Page 30 of Blind Date with the Boss

He could have kissed her,mighthave kissed her, but she was too busy issuing more instructions.

‘Okay. Now you still need to emphasize the first beat, but I’d like you to make the steps a bit oozy. Kind of like sliding in syrup.’

‘In syrup?’ he echoed faintly.

‘Mmmm. You need to keep in time, but try changing the quality to a smooth, gentle, gliding motion.’

Sally demonstrated, moving away from him, gliding smoothly, fluid as air.

‘I’ll never be able to do that.’

‘Don’t be defeatist,’ she scolded.

‘I’m a realist.’

But it seemed that Sally had no plans to give up on him.

‘Let’s look at this another way then.’ Tapping a finger against her lips, she watched him thoughtfully. ‘Let me see. You’re a wine connoisseur. Why don’t you think of the waltz as a fine red?’

His eyebrows arched with bemusement. ‘How is that supposed to help?’

‘Imagine Diana Devenish as some kind of exquisite cabinet sauvignon – rich and complex, yet mysterious. You give her a swirl and admire her finer qualities, including her fabulous legs and all the while you’re careful not to spill a drop. You take the wine slowly, savouring every sip as it glides smoothly down your throat. Except you’re gliding along the dance floor instead!’

Logan grinned. ‘That kind of works for me. I’ll give it a go.’

Once again, she stepped towards him, took his hand and assumed the dancing position. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand at her bra line and tried to ignore her tantalising, silky-soft skin. Sally was amazing. Fancy likening the waltz to wine. But it worked. He could picture it. How many intriguing layers were there to this girl?

‘Okay, let’s glide, Logan.’

Drawing Sally in, Logan glided. One, two, three. Strong, soft, soft. She was light and graceful in his arms, and as they whirled, he caught wafts of her enticing, tormenting perfume. And somewhere, in the midst of it all, he gave up worrying and let go, giving in, at last, to the moment, to the flow of the music.

Sally was probably right. Dancing was like drinking fine wine. He certainly longed to know howshetasted, couldn’t shake the feeling that she would be one of those rare finds, imparting a surprisingly delicious aftertaste that left him wanting more.

Yes, he definitely wanted more, wanted Sally’s slender curves pressed more closely against him, wanted her soft lips –

Logan stumbled. ‘I’m so sorry.’

In the next breath he realised that his stumble hadn’t been caused by his own inadequacies, but by Sally, who had stopped dancing and was now slipping out of his arms.

Flushed and trembling, she stood with her hands buried in the folds of her skirt, not looking at him.

‘That – that was very good,’ she said. ‘You’re really getting the hang of it.’

‘You’re a very good teacher,’ he assured her and he might have added more compliments, but watching her intently, he realised that something was wrong. Very wrong.

How had this sudden change happened? Why? Had he held her too tightly? God forbid she’d sensed the direction of his thoughts.

She still wouldn’t look at him and she had completely lost her sparkle. Clouds had arrived to cover the stars.

‘That’s probably enough for one night,’ she said.

What could he do, but agree?

‘Thank you,’ he said quietly. ‘I really appreciate your help.’

One corner of her mouth lifted into a sadly wry smile, then she turned and crossed the room and switched off the music and the silence seemed to echo in the big empty room.

‘And now I must pay you,’ Logan said.

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