—

The main ballroom was enormous and packed with men in black tie and women in ball gowns. Every size, color and shape were there. I sucked in a breath. I hadn’t understood the scope of the ballroom world. So many incredible dancers and students, and I had no idea how it all worked. The men who were competing had numbers pinned to the back of their tuxedos or black shirts, while stunning women swirled around them. A voluptuous woman in a bright orange Latin dress was doing a sensual samba with her teacher. Video and professional photo cameras were set up all around the edges of the ballroom, their lights dazzling my eyes. Stands selling dresses, shoes, bags, every dance accessory imaginable, lined the walls.

“Come on,” said Ryan, shouldering his way to an empty table on the edge of the dance floor.

From there, we could see the competition. To the right, the couples for the next heat were already being lined up. We were in the middle of a series of Latin events. “Oh, there’s Nina and Keith.” I was so glad to see their familiar faces as they were waiting to go on.

The heats began. There were so many couples on the floor because this was nationals, and every Avery Studio in the country was represented. We watched as heat after heat was danced. I felt more comfortable as I analyzed the dancing and was grateful I’d been trained in such a good studio. Some were excellent and some were poor. I was glad to see no one was as good as Nina and Keith. It was grueling, even to watch.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to find Julian, very handsome in black tie. “Charlie and Ryan. So pleased you’re here.”

“Oh, I’m happy to see you, Julian,” I said warmly. In my peripheral vision, I noticed conversations around us pausing as people concentrated on Julian and us. Even Julian’s reflected glory was heady.

Ryan nodded, trying to stay polite.

“Don’t miss the party tonight. Penthouse at ten p.m.” Julian turned to Ryan. “Sorry, pros only.” Then with a little pat on my shoulder, he left. I watched him go, saw other heads turning as he passed by.

Ryan’s jaw was clenched. “He just has to rub it in.”

“What?”

“That you’re invited and I’m not. That I’m not a professional, and therefore not supposed to be with you.”

“I don’t think he worries about us that much.”

—

I went to the party together with Nina. I kept thinking about the fact that Ryan was somewhere in the hotel but I knew it was better to focus on other things.

“You should find yourself a pro tonight,” Nina said as she put on her makeup for the party. “If you need the room, just let me know.”

“For what?”

“Sex, what else?”

“Where would you go?”

She shrugged. “I’d bunk with another dancer. We always help each other out.”

“I’m not going to be needing the room.”

“We’ll see. You haven’t been to a professional party yet.”

—

The penthouse was filled with dancers. Women were leading other women, men leading men, and of course, men and women together. A rap song was blasting at full volume. We passed Mateo dancing up a storm with a man I didn’t know. Mateo saw us, gave us a wink and a kiss, then said to his big handsome partner, “Okay, baby, I’m leading now,” and they switched leads. The other guy kicked his heels back in a flip as Mateo dipped him. An old friend of Nina’s grabbed her when the music changed. She winked at me as she was whisked away. I didn’t know what to do. Everyone else had years of history together. I wasn’t sure I should have come.

Now Adrienne was at the stereo, changing the music and calling, “Hustle time!” Dominic took her in his arms and they started spinning and breaking at high speed. I’d never seen them dance together before. They were incredible.

Then someone took me into dance position and I found myself face to face with Julian. He was wearing a T-shirt and jeans, looking much younger than I’d seen him, and he was more attractive than ever. I felt as if I’d been picked by the prince himself. It took me a second to figure out the hustle steps, but once I understood it was similar to western swing, I caught on pretty fast. Julian could move. It was so effortless, I could let myself go, trusting my body to his magical hands. I must have been glowing with pleasure.

I tilted my head and asked, “How am I doing, coach?”

“Beautifully.” He had such a sexy smile.

The music changed to cha-cha and I said, “My turn to lead.”

Julian grinned as he took the lady’s part. Of course, he was as light and fast as the best woman I’d ever danced with. I felt as if I’d been driving around in a rusty old heap my entire life and now sat behind the wheel of a Lamborghini. I had only to give him the slightest tap and he spun like a dervish. Then the music changed and he took me in dance hold again. We were dancing number after number together, and I knew people had noticed, but I was enjoying myself so much, I didn’t care. When I was with Julian, I was someone, I belonged.

As the night went on, the dances became more intimate until I found myself backed against a darkened corner, doing the lambada with Julian. He had one hand braced against the wall, holding a glass of champagne. Our hips were rocking together in tiny circles, while his other arm was wrapped around my waist. He leaned forward, then brought the champagne glass to my lips and fed me another sip. My eyes fluttered closed. The party, the dancing, Julian. It was so intoxicating. I didn’t want to think or worry anymore: Pa, Lisa, Ryan all seemed like heartaches I could ignore, if only for one night.

Then Julian had gotten rid of the glass somehow and had my hand in his again. He rubbed the back of my hand against the faint stubble on his cheek. “We feel good together, don’t we?”

He had lowered his forehead to mine now. His breath was scented with strawberries and champagne. He turned my hand so that it lay against the side of his neck. I felt the silk of his skin, the sweep of muscle revealed by his thin T-shirt. Then his lips were on mine and the tip of his tongue was tracing the curve of my lips, parting them. He started to trail a line of kisses along the side of my neck. I drew breath and tried to clear my mind. “Julian.”

“Mmmm?”

My voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t want to be the next woman on your girlfriend list.”

Julian drew back and looked at me reproachfully. “How can you do the lambada with a man, then tell him no?” I smiled, as he’d meant me to, and he continued speaking. “You think I say this all of the time, Charlie, but I don’t. You’re special to me. I’d like to discover how special. I know I have a reputation, please don’t hold it against me. Give me a chance.” His eyes were sincere, and just a shade vulnerable.

What would it mean to love the glorious Julian? To have him for myself, to be a dancer with him by my side, if only for a while? I could go to bed with him tonight. We’d have a wonderful time. How everyone would be amazed and impressed that he’d chosen me. Would it be so wrong to give him the chance he’d asked for? Julian bent forward and lifted my chin with his thumb. He kissed me on the lips while his fingers caressed the vulnerable skin of my throat.

An image of Ryan, how he’d looked at me when I left the taxi that night, flashed across my mind. I opened my eyes. I reached up with both hands and gently pulled Julian’s away.

He studied my eyes. “He’s forbidden, you know that.”

I nodded and couldn’t keep the sadness from my face. Ryan wasn’t mine.

“Am I such a poor substitute?”

“You’re too good to be a stand-in for anyone, Julian.” I reached up and threaded my fingers through his hair. “I’m flattered. I admire you. You’re so sexy. But I’m just realizing that maybe I love him.”

Hurt and anger crossed his face. He drew back as I let my hands drop away from him. “Do you know why I won so many competitions?”