“Oh.” Tears swirled into her eyes, spilled out. “Damn it.”

“You are missed. So I insist you be very, very happy, or I will come to your West Virginia and drag you back.” Now he cupped her face, spoke quietly in Russian. “You want this man?”

She nodded. “Da.”

“Well, then.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, then turned to study Brody. “Me, I’m a man who loves his wife. You met her, so you should see that she is all I treasure. I kiss this one because she is also a treasure. If you had eyes in your head to watch her tonight, this you should also know.”

His eyes gleamed now in amused challenge. “Still, if I find another man kissing what’s mine, I break his legs. But I’m Russian.”

“I usually start with the arms. I’m Irish.”

Davidov’s laugh was rich, and his face went brilliant. “I like him. Good.” Satisfied, he slapped Brody on the shoulder on his way out the door.

“Isn’t he wonderful?”

“A few hours ago, you hated him.”

“Oh.” She waved a hand and sat down to cream off her makeup. “That was rehearsal. I always hate him during rehearsals.”

“Do you always kiss him after a performance?”

“If it goes particularly well. He’s a bully, a genius. He’s Davidov,” she said simply. “I wouldn’t be the dancer I am, maybe not even the woman I am without having worked with him. We’re intimate, Brody, but not sexually. Not ever. He adores his wife. All right?”

“You’re saying it’s an art thing.”

“In a nutshell. Not that removed from ballplayers hugging each other and patting each other’s butts after a really good game.”

“I don’t remember ever seeing your brother kiss his shortstop after a double play, but okay. I get it.”

“Good. It went beautifully, didn’t it?” She spun around on her stool. “Did you like it?”

“You were incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. Never seen anything like you.”

“Oh.” She leaped off the stool, threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad! Oh.” She laughed and rubbed at the smear she’d transferred to his cheek. “Sorry. I wanted it to be incredible. I got so nervous when I realized the family was here. Mama and Dad sneaking up from home, and Grandma and Grandpa. All the aunts and uncles and cousins. And Brandon sent flowers.”

She grabbed more tissue, sniffling as she sat again. “I thought I might be sick, my stomach was churning so.” She pressed a hand to it now. “But then all I felt was the music. When that happens you know. You just know.”

He glanced around the room. It was crowded with flowers, literally hundreds of roses. Bottles of champagne, her exotic costumes. All of those glamorous things filled it, and were pale next to her excitement.

How could she leave all this? he wondered. Why should she?

He started to ask, then her door burst open. Her family poured in and the moment was lost.