Page 7 of The American

Devon ran a finger from her shoulder down her arm. “What do you want to drink?” His voice meant to be for her, suggestive, low and rumbly, but loud enough they could all hear.

“A coke would be great.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Sure you don’t want something a little more…relaxing?”

Sage was sure.

Devon ordered for them. Then he said, “So Thad, congratulations on your new position. I wasn’t aware any prince of Torren had aspirations in American business.”

Thad smiled at his dates. “Thank you. I appreciate the support.” His eyes held a hint of challenge and Sage could almost see Devon rise to meet him.

Before he could say anything, she lifted her coke in the air. “But tonight we are about diversion. Even the hardest working among us need to let loose once in a while.”

Devon bit his tongue and smiled in an overly cheerful manner. But Thad lifted his fist, “Knuckles.”

She laughed at the juvenile response but was grateful to lighten the mood. Besides, was he not their playboy CEO? He fit the title perfectly.

“I say, we all get out on that dance floor.” His eyebrows wiggled, and Sage had to laugh.

She spun the water in her glass, looking up through her eyelashes. “You know, Devon has been known to bring the house down with his moves.”

Her date stiffened and then relaxed. “You know it.”

“Oh has he? Do I detect a bit of a competition?”

Devon sat up, all business now. “How will we measure such a thing?”

“Easy, we talk to the DJ and he arranges an audience participation vote.”

Thad seemed to know his way around such things. Which Sage found amusing. And alarming. Their little dance-off was just about to become the center of attention.

Chapter 4

Thad enjoyed Sage’s suggestion more than he should. Every day she gave him new reasons to be fascinated. The thought of her moving around on the dance floor made him hope she was really good at it.

To be truthful, he was claustrophobic hemmed in by these two clinging side appendages. He gestured they slide out of the booth. “Let’s go chat with the DJ, shall we?”

Sage and Devon followed. Thad knew the Devon-type immediately. And he bristled just as much as Devon at the thought that the man was trying to compete. He told himself it didn’t matter, but really, everything was a competition in one way or another, and this man, Devon, needed to be brought down a peg or ten. If his brothers were here, they could take care of it immediately. But as things were, he felt like he could handle it flying Valdez solo.

He smooth talked the DJ who was thrilled with the whole idea, especially when Sage jumped in that he was a prince of Torren and NYC’s newest CEO.

The man’s eyes popped with excitement and he started scrolling through his music. As soon as the next song ended, he hopped on the mic. “Weeee have a fun surprise tonight. Everyone gather in and circle the dance floor. Leave a big space in the middle now. We’ve got something special. With us tonight is Thad Valdez, Prince of Torren and NYC’s newest CEO!!” The women in the room squealed and those closest circled him, pressing into him until he slid sideways away from their group. Then he reached for his two original dates, one opted out as soon as she realized the entire night club would be watching, with their phones out.

The DJ announced the rules. The two couples would start together, all four dancing at once, and then one by one they would be eliminated until two people were out on the floor.

A deep bass beat began, and their group of four rushed to the center and began dancing.

At first, Thad just enjoyed himself. He hardly noticed the others. He would take the hand of his date now and then and move around her. But mostly, he danced by himself and for himself. As much as he enjoyed the fast NYC pace and the new lifestyle, he needed to unwind.

The first to go was his date. She pouted and moped, but he just waved to her as he stepped up his skill. For the first time, he checked out Devon and Sage. She was stunning. He skipped a beat while he watched her, arms and legs moving, lithe and graceful, her hips wiggling with just enough shake. His mouth went dry and he moved closer without meaning to.

But Devon stepped in his way, and started an intricate robot like dance in Thad’s face. Devon pushed him back and jerkily moved his body. Then he took to the floor and spun. Thad remembered seeing moves like that on old 80s YouTube videos. But he had to give it to him, Devon was the master robot dancer guy. If he got down on the floor like a true breaker, then Thad might really respect him.

But they tagged Devon next, and his silent fury amused Thad. But now Thad could have some real fun.

He approached Sage, took her into his arms and started some couples moves. She was light and flexible, the perfect partner. She laughed and allowed herself to be flipped around, bounced on each leg, and to fly up into the air. She spun and she whirled and he was lost.

At one point he pulled her into his chest and stared into her eyes long enough, he forgot everything except her heartbeat next to his.

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