Breaking Away Read online

  She reached out, moving the hair, as he said, “I know you said that I can’t blame myself for how my sister and mother were, but I can’t help it. I hate what they did and how they allowed things to happen to Claire. How could they allow her to beg for food, to have to fight to keep men off her? Why would my sister put her in that position? Why couldn’t she just give her to me? You know? I wasn’t the smartest tool in the shed back then but fuck, I would have protected her.”

  Reese felt broken as she listened to him, his voice hitching in spots and slowly breaking her heart. “You’re right, you would have, and you are now.”

  “It just sucks because it’s not my sister or my mom that have to deal with the aftermath of their actions, it’s me and Claire. I’m the one that has to fix Claire, to shower her with love and reassure her that she will never go hungry again or ever have to fight off a man. Not that I have a problem doing it, I would die for this girl but still, it shouldn’t be like this. They should be here, healthy and as a family, we should do this together.”

  Reese cupped his face and brought it up so she could gaze into his show-stopping eyes. “Even though they aren’t here and have created all kinds of hell for you, let me just say that you are doing a marvelous job with Claire. I promise you that she is going to grow up and be happy and successful because you love her so much. You are the best thing for her, Phillip. She is lucky to have you.”

  He smiled, leaning into her hand. “Thanks.”

  She winked at him, receiving a laugh from him as she whispered, “Anytime.”

  “The same goes for you too, you know.”

  She gave him a puzzled look as she asked, “What do you mean?”

  “You. You’re the best thing for her as well, and she is lucky to have you,” he said. He looked away and then in a lower voice, said, “So am I. Every time I feel like I’m fucking up, you reassure me. I couldn’t do this without you, so thank you.”

  For some reason that statement didn’t freak her out, it pleased her, as she locked eyes with him. Biting into her lip, she ran her thumb along his bottom lip before saying, “You’re welcome.”

  When he pushed up on his hands, she watched as his arms flexed before his lips were right at hers, his eyes boring into hers, a grin sitting on his beautiful lips. “I like that we are there for each other.”

  She nodded, her heart hammering against her ribs because she shouldn’t like it but she did.

  “Me too.”

  Moving his nose along hers, he whispered, “Good, now kiss me.”

  “Always so demanding,” she teased as her hands trailed down his back, cupping his fine ass.

  “Damn right and you love it,” he said, right before he captured her mouth with his own.

  All she could do was kiss him and think that he was completely right.

  “WELL IF it isn’t Miss Reese Allen of the sought-after Reese Allen Company. You know I’ve been hearing your name all week!”

  Reese turned and a wide smile crossed her face when her gaze met a pair of familiar, green, cat-like eyes. Mrs. Prissy stood with a confidence that came with being one of the best Burlesque dancers in the industry. Even retired, people knew who she was. With bright red hair, big pouty lips, breasts that gave Dolly Parton a run for her money and a trim, sexy waist, Mrs. Prissy was a showstopper, giving the saying that ‘the forties were the new thirties’ a new meaning. Of course, with the help of multiple plastic surgeries, but no one mentioned that part. Ever.

  Reaching out, she wrapped her arms around her old friend and smiled as she hugged her back. “Mrs. Prissy, gorgeous as ever!”

  She laughed as she waved her off. “Oh stop, you’re making me blush,” she said, but Reese knew she loved it.

  “You, blush? Please, I think the only time I’ve ever seen you blush is when you were being spanked by the owner of that basketball team!”

  Out the corner of her eye, she saw Phillip’s eyebrow cock up before looking back at the stage at the group that was dancing. She liked having him there. After spending a glorious night with him, she was feeling pretty amazing as they waited for her group to hit the stage. They were lucky that the group was performing early so Phillip could catch it before rushing off to the arena for the game that night. Reese hated that she would miss it, but she had some smaller groups performing tonight. Claire and the rest of the girls were stretching while Reese checked out the competition. Reese was only worried about two other studios and knew she needed to watch but she’d much rather talk with Mrs. Prissy.

  “Haha, good times, Brent and I dated for a long time after that.” She smiled as she relived the moment and then shook her head, looking back at Reese. “So you’ve been good, I see? I was worried at first when you came home from New York, but obviously that was the greatest decision of your life.”

  “I am very happy.”

  “Good, I can tell. You are simply gorgeous, girl. I mean goodness, you are glowing.”

  Reese smiled. “Thank you.”

  “I’m very proud of you. I’ve been watching your girls all weekend, fabulous is the only thing I can say. That redhead you got, Claire? She danced with that one boy.”

  Reese noticed Phillip turn again as she said, “Yeah, Claire Anderson.”

  “Simply phenomenal. She rocked that stage. She reminds me of a special someone I know,” she said with a wink.

  Reese giggled. “I agree. She is going to rule the dance world.”

  “Or maybe even the Burlesque world. The girl is sexy and dances that way.”

  Reese shrugged. “Maybe, but I’m hoping for headlining tours with big names.”

  Miss Prissy smiled. “That too, you should have done both, but it wasn’t what the good Lord had in his plans for you.”

  “You’re right.”

  “Okay, well, I wish I could stay and chat for hours but I need to go. Do me a favor though; I need you to call me, meet up for lunch because I need some new stuff for the stage. A few of my girls quit and now the ones I have left can’t come up with jack. Help me, please?”

  Reese nodded. She’d walk through fire for Miss Prissy. The woman was her source of income when she was going through college and dance school. She was the reason Reese had no debt and the main reason she had the dance company. She had put the capital down, and Reese had just paid her off a year ago. “Of course, I don’t even know why you are asking. Just tell me.”

  She let out a gut-busting laugh as she reached for Reese, hugging her tightly. “I’d do no such thing. I am lucky to have such an amazing young lady in my life.”

  Reese closed her eyes and hugged her back. “And I’m lucky to have you.”

  “Good,” she said, backing away before cupping Reese’s face. “Call me when you get back.”

  “Will do.”

  “Great, oh by the way, did you see that poor excuse for a man? He’s here. I flicked him off and told him to eat dirt.”

  Reese laughed as she waved her off. “Yes ma’am, and that’s a story for our lunch.”

  “Awesome. See you soon.”

  Miss Prissy kissed Reese’s cheek before strutting away like she owned the place. A smile played on Reese lips as she turned to look up at the stage. When she felt someone staring at her, she turned to see Phillip watching her, his brows up as he asked, “Who was that?”

  “Mrs. Prissy, a longtime friend. I used to work for her.”

  “Oh cool,” he said with a nod, “Burlesque?”

  Reese smiled. “Yup.”

  “Isn’t that like stripping?”

  She shrugged. “Kinda.”

  “So you were a stripper?”

  Reese giggled. “Sort of. No man saw my tits or kitty if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Phillip smirked before leaning into her. “Maybe you can show me some of your moves sometime?”

  “Maybe,” she answered, looking up with her eyes shining. He leaned over, kissing her softly before rubbing his nose against her. She really enjoyed kissing him in public. She was surp