Page 111 of Flirty Dancing

Do something,his gut said.

Archer looked at Mateo. Mateo looked back.

Archer opened his mouth to say something right as the music got cranked up and Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine” started blaring. The other lounging employees whooped as they hopped to their feet and began pushing furniture back.

“Yeehaw,” Dominik cried. “Off your asses, everyone!”

Archer put his drink down, then stood and took Mateo’s hand. “Come on, let’s dance.”

They didn’t touch in line dancing, of course, but thatsomethingwas still there, connecting them. Archer was intensely aware of where Mateo was at every second, like he was being pulled in that direction, as if his center of gravity was outside of his body and desperate to return to its home.

One song turned into several, and their eyes continued to meet, again and again.

Do something.

“Hey,” Archer yelled into Mateo’s ear as one song came to an end. “Do you want another drink?”

Mateo smiled, and for some reason it looked a little sad when he shook his head. “Thanks, but it’s been a long day. I’d better get to bed.”

“Okay,” Archer said. “Well…”It’s better this way,his brain reminded him.Safer.“Thanks again for… everything today.”

“You’re welcome.”

The other voice, the one in his gut, was finally quiet while Archer watched Mateo’s back disappear down the hall.

It’s better this way,his brain said again.

24Secret

As the week went on, Archer’s brain started losing the argument.

It’s better this way,it said.

Mateo’s hand rested on Archer’s back.

It’s better this way.

Mateo’s nose burrowed into Archer’s neck during their tango.

It’s better…

Mateo lifted Archer like he was made of air in their pas de deux, before he set him down again and they stood chest-to-chest, breath mingling.

It’s…

Mateo’s lips.

It’s…

Mateo’s eyes.

… What was I saying?

The connection he had with Mateo was undeniable—almost palpable and only getting stronger. Mateo had to feel it too. And yet, Mateo was also choosing not to act onit. That was the only thing Archer could hold on to, the only thing that was keeping him from throwing himself at Mateo’s feet. Getting together now would be stupid, and they both knew it.

Of course, there was still dancing, at least. They spent every day together rehearsing their acro number as the final show approached, and they melted their way across the stage for their tango duet on Tuesday. Archer had to take a cold shower that night. On Saturday, their pas de deux was so intense that Archer was a little shaky as they bowed for the roaring audience.

Archer looked for Mateo in the crowd as soon as he got to Game Night. Speed Connect 4 was set up—four boards in a row along the kitchen island. They had one second to play their piece. Whoever won moved up the ladder. The loser moved down. It was chaotic and fun and distracting enough that Archer managed to mostly forget about staring at Mateo… until he played him.

---