Page 29 of Taming Her Temptations

Levi’s eyes catch mine again and this time he looks a little less smug, but a little more frustrated. He clearly realizes I’m entirely out of my depth and he’s right.

“Okay,” he shouts while he takes a step back. “Whoever does the best job today during Miss Rivers’ class will get backstage tickets to our show.”

A cheer sounds throughout the crowd of kids.

Levi maneuvers through the crowd and settles by my side. Now everyone is facing me and they look eager to do whatever I tell them. I take a big sigh of relief, even if I’m frustrated that it took Levi’s help to do it.

I debate scolding all of them for showing absolutely no etiquette in an etiquette class, but think better of it. I’ve got to grab onto the reins and hold tight, and that’s not the way.

“When you’re older, you’ll likely attend galas and events and run into men just like these three.” I start, my voice raised. “The appropriate response would not be to squeal and gather around them asking for autographs, but maybe if you’re lucky you might get a chance to talk to them, or…” I scan each of their faces to make sure they’re listening. “Even dance the waltz with them.”

Squeals and claps come from the crowd.

Usually, I would use a student to demonstrate, but I’m not risking them losing interest and starting another teenage mob. I turn to Levi.

“How are your waltzing skills?” I say as I grab his hand.

“Better than your kid wrangling skills.” He cocks an eyebrow at me as he grabs my waist.

“I deserve that.”

I look out to the group once we’re in position.

“The waltz is about mastering the small steps so well that when you dance, it looks like the magic is happening in graceful large swoops but, in actuality, the magic is happening in small perfect rhythm with your partner.”

“Poetic,” Levi teases me under his breath.

“Show me what you got, big shot. Dean said his mom taught you how to dance.” I press play on my phone, which is connected to the gym’s speakers.

Levi laughs when he hears the music, and I’ll admit, the sight of him laughing is beautiful when witnessed this close. He’s laughing because I put on a string quartet cover of one of their most popular songs, ‘Object of Desire’.

“Nice touch,” he says as he pulls me in tighter.

“I try.” I shrug.

I count us off and we begin, our feet shuffling on the wood floor of the gymnasium. I was expecting him to be able to barely keep up, but he does way more than that. He leads confidently and even adds some playful flourishes.

“You’re full of surprises,” I say as I trace up his perfectly poised shoulders to his head, which is held high. He looks regal and in total control. I see that elusive star-quality people talk about when they meet famous people. An aura that’s hard to put a finger on, but is still vibrant. I suddenly feel silly, like this whole time I’ve been with him, I haven’t truly understood who he is.

“I guess Dean told you his mom used to hold dance classes in their kitchen.” He grins like he’s imagining the scene. “What he doesn’t know is that I always wanted to please her for letting us stay there so often. I would practice whenever I got a second alone and there was no one to make fun of me. Asher and Dean would have had a field day if they saw me dancing all alone. But they never did. They just assumed I was a natural.”

I smile up at him. The rockstar vanishes and at this moment he’s just a guy who wants to please the world. I can understand that.

“You know, you’re full of surprises too.” He has that twinkle in his eye that always hits me somewhere deep in my stomach. I look at him, confused, unsure of what he’s talking about. He answers by raising his eyebrows slightly.

Oh god, is he talking about what happened with Asher and Dean?

My heart rate picks up and I falter on a step. He grips me tighter to steady me.

“Nothing to be nervous about.” He whispers as he leans closer to me. The sound of his hushed voice in my ear does things to my body that are entirely inappropriate while being in a school setting.

He brings his lips right down against my ear. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t there.”

I inhale a sharp breath. What is he even suggesting? As if it wasn’t already the most extreme situation I’ve ever experienced, but all three of them? And to be like that with Levi? Our history is already strange and complicated without adding Asher and Dean to the mix.

The music comes to an end.

“Bow to me,” I whisper.

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