Page 3 of I Wanna Dance

Marco held out his hand. “Shall we?”

I hesitated for half a beat, my insecurities creeping up, but then I placed my hand in his. His grip grounded me in the moment.

Viviana clapped her hands together, commanding our attention. “Tonight, we’re focusing on thecumbiastep. It’s light, it’s playful, and it’s all about connection. Listen to the rhythm—slow, quick-quick. Got it?”

The music started! It was a lively, syncopated beat that immediately got my foot tapping.

“Ready?” Marco tilted his head.

“As I’ll ever be,” I replied honestly, not sure what I was ready for, the dance or…the man? Not that he was offering,buthe was tempting as hell.

His right hand settled at my waist, his left clasping mine. I placed my free hand on his shoulder, and for a moment, I was acutely aware ofhim—the heat of his body, the faint scent of him, the slight sway of his body as he counted the beat under his breath.

“Step back with your right foot.” Marco guided me into the movement.

I followed his lead, moving in reverse and then shifting forward as he mirrored the motion—slow, quick, quick. The rhythm was tricky, but Marco was steady. His hands and body subtly guided me back on track whenever I faltered.

“You sure you’ve never done this before?”

“I’m Puerto Rican,” he informed me. “Salsa is in my blood.”

I chuckled. “I’m white. I have the two-step shuffle in my blood.”

He laughed. It was a rich sound, and lots of heads turned to look at us…athim.

“Now, let’s turn,” Viviana ordered.

Marco released my waist for a moment, gently spinning me out. My blouse flared a little as I twirled, and when I returned to him, he caught me effortlessly.

“Not bad.” I was breathless.

“Not bad at all,” he replied huskily.

Viviana continued to shout out adjustments, her voice rising above the music. “Shoulders relaxed! Keep your frame strong! Let the rhythm carry you!”

I tried to take her advice, relaxing into the music and letting Marco’s movements guide me. Thecumbiastep became second nature (no, really), and soon, we were gliding across the floor, spinning and shifting with a grace I hadn’t known I was capable of.

The music seemed to pulse through my veins, the beat quickening my heart as Marco led me into another turn, this one faster and tighter. When I spun back into his arms, our faces were close—so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek.

“You’re a natural.” His eyes locked on mine, and the heart stutter, I thought for just a tiny, unguarded moment, was not one-sided.

“I’m justfollowingyour lead,señor.”Was I flirting?Yep!

“It’s my pleasure,señora.” He gave it right back to me with a wink.

The music ended with a flourish, and we came to a stop, our bodies still swaying slightly as the last notes faded. The room erupted into applause.

“Beautiful work, everyone!” Viviana complimented. “See? Dancing isn’t just about the steps. It’s about connection, about trust, about letting yourself feel the music.”

“That was fun.” Marco’s hands lingered at my waist as we listened to Viviana close the class down. I would have stepped away,butIliked his hands on me.

I felt my cheeks flush like I was an ingenue. “Yes.”

Yes, it was!

CHAPTER 2

Marco

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