Page 57 of It Had to be You

from them and drew Tatum into his arms. "Is there a particular dance you’d like to start with?"

She loved the feel of his hand on her lower back. The warmth of the hand holding onto her own. "As long as I’m dancing with you, Alex, I’m happy for anything."

He turned to talk to the band, and she blurted out one request. "Just not the

Hokey Pokey."

Someone in the band groaned at the suggestion and everyone shared a laugh.

"Point taken," he assured her, "no Hokey Pokey."

Turning back to the band, he gave them a nod, but before Tatum could ask him what they

were going to dance to, she heard the melody and smiled. "I like your taste in music."

Alex drew her a little closer and leaned in to whisper. "I like you. I love everything about you."

Together, they swayed once…twice… and then began to move together.

Smiling, Tatum felt her heart swell with pride. "You’ve been practicing!"

"I must have looked pretty silly in my office and at home at night, imagining you in my arms."

Together, they made a quick turnaround.

"Well," her smile broadened, "you’ve done a great job, but you could use a few pointers."

"Oh?" His eyes widened a bit. "I can see how that might be helpful." The music changed to the chorus and he gathered her closer. "Do you know of anyone who might be willing to help me practice? Give me some help with my dancing?"

She composed a thoughtful look on her face. "I might be able to give you some help.

Remind me later and I’ll give you business cards from a couple of studios where I’ll be teaching."

His momentary surprise mellowed as he caught onto her tone. "I might just take you up on that. I may be a novice at this dancing thing, but there is one thing I’d like to become an expert on."

"Oh? Care to share?" She felt a bit of breathless anticipation as she waited for the answer.

CHAPTER 14

The suite that Alexander took her to in the Oriental was... eye opening.

Tatum stood in the entry for a few minutes, just taking it all in.

Alex moved around her and into a room off to the side.

She knew it was the bedroom, but her gaze still hadn't seen all there was in this room.

"Wow." She shook her head and took a step into the room. The windows on the other side were nearly floor to ceiling and even though it was dark outside, the view was spectacular.The dark stretch below was definitely Central Park. She'd seen it from the window of the town car on the way to the hotel. The New York skyline that ringed the park made all of the pointed rooftops look like Christmas trees. "Incredible."

Tatum saw the shadow in the window and smiled as Alex walked up behind her.

"I was hoping you'd like the room."

"Like?" She sighed and leaned back against his chest. "I love the room. Just like I love you."

Tatum turned and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning in and tilting her head back for his kiss.

He didn't disappoint.

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