Page 53 of Lost & Found

“I’m…one minute please,” I stammered. “Kinsley, I can’t go out there like this and now Pasha is waiting outside the damned door.”

“Just ask him to get it for you. You’re making this much more complicated than you need to. Think of it like you’re asking for a towel from Bash.”

“You hate me, don’t you?”

“Why would you say that? I…I love you.” Her words were a mix of confusion and sadness, and I instantly wanted to take them back.

“I’m sorry,” I exclaimed. “This is so out of my comfort zone and I’m taking it out on you. I know you love me.”

“But for real, I do. You’re my sister.”

“I know you do, and we are sisters. I’m sorry. I’ll ask him for the skirt. See you at home, okay?”

“Okay,” she said, sounding dejected.

We hung up once more, and I turned my attention back to the door.

“Bellarusso, if you don’t tell me what’s wrong, I’m going to open this door.”

“Hold your horses already. I’m having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction. Kinsley said she has a skirt in her locker. Can you get it for me?”

“Is that all?” He chuckled.

“You have no idea,” I murmured once more, looking at my body like it had betrayed me, vowing to never let this happen again.

My earlier concern was put to rest by her words. She was feeling shy, so it made sense. Even when we were at the summerhouse, she never wore a swimsuit, and a leotard was a close cousin to one, so it made sense.

I bounced into the office and found the wrap-around skirt with a bow. I shook my head and smirked. Only time would tell if she came out in it or not. Was it wrong of me to want her to take one look at it and refuse to wear it? I carried it across the hall and knocked on the door. She opened it the tiniest crack.

“Here you are,” I said.

A loud groan greeted me. “Lavender, of course. I guess I should be grateful it’s not lace or see-through,” she muttered, shutting the door again.

“You could always not wear it. No need to be so shy,” I teased.

There was only silence, and a minute went by. Then the door creaked open, revealing her face peeking out from behind it. She startled a bit and then took a deep breath. Our eyes locked, and she opened the door all the way and stepped into the hall beside me.

My eyes roamed over her, from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. This was the most of her I’d ever seen. And I liked what was before me. Too much. My body reacted before my brain could catch up.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away and didn’t want to. It was wrong, and my brain screamed, shut it down. But I couldn’t. The leotard was tank-style, and the outline of her bra was visible under.

Fuck, she was breathtaking.

The skirt she wore hugged her curves in all the right places, showing her waist and the generous shape of her hips. She wore it with an air of uncertainty, and I wanted to do anything I could to make the look go away. Without a word, I reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

My touch lingered a moment longer than it should have. Long enough for me to realize I didn’t want to stop. Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, and I could see her mind working overtime.

I put my finger on her lips. “I know you hate the color, but it looks fantastic against your skin tone. You opted to not wear the tights I see. I approve. You know, in the future, workout clothes are fine for the beginning portion of our lessons. Heels will come later.”

I meant every word I said, too. The color complemented her in more ways than one. Her legs were toned and showcased beautifully in the skirt. The fabric clung to her athletic build perfectly. Her skin glowed, her Italian heritage undeniably accentuated by the soft light in the hall.

She was much taller than Kinsley, and I knew instantly what she would feel like in my arms on the dance floor. She carried herself with grace, whether or not she knew it. Or believed it.

“It’s a little small on me. Digs in all the wrong places, if you know what I mean, and the main reason I requested the skirt.”

Heat crept up her throat and pooled beneath her cheekbones. She tucked her chin to her chest, suddenly fascinated by the floor. Unable to help myself, I tried to see for myself how accurate her words were.

It dug into the shoulders a little and it was tight across her chest. She was bigger in that area than Kinsley was. My gaze dropped farther, wishing the skirt wasn’t covering her so I could see more of her.