Melissa Sutton was the oldest, at fifteen. Her younger sister Abby was also in the class. The rest were around twelve or thirteen. The girls were tall, short and everything in between. A few were here because they had weight problems, and their pediatrician had suggested dance as a way to get exercise. None of them had any experience, and most lacked a sense of rhythm. But they were fun and enthused and Evie enjoyed teaching them. They were already nervous about the performance, and she wasn’t looking to increase their anxiety.
“I thought we would try something simple. Who here has seen Swan Lake?”
A few of the girls raised their hands.
Evie walked over to her computer and changed the DVDs. “There’s something called ‘Pas de Quartre of the Small Swans.’ It’s four dancers together. I thought we could do something like that, but in groups of five.”
She found the right part of the ballet and pushed the play button. The girls gathered around her computer. As the dance began, their eyes widened, and they all turned to stare at her.
“We can’t do that,” Melissa said. “We don’t know ballet. This is modern dance. And to go up on our toes like that?”
One of the bigger girls bit her lower lip. “I’d look stupid trying.”
“No,” Evie said quickly. “I’m not asking you to dance en pointe. I’m showing you the style of what I’m thinking we’ll do for our exit.”
She moved to the center of the room. “At the end of your dance, you’re all in a row. Bent over like this.” She counted the beats, then straightened and moved her arms.
“Now pretend I’m at the end of the row. We’ll do three groups of five dancers, so I would go forward three counts.” She motioned for Melissa to join her. “Stand here, with your arms crossed.”
Melissa took Evie’s left hand with her right.
“Good. Now quick steps to the right, on the balls of your feet, and one and two and three and four, straight, lifting.”
Melissa did as she said, and they moved across the floor. Evie released her. She bent forward, her arms still crossed in front of her, then straightened and moved four more steps.
“I haven’t gone to the stage yet, to do the actual count. I’m thinking it will be three combinations. As the first row moves to the right, the second row will move forward and follow.”
Melissa nodded slowly. “I get it. It’s the spirit of that bit from Swan Lake, without the scary parts.”
Evie laughed. “Exactly. Want to do it with me?”
“Sure.”
Evie put the music in the CD player. “We’ll start from the beginning.”
“One and two and three and four.”
Evie and Melissa moved together in the simple dance. Her leg was still sore from her workout the previous day, but she was used to working through the pain. As they finished the three-minute routine, she reached for Melissa’s hand and stepped to the side. The girl kept up, only stumbling twice.
“And we’re off the stage,” she said. “Easy enough?”
Her class glanced at each other, then back at her. Abby, Melissa’s sister nodded.
“I can do that.”
“Me, too,” one of the other girls said.
“I knew you could,” Evie told them. “Now everyone line up, and we’ll take it from the top.”
It took the rest of class, but by the end all the girls were comfortable with the transition. As her students walked out of the studio, Evie went to turn off the CD. Melissa followed her.
“You’re really patient with us,” the teen said.
“You’re great to work with.”
“I know we’re not as good as some of the other classes. I’ve seen Grace dance. She’s amazing.”
Grace was fourteen and one of the school’s most promising students. Starting in January, Evie would be working with her privately. While each of the performers would get a chance to shine at the show, Grace had one of the only two longer solos.
“She’s been studying since she was four,” Evie told Melissa. “That’s a long time.”
“I know. I really like coming here, though.”
“I’m glad. I hope you continue to dance.”
Melissa wrinkled her nose. “Could I ever dance on my toes?”
“Of course. It’s not that hard.”
“Does it hurt?”
“Yes,” Evie said with a laugh. “But you get used to it.”
Melissa grinned. “I can’t wait.” She hugged Evie, then ran out.
Evie followed her toward the reception area and was surprised to find Dante there. Several of the mothers were helping their daughters into winter coats and boots, although Evie noticed more than a few of the moms were glancing toward the handsome attorney.
She couldn’t blame them. The man dazzled in a suit. She had a feeling he would look just as good without one.
She watched her students leave, then turned to him.
“There’s no clog dancing tonight,” she said. “You have no reason to complain.”
His blue eyes were dark with an emotion she couldn’t read. He looked at the door, then back at her.
“Last class of the night?” he asked.
She nodded. “Everything will be quiet. Do you have to phone Shanghai again?”
“Not exactly.”
He took a step toward her, then put his hands on her waist and drew her against him. She went easily, wanting to feel his arms around her. She was overwhelmed by all she had to accomplish before the performance, a little freaked out by the holiday season and uncomfortable about having her family so close. The idea of forgetting all that in a passionate embrace suddenly seemed like a great idea.
He lowered his mouth to hers. She tilted her head, let her eyes close and her hands settle on his broad shoulders. Then she gave herself over to the soft, warm insistence of Dante’s kiss.
Dante tasted of mint and warmth. His mouth moved against hers, back and forth, exploring, teasing. She found herself wanting more from him, so she tightened her hold on his shoulders and leaned in slightly.
Her body came in contact with his. He was all hard muscles. She felt delicate next to him—feminine. His hands spanned her back, his fingers pressing lightly against her. The leotard didn’t offer much in the way of a barrier, and he quickly heated her.
She kissed him back, moving her mouth as well, then parted her lips. He slipped inside, his tongue lightly stroking hers. She went up on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck, even as they kissed more deeply.
Low in her belly, wanting blossomed. Her thighs ached for a reason that had nothing to do with exercise and everything to do with anticipation. Her blood moved more quickly, spreading desire to every part of her.
He drew back enough to stare into her eyes. “You’re dangerous.”
She smiled. “Hardly.”
“Sexy,