another, kissing each other as their hands caressed and searched over each others bodies. Tightened muscles straining from their cool down, the smell of their sweat and passion heating up, as they kept their growing relationship a secret from everyone else on brads insistence so as not to draw attention to them both, and to continue to work with each other. A reason Maddie was all too willing to acquiesce so as not to jeopardize her quickly expanding career in dance.

 However, growing upon the six month anniversary of her joining the troupe after winning the Audition, Maddie's required vacation time was coming up, and she started to find herself day dreaming while working on where she should go for vacation. Sure, she could return home, and fill her friends and family with stories of what she's seen, and where she's been. But she's now a citizen of the world. Free from the shackles of normality that she had fought so hard to escape from. She wanted to go places, and see the world a little bit. Everywhere was open to her at this point, and she wanted to live a little more. Being only 22, she was still young. Plenty of time later on in her life to settle down fully.

 Talking it over with Brad, as well as the friends she had made within the troupe, she eventually settled on Cancun, in Mexico as her destination. Missing the summer evenings she had spent swimming, she figured beaches, tequila, sun, and swimming was exactly the sort of vacation that she had needed. Her mind made up, she thought of askingBrad to come along with her. Both of them spending time together, she thought would have been highly romantic. Something that she eagerly wanted to experience with someone that she started to feel so strongly towards, and whom she knew she wanted to get to know better. However, soon she would have found out more about Brad than she had ever anticipated, and would have wished to know despite how in the end it was better for her this way.

 Several weeks after makingher plans to go to Cancun for her week long vacation, Maddie and Brad were scheduled for a routine in a San Diego show. The show was of course spectacular, and the crowds were out in full to see the dancing troupe show as it came to their city. Lights were all alight, buzzing in fluorescent power as it lighted the stage for all of them. Camera's rolling, filming the show for posterity. Happy with the outcome, the show went on as it normally went. Fans came to watch. Reporters came out to write, critique, and discuss the show, and the art behind it. The dancers themselves were starting to become full of adrenaline, prepared to dance their hearts out and make sure that those that came got their money's worth, and that they would leave with happy memories. Nervous producers and directors hoping everything goes fully as planned, and no mistakes were made at all during the production.

 Naturally the show went off without any problems at all. The dancers themselves performing flawlessly. Music and dialogue perfect pitch, and the crowd standing in ovation to the work that had gone into the performance as the curtains slowly closed. Maddie, satisfied highly at her own performance, slinked off from the rest of the cast in the after party where the dancers sat, rested, drank water, and cooled down in various cooling off exercises to prevent cramping, Looking for Brad, to tell him the good news of her decision, and to ask him if he'd accompany her on her vacation. However, she ended up coming upon him, not as she had expected him to be.

 Beneath the production and maintenance crews ladders, hidden away into the recesses of the shows props, there was Brad, cloistered away from all prying eyes. Brad however was not alone, but was in the arms of another woman. Their embrace held close together as Brad has done with Maddie. Their lips locked upon one another as the sound of their passions echoed off of the wooden walls all around them. It was at that moment that Maddie realized the truth of Brad, and saw him for the person that he was. That indeed, he might be handsome, and intelligent, and funny. But he truly was a snake in the grass, and that to Brad, his intentions were all about what Brad could have, and not about their feelings for one another. Betrayed, once more, and dismayed at her discovery, Maddie turned and left. Her heart broken, but hardened to any future plight that Brad might find himself in, having given him her heart, only to have it shattered once more.

 So she left back to her private room. Tears welling up in her eyes as it stung her. Her mind reeling at what she should do now. She was set to leave for Cancun in several days time, but now she had the funds for an extra ticket, but no one to go with her. Her mind thinking to the situation she now found herself in, and the euphoria that she had had for the last several months just seemingly being ruined in one fell swoop. Feeling sorry for herself, her mind raced back to her previous life, within the small town she had left behind. Finally drifting slowly to her friend that she had left behind as well. An idea forming in her mind as she decided, perhaps she should allow someone else the opportunity to come with her. Someone who deserved it more than Brad. Someone who had always been there for her.

 So she reached for the phone that was in her room. And called up her friend Jordan. Knowing it was going to be quite the long night indeed.

 Relaxation came finally to Maddie almost half a week later. The thrill of it all having died down to a dull, quieted, relaxation numbness as she laid upon the beaches of Cancun. The first half of her vacation an exhileration as she had called Jordan after her ordeal with the discovery of Brad in the arms of another woman. Wiring him money, getting him on a plane as soon as he could get himself packed, first thing in the evening. Followed by the nervousness of finally seeing him when she met him at the airport when his flight had arrived. Their surprise at seeing each other, almost seemingly so different from one another at first creating the awkward silence between them before Maddie, surprised and happy at him, nearly leapt into his arms, hugging her friend so close to herself as she enjoyed his embrace. And for him, he hugged her back to himself. They both seemingly so different than they were before, despite the half of a year difference from the last time they had seen each other. Herself more full, more feminine, but stronger and sinewy. Jordan  himself relatively the same, minus his glasses, and with longer hair that reached down to his shoulder. Maddies hair for once being cropped short, the difference between them seemingly have swapped. Though blue eyes happily looked to sapphire gaze as they spent their week in paradise together.

 And now, upon the beaches, they laid together in a relatively quiet part of the beach. Barely anyone walking around to disturb them as they stared up at the sky. Crystal clear water washing up in tidal waves, lapping close to their feet, the yellow-white sand all around them stretchnig for miles upon miles, and the sky above as clear as the water, the endless blue stretching on forever, threatening to swallow the world should it ever fall upwards into it. A slight breeze blowing by, tickling the water chilled soles of their feet as silence once more surrounded them. However, not an awkward silence, but one of relaxation as they simply enjoyed their luck to be in a place so far from home together.

 Jordan of course slowly turned, looking over towards Maddie as she laid there with her eyes close. Almost angelic in a way, seemingly asleep as he smiled, in spite of himself. Reaching over with his elbow to nudge her gently as he spoke. "Maddie?" he asked. Herself murmuring in acceptance that she was not asleep as she slowly turned her gaze to look over towards him. Her eyes opening to look upon him.

"You know, I'm glad you invited me out here. In all honesty. I didn't think we'd ever see each other again." He said, slowly turning to look up towards the sky as she continued to look at him. "You remember the night you left? You know I was out there, and I saw you leave on the bus. I was too late to talk to you that night." He continued on.

"I didn't know Jordan. I thought you were too busy to come see me." She said as she too slowly looked up towards the sky with him. Listening to his words, and nearly drinking them in as he continued on.

"No, no. I was there. I guess I was just late, like I said. I actually wanted to tell you something. I was too afraid to tell you before, and I guess in a way, I'm still a little scared to tell you now. But I thought you should know."

 She turned once more, looking upon him, letting him finish as he continued to speak, listening to Jordan take a deep breath before the words came out. "Maddie. I love you, alright? I don't know how to really say it other than just like that. But I've loved you for a long time now, and I guess I was just always scared of saying it. I do Maddie. I think about you a lot, even after you left, and you're always on my mind."

 Maddie blinked at his words as she inhaled deeply. The realization coming to her, hitting her so suddenly that it sent her mind reeling. She realized for the first time ever that she's always loved Jordan as well. That he's been there for her ever since they had known each other. Right by her side, urging her on, cheering her, supporting her in her endeavors. She had been so hurt before, that she never really realized it, and was scared to admit it to herself. But Jordan was everything she ever wanted. Caring, patient, considerate, and there for her. She started to lament the path in their lives that they've taken, only wishing that perhaps she should have realized sooner. Maybe she could have taken Jordan with her, or something could have happened. Tears welling into her eyes for the moment that they had together as she looked back to her. Slowly scooting closer towards him in response. Pressing against the side of his body. The silence once more breaking out between them, but for this, no words needed to be spoken. The other understanding what the other meant fully now.

 However. Like all good things in life, Maddie's vacation had to come to a close earlier than she had anticipated. Her boss having had to recall her from Cancun early, to come back to practice the new routines for the new shows that were coming up, telling Maddie to fly out towards Houston, Texas, as that was where the show was heaving in it's next stop. A tearful goodbye was shared between Maddie and Jordan, and a tight embrace between them as she stepped upon the airport terminal. Promises made between them both that they'll see each other again, that after what they both shared with one another, they'll always have each other.

 Upon her return to the dancing troupe, things started to look up for Maddie once more. Her life slowly becoming complete with all that she wanted. Fearing the eventual run-in with Brad, it had turned out that he had been replaced, and sent off to another show entirely and stripped of his team leader status, having been caught with one of the newer dancers, taking advantage of her naivete, and fearing a lawsuit, sent him away. Relief of course coming to Maddie, as her reunion with Brad as her opposite was something she was not looking forward to at all.

 But the completeness of her life finally came upon opening night of their first show after spending the first week up day and night learning the dance steps, and new choreography that was needed to be learned. Peering from behind the corners of the curtains on the first night, she looked out to view the crowd. A familiar face sticking out as she looked, a smile creeping upon her face. Jordan was there, sitting within the first row seat, center. The best, and most expensive, seat of the house. Apparently having spent the time and money to come out to see her. Beaming proudly as he prepared to watch the show of the woman he loved and had supported. Maddie realizing that after tonight, she has everything that she's ever wanted. A career she is proud of that allows her to experience life to it's fullest. And the love of a man that she loves in turn, and trusts. That was all that she had ever wanted, and she couldn't have asked for anything more.

Dance with Me

Chapter 1

Chloe nervously placed her nametag on her shirt, looking around the room at the other contestants. She took a deep breathe, having a hard time believing that she had finally made it.
The National Art of Dance Competition,
she thought to herself, excitement flowing freely through her. Over the next five days she would be matched with a partner, get lessons from famous choreographers, and end it all with a national dance competition.

Chloe looked down at her itinerary, scanning over her schedule for the week. She would be meeting her partner soon, and she couldn’t help but worry she might not end up with someone she liked. Chloe shook her head and reminded herself that she has had countless dance partners over the years, real talent doesn’t depend on someone else.

A woman walked onto a stage in front of a sea of tables that sat the contestants. She kindly asked everyone to take a seat at their assigned table. Chloe quickly walked over to the tables, searching for her name card. When she found her table she sat down quickly, there was another man and woman seated at the table. Chloe turned to her left, concerned that her partner had yet to reach the table. Her eyes flashed down to the name card next to her,
Evan
was printed neatly in cursive. There was a heavy enigmatic weight to the mystery behind his name. So much of her dream dependent on a man she had never met.

A voice pulled Chloe from her internal musing. She looked up at the gorgeous blonde woman who sat across from her. Her features dripped with daunting beauty, with glowing blue eyes and a set of full rose-colored lips.

“My name is Julia, it’s nice to meet you.” she said sweetly, offering Chloe a kind smile.

The man next to Julia introduced himself as well. “I’m Chad.” he said nodding at Chloe.

She noticed that he was very good looking as well, with long dark hair pulled back and handsome facial features. Chloe also noticed that the pair seemed a few years younger, looking barely older than 21. Feeling inadequate in comparison she began to feel a bit self-conscious.

“I’m Chloe, it’s great to meet you guys.” She replied back, putting on a friendly smile and trying to calm her queasiness.

“I’m Evan.” a deep timbre voice came from behind her. Chloe watched as the man slid silently into his seat, kindly nodding at the others as the introduced themselves politely. She stared at him, taken aback. If she thought that the others were good looking, she couldn’t even begin to compare them to Evan.

He had a tall and lean frame, as most male dancers do, but the way he carried himself enhanced his gorgeous body. He had thick and rich dark brown hair that fell softly into his eyes, hiding the most beautiful sea glass colored eyed. Below that, his face was set with a pointed nose and a strong chin, complete with a dominant jawline.

He turned to her and gave a smile that shook her to her bones and said, “I look forward to working together, Elizabeth.”

The way he purred her name made her blush and she softly said, “You can call me Chloe.”

His smile widened and he said, “Okay, Chloe.”

Their attention was pulled back to the speaker at the podium, going over the schedules and guidelines for the next few days. As Chloe laid in her hotel room  bed that night she felt exuberantly awake, the excitement of the contest making her feel giddy and a bit nervous. She had to admit to herself though, that these feelings were also attributed to her new partner, Evan.